Do floors creak more in summer or winter?

Author: Marisol Weissnat  |  Last update: Wednesday, June 4, 2025

During the summer season, wood and laminate flooring can become noisy with loud creaks and squeaks disturbing the peace and quiet. Wood and laminate flooring planks creak if they move up and down, as they expand when hot.

Why do my floors creak more in summer?

Temperature Changes: Wood expands and contracts with temperature and humidity fluctuations. If the temperature rises during the day, the wood may expand, causing it to creak. Conversely, as it cools at night, it can contract, leading to similar sounds.

Is it normal for floors to creak in the winter?

Yes, hardwood floors can creak more in the winter. This is mainly due to changes in humidity and temperature. During winter, indoor air tends to be drier because of heating systems, which can cause the wood to contract.

Why does my house creak more in summer?

Building materials expand and contract with increases and decreases in temperature, and sometimes this expansion and contraction leads to noises. Sounds due to thermal changes are usually most noticeable when temperatures increase suddenly, or after the sun goes down and temperatures drop quickly.

When should I be concerned about creaking floors?

There is no need to panic. In real life, squeaks are not a big problem, which means they do not indicate structural damage, such as termites, that could cause the floor or crane to collapse. And repairing hardwood floors is very simple. Although any floor can creak, stairs and hard floors are the most common culprits.

Stop Squeaky Floors on Carpet or Hardwood

Do creaky floors mean foundation issues?

Squeaky Floors Are a Structural Problem

It's better to play it safe. If you notice that your floors are creaking, bouncing, and squeaking as you walk on them, you should call a professional to inspect your foundation for a sure answer.

Is there a way to stop floors from creaking?

Ways to Address Squeaky Floorboards

Lubricating Oil: Apply a small amount of lubricating oil to the joints where the squeak is occurring. Shims: Insert shims between the joists and subfloor to stabilize the movement.

Why does my house creak in the sun?

Thermal Expansion and Contraction

The temperature changes cause the wood, metal and other materials in the house structure to expand and contract, resulting in ominous creaks. Sometimes these creaks can be harmless, other times they can signal to you that your home needs foundation repair.

Do houses creak with temperature change?

As temperature and humidity fluctuate, structures expand and contract at different rates, causing them to move against each other. This shifting and easing can cause groaning or creaking.

How much house creaking is normal?

Creaking from settling can be normal for your house if you always hear the sounds. But you might have a foundation problem if your house is creaking more than usual and you notice the following symptoms along with it: Stuck windows or doors. Uneven flooring.

Why do the floors in my house creak so much?

Loose Floorboards

Wood expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. Over time, nails or screws holding your floorboards in place can loosen, allowing the boards to rub against each other and produce that familiar creaking sound.

Do floors expand in winter or summer?

With cold weather comes a decrease in the air's moisture and as a result, hardwood floors will contract. You might see some gapping in between boards and planks. Conversely, higher temperatures and more humidity cause hardwood floors to expand in the areas where they contracted in cold-weather times.

Do rugs help with creaky floors?

So the answer to our former question is: Yes, an excellent, and probably the best way to lessen the bothers of a squeaky floor problem is to place a rug over it, and you will finally be able to stop worrying about it.

Do floorboards creak more in summer or winter?

Squeaky wooden floors in a new home

In the summer, humidity and heat can cause the wooden floorboards to expand, which leads to squeaks. During the winter, gaps can occur between the floorboards and subfloor due to dry air, which (you guessed it) causes movement and creaking noises.

Do squeaky floors mean water damage?

Wet or water-damaged subfloors that are structurally unstable can cause long-term problems with your home, and simply replacing the wood floor on top will not fix the problem. Loud squeaks and creaks are likely with an unstable subfloor.

Who to hire to fix squeaky floors?

It's always best to have a professional inspect your floor to determine the root of the issue. Do carpenters fix squeaky floors? Yes, carpenters can fix squeaky floors. They have the expertise to identify the source of the squeak, whether it's loose floorboards, subfloor issues, or joist problems.

Do houses creak more in summer or winter?

Wood floors might creak more in the winter as the dry air makes the boards contract and pull apart from each other. Areas where two different types of material come together, like a wood cabinet against drywall, increases its likelihood of making noise.

Can a house settle after 20 years?

It is a fact that homes will settle over the years. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. However, knowing when to call in a foundation repair expert will help alleviate unnecessary anxiety and worry.

Why do I hear footsteps in my house?

Just not a ghost. If you have an unfinished attic, odds are those footsteps you hear come from some rowdy ducks, mice, a cat or even a wily raccoon. Maybe they are looking for food or – perhaps – to escape from becoming food.

Why do I hear tapping in my walls at night?

If you hear any clicking, buzzing or tapping sounds in the wall, you may be facing a potential termite invasion. Termites are hard to spot and often go unnoticed, causing significant amounts of damage in homes each year.

Why does my house creak when the heat is on?

Creaking floors and stairs are common occurrences in many homes. These noises can result from the natural expansion and contraction of wooden materials due to temperature and humidity changes as well as the shifting of the house's foundation over time.

How to stop a house from creaking?

Treads often work loose from their stringers. To tighten them down, drill two starter holes into the tread and stringer at opposite 45-degree angles. Drive 8d or 10d finish nails into each hole to secure the tread to the stringer. Cover the holes with wood putty.

Is it normal for floors to creak over time?

This is not necessarily a reason to panic! While any floor can creak, hardwood flooring and staircases are the most common offenders. Wood will contract and expand with the changing of seasons, which is entirely unavoidable unless you install engineered wood flooring specially made to be weather-resistant.

How much does it cost to fix squeaky floors?

If you're tired of hearing that annoying squeak every time you walk across the floor, the cost of repairing it can vary widely, from a mere $10 to more than a whopping $1,000. The extent of the damage and the affected area all play a role in determining the final bill.

Why do floors creak at night?

The environment can also cause creaky wood floors. Perhaps there is extra moisture or humidity in your home. It could also be making noise if there is a fluctuation in temperature. Wood expands and contracts as things warm up and cool down throughout the day.

Previous article
What are the 4 chemical agents used in cleaning the kitchen?
Next article
Do microfiber cloths hold bacteria?