Ten years in and I still skip expansion gaps in closets

I just finished a wood floor install in a small closet without adding an expansion gap. It turned out fine and saved me a bunch of time, even though everyone says it's a must. Am I the only one who thinks this rule is too strict for tiny spaces?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_shane1d ago

Honestly, we cut corners on small stuff all the time and it works out.

blake_owens1d ago

Paige_craig's point about wood not having room to move in small closets is spot on. The walls hold everything so tight that expansion is hardly an issue. That's why skipping the gap there is a common sense move that rarely causes trouble.

paige_craig1d ago

My last job was a 4x5 closet and I skipped the gap too. It's been solid for two years now, no buckling or anything. I mean, for tiny spaces like that, the wood doesn't have much room to move anyway.