Floorboards in a kitchen?

[DaveWebb]

I'm getting conflicted advice on this and would like opinions -

We're renovating our kitchen and I'm looking at putting in reclaimed oak floorboards which appear to be maybe 100 years old, they're old anyway. This will be over a suspended floor with pine floorboards one end and ply the other.

I'm worried about suggestions the boards will expand and contract. My supplier says they are so old they would have done all that by now anyway. Is he right?

Thanks in advance.

 

[DAZB]

I would say you are safe with those unless you have underfloor heating or similar temperature variations that may affect the floor but it is unlikely they will suffer in normal conditions.

 

[DaveWebb]

Thanks - I should say that i am putting in an insulated suspended floor underneath with 100mm PIR. If that makes any difference.

 

[Why Not Indeed]

the boards will expand and contract. My supplier says they are so old they would have done all that by now

Timber will expand and contract with moisture changes, no matter how old it is. But that's why expansion gaps are left, so nothing to worry about.
There will be some major shrinkage of green timber, but you'd never be using green timber for flooring anyway.