Leave Hardwood Inside Prior To Install

Hardwoods should be acclimated in the same room level where they will be installed.

Leave hardwood inside prior to install.

It s important that the wood acclimatizes to the environment to prevent cupping or shrinkage after installing the hardwood flooring. This is an old myth from back before wood flooring was properly kiln dried. We ve all heard someone in the flooring industry say the wood flooring must sit in the home to acclimate for a period of time before installation. The wood flooring needed to sit in the home to actually dry out.

The expansion joint may also be compromised which will result in further damage. Make sure you leave the wood inside the home with the boxes open for at least a few weeks prior to installing solid hardwood flooring. Each floating floor manufacture has their own specific predetermined span limit so it s important to read the manufactures installation guide before installation. If you don t acclimate wood flooring it can cause a myriad of problems.

In addition to perimeter expansion center expansions are recommended in floating floor installations exceeding predetermined spans of liner feet. Wood flooring product will be divided into smaller lots and stored in the designated rooms if necessary. Basements are moisture prone since higher humidity air is heavier and sinks. Failing to properly acclimate wood flooring may cause excessive expansion shrinkage dimensional distortion or structural damage.

There are all different answers from 5 days to 2 weeks or more. Not acclimating hardwood floors can cause excessive gaps warping buckling or cupping after the installation is complete. All solid hardwood products need to be acclimated to the new environment for at least 24 hours prior to installation. Open the boxes and lay them flat in the room where they ll be installed.

Whether it s engineered hardwood bamboo or real wood it s crucial to acclimate wood floors before installation. Glue nail staple and float. This process is known as hardwood acclimation. What to know and do before wood flooring installation day.

Don t make the mistake of acclimating the hardwoods in a basement when they are to be installed on the first floor. Failure to properly acclimate hardwood flooring before installation begins may compromise the integrity of your floor. Don t bring the hardwoods into the space until the heating or air has been runnin g for at least 5 days and wait 7 10 days before actually installing them. Before installing wood floors the flooring needs to reach a moisture content mc level that is in equilibrium with the surrounding environment.

An important note on solid hardwoods.