Engineered Bamboo Flooring Expansion Gap

There is a lot of misinformation on the internet about bamboo flooring.

Engineered bamboo flooring expansion gap.

The expansion space allows the flooring to expand and contract into the gap so that the flooring can move without causing any damage or distortion to the bamboo flooring itself. If you do not have an expansion gap your bamboo floor could start to crack and lift up. Engineered hardwood flooring is designed to minimize gaps due to expansion and contraction of the wood. Finally once the floor has been fitted you will cover gaps with bamboo flooring accessories.

This allows for the planks of bamboo to naturally expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity. Tongue and groove bamboo flooring when nailed down or glued down has no run limit your runs can go on forever better than it sounds o. So while engineered wood flooring withstands temperature and moisture changes much better than solid wood you should still anticipate a small element of expansion and contraction. Expansion gaps are spaces left around the perimeter of rooms against fixed objects such as columns thresholds hearths baseboard and other stationary items built or secured into the framing structure of the home.

Lower quality brands may require weeks. Now she s sharing a few tricks of the trade for anyone embarking on a new bamboo floor installation. In most cases the perimeter expansion gap is related to the thickness of the new flooring. An expansion gap is a term used when fitting wooden flooring.

It is an essential gap that must be left around the edge of the room when fitting hardwood bamboo or laminate flooring. High quality bamboo floor brands can be acclimated in as little as 72 hours. One crucial step is to remember to leave an expansion gap space of at least one half inch around the perimeter of the floor. It is very important to acclimate all wood flooring prior to installation.

Perimeter spacing not only allows for seasonal expansion but also provides airflow. Yes your bamboo floor will need an expansion gap. Yes it can still have gaps. The expansion gap should be around the whole perimeter of the room wherever the flooring may be against fixed objects such as walls doorways radiator pipes and fireplaces.

Even though wood flooring used is no longer living and breathing it still reacts to moisture changes in the environment. Samantha has flooring tips for every product and every installation. 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. Positive airflow reduces the occurrence of side wicking or moisture transference to the flooring materials.

As a result when it comes to installing engineered wood flooring you must leave an expansion gap otherwise you could come up against severe problems in the future. About bamboo flooring expansion and contraction. Engineered click lock bamboo flooring requires to break points at 25 feet across the widths of the planks and at 40 45 feet down the lengths of the planks.