Acclimating hardwood to a new home is a really important step in the installation process to ensure long life.
Preparing for the installation of new hardwood floors in your home can be incredibly exciting. Once the hard work seems like it’s over, there are still a few things you might have forgotten about! One of the most common things homeowners forget about is the hardwood acclimation process. Acclimating hardwood to your home’s environment is critical to a smooth installation process. So, why is it important and how can you get it done?
Why Should You Acclimate Your Hardwood?
Acclimating your hardwood to your home can help prevent a myriad of issues after installation like cupping, warping, or gapping. Hardwood that has been properly acclimated has a much lower chance of having issues, and you are much more likely to get your money’s worth!
How Do I Acclimate my Hardwood?
Make sure that the hardwood flooring for your home has been stored in a climate-controlled environment almost identical to that in your home. Ideally, hardwood floors will be stored at 30-50% humidity and between 60-80 degrees. Your garage in the winter is not the best place to get this done! Put the boxes somewhere appropriate and then open the ends to allow for air flow. If there is plastic around the planks, cut open the ends to increase the amount of air touching the boards.
How Long Does the Acclimation Process Last?
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer for how long the acclimation process will last. Depending on your location and the environment in your home, it could take a couple days or almost a month for your hardwood floors to properly acclimate. Your goal should be to get the flooring to reach the Equilibrium Moisture Content point (a fancy way of saying the spot where your hardwood flooring stops gaining or losing moisture). If you use a moisture meter, you can easily tell whether or not the flooring is ready for installation.
Ready for a Beautiful Hardwood Floor? You Can Trust John K Eareckson & Co.!
When you work with John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring, we will ensure your hardwood floors undergo a stress-free acclimation process and that they sparkle for years to come. From a seamless and beautiful installation to years of maintenance, John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring has the expertise to care for your home’s hardwood floors. For a consultation and more information visit us online or give us a call at 410-788-4200. You can also follow us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.