When considering buying new flooring
for your home, you may want to take the time to consider how your
climate may affect your choice of flooring. Severe hot or cold
weather can crack or warp your floors, and high humidity can do an
unbelievable amount of damage to both your floor and sub-floor as
well. There are a few different flooring options that you can
consider for your home, and a few can withstand just about any
climate if installed right. Here are some of the most popular types
of flooring and how they are affected by climate.
Hardwood
Hardwood flooring is one of the most
common but can be challenging to maintain in certain climates.
Extreme humidity can cause problems for your hardwood flooring. It
normally does well in mild climates with humidity levels staying
between the 35-60% ranges. The following are some of the conditions
that may cause problems with your hardwood floor.
- High humidity will cause hardwood planks to expand and contract.
- Low pressure will cause planks to shrink, which creates gaps.
- Pooling liquids such as flooding may cause the planks to swell making them warp.
- Direct sunlight may cause your hardwood flooring to fade taking away the beauty of the flooring.
Concrete
Concrete is a very durable form of
flooring. The fact of this is that because concrete is used for
highways, bridges, buildings and foundations, shows it can withstand
even the harshest of climates. The only time you would have to worry
about concrete is if it has not been sealed properly. Otherwise, it
will last lifetimes.
Linoleum
Linoleum is a very effective type of
flooring and will withstand any climate as long as it is prepared and
installed correctly. There are added benefits of having linoleum like
resisting the growth of bacteria, mold, fungi, yeast and mildew. It
would also probably be a good idea to install a vapor barrier between
your floor and sub-floor. This will help with the mold, mildew, and
bacteria.
Carpet
Carpet is less susceptible from the
effects of changing temperatures. The combination of high humidity
and consistent liquid spills can be harsh on your carpeting and may
cause mold and fungi growth. When using carpet you want to be sure
that it’s installed correctly and is better fitted for lower
traffic areas in your home like bedrooms and hallways.
To ensure the lasting effects of you
carpet, here are a few things you can do.
- Install a sub-floor with a moisture barrier and glue your carpet to it.
- Use a dehumidifier to help reduce the humidity levels in your home.
- If your carpets do get wet or flooded use a combination of a ceiling fan and open windows to dry your carpet out faster.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring is another great example
of flooring that works well in most climatic conditions. The surface
of vinyl flooring is moisture resistant but you still need to ensure
that the perimeter is properly sealed with high quality silicone
caulk in areas that are water-susceptible. For instance around sinks,
bathtubs, and exterior doors. Pooling liquids need to be cleaned up
as quickly as possible; otherwise the liquids may seep into the seams
and damage the sub-floor underneath. Too much direct sunlight will
also cause your vinyl flooring to fade.
There is much more to consider than
just cost and styling when deciding on the right flooring for your
home. The climate that you live in could largely impact the
performance and longevity of your floors. Make sure you take into
consideration of your surroundings and climate before making
renovations to the flooring in your home.
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