Laminate flooring reacts to the air inside your house, not the weather outside. So the job is the same in every climate: keep the room inside the humidity and temperature range your floor's maker sets, all year long. For the laminate lines Carpet Country carries, that range is roughly 30 or 35 to 65 percent humidity and about 65 to 85 F.
In a hot, humid climate, laminate works well in a house that is air-conditioned or dehumidified to under about 60 to 65 percent humidity. Damp air swells the wood-based core, and boards with no room to grow push up at the seams. A "waterproof" laminate guards the surface against spills, not the core against humid air. Porcelain tile and waterproof luxury vinyl are the safest floors where rooms stay damp.
In a cold climate with dry, heated winters, laminate works well too. Expect it to shrink a little when the furnace dries the air, and run a humidifier near 35 to 40 percent in ordinary winter weather to keep the seams tight. Laminate does not make a house colder, though it feels cooler under bare feet than carpet.
In a four-season climate like Northeast Ohio or Missouri, laminate is a good choice, because the summer and winter problems simply take turns. Plan on a dehumidifier in July, a humidifier in January and the full expansion gap at every wall.
In a room that is not heated and cooled, laminate is the wrong floor. Mohawk, Mannington and Bruce all limit their laminate to climate-controlled rooms, which rules out three-season porches, cabins closed for the winter and garages. Even the unopened cartons should wait indoors, not in a cold garage.
| Your climate or room | What laminate does | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Hot, humid summers | Core takes on moisture, boards swell | Keep indoor humidity under 60 to 65% |
| Cold, dry winters | Core dries out, small gaps open | Humidify to 35 to 40% in mild cold |
| Four seasons | Swells in summer, shrinks in winter | Control humidity both ways, keep the gap |
| Unheated or seasonal room | Outside every maker's range | Choose a floor rated for seasonal rooms |
| Radiant floor heat | Fine within surface limits | Keep the floor surface at 80 to 85 F max |
The rest of this page starts with how humidity and temperature move a laminate floor and the exact ranges the makers set. Then come hot, humid summers, cold winters, cold floors, the best floors for each climate, radiant heat, heat and sun, unheated rooms and garages, installing in winter, choosing laminate in Northeast Ohio, and common questions.
How humidity and temperature affect laminate flooring
Humidity affects laminate flooring more than temperature does, because the core of every plank is made of wood fiber. Wood fiber soaks up moisture from damp air and gives it back to dry air. So the planks swell slightly in humid months and shrink slightly in dry ones. Temperature matters mostly because it drives humidity: summer heat brings muggy air, and winter heating dries it out.
Each plank is a printed design layer and a clear, hard wear layer pressed onto that core, which Mannington's installation guide calls HDF, short for high-density fiberboard. The top is sealed. The core is not, which is why Mohawk's instructions tell installers to keep moisture out of the core of any cut plank.
Because the whole floor moves, laminate goes in as a floating floor. The planks lock to each other, not to the subfloor, and a gap is left at every wall so the floor can grow and shrink. Mohawk's RevWood instructions explain why: room humidity changes with the seasons, so leave at least 3/8 inch on all sides. Mannington asks for 5/16 inch and Bruce for 1/4 inch. Very large rooms also need a break, usually a T-molding, the T-shaped strip you see in doorways.
What humidity and temperature do laminate makers require?
Laminate makers require a climate-controlled room held inside a set humidity and temperature range for the life of the floor, and each maker sets its own range. Relative humidity (RH) is how much moisture the air holds compared with the most it could hold at that temperature. A small meter called a hygrometer reads it, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) puts the cost at about $10 to $50.
These are the numbers in the current instructions of three makers whose laminate is in Carpet Country's catalog.
| Maker and line | Humidity | Room temperature | Radiant heat surface limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohawk RevWood | 35 to 65% | 60 to 85 F | 82 F |
| Mannington Restoration | 30 to 65% | 65 to 90 F | 85 F water, 80 F electric |
| Bruce TimberTru | 30 to 50% at install | 65 to 85 F, never over 100 F | 85 F |
These conditions are not just for installation day. Mannington's guide says the temperature and humidity must be controlled and maintained for the life of the floor, and Mohawk says the same about job site conditions. Where the makers differ, follow the one whose name is on your cartons, because that is the rulebook your warranty follows. Keep a carton label or your invoice so you know which line you own.
