With so many people addressing the root cause of warping, statistically, many methods have been suggested but as far as maintenance and performance are concerned, no truly rewarding results have been found. We understand your concerns and below we’ve listed a few tips that you might want to consider if you’re keen on preventing oak flooring from warping. So let’s dive in…
Frankly, wood is quite expensive compared to other available materials, however, if treated with care it can last an extended period of time. Firstly, the most critical question is “What is wood warping?” Imagine a scenario where you pay to fix a wooden floor and lastly discover it has misshapen? Typically wood warping is a deformity in wood that occurs when the moisture content of the wood unevenly changes. Factors influencing moisture rate content includes ambient temperature, grain orientation, size of wood and the coating embedded. So how do you prevent oak flooring from warping?
Fasten the boards tightly
Wood retracts and expands throughout, depending on the season either summer or winter. Ensure they are tightly fastened and installed to prevent their elasticity nature. Even if you were to leave wood resting up against a wall for a few days you’ll find that it has bowed significantly, and that’s a sign that this really is a solid, durable but flexible material.
Install high-quality humidifiers
Eliminating water content on your floor and room in general can highly prevent floor warping. As previously pointed; moisture content within the wood is the basic determinant. Running an HVAC humidifier or a fun balances and controls moisture content evenly. With active measures, make sure your carpets are dry and the house is well ventilated.
Don’t mop a wood floor during summer
The main key to preventing warping is to eradicate moisture. Ensure you mop with less water to avoid absorption. During summer it’s advisable to dry-clean an oak floor to prevent water evaporation in the wood, which leads to warping. This is just general advice really and it’s basically a case of making sure you do not completely soak the floorboards.
Install vents as much as possible
Hardwood floors are ideal for many and similarly, popular in bathrooms and kitchen. In the mentioned spaces where water is even, invest heavily in ventilation outlets. This can reduce warping by 50%.
Install acclimated oak wood floors
For best lasting results know the wood species included in your flooring. As a rule, purchase oak flooring locally as they’re more likely to match with the humidity level of the surrounding. In addition, different wood environment matters. Opt for wood floors that are perfectly adapted to your desired destiny, whether that be kitchen, bathroom, living room or bedroom.
To sum up, allow us to state that reducing all levels of moisture in the space can significantly guarantee long-lasting results, so do take your time to weigh up your options before making a decision.