Why does my new hardwood smell after installation?

New hardwood flooring odors are completely normal and typically fade within 2-4 weeks after installation. The smell comes from natural wood compounds, adhesives, and finishing products used during manufacturing and installation.

Wood itself contains natural compounds called terpenes and aldehydes that create that distinctive "new wood" smell. Engineered hardwood may have additional odors from the plywood core and adhesive layers used in manufacturing. If your floors were glued down, construction adhesives can also contribute to the smell during their curing process.

Pre-finished hardwood floors often have the strongest initial odor because the factory-applied polyurethane finish continues to off-gas for several weeks after installation. Site-finished floors that were sanded and finished in your home will have already completed most of their off-gassing during the finishing process, though some residual odor may remain.

In Ottawa's climate, proper ventilation is key to reducing odors quickly. Open windows when weather permits, run ceiling fans, and maintain good air circulation throughout your home. The dry winter air actually helps accelerate the off-gassing process, though you'll want to maintain proper humidity levels (30-50%) to prevent the wood from shrinking excessively.

Most hardwood odors are harmless, but strong chemical smells that persist beyond a month or cause headaches should be investigated. This could indicate adhesive issues or excessive formaldehyde emissions from lower-quality products. Quality hardwood products from reputable manufacturers typically have minimal long-term odor issues.

The smell should gradually diminish each week. If you're still experiencing strong odors after 4-6 weeks, contact your flooring contractor to discuss potential solutions or investigate whether there might be moisture issues affecting the adhesive or wood.

---

Find a Flooring Contractor

Ottawa Floor Install connects you with experienced contractors through the https://justynrookcontracting.com:

• 613Bins ✓
• PMC renovations and construction services ✓
• Somar Contracting Inc. ✓