How long should hard surface floors be conditioned before and after installation? While there’s no maximum amount of time for this important step, experts agree that acclimation and conditioning of the material in its final destination should be at least three days minimum. There are many reasons for conditioning the flooring material before installation.
Hard surface floors are among the most popular options for both residential and commercial choices. With a range of material, texture and color, they are ideal for all kinds of spaces. The options include but are not limited to wood, resilient, ceramic and more.
One of the biggest problems with installation is that the material changes and shifts due to temperature or moisture fluctuations. Inexperienced or careless installation teams are simply not doing their job properly when they fail to fully acclimate the material with the conditions of the space where it will be installed. Because material endures all kinds of temperature fluctuations during manufacturing, shopping and storage, the moisture levels can rise and fall somewhat dramatically. This causes expansion and contractions. Storing the material in the location for several days or weeks allows the moisture content to eventually match the atmosphere of the room it will be located in.
When flooring inspectors are called in to look at flooring material that has expanded, shrunk or otherwise shifted after installing, the most common cause is that the flooring material was not fully acclimated to the expected living conditions. The best flooring contractors know that conditioning is a key part of a successful installation.
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