Keeping the Glow: Seasonal Hardwood Care for Georgia’s Changing Weather
Georgia weather is beautiful, but the dramatic shifts between our humid summers and dry winters can wreak havoc on natural hardwood floors. Wood is a hygroscopic material, meaning it behaves like a sponge absorbing moisture when the air is damp and releasing it when the air is dry. At Select Floors, we want to help you protect your investment by mastering the art of seasonal hardwood care.
The Magic Number: Maintaining 35% to 55% Humidity
The single most important thing you can do for your floors is to maintain a consistent indoor environment. We recommend keeping your home’s relative humidity between 35% and 55% year-round. This range is the “sweet spot” where wood flooring remains stable and healthy. When humidity falls below 35%, wood begins to shrink, leading to gaps; when it rises above 55%, it expands, leading to potential swelling.
Summer Strategy: Fighting the Swell
During Marietta’s peak summer months, outdoor humidity can soar. Without a high-functioning HVAC system or a dedicated dehumidifier, your floors may absorb too much moisture, causing the planks to swell and push against each other. This can lead to “peaking” or “cupping.” Keeping your air conditioning running and monitoring your indoor hygrometer is essential during July and August. If you have a basement or crawlspace, ensuring those areas are encapsulated or dehumidified is equally important for the floors above.
Winter Care: Preventing the Gap
When the heat comes on in the winter, the indoor air becomes incredibly dry. This causes wood to lose moisture and shrink. You may notice small gaps appearing between your planks; this is normal, but excessive gapping can be avoided. Using a whole-home humidifier or room-specific units can help keep the wood “hydrated,” preventing cracks and keeping the floor’s surface looking unified. It is also a good time to inspect your weather stripping to ensure dry air isn’t leaking in from the outside.
Finish Protection and HVAC Optimization for the Georgia Climate
Beyond managing humidity, protecting the “glow” of your hardwood requires a strategic approach to the physical wear caused by seasonal transitions. In Marietta, the change of seasons often brings an influx of different abrasive materials into the home. During our rainy spring and autumn months, moisture and mud can be tracked in, while the dry summer and winter months often see an increase in fine dust and pollen. These particles act like sandpaper underfoot, microscopically scratching the finish and causing it to lose its luster over time. To combat this, we recommend a “multi-zone” matting strategy: use heavy-duty coir mats outside every entrance to scrape away large debris, and high-absorbency microfiber mats inside to catch remaining moisture and fine dust. This simple seasonal adjustment significantly reduces the mechanical stress on your floor’s protective topcoat, ensuring that the wood’s natural beauty remains the focal point of your interior design.
Furthermore, optimizing your home’s HVAC system is a high-tech way to ensure long-term floor health. Modern thermostats often have a “fan” setting that can be set to “on” rather than “auto.” During Georgia’s shoulder seasons when the air is neither hot enough for constant AC nor cold enough for constant heat stagnant air can lead to localized humidity pockets, especially in rooms with less circulation. By keeping the air moving, you ensure a uniform environment across all your hardwood surfaces, preventing localized swelling or gapping near windows or exterior walls. Additionally, for homes with large expanses of hardwood, investing in a high-quality air filtration system helps remove the fine grit that dulls finishes. At Select Floors, we emphasize that hardwood care is a holistic process. By combining physical protection with mechanical climate control, you create an environment where your floors don’t just survive the changing Georgia weather they thrive in it.
Routine Cleaning for Every Season
Regardless of the weather, sand and grit are the enemies of your floor’s finish. In Georgia, we track in a lot of red clay and debris. Regular sweeping with a soft-bristled broom and using a wood-safe cleaner will prevent the finish from becoming dull. Avoid using steam mops or excessive water, as liquid is the fastest way to damage wood fibers during seasonal transitions. Use area rugs and mats at every entrance to catch grit before it ever touches your hardwood.
A Dedication to Georgia Homeowners
At Select Floors, our two decades of experience have made us experts in the unique environmental demands of the Atlanta market. We don’t just provide high-quality materials; we provide the long-term knowledge necessary to help your floors thrive through every Georgia season. Our team of skilled professionals is dedicated to helping you preserve the beauty of your home with advice tailored to our local climate. As a preferred vendor for the Atlanta Greater Home Builders Association, we are here to support you through the life of your floor. Contact us or visit us at our showroom location in Marietta, GA.