If you’re planning to install flooring in your home or business, you may have heard the terms acclimation.
In some countries, it is also referred to as acclimatization or acclimating.
But what exactly does it mean, and why is it so important?
What is Acclimation?
Acclimation of flooring materials is a process of getting the moisture content of the floor covering to be installed, to the average moisture of the environment/room in which it is expected to perform.
The process of acclimatizing flooring materials involves first storing the flooring in the room where it will be installed for 24-72 hours before the installation. You should also ensure that the room temperature remains at between 50-90 degrees Fahrenheit (10-32.2 degrees Celsius). Besides, you should also maintain the relative humidity of the room between 25% and 60% during the installation process.
For instance, if you plan to install solid hardwood in a bedroom, you should leave the hardwood planks in the bedroom for at least 24-72 hours before installation.
You should not store the flooring elsewhere maybe in a garage or basement, and then later install it in the bedroom. The moisture content and environmental conditions of both rooms will definitely vary.
The length of time required for acclimation can vary depending on several factors, including the type of flooring being used, as well as environmental factors such as humidity and temperature.
Importance of Acclimation in Flooring
If you’re planning on installing new flooring, it’s essential to understand the importance of acclimatization.
It is a critical step in the installation process for certain types of flooring materials, and neglecting it can lead to significant problems and potential costly repairs down the line.
Here are some reasons why acclimatization is so important in flooring:
Minimizes Expansion and Contraction:
Different flooring materials, such as hardwood, laminate, and engineered wood, are hygroscopic, meaning they can absorb and release moisture based on the surrounding humidity levels.
Acclimatization allows the flooring to adjust to the humidity and temperature of the installation site, reducing the risk of excessive expansion or contraction after installation.
Prevents Warping and Buckling:
Improper acclimatization can cause the flooring to warp or buckle as it adapts to the new environment.
Warping refers to the flooring boards or vinyl tiles twisting or bending, while buckling happens when they lift from the subfloor. These issues can lead to an uneven surface and create tripping hazards
Acclimatization helps prevent this by allowing the flooring material to absorb or release moisture until it reaches a balance with the surrounding environment.
By giving your flooring enough time to adjust before installation, you’re ensuring that it will remain flat, stable, and less likely to warp or buckle over time.
This will save you money on costly repairs or replacements down the line.
Avoids Gaps and Separations
Inadequate acclimatization can result in gaps or separations between hardwood planks or tiles.
As the flooring expands due to high humidity or contracts in dry conditions, it can create visible gaps that compromise the aesthetics and structural integrity of the floor.
Ensures Longevity and Durability:
Properly acclimated flooring is more likely to maintain its stability and appearance over time.
By allowing the flooring to adapt to the site’s conditions, you can enhance its durability and reduce the need for repairs or replacement.
Improves Installation Accuracy:
Proper acclimatization also ensures that your flooring is installed correctly.
If wood is installed before being acclimated properly, it may expand or contract when exposed to its new environment, causing gaps between boards or other issues. An uneven subfloor can further exacerbate these problems.
Acclimatization ensures that the flooring is in its optimal condition during installation.
This can lead to more accurate and efficient installation procedures, resulting in a better-looking and longer-lasting floor.
In addition to preventing installation issues, acclimatizing your flooring materials can help ensure a longer lifespan for your floors overall.
When floors are not properly adjusted for their surrounding environment, they may wear faster than expected due to changes in temperature and humidity levels.
Supports Manufacturer Warranties:
Many flooring manufacturers require acclimatization as a condition for their warranty to be valid.
If acclimatization guidelines are not followed, it could void the warranty, leaving the homeowner responsible for any future issues.
Cost and Time Savings:
Investing time in acclimatization may seem like an additional step, but it can save money and time in the long run.
Avoiding the need to replace damaged flooring or fix problems caused by improper installation can be a significant cost-saving measure.
Factors Affecting Acclimation
Eight factors can affect acclimatization: the type of flooring, humidity levels, temperature variations, storage conditions, site conditions, packaging, and subfloor moisture content.
