CUPPING
According to The National Wood Flooring Association, in their publication, "Handling Complaints/Trouble Shooting Manual, page 7, cupping can only occur when there is a locally caused, excessive moisture condition. Cupping occurs when there is an imbalance of moisture distribution within each board. That is...the bottom of the board absorbs excessive moisture and swells widthwise, while the face of the board, with less moisture content, holds tight, providing widthwise dimensional stability. In this case the weakest point for any movement is at the board's edges. Once the board's edges start to bend upward cupping becomes quite visible. This extra stress and stretching of the board's finish can cause it to become compromised. The results may include objectionable finish problems such as cracking, peeling, flaking, or chipping. In addition, the structural body of the boards can suffer stress fracture splits on the ends or face checking. This is not due to any deficiencies in the wood product. Cupping is locally caused moisture, usually on the underside of the boards. Cupping is never a manufacturing related issue.
The National Wood Flooring Association states that "The only reason a wood floor cups is locally caused elevated moisture, nothing else." As wood is a natural hygroscopic material, it will absorb moisture and expand when the relative humidity or sub floor moisture content raises and shrink, causing gaps between boards, when it loses moisture. |
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