Any article made of wood will continually expand and contract with the changes in relative humidity. Wood, being a hygroscopic material, when exposed to air will dry or pick up moisture until equilibrium is reached between the humidity and the temperature of the air. Moisture absorption causes wood to expand and moisture loss causes wood to shrink.

 

Generally, wood flooring is expected to expand in wet climates and shrink in dry climates. How much depends on your particular area and the conditions surrounding the installation. In Colorado, during the winter months, the temperature drops and the homeowner’s turn on their heating systems and keep doors and windows closed. This heat dries out the home and that pulls moisture form the wood, causing the wood to shrink and “crack” to appear between boards.  This can be somewhat minimized by having a humidifier attached to the heating system and maintaining a relative humidity of 35 to 45 percent whenever possible during the heating season.

 

As temperature and humidity changes occur in the summer, cracking should remedy itself. As moisture is replaced back into the air, moisture is also absorbed back into the wood. Expansion occurs and wood floors return to their original state before the winter season.

 

Finally, it is important to remember that shrinkage is not a flaw in the wood or an installation related problem. The material is just reacting naturally, to changes in moisture levels.