Solid hardwood flooring is best fitted over a wood subflooring materials as it's frequently nailed or perhaps stapled to the subsurface. Pre-finished hardwoods are factory completed device, which means there's no on-site finishing as well as sanding. The nail down strategy of installing hardwood floors has grown to be extremely popular. Among the very best do it yourself hardwood floors is the floating hardwood floor.
Images about Hardwood Floor Expansion Joint
Some hardwood varieties are available in healthy purple or perhaps grey colored, and you've got to look out for these. With good care as well as maintenance, the hardwood floors of ours are going to retain their beauty for a long time. The latter has the advantage of possible cost negotiations and typically offering samples which are free. Do not attempt some renovation work on your flooring if you do not have the necessary expertise and experience.
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If you are buying flooring surfaces from a business and having your own personal contractor install the flooring you want to ensure your installer is a pro. If you choose hardwood in yellow or red, be sure that they complement the styles of fixtures which are already mounted in your house. These will dig into the wood if left unprotected.
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What is a Hardwood Floor Expansion Joint?
A hardwood floor expansion joint is an essential part of any hardwood floor. It is designed to accommodate the natural expansion and contraction of hardwood flooring due to changes in temperature and humidity. Expansion joints are necessary to ensure that the flooring remains securely in place, without creating gaps or buckling. This article will discuss what an expansion joint is, why it is necessary, and how to properly install one.
Why Are Expansion Joints Necessary?
Hardwood floors expand and contract depending on the climate in which they are installed. In areas with high humidity, the wood absorbs moisture which causes it to expand. Conversely, in dry climates, the wood contracts as it loses moisture. This movement can cause gaps or buckling if not properly mitigated by an expansion joint. An expansion joint provides a space for the wood to expand into without causing damage to the flooring or surrounding walls and structures.
How to Install Hardwood Floor Expansion Joints
Installing an expansion joint is relatively simple but requires precision and accuracy. The first step is to measure the room where the floor will be installed and calculate the total amount of movement expected in the wood due to changes in temperature and humidity. This will determine the size of the expansion joint needed. Then, it’s time to mark out where the expansion joint should go – usually along walls or other structures such as staircases and doorways. A chalk line or straight edge should be used to ensure accurate measurements and placement of the joint.
Once the location has been marked out, it’s time to cut out an opening for the expansion joint using a circular saw or reciprocating saw. The opening should be slightly wider than the total anticipated movement of the wood so that it has room to move without creating pressure against walls or other structures. Finally, a flexible foam material can be inserted into the opening to fill any gaps between boards. This material should be more flexible than traditional expanding foam insulation as it needs to account for additional movement in extreme climates.
FAQs about Hardwood Floor Expansion Joints
Q: How often do I need to replace my hardwood floor expansion joint?
A: Unless there has been significant wear or damage, there is no need to replace your expansion joint unless you are changing out your hardwood flooring completely. If you do need to replace your existing joint, make sure that you measure accurately so that your new joint can accommodate any anticipated movement of your new flooring material.
Q: Can I use regular expanding foam insulation instead of flexible foam for my expansion joint?
A: No – while regular expanding foam insulation may seem like a cost-effective solution, it does not have enough flexibility for use in hardwood flooring expansion joints as it cannot adequately account for extreme climate conditions that could cause additional movement in your flooring material.
Q: What happens if I don’t install an expansion joint?
A: Without an appropriate expansion joint installed, gaps or buckling could occur when hardwood floors expand and contract due to changes in temperature and humidity levels which could cause long-term damage and instability in your flooring material over time.