Does hardwood flooring need an expansion gap?

Author: Mrs. Kendra Roob  |  Last update: Tuesday, December 30, 2025

There is no tremendous difference between species, so no matter what type of hardwood it is, a 1/2 inch expansion gap around the room should suffice for any solid hardwood floor.

What flooring does not need an expansion gap?

Brecon is a very popular choice for bathroom and/or kitchen flooring as it usually needs no expansion gaps, is fully waterproof flooring, and comes with a built-in underlay, so installation can be quick and efficient.

When would an expansion joint be required on hardwood flooring?

With lengths of more than 10 m and widths of more than 8 m, there should be an intermediate expansion joint. It is also recommended to foresee expansion joints under the doors between rooms to separate the rooms.

How much gap to leave for wood expansion?

An expansion gap is a small space left around the perimeter of the room. For hardwood floors it is recommended that a gap of at least 12mm is left around the entire edge of the room, including all doorways, fireplaces, and around any pipework.

What happens if you don't leave an expansion gap?

If you have bigger fluctuations in your home between summer and winter, you may wish to leave a bigger gap. If you don't leave an expansion gap your boards won't have anywhere to move during these more humid times. Ultimately, without an expansion gap you run this risk of boards popping and your wood floor lifting.

3 Methods for How To Install Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Is an expansion gap necessary?

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.

What happens if you don't have gap coverage?

Your collision coverage would pay your lender up to the totaled car's depreciated value — say it's worth $19,000. If you don't have gap insurance, you would have to pay $1,000 out of your own pocket to settle your auto loan on the totaled car.

Does hardwood need expansion gap?

There is no tremendous difference between species, so no matter what type of hardwood it is, a 1/2 inch expansion gap around the room should suffice for any solid hardwood floor.

What is the difference between 1 2 inch and 3 4 inch hardwood flooring?

There is very little difference in cost between 1/2″ thick and 3/4″ thick because you start with the same raw material when you make the flooring. So making a floor 1/2″ thick actually produces more waste than making a floor that is 3/4″ thick. Engineered flooring also comes in a variety of thicknesses.

Are gaps in hardwood floors normal?

Gaps in wooden floors are normal and occur when wood loses its moisture content. Some floors have deliberate gaps for preferred aged aesthetics such as a rustic look chevron floor. Wood expands and contracts when it absorbs or releases moisture. This natural movement exists in all wooden floors.

Does the wood floor expand in summer or winter?

In the humid summer months hardwood floors tend to swell therefore making squeaks less noticeable. You may also notice your doors are not closing quite as easily and the gaps you noticed in your floorboards over the dry winter months have most likely closed.

At what distance is expansion joint required?

Expansion joints in walls at 30 m maximum intervals. (If the walls are panel walls between columns at not more than 9 m centres no joints are necessary.) Control joints over centre of openings may be given at half the spacing of expansion joints.

Does subfloor need expansion joints?

Yes, we always recommend an expansion joint of 5 mm on all sides so that your floor can expand and shrink as the temperature changes.

What is the expansion gap for tongue and groove flooring?

As with other fitting method, you should keep an expansion gap of 15mm around the edges to allow the floor to expand naturally in the face of temperature and humidity fluctuation. Moreover, the tongue and groove system provides some flexibility in installation methods.

Does LVT really need an expansion gap?

Does LVT really need expansion gap? Even though LVT is less reactive to temperature changes and moisture than real wood flooring or laminate, it can still expand and contract so an expansion gap is still required. The recommended expansion gap for standard rooms of up to 30m2 is a minimum gap of 2mm.

What is the perimeter expansion gap for flooring?

For smaller areas such as 10' x 12' rooms, leaving 3/8" expansion would be satisfactory. However, getting into larger layouts over a few thousand square feet it would be wise to stay within the age old guideline of at least 3/4" on the perimeter.

Can you lay hardwood directly on a subfloor?

Most engineered flooring can be installed using staples, full spread adhesive or a floating method over an approved subfloor. Make sure you have a sturdy subfloor: 3/4-inch CDX plywood is preferred and 3/4-inch OSB is acceptable.

What is the most popular hardwood floor size?

Standard boards today are generally four to five inches. But wide boards from seven to even 24 inches have become stand fare. It's interesting to note that engineered hardwood flooring often uses wider planks in its construction.

Do you need underlayment for 3 4 hardwood?

While underlayment isn't always necessary for your hardwood floors, there are always benefits to it. One of the most significant reasons to install underlayment is the added stability and durability.

What is the expansion gap for wood?

1.0 – 1.5 mm expansion / contraction per linear meter across the grains. There must therefore be an expansion gap all around the room, including at radiator pipes etc., of minimum 12 mm (1/2”).

What is the spacing for hardwood flooring?

As a rule of thumb, try to keep six inches between the seams of adjacent rows. If you install wood planks wider than five inches, you should increase that gap to at least eight to ten inches. This will help create a clear distinction between planks and avoid obvious and unwanted patterns.

What is the expansion gap for Bruce hardwood floors?

Accommodate natural expansion and contraction with a minimum expansion space of 3/4” around all vertical obstructions.

Is gap coverage worth it?

Yes, it's worth it for many people since it offers peace of mind and protects against major financial loss. This is especially helpful soon after buying your vehicle because, at that time, you might owe thousands more than its value if it gets totaled.

Can gap insurance be added later?

You can typically add gap coverage to an existing car insurance policy or a new policy, as long as your loan or lease hasn't been paid off. Buying gap insurance from an insurance company may be less expensive, and you won't pay interest on your coverage.

Who needs stop gap coverage?

When do I need to be aware of stop gap coverage? If you are a business owner in a state that does not offer employers liability insurance, you need to be aware of stop gap coverage. For example, if you live in North Dakota, which does not have liability insurance, you will want to purchase gap coverage.

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