It is a gap or space that is left around the perimeter of the room. For hardwood floors a gap of at least 12mm should be left around the whole edge of the room, including all doorways, fire places and around any pipework. Both solid hardwood and engineered hardwood need an expansion gap.
How much expansion gap do I need for hardwood floors?
The recommended expansion gap for the engineered wood floor is 8mm (5/16 in). For hardwood or bamboo, leave a gap between 10 to 15 mm (3/8 to 5/8 in).
Do hardwood floors expand lengthwise?
Wood doesn’t shrink or swell much along the longitudinal axis, so no space is needed at the ends where they butt up against the wall. And if you use enough fasteners to prevent lateral movement, then little or no expansion space is needed along the finishing wall.
Does natural oak expand?
Naturally an oak floor will expand and contract as the humidity and temperature of the room changes. When there is a high level of humidity in the air, the solid boards will take in the moisture of the surrounding area, causing the boards to expand. When the humidity level reduces, the boards will contract.
What is the maximum floor length I can install without expansion joint?
If the room is more or less square and if there aren’t too many indoor climate changes between weekdays and the weekend or during the day, then you can lay up to 13 running metres without extra expansion joints in the floor surface. The expansion joint along the walls depends on the total length of the floor.
How much does oak expand and contract?
In and Out
In a warm, humid atmosphere, the cells reabsorb moisture from the air and expand. A board cut across the grain, or perpendicular to the growth rings, may expand as much as 1/4 inch for every 12 inches of width, while a quarter-sawn board may expand 1/8 inch.
What happens if an expansion gap is not left?
Without an expansion gap ‘buckling’ is a common problem. The expanding laminate floor has no gap to allow for movement. This will cause laminate floorboards to be forced up, often causing a bounce. In extreme cases, it can damage the click system.
Do hardwood floors expand in winter?
Solid hardwood floors move in sync with fluctuating conditions in their environment. They expand when the humidity increases, and contract when it decreases. During the winter months, contracting floors will often leave thin cracks or gaps between the planks.
Do hardwood floors need expansion joints?
An expansion gap is a term associated with fitting a wooden floor. It is a gap or space that is left around the perimeter of the room. For hardwood floors a gap of at least 12mm should be left around the whole edge of the room, including all doorways, fire places and around any pipework.
How much space should be between wood floors and walls?
As already stated, you need to leave between 10 and 15mm all around your room. Ideally, you should place a range of suitably sized spacers against the wall you’re fitting against as well as against the two walls where the floor will run. This way you’re sure to get the right size of gap.
Do you need an expansion gap for engineered wood flooring?
Although engineered hardwood floors can withstand changes in temperature and moisture better than solid wood floors, they still need an expansion gap to allow for small movements.
How much will oak shrink?
The standard shrinkage values for northern red oak from green to 12% are averages (so half the pieces will shrink slightly more) and also vary for each species of red oak.
How do you calculate wood expansion?
Multiply the width of the board (in inches) by the annual change in MC (highest annual MC minus lowest). Then multiply the result by the number from the chart. Because few boards are entirely F/S or Q/S, calculate both numbers and shoot for something between. Example: The workbench in this issue is 24″ wide.
Which type of wood expands the least?
Redwood is a strong, lightweight wood with thin cell walls that don’t shrink and swell as much as other woods do. That means it’s less likely to warp. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, redwood shrinks less than other common domestic softwoods.
Is oak dimensionally stable?
As wood loses moisture, it contracts. As it gains moisture, it expands. The degree to which this occurs for a particular species of wood is known as “species dimensional stability.” Red Oak, White Oak, and Ash are examples of woods with high stability. Maple, Hickory, and Cumaru are examples of less-stable species.
Does sealing wood prevent expansion?
Sealing wood will not prevent it from warping or expanding. Sealing both ends of the wooden plank may help prevent the ends from expanding or shrinking faster and exacerbating the warping of the plank. However, there is no guarantee treating wood with a wood sealer will prevent it from warping or expanding.
Which hardwood is least likely to warp?
Redwood. For the best control over shrinking and warping, redwood is the king for two reasons. It has both the straightest grain pattern and a chemical inside the wood similar to tannin, which protects it against moisture infiltration and rot.
What is the most stable hardwood?
Antique heart pine and American cherry are the most stable with respect to seasonal movement. Oak, walnut, and ash are average, but hickory and beech are the most unstable of domestic hardwood species.
How do you stop wood from expanding?
Tabletops tend to be wide, and wood moves a lot across its width. Restricting the movement with screws or nails can cause the top to crack as it shrinks. To avoid this, use special tabletop fasteners or some other method that holds the top down but still allows the top to expand and contract.
