Should I just fill the gaps?

Rigid filler cracks out within one season on solid wood. On Victorian pine, hand-cut slivers of matched timber are the traditional and correct fix — they move with the boards.

Will underfloor heating cause this?

Modern low-temperature UFH is fine with solid wood if the flow temp stays under 27°C. Old high-output systems can dry boards past their comfort band — we check the flow temp before quoting.

How stable is engineered oak by comparison?

Much more stable — engineered oak's plywood core doesn't cup or gap like solid pine or oak. If your solid floor is failing seasonally, engineered is often the sensible replacement.

MEDIUM URGENCY INVERKEITHING · KY11

Gapping solid wood floor in Inverkeithing — properly diagnosed

Solid wood moves — that's not a defect, it's the material. But when boards in Inverkeithing start showing 5mm winter gaps, something is off in the humidity or ventilation of the room, and the fix isn't always filler. We start with a two-week humidity log, check underfloor ventilation, then decide between stabilising the room, re-laying in a stable month, or sliver-filling for character.

Inverkeithing homeowners often wait too long on this one — the fix is cheaper the earlier we look.

COST

From £280 humidity survey + treatment plan; re-lay from £22/sqm

TIMEFRAME

Diagnostic 1 day, remedial work 1–4 days

DIFFICULTY

Specialist fitters only

Book a diagnostic visit 07375 552 452

Why this matters

Wood floors move with humidity — chasing every gap without stabilising the room is money badly spent.

Symptoms we look for

Match two or more of these and it's very likely gapping wood boards.

01
Visible gaps between boards, often 2–8mm wide
02
Cupped edges — plank sides higher than centres
03
Board ends lifting near external walls
04
Squeaks that only appear in dry winter months

What causes it

CAUSE 1

Room humidity swinging outside the 40–60% comfort band

CAUSE 2

New central heating in an unaerated period property

CAUSE 3

Boards fitted too dry (or too wet) at install

CAUSE 4

Missing air-bricks under the joists — no ventilation

Affects: Solid oak · Solid pine · Original Victorian pine boards

"Not sure if it's really gapping wood boards? We diagnose in Inverkeithing for free — no obligation to fix with us."

Free diagnostic in Inverkeithing 07375 552 452

How we fix it

1
Log room humidity for 2–3 weeks — establish the swing
2
Check underfloor ventilation and clear or install air-bricks as needed
3
Reversible-solutions first: humidifier / dehumidifier in season
4
For >4mm gaps — lift and re-lay tight in a stable month, or fill with matched slivers on Victorian floors
5
Refinish with an oil rather than lacquer to allow seasonal movement