Wooden floor expansion gap

In the case of a wooden floor, is it necessary to leave an expansion gap? Does it depend on the context/floor?

Asked by Harry on 14th Jan 2021
Expert Trade Answers
"All wooden floors should be left with an expansion gap. The greater the area the greater the gap. But usually 5/6 is pretty standard fitting requirement
As for other floors it can vary depending on material"
Answered on 14th Jan 2021 - Member since Jan 2021 - report
"Both solid hardwood and engineered hardwood need an expansion gap. To make sure that the appropriately sized gap is left, you can use flooring spacers, which are then removed after installation.

Hopefully it makes sense."
Answered on 14th Jan 2021 - Member since Dec 2020 - report
"Hi, lt's very important to leave at least 8 mm gab all around in case of lock bond materials such as parquet and laminate, less in case of vinyle click ( it moves less)
Because wood is alive material and it moves according to the temperature and the traffic. We can give less attention with gabs in case when we glue wooden floor coverings to the subfloor. Only then it becomes a part of the sub floor which doesn't move any where. But still we can let a small gab in case of some movements from the structure or walls. Which could be prevented by keeping the stability of the temperature and letting the floor covernigs acclimate well before installing them."
Answered on 14th Jan 2021 - Member since Nov 2020 - report
"Expansion gap is mandatory, without it your floor will soon start getting wavy"
Answered on 15th Apr 2021 - Member since Apr 2020 - report
"always read instructions all flooring will need some sort of expansion"
Answered on 4th Jul 2022 - Member since Feb 2019 - report
"There's no need for that there's no concrete adhesive etc tiling is different"
Answered on 15th Jan 2021 - Member since May 2020 - report
"The correct expansion gap for wood flooring is 10-12mm. This must be completely maintained around the perimeter of the floor, which must not touch anything along the edges."
Answered on 12th May 2021 - Member since Apr 2021 - report
"You always have to leave an expansion gap when fitting a wooden or Laminate floor.
Leave around 8-10mm gap"
Answered on 14th Jan 2021 - Member since Apr 2019 - report
"All floating floors need an expansion gap. If its a fixed floor then no gap is needed. Engineered solid wood flooring does not but laminate does."
Answered on 14th Jan 2021 - Member since Nov 2019 - report
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