Hardwood vs Luxury Vinyl Plank in NH: Humidity, Basements, Mudrooms

By Granite Trusted Pros · Last updated November 3, 2026

Short answer: Wood floors shrink and swell as indoor humidity changes, and heating a New Hampshire home all winter lowers indoor humidity. Solid hardwood is a good fit for rooms at or above ground level where you can keep humidity in the 30 to 50 percent range NWFA describes. NWFA says solid wood should not go below grade, so for basements the usual choices are engineered wood or luxury vinyl plank, after the slab is tested for moisture.

Why does humidity matter so much for wood floors?

Wood takes on moisture from the air around it. The USDA Forest Products Laboratory's Wood Handbook explains that wood in a home is exposed to both seasonal and daily changes in humidity and temperature, and its moisture content changes with them. As wood loses moisture it shrinks, and as it gains moisture it swells. The handbook names gaps in flooring as one of the results. Finishes like varnish slow these changes down, but they do not stop them.

The handbook's table of equilibrium moisture content shows how big the swing can be. At 70 degrees Fahrenheit, wood settles at about 6 percent moisture content in air at 30 percent relative humidity, about 9 percent at 50 percent humidity, and about 11 percent at 60 percent humidity.

What happens to wood floors during a New Hampshire winter?

NWFA explains that heating air increases the amount of moisture it can hold, so the relative humidity inside drops when the heat is on. In a home that runs its heat for months, wood floors dry out and shrink a little, and they can pick moisture back up when the air gets more humid. NWFA also notes that a heat source directly under a wood floor, like radiant floor heat, will dry the wood during the heating season unless humidity is added.

So it helps to know what your own rooms do. A humidity meter (EPA calls it a small, inexpensive instrument sold at many hardware stores) is an easy way to see what your rooms actually do over a year.

What indoor humidity is best for hardwood floors?

As a general rule for solid wood flooring, NWFA describes an indoor environment kept between 30 and 50 percent relative humidity and between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It also says to always follow the flooring manufacturer's own temperature and humidity requirements, since some products are made for drier or more humid conditions. EPA separately recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50 percent, to help prevent mold.

Solid hardwood or engineered wood?

NWFA describes solid wood flooring as one solid piece of wood from top to bottom. It can be sanded and refinished numerous times during its service life. Engineered wood flooring is also real wood, but it is made of several layers bonded together, and the top layer sets the species and look of the floor. Because of how it is built, NWFA says engineered wood can be installed above, on or below grade.

How the boards are cut matters too. NWFA says quartersawn boards are more dimensionally stable in width, while plainsawn boards are less stable in width. If seasonal gaps worry you, ask an installer about the cut and the board width for the product you like.

What is luxury vinyl plank?

Vinyl plank comes in different constructions. For rigid core products, the ASTM F3261 standard describes resilient flooring in tile or plank form with a printed or decorated surface protected by a clear wear layer, built on a polymeric rigid core, and made for both homes and commercial buildings. Some products have an attached underlay backer to reduce noise and help with minor subfloor irregularities. The standard says the wear surface binder is made mostly of vinyl chloride polymers.

The Wood Handbook's moisture tables are for wood, so they do not apply to vinyl plank. That does not make vinyl plank free of moisture problems, especially over concrete, which is covered below. For indoor air, the FloorScore certification listed by RFCI means a flooring product is independently certified by SCS to meet the VOC emissions criteria of the California Section 01350 program. You can ask whether a product carries it.

Which is better for a basement?

NWFA says solid wood floors should not be installed below grade, unless the manufacturer says otherwise. It defines below grade as any part of the subfloor that is 3 inches or more below ground level. NWFA also notes that unfinished basements are often not heated and cooled like the rest of the house, and are typically cooler with higher humidity, and that finishing a basement changes the conditions under the floor above it.