Laminate in hot, humid summers
Picture a finished basement in late July, with the air thick and the laminate seams starting to rise. In a hot, humid summer, laminate stays flat as long as indoor humidity stays under about 60 to 65 percent. The EPA advises keeping any home below 60 percent, and ideally between 30 and 50, to prevent mold. It also recommends air conditioners or dehumidifiers when needed, and most air-conditioned rooms stay in range without extra help.
Trouble starts when a room runs above the maker's ceiling for weeks. The core swells and the planks press against each other. If the wall gap is too small, the seams rise into a ridge called peaking. If something pins the floor, a whole section can lift off the subfloor, which is called buckling. Mohawk's RevWood guide says plainly that its planks and trim are not meant for extreme humidity.
Is waterproof laminate better for humid climates?
No, not for humid air. Waterproof laminate is better for spills. Mannington sells its Restoration Collection with SpillShield Plus, which it says stands up to spills, melting ice cubes and dripping dogs. Yet the installation guide for that same line still requires 30 to 65 percent humidity for the life of the floor. A sealed surface keeps a puddle from soaking in from the top. It does nothing about moisture the core pulls from the air all summer.
So in a humid climate, buy waterproof-rated laminate if your kitchen or entry sees spills and wet boots, and control the humidity anyway. The difference between the two labels is explained in our guide to telling waterproof flooring from water-resistant.
Laminate in a basement or over a concrete slab
Laminate can work in a basement if the slab tests dry, a moisture barrier goes down first, and the room has no floor drain. If any of those fails, choose a fully waterproof floor instead. A basement is where summer humidity hurts laminate most, because damp air and a cool concrete slab work together.
Mohawk requires underlayment plus a 6-mil plastic moisture barrier over any concrete, unless the underlayment has one built in. Its RevWood Select line must not go in rooms with floor drains or sump pumps. Mannington caps slab moisture at 75 percent in a probe test that measures humidity inside the concrete. It also says it takes no responsibility for failures caused by moisture rising through the slab.
If you are finishing a basement, run a dehumidifier before the floor goes in and have the slab tested. Then read our step-by-step plan for basement flooring in Twinsburg before you decide.
What to do if laminate is buckling or peaking
When laminate has lifted at the seams, bring the humidity down first and give the floor time before anything gets pulled up. Swelling from humid air often settles once the room dries back into range. Work through these checks in order.
- Read the humidity in that room with a humidity meter (hygrometer).
- Run the air conditioning, or a dehumidifier set near 50 percent, until the room holds under 60 percent.
- Check that the floor touches nothing at its edges: baseboard, door casings, pipes or cabinets.
- Look for anything pinning the floor down. Mohawk says nothing may restrain a floating floor, including glue, nails, screws or fixed objects, and Bruce says base cabinets must not sit on the planks.
- Look for a water source, such as a leak, a damp slab or a door that lets rain in.
If the ridge is still there after a few weeks in range, or plank edges look puffy, have an installer look at the gap and the planks. On a floating floor, a few damaged boards can often be replaced.
Laminate in cold, dry winters
Yes, laminate flooring shrinks in winter, and small gaps between the boards in January are a familiar sight in cold regions. The National Wood Flooring Association explains the cause for wood-based floors: humidity and temperature drop in winter, we turn up the heat, and the floor dries out. The wood-fiber core gives up a little moisture, and each plank narrows slightly.
A floor installed with the right gap and kept near its maker's minimum humidity shows little of this. Gaps you can see are a sign the house has been drier than that for a while.
How much humidity should you run in winter?
Aim for 35 to 40 percent humidity in ordinary winter weather, and let it fall toward 30 percent or a bit lower during a hard freeze. That is the compromise between what the floor wants and what your windows can take.
