Each piece may only move a little but that adds up over the width of an entire room.
Cork flooring expansion gap.
The term expansion gap when used in conjunction with wood flooring refers to the space left around the edges of a room when a floor is fitted.
Even though wood flooring used is no longer living and breathing it still reacts to moisture changes in the environment.
Normally a space of between 10 and 15mm it s not a huge amount of space but it s enough to help prevent problems with wood flooring when it expands and contracts.
The cork is used to fill it as this material isn t only an aesthetic finish on the floor but also plays a very important roll it absorbs all stresses related to floor work.
This cumulative effect requires you to leave a 1 2 inch space around the perimeter of the flooring.
And like all natural materials cork expands and contracts with changes in weather.
Vitrex cork expansion strips 0 6m x 12 5mm 18 pack questions page 2.
These cork expansion strips are ideal for filling expansion gaps around all types of flooring including laminate engineered and solid wood.
Expansion gaps are spaces left around the perimeter of rooms against fixed objects such as columns thresholds hearths baseboard and other stationary items built or secured into the framing structure of the home.
The cork expansion strips compensate for the work of the floor and provide strain relief in places where there may be warping and deformation of the surface.
These must be used around the perimeter of the room where the boards or tiles are laid to control the natural movement of the flooring.