HOW TO HANDLE GAPS IN ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORS

1. Causes of Gaps in Engineered Wood Floors

Gaps in wood floors reduce aesthetics and allow dust to accumulate, creating a conducive environment for mold and bacteria to grow. In high humidity, water can easily settle and seep into the floor through these gaps, leading to faster deterioration. The main causes of gaps in engineered wood floors include:

• Improper Installation: Incorrect installation is the most common cause. Installers may be careless or miscalculate the expansion gaps, resulting in boards not fitting tightly together, leaving too many gaps. When the wood contracts during use, gaps appear.

• Sudden Weather Changes: Rapid and prolonged weather changes, such as a significant drop in temperature, cause the wood to contract. As the wood contracts, gaps form between the joints. Wood is a material that expands and contracts with the weather, so this is understandable.

• Low-Quality Wood: Poor-quality engineered wood is another important cause. Unreliable locking mechanisms can cause joints to shift under external pressure. For cheap engineered wood floors, the locking mechanisms are often simply designed, leading to frequent gaps.

2. Potential Dangers of Gaps in Wood Floors

Gaps in engineered wood floors not only reduce aesthetics but also bring many inconveniences and risks:

• Accident Risk: Exposed and raised edges from gaps can cause tripping and scratching when moving around, especially dangerous for children and the elderly.

• Water Infiltration and Mold: Gaps allow water to seep into the subfloor, leading to mold if prolonged. Mold not only damages the floor but also affects health, especially for families with young children.

• Dust Accumulation: Dust easily accumulates in gaps and is hard to clean, creating a favorable environment for bacteria to develop. While it may not be immediately visible, the negative impact on health cannot be ignored.

3. How to Handle Gaps in Engineered Wood Floors

When gaps appear in engineered wood floors, it not only affects aesthetics but also poses many risks. Here are effective and easy-to-understand ways to address this issue:

Choose Quality Engineered Wood: Invest in high-quality engineered wood with patented locking mechanisms. Good-quality wood reduces the risk of expansion and contraction during use.

Hire Skilled Installation Teams: Skilled installers can accurately calculate the expansion of engineered wood. A reasonable gap for natural expansion is crucial to avoid gaps.

Handling Existing Gaps:

• Disassemble and Reinstall Properly: For small gaps, you can use baby powder to fill the gaps. For larger gaps, disassemble and reinstall correctly. Do not cover gaps temporarily as this only hides the problem. Ensure careful placement of the underlay to prevent moisture and provide protection.
• Contact Repair Teams: To identify the cause and the best solution, contact professional repair teams.

Recalculate Expansion Gaps:

• Reasonable Gaps: The expansion gap between the wall and the floor should be recalculated. Typically, this gap should be 15mm but may vary depending on the product type and floor structure.

• High Expertise Teams: Skilled installation teams ensure accurate installation.

Adjust Temperature Appropriately:

• Maintain Stable Temperature: The ideal indoor temperature is between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius. Large temperature differences between indoor and outdoor can cause contraction and warping of the wood floor.

• Use Plants and Air Conditioners: Place plants indoors or use air conditioners to regulate temperature, helping prevent gaps in the wood floor.

4. Choosing a Reliable Supplier and Installer for Engineered Wood Floors

Overall, it's challenging to make gapped wood floors seamless again. For gapped boards, the best solution is to replace them completely. There are many companies on the market that supply and install engineered wood floors. However, finding a reliable place can be quite difficult. To save time, consumers can refer to the Timber Villa distribution system for the best warranty and customer benefits.

Timber Villa is one of the reputable companies of wood floors at competitive costs. With a professional, enthusiastic, and attentive installation team, they ensure customer satisfaction. Timber Villa has many years of experience in various projects such as business offices, hotels, restaurants, cafes, apartments, hospitals, shopping centers, etc. If you need quick, quality, and affordable engineered wood floor installation, contact Timber Villa for the most professional service.

VILLA TIMBER FLOORING & RENOVATION PTY LTD (AUSTRALIA)

Tel: (03) 9191 9898

Mobile: 0434 331 642 (Quang) - 0422 879 868 (Vinh Pham)

Email: inquiry@timbervilla.au

Address: 298 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills, VIC 3127

VILA WOODEN FURNITURE JOINT STOCK COMPANY (VIET NAM)

Address: 133 Nguyen Nhan, Hoa Tho Dong Ward, Cam Le District, Da Nang City, Vietnam

Hotline: 0905 612 637

Tax: 0401929279

Email: inquiry@timbervilla.au