Hardwood Flooring

[Evan Showell]

Strip red oak 2.25" x 0.75"unfinished flooring I installed and finished four years ago -- that was quite tight -- as in no visible gaps between planks -- is now starting to show some gapping. Strips were blind nailed, sanded and finished, seasoned in the room for about three weeks prior to installation. Heating is forced hot air (w/o humidifier) and there is central air (though little used) in Summer. Proper expansion gaps were left on the perimeter and there is no buckling of the floor. Finish was 3 or 4 coats of Minwax Polycrylic (which I'd not use again -- too soft). House is located in a fairly humid river valley and is 18 years old. May have been some additional minor settling over the last four years as I see some nail pops in sheetrock, but any idea why the floor is starting to open up? Who knows, maybe it'll swell tight in the Summer.

I've got another two floors to install and I'd like to avoid the gapping if possible.

Is this simply inevitable with this type of floor?

For the first three years or so the floor showed no visible gaps.

Input appreciated. Thanks.

[ 03-04-2005, 02:00 PM: Message edited by: Evan Showell ]

[Evan Showell]

Strip red oak 2.25" x 0.75"unfinished flooring I installed and finished four years ago -- that was quite tight -- as in no visible gaps between planks -- is now starting to show some gapping. Strips were blind nailed, sanded and finished, seasoned in the room for about three weeks prior to installation. Heating is forced hot air (w/o humidifier) and there is central air (though little used) in Summer. Proper expansion gaps were left on the perimeter and there is no buckling of the floor. Finish was 3 or 4 coats of Minwax Polycrylic (which I'd not use again -- too soft). House is located in a fairly humid river valley and is 18 years old. May have been some additional minor settling over the last four years as I see some nail pops in sheetrock, but any idea why the floor is starting to open up? Who knows, maybe it'll swell tight in the Summer.

I've got another two floors to install and I'd like to avoid the gapping if possible.

Is this simply inevitable with this type of floor?

For the first three years or so the floor showed no visible gaps.

Input appreciated. Thanks.

[ 03-04-2005, 02:00 PM: Message edited by: Evan Showell ]

[Evan Showell]

Strip red oak 2.25" x 0.75"unfinished flooring I installed and finished four years ago -- that was quite tight -- as in no visible gaps between planks -- is now starting to show some gapping. Strips were blind nailed, sanded and finished, seasoned in the room for about three weeks prior to installation. Heating is forced hot air (w/o humidifier) and there is central air (though little used) in Summer. Proper expansion gaps were left on the perimeter and there is no buckling of the floor. Finish was 3 or 4 coats of Minwax Polycrylic (which I'd not use again -- too soft). House is located in a fairly humid river valley and is 18 years old. May have been some additional minor settling over the last four years as I see some nail pops in sheetrock, but any idea why the floor is starting to open up? Who knows, maybe it'll swell tight in the Summer.

I've got another two floors to install and I'd like to avoid the gapping if possible.

Is this simply inevitable with this type of floor?

For the first three years or so the floor showed no visible gaps.

Input appreciated. Thanks.

[ 03-04-2005, 02:00 PM: Message edited by: Evan Showell ]

[Mrleft8]

It'll swell tight again in the summer. Unless you keep the house at an even, constant humidity and temperature level, you'll get swell/shrink cycles. I'm just surprised it took so long for it to happen. Usually happens the first winter.

[Mrleft8]

It'll swell tight again in the summer. Unless you keep the house at an even, constant humidity and temperature level, you'll get swell/shrink cycles. I'm just surprised it took so long for it to happen. Usually happens the first winter.

[Mrleft8]

It'll swell tight again in the summer. Unless you keep the house at an even, constant humidity and temperature level, you'll get swell/shrink cycles. I'm just surprised it took so long for it to happen. Usually happens the first winter.

[Evan Showell]

Yeah Doug -- I was expecting it a few Winters back, but we originally installed the floor in Feb. with the windows open and heat down trying to get the floor as tight as possible. Don't know if that worked, but the physical labor of using a manual nailer sure kept us warm and the chilly temps kept the pace, as well as the room brisk.

By the way -- Kudos on the Carribean work. I hope it's a phenomenal success.

