Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I am in the process of installing unfinished red oak hardwood. I noticed many end to end gaps during installation. Most are as thick as a post card a few as thick as dime. My installer tells me that these gaps can be filled later on by using wood putty before finishing and staining. I wish to hear your opinion on this.
Well, you might want to ask the installer what the moisture content readings were of the subfloor and hardwood at the time of installation. Also was the HVAC system functioning and was all the wet work done?
I think, normally there should be no gaps.
Does that mean he isn't an actual flooring contractor?
Both the people in the floor store (the middle man) and the installer (the guy who's actually installing, sanding..etc) are telling me that they can be filled with wood putty later on.
I just want to know whether it is a good practice. This is NOT side-to-side gap, this is end-to-end gap and the two edges of the gaps are parallel so this may not be a "out of square" issue. It just seems to me that they are doing work too fast leaving the gaps.
Well, you might want to ask the installer what the moisture content readings were of the subfloor and hardwood at the time of installation. Also was the HVAC system functioning and was all the wet work done?
I think, normally there should be no gaps.
This is end-to-end gap, instead of side-to-side gap, and they are still installing, the work has not been completed yet. It just seems to me that they are trying to speed up the installation and neglected many details and just hope to save them later on by using putty.
I am not sure about the long term consequence of wood putty, if they last long and they look good, I don't mind.
Wood expands and contracts across the grain, which is why there needs to be a gap at the walls (that is covered by the molding). Movement parallel to the grain is very insignificant, so there's no reason to have gaps between the ends. They should be butted tightly together.
The good news is any filler at the ends will probably last for a long time due to the lack of movement. The bad news is your installer doesn't know what they're doing. I'd make them fix it.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