Here is why a compromise is needed. Laminate makers want at least 30 to 35 percent. But moist indoor air condenses on cold glass and can feed mold. So the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), a Minnesota nonprofit that runs home energy programs, publishes a ceiling for indoor humidity at each outdoor temperature. Once it is truly cold outside, that ceiling drops under what the floor makers ask for.
| Outdoor temperature | CEE's indoor humidity ceiling | What it means for laminate |
|---|---|---|
| 20 to 40 F | Under 40% | Room to hold 35 to 40% |
| 10 to 20 F | Under 35% | Hold 30 to 35% |
| 0 to 10 F | Under 30% | At the lowest maker minimum |
| Below 0 F | Under 25% | Below every maker's minimum for now |
In practice, humidify through the ordinary weeks of winter and watch your windows. When the forecast drops below about 10 F, turn the humidifier down rather than fight condensation. A few days under the floor's minimum opens hairline gaps that close again as the air recovers. Weeks of it are what cause lasting trouble.
Will winter gaps close on their own?
Yes, most winter gaps close on their own when spring humidity returns, as long as the floor can move freely. The National Wood Flooring Association calls gaps that come and go with the seasons normal. It says the gaps to have checked are the ones that stay open through the humid months. Mohawk's radiant heat guide likewise calls minor gapping normal for laminate over heated floors during the heating season.
Gaps that never close usually have another cause. The common ones are a floor pinned by cabinets, a heavy built-in or trim nailed through the planks, a subfloor that flexes, and locking joints worn out in a busy path. A gap that is wider at one end of the room, or one that follows a single traffic lane, deserves an installer's eye. For salt, slush and daily winter care, see how to clean and protect laminate floors through Ohio winters.
Does laminate flooring make your house colder?
No, laminate flooring does not make your house colder, but it does feel colder under bare feet than carpet, and laminate over a cold space can feel chilly all winter. Your furnace and insulation set the room temperature. The floor changes two other things: how fast it pulls heat from your skin, and how well it insulates you from whatever is underneath.
Why laminate feels cold underfoot
Laminate feels cold because a hard floor draws heat out of your feet faster than carpet does, even when both sit at the same temperature. The OpenStax College Physics textbook uses this exact example: carpet and tile at the same temperature feel different because skin loses heat faster to the tile. The same textbook notes that wood and plastic conduct heat poorly, which is why wood-based laminate usually feels less icy than stone.
Is laminate colder than carpet?
Yes, laminate is colder than carpet, both in how it feels and in how well it insulates. The Carpet and Rug Institute, the carpet industry's trade group, reports lab-measured R-values, a measure of resistance to heat flow, of roughly 0.5 to 2.5 for carpet alone. Its example is carpet at R-1.3 over a urethane cushion at R-1.6, for R-2.9 in all. Mohawk says its laminates with its own underlayments stay well under R-0.85.
That difference is why a bedroom that trades carpet for laminate can feel cooler on a January morning, even with the thermostat at the same setting.
How to make a laminate floor warmer
To make a laminate floor warmer, start with the space underneath it and then add comfort on top. A bedroom over a garage or a room over a crawlspace is usually cold because of what is below it, not because of the flooring.
- Insulate and air seal the floor over any unheated space. The U.S. Department of Energy says floors over unconditioned space can be a prime source of heat loss and cold floors.
- Use the underlayment your laminate maker approves. The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) notes that underlayment adds some insulation along with support for the locking joints, so skip extra pads the maker has not approved.
- Lay area rugs where you stand and sit, such as beside the bed and in front of the sofa.
- Consider radiant floor heat under the laminate, within the maker's temperature limits.
Best flooring for hot, humid and cold climates
For a hot, humid climate, porcelain tile and waterproof luxury vinyl are the safest floors, and laminate works in rooms that are air-conditioned. For a cold climate, carpet is the warmest, and laminate, vinyl and engineered wood all work with winter humidity control. For four-season regions, laminate is a strong, affordable choice in any room that is heated and cooled all year.
