NEWS | SOFTWARE | SHEET

Why You Need Expansion Joints in Flooring and Sub-flooring

Flooring and sub flooring are made of different materials, and they also behave differently when they come into contact to heat and moisture. Expansion and contraction are the two most obvious results of the change in flooring happened due to heat or similar environmental effects. Expansion joints work effectively to avoid the unwanted buckling when the flooring materials expand and contract. It provides the needed space to the material at the time of expansion and contraction.

The need for expansion joints:

Expansion joints serve the basic benefits that avoid the issues like buckling in the flooring. Dimensional changes in the structure and the elements of the flooring are a common thing. Changes in temperature and humidity have a direct impact on it. Expansion joints work logically to eliminate these problems and save the flooring repairing cost.

Expansion joints come up with a comprehensive solution that gives spaces to the flooring materials to change in dimension without changing the building design.

If a building construction ignores the need for expansion joints, it faces the constructional problems like uneven floors, tenting tiles, nail pops and other issues. Installing such joints requires engineering calculation to insert them at the right place, though. The skilled workers are well aware of the each part of this work, and they perform the task skillfully to keep the flooring away from these general problems.

Expansion joints:

Expansion joints are also different in types due to containing different materials. The right kind is decided according to the place. For example, heavy traffic areas need joints that are 0.2 to 0.3 inch wide and contain flexible fillers like neoprene, urethane or polysulfide. Silicon filled joints can be used in other places.

The flooring areas close to the heat sources like fireplaces and direct exposure to sun light should be installed with such joints as the dimensional changes in flooring is very common. It also holds less importance for small rooms, but it must be at the joint of two rooms as heat and moisture changes commonly occur there.

To gather more information, go through the following link norbord.com