Environment

Temperature affects the appearance of hardwood flooring. Specifically, moisture shrinks and expands its normal form. Heat, cold air, and dry air equally affect the look and condition of the wood. And, any changes to stored wood will affect flooring installation. For example, if hardwood floor material stays in a chilly garage and is placed in a room-temperature area, the wood will over-expand, adjusting to the temperature change. On the contrary, wood shrinks and cups if hardwood material stored in a warm climate and installed in a colder climate, creating gaps during the drastic temperature change.

The worst case scenario is unusable hardwood floor caused by warping. So, you want to make sure your materials are stored in the proper environment prior to flooring installation. Ventilation is crucial in the garage for storing hardwood floors. It must stabilize at the correct temperature. A safe temperature for hardwood is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Hardwoods should preserve a 6-9% humidity level while the garage should keep humidity between 30-50%.

Learn more about Humidity for Hardwood Floors.

Garage Foundation

The grade level on the garage explains the garage’s foundation. The garage is below ground level, on ground level, or above ground level. Homes with garages below ground level are similar to walkout basement houses and drive under houses. Garages built on the ground level connect to or is beside a first story house. Garages above ground level mean the garage sits on top of a platform. For hardwood floor storage, avoid below ground level garages. Moisture naturally inhabits it due to the dirt behind the walls. Hardwoods stored there become impractical due to warping.

Storage Method

Hardwood flooring leaned against a wall warps and curves it over time. Continued careless storing methods can cause cracks, splits, and unwanted stains on the wood. Therefore, rely on environmentally-controlled storage solutions for hardwood flooring to keep it in good condition. Store hardwoods flat on the floor away from walls. Elevate wood off the concrete ground by stacking it on top of a level and stable object. Monitor the wood’s condition regularly. Relocate the wood to another area if the garage’s conditions change the wood’s exterior. Dry wet hardwoods after relocation and dry it again before installation.

In closing, the garage is a great place to store hardwood floors if it passes every test on this list. When it’s time to use the flooring, allow the flooring to adjust to the room’s temperature for a few days before contacting a professional to install the flooring. If the garage isn’t the place to store hardwoods, don’t worry. Our company has plenty of space available in our self-storage facility. Rent a storage facility for hardwoods, belongings, remodeling projects, and more. For more information on storing hardwood floors or storing belongings properly, contact us.