Each floor handles weather its own way. Porcelain tile, by the Tile Council of North America's definition, absorbs 0.5 percent water or less, so humid air does not move it, though it feels cold and hard. Wood floors react to humidity much like laminate, and the National Wood Flooring Association recommends 30 to 50 percent humidity and 60 to 80 F all year. COREtec, one of the brands in Carpet Country's luxury vinyl catalog, calls its planks 100 percent waterproof.
| Climate | Safest choices | Where laminate fits |
|---|---|---|
| Hot and humid | Porcelain tile, waterproof vinyl | Air-conditioned rooms under 60 to 65% |
| Hot and dry | Tile, vinyl, laminate | Good; humidify if air falls under 30% |
| Cold with dry winters | Carpet, laminate, engineered wood | Good with a winter humidifier |
| Four seasons | Laminate, vinyl, engineered wood | Good with year-round humidity control |
| Unheated or big swings | Floors rated for seasonal rooms | Outside every laminate maker's rules |
Is laminate flooring good for Missouri or Ohio weather?
Yes, laminate flooring is good for Missouri or Ohio weather, as long as the house is heated and air-conditioned. NOAA's state climate summaries describe both states the same way: cold Arctic air in winter and warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico in summer. So laminate swells a little in July and shrinks a little in January in both places.
The fix is the same too: air conditioning or a dehumidifier in summer, a humidifier in winter and the full expansion gap. For every floor type in this climate, see flooring for all four seasons in Twinsburg.
Laminate or luxury vinyl for a humid house?
Choose luxury vinyl for rooms that get wet, such as a basement, laundry or mudroom. Choose laminate for dry, climate-controlled rooms where you want a harder, more wood-like surface for less money. Humid air alone does not rule laminate out in an air-conditioned house. Standing water and damp slabs do. The full side-by-side comparison is in our laminate vs. luxury vinyl plank guide.
Laminate over radiant floor heat
Yes, laminate can go over radiant floor heating, as long as the floor surface stays under the maker's limit and the heat changes slowly. Mannington allows 85 F at the surface for hot-water systems and 80 F for electric mats. Bruce sets 85 F, and Mohawk's radiant heat guide sets 82 F. Mohawk's RevWood instructions say radiant installs follow special instructions from the retailer, so ask for them before you buy.
The makers also agree on going slowly. Bruce says to raise the heat in 5-degree steps, and Mohawk says to change the setting no more than 5 F a day, especially at the start and end of the heating season. Mohawk also says to skip area rugs on radiant-heated laminate during the heating season, because heat trapped under a rug overheats the planks. And Bruce warns that a system designed for carpet, which insulates far more, will damage laminate unless it is adjusted.
Radiant heat dries the floor, so winter humidity control matters even more. For more on pairing laminate or vinyl with heated floors, see what Northeast Ohio should know about flooring and radiant heat.
How much heat can laminate flooring take?
Laminate handles ordinary household heat, and each maker sets a ceiling for the room: 85 F for Mohawk RevWood, 90 F for Mannington, and 100 F for Bruce once it is installed. Mohawk's RevWood warranty excludes damage from extreme heat. It also names saunas and swimming pool rooms as places laminate may not go.
Strong sun through a big window is the everyday version of this. Mannington's instructions note that heat and sunlight together fade most home furnishings, and they recommend blinds or drapes during peak sun. Laminate certified to the NALFA standard passes a light-resistance test that mimics 100 hours of sunlight through window glass, according to Intertek, a lab that runs the test. That is a fade test, not a heat rating, so shade south and west windows in the hottest part of the day.
Laminate in unheated rooms, porches and garages
Laminate does not belong in any room that is not heated and cooled all year. Bruce says laminate should only be installed in temperature-controlled spaces, and Mannington says the conditions must hold for the life of the floor. Mohawk's RevWood warranty applies only in an indoor, climate-controlled home. A three-season porch, a sunroom left cold in winter, a cabin closed for the season and a garage all fall outside those terms.
For one of those rooms, choose a product whose maker approves seasonal spaces in writing. Some luxury vinyl qualifies: Mannington's instructions recommend its ADURA Rigid vinyl for three-season rooms and seasonal homes over concrete. Porcelain tile is another option, and the Tile Council of North America notes that it is usually frost resistant but not always, so check the tile maker's literature. For enclosed, insulated sunrooms, read our guide to flooring for Ohio sunrooms and four-season rooms.
