How Kansas City’s Climate Affects Hardwood Floors

And Why Indoor Humidity Plays a Bigger Role Than Most Realize

Hardwood floors are a natural material, which means they respond to their environment. In a climate like Kansas City, where humidity and temperature shift dramatically throughout the year, those environmental changes matter more than many people realize.

Understanding how local weather impacts wood floors—and how to manage indoor humidity—can help prevent common issues and extend the life of your investment.

Kansas City’s Climate: Why It’s Tough on Wood

Kansas City experiences:

• Hot, humid summers

• Cold, dry winters

• Significant seasonal transitions in spring and fall

Wood absorbs and releases moisture depending on the air around it. When humidity increases, wood expands. When humidity drops, wood contracts. This natural movement is expected—but when humidity levels aren’t controlled, problems can appear.

High Humidity in Summer: What Can Happen

During humid months, excess moisture in the air can cause hardwood floors to absorb too much moisture.

Common signs include:

• Cupping, where board edges rise higher than the center

• Buckling, when boards lift from the subfloor

• A sticky or soft feeling underfoot

• Finish issues such as hazing or extended cure times

These issues aren’t usually caused by defective materials. They’re typically the result of prolonged high indoor humidity.

Dry Winter Air: A Different Set of Challenges

In winter, heating systems dry out indoor air. When humidity drops too low, hardwood floors can lose moisture.

This may lead to:

• Gaps between boards

• Small cracks in the wood or finish

• Increased noise from movement

• Temporary changes that repeat each winter

While some seasonal movement is normal, prolonged low humidity can cause permanent changes if not addressed.

Ideal Conditions for Hardwood Floors

Most hardwood floors perform best when indoor conditions remain consistent:

• 35–55% relative humidity

• Stable indoor temperatures year-round

Consistency is key. Sudden swings or prolonged extremes are what tend to cause issues—not normal seasonal changes.

Why Humidity Matters Before Installation

Many long-term flooring issues begin before installation even starts:

• Indoor humidity isn’t measured

• Floors aren’t acclimated properly

• Installation happens during extreme weather without climate control

• Homeowners aren’t informed about seasonal movement

Planning for Kansas City’s climate—rather than ignoring it—helps ensure floors perform as intended.

The Takeaway

Hardwood floors and Kansas City weather can coexist beautifully when indoor humidity is managed properly. With the right preparation, installation, and ongoing care, wood floors can last for decades and age gracefully.

Most issues blamed on flooring products are actually environmental—and completely preventable.

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Seasonal changes don’t have to be a guessing game. In our next post, we break down a simple, season-by-season checklist to help you protect your hardwood floors year-round—no overthinking required.