Don't use cork strips to fill your expansion gaps!

Some issues keep recurring: cork strips among them.

A few days ago we received the following email:

"I realise the importance of leaving an expansion gap around a wooden floor (oak parquet in my case) but can you tell me why we are told to insert cork strips around the edge? Surely the cork is only taking up valuable expansion room. Is it ok to  just leave a 10mm gap all around?"

This was our (recurring) answer on this subject:

Thank you for your question. We are trying so hard do tell everyone exactly that: DON'T use cork strips to fill the expansion gap.

These were used many, many years ago to divide design parquet pattern and the block border and somehow ended up in the expansion gap.

So, you are absolutely right. Leave your expansion gap 'empty' to cater for any natural seasonal movement of your wood floor."

The reply:

Many thanks, it's nice to be right for once!

Of course he was right, we still don't understand how the old-fashion cork divider strip ended up as recommendation to fill your expansion gaps.
More on the importance of empty expansion gaps you can read here.

Looking for more tips and tricks of the trade to install your own natural wooden floor like a pro? Look no further than the "Wooden Floor Installation Manual"

Comments

[Gordon Eames]

Should i leave a gap along the fireplace stone harth wont this look odd ? or will this one section not realy affect the expansion process.
Also Im torn between startng at the harth as this would be a focal point or what would effectively the middle of the room as room is uneven all round,O im fitting click system
Gordon

[Karin H.]

Hi Gordon

Thank you for your email.You'll have to keep expansion gaps all around the perimeter of the floor, including along the fireplace.
Various solutions to cover this gap there: either flat beading or an End-threshold (depending on the height of the wooden floor). See here for details and images

Starting in front of the fireplace is a very good idea, you'll have a full width boards there then, always looks better.

Hope this helps

Kind Regards
Wood You Like Ltd

[Claire Greenway]

Hello,

How would you recommend 'filling' the expansion gap around the perimeter of a room laid with engineered board where there is NO skirting present (and lots of angles and curves and wobbles to the wall. Old tudor house, skirting not present or appropriate for the style of house). At present plastered down to concrete floor.

Do any kind of flexible cork-type/neoprene(?) strips exist? (I've read your info re: 'do not use cork strips' relevent to skirting boarded houses).
And Scotia's out as it would look naff.

The floor may be floating or glued down - we get differing advice from different fitters.

Thanks for your time, Claire

[Karin H.]

Hi Claire

Thank you for your question. Never fill your expansion gap, it's there really for the best of reasons. I can understand the aesthetic aspects you're experiencing, but using cork in the gaps will render them useless at once.
Instead of scotias, have you considered using flat beading

Hope this helps

Kind Regards
Wood You Like Ltd