Floorboard Gaps - Recommended Filler

[Antony2008]

Good afternoon all.

As I'm going to sand, stain & varnish the whole of the first floor, I'm looking for a filler that remains flexible enough for this particular application.

Back in 2005, I filled the gaps in the kitchen floor with a powder filler that was added to water. This began to crack around a year ago.
Earlier this year, I prepared a bedroom floor ready for sanding and used a mixture of pva & sawdust. This looked fine until some of the floorboards themselves began to crack open, with some of the gaps also opening up. I subsequently removed the pva/sawdust 'filler' every second/third board (with a circular saw) and re-filled with a ' flexible, ready mixed filler with good adhesion and flexibility, that can be stained, varnished or painted...' A couple of weeks later this also began to part from the boards...

I'd really appreciate if anyone could recommend something suitable.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[foxhole]

Why fill gaps they look awful filled
If you don't want gaps take them up and push tighter turning them over as you go to reduce sanding.

 

[ladylola]

You could always cut slivers of matching timber and tap and glue into place.

 

[Antony2008]

Thanks for the replies foxhole & ladylola.

If I’d known the trouble I was going to have, I might have considered lifting the boards; unfortunately, the underside of quite a few of the boards have been damaged by shoddy central heating fitters (smashing the tongue & grooves out rather than using a floor board saw or similar) so I’d still need to use a filler afterwards. Have to say that when stained & varnished, the floor looks neat without unsightly gaps (better for keeping drafts out too).

I’ve already used strips of matching timber in the en-suite to the same bedroom but they too have parted in places .

On the point of parting/splitting, I can’t quite get my head around as to why, as we’re coming into summer when I assume the boards should be expanding if anything, not contracting… .

Still, I’m sure there’s a product out there that someone's used that will fit the bill.

 

[WoodYouLike]

Perhaps this - stopgap - might solve your problem if you insist of filling gaps?

 

[Antony2008]

Thanks for the link WoodYouLike. I'll check it out.

 

[foxhole]

Thanks for the replies foxhole & ladylola.

If I’d known the trouble I was going to have, I might have considered lifting the boards; unfortunately, the underside of quite a few of the boards have been damaged by shoddy central heating fitters (smashing the tongue & grooves out rather than using a floor board saw or similar) so I’d still need to use a filler afterwards. Have to say that when stained & varnished, the floor looks neat without unsightly gaps (better for keeping drafts out too).

I’ve already used strips of matching timber in the en-suite to the same bedroom but they too have parted in places .

On the point of parting/splitting, I can’t quite get my head around as to why, as we’re coming into summer when I assume the boards should be expanding if anything, not contracting… .

Still, I’m sure there’s a product out there that someone's used that will fit the bill.

If you have T&G then should be no draughts.?

Cupboard

• foxhole
• 21 Jul 2010
• 4

Oak topped.

Personally I think filled boards look unsightly compared to unfilled.
See above.My unfilled T&G.

 

[ColJack]

buy some carpet, lino or laminate you tight gits!!!