Not every laminate flooring manufacturer recognizes the need to "acclimatize". However, it is an important step toward successfully installing your new laminate floor. During the installation process, laminate flooring will need to adjust to a new location, which can take up to three days. As the laminate acclimates to the humidity and temperature in the room, the fiberboard core becomes accustomed to the environment. Ignoring acclimation can lead to the floor bending, warping, or twisting after installation.
It is surprising how easy it is to acclimate laminate flooring to its new setting, so even untrained DIYers can manage it with some instruction. Although it’s simple, we always suggest you take the best services and advice to avoid any mishap. Read along to know why.
What Is Acclimation?
While installing new flooring, you should consider some specific factors to optimize durability. One of them is acclimation, an important step which shouldn’t be ignored.
Once the flooring is installed, it will need to be adjusted according to the humidity and temperature of the surrounding environment; this is what we call acclimation. There is a risk of warping, cracking, and buckling on various floors if the recommended acclimatization time is not followed.
Does Laminate Flooring Need to Acclimate Before Installation?
Laminate floors are robust, require little maintenance, and are easier to install than hardwood floors. However, it doesn't mean you can order them from a local flooring store and have them installed right away. A few steps are to be taken as soon as your purchase is completed to ensure successful installation.
Why Does Laminate Flooring Need to Acclimate?
Some flooring companies claim laminate floors don't require acclimation at all. According to them, it makes no difference since laminate isn't made of wood.
Although laminate flooring isn't entirely made of actual wood, its core comprises fiberboard or compressed wood fibers. This core material is breathable and somewhat flexible, like all other wood products. Due to its flexibility and breathability, laminate flooring tends to be affected by humidity or other environmental conditions. So, yes, laminate flooring needs to adjust to local humidity and moisture level before installation.
The fiberboard core expands when it is hot and shrinks when it is cold or dry. It will swell in high humidity conditions and contract in lower humidity conditions.
Laminate flooring is usually created in one environment, stored in another, and then set up in a third environment with a different combination of humidity and extreme temperature.
The temperature fluctuations hinder the installation of laminate flooring. Remember that laminate flooring can be installed in practically all settings because it is made to adapt to variations in humidity and temperature. However, despite laminate flooring's high strength, it takes some time for it to acclimate.