How Long Should New Flooring Acclimate Before Installation?
SALEM, N.H. – November 01, 2026 -- Before you install new floors, how long the planks sit in your home depends on the material: at least three to five days for solid hardwood, about 48 hours for laminate, and little or none for some rigid core vinyl. HelloNation has published an article built on insights from Austin J. Messina, a flooring expert in Salem, New Hampshire, on how preparation helps prevent movement and moisture problems.
Flooring needs time to match your home's temperature and humidity
Acclimation lets materials adjust to the temperature and humidity of the room where they will be installed. Conditions in warehouses, delivery trucks, and garages can differ considerably from those inside a finished home.
Wood and other moisture-sensitive materials expand and contract as conditions change. Installing them before they adjust can contribute to gaps, raised board edges, or flooring lifting away from the subfloor.