Gap between laminate and skirting drafty

mark1231

Hi all ,

I've got a slight gap between the laminate and skirting . It seems to be letting in a bit of a draft . Was wondering what I could do ? I've seen from b&q an expanding foam strip or would anyone use a white sealant.

Thanks.

Jeepers_Creepers

Don't use any sealant - the laminate needs to be able to float in and out under the skirting as it expands and contracts.

Yes, foam strip is a good call, but don't expose the sticky side or you'll never get it in there! You may have to trim it down lengthways to make a smaller strip, one that can be pushed in to the gap using, say, a filling knife.

mark1231

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Don't use any sealant - the laminate needs to be able to float in and out under the skirting as it expands and contracts.

Yes, foam strip is a good call, but don't expose the sticky side or you'll never get it in there! You may have to trim it down lengthways to make a smaller strip, one that can be pushed in to the gap using, say, a filling knife.

Well white sealant will alot the laminate to move with it and wouldn't restrict it . I'll have a look at the expanding foam strip in b&q and see how it is . 

grumbler

mark1231 said:

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Don't use any sealant - the laminate needs to be able to float in and out under the skirting as it expands and contracts.

Yes, foam strip is a good call, but don't expose the sticky side or you'll never get it in there! You may have to trim it down lengthways to make a smaller strip, one that can be pushed in to the gap using, say, a filling knife.

Well white sealant will alot the laminate to move with it

What do you call 'white sealant"?

For silicone I can suggest you a trick. Put a sheet of paper into the gap, then fill the gap between the paper and the skirting board. After silicon sets, cut the the paper along the board with a sharp blade. This trick works well for any joints that can move and not only with silicone.

Jeepers_Creepers

Most sealants will certainly have some flexibility in it, but it's surprisingly tough and restrictive especially when it's used over a long length. Laminate flooring needs to be able to move at will, or else you run the risk of it either buckling or having its joints pulled apart - or even both at different times of the year.

It's a risk I wouldn't take. I have done this exact job a few months back - I think what I used was cut strips of the leftover underlay. This was a padded plastic sheet around 3mm thick but squishy, so was able to be pushed in and wasn't visible once in place.

tacpot12

There is also this product that would work well in this situation: StopGap Floorboard Draught Excluder - Brown: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

MovingForwards

https://www.screwfix.com/p/stormguard-self-adhesive-brush-pile-weatherstrip-white-5m-3-pack/30322

I've used something like the above on mine.

Jeepers_Creepers

It would have to be squishy right down to a mm and below.

McKneff

We have quarter round beading on ours. Never had a problem

Novice_investor101

I just shove some strips of cloth in mine over winter & then take them out again in the summer to act as a bit of airflow down into & out of the cellar. 

I do only have a tiny gap of about 1.5 metres to deal with though. 

Tippytoes

Quadrant.  Properly fitted, finishes the job nicely.  Half the price of other DIY stores at Screwfix.