Owners of wood floors are often surprised to find cracks and bows in their pristine flooring throughout the year. These small cosmetic concerns are common to all types of commercial flooring and are no reason to panic. During the spring and summer, the air inside a house is much more humid than during the winter. The lumber used for flooring absorbs liquid in the air and enlarges.
All wood floor systems are designed to withstand a certain amount of moisture. In most cases, plenty of space is left during installation between planks in order to allow the material to expand. Even engineered and composite wood floors go through the same changes as solid wood, but often include special channels that allow the material to grow. These measures are designed to prevent problems caused by too much moisture, but the appearance and integrity of the floor can still be affected by high humidity.
Crowning
Crowning is the bowing of a wood floor slat into a convex shape. The center of the board appears to be higher than the edges and makes the floor uneven and unattractive. There are a number of causes for crowning, but it is often the result of botched attempts to fix other moisture problems. Standing water on flooring triggers the most drastic crowning.
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