I am planning to install some 3/4" strip this coming weekend (s). The flooring is currently being acclimated in the rooms that it will be installed. The boxes are open, but the wood is still in the box (as per mfr. recommendations). The area that will be worked is the second floor of a 40 yr old house that we purchased recently. As discussed in a previous post, I have to pull up some particle board underlayment and will install some 1/2 ply. over the 1x12 pine board subfloor. My question is, does the plywood have to acclimate as well? If I have the plywood delivered on Friday and am installing it on Friday/Saturday, can the flooring go down the next day? Or should the plywood also acclimate for a period of time? I read in the NOFMA guide about the "in use moisture content" and such. I don't have a moisture meter or know where to get one. The house is very stable environmentally (no humidity right now, constant 65-70 deg.). Curious as to how to proceed.

In a sense. The plywood underlayment should be moisture tested to be sure it is no more than 4% variance to the flooring. You're making the same assumption many make, that wood will "acclimate" in a certain amount of time. Fact is, it's all about moisture content. At times, very little acclimation is required because the wood and environment are already exactly where they need to be. Other times, it could take a month or more because the flooring is being installed in an environment totally unlike the flooring. If you cannot get a moisture meter, ask the lumber yard where you are purchasing your plywood what the moisture content of the plywood is. If it was stored inside, it should be ok. However, it should be double-checked.

Gary, you are right that I am assuming that the wood will acclimate in a certain amount of time, mostly due to the schedule that I am trying to meet. However, I am also willing to delay any and all aspects if it could result in a poor job. That is why I ask about the ply and its acclimation as well. I think I will bite the bullet and get a reasonable moisture meter just to be sure. I need to eliminate all of the "should"s in the job.