During the winter, many homeowners notice small gaps appearing between hardwood floorboards that were not visible during warmer months. The immediate concern is often the same: Was the floor installed incorrectly? Not necessarily. Hardwood naturally expands and contracts as moisture levels change throughout the year. In New Jersey and throughout the Northeast, heated indoor air … Read more
When hardwood flooring suddenly becomes uneven, moisture is often involved. But the way the boards change shape can provide important clues about what is happening beneath—or above—the floor. Two of the most common moisture-related conditions are cupping and crowning. They may look similar, but they describe opposite board shapes and can have very different moisture … Read more
A squeaky hardwood floor doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something wrong with the hardwood itself. In many cases, the sound is caused by movement somewhere beneath the finished floor. The hardwood, subfloor, fasteners, and floor joists all work together as one system. When one layer moves against another under foot traffic, friction can create squeaks, creaks, … Read more