Moisture differential
Also called moisture delta, MC differential
The difference between the moisture content of the flooring material and that of the subfloor, which must sit inside an acceptable range before installation.
Two readings that are each individually plausible can still be incompatible with each other. Both must sit within the manufacturer’s and the installer’s acceptable delta.
A large differential guarantees dimensional change after installation, regardless of how well the floor is laid. There is no warranty language that overrides it.
Related
Terms this one depends on
- Moisture contentThe proportion of water in wood or in a subfloor, measured before installation and used to decide whether the two are compatible.
- AcclimationThe period during which flooring material equalises to the conditions of the room it will be installed in — a minimum of 72 hours, in the actual conditioned space.
- CuppingA board whose edges sit higher than its centre — the visible record of moisture entering the floor from below.
- CrowningA board whose centre sits higher than its edges — the inverse of cupping.
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