Seasonal Humidity and Hardwood Floors in Middle Tennessee

Middle Tennessee has humid summers and drier winters with the heat running. Wood takes on and gives off moisture with the air, so floors move through the year.

Winter gaps

When the furnace runs, indoor air dries out and boards shrink, leaving thin gaps. Small seasonal gaps that close again in spring are normal.

Summer cupping

In humid months, boards swell. If the edges rise higher than the centers, the floor is cupping, often from too much moisture below (crawl space) or long periods with the air conditioning off.

Keep humidity steady

• Many manufacturers recommend indoor relative humidity of about 35–55%. Check your product's warranty for its exact range.
• Use a simple hygrometer to watch levels.
• Run the AC or a dehumidifier in summer; consider a humidifier in winter.
• Do not shut the HVAC off for long stretches in a vacant house.

New installs

Ask your installer whether the wood needs to acclimate and what moisture readings they took on the wood and subfloor before install.