1.Type of Flooring Material:
Different types of flooring materials have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in temperature and humidity. Natural materials like hardwood and bamboo are more hygroscopic, while engineered wood and laminate may have a more stable composition.
Each material requires specific acclimatization considerations as highlighted below:
1.1 Hardwood flooring:
Hardwood flooring is highly sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.
For solid hardwood flooring, it is essential to acclimate the planks to the installation site’s conditions.
This may involve storing the wood in the area where it will be installed for a recommended period, usually around 3 to 7 days.
The temperature and humidity of the installation site should be maintained at the typical living conditions to allow the hardwood to adjust properly.
1.2 Bamboo Flooring:
Bamboo is another natural material that exhibits sensitivity to temperature and humidity changes, similar to hardwood.
Acclimatization for bamboo flooring follows a process similar to that of hardwood. It is advisable to store the bamboo planks in the room where they will be installed for about 3 to 7 days before the installation.
Maintaining the room’s temperature and humidity at typical living conditions will help prevent issues with expansion and contraction.
1.3 Engineered Wood Flooring:
Engineered wood is less hygroscopic than solid hardwood or bamboo. It consists of a real wood veneer layer on top of plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF) core, which provides added stability.
While engineered wood is more dimensionally stable than solid wood, it still benefits from acclimatization. Allow the engineered wood planks to acclimate for about 2 to 3 days in the installation area with maintained temperature and humidity levels.
1.4 Laminate Flooring:
Laminate flooring is generally more stable than hardwood, bamboo, or engineered wood due to its layered construction with a moisture-resistant core.
Laminate flooring does not require as long an acclimation period as solid wood or engineered wood. Allowing the laminate to sit in the installation area for about 24 to 48 hours should be sufficient for proper acclimatization.
1.5 Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVT/LVP):
Luxury vinyl flooring is highly resistant to moisture and temperature changes due to its synthetic composition.
Acclimatization for luxury vinyl flooring is relatively minimal. Generally, allowing the flooring to sit in the installation area for about 24 hours should be enough time for it to acclimate.
1.6 Tile Flooring (Ceramic, Porcelain, Natural Stone):
Tile flooring, especially ceramic and porcelain, is not significantly affected by temperature and humidity changes. This is what makes them one of the best flooring materials for wet areas. However, natural stone tiles may have some sensitivity to moisture.
Acclimating tile flooring is typically less critical than other materials. Letting the tiles rest in the installation area for about 24to 48 hours should be adequate.
2.Humidity Levels:
High humidity levels can cause flooring materials to absorb moisture and expand, while low humidity can lead to contraction.
It’s crucial to measure the ideal relative humidity of both the storage area and the installation site to determine the required acclimatization time.
High humidity levels generally refer to relative humidity above 60-65%. In such high humidity conditions, natural flooring materials such as hardwood and bamboo would absorb moisture. This results to the expansion of flooring resulting to buckling, cupping, peeling, and warping.
In contrast, low humidity levels generally refer to relative humidity below 30-40%. In low humidity conditions, flooring materials like hardwood and bamboo can lose moisture and contract.
This may lead to gaps forming between the planks or tiles. Engineered wood and laminate are less prone to contraction, but extremely low humidity can still impact their performance.
The ideal range of optimal humidity level is about 40-65% relative humidity. Maintaining humidity levels within this range during acclimatization helps ensure that the flooring materials stabilize at a moisture content that closely matches the average conditions of the installation site.
This minimizes the risk of significant expansion or contraction after installation.
Related: How to prepare subfloor before laminate floor installation
3.Temperature:
Temperature plays a significant role in the acclimatization process of flooring materials.
Extreme heat or cold can cause changes in the dimensions and physical properties of the materials, affecting their fit, stability, and performance during installation and use.
The ideal temperature range for acclimating flooring materials varies based on the specific material and the manufacturer’s recommendations.
