You’ve just received your Cochran’s Lumber flooring, and you’re likely eager to see it installed in your home. But before you move forward, it’s crucial to take the proper steps to allow your flooring to acclimate. The acclimation process is one of the most important steps in ensuring the longevity and beauty of your floors. Today, we’ll dive into why letting your new flooring adjust is so essential and how it can make a big difference in your home.
What is Acclimating Hardwood?
Acclimating hardwood is the process of allowing your new flooring to adjust to its new environment before installation. This means giving the wood time to get used to the temperature and humidity levels in your home. At Cochran’s, we recommend letting it adjust for a minimum of three days, but preferably five days, before installation. This might seem like a long time, but trust us, it’s worth the wait! Without properly acclimating prior to installation, your flooring could face quality retention issues down the road, such as expansion or contraction beyond typical ranges, leading to cupping or unwanted gaps.
Why is Acclimating Hardwood So Important?
- Prevents Warping and Gaps
Wood is a natural material that reacts to its environment. When you bring wood flooring into your home, it needs time to adjust to the new conditions. If you skip the acclimation process, you might end up with gaps between the boards or warped planks. Proper acclimation allows the wood to expand or contract before it’s installed, helping prevent these issues. While it is not often that customers experience these problems, we recommend always adhering to the recommended acclimation period of 4-5 days to be safe. - Ensures Proper Installation
When hardwood flooring is properly adjusted to the environment, it’s much easier to install. The boards will fit together more smoothly, and there’s less chance of problems popping up later. Proper acclimation ensures that the flooring will stay in place and look flawless for years to come. - Improves Long-Term Stability
Acclimated hardwood is more stable over time. This means your floor is less likely to shift, buckle, or develop gaps as the seasons change. At Cochran’s, we’re all about creating floors that last for generations, and letting the wood properly adjust is an important part of that process. By taking this extra step, you’re investing in the long-term durability and beauty of your floors. - Maintains the Warranty
Many flooring warranties require proper acclimation. By taking the time to let your flooring adjust, you’re protecting your investment and ensuring that your warranty remains valid. Skipping this step could void your warranty and leave you responsible for any future issues.
How to Properly Acclimate Hardwood Flooring
Now that you know why letting flooring adjust is so important, let’s talk about how to do it right:
- Create the Right Environment: Keep your home’s temperature between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and maintain a relative humidity of between thirty and fifty-five percent. This creates the ideal conditions for your wood to acclimate properly.
- Elevate the Flooring: Don’t place it directly on concrete in areas like garages or basements. We use things such as scrap lumber to lift your flooring off the ground, preventing moisture absorption from below.
- Avoid Moisture: Keep the flooring away from water or excessively damp areas while it settles into the environment. This helps prevent any premature damage or warping.
- Protect the Wood: Cover the flooring with materials like an industrial blanket to prevent scratches or damage during the acclimation period.
- Give It Time: Remember, a minimum of three days is required, but five days is even better. This extra time ensures that your flooring is fully acclimated and ready for installation.
How Does Cochran’s Lumber Make a Difference?
Our reclaimed wood has already gone through a natural aging and acclimatization process. This means it’s even more stable and resistant to warping and shrinking in varying humidity levels. But even with this added stability, we still recommend letting your flooring adjust to the environment for the best results.
A Sustainable Choice
When you choose Cochran’s hardwood flooring and take the time to acclimate it properly, you’re making a sustainable choice. Our floors are built to last, reducing the need for replacement and minimizing waste. Plus, our TrueWood™ engineered flooring uses about a third of the wood required for a solid plank, making it an eco-friendly option.
Conclusion
Acclimating flooring might seem like an extra step, but it is an essential one. The process ensures your floors will look beautiful, perform well, and last for generations. Our family business doesn’t just sell flooring; we’re providing you with a piece of American heritage that will bring warmth and character to your home for years to come.
When you choose Cochran’s, you’re getting our commitment to quality, our decades of experience, and our dedication to doing things the right way. So take the time to let your hardwood flooring adjust—your future self (and your beautiful floors) will thank you!
