If you’re planning a flooring project, you may have heard the term acclimation mentioned by your contractor or the manufacturer. But what exactly does it mean to acclimate flooring, and is it really necessary? The short answer is: yes—acclimating your flooring is one of the most important steps to ensure a smooth, long-lasting installation.
What Is Flooring Acclimation?
Acclimation is the process of allowing flooring materials to adjust to the temperature and humidity conditions of the space where they will be installed. Different materials react differently to environmental changes, and skipping this step can lead to costly issues down the line.
Imagine bringing a dry sponge into a humid room—it absorbs moisture and changes shape. Flooring materials can do the same, expanding or contracting depending on their environment.
Acclimating Different Types of Flooring
1. Hardwood Flooring
Recommended Acclimation Time: 48–72 hours
Why It Matters: Hardwood is a natural product and highly sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature. If it hasn’t been properly acclimated, it may expand or contract after installation, leading to warping, cupping, or gaps between boards.
Best Practices:
- Store boxes flat, not upright.
- Keep them in the installation room with HVAC systems running as they would normally be.
- Maintain indoor conditions between 60–80°F and 30–50% humidity.
What Can Go Wrong:
- Buckling or separating boards
- Squeaky floors
- Gaps that grow over time
2. Laminate Flooring
Recommended Acclimation Time: 12–36 hours
Why It Matters: Though laminate is more stable than hardwood, it’s still made from wood-based materials and can react to moisture and temperature.
Best Practices:
- Keep the boxes flat in the room where installation will happen.
- Make sure the room’s HVAC is operating normally.
What Can Go Wrong:
- Warping or peaking at the seams
- Boards not locking properly due to expansion
3. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) Flooring
Recommended Acclimation Time: 0–24 hours (depending on manufacturer)
Why It Matters: LVP is highly water-resistant and more dimensionally stable than wood products, especially those with a rigid core like SPC (stone plastic composite) or WPC (wood plastic composite). In fact, many high-quality LVP products are manufactured to be so stable that they technically don’t require acclimation.
However, even in these cases, we still recommend having the flooring on site at least 24 hours before installation. This helps the product settle into the environment and ensures that no unexpected issues arise.
Best Practices:
- Place boxes flat in the installation area.
- Keep the space climate-controlled.
- Follow manufacturer recommendations—some SPC cores require less acclimation.
What Can Go Wrong:
- Gapping or tight seams
- Uneven locking due to temperature changes post-install
4. Tile Flooring (Porcelain & Ceramic)
Recommended Acclimation Time: 24–48 hours
Why It Matters: While tile itself doesn’t expand much, acclimating tile ensures it is at room temperature so installation materials like mortar or adhesive can cure properly.
Best Practices:
- Bring the tile into the space 1–2 days before installation.
- Avoid extreme temperature changes before install.
What Can Go Wrong:
- Improper bond or curing issues
- Cracked grout or inconsistent leveling
What Happens If You Don’t Acclimate Your Flooring?
Skipping acclimation can lead to a variety of problems, including:
- Buckling, cupping, or warping of wood-based floors
- Improper bonding of adhesives or mortar
- Gaps between boards
- Shortened lifespan of your floors
Even if the product looks perfect during install, these issues can surface weeks or months later.
Our Professional Recommendation
At Simple Floor Solutions, we always recommend having all flooring materials on-site at least 24–48 hours (and up to 72 hours for hardwood flooring) prior to installation, regardless of material type. This ensures two key things:
- The material has had time to acclimate to the home’s conditions, minimizing expansion or contraction.
- We can verify that all material is present and in good condition before starting, which helps the project stay on schedule.
Taking the time to let your floors acclimate is one of the simplest ways to protect your investment and make sure your installation turns out beautifully.
Still have questions? Contact Simple Floor Solutions and we’ll walk you through it.