Cupping

Cupping

Cupping

Moisture imbalance

Cupping

Moisture imbalance

Moisture imbalance

Measuring cupping at different depths within the board

Board edges are higher than the centers

Cupping

Cupping (Hardwood)

Floor Detective® Claims and Conditions Guide

Summary

Cupping is a dimensional distortion in hardwood flooring where board edges are higher than the center, producing a concave profile across the width. It is a moisture-driven movement response of wood and is governed by moisture imbalance through board thickness, cross-grain movement behavior, and restraint within the flooring system. Cupping may develop gradually or rapidly depending on exposure intensity, pathway, and the floor’s ability to move. Visual prominence can be influenced by board width, finish reflectivity, and lighting angle without changing the underlying mechanism. The presence of cupping alone does not establish manufacturing defect or installation nonconformance; classification requires correlation

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