Does hardwood flooring need to be acclimated?

Does hardwood flooring need to be acclimated?

Everyone loves wood flooring. These floors add warmth, charm, and elegance to a room and, to keep them looking their best, be sure they're installed correctly. That includes acclimation for both engineered and solid hardwood flooring.

Acclimation: Getting the moisture levels in balance

When boxes are left unopened in the room in which the flooring is to be installed, it gives the wood a chance to adjust to its new climate and brings the room's moisture level in line with the wood.

With solid hardwood, the trees are often harvested in different locations both within and without North America. Wood is porous, so when exposed to moisture, it can swell, causing warping, cupping, and crowning. Alternatively, when it's dry, the wood will shrink, causing gapping. Acclimation eliminates this.

Although engineered wood is more stable, it's usually installed via the floating floor, where it hovers over the subfloor without nails or glue. It needs a stable foundation, and even the slightest chance that this can happen should be avoided. The world-class installers at our hardwood flooring company wouldn’t think of skimping on that process.

Other ways to keep your wood floors looking great

Sweep with a soft broom or dry mop with a microfiber cloth. Wipe spills immediately and damp mop periodically with a wood floor cleaner.

As with any wood floor, employ some everyday strategies, such as strategically placing mats at entrances and in front of sinks; keeping pet nails trimmed so they can’t gouge; using protective furniture pads when needed to avoid scratches and avoid wearing stilettos on them,

Since 1977, Hasty’s St. Augustine Flooring has been a one-stop source with an extensive flooring inventory and services such as free estimates, design consultations, and superior installations. Come into our showroom in St. Augustine, FL, especially if you live in Vilano Beach, St. Johns County, World Golf Village, to learn more about hardwood flooring or any of our other products.