Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Acclimating engineered flooring

Hi, newbie here. Been researching flooring for a bit. I read the answer once but I've slept since then so I need to ask. Forgive me..I've gone back 4-5 pages to look for my answer & I can't find it!!
We've decided on a Mannington engineered flooring. My question is do you acclimatize engineered flooring?? I realize solid wood takes a few weeks. The sales guy says I only need a couple of days & maybe not even that much. He's driving me batty :wall: on a few flooring issues..which I'm standing firm on (vinyl flooring will be removed before tiling my kitchen :thumbup: regardless of his assurances). So, I need to know about acclimatizing engineered flooring. My thinking says go with what the meter reads, of course but does it take about the same time as solid wood does?? My house is 8 years old.
I'm also having the stairs done (saw the thread on page one by the guy from Austin..I'm in Schertz, TX!)...anyways, the sales guy says they'll remove the carpeting/pad and directly glue down the Mannington. << I'm under the impression that is an acceptable procedure. ??
Thank You, Cindy
edited for spelling. :p

Engineered is more forgiving, when it comes to acclimation, but that is not to say it doesn't need it.

Some of the new installation instructions for engineered, state acclimation is not needed, but read the fine print, too. It contradicts itself.

Always acclimate!!!

I always glue and fasten my stair installations. But I'm an overkill type of installer.

It keeps the boards from moving in the adhesive as you work your way up the staircase.


I have worked in Schertz, many times. It is in my area, but now requires a fuel sir charge to get me there.

Thank You. I know I would be more comfortable with it sitting in my home.
I don't know any flooring people & I was not completely happy when I hired a tile guy a few years ago (who worked for Handyman Services) to do our bathrooms so we are leaning towards letting a company do the flooring job this time around.
I would love to be able to buy the flooring myself (as I think I might get it cheaper than 10.49..maybe: Mannington hand-scrapped Hickory Vintage series) & hire someone. Haven't signed on any dotted lines yet..would you feel comfortable telling me whether the quote is reasonable??
The sales guy didn't want to tell me what the square footage would be because then he would be doing the work for other companies if I shopped around. Weird, huh?? Like I don't own a tape measure myself. I just asked for the figures and he acts like it's sacred. This guy quotes the "job".
Well, during his pitch (2 days later) he lets slip the wood flooring was around the 500-550 sq foot range which includes the stairs (6 steps, 2 landings, 6 steps w/white risers..he says MDF is that what the white risers are made of??). With the product the cost is in the $10,000 range. This includes removal of all old carpeting and replacing the baseboards with new..if we provide the paint for the baseboards. It does not include moving one very large piece of furniture (which comes apart but very heavy..this will be a separate charge which he needs to get once he talks with a cabinet/furniture guy in case it gets damaged.) *sigh*
I have an O'Krentz guy coming this week to measure and quote, too. I feel they will be much more expensive.
I wish I knew more about independent contractor guys & flooring stores in my area. I can find plenty of places to buy quality tiles in SA but not sure where to look for quality wood flooring.

Last time I installed Mannington I distinctly recall Manington specifying 1 week with the boxes open.
And thats the point. You don't rely on the words of a salesman of some guy on the internet. Yoyu need to follow the rcommendations of the manufacturer. They are supplying the warranty, not the salesman. Tell them some guy on the internet said..and you'll get a hearty laugh.
One of those recomendations from Mannington for that plank is that they don't believe you need any expansion. I believe they may have a quartersawn core which eliminates horizontal movement, but thats speculation on my part. The expansion space issue stems from NOFMA using a standard that if the floor floods, it could push the walls off the foundation. Reality is that the floor will usually buckle before it pushes that much and at any rate, that pertains to solids. many prefinished are now using the quatered core which will move vertically.
The bid seems quite high, btw. Assume a price of $4 for install of material, $100 per tread/riser install, $4 lin ft for base install, $350 for carpet removal/disposal, $200-300 for prep. Was there markup on the material?

Thank You for the input. :)
I don't have specific prices..I remember that the stairs are costing more than the floor area - the stairs run close to $3,000 if memory serves correctly. I think, he also said the baseboards would be @ $1.30 per foot (golly, I hope I'm remembering this accurately!), removal of carpet was .22 cents per sq ft., $90.00 for in&out of oven & fridge. That's all I can remember, except for the price of the flooring $10.49 (it's currently on sale but may go back up since they haven't had an email from Mannington in awhile - the sale was supposed to be over at the end of July). No clue what labor costs but when you don't know who to trust you gotta put out the extra cash so if something does go wrong you have an actual company to turn to, I guess.
Thanks again everyone for all the input. :thumbup:

So using moisture meter and a hygrometer, what values should I expect before the hardwood can be installed? How much are these tools?