Fitting traditional floorboards correctly

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All the work is now complete in the 1st floor void and the boards are ready to be re laid. Am I correct in thinking the correct method is to but them up tight against each other with a 5mm gap round the perimeter?

The void is filled with fibrous insulation if that makes any difference.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Beg, borrow or even hire a pair of flooring cramps. Records are circa £190 each new, Faithfulls are half that (you might be lucky and pick up a pair of second d hand ones, but most I've seen are either worn out or broken). They are a certain way to ensure tight joints. Start with tongue towards the wall. I've tended to leave 1/2in (12 to 13mm) a lot of the time which 18mm or 3/4in skirting will cover. Make sure your boards are acclimatise before fitting if possible

 

[padstar]

Sorry forgot to mention they are square edge boards not t&g

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Still makes for tight, gap free joints