Kitchen remodeling projects often involve installing new cabinets, whether you’re replacing old, worn-out cabinets or building a kitchen from scratch. When your shiny new cabinets arrive, you probably can’t wait to get them installed so you can finally see your dream kitchen come to life. However, before calling in the installers, it’s important to give those cabinets some time to acclimate to your home’s temperature and humidity. Rushing the installation can lead to issues like warping, cracking, and changes to the cabinet dimensions, so patience is key. Below we will look at why acclimation is so important for new cabinets, how long to allow for acclimation, tips for proper acclimation, and what can happen if you don’t let new cabinets acclimate.
Why Acclimation Matters for New Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are made of wood, a porous, fibrous material that naturally expands and contracts in response to moisture and humidity. The amount of moisture in the wood fluctuates depending on the temperature and humidity level of the surrounding environment.
When cabinets are manufactured, they are built for a controlled indoor environment of around 70°F and with a relative humidity of 30% to 50%. However, temperature and humidity vary in your home depending on the climate you live in, your thermostat settings, and time of year.
If you install unacclimated cabinets in an environment that differs from the manufacturing conditions, the moisture content in the wood will shift as it seeks equilibrium with the new surroundings. As the wood gives off or absorbs moisture, its dimensions expand or contract, which can lead to:
- Warping or distortion – If some parts of a cabinet expand/contract more than others, it can warp or twist out of shape. Door and drawer fronts are especially prone to warping.
- Cracking – Rapid expansion or contraction can place stress on the wood, causing it to crack or split at the seams.
- Poor fit – Cabinets are built with precise dimensions, but uncontrolled expansion/contraction alters these dimensions resulting in large unsightly gaps or misalignments.
- Finish issues – Changes to the wood’s moisture content can create bubbles, cracks, and adhesion problems with stains and finishes.
By allowing cabinets to acclimate before installation, the wood can adjust to your home’s conditions gradually and stabilize at equilibrium moisture content. This prevents moisture-related issues and ensures the cabinets look and function as intended once installed.
How Long to Let Cabinets Acclimate
The time needed for proper acclimation depends on factors like:
- Climate – Cabinets shipped to climates very different than the manufacturing facility will need longer to acclimate. For example, cabinets made in a hot, dry area and shipped to a cool, humid coastal region.
- Time of year – Home humidity fluctuates seasonally, so cabinets delivered during summer or winter require longer acclimation than those delivered in spring or fall.
- Storage conditions – Acclimation times are shorter if cabinets are stored in environmental conditions similar to the installation area. Storing in an uncontrolled space like a garage prolongs acclimation.
As a general guideline, 5-7 days is recommended for cabinet acclimation under normal conditions. In situations involving large humidity differences or uncontrolled storage spaces, extending acclimation to 10-14 days is wise to allow the wood to equalize gradually.
Rushing installation after only 1-2 days increases the likelihood of moisture-related problems down the road. The upfront patience of proper acclimation helps ensure your cabinets retain optimal function and aesthetic for many years to come.
Tips for Proper Cabinet Acclimation
Follow these tips for effective acclimation when your new cabinets arrive:
- Unpack cabinets and allow them to sit in the room where they will be installed. This exposes all wood surfaces evenly to the ambient conditions.
- Avoid stacking cabinets or leaning them against walls during acclimation. Airflow should circulate freely around each piece.
- Keep cabinets away from heating/cooling vents, direct sunlight, or other microclimate conditions that differ from the overall room.
- Acclimate all cabinet boxes, doors, and drawers. Don’t install immediately if just one component arrives early.
- Check moisture content of a sample door using a specialized meter. The target moisture content is 6-9% for most regions.
- Record the start date of acclimation. Schedule installation only after the recommended duration has elapsed.
- Consider using a humidifier if the indoor relative humidity is very low during winter months. 40-50% RH aids acclimation.
Taking these steps ensures your cabinets have adequate time to stabilize at moisture equilibrium with your home before installation. Rushed assembly can cause long-term headaches, so patience really pays off.
What Happens if Cabinets Don’t Acclimate?
Skipping cabinet acclimation and hastily moving to installation is often a recipe for trouble. The most common moisture-related issues include:
Warping
The most susceptible parts of a cabinet to warping are doors and drawer fronts. Warping occurs when one part of the wood absorbs or releases moisture more rapidly than surrounding areas. This uneven shrinkage/swelling causes the wood to twist out of shape. The door ends up with either a cupped or twisted profile that looks unsightly and affects function.
Cracking
Cracking and splitting happens when expansion or contraction stresses are greater than the strength of the wood. As moisture rapidly vacates the cells, it tears fibers apart causing ugly cracks at joints and seams. Once cracks form, they are difficult to remedy.
Gapping
Even slight expansion or contraction can throw off pre-cut cabinet dimensions and create unsightly gaps between cabinets. Large gaps looks sloppy and create traps for grime and dirt. Poor alignment also makes cabinets harder to open/close.
