What is the best thickness for a hardwood floor?
solid hardwood is the minimum thickness that is appropriate in the Manitoba/Saskatchewan climate. The Canadian prairies have a climate that is very dry in the winter and quite humid in the summer. Wood, being a natural product has a tendency to shrink slightly in dry conditions and expand in humid conditions. Wood strips that are thick are more dimensionally stable, meaning they will withstand these changes throughout the year quite well. Thinner hardwood strips are still available, being manufactured for coastal regions which have higher humidity year-round, but they are not appropriate for use in our climate in the middle of the continent.
