What should you do when hardwood flooring arrives at the site?

When hardwood flooring arrives at the site, placing it in the room where it is to be installed and allowing it to acclimate for a few days is the best approach. This practice ensures that the hardwood can adjust to the specific temperature and humidity conditions of the installation environment. Acclimatization is crucial because it helps prevent the flooring from warping, shrinking, or expanding once it is laid, which can lead to problems such as gaps or buckling.

By allowing the flooring to sit in the designated room, you enable the wood to reach a moisture content that is in balance with the environment where it will permanently reside. This step is an integral part of proper flooring installation, as it helps achieve a stable and long-lasting result, reducing the risk of issues once the flooring is installed.

Other methods, such as storing the wood in a garage, laying it out outdoors, or stacking it directly on a concrete floor, do not provide the same level of acclimatization and can lead to complications later during or after installation. For instance, storing the wood in a garage may expose it to different temperature and moisture levels than the home interior or can delay the acclimatization process. Similarly, laying the flooring outdoors may expose it to weather conditions that can negatively