A Colorado mountain home has many things going for it, like the views, nature, and the climate. Hardwood floors, however beautiful they may be in your home, can sometimes have a difficult time in the mountains. But, if you choose your flooring wisely, there’s no reason you can’t have gorgeous, long-lasting hardwood floors in high and dry mountain climates.
The problems with hardwood floors in dry climates
Moisture is one of the biggest threats to hardwood flooring, so you’d think that a dry climate would be ideal. A dry climate, however, can come with its own set of problems. One of the biggest problems people experience with their hardwood floors in dry climates is cupping. When the moisture in the wood floors is sucked out due to the dry climate, the boards can start to shrink and cup and leave your floors looking terrible. As with any climate, really, making sure that your floors are acclimated to your indoor climate is the key to extending the life of your hardwood floors.
Engineered wood floors in dry climates
Because engineered floors are made up of several layers of wood, they tend to be a little more flexible in various climates. The layering of engineered flooring can sometimes be the very reason that the floors begin to cup in dry climates. Sometimes the solid top layer of wood will dry out faster than the plywood portion of the engineered flooring, causing the boards to get wonky. But, many have had great success with engineered flooring in dry climates.
Solid hardwood floors in dry climates
Both solid and engineered wood will need time to acclimate to your home.
As long as you choose the right species of wood, you should be able to install solid hardwood floors in dry climates. The key, and we’ve said this many times before, is proper acclimation. Any type of flooring, any species of wood will need to spend some time in its new home getting acclimated before you begin the installation.
Indoor climate control
Climate and humidity control is the key to warm, rustic hardwood floors in your mountain home. As long as you don’t let your indoor climate fluctuate too much, once acclimated, your floors should look beautiful for many years to come.
T&G Flooring is one of Colorado’s largest hardwood flooring retailers. Talk to a flooring expert about the best type and species of hardwood floor for your Colorado mountain home.