Weather & Timing FAQ
8 questions answered by NSW's only Bona Premier Dealer.
Weather & Timing (8)
Which Australian climates are most suitable for underfloor heating with timber?
Underfloor heating works best in Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Tasmania -- places with cold winters and dry hot summers. Warmer climates like Sydney and Brisbane are much less suitable for wood-based flooring over heating because of those high humidity warm summers. Local climate conditions really matter when you're looking at underfloor heating compatibility with timber.
What happens to timber floors in cold weather?
Mid-winter conditions with low temperatures around 7-8 degrees C and high relative humidity of 70-80% cause timber to absorb moisture and swell. That can lead to tighter joints, reduced gapping, and in extreme cases peaking or buckling. It's something you've got to plan for -- understanding seasonal timber behaviour is key when you're timing an installation.
Why do gaps appear in my timber floor during summer?
As air relative humidity drops in hot weather, moisture releases from the timber, boards shrink, and gaps appear. In Perth during December-January, external morning humidity averages around 40%, which brings timber moisture content to about 7.5%. Seasonal gapping in hot dry weather is completely normal behaviour for timber floors -- it's not a defect, it's just what timber does.
How does dry weather affect timber floors?
When relative humidity is low, moisture in your timber flooring moves from the boards into the air, reducing moisture content and causing the boards to shrink. You'll see visible gaps at the board edges. Day-to-day the movement is quite small, but over a few months it can be quite significant. Gapping in dry weather is normal and temporary -- it'll close back up when humidity rises again.
What happens to timber floors in wet weather?
When relative humidity is high, moisture gets absorbed into the timber flooring, increasing moisture content. That leads to peaking, tenting, buckling, gaps closing, and floors tightening up. High-density hardwoods are slow to take up moisture, but with sustained exposure they'll definitely absorb it and expand. And here's the thing -- recovery after wet periods is equally slow.
How does air conditioning affect timber floors?
Air conditioning can hit your timber floors hard by lowering indoor humidity. When that happens, the timber releases moisture, shrinks, and develops gaps. ATFA lists air conditioning effects among its key technical topics for good reason. If you're running air con, try to maintain balanced indoor humidity levels to protect the floor.
How do heating systems affect timber floors?
Heating systems can really affect timber floors by lowering indoor humidity, causing the timber to dry out, shrink, and develop gaps. Both hydronic and electric underfloor heating systems need careful timber selection and installation practices. Don't overlook what the heating system's going to do to your floor when you're planning the installation.
What is the Perth timber moisture content risk during summer?
In Perth during December-January, the 9am relative humidity outside averages around 40%, which brings timber moisture content to about 7.5%. In closed, unoccupied dwellings where the internal temperature runs higher, moisture content can drop even further -- down to 4%. A professional floor sander advises Perth homeowners on managing these summer drying risks for their timber floors.
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