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Does Vinyl Flooring Need to be Acclimated? (Answered)

There are frequent fluctuations in room temperatures. The vinyl flooring of rooms has to acclimate to those situations. It might be your first-time vinyl flooring installation. 

Therefore, you might be curious about its acclimation and the actions necessary to adjust it in different conditions. In this article, we will discuss everything about vinyl flooring’s acclimation. So stick to it till the end. 

Does vinyl flooring need to be acclimated? 

Vinyl flooring does need to be acclimated to ensure its longevity. The recommended temperature for vinyl flooring is between 59 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity level is between 35% and 75%. Thus, the vinyl flooring can be prevented from critical weather and conditions. 

Does all vinyl flooring need to be acclimated? 

Depending on the type, the acclimation of vinyl flooring may vary a lot. There are two types of vinyl flooring: 

  • Vinyl Sheet Flooring 
  • Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) 

You may have to acclimate one type but not the other. Each product has its suitable application. So, act accordingly for each product. 

Does a luxury vinyl plank have to acclimate? 

Yes, a luxury vinyl plank ( also known as LVT) has to acclimate for 48 hours. This time range is essential, which you should keep in mind. 

It requires almost two days for acclimation. Therefore, you have to make sure that the delivery is available at your home two days before installation. 

The luxury vinyl planks have three thick layers. These layers can easily contract or expand beyond expected levels. That’s why acclimation of luxury vinyl planks is essential.

Before installing the luxury vinyl flooring, it will be best to expose the vinyl flooring to the usual conditions you will be living in. 

To control the humidity, you can use a vapor barrier. Keeping the room at standard temperature (usually 59-80 degrees Fahrenheit) is the best idea. Once you install the flooring, you will be all set. 

Do you have to let vinyl sheet flooring acclimate? 

Unlike luxury vinyl planks, vinyl sheet flooring needs to be acclimated. However, acclimating vinyl sheet flooring is not that hard. 

Roll the flooring before installation. In that way, it will be able to adjust to the environment properly. Additionally, it lets the flooring relax and flatten before actually installing. 

These preparations can prevent the sheet from early damage or expansion. In addition,

since winds will pass through the pores of the vinyl sheet flooring, the sheets can quickly adapt to the environment. 

In addition to that, make sure to keep your floor, subfloor, and essential tools ready. 

Remember, there might be extenuating circumstances (for example, harsh temperatures) when you might have to acclimate the vinyl sheet flooring for a short period. 

Does vinyl tile need to acclimate? 

Yes, vinyl tiles need to acclimate based on the humidity, pressure, and temperature. Such acclimation will make the tiles long-lasting and immutable. 

Vinyl tiles have frequent gaps in them. As a result, if one of the tiles expands or

shrinks, the whole structure will be spoiled. And critical temperatures or humidity deform vinyl tiles. 

Additionally, the storehouse you used to keep the tiles might not have the same temperature as your room. That’s why it is crucial to acclimate vinyl tiles. 

Does vinyl plank flooring need to be acclimated? 

Acclimation is also essential in the case of vinyl plank flooring. Observe the conditions of the room before installation and while acclimating. Then let the vinyl plank flooring become accustomed to the weather.

Expansion or contraction of the planks can cause ample space between the planks. Thus it can tarnish the beauty of the flooring. Yet adjusting the planks prevents such accidents. 

Does peel and stick vinyl need to acclimate? 

Most peel and stick vinyl need to acclimate to get attached to the floor properly.

However, there are a lot of exceptions depending on geographic location, climate changes, and weather. 

Suppose your room temperature is moderate, which helps the peel and stick vinyl

sticking to the floor. Then vinyl will not need acclimation. But it will be best if you go through the acclimation process. 

Why is acclimation important? 

Acclimating vinyl flooring simply means adjusting it to the room environment and ideal flooring. 

Imagine yourself residing in a new house other than yours. Though you will feel uneasy at first, you adjust yourself at the end of the day. Similarly, vinyl tiles also require adaptation. 

A successful installation is contingent upon perfect acclimation. When you expose the tiles and flooring to the actual room weather, their temperature becomes the same as the room. This helps the tiles glue to the floor. 

Secondly, the acclimation paves the way so that the air can flow through the tiny holes of the flooring. When the air passes through those tiles, the tiles become used to the air’s humidity, temperature and pressure. 

Thirdly, the vinyl flooring procedures are very sensitive. That’s why sudden changes in conditions can highly impact the tiles’ structures, but straightforward adjustment can save the structure. 

In a nutshell, acclimation is a significant step prior to installation. 

What happens if you don’t acclimate vinyl plank flooring? 

Besides acknowledging the importance of acclimating, you should know the results of not

acclimating the vinyl plank flooring. Sudden rise in temperature and high humidity weather can impact the flooring in several ways. 

Let’s dive deeper into the facts if you don’t acclimate vinyl plank flooring:

Contract and expansion of the tiles 

When you put the planks out of the box, it requires some time to get used to the environment. The tiles will deform if you don’t open them to room temperature ahead of time. 

For example, the vinyl planks will break at the corners, which will not look good on the floor. Additionally, the plank becomes prone to severe shrink or increment. Such deformation can make the installation process challenging. 

Gap between the planks 

As mentioned before, not acclimating results in the deformation of planks. And such shrinking of planks creates gaps because the planks can’t fill up those spaces. 

In addition to spoiling the floor’s beauty, these gaps contain bacteria and germs. Moreover, your feet can get stuck in those gaps anytime and cause fatal accidents while walking. 

Hard for cleaning 

Not acclimating the planks can produce gaps and breaches in your planks. While it sounds okay at first, you will realize the pain while cleaning the floor. 

Dust accumulates the spaces between the planks. If you don’t sweep the floor daily, the dust becomes permanent and looks awful. Additionally, cleaning may not even work after a couple of months. 

Wastage of money, effort, and time 

When you design your flooring with vinyl planks, you put a considerable amount of money, effort, and time.  However, if you don’t acclimate the planks, they can quickly get out of their actual shape. 

Then you might have to buy new tiles, which will require more energy and money. 

Now, you know the repercussions of not acclimating. Therefore, the necessity of acclimation should be crystal clear to you. 

How long does vinyl flooring take to acclimate?

Most of the vinyl flooring takes 24-48 hours to acclimate. However, this duration may vary depending on the geographic location, weather, and other conditions. 

How do you acclimate vinyl plank flooring? 

Acclimating vinyl plank flooring is easier than you think. You just have to follow a few steps. The steps include: 

  • Step 1: Order the vinyl planks a minimum of two days before installing.
  • Step 2: Prepare your room for acclimating and keep the room conditions as normal as possible. 
  • Step 3: Bring the box of tiles to the room where they will live for the rest of their life.
  • Step 4: Put the vinyl planks out of the box side by side. 
  • Step 5: After 24-48 hours, get ready for the installation process. 

How soon can you walk on press lock vinyl plank flooring? 

You should not walk on the Press Lock vinyl plank flooring before 48 hours. The planks take time to glue correctly with the floor. Therefore, immediate walking can disrupt the attachment process. 

When you walk on the vinyl plank flooring, you may unconsciously misplace it. Moreover, the flooring may break because of walking and not gluing properly. So, allow the vinyl plank flooring a substantial time before walking. 

Will vinyl plank flooring settle over time? 

Though vinyl plank flooring will naturally settle over time, you need to adjust the room temperature and humidity levels. Try to mitigate the room conditions for the sake of your flooring. 

For the welfare of the vinyl plank flooring, you should follow acclimation steps. You will thank yourself for this in the future because your flooring will endure long.