Hi All,

Probably a silly question, but I just ordered a pinless moisture meter. I don't have it yet to experiment, but I'm sitting here wondering: Am I better off reading the moisture content from the back of prefinished boards so that the finish isn't in the way (but the surface isn't flat), or from the face of the boards where it's flat (but there's finish in the way)? Or does it not matter at all?

Thanks!

This is a question that you need to refer to the meter's manufacturer. Pinless meters develop their results by measuring the electrical field at a certain distance from the surface that you are testing, ie. 3/4 inch deep. Are you using the meter to test 3/4 inch thick flooring? Most pre-finished flooring is 5/8th inch thick.

A few pinless meters can read at 1/4 in depth. Basically I would make certain I'm not reading through the plank into something else at 3/4 inch thick like the substrate.
Plus your reading the veneer and base plys which can be usually baltic birch most of the time. Some times the base plys are the same specie as the top veneer on engineered.

I think you guys are reading the post wrong he didnt mention engineered just prefinished which are usually a full 3/4 I usually go from the face but you can try both sides and see if there is a difference.

I considered that Jeff. Still keep your sample off any substrates.