Dislodging
When cabinet dimensions change after installation, fixed parts like face frames become stressed. This can cause screws or fasteners to loosen and components to dislodge or break free.
Finish issues
As moisture under the finish expands/contracts the wood cells, it can form bubbles and cracks that spoil the smooth surface. Drastic moisture loss pulls the finish away from the wood entirely affecting adhesion.
Any of these issues mean additional repairs or replacements that add time, cost, and frustration to your kitchen remodel. It’s worth taking the extra time upfront to acclimate cabinets properly and prevent moisture problems down the road.
Acclimation for Different Cabinet Materials
While wood cabinets warrant ample acclimation, other common cabinet materials have different requirements:
- MDF or particle board – These engineered woods are very stable and impacted less by humidity fluctuations. Just 1-2 days of acclimation should suffice.
- Thermofoil – Since these doors only have a thin veneer over substrate, minimal acclimation is needed – just enough to equalize foil/adhesive.
- Plywood – Dense plywood is more dimensionally stable than solid wood. For partial plywood construction, allow 2-4 days to acclimate.
- Metal – Metal cabinets are insensitive to humidity changes. However, doors with real wood veneers or laminates still require acclimation time for those surfaces.
Regardless of your specific cabinet materials, the basic goal of acclimation remains the same – allow cabinets to equalize to your home’s temperature and humidity before installation. Rushing always increases the risks of irreparable damage or defects. A little patience goes a long way.
Signs Your Cabinets Haven’t Acclimated
If you’re impatient and install cabinets without sufficient acclimation time, you may begin noticing issues within the first year or two:
- Doors or fronts no longer align with cabinet boxes.
- Previously straight doors are now warped or twisted.
- Stains or finishes are marred by irregular cracks.
- New gaps have appeared between cabinets or ceilings.
- Uneven reveals are visible between doors and drawer fronts.
- Discoloration or raised areas are forming under finishes.
These are signs that the wood components have shifted in size and shape due to moisture fluctuations after installation. The problems tend to gradually worsen over time leading to operational or aesthetic defects. Address them promptly to minimize further distortion or damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should cabinets acclimate to a house?
For most situations, allow 5-7 days of acclimation before installing wood cabinets. Up to 10-14 days is better for large humidity differences or uncontrolled storage conditions. Let all components like doors and drawers acclimate, not just cabinet boxes.
Should plywood cabinets be acclimated?
Yes, although plywood is more dimensionally stable than solid wood, it still contains natural wood that reacts to humidity. Allow 2-4 days for plywood cabinet acclimation. The exception is plastic laminate cabinets, which can be installed after 1-2 days.
Can cabinets acclimate in the garage?
It’s better to acclimate cabinets in the same environment where you will install them. Garages often have temperature and humidity extremes so cabinets won’t acclimate optimally. Bring cabinets into the house if possible, even for just a few days before installing.
What humidity should cabinets acclimate to?
For most homes, relative humidity levels between 30% and 50% are ideal for cabinet acclimation. Very dry conditions below 30% RH tend to cause more wood shrinkage, while humidity above 50% leads to wood expansion. If needed, use dehumidifiers or humidifiers to keep humidity in the target zone.
How do you raise humidity for cabinet acclimation?
In low humidity environments, especially during winter, use a room humidifier to raise humidity between 40-50% RH. Position the humidifier so all cabinet surfaces receive exposure to the moist air to prevent uneven acclimation. Keep humidifier tanks full.
Can cabinets get damaged during acclimation?
Yes, cabinets can warp, crack, or split if acclimation humidity swings are severe. Avoid direct sunlight, heating/cooling ducts, or drafty locations during acclimation. Ideal conditions are stable temperature around 70°F and 40-50% relative humidity.
When can I install kitchen cabinets after delivery?
It’s best to wait 5-14 days after delivery before installing kitchen cabinets. Allow all components to acclimate, keeping them in the room of installation. 3-5 days is often sufficient for partial plywood construction. Thermofoil and metal cabinets need just 1-2 days.
Should cabinets be left in their boxes to acclimate?
No, cabinets should be fully unpacked so all surfaces are evenly exposed to ambient conditions during acclimation. Leaving cabinets stacked in boxes prevents moisture from entering or escaping the wood. Lay doors flat when acclimating – do not stand them on edges or lean against walls.
Conclusion
Allowing adequate time for your new kitchen cabinets to acclimate before installation is a vital, oft-overlooked step. While it means exercising patience before seeing your dream kitchen take shape, it prevents potentially irreversible moisture damage down the road.
Warping, cracking, gapping, and finish defects are common problems when cabinets are rushed into service without properly acclimating to your home’s environment. But by following the guidelines above and being mindful of climate and materials, you can avoid these headaches. A few days of waiting ensures your cabinets retain optimal function and aesthetics for many years of beautiful service.
So resist the urge to hurriedly install cabinets right after delivery. Let them adjust gradually to your home’s temperature and humidity. The modest upfront investment of time for acclimation brings ample long-term returns in quality and performance. Your ideal kitchen depends on it!