Wood Floor Acclimation

Acclimation sometimes called conditioning is the process of allowing wood to reach its equilibrium moisture content emc within normal living conditions it is also one of the most important steps of hardwood floor installation.

Wood floor acclimation. If your wood flooring sits in your home too long in the winter and dries out it will expand and permanently cup in the summer or when the home reaches normal living conditions. Best practices for acclimating wood flooring. The question arises what is the proper way to acclimate hardwood flooring. When wood is neither gaining nor losing moisture equilibrium moisture content emc has been reached.

If the manufacturer recommends the wood flooring be acclimated before installation proceed as follows. Do prefinished floors need to acclimate. Even with engineered flooring it is suggested by some manufacturers that in order to retain coverage with the warranty the job site has to be maintained between 30 50 relative humidity and these conditions must also be maintained after installation. While it s not as important for our engineered hardwoods due to the stability in the way they are constructed solids will expand and contract considerably given the right conditions with wide changes in relative humidity levels.

Even with engineered flooring it is suggested by some manufacturers that in order to retain coverage with the warranty the job site has to be maintained between 30 50 relative humidity and these conditions must also be maintained after installation. It s installed now what. Cut open the ends of the cartons on both sides. Open up any plastic wrap that may be around the planks.

How to acclimate hardwood flooring. Acclimation times vary by species and product but a rule of thumb is to acclimate wood floor products for at least three days. Wood floors are wood. In other words let the heat or air run as it would normally for at least 5 days.

Acclimation to the installation environment for solid wood floors should never be overlooked. It doesn t matter if you use solid hardwood exotic wood or laminate prefinished or unfinished if you want a high quality flooring that lasts for years you need to acclimate them to ensure they do well in your home. Please remember acclimation is the process of adjusting conditioning the moisture content of wood flooring to the environment in which it is expected to perform. Wood floor acclimation with engineered flooring.

Acclimation hardwood floors how long. Allow wood flooring to acclimate for at least three days. Wood floor acclimation with engineered flooring. Between 5 and 10 days ahead of time check to see if the temperature and humidity of the space is at normal living conditions.

Engineered hardwood flooring acclimation steps. Inside the boxes. Make sure the room or level where the flooring will be laid is an enclosed space.