Laminate And Humidity

What happens when humidity and laminate mix.

Laminate and humidity. This may cause noticeable ridges along the seams called cupping or bulges. During dry cold weather laminate might shrink causing cracks to appear between each plank. They do not stop it. During warm humid weather laminate might expand to give the floor a crowned look.

Laminate flooring is inexpensive comprised of wood composites that are pressed together for high strength and water resistance. During the hot summer months laminate may appear crowned or raised in some areas. As you can see engineered wood flooring is more stable than solid wood flooring. Lay out the unopened boxes of laminate planks in the room.

Although it s not waterproof high pressure laminate flooring experiences little expansion and contraction. Laminate flooring is fitted together like a puzzle with a mechanical click system. If you are installing the flooring below grade or in a room like a basement with high humidity or moisture lay down a vapor barrier before you install the flooring. Relative humidity levels of 30 80 expert engineered lauzon hardwood floors relative humidity levels of 35 65 other lauzon engineered hardwood floors relative humidity levels of 35 55 lauzon solid hardwood floors.

Wood expands as humidity increases and shrinks as humidity decreases. Humidity levels in your home are often affected by seasonal changes and laminate flooring responds by expanding and contracting. The small tongue and groove pieces may not fit together as designed if the wood dehydrates or swells with humidity. As the humidity levels rise above 60 your flooring expands.

Finishes and other coatings such as laminate or foil temper humidity swings by slowing the transfer of moisture. Because laminate is installed using a tongue in groove click to lock system this expansion can push the sides of each plank into each other causing them to buckle. The small tongue and groove pieces may not fit together as designed if the wood dehydrates or swells with humidity. Low humidity levels can also have an impact on your flooring.

During the hot summer months laminate may appear crowned or raised in some areas. Unfinished exposed wood will exhibit the most dramatic changes. Laminate floors are not typically fastened to the subfloor which allows them to float as the material expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. Even finished wood will change with long term changes in humidity.

They should acclimate for at least 48 hours. Laminate flooring in toronto is fitted together like a puzzle with a mechanical click system. High pressure laminate flooring is excellent for high humidity applications because it s made with a special glue that reduces the absorption of moisture.