Hardwood Floors April/May 2026

HUMIDITY Florida State University’s Florida Climate Center documents that Orlando has an annual average humidity value of 88 percent in the morning and 55 percent in the afternoon. It’s no surprise that Florida ranks second in the top 10 states for relative humidity (RH). Andy Campbell is president of DNA Floor Surgeons Inc., an inspection company based in Bradenton. He says if wood flooring is acclimated properly, the humidity is not much of an issue. “If it’s not acclimated properly, then it always can be a continuous fight,” shares Campbell. “For engineered wood flooring, it’s not as big of a deal. As long as they monitor it or they acclimate it to what the home or building is going to be subjected to for the balance of its life, the wood flooring will be fine.” Hall says the most important thing to keep in mind with humidity is control and stability. “I describe a thought experiment about putting a wood floor in a humidor. As long as the wood floor planks are acclimated properly to the required 70 percent beforehand, the floor always will remain flat until it is removed from the humidor. Then the wood HAS to do what it does…reacclimatize and change dimensionally to its new environment,” he explains. Mercier notes that newly installed wood floors

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB GOLDSTEIN | VERMONT NATURAL COATINGS

Wood floors are particularly sensitive to large swings in indoor relative humidity. Homeowners are encouraged to maintain a stable indoor environment and reinforce that consistency within the home’s envelope is critical to long term performance.

particularly are sensitive to large swings in indoor relative humidity. “In Florida homes, those fluctuations can be more extreme due to the higher humidity levels,” he says. “We emphasize to our clients the importance of maintaining a stable indoor environment and reinforce that consistency within the home’s envelope is critical to long-term performance.” That consistency, he adds, factors more heavily than any specific humidity number.

“Florida basically is hot and humid year-round. It is rare for anyone living in the state to turn off their HVAC. This fact gives Florida one of the most consistent, stable interior environments in the country.”

Bob Goldstein, Vermont Natural Coatings

It's vital to check moisture levels at every step. Hall says architectural features like floor-to-ceiling glass can increase the temperature.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LENNY HALL | ENDURANCE FLOOR COMPANY INC.

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