Hardwood flooring is probably best known for shrinking and expanding, but resilient flooring can also suffer from shrinking when exposed to the right conditions. Resilient flooring is made of highly durable synthetic material, and it is a popular choice among customers for both business and commercial installations. The increase in technology surrounding the manufacture and installation of vinyl flooring has made even the most skeptical customers into believers after they see how unique and special this resilient flooring really is.
Installing Resilient Flooring
Flooring installers face many challenges when installing vinyl flooring, and one of these is making allowances for shrinking. Newly installed vinyl flooring can shrink if it is not properly acclimated to the temperature and humidity of the room where it will eventually be placed. Sometimes, the plastic layer of the vinyl shrinks, but the felt backing doesn’t cause curling.
Taking every precaution for the best possible outcome is very important for those who work with resilient flooring. Installers and customers should be aware of what can cause shrinking in resilient floors:
- Sunlight
- Changes in humidity
- Temperature changes
- Hot liquid spills
- Flooding
- Chemical spills
- Overuse of cleaning products
- UV light
These reasons and more may be what is causing shrinkage in resilient flooring.
Preventing Shrinking in Resilient Flooring
It is impossible to prepare for every single factor that can affect resilient flooring. However, flooring installation experts, flooring inspectors, and customers can improve their chances of preserving the flooring when they understand the possible causes of shrinking and damage.
Flooring experts should educate their customers about proper floor care and maintenance. Customers need to understand what can happen when they do not follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Improper care, harsh cleaning methods, moisture exposure, and extreme temperature changes can all damage resilient flooring over time. Of course, sometimes customers simply don’t listen, and they suffer the consequences of ill-treatment of the flooring.
Vinyl flooring is among the most affordable and durable flooring options available. However, problems can still develop when the conditions allow the flooring to shrink. Moisture changes, temperature fluctuations, sunlight, and improper maintenance can all contribute to shrinking and related problems.
Installers should take precautions to reduce the risk of shrinkage. Proper acclimation, installation, and maintenance can help protect the flooring over time. Whether installers use sheet vinyl or vinyl tiles, careful preparation can improve the long-term performance and appearance of the floor. These steps can also help ensure satisfied customers and durable, attractive flooring for many years.
I installed versaclic vinyl plank flooring this past summer in a 3 season cottage this summer.It went well through the whole install.Now that winter has arrived and the cold has hit, large gaps are appearing on the sides and ends.I would have hoped that this flooring would expand and contract together and not individually.Does this flooring not work in diverse temperatures or is this not the proper product for this application and if so what should i have used.? thanks John
Pretty much no flooring likes extreme temperature variations. Rule of thumb: If your flooring requires acclimation, you need to maintain the climate it’s acclimated to after it’s installed.
Hi,
My husband and I installed this type of flooring in our unit and we have noticed shrinkage at the ends or joins between planks, but not along the sides. Hopefully it will correct when the weather warms up.
That is often associated with improper acclimation.
We had vinale flooring put down by lumber liquidators… In October now this winter we have gaps and some larger ones. We seen to be getting the run around from them. We are getting very upset about this.
It could be an acclimation issue.
We installed this in our entire house. I love the product however, after 2yrs it is starting to shrink. Some of the planks were inside the house months before actually being installed. I’ve only ever cleaned with warm water & mild soap when spot cleaning. Is there any way to reduce the shrinkage that I see is starting to happen?
You need an inspection to determine the cause.
we encounter problems in our vinyl tiles where it developed gaps in between the joints after it were installed after a period of time
That is likely a flatness related problem.
What can I do with shrinking of oak looking luxury vinyl flooring. Do I need to pull it up and replace the areas where there are large gaps. I kept the planks inside for months.
Yes I had this problem as well. Hot day when vinyl planks were layed and shrunk in the night. Then glue in some planks failed. They have filled the gaps with wood filler but I am not sure if this will last. My suggestion would be to lay continuous vinyl and not planks as there can’t be any gaps in a continuous product.
Feel a bit disappointed as I could have bought a sheet product instead and not had any problems.