Laminate Floor Edge Spacing

Installing a floating floor to a flush transition molding can potentially lead to buckling end joint peaking and squeaks later on.

Laminate floor edge spacing.

Do not fasten t molding through the laminate floor or with fasteners against the edge of the laminate floor as this will lock the floor in. Door jambs need to be undercut to allow for expansion space. The recommended expansion gap is a minimum of inch. An expansion gap is essential when it comes to laminate flooring installation.

These days many companies sell special devices designed to make it easier to close small gaps in hardwood and laminate flooring. T molding is most often used when you need a transition piece between a tiled floor and a laminate wood floor. 99 get it tuesday sep 29. The gap will be hidden by the skirting boards.

When a jamb is undercut as poorly as seen in photograph this is an installation related concern. Why is a gap at the walls important. Leave a 1 inch space on the floor to accommodate the base of the t molding strip. Laminate wood flooring installation kit with 30 spacers tapping pull bar and mallet for laminate hardwood floor repair 13 99 13.

The standard width of a t molding strip is 2 inches and the standard height is 5 8 inch. When installing laminate flooring it s important to leave a gap between the panel edges and all walls. Purchase a floor gap fixer tool. Your laminate floor will flex up and down adjusting to your uneven sub floor and the end effect will be damaged locking system micro gaps between boards and poor floor performance.

Sub floors are typically concrete or cement and develop weaknesses over time. These most often take the form of small heavy rectangular blocks. Most laminate flooring manufacturers provide quarter inch plastic spacers as. For step installations where the floating floor is glued down to the existing treads flush stair nosing if available can be used.

Ideal situation is when you can check your sub floor quality before laminate flooring purchase and then make adequate decision. This space will allow room for the flooring to expand and contract with changes in humidity. The base of the t shape can range from 1 2 inch to 3 4 inches wide. If you place laminate flooring on a weak or uneven sub floor the new floor will be compromised and eventually buckle damage the laminate locking system creak or create micro gaps in the new floor.

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.