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My tight vinyl install held up, and now I question expansion gaps
I know most flooring guys would say leaving expansion gaps is a must, but I have a different take. On a job last fall, I put in vinyl planks in a sunroom that stays warm and dry year round. I installed them tight to the walls, no gaps at all. Checked back this spring, and there is zero buckling or lifting. The material just did not move like we expect. Many installers might think this is crazy, but I see it as a sign that some rules are too broad. We should look at each room's conditions before deciding. It saved me time and the client liked the seamless look. Maybe we need to update our old habits for new products.
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dixon.finley8d agoMost Upvoted
Funny you bring this up! My cousin did a laminate floor in his basement with no gaps, and it's been fine for years. He lives in a dry climate too, kind of like @james_torres mentioned for Arizona. Makes you wonder if humidity is the real key here, not just the material. We get so stuck on rules without checking the actual room conditions. Maybe we need more stories like yours to challenge the old ways!
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