You fell in love with our 5 ¼ in and 7 in boards? It is hard not to! These products are outstanding compared to others by their originality and unique characteristics. A wide board, comparatively to a narrower one, will offer more personality and contribute in a bigger way to the singularity of your décor. To choose wide boards is to choose authenticity and revisit a part of history.
No need to worry, you only have to be careful!
You wonder if the saying that they have a tendency to expand and shrink more than the narrower ones is true? In fact, it is. But do not worry! With the appropriate knowledge, it is possible to enjoy the magnificence of this product and maintain its integrity without any trouble.
The ABC of Wood
Wood is a majestic, strong and durable organism that is constantly evolving with its environment and every species have their own character. For instance, maple or birch will be more prone to changes than red oak or silver maple. Humidity is the element that has the greatest effect on wood. Low humidity will cause your boards to shrink and high humidity will make them expand. The wider the board, the greater the effect. But as mentioned earlier, the difference with the narrowest boards is hardly noticeable.
The Heart of the Matter: Humidity Control
Between 37% and 45%. That’s all there is to it!
To continue in this vein (no pun intended), here’s an example
It is imperative to know the difference between relative humidity and the wood’s humidity itself. Your hygrometer can only read relative humidity and is in any way an indication of the humidity contained in your floor. In the adjacent table, you will find useful information about the wood target values according to relative humidity.
Equilibrium moisture content based on ambient temperature and relative humidity
The next table is about birch. You will learn how the boards will react according to their widths (in and mm) and the relative humidity/temperature.
Source: National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)
How a wide board would react in a climate with high humidity?
If a 7 in (177.80 mm) birch board is subject to a relative humidity of 65% and a temperature of 30 °C, its humidity will jump from 7.3% (ideal) to 11.4%. The width will then change to 7.103 in (180.42 mm).
Needless to say, that in these conditions, your floor and yourself might have issues. To prevent this situation, the use of a dehumidifier, a fan or AC will help you to refresh the premises air. In the winter, heat can also help you control the relative humidity of your room.
Low humidity will cause your boards to shrink, and spaces will appear between them. This is why the tenons (groove-and-tongue) of our 7 in boards are stained.
Tips to remember for the installation
• Be prepared to welcome adequately the newest member of your family! Make sure that the relative humidity of the premises where your floor will be installed is optimal.
• Before installing, the boards must be in an environment where the humidity level is between 37% and 45% (as mentioned in the table). Boards must be in these conditions at least 48 hours before the installation.
• You must leave a ½ in an inch space on the wall sides to let your floor expand without problems.
• It is crucial to maintain the humidity level between 37% and 45% by using a dehumidifier. House temperature must be comfortable (18°C to 22°C, 65° to 72°F).
In conclusion, don’t be afraid to follow your heart
These simple maintenance steps are a small price to pay to enjoy the prestige, originality and wow effect of a floor with wide boards.
Life is movement. To choose a five and a quarter or seven-inch floor is to put motion into your house and to bring back authenticity in your décor. Bring back memories of your childhood and the warm feeling of those antique floors in your home.