Let’s start with the first question, is it normal for your hardwood floors to gap in the winter? The short answer? Yes. The long answer is that wood has a love/hate relationship with moisture and if you don’t nurture that relationship, your wood could give you the cold shoulder. Just like cararra marble will etch if you squirt a lemon on it, unlaquered brass will patina over time and your four year old can leave you a love note on your Italian leather chair with his fingernail, real wood will dry out and shrink in low humidity.