Laminate Flooring Expansion Gap

Without the proper expansion space a floor may buckle and gap due to the normal expansion and contraction of the laminate floating floor.

Laminate flooring expansion gap.

Without an expansion gap buckling is a common problem. Temperature and humidity will change in all rooms. This includes walls permanent cabinets pipes etc. If the proper expansion gap is not left during installation and the planks on the sides push up against the wall the pressure will cause planks elsewhere in the room to buckle.

Anytime you install laminate flooring in a bath laundry room or kitchen you should use ac3 rated flooring leave 1 4 in. As a rule the larger the space the larger the expansion gap should be. Expansion gaps are essential in all laminate floor installations. Flooring specialists say that it s a good idea to leave a small gap around the edges of a new laminate floor to allow for natural expansion.

Typically expansion gaps are about 1 4 to 1 2 and are left around all vertical obstructions. It s the same with solid and engineered wood floors. Expert installers say that the larger the space the larger the expansion gap should be as the floor needs more space to expand and contract with temperature. This gap should be at least inch 64 cm wide.

Hen laying laminate flooring it is important to remember to leave a gap around the edge of the room whether it be walls fireplaces doorways or even radiator piping. An expansion gap is essential when it comes to laminate flooring installation. Expansion space must be left around fixed objects such as pipes cabinets fireplace hearths sliding glass door tracks floor outlets floor vents and thresholds. The recommended expansion gap is a minimum of inch.

What size expansion gap is required for laminate flooring. This result is the laminate flooring will expanding and contract as the temperature and humidity change. However the gaps that develop between the boards over time are not desirable.