Acclimating Hardwood Flooring:
Acclimating hardwood flooring prevents shrinking, cupping, and gaping by letting the wood's moisture content adjust to your home's indoor climate. To do this correctly, stabilize your home's temperature at 60-80°F and relative humidity at 30-50% for at least 5 days prior to delivery. Bring the flooring into the installation room, open or cross-stack the boxes, and let it sit for 7 to 10 days until the wood's moisture content matches the subfloor.
Step-by-Step Acclimation Process:
1. Stabilize the Environment:
Before the wood arrives, ensure all windows and doors are installed and the home is fully enclosed. Run your HVAC system (or dehumidifiers/heaters) exactly as you would for normal living conditions.
- Temperature: 65 - 76 degrees .Relative
- Humidity: 45% to 55%.
2. Monitor the Moisture Content:
- Solid Hardwood: The moisture content of the boards should be within 2% to 4% of the subfloor.
- Engineered Hardwood: The moisture content should ideally be within 2% of the subfloor.
In the Houston climate we want moisture readings in the floor to be in the 8%-9% range.
3. Give It Time:
While acclimation typically takes 7 to 10 days, this timeline can vary based on geographic location and the time of year. Check with your specific manufacturer's guidelines, as some types of exotic woods or wide planks may require different acclimation periods.
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