We know you’re excited to install your new wood floor. But it is still a construction project, so you will have to prepare well. Don’t worry, we have done most of the thinking for you! Here is a guide for what to expect before, during, and after the delivery of your wood flooring.
Preparing Yourself Before the Delivery of Your Wood Floor
Before the wood flooring is delivered to your home or job site, the ambient temperature and humidity conditions must be just right. It would be helpful if you familiarize yourself with the 4 Crucial Conditions for Climate Management & Control Before the Delivery of Your Wood Flooring.
To make it easy for yourself, go through this checklist before installation day:
| ▢ | The installation site is completely enclosed and must remain that way for at least 48 hours before installation. This is to prevent additional humidity from entering the job site as well as dust and debris spilling in. |
| ▢ | All work involving wet substances (drywall, plaster, paint, and concrete) is completed and fully dry before installation begins. |
| ▢ | Ensure that air conditioning, ventilation, and heating systems are working and implement climate control. |
| ▢ | Assess the job site for all possible sources of humidity (drainage and incomplete wet processes etc.). |
| ▢ | For easy access and debris removal, create a clear pathway through the job site. Make sure all furniture and floors along this path are covered. |
| ▢ | Remove all breakable and fragile items from areas affected by the wood floor installation work. This includes electronic equipment. |
| ▢ | Check with your hardwood flooring installer about removing any electrical wires running under carpets or along baseboards and door casings. |
Living with Construction
We cannot stress this enough: you must plan accordingly if you’ll be living in your home during the installation process but don’t want any disruptions! Some installation materials give off strong odors. Other construction activities are loud and distracting. Also, if you have children or pets, you need to keep them away from the job site for their safety.
You cannot use the room receiving the new hardwood floor for some time. The length of time needed before you can use your new floors varies depending on the acclimation period and subfloor conditions. Check with your wood flooring installer for a timeline of the installation period and when you can use the new floors. Don’t know what else to ask your hardwood flooring contractor? Here are The 9 Questions You Must Ask Your Hardwood Flooring Installer.
The Acclimation Period
Once the wood flooring has been delivered, it needs to acclimate to its environment's temperature and humidity conditions. The acclimation period will last for at least 72 hours. Only after that can the wood flooring be installed.
What is Acclimation?
The process of acclimation allows wood flooring to match its installation environment. Also known as conditioning, acclimation is a vital part of the installation process. In other words, do not skip acclimation!
Why is Acclimating Wood Flooring Important?
Acclimation is an important, necessary, and often overlooked step in the installation process. It is a part of the process that you must never sk or overlook. It does consume a large part of the installation period, but it helps to guarantee a successful installation job.
Wood is porous and hygroscopic. This means it will absorb the moisture of its environment. Hardwood flooring is no exception: it will gradually match the moisture content of its environment and change shape accordingly. If you do not acclimate your hardwood floor properly, your finished wood flooring may have:
- Excessive gaps
- Buckling or Cupping
- Warping
D-Day: What to Expect After Delivery
On installation day, your hardwood flooring installer would take the reins of the installation process., They should have all the equipment and tools ready to install your new floor. You do not need to provide any materials (unless previously agreed upon).
However, your job is not entirely over yet. Here are a few simple requirements to make installation day a breeze:
| ▢ | Maintain the appropriate temperature at the job site. Consult with your hardwood flooring installer regarding the right temperature the installation environment must be in. Ensure that it is kept constant throughout the installation process. |
| ▢ | Keep children and pets away from the installation area. |
| ▢ | Always have an adult with the authority to make installation decisions on hand during the installation process. This can either be you or someone you have appointed who is familiar with your wishes for installation. |
If you have further concerns about the delivery of your new floor, you should contact your hardwood flooring installer. They will be able to reassure you and provide you with specific details on their plan for installation day. It is best to work with your wood flooring installer to come up with a winning game plan. Maintaining good communication with your installer is essential to ensuring your flooring installation project is as quick and as smooth as possible.