You chose hardwood floors because they’re the perfect way to complete almost any space in your home. It’s important to remember, though, that hardwood floors only look good when they’re done right, and installation problems abound in this type of flooring. How can you prevent any real problems with your wood flooring installation? Proper acclimation is the key.
Almost every wood flooring manufacturer will recommend that their flooring should be acclimated to your home before it’s actually installed. Wood is a unique material; it expands and contracts as the temperature and moisture levels around it change. More extreme swings mean more extreme problems, even working to damage stability when it comes to wood flooring. Acclimation helps to prevent that. The new flooring must be unboxed inside your home and left alone for a few weeks before installation ever occurs. Remember that specific manufacturers have certain recommendations for acclimation, so check with your flooring company to learn more.
While the wood is in your home acclimating, make sure your home’s temperature and humidity levels are fairly standard. Don’t even think about staring at the wood day after day. You’re not going to notice anything happening. Instead, it’s going to be expanding or contracting quietly over the course of the weeks, getting ready to meet the needs of your floor.
After the acclimation period, you’ll want your wood flooring installation professional to take a closer look at the actually moisture content before the job starts. As long as it’s within normal range (according to the manufacturer), it’s safe to move forward and get your wood floor installed.
You chose wood for that perfect finishing touch. The last thing you want is a huge gap just a few weeks after installation, and acclimation can help to prevent that from occurring.