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How to Store, Acclimate & Prep for Your Arista Laminate Installation

Arista is a laminate floor, so proper acclimation and prep is essential before installation begins. Here's what to confirm before your installer starts.

  • Climate: 65°F–85°F and 40–70% RH before, during, and after installation
  • Acclimation: 24 hours minimum, flat in the conditioned install room
  • Carton storage: Flat and horizontal, never on end
  • Subfloor flatness: No more than 3/16" over 10 feet
  • Vapor barrier: 6 mil moisture barrier required over concrete, seams taped
  • Underlayment: Do not add, Arista includes pre-attached 2 mm underlayment
  • Max run length: Use T-molding to break runs longer than 40 feet

Storage

Store cartons flat at all times, standing them on end puts pressure on the click mechanism and can damage edges before you open a box. Keep them indoors at 65°F–85°F and 40–70% RH. 

Acclimation

24 hours minimum in the conditioned installation room, planks stored flat. The room should already be at install conditions before you bring cartons in. By install day, planks, room, and subfloor should all be at the same indoor conditions you plan to live in year-round.

Subfloor Flatness

No more than 3/16" over 10 feet. A gentle slope is fine, sharp bumps and dips are the problem. They break click mechanisms over time and create hollow spots underfoot. Patch low spots, seams, cracks, and joints before starting. 

Installing Over an Existing Floor

Remove existing flooring when possible and install directly on the subfloor. If you are unsure if your existing floor is suitable, use this table for initial reference:

  • Resilient sheet vinyl (single layer): Yes, if flat, well-adhered, and dry
  • Ceramic, porcelain, marble, terrazzo: Yes, grout joints must be filled flush
  • Carpet: No, remove first
  • Floating floors: No, remove first
  • Cushioned or rubber-backed floors: No, remove first
  • Below-grade tile over concrete: No, moisture risk
  • Floor with mold, warping, or moisture damage: No, remove and test subfloor first

What to Avoid

  • Don't store boxes on end.
  • Don't skip acclimation or install outside 65°F–85°F / 40–70% RH.
  • Don't install over a concrete slab without a 6 mil vapor barrier.
  • Don't install over carpet, floating floors, or cushioned surfaces.
  • Don't add extra underlayment, doing so can void your warranty 

See Arista Laminate Installation Guide for full details. 

 

Common Questions

Do I need a vapor barrier?

Yes, over concrete, a 6 mil moisture barrier with taped seams is required. 

Can I install over existing tile or vinyl?

Often yes, if it's single-layer, well-adhered, flat, and dry. See the table above for what's not compatible.

Can I add underlayment under Arista?

Arista's pre-attached 2 mm underlayment handles it. Adding more can void your warranty.

My subfloor isn't perfectly flat, can I still install?

A gentle slope is fine. Sharp bumps and dips are not. Patch anything outside 3/16" over 10 feet first.

What if my run is longer than 40 feet?

Use a T-molding to break the run and give the floor room to move.


Questions? Email support@flooret.com or call 1-800-700-8122. M-F, 8 AM–7 PM CST.