OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

275034 Bill Ghio 2022‑01‑03 Re: wood movement and construction question...
> On Jan 3, 2022, at 8:09 AM, James DuPrie  wrote:
> 
> I'm moving forward on the library project (year 2 now), and I figured I'd
> toss the latest dilemma to the porch....
> 
> The library is an unfinished room, 28' square. I'm pondering order of
> operations. The shelves will be built-in on all 4 walls.
> 
> the question is: should I put the floor (probably maple) in first, and
> build the shelves on top of it, or build the shelves first, and butt the
> floor against them?
> 
> The shelves will be secured to the floor (roughly every 38"), and I am a
> bit concerned with restricting cross grain wood movement if I put the floor
> in first. However, most of the places where I've seen built-ins, they are
> built over an installed floor.
> 
> I'd actually prefer to put the floor in last, so I don't have to worry
> about scratches, gouges, and such but then, with a span of about 26' I'm
> worried about expansion and movement. With a span that big, will the floor
> trim be enough to hid any movement? We don't use A/C, and we heat with wood
> in the winter, so humidity levels range from 95+% in summer to 35%-40%  in
> winter. I've had no problem designing furniture to allow for that, but I've
> never done a floor...
> 
> Am I being overly paranoid?
> 

Our floors are red oak. We are starting a remodel this week and just happed to
have some of the baseboard pulled up. The picture
( https://www.flickr.com/photos/77280442@N.../51795827107/in/dateposted/ ) shows
that the drywall does not extend to the floor and the flooring stops a full inch
from the stud wall. It would, of course, be the same at the other wall. This
space is 37 feet long and the two inches of gap have been sufficient. Where the
flooring runs long grain towards the wall, where movement is nil, the drywall
goes all the way down to the subfloor.  I believe the cabinets were installed on
top of the hardwood but will not confirm that till later in the week when demo
begins. My two cents is that I would install the floor first, that way yo can
hide a good gap under cabinets. Then just lay door-skin on top stuck down w/
carpet tape while you work in the room. My contractor says he will cover the
floors with heavy paper to protect them, but they are also planned to be sanded
and refinished as a last step since new flooring will need to be matched.

Good luck,

Bill

Recent Bios FAQ