The following is a general guideline for the optimal temperatures for acclimatizing different types of floors:
- Hardwood, Bamboo, and Engineered Wood: The recommended temperature range for acclimating hardwood, bamboo, and engineered wood typically falls between 60°F (15°C) and 80°F (27°C).
- Laminate Flooring: The recommended range for acclimating laminate flooring is within a temperature range of 50°F (10°C) to 80°F (27°C).
- Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVT/LVP): Luxury vinyl flooring is highly tolerant of temperature changes and can be acclimated within a range of 40°F (4°C) to 100°F (38°C).
- Tile Flooring (Ceramic, Porcelain, Natural Stone): For tile flooring, the recommended temperature range for acclimation is typically between 50°F (10°C) and 100°F (38°C)
4. Storage Conditions:
The flooring material should be stored in a controlled environment that closely mimics the conditions of the installation site.
Improper storage in uncontrolled environments or exposure to direct sunlight can affect the material’s moisture content and alter its dimensions.
5. Packaging:
Some flooring materials come in sealed packaging, which may prevent proper acclimation.
It’s important to remove the packaging and allow the material to breathe and adjust to the surrounding conditions.
For instance, solid hardwood flooring often comes bundled in shrink-wrapped or plastic-wrapped packages to protect the individual boards from damage during shipping and storage.
Upon receiving the hardwood flooring, it’s essential to remove the plastic wrapping and separate the individual boards or planks. Store them flat and elevated off the ground in the room where they will be installed. This allows the hardwood to acclimate and adjust to the temperature and humidity conditions of the installation site.
For laminate flooring, it is typically sold in boxes or cartons, with each carton containing multiple planks or tiles that are tightly packed and sealed. You should open the cartons and remove the planks or tiles, allowing them to lay flat and spread out in the installation area. This helps the laminate acclimate to the surrounding conditions before installation.
Also, tile flooring, such as ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone tiles, often comes stacked and wrapped in protective materials or boxes. Unpack the tiles and remove any wrapping or packaging. Spread the tiles out flat in the installation area to allow them to acclimate to the surrounding conditions.
6. Site Conditions:
The environment where the flooring will be installed should be considered.
Different areas within a building, such as basements, ground floors, or upper levels, may have varying humidity levels and temperature ranges that can impact acclimation.
For example, basements are often more susceptible to higher humidity levels due to their underground location and limited ventilation. They can also have cooler temperatures compared to upper levels of a building.
If the flooring is acclimated in a basement with higher humidity levels, it may absorb more moisture and expand. Conversely, if acclimated in a colder basement, it may contract during acclimatization. To ensure proper acclimatization, it’s best to mimic the humidity and temperature conditions of the room where the flooring will be installed.
On the other hand, ground floors, especially those built on concrete slabs, can experience higher humidity levels and temperature fluctuations due to direct contact with the ground and varying outdoor conditions.
If the flooring is acclimated on the ground floor, it may be exposed to slightly higher humidity levels than upper levels of the building. Properly acclimating the flooring on the ground floor can help it adjust to these specific conditions.
Upper levels of a building may have different humidity and temperature profiles compared to lower levels due to variations in sun exposure and airflow. Acclimating the flooring on an upper level can expose it to slightly different humidity and temperature conditions. It’s essential to account for these differences during the acclimatization process.
Wet areas such as bathrooms and kitchens are prone to higher humidity levels due to regular water usage and limited ventilation. Acclimating the flooring in a bathroom or kitchen may expose it to higher humidity levels, which can impact the flooring’s moisture content. Ensuring proper acclimatization in these areas is vital to prevent issues related to expansion.
Finally, sunrooms or enclosed porches may experience significant temperature fluctuations based on their exposure to direct sunlight and outdoor conditions. Flooring acclimated in a sunroom may be subjected to more significant temperature variations, affecting its moisture content. Taking these variations into account during acclimatization is crucial for the flooring’s stability.
So where is the best place to acclimatize your flooring? The best place to acclimatize flooring is the same room in which it will be installed. Always ensure that you store and acclimatize flooring in the same room where it is to be installed.
