Wood Flooring Dynamics
- CullingWood stock should be culled in order to remove uneven, or unsightly boards.
- Expansion GapsFailing to leave expansion gaps at the perimeter of a floor can cause buckling with moisture changes.
- Moisture ConditionsFailing to take moisture conditions into account and treat for them properly can cause buckling, cracking, wrinkling, and mold growth.
- Moisture RetarderA proper moisture retarder must be used.
- Joint StaggerJoints should be randomly staggered increase stability and prevent the appearance of sectioning in the space.
- Floor FlatnessRolls in a concrete subfloor can cause disbonding and excessive movement of the wood floor.
- AcclimationWood needs to acclimate to the environment that it will live in. Temperature and humidity can cause significant variation in the directional stability of the wood. A 15% change in humidity can cause a 3" piece of red oak to expand nearly 0.2". In a 15 foot section of those same boards that is nearly 12" in expansion due to humidity.
Not to say that anyone would intentionally use substandard procedures or products, but with the competitiveness of the bid process it is vital that scopes be reviewed properly and the quality of the installer be taken into consideration.
