Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - new hardwood with satin finish

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skinn
02-12-07, 09:56 AM
New floor about 3 months old. I have started to notice that some of the boards are no longer stuck together (small opening like the finish is no longer holding them together)

Is there a sreason this would happen or poor installation and finish work?

marksr
02-12-07, 05:18 PM
Welcome to the diy forums!

Is it a new home or just a new floor?

Sounds like the flooring wasn't properly acclimated to your home's enviroment [temp/humidity] and the wood has dried out and shrunk a little.
Carpets Done Wright
02-12-07, 08:46 PM
Finish is not what holds the boards together.

Now that your moved in, and it is the "heating season" you have been running the heater. The heater dries out the wood. Wood is hydroscopic. Meaning it swells with a gain in moisture, and shrinks with a loss of moisture, which is what is happening in your case. Humidity is a measurement of moisture in the air. Low humidity(below 40%) is not good for wood flooring, and can cause the boards to not only shrink in dimensions, but also crack in the rays.

Raise the humidity and the gaps will close up.