[Evan Showell]

Yeah Doug -- I was expecting it a few Winters back, but we originally installed the floor in Feb. with the windows open and heat down trying to get the floor as tight as possible. Don't know if that worked, but the physical labor of using a manual nailer sure kept us warm and the chilly temps kept the pace, as well as the room brisk.

By the way -- Kudos on the Carribean work. I hope it's a phenomenal success.

[Evan Showell]

Yeah Doug -- I was expecting it a few Winters back, but we originally installed the floor in Feb. with the windows open and heat down trying to get the floor as tight as possible. Don't know if that worked, but the physical labor of using a manual nailer sure kept us warm and the chilly temps kept the pace, as well as the room brisk.

By the way -- Kudos on the Carribean work. I hope it's a phenomenal success.

[TomF]

Yes, it's inevitable.

One more thing to do to minimize trouble - make sure that you keep your floors really clean! Grit that falls into the cracks will act as little wedges to keep them open, even when summer humidity swells them again.

Tom

[TomF]

Yes, it's inevitable.

One more thing to do to minimize trouble - make sure that you keep your floors really clean! Grit that falls into the cracks will act as little wedges to keep them open, even when summer humidity swells them again.

Tom

[TomF]

Yes, it's inevitable.

One more thing to do to minimize trouble - make sure that you keep your floors really clean! Grit that falls into the cracks will act as little wedges to keep them open, even when summer humidity swells them again.

Tom

[Mrleft8]

Originally posted by Evan Showell:
Yeah Doug -- I was expecting it a few Winters back, but we originally installed the floor in Feb. with the windows open and heat down trying to get the floor as tight as possible. Don't know if that worked, but the physical labor of using a manual nailer sure kept us warm and the chilly temps kept the pace, as well as the room brisk.

By the way -- Kudos on the Carribean work. I hope it's a phenomenal success.Thank you.... I hope it is too.... President Carter has been a HUGE help.

[Mrleft8]

Originally posted by Evan Showell:
Yeah Doug -- I was expecting it a few Winters back, but we originally installed the floor in Feb. with the windows open and heat down trying to get the floor as tight as possible. Don't know if that worked, but the physical labor of using a manual nailer sure kept us warm and the chilly temps kept the pace, as well as the room brisk.

By the way -- Kudos on the Carribean work. I hope it's a phenomenal success.Thank you.... I hope it is too.... President Carter has been a HUGE help.

[Mrleft8]

Originally posted by Evan Showell:
Yeah Doug -- I was expecting it a few Winters back, but we originally installed the floor in Feb. with the windows open and heat down trying to get the floor as tight as possible. Don't know if that worked, but the physical labor of using a manual nailer sure kept us warm and the chilly temps kept the pace, as well as the room brisk.

By the way -- Kudos on the Carribean work. I hope it's a phenomenal success.Thank you.... I hope it is too.... President Carter has been a HUGE help.

[Bob Smalser]

Originally posted by Mrleft8:
It'll swell tight again in the summer. Unless you keep the house at an even, constant humidity and temperature level, you'll get swell/shrink cycles. I'm just surprised it took so long for it to happen. Usually happens the first winter.Plus you want to install flooring at 6% M/C.....it's generally kilned to that or close to it.

As a consequence, never buy flooring that has been stored for any length of time outdoors, as every day outdoors is another day on it's way to 12% M/C.

[Bob Smalser]

Originally posted by Mrleft8:
It'll swell tight again in the summer. Unless you keep the house at an even, constant humidity and temperature level, you'll get swell/shrink cycles. I'm just surprised it took so long for it to happen. Usually happens the first winter.Plus you want to install flooring at 6% M/C.....it's generally kilned to that or close to it.

As a consequence, never buy flooring that has been stored for any length of time outdoors, as every day outdoors is another day on it's way to 12% M/C.

[Bob Smalser]

Originally posted by Mrleft8:
It'll swell tight again in the summer. Unless you keep the house at an even, constant humidity and temperature level, you'll get swell/shrink cycles. I'm just surprised it took so long for it to happen. Usually happens the first winter.Plus you want to install flooring at 6% M/C.....it's generally kilned to that or close to it.

As a consequence, never buy flooring that has been stored for any length of time outdoors, as every day outdoors is another day on it's way to 12% M/C.

