A guide to acclimatisation
Before installing any new floor, one of the most important steps is acclimatisation. Whether you have chosen SPC flooring, laminate flooring, or engineered wood flooring, allowing the product to adjust to its new environment helps ensure the best possible installation and long-term performance.
Every home has different temperature and humidity levels, therefore flooring products naturally react to these conditions and may expand or contract slightly as they adapt. While the movement in a single plank may be minimal, across an entire floor it can lead to issues such as gaps, lifting, warping, buckling, or cupping if the flooring has not been properly acclimatised before fitting.
Acclimatisation simply means storing the flooring in the room where it will be installed and allowing it time to adjust to the temperature and humidity of that space. This reduces the amount of movement that occurs after installation and helps create a more stable floor.
SPC Flooring Acclimatisation
SPC flooring is one of the most stable flooring products available thanks to its rigid stone polymer composite core. However, it should still be acclimatised before installation.
SPC flooring should be left in the room where it will be fitted for a minimum of 24 hours. The room should be at normal living temperature, ideally between 18°C and 27°C. The flooring should remain in its unopened packaging and be laid flat on a clean, dry surface.
Laminate Flooring Acclimatisation
Laminate flooring contains a high-density fibreboard core which can be affected by changes in temperature and moisture. Proper acclimatisation helps minimise movement after installation.
Laminate flooring should be stored flat in the installation room for at least 48 hours before fitting. Keep the packs unopened and ensure the room is dry and maintained at a normal living temperature. Avoid storing the flooring in garages, sheds, or other unheated areas prior to installation. These areas will also have higher humidity levels than indoor areas.
Engineered Wood Flooring Acclimatisation
Engineered wood flooring contains a real wood top layer and therefore requires the most attention during the acclimatisation process. Wood is a natural material and will respond to changes in humidity more than SPC or laminate flooring.
Engineered wood flooring should be acclimatised for a minimum of 72 hours, although longer may be beneficial depending on site conditions. The packs should be stored flat in the room where they will be installed. It is important that the boxes are raised slightly off the floor using battens, timber strips, pallets, or another suitable support. This allows air to circulate underneath and around each pack of flooring, helping the flooring acclimatise evenly. The room should be fully enclosed, dry, and maintained at normal living conditions before the flooring arrives.
This is particularly important for new builds to allow for proper adjustment before installation and sometimes this requires turning the heating on in the property; especially during winter months.
Additional Tips
Before acclimatisation begins, ensure all wet trades such as plastering, painting, and screeding have been completed and fully dried. Heating systems should be operational and the room should be weather-tight. Flooring should never be stored directly against radiators, in direct sunlight, or in areas exposed to excessive moisture. In the middle of the largest possible room is an ideal location for this.
If there is anything you are still curious about surrounding acclimitisation, please reach out to us via our contact page!