Flooring season?

[BudgetSlasher]

DW has picked a hardwood flooring that will replace the scared up vinyl and lovely pet stained carpet that came with the house. DW fell in love with a floor that has the size, character, sheen level, and just as importantly made right here in our very own state. Unfortunately the flooring has been discontinued so the purchase was now or never. . . which of course meant now.

So here we sit with a pile of flooring in the living room in winter. Now the question is when is best realistic time to install it? Do we install during the heating season or do we wait until the spring (I have other projects that can keep me busy)? The last thing in the world I want to do is FUBAR the moisture content and windup with a sub-par floor. The installation doesn't scare me, but our swing from heating season with forced hot air and house at the humidifier's upper sq/ft range to no AC and windows open season has me concerned about when to tackle the project.

If needed I can provided details like the BTU design value, normal heat setting, basement dehumidification setting for the summer, humidifier setting for the winter, and the like.

[Morning Glory]

We did ours in winter 3 years ago. We allowed for expansion by settling washers between the planks every 3 rows. I'm not sure what resource we used for this information.

[BudgetSlasher]

We did ours in winter 3 years ago. We allowed for expansion by settling washers between the planks every 3 rows. I'm not sure what resource we used for this information.

Brilliant, Thank you! It seems to be a common trick even for our flooring species; https://www.maplefloor.org/TechnicalInfo/Position-Statements/Expansion-Spacing-(-Washer-Rows-).aspx

[Papa bear]

Solid hardwood or engineered?

Typically the recommendations are to keep the wood in your conditioned area for anywhere from 2 - 10 days depending on how wide the planks are.

This floor will be going through your regular changes in temp and humidity every year.  You should be fine to install after your recommended wait period.




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[Morning Glory]

Ours is solid hickory. You still need to allow for expansion with the seasons.

[BudgetSlasher]

Solid hardwood or engineered?

Typically the recommendations are to keep the wood in your conditioned area for anywhere from 2 - 10 days depending on how wide the planks are.

This floor will be going through your regular changes in temp and humidity every year.  You should be fine to install after your recommended wait period.

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Here in New England is it not uncommon for noticeable gaps to open between floor boards during the heating season if a house is not humidified and then close back up during the more humid weather of the summer when the windows are all open; basically it can be dryer in the winter and wetter (with AC) in the summer.

I don't want do go through all the trouble and expense to wind up with cupping, or worse, buckling in the summer. Then again perhaps I am over thinking it.

As for acclimating, the plastic is off of the boxes and the the boxes are stacked with about 3/4 of air flow on all sides in the middle of the living room.

Ours is solid hickory. You still need to allow for expansion with the seasons.

I know you mentioned doing the washers every few row, but how wide are your planks?

[Morning Glory]

I think the are three inches wide, variable lengths.