Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Installing- next to brick fireplace

I am starting lay the flooring (WilsonArt) and the first boards are right next to a 4' length parallel to brick wall. Do I leave a 1/4" gap or may I cut off the tongue (1/16l") so it lays flush with wall? If Ieave a gap, should I fill it with caulk? I had been told to cut into the brick with a blade to provide the floor to hide under the brick but I REALLY don't want to do this, alot of work and dust! Any other ideas? I don't think I would HAVE to put up trim. What do you think.

Trim or caulk is probably your only solution. The flooring needs the gap so it can move a little with temperature/humidity changes. Undercutting the brick would be way more trouble than it's worth and you probably wouldn't get a nice clean edge on the brick.

See if you can find a colored caulk tht would look good - or buy a piece of edge trim.

Thanks Dave for replying to my question. We will probably go with either of those two suggestions....I was thinking on the same lines.







































































:D

using caulk looks terrible, undercutting looks very nice, edge trim like an end molding can look good too, but will still have gaps.