Generally with all pine floor boards and softwood there will always be gaps due to expansion and contraction movement in the wood throughout the year. This is due to changes in moisture content and temperature, from both outside and indoor heating. Expansion and contraction will always occur in wood, but particularly in softwood.

When we apply our Magic oil, it is important to fill the space with one of the three options below so that when the oil is applied it doesn’t rise to the surface before it is fully cured. If it rises to the surface before it is fully cured then it will affect the resultant floor finish.

Three Ways To Fill Gaps

  1. Dust & Resin Mix. Fine dust generated during the floor sanding process is mixed with a clear resin to form a paste, which is then worked into the gaps, typically less than 5mm (similar to grouting tiles). This method is the most common way of gap filling used on wooden floors. This method of gap filling has the advantage of providing a smooth and colour-matched end result that dries quickly. Its downside is that the mixture can fall through gaps where the floor is laid directly over joists and it often becomes fragile with significant floor movement.
  2. Acrylic Mastic Filler. A colour matched acrylic mastic filler is inserted into gaps, can be used on any flooring and is quite cost effective (similar to a silicone mastic application). However, it comes in only a limited colour range, so the colour match is not guaranteed to be consistent. Where gaps are wider than 2mm, it is advisable to insert paper mache, string or rope to ensure that the filler has something to bond with.
  3. Solid Wood Fillet Strips. Reclaimed wood strips are used, cut to size, covered with PVA glue then knocked firmly into the gaps and left overnight to dry. The excess material is then carefully chiselled away before being sanded off. This method of gap filling is a much more involved process overall, but the results are usually aesthetically better and also much more permanent as the fillets will tend to expand and contract with the timber during seasonal changes. It is better to use this process when filling gaps longer and wider than 5mm.

Overall, there is no complete solution to filling gaps in pine floor boards. Customers should expect there to be expansion and contraction and therefore the floor will never always look perfect. Gaps will change in appearance and size throughout the year. As a general guide, the gaps are likely to look wider in the winter and narrower in the summer.

If you need free advice or a free quotation, please call the Oakwood Team on 01803 444010