Acclimate hardwood before installation
Most failed hardwood installs come from one mistake: skipping acclimation. Five to ten days on site is non-negotiable.
What you'll learn
- Why hardwood gaps and cups when acclimation is skipped
- How long is "long enough" — 5 to 10 days, location-dependent
- How to set up the room for proper acclimation (HVAC running, boxes opened)
- How to pin-meter board moisture vs. subfloor moisture before laying
Step by step
- Deliver hardwood to the room 5 to 10 days before install date.
- Open the boxes — do not stack closed boxes.
- Cross-stack the boards in small piles to allow airflow on all sides.
- Run HVAC at the temperature and humidity the home will live in.
- Pin-meter random boards before install. Confirm within 4% of subfloor moisture.
Safety note
Coastal San Diego homes need the longer end of the range — 8 to 10 days. Inland and East County are usually fine at 5 to 7 days. We pin-meter every install before nailing.
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