Laminate flooring and no expansion gap.

maokun

Hi.

I bought Quickstep laminate floor and asked builder to install in my apartment.

I didn't want to put any door bars under doors so I asked them to install entire floor as one piece. (living, 2 bedrooms, hall)

on the day 2 men came and it took them 2 days to finish the job.

just before they fitted beading, I noticed they didn't leave almost any expansion gap in most of places.(0mm to 2mm)

I asked why they didn't leave any gaps and their answer was because this is laminate, not real wood it won't expand as real wood. hence I have nothing to worry about.

They didn't even cut under door frames, instead they cut laminate flooring exactly the same shape as door frames.(no gap there at all)

I know that all laminate flooring need expansion gap of 1/4 inch. so I'm a bit worried about it.

Do you think I will have floor lifting up problem later?
Is there any chance my floor would be OK without expansion gap?

I need your opinions.

Thank you.

ormus

very unlikely. ive seen a floor fitted without a gap. it lifted within 3 months.
what a mess.

aahbarnes

I've seen laminate flooring buckle too, definately need a gap. They should have cut the bottom off the architraves and slid it underneath.

weekendwarrior

When you get an hot day the laminate will expand and lift. I have seen poorly fitted laminate without an expansion gap and it lifted by a few mm on a hot day.

maokun

Thank you all for the reply.

I think I'm going to take all beading out and cut all the laminate flooring edges to give enough space to expand before it starts lifting up.

Thank you.

booty40uk

Why are you doing it yourself. Call the builder and get them back to finish the properly like they should have done in the first place.