If you’re unsure how to store your laminate flooring, you could damage it. However, storing laminate flooring isn’t all that difficult, or is it?
Laminate flooring should be stored in a temperature-controlled, humid-free, and dry environment. You should keep them within their original packaging and leave them horizontally or in a criss-cross pattern (max 3 feet high) if you wish to stack them.
It may look as simple as just putting your laminate in the garage and leaving it, but without knowing how to do it properly, you could end up with warped or damaged boards. There are quite a few things you need to take into consideration before deciding where and how you’ll store those stylish-looking and long-lasting laminate floorings. But with this article, you’ll get all the information you need to avoid having problems in the long run.
What Is the Right Way to Store Laminate Flooring?
Storing Laminate flooring the right way means that you need to make sure to let it acclimate to the temperature of the room where it is to be installed. This would also mean that you need to make sure that there are no major temperature fluctuations during the acclimation period. This process takes about 48 hours, and it is recommended that you leave the panels in their original packaging.
- Maintaining temperature
A temperature-controlled room is the smartest option to protect them from the damage inflicted by fluctuating temperatures. This is because laminate flooring tends to expand and contract depending on the temperature, and fluctuations in temperature and constant draught can cause warping. But we’ll go more into details regarding temperature later on.
- Choosing the right position
The positioning of your laminate flooring boxes is equally essential because you do not want them to get warped or damaged. Not only is there a possibility of warping, but they could also crack under their weight if you leave them in the wrong position.
- Keep them packaged
Lastly, you should leave them in their original packaging to ensure they remain safe and as good as new in storage. If you take them out of their packaging, they could warp, or the panels can get scratched. Keeping them in their original packaging is also helpful in transporting them from one room to the other. If the boxes are sealed, you can leave them in a heated room.
If you have already taken out your laminate flooring from its original packaging, it is advised that you utilize packaging tape for resealing the plastic sheet that covers the panels. You can also keep the panels in cardboard boxes or use an old blanket to wrap them. This will keep your laminate flooring safe from moisture and dust, or else it might clog the grooves and tongues of the panels and lead to clogging.
Can You Store Laminate Flooring Standing Up?
I recommend keeping your laminate flooring in a horizontal position. Not doing so might lead to warped or damaged panels. They should not be allowed to lean against the wall, and you should not let them stand on end. If you have to lean them against something, make sure they lean horizontally because this will prevent the panels from curving or folding in.
Is It Ok to Stack Laminate Flooring?
Yes, you can stack your laminate flooring, but you should exercise caution when doing so and make sure to lay it as flat as possible. Otherwise, if you want to avoid damage, there is a possibility of damage. If you want to know more about stacking laminate flooring, you can take a look at this article.
Stacking laminate flooring is not really always recommended, but if you still want to do it, it’s best to do it crosswise. Ensure that every successive layer of your laminate flooring panels is rotated at a right angle to the previous one.
This will allow you to save some space, ensure that the boxes do not tip over, and improve air circulation. Most importantly, avoid putting anything on top of the laminate flooring because it could potentially damage them. If you want to know more about stacking your laminate flooring, this article will definitely help you.
Does Temperature Affect Laminate Flooring?
No matter what type of flooring you have, temperature fluctuations can prove to be quite harmful. The same applies to laminate flooring because temperature plays a key role in its condition and wear and tear.
One question I read a lot is, can laminate flooring freeze? Homeowners who live in a colder climate should note that while the flooring should not freeze, snow and ice still impact it.
Effects Of Changing Temperature
Changing temperature and moisture, and humidity can significantly affect laminate flooring. This is because flooring panels expand when the temperatures rise and contract when the temperature declines. This expansion and contraction due to changing temperatures can cause peeling, curling, and much other damage to your laminate flooring.
Therefore, avoiding regularly making major adjustments to your thermostat is a good idea. Instead, a consistent temperature should be maintained inside. The flooring’s exposure to outside temperature should also be kept to a minimum, which means you should enter and exit quickly.
What Temperature Can You Store Laminate Flooring?
By now, we can confirm that it’s essential to store laminate flooring at the right temperature. But what is the right temperature?
When you decide to store your laminate flooring for the long term, it is best to ensure the temperature is between 20°C and 22°C. And similar to short-term storage, it is also vital to prevent any fluctuations in temperature.
You might be surprised, but many people tend to ask if they can leave their laminate flooring in the cold? Well, I’d firstly not recommend it, but if you have somehow no choice, you can leave it out in colder weather but overnight only. Leaving them for more will, without a doubt, cause a lot of damage.
