Hardwood Floors April/May 2026

TOP PHOTO COURTESY OF NWFA; BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB GOLDSTEIN | VERMONT NATURAL COATINGS

UNIQUE CONSIDERATIONS As there is plenty of sunshine to let into homes in Florida, Hall says architectural features like floor-to-ceiling glass can increase the temperature. “This makes the system run longer and dehumidify more, lowering the RH even further than our normal range. Between the low RH and the heat off the glass, wood floor issues like shrinking in solid wood floors and dry cupping/face checking in engineered wood floors can still happen.” Goldstein adds that it can be a challenge to coat in direct sunlight. “It is important to cover large floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the installation, sanding, and finishing process,” he explains. “Floors in direct sunlight will become much hotter than adjoining materials in the shade.” Further, during the summer months, intense heat can add another layer to that process. “Constant HVAC operation creates high airflow conditions that significantly can affect finish application and dry times,” says Mercier. “In winter, cooler temperatures combined with elevated humidity can slow curing, particularly since HVAC systems are temperature-driven rather than humidity-driven.”

A 2024 analysis by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed Florida as the state that has been hit the most by hurricanes (now more than 120) since 1851. However, Hall says repairing floors after those storms isn’t too different from when a roof leaks or a flood happens anywhere else. “Periodic hurricane restoration work introduces logistical challenges, as homeowners often are displaced and seeking accelerated timelines,” shares Mercier. “In those situations, careful planning and a disciplined, systematic approach are essential to delivering quality results across multiple projects simultaneously.” As with any repair after a storm, Goldstein notes it is all about the moisture content of both the finished flooring and the subfloor. “No sanding work should be done on a cupped floor until the wood has returned to its equilibrium moisture content (EMC),” he says. “This also is true in cases where weaving in new material is needed.”

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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