That leaves engineered wood and luxury vinyl plank as the usual basement choices. With either one, the concrete matters. The RFCI moisture guidance says:

all concrete floors, regardless of age, should be tested for moisture before resilient flooring is installed
moisture vapor can pass through a slab even when it seems dry, and the amount can change through the year
excess slab moisture can lead to adhesive failure, mold and mildew growth, and shifting, peaking or curling of planks
failures caused by excess moisture are generally not covered under warranty if the manufacturer's recommendations were not followed

RFCI names two common slab tests: the calcium chloride test in ASTM F1869 and the in-situ relative humidity probe test in ASTM F2170. Each flooring manufacturer sets its own limits. If your basement is damp, EPA suggests using a dehumidifier to help prevent mold growth. ENERGY STAR says certified dehumidifiers remove the same amount of moisture as similar conventional units while using 20 percent less energy.

What about mudrooms, entryways and bathrooms?

Mudrooms see snow, slush and wet boots for months. Whatever floor you pick, EPA says that if wet or damp materials are dried within 24 to 48 hours after a leak or spill, in most cases mold will not grow, so wipe up puddles and use a mat that you can dry out. RFCI's maintenance guidance also recommends walk-off mats at entryways. If you are choosing between wood and vinyl plank for an entry, ask the installer what the product's warranty says about standing water and how the edges and transitions will be finished.

For a full bathroom, tile is another option to price out. Our tile and bathroom remodeling directory lists local tile installers and bathroom remodelers.

What should I ask a flooring installer?

These questions come from the steps NWFA and RFCI describe for installers:

Will you check the moisture content of the flooring and the subfloor before installing, and write down the readings? NWFA recommends documenting the results.
If the floor is over concrete, how will you test the slab, and what limit does the manufacturer set?
Is this product rated for this grade level, especially in a basement?
Does the manufacturer require acclimation, and should the heat or air conditioning be running first? NWFA says these systems should run for at least 5 days before wood flooring is delivered.
When in the project should the floor go in? NWFA says wood flooring should be one of the last jobs, after wet work like drywall and painting is done.
What indoor temperature and humidity does the warranty require, and what does it say about water?
Does the quote include removing the old floor, subfloor prep and trim?

Where can I find a flooring installer near me?

Our flooring installer directory lists local hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, tile and carpet installers and hardwood refinishers in Nashua, Bedford, Manchester, Concord and nearby towns, with phone numbers you can call directly. You can also send one free quote request for flooring in Nashua, Manchester, Bedford, Merrimack, Milford or Amherst, and one local contractor can contact you about it.

Homeowner questions

Frequently asked questions

Can you put hardwood floors in a basement in New Hampshire?

NWFA says solid wood floors should not be installed below grade unless the flooring manufacturer says otherwise. It defines below grade as 3 inches or more below ground level. NWFA says engineered wood floors can be installed above, on or below grade. Either way, the concrete should be moisture tested first.

What humidity should I keep my house at for hardwood floors?

As a general rule for solid wood flooring, NWFA describes indoor conditions of 30 to 50 percent relative humidity and 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Always follow the flooring manufacturer's own requirements. EPA separately suggests keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50 percent, to help prevent mold.

Why do hardwood floors get gaps in the winter?

Wood takes on and gives off moisture with the air around it. The USDA Wood Handbook says wood shrinks as it loses moisture, which can cause gaps in flooring. NWFA notes that heating air lowers its relative humidity, so wood floors tend to dry out during the heating season.

Is luxury vinyl plank a good choice for a basement or mudroom?

It is a common choice, but it still needs a dry, sound subfloor. RFCI says all concrete floors, regardless of age, should be tested for moisture before resilient flooring goes in, and that excess slab moisture can cause mold and mildew growth and shifting, peaking or curling of planks. Ask your installer how they will test the slab and what the product's warranty requires.

Can hardwood floors be refinished?

NWFA says solid wood floors can be sanded and refinished numerous times during their service life. For engineered wood, the top layer sets the look, so ask how thick that layer is and whether the manufacturer allows sanding.

Sources

This guide is general information, not professional advice. Every product and home is different, so follow the flooring manufacturer's instructions and talk to an installer about your own rooms.

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Hardwood vs luxury vinyl plank for New Hampshire homes