Hardwood floors are a beautiful investment — timeless, natural, and built to last. But if you’ve noticed small gaps forming between your boards during colder months (or filler cracking or popping out), don’t panic. You’re not alone — and your floor isn’t necessarily “failing.”
This common concern is called seasonal gapping, and it’s one of the most misunderstood aspects of owning real wood floors.
Hardwood is a natural material that responds to the air around it. When the air is dry — especially during the winter — the wood shrinks slightly, which can cause small gaps between the boards. Then, as humidity rises in the spring and summer, the wood expands again, sometimes pushing out filler that was used during finishing.
It’s a normal part of how real wood behaves — not a defect — and something every homeowner should expect with seasonal changes.
📖 According to the National Wood Flooring Association – NWFA:
“Wood flooring will expand and contract as it gains and loses moisture with changes in relative humidity. Gaps between boards during low humidity periods (like winter) are normal and not considered a defect.”
— NWFA: Moisture-Related Issues
🧠 This Is Normal — But It Still Needs Expertise
While seasonal gapping is a natural behavior of real wood, how your floor is installed, acclimated, and finished plays a huge role in how noticeable or manageable these gaps become over time.
Sadly, many installers skip proper moisture readings or rush the acclimation process — and that’s where problems begin.
Minimizing the impact of seasonal gapping starts long before the boards are nailed down.
❌ When Are Gaps in Hardwood Floors Not Normal?
Gaps in hardwood floors are generally considered normal when they’re small, consistent, and appear during dry seasons — but when gaps become excessively wide, irregular, or permanent, it’s a sign something went wrong. This could be due to poor acclimation, improper installation, extreme indoor dryness, or subfloor issues. If gaps appear shortly after installation or are accompanied by creaking, lifting, or filler constantly popping out, they’re likely not seasonal and should be evaluated by a professional.
At BrazaFloor, we follow strict NWFA guidelines to prevent these issues before they start — and we’re here to help if your floors are showing signs of abnormal movement.
How BrazaFloor Prevents Seasonal Gaps & Cracks
✔️ We Follow Manufacturer Guidelines Precisely: Every product is different. We study the specific requirements for the hardwood you choose — including how it interacts with other materials on site — to ensure the best possible performance.
✔️ We Acclimate the Wood Properly: We don’t rush installations. Your hardwood is given time to adjust to the exact temperature and humidity of your home. One-size-fits-all doesn’t work when it comes to natural wood — and we don’t treat it that way.
✔️ We Analyze Humidity Conditions: Using professional moisture meters and hygrometers, we check your subfloor and job site environment to confirm everything is within the safe range before we start.
✔️ We Leave Proper Expansion Gaps: Our installations are engineered with enough space to allow natural movement of the wood — preventing pressure buildup and long-term damage.
✔️ We Use High-Quality, Flexible Fillers: When needed, we use top-grade fillers designed to expand and contract with the wood, reducing the risk of cracking or popping out when the seasons change.
How You Can Help as a Homeowner
Even with the best installation, your home’s environment matters. Here’s how you can support your hardwood:
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Maintain indoor humidity between 35–55% year-round.
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Use a humidifier in winter to prevent excessive drying.
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Avoid leaving windows open during hot, humid days — sudden moisture shifts can also cause swelling.
Seasonal gaps and filler cracks are not flaws — they’re proof your floor is made from a living, breathing natural material. When installed and cared for properly, they become a minor seasonal detail, not a constant source of frustration.
At BrazaFloor, It’s more than just installation – It’s Long-term Protection and peace of mind.
We don’t believe in doing “just enough.” Every BrazaFloor project is approached with long-term performance in mind. When you work with us, you get:
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A climate-conscious installation plan
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Industry-best practices based on NWFA guidelines
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Real communication about how to maintain your floors through the seasons
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Support after the job is done — because your success is our priority
👉 Schedule a consultation today and let’s protect your floors from day one.
