What humidity should I keep my house at for hardwood?

Maintain your home's relative humidity between 30-50% year-round to protect your hardwood floors. This range prevents the wood from expanding and contracting excessively, which can cause gaps, cupping, or crowning.

Winter humidity control is especially critical in Ottawa's climate. During our cold winters, heated indoor air becomes very dry, often dropping below 20% humidity. This causes hardwood to shrink and can create noticeable gaps between boards. Run a whole-home humidifier or portable units to maintain at least 30% humidity. Many homeowners find 35-40% ideal for both floor health and personal comfort.

Summer humidity management prevents swelling and cupping. Ottawa's humid summers can push indoor humidity above 60%, causing hardwood to expand and potentially cup or buckle. Use air conditioning and dehumidifiers to keep levels below 50%. Proper ventilation in basements is particularly important, as excess moisture can migrate up through subfloors.

Monitor humidity with a digital hygrometer placed at floor level in your main living area. Sudden humidity changes are more damaging than gradual seasonal shifts, so make adjustments slowly. If you notice gaps wider than a nickel in winter or any cupping in summer, your humidity levels likely need adjustment.

Different hardwood species have varying sensitivity to humidity changes. Wider plank floors and certain species like maple show movement more readily than others. Engineered hardwood is generally more stable than solid wood but still benefits from proper humidity control.

For optimal hardwood floor care in Ottawa's variable climate, consistent humidity management is one of the most important maintenance steps you can take.