how to cater for wooden floor shrinkage and expansion while laying new floors?

Question

i am laying new wooden floors myself, and am concenced how does one cater for the natural expansion and shrinkage of hard wood floors ?

Answer 1

First off, when you get the flooring, put it in the house where it will have the same amount of humidity as where it will be layed (not necc. the same room, but you get the picture). Leave it there for 2 weeks so it will acclimate to the humidity in the house. Then you are supposed to leave an open edge around the edge of the floor, where the quarter molding will hide it. The manufacturer of the floor should tell you how much space needs to be left (maybe 1/4 or so inches).

Answer 2

Just completed some wooden flooring myself(amateur DIYer) and must admit found it quite easy and was very pleased with the results.Make sure you stagger the joints so it doesnt look odd and dont forget the 6-8mm expansion all round(the expansion gap will incorporate any out-of-squareness you might find).Panels are easy to cut and i managed with a good panel saw although you may need some method of restraining whilst cutting.Floors-to-go have a good range of flooring and accessories both cheap and more expensive but all good quality.It does pay to buy some decent underlay to get the cushion effect underfoot.Good luck!!

Answer 3

Measure your floor from the center! leave 1/2 inch of space on all sides. This is covered by your baseboard.