Is it important to have pre-finished hardwood floors "acclimatize"?

Question

the store owner told me that I didn't need to worry about it as his store was already warm, never cold...advice?

Answer 1

Every wood and laminate manufacturer says the products need to be acclimated.  

Many people do not bother with this, but the important thing is, not just the temperature, but the humidity (moisture content in the air) of the warehouse where the product is stored, and the area in which it is to be installed.

Most dealers do not stock the material, but have it delivered from a distributor after you order it.  The retailer likely is not aware of the conditions in the distributors warehouse.  For example, is it close to the ocean or a lake?

It is so very little trouble to acclimate the material for 48 hours, I cannot see the advantage of not doing this, especially since wood flooring is usually a major purchase.

I have seen floors fail, that were not properly acclimated.  (peaks and buckles)

Answer 2

As with traditional solid wood floors, prefinished wood flooring is made to fit together with tongue and groove joints. Some prefinished strips and planks have slightly eased or beveled edges to make handling and installation easier.

Answer 3

thats probably true but i would let them sit in your new house for a week before installation better to be safe than sorry and have a warped hardwood floor. A salesman will tell you anything to pitch the product.

Answer 4

ALL wood flooring should be allowed to acclimate to the moisture content in your house for a week before you lay it down.  His store may not have the same moisture content as his warehouse, and it will most definitely not have the same moisture content as your house.  For best results, let it sit for a week.  Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Yes, i'ts very important. Another tip is to make sure the installer leaves about 1/4 inch of space between the wood and the wall -- it will be covered by the baseboard, but that allows for expansion. Could be a big problem otherwise.