7.Moisture Content Testing:
Before installation, it’s advisable to conduct moisture content testing of the flooring material and the subfloor to ensure they are within acceptable levels for installation.
Moisture content testing is a crucial step before flooring installation, especially for materials sensitive to moisture, such as hardwood, bamboo, and engineered wood.
High moisture content can lead to problems even if the flooring has been acclimated.
The moisture content of the flooring material should be within a range specified by the manufacturer. Typically, for hardwood and engineered wood, the moisture content should be within 6% to 9%.
The acceptable moisture content in the subfloor is usually defined by the flooring manufacturer and the flooring adhesive or installation system used.
As a rule of thumb, the subfloor moisture content should not exceed 12% to 15% for wood-based flooring installations. For concrete subfloors, the acceptable relative humidity levels are generally around 75% or lower.
Examples of Moisture Content Testing Methods:
Moisture Meter Testing:
- Moisture meters are handheld devices used to measure the moisture content of wood and other materials. There are two main types of moisture meters: pin-type and pinless.
- For pin-type moisture meters, small pins are inserted into the flooring material or subfloor to measure the moisture content. Pinless moisture meters use sensors that are pressed against the surface of the material to obtain readings without puncturing it.
- During moisture content testing, readings are taken from multiple areas of the flooring material and subfloor to ensure consistency.
Read our comprehensive guide on how to conduct the moisture meter test
Calcium Chloride Test (ASTM F1869):
- This test measures the moisture emission rate from the subfloor using a calcium chloride testing kit.
- The test involves placing a pre-weighed container of calcium chloride on the subfloor and sealing it with a plastic dome. After a specific period (typically 24 to 72 hours), the container is re-weighed to determine the amount of moisture that has been absorbed.
- The test results are reported in pounds of moisture emitted per 1,000 square feet over 24 hours (lbs/1,000 sq ft/24 hours). This information helps assess whether the subfloor’s moisture level is within acceptable limits for the flooring installation.
Read our comprehensive guide on how to conduct the calcium chloride test
Relative Humidity (RH) Testing (ASTM F2170):
- This test measures the moisture content within the concrete slab subfloor by drilling a small hole into the concrete and inserting a specialized RH probe.
- The RH probe is left in the hole for a specific period (typically 24 to 72 hours) to equilibrate with the concrete’s internal moisture conditions.
- The test results are reported as a percentage of relative humidity, indicating the moisture level within the concrete slab. This information helps assess whether the subfloor is adequately dried and ready for flooring installation.
Read our comprehensive guide on how to conduct the relative humidity test
8. Manufacturer Recommendations:
Always follow the specific acclimatization guidelines provided by the flooring manufacturer.
Each material may have different requirements, and adhering to the manufacturer’s instructions will help ensure a successful installation.
How to Acclimate Flooring Materials.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to acclimate flooring materials in a simple manner:
- Read Manufacturer’s Instructions: Check the manufacturer’s guidelines for acclimatization recommendations specific to the flooring material you have.
- Choose the Right Room: Select the installation room that closely represents the typical living conditions of your home.
- Measure Temperature and Humidity: Use a hygrometer to check the room’s temperature and humidity levels.
- Open Packaging: If the flooring comes in sealed packaging, remove it to allow the material to breathe and adjust to the room’s conditions.
- Lay Flat and Elevated: Lay the flooring material flat and elevate it off the ground, such as on wooden pallets, to prevent direct contact with the floor.
- Arrange in the Room: Spread out the flooring material across the installation area, ensuring air can circulate around each piece.
- Maintain Stable Conditions: Keep the room temperature and humidity levels consistent throughout the acclimatization period.
- Acclimate for Recommended Time: Follow the manufacturer’s suggested acclimatization duration (e.g., 24 to 72 hours) to let the flooring material adjust properly.
- Check Moisture Content: Consider conducting moisture content testing on both the flooring material and the subfloor to ensure they are within acceptable levels.
