Wood Floor Expansion Joint
In most cases the perimeter expansion gap is related to the thickness of the new flooring.
Wood floor expansion joint. Expansion joints for hardwood install. Normally a space of between 10 and 15mm it s not a huge amount of space but it s enough to help prevent problems with wood flooring when it expands and contracts. Perimeter expansion gap or spacing.
Expansion takes place and the hardwood grows for lack of a clearer term across the grain or width of the plank see below not all will react this way. The joint is covered by the baseplate and toe molding consult the manufacturer s and designer s specifications for expansion joint placement. Allow this normalâ movement in all installations by providing the recommended side or perimeter expansion gap or spacing per product.
Solid wood as the name suggests is made from one single piece of wood and is highly susceptible to expansion and contraction due to atmospheric changes. From the american wood council. Wood is a completely natural product and as such when it heats up and cools down and when it takes in and lets out moisture it expands and contracts.
I purchased 1400 sf of 5 wide 3 4 thick brazilian koa from the tulsa ll store to install over a wood sub floor. Conversely when air moisture levels decrease moisture content evaporates shrinkage occurs. That way the expansion travels evenly in both directions.
Although engineered wood flooring is made from a combination of plywood and a solid oak lamella or top layer it still suffers some expansion and contraction with atmospheric fluctuations. It is understood that wood flooring will expand and contract in relation to the in door humidity and temperature levels. Jointmaster floor expansion joint covers feature minimal sight lines and high load ratings for both thermal and seismic applications learn more and request a quote today.
Do i need expansion joints in the center of my hardwood installation. An expansion joint of at least one half inch must be provided at the edge of flooring strips adjacent to parallel partitions and exterior walls. Bob i got your name from the ll chat help line.