When those packs of fresh new laminate flooring arrive, it’s natural to feel excited about transforming your space. But before you rush into fitting them, there’s one crucial step you shouldn’t skip — acclimatising laminate flooring. Whether you’re installing laminate flooring yourself or hiring a professional fitter, giving your boards time to adjust will save you from future problems like warping, lifting, or gaps between boards.
This guide from Gulcarpet Flooring explains everything you need to know about acclimatisation: what it means, why it’s important, and the best way to acclimatise your laminate flooring so it lasts for years to come.
Acclimatisation is the process of allowing your laminate flooring to adjust to the temperature and humidity of your home before installation. Laminate, just like engineered wood, vinyl, or LVT flooring, expands and contracts depending on the climate.
If you skip this step, your boards may shrink in winter or expand in summer, leading to issues like:
Flooring gaps or separations
Peaking or lifting boards
Uneven surfaces
Damage to locking joints
By leaving your laminate flooring in the room it’s going to be installed in for at least 48 hours, you give it time to settle into its “happy size” before fitting.
Follow these expert Gulcarpet laminate flooring tips to ensure perfect installation:
Make sure all painting, plastering, or decorating work is fully dry (allow 7 days).
Keep the room at a stable temperature between 16–25 °C.
Ensure the subfloor is dry, clean, and level (damp subfloors cause damage).
If you have underfloor heating, set it to the temperature recommended by your flooring manufacturer.
Keep your laminate flooring in its sealed boxes.
Place each box flat on the floor, leaving small gaps between packs.
Do not stack them vertically, as this can bend or damage the locking system.
Check your manufacturer’s guidelines. If none are provided, allow 48–72 hours for acclimatisation.
Longer acclimatisation times are better in homes with high humidity or temperature changes.
Once acclimatised, your boards are ready for fitting..
No. Always lay the boxes flat with gaps between them. Stacking can damage boards and cause uneven acclimatisation.
A minimum of 48 hours is required, but for the best results, leave your laminate flooring to acclimatise for up to 72 hours.
Skipping this step often leads to:
Boards separating due to shrinkage
Peaking joints from swelling
Flooring lifting or warping
Expansion gap issues
By letting your flooring acclimatise, you reduce the risk of costly repairs in the future.
At Gulcarpet, we provide a wide range of high-quality laminate flooring that looks just like real wood or stone but is more affordable and easier to maintain. Our flooring experts can guide you on choosing the best style, fitting it professionally, and caring for it long-term.
Order free laminate flooring samples from Gulcarpet today and see how they look in your home.
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