Acclimating Laminate Wood Flooring

They will tell you that laminate isn t real wood so it doesn t.

Acclimating laminate wood flooring.

The shaded area indicates the generally recommended range for wood flooring 6 and 9 percent emc which occurs when temperature is 60 80 fahrenheit and 30 50 relative humidity. Vinyl plank flooring has become common among homeowners and property managers due to their versatility and durability. Acclimate hardwood flooring like a pro. Like hardwood flooring laminate floors need a little tlc along the way.

Inside the boxes. Sadly some flooring dealers will tell you that you don t have to acclimate laminate floors. Acclimating and installing your laminate floor is pointless in an open environment i e with open windows or exposed framed. A new laminate floor is often part of a room makeover or addition where new paint and new heating is a factor.

At 70 fahrenheit a relative humidity of 25 percent gives an equilibrium moisture content emc of 5 percent and a relative humidity of 75 percent gives an emc of 14 percent. Acclimating is the pre installation process of letting flooring materials become accustomed to the environment where they will spend their life. It therefore needs a period of acclimation in the. Make sure the room or level where the flooring will be laid is an enclosed space.

Some manufacturers may even recommend a week long acclimation period. The most critical condition is that the indoor environment be stable and constant. Many will find out the hard way. How to acclimate hardwood flooring.

Once your laminate flooring arrives you should research the manufacturer s specific instructions regarding acclimation. Acclimating your laminate flooring is one of those areas that first time laminate diyists sometimes believe to be unnecessary. This means that if the laminate is to be installed in the family room acclimation of the laminate flooring should take place in the family room. Storing the laminate flooring in the garage is not acclimation even if the garage is attached.

From the moment you finalize your purchase there are a few things you need to do to ensure quality installation. The company that manufactures the laminate flooring that you have purchased will likely provide you instructions on how best to lay there flooring they will also provide in depth instructions on how to acclimate the flooring before use. Generally you should place laminate planks in the specific room where they will be installed for at least 48 hours before installing. Laminate flooring isn t exactly wood but it s made of a wood byproduct and it undergoes expansion and contraction with fluctuating humidity.