Can you store laminate flooring in a cold garage?
No, not for more than a short stretch. Mannington says its laminate must be stored flat, in unopened cartons, in a climate-controlled space between 65 and 90 F and 30 to 65 percent humidity. Mohawk lets you skip acclimation only when storage and the room differ by no more than 25 F and 20 points of humidity, and a winter garage in Ohio fails that test. If the boxes have been in the garage, move them into the room where they will go and give them at least 48 hours before installing.
Can you install laminate flooring in winter?
Yes, you can install laminate flooring in winter, as long as the house is running at its normal living temperature before the cartons are opened. Bruce wants the heat or air conditioning running for 14 days before installation and the room above 60 F. It also rules out portable and kerosene heaters, because they do not warm the room and subfloor evenly. Winter's dry air is no reason to wait, but it is a reason to have your humidifier working first.
Does laminate need to acclimate?
It depends on the maker and on where the boxes have been. Mohawk says its 7 mm laminate must sit for 48 hours in sealed cartons in the middle of the room. Its other RevWood floors need the same when storage and room conditions differ by more than 25 F or 20 points of humidity. Mannington says no acclimation is needed under normal conditions, but requires it after extreme swings in storage or transport. Bruce says acclimation is not necessary, though the flooring is best stored where it will be installed.
Choosing laminate for a Northeast Ohio home
In Twinsburg and nearby towns, choose laminate by how much water the room sees, and plan to keep it in range through a humid summer and a dry winter. Kitchens, entries and laundry rooms call for a waterproof-rated line. For bedrooms and living rooms, the choice comes down to the look, the wear rating and how it feels underfoot.
The Carpet Country laminate catalog includes Mohawk's RevWood collections, Karastan, Mannington's Restoration Collection and Bruce, and it can be narrowed to waterproof-rated laminate. You can see and touch laminate floors at our showroom at 9331 Darrow Rd. in Twinsburg. Carpet Country has been locally owned and operated since 1974, and our professional flooring installers handle laminate from preparation to cleanup.
Common questions about laminate and climate
Can you put laminate flooring in a bathroom?
Only if its maker rates it as waterproof for bathrooms and it is installed exactly as that maker requires. NALFA says laminate does not suit bathrooms and saunas unless the maker specifies it as waterproof. Mohawk's water warranty for wet rooms, including bathrooms, kitchens, mudrooms and laundry rooms, requires the gap around the room to be filled with flexible silicone.
Can laminate go on a balcony, porch or anywhere outdoors?
No. NALFA says laminate is not suitable for outdoor use, and the makers limit it to climate-controlled indoor rooms. That rules out balconies, open porches, three-season rooms and any space that goes unheated in winter.
Should you leave the heat and air on in an empty or vacation house with laminate?
Yes. The makers require the room to stay in range for the life of the floor, not just while someone lives there. Keep the heat on in winter and the air conditioning or a dehumidifier running in summer, set so the house stays inside your maker's humidity range.
Is laminate flooring mold resistant?
It depends on what is underneath. The laminate surface does not feed mold, but moisture trapped under the floor can. Mannington warns that excess moisture in the subfloor is an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew. That is why the makers require a moisture barrier over concrete, and why the EPA says to keep indoor humidity below 60 percent.
What shortens the life of a laminate floor?
Standing water, long stretches of very high or very low humidity, grit that scratches the wear layer and a floor pinned so it cannot move are what shorten laminate's life most. Mohawk's RevWood warranty excludes damage from extreme heat and dryness, and it covers the floor only when it is installed and cared for as the instructions say.
Why is my laminate floor separating?
Laminate separates when dry winter air shrinks the planks, when something pins the floor so it cannot move as one piece, or when the locking joints wear out in a busy path. Start with a humidity reading. If the house is in range and the gaps stay, have an installer check for pinning or joint damage. And if the floor has failed for good, it is a chance to choose the right product for that room.
If you are planning laminate for a room that sees Ohio's humid summers and dry winters, we can help you choose the right line for each room, and our installers can take it from there. Request your free in-home estimate to meet with one of our skilled project specialists about the rooms you have in mind.
