Floor Separation

[highup]

Solid wood transitions are usually fairly thick so depending what they transition to can sometimes be annoying. Do they transition to another hard surface or carpet?

 

[highup]

I wouldn't expect the staples to come loose if they went into plywood, but OSB and particle board don't hold staples as well.

 

[khq0660]

All of the doorways transition into the same hardwood. He wants to cut into the wood at all of the doorways and install transition pieces. I'll see if I can find out what material the subfloor is made of. The hardwood definitely has give to it if I stand and rock in the bad places, so something funny is going on there.

 

[highup]

So it already flows through the doorways and looks good as is?

 

[khq0660]

Yes, it flows through all of the doorways. It would look good if I didn't have that area of separation that is spreading along a straight line across the floor of one room and then into the hallway.

I heard back from the inspector who looked at the floor for me when the first installer didn't glue the edges together. I'm waiting to hear from again about whether he will come advise me again.

By the way, I've had this same hardwood downstairs for several years. There is one small area of slight separation and a small amount of warping right next to a couple of windows, but you have to look hard to find them. Downstairs it is floated over a slab.

 

[highup]

If he comes, ask his advice about the transitions. The can be put in later if a problem ever begins to surface.

 

[khq0660]

Nobody has done any work on the floor because of the Covid quarantines, but, interestingly enough, the gaps are starting to close on their own. Hard to believe that gaps that big could just close up, but they seem to be.

 

[highup]

...or you are beginning to like them.
Maybe humidity changes this time of year?
Thanks for keeping us informed.

 

[khq0660]

Maybe I'm getting used to the gaps and the thought of having to re-install even part of that floor for a third time makes me like the idea of leaving the gaps even more.

 

[highup]

Might be best thing to do. It's different if your spare change or your cat gets lost in em all the time.