Laminate facts: How temperature & humidity affect laminate flooring

Temperatures can fluctuate inside your home or business based on what the weather is like outside and what you find comfortable. But what you may not have realized is that when you change the temperature, this can affect your flooring, especially if you have laminate floors. Here’s how both temperature and humidity can affect your laminate flooring.

Humidity can expand laminate

When wood is exposed to humidity, it can expand. When laminate flooring is installed, it is put together with a clicking system that is made from wood. Humidity in your house can cause those wood parts to expand, which leads to a crowned look in your laminate flooring. Although humidity expands the wood in laminate flooring, cold and dry temperatures can result in the opposite effect, causing cracks by shrinking.

Cold temperatures can cause water damage

If your house is too cold, especially during the winter, laminate flooring can become vulnerable to moisture even though laminate is moisture resistant. If you come and go often during the winter, you’re likely to bring in snow, ice, and cold temperatures. With enough exposure to these temperatures, your laminate can suffer water damage. You can easily prevent this by using rugs near doorways during the winter to protect your floor.

Temperature fluctuations can be harmful

If you constantly have changing temperatures in your home, you could be damaging your laminate flooring without even knowing it. Laminate flooring will expand and contract if it’s exposed to constant temperature fluctuations. This can lead to serious damage to your laminate floors, such as peeling and curling. You can manage this by making sure you keep a consistent temperature in your home or by avoiding changing the temperature too often.

While both temperatures and humidity can have damaging effects on your laminate flooring, it’s nothing that can’t be avoided. You can also take preventative methods to keep your laminate floor in the best condition possible. In addition to keeping a controlled climate indoors, you can also have your laminate floors installed in the right areas in addition to using a moisture barrier with your laminate.

If you’re looking to install laminate flooring, it’s important to know how to properly protect it against temperatures and humidity. With laminate flooring, you can have beautiful floors in great condition for years to come. For the best quality laminate flooring and installation, be sure to get in touch with GS Flooring in St. George, Utah. We can help find the perfect material for your home and expertly install it for you!