Can You Store Laminate Flooring In A Cold Garage? (Explained!)


If you’re planning on storing your laminate flooring but are not sure if your cold garage is a good idea, you are not alone. Many people tend to store them someplace where it’s not cold or hot, but is this really necessary?

Laminate flooring can be stored in a cold garage as long it’s not for an extended period. It also needs to be kept in the proper position, and the temperature cannot fluctuate too often. Lastly, it needs to be protected (wrapped) the entire time.

When people think about storing laminate flooring, they usually don’t think much of it. And this is a problem. Why? Because most people don’t realize what it means to store laminate flooring in a hot or cold environment. Similarly, if you decide to store them, for example, in a cold garage, there are some things you need to know.

Is It Ok To Store Laminate Flooring in a Cold Garage?

You can store laminate flooring in a cold garage, but there are a couple of things to bear in mind when you decide to do so. For example, you should not keep them in a cold garage for a long period; also, how you keep them is something you need to consider.  

Meaning keeping the laminate floor planks in the right position, ensuring there is ample space, and giving them proper protection (leaving them wrapped or wrapping them if they were unwrapped). This can help you store laminate flooring boards in a cold garage in the right way and keep it safe from any damage. 

I wrote a guide on how to store laminate flooring, which I highly recommend, especially if you have never done this before.

Does Cold Temperature Affect Laminate Flooring?

Yes, cold temperature affects laminate flooring. This is because laminate flooring is made of fiber wood, which is very porous and prone to expansion and contraction. When it’s cold, your laminate floor planks will contract. This is usually not a problem, but when the shift to the colder environment is extreme, these changes may, in fact, damage your flooring. The same can be said when you decide to install Laminate flooring in your garage.

This is also why it’s so important for you to ensure that the temperature remains constant. Extreme fluctuation in temperature will result in continually expanding and contracting, which will inevitably lead to damaged flooring. 

Can Laminate Flooring Withstand Freezing Temperature?


Laminate flooring is considered a great option for cold climates, but it should not be kept at freezing temperatures. Similar to leaving your laminate flooring in the cold outside. This will lead to warping/bending, peeling, or even cracking. The ideal temperature for laminate flooring is around 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity level should be between 25% and 70%. 

How To Store Laminate Flooring In A Cold Garage Without Any Damage?

Let’s say you have no other option but and store it in your cold garage in the middle of winter. Hopefully, you’ve drywalled your garage, which helps a lot with temperature fluctuations, and if you’ve drywalled your garage before winter, all should be installed correctly. Here is what you need to know and what you need to do to prevent any kind of damage. 

  1. The duration 

First things first, if the duration is longer than just a few hours, then storing it in your cold garage might not be the best option. This is because there is a lot of moisture in most garages, which can seep into your brand new laminate flooring, which also means that thew will get damaged and become entirely unusable. Thus, only keep it in a cold garage for a short period. 

  1. The temperature 

The second consideration to make is to ensure that the temperature of the cold garage is regulated before you decide to store laminate flooring boards there. This means that the temperature and moisture should not fluctuate frequently. Laminate flooring expands and contracts because of temperature. 

If need be, install a thermostat to regulate temperature before storing laminate flooring in a cold garage. The point is to keep the temperature constant to avoid any fluctuations. 

  1. The environment 

Once you’ve dealt with temperature, the next thing to consider is your environment. This means ensuring there’s no dirt or grit, especially if it’s wet or damp because this can cause irreparable damage to laminate floors

  1. The packaging 

Another important detail to remember when you’re storing laminate floor planks in a cold garage is to keep them packaged. So once you’ve bought your laminate flooring, don’t take them out of their boxes. 

If you did take them out, try to put them back in their original boxes. If you threw them away, wrap them as well as possible. You can also wrap them in an old blanket or put a tarp or plastic over the boxes to ensure they will remain dry and safe.

Laminate flooring should only be opened when you are ready for installation. But, if you have already opened the boxes, it’s best to seal them once more. 

  1. The space

How big is the garage? The space you have available in the cold garage is also relevant because you don’t want just to stuff the boxes of laminate flooring. There needs to be enough space for you to keep the boxes easily, without stacking them on top of each other. Stacking should be avoided when they need to be stored for a long period.

Piling the laminate floor planks on top of each other is not a good idea because the planks can crack under their own weight. You don’t want to open the boxes later to find that some of your planks are broken and cracked. 

  1. The position 

The position where your laminate flooring is stored is something many people tend to make mistakes. Your flooring boxes should never be stored vertically because it will cause the planks to curve/bend or warp. 

If there is enough space, try to keep them separate. However, if you don’t have enough space, you can put form a grid with the boxes by keeping them crosswise at a 90-degree angle. This does not take up a lot of space, allows the air to circulate, and also prevents the boxes from tipping over. 

Don’t lean them against the wall or one another, for that matter. In addition, don’t keep the boxes of laminate flooring near the door or wall. It’s also crucial that you keep them in the middle of the garage. 

FAQs

What Is The Best Place To Store Laminate Flooring?

The best place to store laminate flooring is somewhere the temperature does not fluctuate and is between 65 degrees Fahrenheit and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. An attic, a spare room, a crawl space, or a garage are good options. 

Does Laminate Flooring Shrink?

Yes, laminate flooring can shrink depending on the temperature of the room where it’s stored or installed and also the humidity levels. Laminate flooring is made up of fiberboard, which is porous, and this means it’s susceptible to temperature changes that lead to shrinking and expansion. 

How Do I Keep My Laminate Floor Warm in the Winter?

You can explore several options if you want to keep your laminate floor warm in the winter. You can use thick rugs and mats. You can also use under-floor heating, or radiant heating, as this will keep the flooring warm during the cold weather. 

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