H'yall... This message board is so informative... I've learned soo much. Thanks so much guys! I have a general question. I've learned that solid wood strips need to be acclimated before installing. No questions there... BUT everyone in my neighborhood is having wood floors installed in their homes (most of the houses are about 6 years or older now). But NO ONE has had their wood acclimated. Everyone tells me that the installer brings it on the truck and installs the same day. I don't know what's going on.... everyone's used different company's, individual contractors, etc. I don't know what to think?! Please advise... I'm so confused now. How can they be doing this? These are so-called reputable flooring companies doing this and I just don't know what to think. Thanks for any responses!

I am planning my first install so please consider me a lightweight, but I have been reading this website constantly for about the last week. Some things I have learned are as follows

Solid hardwood must be acclimated. I have yet to read about an exception.

A normal install from one of the professionals on this board, would include a solid amount of prep work in the way of moisture testing, floor flattening, and acclimation. I would be weary if the installer showed up, pulled carpet and started nailing down floors. Very weary.

I have read some post authors that recommend acclimiation times of a week or more.

I am sure you read all this also. This is most likely the reason your floors will not be installed the same day they arrive at your house. I would have to imagine that most people do not know what is involved with hardwood floors. This is a significant investment and project that should be undertaken carefully. If board member's cautionary tales are true ( i have no reason to believe they are not) I would expect your neighbor's to have at least some problems with their floors.

Regards
Chip

I, too, have been constantly reading these message boards re: the acclimation issues. I was just wondering if the "pros" had any ideas about whey all these companies are doing "same day installs" around here (or maybe they do it all over the country, and most people just don't know any better?). I'm REALLY wary now of looking at any of these flooring companies! I guess I should just go to the dealer who's advertising a HUGE sale w/installation right now, and ask them about it... Gee, they might even think I really know what I'm talking about!

Anyway, I'm going to keep looking at my neighbors and friends' new installs..... how long before I'll see any cupping, separating, etc.? Right now, all of their floors look gorgeous (the 5 installs have just been within the last 2 months)... but I keep looking for problems to pop up... they must think I'm crazy each time I inspect their floors!

Thanks for any advice!

A good portion of your flooring installers are carpet or tile guys that graduated to wood. Not saying this is bad but many do not invest the time to truly understand the nature and characteristics of wood. A true wood flooring expert is no less skilled that a woodworker or cabinet maker. Anyway, you can do 100 jobs right off the truck and not have a problem, but there is going to be that one job that goes wrong due to doing it off the truck, As those installers will learn, it will eat the profit from those other jobs. That’s if they even decide to take responsibility for it.

The acclimation guidelines come directly from NOFMA (National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association) and the NWFA. NOFMA existed long before the NWFA did and the NWFA generally follows NOFMA's guidelines. So, it is not us, the installers, saying to acclimate the wood flooring. But it is the manufacturer's themselves. And all that KLS said is true. Those installs MAY go off without a hitch but sooner or later, those installers are gonna get burned. One of my Mottos, "When in doubt, follow the instructions."