Moisture is number one enemy of hardwood floors, both during installation and afterwards. So, how are you to account for moisture? First, you need to make sure installation starts off when humidity is at a good medium, meaning you will be better off if you don´t opt for floor installation or repairs during summer and winter, when both average temperature and humidity reach extreme values. Second, it might be better if your floor is not nailed as tight as usual so as to allow for washer rows that handle swelling of flor blocks in winter.

Other general tips - make sure all other activities that may have negative impact on local temperature and humidity, like window installations have been completed prior to floor installation. You need to call a plumber to make sure all house pipework is in place and not damaged, so as to make sure leaks are unlikely and drainage goes where it´s supposed to, out of your house and not into the foundations. Room temperature must be around what´s considered normal living conditions so as to allow timber to properly acclimatize. Finally, insist that a proper moisture retarder be used.

If moisture is of utmost importance or you live in a area where rapid changs in humidity and temperatures are normal or they tend to reach extreme values, you might want to consider engineered flooring. The same holds true if you plan on having under floor heating installed.