Bamboo Flooring Humidity Levels
Even if they don t face splashes and puddles humidity can still cause damage to bamboo floors.
Bamboo flooring humidity levels. The mfma recommends maintaining indoor humidity s between 35 50 utilizing hvac systems. While wood and bamboo is installed in all types of climates around the world interior humidity settings between 35 55 should be maintained. This is very close or at unacceptable levels in regard to rh and mc for engineered floors depending on the manufacturers warranty specifications. Using a dehumidifier or humidifier to maintain relative humidity in the home at 30 50 will maintain the moisture level in the wood and help minimize cracks between the boards.
In glue and nail down applications tongue and groove each individual plank expands and contracts while secured to the subfloor. Slipping subtly down through cracks and crevices moist vapors can cause long term damage to the planks themselves while also nestling in. The same manufacturer warns you never to wet mop its bamboo floors because standing water damages them. Because of its hygroscopic properties all wood and bamboo expands and contracts in response to humidity levels even after its cut and turned into flooring.
Based on your relative humidity rh levels and assuming the rh stays constant throughout the year the flooring will equalize to between 5 5 and 5 9 moisture content mc. Spaces such as bathrooms and basements are especially prone to these problems and that water in the air can be more insidious than direct liquids. One of the nation s leading suppliers of bamboo flooring recommends maintaining a humidity level between 40 and 60 percent. What is the strongest type of bamboo available.
Humidity levels should be maintained within a 40 60 relative humidity range. That is a very low humidity level for a bathroom used for showers or baths. It is extremely important to maintain the appropriate humidity levels within your gymnasium to avoid excessive expansion and potential crowning in your wood floor. As we just saw however this range can often be difficult to achieve in certain areas of the country during certain seasons.
Humid conditions cause bamboo planks to swell. Monitor the levels on a daily basis to keep control of the moisture that s reaching the bamboo. 14 maintain relative humidity. Continued excessive humidity can cause swelling of the floor.
The excess moisture easily gets into the flooring and can ruin it over time. The national wood floor association nwfa states that normal relative humidity levels should range between 30 50 to ensure successful long term performance of your wood flooring.