Hardwood Floor Gaping

If you do discover that your hardwood floor is beginning to gap in spots it s important that you take care of it sooner rather than later.

Hardwood floor gaping.

Many times a seasonal gap one in which you can fit a dime will close back up in higher humidity. Preventing gaping in hardwood floors. Solid hardwoods by far will expand and contract more than engineered products. We get called all the time about seasonal gapping.

When outside walls settle or a house s center beam moves sags over drying. Most of the time spaces in your wood floors are normal. Grow your skill set network and learn valuable tips and tools from other wood flooring professionals. With older tongue and groove hardwood or even wide plank floors gaps inevitably develop between the boards mostly because the wood shrinks over time as it dries out and loses moisture content.

How much will depend on the layout involved seasonal change in relative humidity species selection and type of hardwood cut. Wide traditional smooth faced hardwood. Rob robillard rob robillard globe correspondent february 26 2017 12 00 am q. In certain regions of the world where the atmosphere is normally dry gapping in hardwood floors may become very common.

Water logged wood will first swell then shrink as it dries out. Wood is hygroscopic it expands and contracts based on the seasonal atmosphere. The hardwood floors magazine industry guide is the most up to date business directory of nwfa members. Another exacerbating condition is water damage.

Posted on april 5 2013 by flooring professionals administrator. The problem is magnified when the boards were not tightly laid in the first place. View our full event schedule to find an opportunity near you. Ask the expert home improvement.

For smaller areas such as 10 x 12 rooms leaving 3 8 expansion would be satisfactory. During the winter even the most carefully installed wood floors tend to dry out and shrink. After a slat of hardwood has been cut to accurate dimensions the preparation of its surface begins. 1 2 3 other reasons for gaps system movement.

Design your floor to your unique tastes with a variety of width and color options. The finish of a hardwood not only serves to enhance its appearance but also protects the wood from. Installing over an incorrect or poor subfloor not following the manufacturer s nail schedule or pattern. 10098557 don t delay fixing hardwood floor gaps.

The floor behaves that way because of wood s relationship with moisture in. When to be concerned about the gaps in your hardwood floor. Customers begin to notice gaps between boards and the phone calls begin. Around heating ducts and vents improper subfloor or nail fastening schedule.