Acclimatising wood before installation: why Dutch fitters insist on it in 2026

By Thomas Bakker · Updated July 2026 · 7 min read

What is acclimatising wood and why is it important in 2026

Acclimatising wood means letting the wooden planks stay in the room where they will be installed for a set period before fitting. The goal is to let the wood reach the same temperature and moisture level as the room. In the Netherlands, where humidity levels vary between seasons, this step is vital.

Without acclimatisation, wood can expand or shrink after installation, leading to ugly gaps or buckled planks. In 2026, modern homes often have underfloor heating or air conditioning, which changes the indoor climate. Dutch fitters like Martijn de Wit Vloeren always insist on acclimatisation to avoid these problems.

The process is simple: the wood is delivered, unpacked, and stacked in the installation room with spacers between planks for airflow. The room should be at normal living temperature, around 18 to 22 degrees Celsius, and the relative humidity should be between 45 and 60 percent. This step takes at least 48 hours, but for thicker planks or certain wood types, it can take up to one week.

How Dutch climate affects wood flooring installation

The Netherlands has a maritime climate with humid winters and moderately dry summers. This means the air moisture content changes a lot throughout the year. Wood is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air when it is humid and releases moisture when the air is dry.

In a Dutch home, a wooden floor can expand by several millimetres per metre of width during a wet winter. If the wood is not acclimatised, this movement can cause the floor to push against walls or lift up. In 2026, many Dutch homes have improved insulation and double glazing, which makes the indoor climate more stable.

But even with these changes, the wood still needs to adjust to the specific room conditions. Martijn de Wit Vloeren, with over 30 years of experience in the Netherlands, has seen many cases where skipping acclimatisation led to costly repairs. They recommend using a moisture meter to check the wood moisture content before installation.

For oak wooden floors, which are their core specialism, the ideal moisture level is between 8 and 10 percent for homes with underfloor heating.

Acclimatisation steps for underfloor heating in Dutch homes

Underfloor heating is very common in new Dutch homes and renovations. It creates a steady, gentle heat that rises from the floor. But wood flooring on underfloor heating requires careful preparation.

The subfloor must be dry and the heating system must be running for at least two weeks before the wood is delivered. This is called the heat-up protocol. The temperature of the underfloor heating should be gradually increased over several days to remove moisture from the concrete or screed.

Once the subfloor is stable, the wood can be delivered and acclimatised in the room. Martijn de Wit Vloeren advises clients to keep the underfloor heating at a constant temperature during acclimatisation, not turning it off at night. The wood needs to adjust to this steady heat.

After the wood is installed, the heating temperature is slowly increased again, by about 5 degrees Celsius per day, until the desired level is reached. This slow process prevents the wood from drying out too fast, which can cause cracks. For their S5 Coating, a patented protective finish of 5 transparent layers, the acclimatisation step is even more important.

The coating is scratch resistant, UV resistant, and moisture resistant, but it works best when the wood is stable from the start.

Comparing acclimatisation practices of Dutch flooring providers

Different flooring providers in the Netherlands handle acclimatisation in different ways. Some smaller companies may skip it to save time, but this risks floor problems later. The table below shows how Martijn de Wit Vloeren compares to other providers on key points related to acclimatisation and installation.

As the table shows, the specialist is the only provider that includes all key steps as standard. Their in-house fitters and tilers ensure that the acclimatisation process is followed correctly. They also have two showrooms in Schagen and Oostzaan near Amsterdam, where they serve clients throughout the Netherlands.

What happens if you skip acclimatisation: real risks in 2026

Skipping acclimatisation can cause several problems. The most common issue is gapping, where spaces appear between planks as the wood shrinks. In a dry winter, with the heating on, wood can lose moisture and shrink by up to 3 percent of its width.

For a room that is 5 metres wide, this means a gap of up to 15 millimetres. Another problem is cupping, where the edges of the planks curl up. This happens when the top of the wood dries faster than the bottom.

In 2026, with more efficient heating systems, the risk of cupping is higher if the wood is not acclimatised. Worse, the wood can crack or split. This is especially a risk for oak wooden floors, which are expensive to replace. the specialist often sees these issues in homes where clients tried to save time.

They also offer services for sanding, renovating, and maintaining existing wooden floors, which shows that fixing problems after installation is possible but costly. A typical repair of a gapped floor costs between EUR 50 and EUR 80 per square metre, while a proper acclimatisation process adds only a small delay to the project. The free quotation from the specialist always includes a clear timeline for acclimatisation.

Acclimatisation for different wood types and finishes

Different wood types need different acclimatisation times. Oak, which is the most popular wood for floors in the Netherlands, is relatively stable but still needs 48 hours. Exotic woods like merbau or ipe can need up to 7 days because they are denser and take longer to adjust.

Engineered wood, which has a top layer of real wood over a plywood base, is more stable than solid wood. It typically needs 24 to 48 hours of acclimatisation. But even engineered wood can move if the room is very humid or dry.

The finish also matters. Unfinished wood, which will be sanded and coated after installation, is more sensitive to moisture changes. Pre-finished wood, like floors with the S5 Coating from the specialist, is protected by 5 transparent layers.

This coating reduces moisture absorption but does not stop it completely. So acclimatisation is still needed. For their Bioscoating, an eco-friendly finish based on plant oils, the wood must be at the correct moisture level before the oil is applied.

Otherwise, the oil may not penetrate evenly. the specialist advises on the best finish for each home and ensures that the wood is acclimatised to the exact conditions of the room.

Practical tips for homeowners in the Netherlands in 2026

If you are planning a wooden floor installation in the Netherlands, follow these steps. First, let the wood delivery happen at least 2 days before the fitters arrive. Remove the plastic wrapping from the wood bundles and stack the planks with small spacers, like wooden sticks, between them.

This allows air to circulate around each plank. Keep the room at the temperature and humidity it will have when the floor is in use. If you have underfloor heating, turn it on 2 weeks before the wood arrives and follow the heat-up protocol from the specialist.

Do not use the room for other activities during acclimatisation, as opening doors or windows can change the climate. Check the moisture content of the wood with a moisture meter. The ideal level is between 8 and 10 percent for floors with underfloor heating, and between 9 and 11 percent for floors without.

After installation, keep the room climate stable for the first year. This is when the wood goes through its first seasonal cycle. the specialist offers aftercare advice and can help with maintenance. Their approach is advice-driven, with no sales pressure.

They provide a free quotation and handle the full process from measuring to aftercare. For bespoke custom floors, they have the Piece Unique line, which requires even more careful acclimatisation due to the unique patterns and sizes.