[Jack Heinlen]

Relax a bit, is my advice. I've worked with both factory flooring, and "homemade", and they all develope openings over time. Its wood. Even if it was quite dry when laid, it is going to squirm a bit over time. Part of the deal, unless you want to use one of the laminates. I don't like them at all.

A friend in Georgetown, Maine owned an old house that had a beautiful floor of walnut and cherry, with some oak and maple highlights, in the great room. It wasn't at all perfect after 120 years, but god it was pretty. A herringbone pattern for about five feet in from the walls, and the rest laid straight. Lots of slots had opened over the years, but it in no way detracted.

Relax a little Evan. smile.gif

[Jack Heinlen]

Relax a bit, is my advice. I've worked with both factory flooring, and "homemade", and they all develope openings over time. Its wood. Even if it was quite dry when laid, it is going to squirm a bit over time. Part of the deal, unless you want to use one of the laminates. I don't like them at all.

A friend in Georgetown, Maine owned an old house that had a beautiful floor of walnut and cherry, with some oak and maple highlights, in the great room. It wasn't at all perfect after 120 years, but god it was pretty. A herringbone pattern for about five feet in from the walls, and the rest laid straight. Lots of slots had opened over the years, but it in no way detracted.

Relax a little Evan. smile.gif

[Jack Heinlen]

Relax a bit, is my advice. I've worked with both factory flooring, and "homemade", and they all develope openings over time. Its wood. Even if it was quite dry when laid, it is going to squirm a bit over time. Part of the deal, unless you want to use one of the laminates. I don't like them at all.

A friend in Georgetown, Maine owned an old house that had a beautiful floor of walnut and cherry, with some oak and maple highlights, in the great room. It wasn't at all perfect after 120 years, but god it was pretty. A herringbone pattern for about five feet in from the walls, and the rest laid straight. Lots of slots had opened over the years, but it in no way detracted.

Relax a little Evan. smile.gif

[Ken Hutchins]

Heck rake out the seams a bit, tap in some cotton, top it off with some good paying compound and you will have a proper deck. :D

[Ken Hutchins]

Heck rake out the seams a bit, tap in some cotton, top it off with some good paying compound and you will have a proper deck. :D

[Ken Hutchins]

Heck rake out the seams a bit, tap in some cotton, top it off with some good paying compound and you will have a proper deck. :D

[David Tabor (sailordave)]

Been there done that- twice...

In my current house we put down over 2300 ft of 3,4,5" red oak T/G. Middle of August and could only let the wood set in the house with the AC on for a few days before I started nailing; took several days which helped stabilize the wood but bottom line is in the winter I get gaps. Just a factor of wide boards and having moisture when installed.

What probably happened to you was you got it nice and tight in the winter when it was dry and over the past few seasons when it gets humid the wood swells and compresses the fibers ever so slightly and they don't completely swell back out. Repeat the cycle a couple of times and here you are a few years later and the gaps are showing up this winter...
Just my .02 but probably what happened.
It'll look great in July! ;)

[David Tabor (sailordave)]

Been there done that- twice...

In my current house we put down over 2300 ft of 3,4,5" red oak T/G. Middle of August and could only let the wood set in the house with the AC on for a few days before I started nailing; took several days which helped stabilize the wood but bottom line is in the winter I get gaps. Just a factor of wide boards and having moisture when installed.

What probably happened to you was you got it nice and tight in the winter when it was dry and over the past few seasons when it gets humid the wood swells and compresses the fibers ever so slightly and they don't completely swell back out. Repeat the cycle a couple of times and here you are a few years later and the gaps are showing up this winter...
Just my .02 but probably what happened.
It'll look great in July! ;)

[David Tabor (sailordave)]

Been there done that- twice...

In my current house we put down over 2300 ft of 3,4,5" red oak T/G. Middle of August and could only let the wood set in the house with the AC on for a few days before I started nailing; took several days which helped stabilize the wood but bottom line is in the winter I get gaps. Just a factor of wide boards and having moisture when installed.

What probably happened to you was you got it nice and tight in the winter when it was dry and over the past few seasons when it gets humid the wood swells and compresses the fibers ever so slightly and they don't completely swell back out. Repeat the cycle a couple of times and here you are a few years later and the gaps are showing up this winter...
Just my .02 but probably what happened.
It'll look great in July! ;)