Things to know Before installing New Hardwood
The most important thing to consider prior to the installation of new Hardwood Flooring, other than; “How much is this gonna cost me?”
is...... proper acclimation.
is...... proper acclimation.
New flooring is kiln dried and stored in a dry environment.
In much of the Bay Area our climate is not dry. The result can be a large discrepancy in moisture content between your existing sub-floor and the new flooring. Any decent flooring company should inform potential clients of the possible “dangers” of installing new wood prematurely.
Unfortunately, not all do.
The National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association (NOFMA)
requires the new wood flooring’s moisture level to be within at least 4% of the moisture in the existing sub-floor. If time is not taken for proper acclimation the likely result is an over-all “cupping” across the floor which shows up anywhere from say, 3 - 6 months, after your floor is sanded and finished.
Not Good!
To properly acclimate new hardwood flooring, it must be “on-site” with the climate at a consistent “live-in” temperature for as long as it takes to achieve “equal” moisture content with the sub-floor.
Ultimately, no less than 2 weeks, but possibly 6 months or more (in a worst- case scenario). You always have the option to sign a waiver if you simply can’t wait that long and want to assume the risks.
Another option is to have the floor installed and a protective coat applied while it acclimates “in place”.
To begin the acclimation process SMITH’s Hardwood Floors will take moisture readings, usually when the materials are delivered to the job site.
Then we stack the wood in such a way so as to allow air circulation around each bundle of flooring.
When the time comes to install your floor we use a layer of 15 lb. felt underneath as a moisture barrier.
Newly acclimated and installed flooring should remain for at least 1 week prior to sanding and finishing.
