Hardwood flooring adds a touch of beauty and warmth to your space. But with time you may notice some gaps coming between the boards which disrupt the even and seamless surface. These gaps reduce the visual allure and influence the floor’s structural integrity, but they can sometimes also lead to injuries. No matter how big or small, the spaces between your floorboards bring many problems. Therefore, it is essential to understand the causes of gapping in hardwood flooring to avoid it.

So, here we will explore some common causes behind it, let’s start.

1. Temperature and Moisture level Fluctuations: Hardwood is 100 % natural material, so it is prone to expansion and contraction in response to moisture and temperature changes. Generally, wooden floors absorb the moisture from the air and tend to expand due to high temperatures along with high moisture content in the air. When the temperature goes down and air becomes less humid, the wooden floors contract in response. However, the top hardwood flooring store in San Jose provides engineered wood floors that are specifically designed to offer stability in any climate change. These experts help you choose the best hardwood that goes well with the environment where you are installing it.
2. Acclimation of Hardwood Floor: Sometimes, poor acclimation can lead to gaps in hardwood flooring. Acclimation is a major factor in hardwood flooring installation, which focuses on preparing the floor to adapt to specific environmental conditions. It includes conditioning the moisture content of the wood, so it can align with the room temperature where you want to install it. If your hardwood is not acclimated before installation, the flooring may adjust according to changing moisture and temperature changes after installation which may lead to gaps. So, it is advisable to follow the instructions of your hardwood flooring store in San Jose and their guidelines for acclimation.
3. Improper Installation: Incorrect installation techniques like not leaving proper expansion gaps around the perimeter or between floorboards can be the reasons for gaps over time. You should choose the right boards and ensure they are acclimated. You can take the help of professional flooring installers and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
4. Subfloor Issues: Uneven or unstable subfloors can make hardwood flooring shift and result in gaps. So, it is important to ensure your subfloor is even and stable before installing hardwood flooring. It includes deeply checking the subfloor for irregularities or any other structural problems. You can correct minute unevenness by self-leveling compounds and major irregularities can be treated by adding an extra layer of plywood for stability. Also, you should pay attention to any moisture that can lead to subfloor instability. You can take the help of a professional installer and minimize the risks of gaps by properly planning the subfloor.

Choose the Best

Above are some top reasons that cause hardwood flooring gaps and you can avoid them by taking proactive steps at an early stage. Hardwood floors add beauty to your space and maintaining them is important so they can last longer. You should prepare in advance and resolve these issues before the installation process starts. If you are looking to install a new floor, visit our laminate flooring store in San Jose, we are a go-to choice for top floor covering solutions. We at Abbey Carpet & Hardwood are a full-service retailer and offer a premium range of high-quality flooring options from leading brands including, Shaw, Mohawk, Pergo, WilsonArt, Mannington, Congoleum and many more. We also offer at-home services to help you choose the best option.