Gap between wall and floorboards - normal or fill it?

ashe

We are having our main bedroom flooring changed as it's still a really cheap carpet the previous owner laid - we've seen it in carpet shops and it's about £7 per square meter so really low quality and to top it off there was no underlay! Cheap git. 

We've pulled the carpet up last night and taken skirting boards off ready to have them replaced, but we noticed at the side of the house where the external wall is, there is some quite large gaps between the wall and floorboards. I guess some is to provide an expansion gap, but the gap is quite large. 

Just curious if this is normal or should we be taking the opportunity to put something in to block it up a bit? 

Image enclosed

diystarter7

HI
When i did our brand new floor, I left about half and inch, about 12mm - this allows for expansions and contraction of wood.
When fitting carpets it is easy to keep the gap but with new skiring on a new wood flooring, you need to have slightly thicker skirting.

so, it is normal to have a gap to allow for expansion

Thanks

grumbler

Expansion gap is needed only for floating floor. The bards are nailed, so no gap is needed.

It's normal - that's what skirting boards are for, but you can fill it if you want. But I don't understand your "put something in to block it up a bit" plan.

For a suspended ground floor filling the gaps makes more sense because of the draughts.

ashe

grumbler said:

Expansion gap is needed only for floating floor. The bards are nailed, so no gap is needed.

It's normal - that's what skirting boards are for, but you can fill it if you want. But I don't understand your "put something in to block it up a bit" plan.

For a suspended ground floor filling the gaps makes more sense because of the draughts.

By that I meant either stuffing some loose insulation in or some foam to prevent any draughts coming up but suppose without being an upstairs room won't really be any of that and can't feel any airflow 

thanks! 

GiantTCR

It's normal. When the skirting boards are back you shouldn't see the gap anymore. If you do, you can always add some scotia.

ashe

GiantTCR said:

It's normal. When the skirting boards are back you shouldn't see the gap anymore. If you do, you can always add some scotia.

Yeah we've got the flooring down already today and skirting should cover the gap, was more from reading posts about people reducing draughts etc I was thinking this might be a source but seems ok!

FreeBear

grumbler said: For a suspended ground floor filling the gaps makes more sense because of the draughts.

Have similar gaps between walls & floorboards here. Been filling the gaps with expanding foam (use a gun - It is much easier to lay down "just enough"). Once hardened, cut back with a sharp knife and refit the skirting. Killing the draughts has made a big difference.

ThisIsWeird

IF there is a draught, then fill that gap - expanding foam, as F'Bear says, should do.

If no draught, don't bother.

Norman_Castle

I stuck foam doorway draught excluder to the bottom of skirting before fitting it over laminate flooring. Very cheap and easy to do

ThisIsWeird

Norman_Castle said:

I stuck foam doorway draught excluder to the bottom of skirting before fitting it over laminate flooring. Very cheap and easy to do

That's a good idea - seals it easily and effectively, but also allows the floating floor to move.

FFHillbilly

I'd be sealing it with expanding foam weather there's a draught or not