Hardwood flooring is suitable for every house. It can not only be installed in the living room and bedrooms, it can also fit in the kitchen.
However, before your house is suitable for wood floors, you must have some considerations. One of them is climate.
As wood is a natural material, it reacts to its environment and must be properly acclimated before installation. Here’s a rundown of the different climates and how you should prepare for them.
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Climates
You must first understand the climate in which you are operating before making any decisions. Installing wood flooring in a damp, hot area is not the same as installing it in a cold one.
Fortunately, there’s a useful map made by the U.S. Department of Energy that divides the United States into different climate zones. This will help you determine the type of climate you’re in.
Understanding Your Zone
After you find out what region you’re in, you can properly assess what kind of acclimatization you need for your hardwood floors. The most important factor here is the humidity level.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, the humidity levels for interior wood products in the different regions should be as follows:
-Areas with average humidity: an average of 8%, ranging from 6% to 10% humidity.
-Dry southwestern regions: an average of 6% humidity, ranging from 4% to 9%.
-Damp, warm coastal areas: an average of 11%, ranging from 8% to 13% humidity.
Of course, the actual numbers will vary, but this will help you know how to get your interior adequately prepared for hardwood flooring installation. Needless to say, you should always contact a professional for this process.
It’s important to check what zone you are in before installing wood flooring. It will help you save on future repairs!