Wood flooring is a natural material and can be affected by extreme humidity. When the air is humid (more moisture in the air), the hardwood will start to absorb some of the moisture and will consequently expand.
Similarly, when there are low levels of humidity the hardwood will start to dry out and shrink. Minor fluctuations in the humidity will not affect your hardwood as it is natural for it to expand and contract with changes in the weather, as long as it has been fitted with the correct size expansion gap to allow this movement. If you are not sure about how to leave an expansion gap, see: ‘What is an expansion gap?’
If you are worried about significant changes in humidity affecting your hardwood floor, then it is advised that engineered hardwood flooring is installed as it is more dimensionally stable meaning it is more resilient to these changes in temperature and moisture.
