Brief: If you live in Calgary or surrounding areas, you know that the dry climate can take a toll on your home, including your flooring. In this blog, we explore why using a humidifier is essential for maintaining the health and appearance of your hardwood, laminate, cork, bamboo, vinyl, and tile flooring. Learn how low humidity levels can damage your flooring, and discover the ideal humidity range and other benefits of using a humidifier in your home. Protect your flooring and improve indoor air quality with this essential guide for Calgary homeowners.
Calgary and the surrounding areas are known for their dry and arid climate, with low humidity levels. While this may be great for some people, it can be a challenge for those with certain types of flooring. Low humidity levels can cause hardwood, laminate, and other types of flooring to dry out, shrink, and crack, which can be costly to repair or replace. In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of using humidifiers for different types of flooring that benefit from it, and why it is especially important in Calgary and surrounding areas.
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is a popular choice for its natural beauty and durability. However, it is also prone to shrinking and cracking when exposed to low humidity levels. This is because wood is a natural material that expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. When the air is dry, the wood can lose moisture and shrink, which can cause gaps between the planks and even crack them.
To prevent this from happening, it’s important to maintain a stable humidity level in your home, which can be achieved through the use of a humidifier. Experts recommend maintaining a humidity level of between 35% and 55% for hardwood flooring, as this range is ideal for both the flooring and your health. In addition to preventing damage to your flooring, a humidifier can also help improve air quality and reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a synthetic flooring material that is made to look like hardwood, stone, or tile. While it is more durable than hardwood, it is still prone to damage from low humidity levels. When the air is dry, the laminate can become brittle and crack, which can be costly to repair or replace.
To prevent this from happening, it is important to use a humidifier to maintain a stable humidity level in your home. Experts recommend a humidity level of between 30% and 50% for laminate flooring, as this range can help prevent the planks from separating and protect them from damage. A humidifier can also help improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of respiratory problems, especially during the dry winter months in Calgary and surrounding areas.
Other Types of Flooring
In addition to hardwood and laminate flooring, other types of flooring can benefit from the use of a humidifier. For example, cork and bamboo flooring are also natural materials that can shrink and crack in low humidity conditions. Vinyl and tile flooring can also benefit from the use of a humidifier, as it can help prevent the adhesive from drying out and the tiles from cracking.
Conclusion
Maintaining a stable humidity level in your home is important for the health of both your family and your flooring. Using a humidifier can help prevent damage to hardwood, laminate, and other types of flooring that can shrink and crack in low humidity conditions. In Calgary and surrounding areas, where low humidity is a common problem, it is especially important to use a humidifier to protect your flooring and improve indoor air quality. So, consider investing in a humidifier to maintain a healthy and beautiful home environment.