Home > Laminate Flooring Information > Laminate Flooring Questions > Does laminate flooring really require a 2 day acclimation period?

Does laminate flooring really require a 2 day acclimation period?

We are shopping for laminate. One vendor told us that if you have to let the laminate acclimate for any period of time, then it is not quality flooring. Other guys have told us that that is not true. Does the fact that it has to acclimate speak to its quality?

Public Comments

  1. the vendor has probably not tried to take laminate straight from a cool dry warehouse and install it that day in a warm house. acclamation is almost always the best approach, whether or not it is recommend by the vendor. if you are going to start the project Saturday morning just pick the flooring up on Thursday evening and stack it in the house for a few days. trust me, the annoyance of moving around it will pay big dividends by noon on Saturday. less frustration due to war page or whatever. good luck with you project
  2. All laminate flooring should be acclimated for 2 to 3 days before installing. Regardless of quality. If not, the change in humidity from where it has been to where it is going can cause the boards to swell and make them hard to put together, or worse, make them buckle after installation. If the person selling you the flooring says it is unnecessary, don't believe them until you check the manufacturer's recommendations. Also, be very careful installing laminate in areas that are water damage risks (bathrooms, laundry rooms, etc.). If the laminate gets really wet, it usually just has to be pulled and replace. I have installed flooring and done water restoration. Hope this helps.
  3. He is just trying to push his product. All laminate and wood expands and contracts with temperature and humidity. It should be acclimated to the environment they are going to be installed. If you don't you may find it expands after you have installed it and you get buckles or bad seems. This is not an indication of quality.
  4. No, it's just a matter of opinion and him trying to get you to buy his product. I've put laminate in many homes including my own and we buy from Lumber Liquidators.
  5. ALL LAMINATES OR HARD WOOD SHOULD BE ACCLIMATED FOR 48 TO 72 HOURS BEFORE INSTALLATION. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT. AS A MATTER OF FACT, IF YOU DO NOT ACCLIMATE BEFORE INSTALLATION, YOU CAN VOID THE MANUFACTURES WARRANTIES ON THE PRODUCT. LAMINATES AND HARDWOODS EXPAND AND CONTRACT WITH CHANGES IN THE CLIMATE. THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS YOU HAVE TO LEAVE EXPANSION SPACE ALONG THE WALLS WHEN YOU INSTALL IT.