Winter is here, bringing cold conditions and drier air, which could harm your beautiful hardwood floors. While you may experience exceptionally dry indoor environments, it is crucial to be mindful of the relative humidity within your home.

Monitoring and optimizing humidity levels during dry spells can significantly impact various aspects of your living space, especially the health and well-being of your floors.

As flooring specialists, we are here to provide simple guidance on ensuring the longevity of your floor.

In the driest winter settings of Asheville, homes relying on wood heat without assisted humidity control can reach interior humidity levels as low as 10%. To put it in perspective, that's as dry as the Mojave Desert.

Most floor warranties recommend maintaining the relative humidity for wood floors between 30-55%. Falling below this range for extended periods can lead to excessive gaps in solid floors and the potential for splitting in engineered floors. It's not a defect in the product; it's simply a natural consequence of wood losing moisture and drying out.

Here are four steps to ensure a happy and healthy floor during the winter season:

1. Prevent: Reduce excessive ventilation leaks that allow cold outside winter air to enter your home. Common leakage sites include old windows, recessed lights, and other openings in ceilings and floors. Minimizing air transitions makes it easier to maintain a higher relative humidity.

2. Monitor: Invest in an inexpensive humidity monitor to observe how your home responds to temperature changes. This will help you identify when humidity levels are low and when your home needs a moisture boost. A simple hygrometer, costing less than $20, provides all the information you need about your specific humidity levels.

3. Maintain: Keep the interior humidity within the recommended 30-55% range. This helps prevent issues, such as excessive gapping in solid floors and splitting in engineered floors.

4. Adjust: If maintaining the recommended range proves challenging, consider adding moisture with a humidifier. Whether it's a single-room humidifier or a whole-house system, introducing moisture not only benefits your floors but also aids in preserving wooden elements throughout your home, protects artwork, and contributes to overall well-being.

By following these steps, you can ensure that the condition of your hardwood floors remains top-notch, even in the driest winter conditions.

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