Are Gaps In Hardwood Floors Normal

Gaps in hardwood floors can be a huge visual annoyance.

Are gaps in hardwood floors normal.

It may take years for gaps to show up in your hardwood floors. But to answer a common question. How floorboard gaps develop. For normal gaps no repairs are needed.

It will get pushed out as the wood expands with moisture. Not only are they an eyesore they can also collect dirt and dust. Expansion and contractions causes hardwood floor gaps. Again if the floor expands so that gaps disappear during the humid non heating season they should be considered normal.

Whether your floors are newly installed or you ve had hardwood floors for years you can use humidifiers to reduce the likelihood of gaps. Improperly acclimating the hardwoods prior to 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.

Engineered hardwood flooring is designed to minimize gaps due to expansion and contraction of the wood. Hardwood gaps are generally caused by one of a few installation errors. Yes it can still have gaps. 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. The shrinkage causes gaps in the flooring especially in older homes. Here s our guide on how to fix gaps in hardwood flooring. The best times to repair hardwood floors are april and october.

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. Failing to keep boards straight when working.