Acclimation
Letting flooring material sit in the install environment for 48-72 hours before installation so the material's moisture content matches the room.
Acclimation is the process of allowing a flooring product — most commonly hardwood or engineered wood — to adjust to the temperature and humidity of the room before it's installed. Skipping acclimation is the single most common cause of cupping, gapping, and buckling that surface six to eighteen months after install.
The standard acclimation window is 48 to 72 hours, with the boxes opened and stacked loose so air can circulate around every plank. The room should be at its normal seasonal temperature and humidity (HVAC running). Manufacturers' warranty terms almost always require documented acclimation.
Document acclimation by photographing the boxes in place with a date and recording moisture readings on the subfloor and in the planks. A flooring contractor management tool with per-job custom fields and photo logs makes this part of the standard workflow rather than an afterthought.