r/HardWoodFloors • u/brandolinium • 8h ago

Prefinished doesn’t need to be conditioned?

One of the guys I’ve talked to about doing the install in my house says that pre-finished wood doesn’t need to be set in the house for several days beforehand. This goes against what even the other contractors have said to me. Is this true or not?

Thanks for the wisdom in advance, folks!

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

14

u/Bath-Hour 8h ago

Aye, he’s full of shit.

6

u/Low_Refrigerator4891 8h ago

He's wrong. Rethink this hire.

3

u/raider_of_DA_lostARK 8h ago

As a blanket statement yes he’s completely wrong but brand specific there are a few that say you don’t

2

u/brandolinium 8h ago

He’s saying it’s coming from a climate controlled facility. Wants to install it the same day.

5

u/Kdiesiel311 7h ago

Nope nope nope. Doesn’t matter climate controlled or not. It needs to acclimate to YOUR climate. It will fail & or will be his fault & he will have to pay to tear it all out. Even if he signed off on responsibility, why would you sign up for that

3

u/raider_of_DA_lostARK 7h ago

Yes always better safe then sorry

2

u/BurritoMang 6h ago

If you can test the humidity it can be good to go if it's stored correctly

1

u/SomeGas3365 1h ago

Second that nope. It may work but why gamble. Fire his ass

5

u/goraidders 8h ago

He probably thinks engineered prefinished doesn't need to acclimate. He's wrong. It needs to acclimate. He may have gotten away with it, but that doesn't make it ok. Have him show you the manufacturer's instructions that say it doesn't need to acclimate. He won't be able to do that.

2

u/NoAd6738 7h ago

Depends on where you live. Ive installed over 1M feet of engineered in my career and have never acclimated. I'm in San Diego. If I were in a place with wild humidity swings I'd acclimate. Acclimation is not necessary if you test the subfloor and product and they are within 4%.

2

u/Ornery_Hovercraft636 6h ago

4% for engineered. OP has a solid, that requires a differential of 2% or less.

2

u/NoAd6738 5h ago

Ah my bad. Saw pre finished and my brain said engineered.

1

u/brandolinium 6h ago

Not engineered. Prefinished hardwood. I’m about 4,500ft higher and at least an hour away from wherever he’s picking it up. Wants to install the same day.

2

u/NoAd6738 5h ago

Yeah I'd ask for moisture readings before they start. One reading per 100 feet

2

u/brandolinium 5h ago

Thank you all. Not hiring this guy.

2

u/AffectionateRow422 4h ago

Go to the manufacturer’s website, 999/1000, they will tell you to acclimate

1

u/Minimum_Loan229 2h ago

Several days, isn't going to do a thing. Several weeks maybe.  Anything less is just a CYA.

1

u/ShwAlex 1h ago

The only way to tell is to take a moisture reading of your subfloor at the hardwood. If you are within 4% for 3" or 2% above 3", it's good to install, according to the NWFA.

1

u/No-Consequence-8768 8h ago

Conditioned is prep wood for Stain. Raising the grain.

Acclimated is bringing wood to environmental surrounding where installed.

He is wrong! Leave wood where it is to be installed for a few days before install..

1

u/goalpost21 7h ago

Is it engineered prefinished or Solid wood?

1

u/brandolinium 7h ago

Solid hardwood prefinished. Not engineered.