Laminate floor, silicone rubber around expansion gap?

[motokr1s]

Hi

I've laid a laminate floor in my bathroom of about 3m x 1.2m.
There's an expansion gap around the edge of about 5mm.
I have an edging strip which I was going to fit to cloak the gap.
The thing is I don't like the way it looks. I would prefer to run round the edge with a bead of silicone rubber to the skirting board.

Can anyone tell me whether this would be likely to cause a problem, e.g. boards "tenting" if they expand? Is the expansion likely to be significant over such a small area?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Chris

 

[Therms]

Firstly, I’m not a pedant and this is not the place to be pedantic, but silicon is not rubber; it’s silicon.

I’m not an expert, but until one comes along I’ll post my view.

I wouldn't do it. The expansion gap is there for the boards to expand into. If you fill it with something, even rubbery silicon, it will not have the full 5mm needed to expand.

There is something else to remember and that is silicon is a very strong adhesive and you will effectively be gluing the outside board to the floor, which is probably not something you want to do.

I agree about the beading at the bottom of the skirting - it’s not something I like the look of. When I laid my oak floor I took the skirting boards off.

Therms

 

[mac391]

Yep, spot on therms.

You could have removed the skirting and put it back on or replacd it.
Sounds like beading is the only option.

 

[big-all]

first mistake laminate in a bathroom
it must not get wet for more than a few seconds damp mats must be removed within a few mins and the floor must be fully dry at all other times basicly if you have kids start planning the new floor covering now

how wide is your floor !!
you do realise the expansion gap should be 12mm you may get away with 5mm if your floor is less than 1m wide

what colour is your skirting!!
get yourself 9mm quad from a woodyard and paint it skirting colour

 

[motokr1s]

Re. Silicone or rubber - never thought about that - just always heard it referred to as silicon rubber.

Anyway, yes, I wish I'd removed the skirting now. Why don't the instructions suggest that?!

Thanks though guys.

Chris

 

[motokr1s]

first mistake laminate in a bathroom

I did read the packaging first and it specifically stated that it was for use in bathrooms.

Quad's not a bad idea - cheers.

 

[big-all]

yes i agree it will say for bathrooms unless its the plastic backed sort rather than the wood backed stuff you will have to keep it very very dry and to me a bathroom floor should be ok wet and left to dry or moped then left to dry

 

[martin4chw]

chris
if you read the small print you cant use any of it for what its intended for - then its rip the skirtings off! - 12mm gaps! - mouldings? come on! - no wonder specialist!!! fitters are cleaning up and your average DIY person ( politically correct description ) has a melt down - and how much movement is there in the flooring your walking on - the floor boards - the chipboard - l have your average double glazed cavity wall filled house and as l understood it - fibre (wood chipboard MDF ) if its wet it expands - wood dries out and it contracts but not chipboard or MDF as these are man made from reconstructed material and glue - someone correct me but is MDF not banned it the USA as it gives off glue gasses? coursing nausea and headaches - but l digress - lv gone for the 5mm gap all round with matching mastic and when it all goes pear shaped you can say idiot! we told you so! but my wife is very pleased with it and thats what counts
martin