Hardwood in the PA Climate: Winter Gaps & Summer Humidity

Western Pennsylvania is beautiful, but our climate is notoriously hard on natural materials. From the humid, sticky July afternoons to the bone-dry, freezing January nights, your home’s environment is constantly shifting. Because wood is a hygroscopic material—meaning it absorbs and releases moisture—your hardwood floors are essentially “breathing.”

The Winter Gap vs. The Summer Cup

During a typical Pittsburgh winter, we crank up the furnace. This strips the moisture from the air, causing wood planks to shrink. You might notice small gaps appearing between your boards that weren’t there in October. This is natural, but excessive dryness can lead to “dry thirst” cracks.

Conversely, in the summer, high humidity causes wood to expand. If there isn’t enough room for the planks to grow, they push against each other, leading to “cupping” (where the edges of the board are higher than the center).

Solid vs. Engineered: Which is Better for PA?

• Solid Hardwood: This is a single, thick piece of wood. It is the most traditional option but also the most reactive to humidity.
• Engineered Hardwood: Built in layers with a real wood veneer on top, the “core” of engineered wood is designed to resist expansion and contraction. For many Allison Park basements or homes with radiant heat, engineered is the superior, more stable choice for our fluctuating climate.

Maintaining the Sweet Spot

To keep your floors in peak condition, we recommend maintaining a home humidity level between 30% and 50%. A whole-home humidifier in the winter and a dehumidifier/AC in the summer are your floor’s best friends.

The A&S Edge: Our Personal Promise

Our commitment to you doesn’t end when the last board is nailed down. At A&S Carpet Collection, we make a personal promise to teach you how to protect your investment. We provide every customer with a “Climate Care Guide” and are always available for a phone call if you notice your floors reacting to the weather. We don’t just sell floors; we ensure they perform as anticipated for generations.