All wood changes in response to its environment.
It’s a constant unseen battle that goes on every season, all year long, year after year…
When it comes to wood vs. water,
Water wins, every time!
With wood floors, we can do a lot of things very well, but, we can’t change the laws of Physics.
All wood floors will start off flat after they have been sanded and finished.
From there, wood floors will react to moisture changes: either too much moisture, or not enough.
Spoiler alert: basements are often the main culprit for first floor problems…
All wood floors respond proportionally to the change in moisture in the air, and eventually if it gets too high… voila!
Cupped floors.
Hygroscopic:
Definition: readily taking up and retaining moisture.
The ability to absorb and release moisture from the air.
Ex: dry sponges are highly hygroscopic.
Sweet Spot:
Wood floors do best when RH% air is stabilized YEAR-ROUND between 40% min and 55% max relative humidity.
It’s all about proper humidification and dehumidification.
Over many decades of wood floor experience, we’ve learned that a lot of short cuts that “could” be done are most often, things that should NOT be done!
Try as some may, you just can’t change the Laws of Physics!