We want really wide plank hardwood but I keep hearing it moves more with humidity swings — is that exaggerated or a real concern in this climate?

Wide plank hardwood does move more with humidity changes than narrow planks, and this is definitely a real concern in Ottawa's climate with our significant seasonal humidity swings from dry winters to humid summers.

The physics behind this movement is straightforward - wood expands and contracts across its width, so a 7-inch wide plank will show roughly twice the movement of a 3.5-inch plank under the same humidity conditions. In Ottawa, where we can see indoor humidity drop to 20% in winter and climb to 60%+ in summer, this translates to noticeable gaps opening up between wide planks during heating season and potential crowning or cupping when humidity spikes.

However, this doesn't mean you should abandon your wide plank dreams. The key is choosing the right product and ensuring proper installation. Engineered hardwood with a quality core performs significantly better than solid wood for wide planks, as the cross-grain construction provides dimensional stability. Quarter-sawn or rift-sawn boards also move less than plain-sawn. Many manufacturers now offer 6-8 inch engineered planks specifically designed for our climate zone.

Proper acclimation becomes absolutely critical with wide planks - we typically recommend 7-10 days in your home with HVAC running at normal settings, compared to 3-5 days for standard width flooring. Your subfloor moisture content must be within 2% of the flooring, and maintaining consistent humidity year-round with a whole-home humidifier makes a dramatic difference in performance.

For Ottawa homes, we often recommend staying in the 5-6 inch range for the best balance of the wide plank look with manageable seasonal movement. Want to discuss specific wide plank options that perform well in our climate? Send the details through and local contractors can review your space and its humidity.