How to acclimate hardwood flooring.
What happens if you don t acclimate hardwood floor.
From the moment you finalize your purchase there are a few things you need to do to ensure quality installation.
Hardwood flooring is a hydroscopic material which will change in dimension as a result of changes in humidity in the surrounding environment.
The equilibrium moisture content in the recommended temperature and humidity range shaded.
Between 5 and 10 days ahead of time check to see if the temperature and humidity of the space is at normal living conditions.
Whether it s engineered hardwood bamboo or real wood it s crucial to acclimate wood floors before installation this process ensures that your wood reaches a moisture content level that s in sync with the surrounding environment.
Inside the boxes make sure the room or level where the flooring will be laid is an enclosed space.
Start with taking readings of your wood subfloor.
Acclimating allows the individual planks to adjust to the temperature and humidity levels found in the room they will be installed in.
The better way to determine if the engineered wood floors are ready is by measuring their moisture content.
Sadly some flooring dealers will tell you that you don t have to acclimate laminate floors.
Never attempt to condition wood planks outside or in a garage or basement where the humidity and temperature vary greatly throughout the day and don t simulate.
What happens if you don t acclimate laminate.
Always acclimate hardwood flooring in a controlled environment that s completely enclosed.
Below are the things you need to do to determine if your engineered wood floors have acclimated.
Before installing wood floors the flooring needs to reach a moisture content mc level that is in equilibrium with the surrounding environment.
Failing to properly acclimate wood flooring may cause excessive expansion shrinkage dimensional distortion or structural damage.
Improper acclimation can result in excessive shrinkage expansion dimensional distortion or structural damage.
The period within which you will acclimate your floor depends on various factors such as the material of your ideal flooring geographic location current temperatures and humidity and expected climate changes.
Some floor installers would say that 2 3 days is enough for the wood floors to acclimate fully.
They will tell you that laminate isn t real wood so it doesn t.
Acclimating new wood flooring is important for all kinds of wood including laminate.
Failure to properly acclimate hardwood flooring before installation begins may compromise the integrity of your floor.
Not acclimating hardwood floors can cause excessive gaps warping buckling or cupping after the installation is complete.
The expansion joint may also be compromised which will result in further damage.
If you don t acclimate wood flooring it can cause a myriad of problems.
This process is known as hardwood acclimation.
