Are Gaps In Hardwood Floors Normal

Failing to install the first board perfectly straight in a hardwood flooring installation.

Are gaps in hardwood floors normal.

Engineered hardwood flooring is designed to minimize gaps due to expansion and contraction of the wood. Yes it can still have gaps. Expansion and contractions causes hardwood floor gaps. The best times to repair hardwood floors are april and october.

Gaps in hardwood floors can be a huge visual annoyance. Again if the floor expands so that gaps disappear during the humid non heating season they should be considered normal. Hardwood gaps are generally caused by one of a few installation errors. Hardwood takes on and loses moisture as the temperatures and the humidity rises and falls.

For larger gaps that don t close up call in a professional contractor who can repair floors properly. How floorboard gaps develop. Not only are they an eyesore they can also collect dirt and dust. Gapping in engineered hardwood can be due to many factors including but not limited to the material s manufacturing changes in humidity and the type and quality of the installation.

Abnormal gaps large gaps in wood floors that do not close up in more humid months can be caused by job site conditions handling and storage or manufacturing variables. Over time wood flooring has a tendency to shrink. It may take years for gaps to show up in your hardwood floors. Failing to keep boards straight when working.

Adding filler is not a good idea. Slight gaps are normal but if the gap is wide enough to fit the end of a nickel into repairs are necessary. For normal gaps no repairs are needed. Improperly acclimating the hardwoods prior to installation.

It will get pushed out as the wood expands with moisture. Whether your floors are newly installed or you ve had hardwood floors for years you can use humidifiers to reduce the likelihood of gaps.