Denver is 5,280 feet above sea level. Because of this, we have some of the driest air in the country. That combination can spell disaster for hardwood floors. You’ll run into gaps, between planks, cupping, cracks and squeaks that weren’t there six months ago. These issues often indicate a floor that wasn’t selected, installed or maintained with Denver’s climate in mind.
At Tongue & Groove, we’ve been installing and refinishing hardwood floors in Denver and across Colorado since 2007. We talk about climate with all of our clients because we care about getting it right and providing hardwood flooring in Denver that will last for decades. Let’s talk about it.
Why is Denver’s Climate Uniquely Challenging for Hardwood Floors?
Hardwood is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs and releases moisture due to changes in the surrounding environment. When humidity rises, wood expands. When it drops, it contracts. That’s normal, but when installed correctly, a hardwood floor should be able to handle a reasonable amount of seasonal movement.
Unfortunately, in Denver, movement isn’t always reasonable.
Colorado’s average indoor relative humidity in the winter drops well below 20% and sometimes as low as 10-15% in homes where forced air heating runs continuously. The national recommendation for hardwood floors is to maintain humidity between 30-55% year-round. Denver homeowners regularly end up outside that range and their floors end up paying the price for it.
Then, there’s altitude. Lower atmospheric pressure, faster moisture evaporation and intense UV exposure at elevation create a climate that stresses hardwood floors in ways most flooring advice simply doesn’t account for.
How Does Your Heating System Affect Your Floors?
The heating system in your home impacts how your hardwood floors respond to Denver’s climate. We will ask questions about it during your consultation. Consider the following:
Forced Air Heating
Common in Denver homes, forced air systems aggressively reduce humidity. By running through the Colorado winter, forced air heating drives down humidity to levels that cause significant wood movement. Whole-home humidification helps maintain humidity in the 30–40% range during heating season.
Radiant Heat
Radiant floor heating makes a difference. The heat source under the floor warms the floor from below, accelerating moisture loss from the underside of the plank. Not all hardwood species and products are compatible with radiant heat. Engineered hardwood works better for these applications; its layered construction resists differential movement that’s common with solid hardwood. We help clients weigh their options before coming to a decision.
Humidification
No matter the type of radiant heating system, maintaining consistent indoor humidity is essential for any Denver homeowner looking to protect a hardwood floor investment. A whole-home humidifier integrated with your HVAC system is the way to go. Portable humidifiers might help some rooms, but aren’t enough to maintain consistency among hardwood floors throughout a home.
Which Hardwood Species Handle Denver’s Climate Best?
Every wood species responds to humidity changes differently. Some expand and others contract with seasonal swings. Other options are more dimensionally stable. In Denver’s low-humidity environment, species selection matters more than in other parts of the country. Here’s some advice:
More Stable Options for Denver
White oak is a good species for Denver homes. Balancing hardness, stability and aesthetic versatility, it’s great for Colorado’s climate. Quarter-sawn and rift-sawn cuts of any species are more dimensionally stable than plain-sawn as a result of how the growth rings orient relative to the board face. It’s smart for wider planks.
Species to Approach Carefully
Wider planks regardless of species experience more movement than narrower ones. It’s the physics of more wood expanding and contracting across a greater width. Because they aren’t as well-documented in dry climates, exotic species should be approached with caution. Before recommending a product for a Denver home, we review the manufacturer’s warranty. We lean toward suppliers whose products are warranted as low as 18% relative humidity, a spec made for our environment.
The Engineered Hardwood Advantage
Engineered hardwood is real wood, it’s just built differently. It consists of a real wood veneer over a stable layered core that resists humidity-related movement better than solid hardwood. In Denver, there are several unique challenges. Between concrete subfloors, below-grade installations or humidity management challenges, engineered hardwood is a practical choice. It’s not a compromise because it thrives in our environment.
How Can You Protect Your Hardwood Floors in Denver?
Installing new floors or maintaining what you have? Here are some steps you can take to protect your hardwood in Denver’s climate:
Maintain Consistent Humidity
Keep indoor relative humidity between 30-55% year-round. If you have forced heating, invest in a whole-home humidifier. You can monitor humidity with an inexpensive hygrometer that most hardware stores stock.
Acclimate Your Floors Before Installation
Before installing your new floors, let the materials acclimate to the temperature and humidity conditions of your home. In Denver, it’s essential so your floors may be delivered up to a week ahead of time. Rushing or skipping acclimation will lead to post-installation gapping and cupping. Our team follows NWFA acclimation standards on every project.
Choose the Right Products
Species, cut, width and finish interact with Denver’s climate in different ways. Even a floor that looks perfect in a Denver wood showroom might not work for your home, subfloor and heating system. We have this conversation with all of our clients before they come to a decision.
Refinish on Schedule
With proper maintenance, your finish is your first line of defence against moisture loss. When it wears through, bare wood exposed directly to dry air accelerates damage. Regular hardwood floor refinishing keeps the protective layer intact and extends the lifespan of your floors.
Address Problems
Seasonal gapping and minor squeaking are normal. Persistent gapping, cupping, cracking and constant squeaking aren’t. Catching and addressing these issues early is more cost-effective than waiting until the damage gets worse.
Ready to Work with a Flooring Team That Knows Colorado?
Denver’s climate is unique so flooring decisions make a difference. At Tongue & Groove, we have been working in Colorado since 2007 so we know what happens to the wrong product in the wrong climate. We’ve also seen what happens when everything is done right.
Planning a hardwood floor installation in Denver, considering solid hardwood flooring for your home or wondering why your existing flooring is behaving differently than expected? Visit our Denver showroom or book a consultation today!