- Monitor Changes: Observe any changes in the material during acclimatization, such as expansion or contraction.
- Install After Acclimation: Once the recommended acclimatization period is complete, begin the flooring installation process with properly acclimated materials.
How to store Flooring Materials during acclimation
- Indoor Storage: Store flooring materials indoors, preferably in the room or area where they will be installed. This ensures that the flooring is exposed to the same temperature and humidity levels as the installation site, allowing it to acclimate properly. Avoid storing flooring in garages, sheds, or unheated/underheated spaces where the temperature and humidity are uncontrolled.
- Flat and Elevated: Store flooring materials flat and elevated off the ground. Stacking the flooring on pallets or sturdy racks prevents direct contact with the floor, reducing the risk of moisture absorption from concrete or other surfaces.
- Covered and Protected: Keep the flooring material covered and protected from any potential sources of moisture. Use plastic sheets or waterproof covers to shield the flooring from accidental spills or moisture during storage.
- Climate-Controlled Environment: If possible, store the flooring in a climate-controlled environment to ensure stable temperature and humidity levels. A consistent environment helps maintain the material’s moisture content, preventing warping or other dimensional changes.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: Direct sunlight can cause excessive heat buildup, especially in outdoor or unsheltered storage areas. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can lead to temperature-related issues and affect the material’s appearance and structural integrity.
- Distance from Exterior Doors: If storing flooring near exterior doors, ensure they are well-sealed and that no drafts or temperature fluctuations can affect the material. Uncontrolled airflows can introduce moisture or alter the temperature, impacting acclimatization.
- Keep Packaging Intact: If the flooring comes in sealed packaging, avoid opening the packages until you are ready for installation. This helps maintain the flooring’s moisture content and protects it from potential damage.
- Controlled Storage Duration: While acclimation times vary based on the type of flooring, avoid prolonged storage. Install the flooring within a reasonable timeframe to ensure the material’s condition does not change significantly during storage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Acclimatization
Acclimatizing flooring materials is an essential step in ensuring a successful installation and long-lasting flooring. However, there are some common mistakes that people make during the acclimation process, which can lead to problems down the line. Here are a few things to avoid:
Skipping or Rushing the Process
One of the most common mistakes that people make is skipping or rushing the acclimation process altogether.
It may seem like an unnecessary step, but it’s vital for preventing moisture-related issues with your flooring down the line.
If you want to ensure proper acclimatization, it’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for timeframes and storage techniques. Skipping this step can lead to warping or buckling of your floorboards over time.
Improper Storage Methods
In addition to skipping or rushing the acclimation process altogether, improper storage methods can also cause problems during this critical stage.
If you’re storing your flooring materials in a garage or basement without proper climate control, they won’t be able to adjust properly to their new environment.
This can result in uneven moisture content and warping/buckling down the line.
To avoid these issues, ensure that you’re storing your flooring materials in a climate-controlled area with consistent humidity levels during acclimatization.
Ignoring Environmental Factors
The final mistake that many people make during acclimatization is ignoring environmental factors such as temperature and humidity levels in their home.
Failing to monitor these factors during installation can result in uneven moisture content and warping/buckling of your floorboards over time. To avoid this problem, invest in a hygrometer and check the humidity levels in your home regularly.
Ensure that you maintain consistent temperature and humidity levels throughout the acclimatization process to achieve optimal results.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your flooring materials acclimate correctly, leading to a successful installation and beautiful floors for years to come.
Conclusion
Acclimatization is a critical process that cannot be overlooked when installing flooring materials. It ensures the longevity and proper functioning of your floors.
Skipping acclimation can lead to costly repairs or replacements down the line.
Therefore, it is essential to follow the right steps and take all necessary precautions during acclimation. Incorporating acclimatization into your flooring installation plan is relatively easy once you understand the proper procedures.
You need to consider environmental factors such as humidity levels, temperature variations, and subfloor moisture content when planning for acclimatization.
Additionally, you must monitor these factors throughout the process to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
