Hardwood Flooring & Summer Humidity in Manitoba

Manitoba, as we all know, has some of the most dramatic seasonal climate shifts in all of Canada. From bone-dry, sub-zero winter blizzards to intensely hot, humid summer days, we’ve experienced it all… and so have our floors.

One of the most important investments you will make in your home is your flooring. Your floors tell a much larger story and act as the fourth wall that brings the other 3 into alignment with your overall vision and aesthetic. This is why, especially if you are new to the area, it’s important to find the right types of flooring, especially when it comes to hardwood.

Learn about the importance of choosing the right hardwood flooring and maintaining your floors, especially in Manitoba’s summers with GC Flooring, the go-to wood flooring experts.

How Your Hardwood Flooring Reacts to Moisture

Genuine hardwood is an “hygroscopic” material. This is a scientific way of saying it acts like a natural sponge, constantly absorbing and releasing moisture to stay in balance with the surrounding air.

During a humid Manitoba August, the moisture content in your home rises. Your hardwood planks absorb this airborne water vapor, causing the wood cells to expand. Conversely, when the winter deep-freeze arrives and your home heating kicks on, the air dries out, and the wood contracts.

If this expansion and contraction isn’t managed properly, it can lead to noticeable structural issues:

• Cupping: The edges of the hardwood plank swell and rise higher than the center, creating a wavy, concave surface.
• Crowning: The center of the plank swells and arches upward, making the middle of the board higher than the edges.
• Buckling: In extreme cases of moisture exposure, the planks lift completely away from the subfloor.

Consider Engineered Hardwood for Timeless, Moisture-Resistant Benefits

If you want the timeless luxury of real hardwood in a climate like Manitoba’s, the engineering type you select matters immensely.

Engineered hardwood is specifically designed to combat climate fluctuations. By fusing a premium genuine hardwood wear layer over multiple cross-directional plywood layers, the wood is physically locked into place.

When the top layer wants to expand sideways, the lower layers counteract that movement, keeping your floor perfectly flat and stable through the muggiest summer storms.

Manitoba Homeowner’s Summer Maintenance Checklist

To protect your lifetime structural warranty and keep your floors looking pristine year-round, follow these four expert steps:

1. Maintain the Relative Humidity (RH) Sweet Spot: Keep your home’s indoor relative humidity between 35% and 55% year-round. This is the gold standard for human comfort and hardwood longevity.
2. Invest in Environmental Controls: Run your central air conditioning consistently during the summer, or utilize a dedicated whole-home dehumidifier to strip excess moisture out of the air before your floors can absorb it.
3. Monitor Your Subfloor: Never rush an installation. Ensure your concrete or plywood substrate is thoroughly tested for moisture content and completely prepped before laying down a single plank.
4. Avoid Wet Mopping: Never, under any circumstances, use a wet mop or bucket on a hardwood floor. Clean surface dust with a dry microfiber mop and use manufacturer-approved specialty hardwood cleaners applied via a fine mist.