It is a common misconception that hardwood floors will last forever. While it’s true that they’ll last far longer than carpet or any other type of flooring, they still need to be maintained every so often. Hardwood floors are made up of layers of wood and glue, and each layer has its own characteristics. Some types of wood Floorboards in Adelaide expand more than others when exposed to moisture; some types shrink more than others when exposed to heat, and some types are more prone to damage if not installed properly.
Keep reading below if you want to learn more about the natural changes that occur in hardwood floors over time!
Wood Floors Change Naturally
In the wild, wood moves. It grows, it changes, and it ages. Just like people.
Wood is a natural material that expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. This movement causes your Floorboards Adelaide to expand up to 5% over time, which can cause them to crack or warp.
For example: If you have solid oak flooring installed during the winter months (when there’s less moisture in the air), then when summer comes around and there are higher temperatures outside as well as inside your home or building…you might notice that cracks appear where the floor meets the wall because of this expansion!
How Wood Changes Naturally
Wood is a natural material that expands and contracts with changes in temperature, humidity, moisture content, and location.
That means you’ll need to make sure your wood doesn’t get too dry or too wet. If it does, the expansion or contraction can cause warping, cracking, or splitting of the wood structure.
You should also avoid extremes of temperature when treating your floors with finishes such as paints, oils, or waxes because this can cause similar problems.
Hardwood Flooring Expansion and Contraction
You’ve probably noticed that your hardwood Floorboards in Adelaide expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity. Wood expands when it’s warm, and contracts as it cools down. The rate at which this happens depends on the species of wood (bamboo expands faster than oak, for example).
A floor that is not properly installed can buckle or warp if the room where it’s located experiences dramatic changes in temperature over short periods of time.
Wood can also expand because of moisture content: when there is too much moisture in the air (humidity), wood will tend to swell; conversely, dry air will cause boards to shrink over time.
Installing hardwood floors is a great investment, but it is important to know the natural changes that will occur over time. Wood expands and contracts to depend on the moisture content of your home or environment.
This movement can crack and split boards, so expansion joints are often used to help avoid this. In addition, hardwoods are a natural material and by nature, expand and contract with humidity levels in your home or environment.
However, you can help prevent some cracking by installing Floorboards in Adelaide with tongue-and-groove edges rather than planks (which are flat).
Floorboards tend to last for decades if they’re installed properly – they only need infill when they look worn out!
Conclusion
It’s important to know that not all wood is created equal. Some types of wood are better suited for expansion and contraction than others. You can find out which flooring is right for you by contacting one of Floor Polishing Adelaide experts today!