Is it true that when having wooden flooring laid one must have the skirting boards cut to allow for expansion of the wood or have a trim fixed over a gap to allow for expansion?

Hi, To fit the flooring properly, you need a 10mm gap around the perimeter of the floor for expansion, which the skirting will cover. For the nicest finish, the best way is to remove the skirting, lay the floor and refix the skirting. It's impossible to acheive a 10mm gap by cutting the skirting in situ and trying to lay the floor under it. Trim is used if you don't want the skirting removed first. It's not such a nice finish though. Hope this helps

You can have the skirting boards removed and replaced ,rather than cut,but yes you do need the expansion gap,because the wood will expand and contract due to humidity and time of year.A gap of around 5-10mm is needed,otherwise flooring will warp.

I would suggest, for a more professional look, take the skirtings of, lay the floor with 10mm gap all round then refit skirting boards. If you leave skirtings on, then you will need beading round, pinned to skirting and not floor, to cover expansion gap.

For expansion gap size you have to read a manufacturer recommendation as for different types of wooden flooring different sizes of expansion gap are necessary to apply , however in many cases that will be about 10mm. Best is to remove a skirting and fit it back after flooring installation which will give you nice and nit finish , however it can be covered by beading ( quarter round etc...) and it won't be much worse.

As most people will understand, skirtings off is quickest & best. Next is to cut the skirtings in-situ, using a specialised flooring tool, only available to the trade. Last & definitely least is beading, looks like an after-thought to an otherwise fabulous job. Hope this helps, Chris.

When laying a Laminate flooring it is vital to ensure that there is a 10mm gap to the wall. I recommend either of these two options; 1) Remove the skirting board - lay the laminate floor, leaving 10mm expansion gap to the wall - refit the skirting board. 2) Leave the skirting board where it is - lay the laminate flooring, leaving 10mm to the skirting board - cut and fit a quad trim between floor and skirting board, hiding any gaps. Technique 1 is what we mostly recommend going for. Hope that helps. This is definitely the best answer :) Dan