The following extreme cases are used to illustrate the complications and consequences that can arise from subjecting flooring boards to changes in ambient humidity prior to their installations. A dealer delivers a shipment of 3.25 inch-wide maple boards, stored under ideal conditions, to a customer.

SCENARIO 1

The house has just been renovated and extensive plastering completed. The ambient humidity rate is abnormally high (70%). The wood adapts to this environment: the boards absorb the excess humidity, their MC increases to 12.5% and they undergo important variations in dimension.