Laminate flooring is no different than any other floor when it comes to the need for acclimation before installation. The reason being humidity in the air, this can cause swelling in the laminate planks. Laminate flooring has a composite core, which is full of microscopic pores and this is where the humid air gets in. The laminate floor if installed without acclimation has a high chance of swelling and shrinking, this causes buckling and warping damage to your floors and they will need replacing. Locking mechanisms are more apt to break when not properly acclimated as well.
To avoid the damage caused by swelling and shrinking of your laminate floor it is required you leave the laminate planks in the room of installation for 2 full days (48hrs). Allowing the 48hrs of acclimation will save the planks, locking system and you a lot of time and frustration. Most importantly acclimation is required for your floors to be covered by warranty. To properly acclimate your laminate floor, remove the plastic wrapping from the boxes and leave some air space around each of the boxes to allow air to freely circulate around them. Once 48hrs has passed you should be set for installation.