To properly space floorboards, you leave an expansion gap around the perimeter of the room where the flooring meets the walls and other fixed objects. This gap is essential to accommodate the natural expansion and contraction of the wood due to changes in temperature and humidity.
Leaving an adequate expansion gap is a crucial step in ensuring the longevity and stability of your wood flooring. Without it, the pressure from expanding floorboards can cause significant damage, such as buckling, warping, or gaps appearing in the middle of the floor.
The Recommended Expansion Gap
According to standard practice, the space left between the floorboards and the wall is typically:
- Between 10 and 15mm (as referenced in the provided information from 29-Sept-2014).
While this "is not a huge amount of space," it is sufficient to prevent the problems associated with wood flooring expanding and contracting.
Why is the Expansion Gap Necessary?
Wood is a hygroscopic material, meaning it absorbs and releases moisture based on the surrounding environment.
- Expansion: When humidity is high, wood absorbs moisture and swells, causing the floorboards to expand.
- Contraction: When humidity is low, wood releases moisture and shrinks, causing the floorboards to contract.
The expansion gap provides the necessary room for the flooring to expand without pushing against the walls or other obstacles. This prevents stress on the floor and helps maintain its structural integrity.
How to Create the Gap During Installation
During the installation process, installers commonly use spacers placed between the first row of floorboards and the wall. These spacers are typically sized to match the desired gap (e.g., 10mm or 15mm). As more rows are installed, the spacers ensure the gap is maintained around the entire perimeter. Once the flooring is fully installed, the spacers are removed.
The expansion gap is typically hidden by baseboards (skirting boards) or quarter-round molding, which are installed after the flooring is in place. This provides a neat finish while still allowing the necessary space for movement underneath.
Understanding and implementing the correct expansion gap is a key factor in a successful floorboard installation that will stand the test of time.
