What is acceptable in terms of gaps for hardwood floor in a new build?
Michael Lamb
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (24)
live_wire_oak
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoMichael Lamb
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoRelated Discussions
Hardwood Gaps Between Boards (w/pics) -- Acceptable?
Comments (12)I thought it was a classic floating floor installation problem. It has all the signs, except I missed the comment about middle of the room. Likely to be one of these two products...solid, nailed or stapled over a wood sub floor (note basement in photos) http://www.lumberliquidators.com/ll/s/Cocoa%20Birch Definitely call the installer back. IâÂÂm finding moisture (shrinkage in winter) not being the issue as itâÂÂs not evident across the entire installation. Just here and there? IâÂÂm guessing this is also out of the GC hands? Floor installed after closing? As far as product problems with LL. Unfortunately thereâÂÂs a long wait there (many don't get resolved) and you may find more peace by handling the problem with the installer. IâÂÂve heard many of the nightmares. IâÂÂm looking at all angles for you. Any thoughts of wiping some stain into the cracks? It may sound like a cheap fix, but some are fine by it when you weigh all the facts that will also include inconveniences and frustration in replacement. The middle of the room? That canâÂÂt be spot fixed in my opinion, unless the boards affected show a manufacturing problem. Are they narrower in width?...See MoreHardwood floor installation- acceptable gaps
Comments (3)Gaps on hte ends of planks are poor workmanship since the chang ein length is small enough to be insignificant with moisture changes. Gaps between boards on their length could be poor installation, poor milling, or even poor drying. If the wood is dryer than it should be gaps may be needed to allow for the expansion that WILL occur. If the wood is wetter it can be installed tighter since it WILL shrink as it dries. Chapter 3 of the 'Wood Handbook' covers moisture-size variation for wood. Here is a link that might be useful: Wood Handbook, Chapter 3...See MoreGaps in newly installed engineered hardwood floor
Comments (40)Hello to everybody still following along with this! We finally did get the inspection report back - it was a very through, detailed report. To make a long story short, the inspector found issues with everything: installation of the floors/railings/balusters, staining, the flooring product itself, etc. He addressed every concern that we had, and even found additional issues. I shared the inspection report with the flooring company who installed the floors and stairs, and they have agreed to remove and replace everything. Once we gave them the inspection report, the flooring company has been really great about wanting to make everything right, and making sure that we get a really nice floor/staircase/railing system. They assured us that not a single person who worked on our project initially will be working on it this time. In fact, all of the people who originally worked on our project were either let go, or left the company on their own. Since there were also so many issues with the flooring product and the gray color, we actually decided to go with a completely different brand, color, and species of wood. Our next step is to decide on a schedule for the work - so I'm sure it'll be a while until everything is completed. Thank you to everybody who commented on this thread with your ideas, suggestions, and comments!!!...See MoreSmall gaps in new hardwood floor
Comments (14)The individual who needs to verify that the moisture content of the hardwood strip flooring and the subfloor meet the manufacturer's installation guidelines is the installer--not the homeowner. While the interior environment in your home may be controlled, it sounds like you have a vented crawl space. The conditions (temperature and relative humidity) in a vented crawl space can vary depending on the exterior temperature and relative humidity. The equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of your subfloor (and to some extent your hardwood flooring) will also vary as a function of those conditions. The USDA's Forest Products Lab has compiled EMC data by month for various locations in the U.S.: https://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base_images/zp/equilibrium_moisture_content.pdf If you look at the data for Fresno, CA you'll see that the EMC varies by month from a low of 7.8% to a high of 16.6% Trying to get the EMC of your subfloor below the EMC for the given exterior conditions wouldn't do much good if the crawl space is vented. The best case for stable hardwood floors is to maintain relatively constant conditions throughout the year. To this end, I suggest you consult with a local building scientist about the benefits and cost of converting your vented crawl space to a sealed, conditioned crawl space. By keeping the conditions in the crawl closer to those of the conditioned living space, you should have less seasonal movement due to changes in relative humidity....See Moreksc36
5 years agoG & S Floor Service
5 years agolive_wire_oak
5 years agoAdam Thomas
5 years agoMark Bischak, Architect
5 years agoSJ McCarthy
5 years agoOak & Broad
5 years agoMichael Lamb
5 years agoworthy
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoemho23
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agomillworkman
5 years agoksc36
5 years agoemho23
5 years agogthigpen
5 years agoksc36
5 years agoCharles Ross Homes
5 years agoworthy
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoCharles Ross Homes
5 years agoworthy
5 years agoCharles Ross Homes
5 years agovinmarks
5 years ago
Related Stories
HOUSEKEEPINGHow to Clean Hardwood Floors
Gleaming wood floors are a thing of beauty. Find out how to keep them that way
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESTransition Time: How to Connect Tile and Hardwood Floors
Plan ahead to prevent unsightly or unsafe transitions between floor surfaces. Here's what you need to know
Full StoryFLOORSHow to Paint Your Hardwood Floors
Know how to apply nail polish? Then you can give your wooden floors a brand-new look
Full StoryMATERIALSWhat to Ask Before Choosing a Hardwood Floor
We give you the details on cost, installation, wood varieties and more to help you pick the right hardwood flooring
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESContractor Tips: Smooth Moves for Hardwood Floors
Dreaming of gorgeous, natural wood floors? Consider these professional pointers before you lay the first plank
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESYour Floor: An Introduction to Solid-Plank Wood Floors
Get the Pros and Cons of Oak, Ash, Pine, Maple and Solid Bamboo
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNEcofriendly Kitchen: How to Choose Flooring
Conserve natural resources and your long-term finances by choosing kitchen flooring materials with durability and beauty
Full StoryGREAT HOME PROJECTSWhat to Know Before Refinishing Your Floors
Learn costs and other important details about renewing a hardwood floor — and the one mistake you should avoid
Full StoryGREEN BUILDINGZero Net Energy: A Hardworking-House Term to Know
Homes that consume only as much energy as they produce by renewable means are a goal for builders. Learn what ZNE means for you
Full StoryFLOORS6 Alternative Flooring Ideas to Kick Up Your Style
Rubber, cork, concrete and other materials are worthy options in lieu of hardwood or tile
Full Story
A Fox