If you want to create a modern look to your home but also require something hugely practical then laminate flooring is definitely an excellent choice. What’s great is that this material comes in a huge array of colours and designs so you can really achieve the look you want. Moreover, it’s easy to clean and the better quality products are pretty durable too.
If you’re laying laminate flooring you might have heard that you need to acclimate the planks first. But what is this and why does laminate flooring need to acclimate?
One of the biggest problems experienced by home DIYers is that once installation is complete, they notice gaps or expansion between the planks and this is caused by a change in humidity or temperature and this can be avoided by acclimating the wood.
When you purchase laminate flooring, the manufacturer of the planks will supply instructions on how best to acclimate the wood and it is crucial that you follow these steps. The last thing that anyone wants is to have to take up the flooring and start from scratch! In this guide, we will be discussing the importance of acclimating your laminate flooring and telling you everything you need to know.
Can You Stack Laminate Flooring To Acclimate?
When acclimating laminate flooring, the last thing you want are lots of packages all over the room which may get in the way or act as a safety hazard. The good news is that you can acclimate the flooring in stacks but the key is to make sure that the packs are stored as flat as possible.
Look at the manufacturer’s instructions on how to correctly acclimate your laminate flooring but keep in mind that it is most common to keep the planks in the original packaging for this process. It’s also preferable to place the wood in the centre of the room as there will be fewer temperature fluctuations than near doors or walls.
A lot of people think that taking the wood out of the packaging will speed up the process but this is not the case and it could cause damage to the wood. Moreover, when the planks are kept in the packaging, they will acclimate at a similar rate.
How Long Does Laminate Flooring Need To Acclimate?
While every manufacturer will include their own details on the right time to acclimate the laminate flooring, there is a general rule of thumb that you should follow. Typically speaking, you should allow your laminate flooring to acclimate for at least 48 hours although if you can leave it for 72 hours, the results will be even better. The longer you can leave it, the better. We know it can be tempting to lay the floor right away because you want to get the job done but in the end, you’ll actually save yourself time and effort by not having to do remedial work afterwards.
Below are some additional tips for preparing your room and flooring to ensure the most efficient and professional results.
- Ensure that the temperature in the room you are acclimating the flooring is consistent. Typically, this should be anywhere between 17 and 30ºC.
- More importantly, the floor in the room should not drop below 15ºC.
- As well as temperature, the humidity level in the room should also remain consistent and this should ideally be between 25% and 70%. Using a hydrometer will help you to get an accurate reading.
- When installing laminate flooring onto new concrete slab, it is essential to allow the concrete time to cure. In most cases, this will be for at least 60 days. Then you can complete the acclimatisation process.
- If the room has recently been painted then you will need to allow this to dry for at least three days before acclimating your flooring.
What Happens If You Don’t Acclimate Laminate Flooring?
All types of wood, including HDF, are porous. You might not be able to see this but at a microscopic level, this statement is undoubtedly true. Tiny pores within the wood allow small amounts of air to enter into it and if there is any humidity in that air, that is transferred into the wood.
When wood contains moisture, it will begin to swell. So when that humid air gets inside, this is what happens and even though it may be a tiny amount, it can still have a significant effect on the final result of your laminate flooring.
If you lay the planks in very humid conditions then there is a chance that they will swell and expand after installation which may cause the flooring to buckle. On the other hand, unacclimated wood laid in less humid rooms may shrink after you’ve installed it which could result in gaps forming where a secure lock should be.
Ensuring that you acclimate the planks prior to installing them will allow the wood to adjust to the conditions in the room. It will adapt until the temperature and humidity is the same as the room the wood is placed in. When you lay the flooring down, there will be an almost zero chance of any buckling or gaps and the result will be far more uniform and professional looking.
What a lot of people don’t realise is that not acclimating their wood can void the warranty of the product. So, you’d be in no position to call the manufacturer because of gaps or buckling as they’ll simply tell you that you should have followed the instructions!
Related Article: Why Does Laminate Flooring Buckle?
Conclusion
Acclimating your laminate flooring will ensure that it is at the same conditions as the room it is going to be laid in. The benefit of this is a more uniform and secure finish without any gaps or buckling. In fact, if you don’t acclimate your laminate flooring before installation, you can say goodbye to your warranty so let that be the reason if nothing else!
Generally speaking, you will need to acclimate the wood for at least 48 hours but many people go the extra mile and leave it for 72 hours to ensure it is done properly.