Walnut Worktop Expansion Gap

[hoyboy]

Hi,

I've just had a new kitchen worktop installed. It's a U shape and one of the sides is between two walls. They seem to have wedged it in so there is no expansion gap. Also, it appears slightly bowed - it's about 4-6mm off being level.

Is this really bad - you can't actually notice anything by eye so I'm mostly worried about the lack of an expansion gap as that could make it bow even more. Should they have allowed one? Does walnut need it?

J

 

[Jasonb]

Wood mostly expands across its width not along its length so if its the bottom of the "U" thats tight there may be a problem as the two ends expand,if its one of the ends it will likely be OK.

Jason

 

[hoyboy]

Untitled

• hoyboy
• 3 Jul 2008
• 1

Picture attached - it's the worktop running down the wall on the right hand side that's wedged and trapped between two walls (everywhere else has an expansion gap). There is a sink cutout on the back length - just under and to the right of the window. So only a strip about 12cm wide is actually wedged and has no expansion gap at either end...

Hope that makes sense... Should I get them to come back, pull up the worktop and cut something off the end... not an easy job!?

 

[xerxes]

As Jason says, timber will not expand (or contract) in length, but only in width. Whether it expands or contracts will depend on its moisture content when installed, and the relative humidity of the environment it's installed in.

If the worktop at the base of the U (under the window) is not free to move across its width (if the right-hand piece is butted hard against it and it has no expansion gap at the back), then you could have a problem.

Solid wood worktops can begin to bow, or curl, regardless of how much expansion gap they're given, if they're not fixed down properly. (The fixings should allow movement across the width).

In any case, if you're concerned (and you sound as if you are) you should call the installer back and explain why you think there's a problem.