What acclimation means
Flooring planks expand and contract with humidity and temperature. Boxes stored in a cold garage then installed in a heated room can gap or buckle as they adjust.
Acclimation means storing unopened cartons flat in the install room (or adjacent conditioned space) until they reach equilibrium with the home.
Typical timelines
Run HVAC at normal living conditions during acclimation and install. Read the carton — warranty may require specific humidity ranges.
- Laminate: often 48–72 hours; some brands say 24 hours minimum
- Solid hardwood: 3–7 days or longer; follow species and regional guidelines
- Luxury vinyl plank (LVP): 24–48 hours common
- Ceramic/porcelain tile: does not acclimate like wood — but store indoors to avoid thermal shock
Humidity targets (planning reference)
After acclimation, confirm box counts with the laminate calculator before cutting the first row.
- Many wood-based products: 35–55% relative humidity during acclimation
- Do not acclimate in an unheated garage then install in a 70°F home
- Use a hygrometer in the install room — cheap insurance against gaps
- Tile and stone: store indoors 24 hours; focus on substrate moisture instead
How to stack and stage cartons
Keep boxes flat — never on edge for long periods. Leave a few inches of air between stacks and walls so conditioned air reaches every carton. Do not open bags or wrappers until install day unless the manufacturer says otherwise.
If you bought multiple dye lots by mistake, separate them by room before acclimation so continuous sightlines stay on one lot. Photograph lot stamps before recycling cartons.
Winter and summer installs
In winter, run heat for several days before delivery so the home is stable — do not dump cold boxes into a just-warmed empty house. In humid summers, run AC or a dehumidifier so RH stays in the product’s range before you start clicking planks.
New construction and major remodels: wait until drywall mud, paint, and wet trades are finished and the space is occupied-temperature. Wet trades raise humidity that wood cores absorb during a rushed “acclimate overnight” schedule.