Depending on the original moisture content of the wood, the temperature of the new environment, and the relative humidity of the area, it may take a few days for the wood to fully acclimate to a particular environment. In general, the more pronounced the difference between the wood's moisture content and the wood's EMC point, the longer it will take to fully acclimate to the environment. Now, you may be wondering how to determine the average moisture content of an area. If you look at the map of the US here, you can see that most of the US has an average of 8% moisture, while some coastal areas have an average of 11%, and the drier desert areas are closer to 6%.
While this can give you a rough idea of what to expect, it may be necessary to obtain more detailed information by taking RH measurements of the area where you are installing the wood.
To get a relative humidity (RH) reading, you'll need a thermo-hygrometer that can measure temperature and humidity conditions over a large area of your workplace. The RH readings you get from a hygrometer can help you understand what the EMC of the wood product on site should be.
For example, if your RH reading is between 58% and 63% RH, then your average moisture level is about 11%.
Detailed humidity information, such as RH and EMC, helps you make more informed decisions in carpentry, floor installation, and restoration to avoid costly mistakes.
