Hardwood Flooring in Phoenix, AZ

Hardwood flooring in Phoenix lives inside homes that are cooled almost all year. On average, 111 days each year reach 100°F or more, and nearly all homes have air conditioning. That constant cooling dries indoor air, and dry air shrinks wood. At the same time, Phoenix is big and varied. Its 518 square miles take in historic central neighborhoods, a huge stock of homes from the postwar building boom and newer subdivisions at the edges. We tailor the floor to the house rather than using one approach for all of them.

Humidity rises and falls with the seasons. Phoenix averages 36.6% relative humidity over the year, but June averages only 19.4% while August climbs to 36.2% as monsoon moisture moves in. Officially, the National Weather Service marks monsoon season from mid-June to the last day of September. For a wood floor, that means a stretch of very dry weather followed quickly by noticeably damper weeks. We set expectations up front: a little seasonal movement is normal, and we choose products and fastening methods that keep it small.

Warm nights mean the AC keeps working. Concrete, asphalt and walls soak up the day's heat and give it back overnight, which keeps Phoenix evenings warm. In July 2023 the city recorded a record warm daily low of 97°F. When the air conditioner runs around the clock, indoor humidity stays low for long stretches. A whole-house humidifier is one option some owners consider; at minimum, keep the thermostat steady instead of letting the house heat up while you are away.

A housing boom built on concrete. Phoenix grew from 106,818 residents in 1950 to 439,170 in 1960, and there was more new construction in 1959 alone than from 1914 to 1946. Most of those homes, like most Arizona homes generally, sit on slabs poured directly on grade because caliche makes digging difficult. When owners pull up old carpet or tile in one of these houses, they usually find concrete. We test it for moisture, grind and patch it flat, and then install engineered hardwood with adhesive or as a floating floor.

Older neighborhoods and historic districts. Central areas such as Encanto, the Melrose District and Arcadia have character homes that owners want to keep authentic. The City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office reviews exterior alterations and demolition requests for designated properties; its page does not list interior work such as flooring among the things it reviews. If your home is designated, confirm with the city before any project that also touches the outside of the building.

Common Phoenix flooring projects

• Engineered hardwood over slab to replace carpet or dated tile
• Sanding and refinishing older solid floors where they exist
• Board replacement after a plumbing or appliance leak
• Hardwood treads on stairs in two-story homes
• Screen and recoat to refresh a dull finish without full sanding

When water gets under a floor. A burst supply line or a leaking dishwasher can cup boards in a day. Fix the leak first, dry the area, and do not rush to replace wood that may flatten as it dries. We measure moisture before deciding whether boards need to come out, and we can weave in new boards so the repair blends with the rest of the floor.

Phoenix is next door to our base in Scottsdale. Call (480) 565-7673 for a free written estimate.

Call (480) 565-7673