Vinyl Plank Expansion Gap (Wood Also) (2023 Update)

[DerbyDad03]

This question relates specifically to Luxury Vinyl Plank (since that is what I am installing) but I think that it applies to hardwood floors also.

I'm installing LVP in my kitchen and office. It's essentially a "single floor" since the office is connected to the kitchen via a 48" wide opening.

The standard practice for LVP is to leave a 1/4" expansion gap around the perimeter. Fine. No problem. Kitchen's done and I'll start the office as soon as I move everything back into the kitchen - and therein lies the rub.

I'm about to move the range, refrigerator, two 32" x 84" cabinet/bookcase units and a 40 gallon aquarium back into the kitchen. In the office, I have a large antique, hardwood desk and matching hutch. The recliner and loveseat are lightweights compared to those 2 pieces. All of these pieces, in both rooms, are up against different walls.

I find it impossible that the floor is actually going to move those pieces and use the 1/4" expansion gaps. I think that the weight is going to hold the planks under the pieces down solid and any expansion will be forced towards the middle of the room(s). I can't be alone in this situation.

Am I wrong?

[Markem618]

Do not think you are wrong, the edge gap in my understanding is to stop the flooring from buckling up.

I have not had hand on experience with vinyl planks, is it plastic completely or is it a veneer on plywood?

[krw]

Is it really an expansion gap or a little slop so that it can move while you're installing it? I can't imagine that vinyl will expand significantly with moisture or the limited temperature swings in a living space.

[DerbyDad03]

100% an expansion joint.

That's why they sell spacers - so the floor *doesn't* move while you install it.

[DerbyDad03]

Sort of none of the above.

This is mine...5/16" thick.

[Clare Snyder]

moisture change like wood does. It expands very little with temperature - but enough that it COULD buckle with heat if there was no expansion gap. I'd say it is very unlikely as the recommended gap is not proportionate to the area. Whe have solid vinyl sheet flooring and it is also free floating and totally restricted arounf the perimeter with cabinets, Fridge, and stove - no problems for the last

36 years

[Markem618]

Truly an engineered flooring, thanks, the color is not what I have seen of vinyl planks it is nice.

[russellseaton1]

Oh my!!!!!! LUXURY Vinyl Plank. Not regular, average, common Vinyl Plank. No sir. LUXURY!!!!!!!

Nothing to add from me. Just kidding you. The flooring you are installing is officially called Luxury Vinyl Plank? I guess the makers, sellers, of this product really want folks to believe they are getting the best. So they just come right out and say its Luxury.

[Clare Snyder]

The darn stuff IS pretty good. it can look like wood, stone, tile, or whatever you want. It can pretty much feel like it too - but it is warm and resiliant - as well as very durable. As far as vinyl goes, it is luxurious - and compares well to whatever it is mimicing as well..

[DerbyDad03]

Yes

That's not exactly how it works. You could just use Google for a complete description, but I'll get you started.

There are many levels of vinyl plank, from thin, flexible, stick on stuff to 12 mm products that can stand up to commercial traffic. When you get to the 5 mm and up range, you are into the LVP (or LVT - Tile) space. (I'm using an 8 mm product.) Within the LVP space there are many different patterns; we chose a rough-ish wood look, complete with the occasional blade mark. There are even styles with beveled edges on each plank.

You can choose from hard walking, dent resistant (harder core) to softer walking, more dent prone (softer core) surfaces. We chose the softer feel.

Take a stroll through a flooring store and check out the myriad of options for LVP and LVT. I'll think you might be surprised and you'll learn some stuff along the way. This is not your mother's vinyl sheet flooring.

[Jay Pique]

Never admit it. But do be sure to let it sit in the middle of the floor for 6 months to a year so it acclimates. Then you can run a half inch gap right down the middle if you want - your wife will just be happy it's done. ymmv

[DerbyDad03]

Real men (and women) admit when they are wrong.

[Markem618]

To ones self only

[krw]

Close. Real women admit when their men are wrong.

[Leon]

No you are not alone. But consider that everyone that has flooring installed has furniture too.

The weight of each piece of furniture is spread out and will be much easier to move. And the movement is going to be very little over a long period of time, not all at once.

FWIW I move heavy furniture with a piece of remnant carpet sitting on top. The heavy furniture moves easily because the load is spread out over a larger area.

[Leon]

You have not heard of Luxury Vinyl flooring? It is all the rage with new homes now. My wife and I were going to build a new home 2 years ago and the builder was offering this product. The model had a wood appearance. I could not tell that it was not real wood. It does not crack, it installs quickly, and water does not harm it.

[Leon]

FWIW most businesses that want the wood floor look, think restaurants, are going with LV flooring.

[Leon]

IIRC This stuff only needs to be brought to room temperature as it does not absorb moisture like wood does.

[Leon]

A funny explanation.

[Scott Lurndal]

And, the movement is effectively powered by hydraulic action in wood; and we know just how powerful hydraulics can be. The furniture will move _with_ the wood floor, rather than being moved _by_ the wood floor.

Vinyl flooring doesn't have expansion characteristics comparable to wood with respect to changes in humdity, yet it will change in dimension with temperature changes. Freestanding furniture will move with the floor. Installed cabinets, prevented from movement by a wall or other obstruction, can cause buckling of the flooring; thus a gap around any immovable objects (walls, attached cabinets, etc) is required.