I live in Vermont where winters are very dry and summers can get very humid.

I installed 7" wide pine flooring in a room around February, very dry. I let it sit in my house for a month before installing, but i guess that wasn't good enough because during installation, the boards were pressed very tight together, but a week after installation, the dry conditions caused some shrinkage, and some gaps showed up. They weren't very serious, but they were noticeable. I liked that look actually cause it gave it an aged sort of look.

I didn't sand/finish the floor yet, had to save the money for sander/varnish, AND weather where i can open the windows to vent the VOCs.

Anyway, now that it's summer, I wanted to finish it. However, due to the humidity, the floor is tight as a drum, NO gaps.

Here are my questions :

1. I want to face nail the boards. I'm concerned about the relatively drastic contraction of the wood and how face nailing will affect that. If i face nail now, will the boards warp or otherwise twist about when it dries out? Should I wait until it dries out a bit?

2. Same basic question about varnishing. If I varnish now, will it get screwed up when humidity goes to 10% in winter? Should I wait to varnish until it's dried a bit?

Thanks!
John.

No..the floor should have been finished months ago...you can install your nails with no issue.,,this will actually help with cupping and twisting..not cause it