Winter brings with it it’s own set of challenges, and how you choose to store your flooring products during this time can impact the quality of the flooring you lay.
As winter settles in, it’s time to think about how the colder months can impact your flooring products. Knowing how to correctly store your materials can save you from costly mistakes, delays and added stress.
In this post, we’ll explore why winter isn’t always a ‘wonderland’ for flooring materials and share expert tips on how to store them properly, so they’re in perfect condition when you return to work after the festive period.
Why Winter Isn’t a Wonderland for Flooring Products
While the first snowfall might seem like a magical moment for most, it can be a real headache for your flooring materials. Cold temperatures, fluctuating humidity and improper storage can significantly affect the performance of your products and further delay your wood floor installations.
Wood floor adhesives are especially vulnerable to freezing temperatures. When the temperature drops too low, adhesives can thicken, making them more difficult to apply, reducing working times and resulting in less product for your money.
Primers and lacquers are similarly affected by the cold. Exposure to lower temperatures can cause them to thicken, making them tricky to work with. Since the drying and curing process slows down colder weather, this can leave your finishes in a compromised state, potentially extending your project timeline.
It’s not just adhesives and finishes that are impacted. Flooring materials such as underlays can also be prone to issues in the cold. Fluctuating temperatures can lead to expansion and contraction, an even the risk of warping or cracking. As these materials expand and contract with temperature shifts, you may find gaps or imperfections during installation if they haven’t been stored correctly.
It’s All in the Prep…
With the holiday season fast approaching, now is the time to plan. If you plan to shut down over the holidays, take a moment to ensure your flooring products are stored correctly and ready for the cold winter chill.
Double-check that temperature controls are functioning properly in your storage areas and if needed, adjust the heating systems to keep things consistent. Ensuring that your products are in a safe, stable environment is a key step in avoiding any disruptions upon your return.
For added security, lock up your stock and equipment to prevent unauthorised access and exposure to harsh winter conditions. A little prep now goes a long way toward avoiding any issues that can pop up unexpectedly.
If you haven’t been able to store your products at the required temperature, then they will need to be climatised before use. We would recommend leaving the product in the room you’re installing and waiting for it to return to the correct temperature for the best working conditions. If your products haven’t encountered frost damage, then they will be found to use straight away.
Another thing you can do in preparation is wrap your materials with insulated packaging such as foil pallet covers, these are perfect for keeping the warmth in and avoiding in frost damage.
Stay Ahead of the Freeze
By taking the time to store your materials properly, you will ultimately save yourself time and money. By not having to climatise or replace your flooring products due to damage, you can get straight on with your next job.
Nothing will beat the peace of mind that comes from knowing you can get on with your work as expected – especially when facing unique challenges such as these during the winter months.
All Wrapped Up & Ready for Winter
By maintaining the right storage conditions, you can protect your materials, save time and money and make sure your customers are happy – winter doesn’t have to be a season of delays and mishaps.
For specific storage instructions for each of our products, remember to check the data sheets and product labels available, that way, you can be sure you’re storing each material in the way that best suits its needs.
If you need advice on how to store your flooring products during the winter months, or if you have any questions about our range of products, we’re here to help! Call us on 01772 696600 or email [email protected].