Replies

1. 
   Petey | Jan 01, 2013 03:46pm | #1

   I thought this would be a good place to ask this question, a lot of east coasters on this site! Wide plank, especially white pine is not a common choice here in the midwest, I know it is more popular out east.

1. 
   Lansdown | Jan 02, 2013 09:41am | #8

   Moisture content (MC) is very critical. The plank flooring should ideally be stickered in the rooms they will be installed in until the MC is equivalent to the existing subfloor. Ideally wood flooring should be installed during spring or fall when ambient humidity levels are lowest. Also a slip sheet such as red rosin paper or ideally 15# felt paper (which is also a vapor barrier) should be laid down between the subfloor and finished flooring. The basement or crawl space should also be dry and possibly dehumidified during the summer if necessary. And finally you might also add humidification (relatively easy if you have a forced air heating system) in the dry winter months to keep the floor from contracting. I have applied all of the above in the past and have had very little movement with wide plank pine flooring in the notheast with very extreme temperature and humidity swings. Good luck.

2. 
   DanH | Jan 01, 2013 04:02pm | #2

   "I installed about 800 square

   "I installed about 800 square feet of 9" wide white pine flooring this past summer"

   There's your problem.

   It's not going to "expand back", though likely the problem will improve somewhat when it gets warmer again.

1. 
   Petey | Jan 01, 2013 04:48pm | #3

   I let it acclimate for at least two weeks prior to installation, the ac being on the whole time, steady 72. It was good untill the heat went on, late November.

1. 
   calvin | Jan 01, 2013 05:20pm | #4

   Pete

   What was the moisture content of the wood prior to putting it down?

   What is under the floor you installed?  both the type of subfloor and basement/crawl?

   What is under the floor that didn't move?

   What is the humidity of the house currently?

1. 
   Petey | Jan 01, 2013 07:05pm | #5

   The floor is on 3/4" 1x8

   The floor is on 3/4" 1x8 which I screwed and made sure it was tight, 2x8 joists, 24' on center. This house was built around 1922 so I went with what was there. Not sure of the moisture content, maybe thats where I made my mistake. Basement is dry, one small section is a crawl but it is dry also. I will check the humidity.

1. 
   DanH | Jan 01, 2013 08:31pm | #6

   Humidifier?

   What climate is this?

2. 
   calvin | Jan 01, 2013 08:49pm | #7

   Pete

   Moisture content is important.  While you don't want to put down something that's too wet, you also don't want to install something that's too far away from the MC of the subfloor either.

   Any slip sheet or felt paper between them?