Many homeowners are attracted to the simple elegance which hardwood flooring can bring to a home.
That said, maintenance and installation is not easy when dealing with a genuine, solid wood floor.
Wood is extremely susceptible to contraction and expansion if subjected to moisture.
All wood floors react to moisture. In winter, heating causes the wood to contract, leaving gaps between planks.
During summer months, the higher humidity causes the wood to expand, and the gaps disappear.
Buckling
If the wood experiences too much moisture it can buckle. Besides buckling, the presence of moisture can lead to condensation problems or failure of adhesive under the flooring.
New concrete contains large amounts of moisture and it can take 60 days or more before the slab is dry enough for wood flooring installation.
Regular monitoring of moisture content of the concrete slab during the drying-out period is required to ensure it has reached sufficient dryness to accept the floor covering.
Engineered wood flooring is more stable and has less tendency to warp. A sub-floor is installed for solid wood installations as well as engineered flooring. Ask your installer for the best method, but each type will require it.
When installing on wood joists and you are on the second level, in addition to the plywood subfloor a sound barrier is also advisable to reduce noise transmission.
Bermuda lends itself to a home with wooden floors. They are easy to keep clean and add warmth to any interior décor.