Furthermore, the panels should remain dry (which might be hard when it snows or rains), or they’ll warp, and if they do, they will not connect properly when you try to install them. You should also note that leaving them outside in cold weather, the time it will take to let them acclimate to the room where they have to be installed will take a couple of days instead of the usual 48 hours. This article can find more information about leaving laminate flooring in a cold environment.
What Is the Best Place to Store Laminate Flooring?
As it is a must to store your laminate flooring properly to keep it in ideal condition, you need to know the best places where it can be stored without getting damaged. Several places can be used to store your laminate flooring, including the following.
- A spare room
- Attic
- Crawl space
- Garage.
Where to Keep the Flooring?
While you can keep the laminate flooring boxes anywhere in your home, it is better to lay them down in the room where they have to be installed. The purpose of doing so is to allow the laminate flooring to adjust to the room’s conditions. If you decide to leave them in another room, you only need to ensure that it’s the exact temperature of the room in which it will be installed.
The boxes should be placed in the middle of the room and should not be kept near the exterior walls. These rules are only applicable when you are storing your laminate flooring for a short span of time.
The rules are a bit different if you intend to store your laminate flooring for the long term. You will need to give some thought to the humidity when choosing a place to store them and also the temperature because both of them can affect the condition of the panels. The steps to take to store your laminate flooring for the long term are below.
Can You Store Laminate Flooring in the Garage?
There is no harm in storing your laminate flooring in a garage, but there are certain things you need to consider before doing so. Most garages don’t have the same temperature as the other rooms in your house, making it a little trickier. You can try to install laminate flooring in your garage, and with the help of XPS underlayment, you might be able to bring the temperature reasonably the same as the other rooms in your house.
If that’s the case, then you’ll need to bring the laminate flooring into the room where it is to be used for at least 48 hours before installation. You can temporarily store it in the garage, particularly in mild climates, as long as they are cool and dry.
Can Laminate Flooring Be Stored in a Cold Garage?
You can only store your laminate flooring in a cold garage if it meets a certain criterion. No one wants their flooring to be damaged, and these steps can reduce the possibility of warping or cracking. Take a look at the steps below.
- That it’s only temporary, preferably overnight only.
- The garage must remain dry at all times.
- When you’re storing your laminate flooring in a cold garage, don’t forget that it will need much more time to acclimate to the temperature and humidity of the room where it has to be installed.
You will find that this article sheds more light on this particular topic for your assistance.
Can You Store Laminate Flooring Outside?
You will find that laminate flooring panels are created to be indoors and indoors alone. Therefore, storing it outside is a big no-no. You may come across some ‘weather-resistant’ laminate flooring options in the market, but it’s not suitable to leave most of them outside for storage purposes even though they might claim so.
It’s not a good idea to store your laminate flooring in a covered porch, outdoor shed, or even a container outside because it will be exposed to extreme temperatures. This means that the flooring will cool down and heat up with changing seasons, which will result in warping and other types of damage.
How Long Can You Store Laminate Flooring Before Installing?
There is no set duration for which you can store laminate flooring. The length of time for which it can be stored will depend on several factors.
- The location where you intend to keep it
- The condition you are going to keep it in
- The position in which it will be kept. (as discussed above)
- Short-term Storage
Regarding short-term storage, you can keep your laminate flooring pretty much anywhere and just be prepared to allow it to acclimate for 48 hours before installation in the chosen room. However, short-term storage should not be more than a couple of days, especially if it is a cold garage or a place where your flooring will be exposed to the elements.
- Long-term Storage
In long-term storage, you can choose to keep your laminate flooring for as long as you want. You can store it, and it will stay safe for years. However, you need to ensure that the flooring is stored properly for this to happen.
Some precautions must be taken for long-term storage, such as ensuring a temperature-controlled environment and keeping the flooring in the right position and in the right packaging. A detailed article can provide you with more information about the duration of storage for laminate flooring to help you make the right decision, and you can check it here.
FAQs
Can You Store Laminate Flooring in the Attic?
You can store your laminate flooring in the attic as it tends to have the same level of temperature and humidity as the rest of your house, and it is usually cool and dry. This makes it suitable for the storage of laminate flooring.
Can Laminate Flooring Be Installed in an Unheated Room?
There are no issues in installing laminate flooring in an unheated room, as long as it is allowed to acclimate to both the humidity and temperature for 48 hours before installation. The room should also not get wet or damp if you wish your laminate flooring to last.
Can You Seal Laminate Flooring To Make It Waterproof?
It should be noted that you cannot make laminate flooring 100% waterproof. But, it can improve its water resistance when you seal the locking mechanisms. You will need a PVA Type II glue for this purpose, and you should select one that comes in a bottle to avoid squeezing out too much of it. You do not want to have dried adhesive; you only need to seal the locking mechanisms, so you’ll be able to lift the flooring later.