Solid wood flooring and moisture are natural enemies, which is why the material cannot be installed in certain wet or humid areas of the home. This includes kitchens and bathrooms, which are repeatedly exposed to moisture and excessive water vapour. If wood flooring is installed in these places, it is likely that it will become warped or otherwise irreparably damaged by the moisture.
The basement is also a danger zone for hardwood flooring, as this area is exposed to a great deal of ground moisture coming from the earth. Wood flooring manufacturers have recognised this problem, however, and have come up with a few solutions:
• Laminate or engineered wood flooring
These types of flooring have more of what is called ‘dimensional stability’, meaning they are less likely to be affected by moisture. For example, engineered wood flooring is made by gluing layers of wood together at 90 degree angles from each other. This design means that if one layer starts to expand due to moisture penetration, the surrounding layers restrain it.
• Moisture barrier solutions
In addition to products like engineered or laminate flooring, you should also consider installing a moisture barrier layer between the wood flooring and the concrete at ground level. There are many types available, all designed to stop moisture rising and penetrating the wood.