Hello everyone,
Since I’m new here, I’m hoping for your helpful advice. We recently built a new house and planned to do the interior finishing ourselves. So far, it has gone quite well. However, I made a big mistake when installing the flooring. In the dining and living areas, there is an expansion joint, and a friend suggested that I simply lay the flooring over it. He said it looks better and saves me from having to make cuts. He did the same in his own home. Well, I thought he was right (otherwise, I had carefully observed all spacing requirements). Unfortunately, this had serious consequences. Now that the kitchen and the rest of the furniture are in place, the floor is warping exactly where the joint is. Not drastically, but it’s noticeable. I didn’t really notice it at first, or it wasn’t very visible. But it was definitely too late! Since the flooring is already installed throughout the entire room, I’m reluctant to tear it all out again. I thought I could cut the floor right where the expansion joint runs, maybe using a multi-tool or something similar. The problem is, I’m not exactly sure where the expansion joint is located. Maybe you have some ideas or solutions on the best way to approach this? I’m really frustrated with myself. And sorry for the long message... Thanks so much in advance.
Best regards, David
Since I’m new here, I’m hoping for your helpful advice. We recently built a new house and planned to do the interior finishing ourselves. So far, it has gone quite well. However, I made a big mistake when installing the flooring. In the dining and living areas, there is an expansion joint, and a friend suggested that I simply lay the flooring over it. He said it looks better and saves me from having to make cuts. He did the same in his own home. Well, I thought he was right (otherwise, I had carefully observed all spacing requirements). Unfortunately, this had serious consequences. Now that the kitchen and the rest of the furniture are in place, the floor is warping exactly where the joint is. Not drastically, but it’s noticeable. I didn’t really notice it at first, or it wasn’t very visible. But it was definitely too late! Since the flooring is already installed throughout the entire room, I’m reluctant to tear it all out again. I thought I could cut the floor right where the expansion joint runs, maybe using a multi-tool or something similar. The problem is, I’m not exactly sure where the expansion joint is located. Maybe you have some ideas or solutions on the best way to approach this? I’m really frustrated with myself. And sorry for the long message... Thanks so much in advance.
Best regards, David
Oh man, I really don’t know what to do now. Should I take the risk and cut it open, even though that might make it look worse, or just leave it as it is because it won’t change anyway and live with it… I also thought about placing a really heavy object there so that over time it gets pressed down by itself.
M
motorradsilke29 Apr 2023 15:27Pacmansh schrieb:
If it is really installed as a floating floor (click vinyl), then I would suspect the problem there. In my opinion, vinyl in the kitchen is only acceptable if it is glued down. You have fully fixed the floating flooring in the direction of the kitchen with no possibility for expansion.However, you would have the same "problem" with any floating installation in a room. In the bedroom, you have heavy wardrobes standing on it. In the living room, maybe heavy cabinets as well.We don’t have vinyl but installed floating hardwood flooring, including in the kitchen, and have had no issues.
motorradsilke schrieb:
You actually have that "problem" with any floating floor installation in a room. In the bedroom, you have heavy wardrobes standing on it.Of course, I would think it simply depends on how many meters of flooring there are and how much sunlight/expansion there is.X
xMisterDx6 May 2023 22:08You are completely underestimating the force exerted by thermal expansion. The vinyl flooring is not affected by the 250kg/m² (51.2 lb/ft²) load on it; it expands and contracts as it pleases.