Acclimatization is the process of adjusting a material to its surrounding environment. It’s crucial for flooring types, as it can help maintain their quality and longevity.
Not all flooring types require acclimatization, but some do. Today, we’ll discuss the types of flooring that need acclimatization and how to properly acclimate them.
Types of Flooring that Need Acclimatization
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is a luxurious and timeless choice for any home or space. However, it’s also one of the most demanding when it comes to acclimatization.
Solid hardwood flooring is particularly susceptible to changes in humidity and moisture levels.
Acclimatization allows the wood to reach a moisture content that is in equilibrium with its surroundings and subfloor, reducing the likelihood of expansion or contraction after installation
Hardwood is a porous material that reacts to changes in temperature and humidity levels. These changes can cause the wood to expand or contract, leading to warping or buckling.
To properly acclimate hardwood flooring, you must first store the wood in the room where it will be installed for at least 48 hours before installation. This allows the wood to adjust to the room’s temperature and humidity levels.
It’s important to maintain consistent temperature and humidity levels during installation as well. After installation, avoid exposing your floors to extreme temperatures or humidity levels.
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo is a type of grass that is processed and compressed into flooring planks. Although it is considered more dimensionally stable than solid hardwood, it can still be affected by humidity changes.
Without acclimatization, bamboo flooring may undergo expansion or contraction, potentially causing installation issues.
Acclimatization allows bamboo flooring to adjust to the moisture level of the room, reducing the likelihood of problems later on.
To properly acclimate bamboo flooring you should remove planks from packaging 24 hours before installing them in order for them adjust with surrounding environment.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring consists of a high-density fiberboard (HDF) core with a printed image layer and a protective wear layer on top.
While HDF is less susceptible to moisture than natural wood and bamboo, the flooring can still absorb some moisture if exposed to high humidity.
Acclimatization helps the laminate flooring adapt to the environment, ensuring a more stable and reliable installation.
To properly acclimate laminate flooring, you should store the planks horizontally in the room where they’ll be installed for at least 24-48 hours.
This allows the planks to adjust to the room’s temperature and humidity levels.
After installation, maintain consistent temperature and humidity levels, and avoid exposing your floors to extreme temperatures or humidity levels.
Engineered Wood Flooring:
Engineered wood flooring is constructed with a real wood veneer on top of several layers of plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF).
The layered construction of engineered wood makes it more stable than solid hardwood, but it still needs some acclimatization to prevent issues.
Acclimatization allows the engineered wood to adjust to the room’s humidity and minimize any movement after installation.
Cork Flooring:
Cork is a unique natural material obtained from the bark of cork oak trees. It contains air-filled cells, making it lightweight and elastic.
Cork flooring can expand and contract based on humidity changes, affecting its fit and appearance.
Acclimatization helps cork flooring to stabilize and avoid potential problems like warping or gaps.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVF):
Luxury vinyl flooring is a synthetic material designed to mimic the look of natural materials like wood or stone.
LVF is generally more moisture-resistant than hardwood or laminate, but acclimatization is still recommended for certain installations, especially glue-down applications.
Acclimatization allows the LVF to acclimate to the room’s temperature and humidity, ensuring a better bond with the subfloor.
