Installing Hardwood Flooring

[jayopolis]

Good Day All,

I am about to purchase some Bloodwood flooring (600sqft). I currently have contractors grade flooring which I am taking up now. Floor is okay for 30yrs old (no warping or cupping) and the sub floor is good. I have been reading about humidity and temp. concerns and have the following questions. My house gets up to about 80ish degrees when I am not home and the humidity gets to about 49% (I purchased a thermometer a month ago and it gives me the averages, highs and lows.) What are the existing concerns and remedies you might suggest? Also, I have been hearing a lot about the air conditioner but, why not a dehumidfierto lower humidity? If I do get the Bloodwood how long should it acclimate before installing?

[Floorguy]

If it does not get above 50% rH you will be fine. You need a hygrometer to read humidity levels.

How wide are the boards?

[Jerry Thomas]

Homeowners take on a responsibility for keeping the temp and RH within a certain range so the wood can give you good service and life. How you do that is up to you either by the HVAC system or a humidifier/dehumidifier or opening/shutting windows, ect. It doesn't matter how you get there as long as you arrive.

Acclimation is not determined by time, but rather through using a moisture meter. You are checking to see if the flooring and substrate moisture levels are within a certain allowable range... equalization may be a better term for this. You want any needed corrections to occur before the wood is cut and fastened down.

[jayopolis]

Thanks guys.....Can you recommend a GOOD wood moisture meter that is not that expensive.