2 methods of installing hardwood-which is best

John/Suz

We are going to have new hardwood floors installed and have gotten 2 very similiar bids however their methods of installing the floor are different. #1- Bring floor in 1 week prior or aclimate to the area, install & stain & finish immediately. #2 Install floor immediately and then let it sit for 3 weeks to aclimate & then stain & finish. Which way is the best way to have the floors installed? Thanks

Floor Doc

First you have to acclimate the house before you even bring the wood there . then open the boxes and let it acclimate to the site conditions .

Time has nothing to do with acclimation. MC , RH , and temp readings must be taken .

Distributor Rep

Moisture reading have to be taken on the wood being delivered that day, as well as your sub floor that day. If they're off by more than 2 points, wood cannot be installed. It's best to acclimate wood a week in a heated home, between 65 and 75 degrees with humidity levels between 50 and 65%. You can kill the tree but you can't kill the wood. It will always continue to expand and contract depending on the seasons and your heat/humidity levels. That said, acclimating first then sanding and finishing the wood is what we recommend, assuming it's 3/4" domestic wood. If it's an exotic species, it may have to acclimate a bit longer. Density is greater on exotics.

rusty baker

Floor Doc is exactly right. Many salemen and installers don't understand. Time is not acclimation.

__________________
"I'm twisted, not sick. Sick implies, I'll get better"
Semi-Retired Installer
Installing since 1973

Mark Potter

So the hole linoleum and floating floor aspect of leaving it in same room as its being installed in for 24hrs goes right out the window?....

rusty baker

Linoleum just needs to be warm enough to handle. As far as floating floors, it depends on what you are floating.

__________________
"I'm twisted, not sick. Sick implies, I'll get better"
Semi-Retired Installer
Installing since 1973

Bad Example

By "floating floor" I'm assuming you mean the interlocking laminate... which has to acclimate for 48-72 hours as per manufacturers recommendations....

Mark Potter

Yes that's what I meant to say interlocking laminate.

rusty baker

That is a temp acclimation. Hardwood needs a moisture acclimation. 2 different animals.

__________________
"I'm twisted, not sick. Sick implies, I'll get better"
Semi-Retired Installer
Installing since 1973

Bad Example

Right I was commenting on mark potters post... not the original question

John/Suz

Thanks everyone for your help. As suggested we will take the moisture reading of both the flooring and subfloor. It is red oak we are installing.