Solid Wood Floor

[SteveF]

I am in the process of laying a new oak floor
I will need to reverse the direction of boards
do you make the splines from oak?
do you make the splines a snug fit?
do you glue the splines in or just continue to blind screw \ nail?
any tips?

Steve

 

[MikeG.]

I've just laid an oak floor, so I thought I might be able to help you. But your use of the word spline has thrown me. A spline is a thin piece of wood used for setting out a curve. Typically used by marine architects, and by boatbuilders. What do you mean by spline? Am I right in thinking you are planning to run the flooring at right angles to the existing floor( ie parallel to the joists)? If that is right, are you taking the existing floor up, or going on top of it?

 

[novocaine]

I guess you mean a loose tenon/tongue. In which case id make it the same fit as the existing tongue. a little sloppy.

 

[SteveF]

Spline as in loose tenon....yes
I had no choice but to work my way through doorway ( I have 4 "continuous"rooms to do, 54m2 in total )
working to the left and I now have to go to the right
not ideal as would have preferred to start against far wall
I will rip some on the ts
the floor is fitting to a 18mm plywood subfloor which is screwed into concrete, with expansion gaps
existing tongue is fairly tight tbh

Steve

 

[Sgian Dubh]

But your use of the word spline has thrown me. A spline is a thin piece of wood used for setting out a curve.

That's interesting; I knew immediately what he meant by spline, it being a common word in workshops, as far as I'm aware, for what many people might call a loose tongue. Splines are also known as slit feathers, which was the first name I came across for them. I haven't heard the term slit feather used since I moved from Scotland to places like the USA and England. And yes, a spline is also a curve defined by two or more points, ha, ha. Slainte.

 

[novocaine]

how long have the boards been left in the space you are fitting them?
I ask because you say the tongue is a little tight, that normally means the wood is a bit damp, so it might open up a bit once fitted. shouldn't be a major issue, just be aware.

as for material, sorry missed that bit.
yep, slice it off a spare board, you're only going through a door, so it's not like your wasting an entire board. normally I'll lay a board about half the width of a board from the wall then scribe and cut the boards to the wall, which leaves enough off cut to make things like this from.

 

[SteveF]

boards have been stored for 4 weeks maybe 5
I have managed to cut and fit the spline
next issue I have is a pvc door which may be an issue
I have to run parallel to the closed door
no room under it for a quadrant (all skirting is off rest of walls, this is not a bodge job )
is it acceptable to go tight against the short distance, or is there another option
I have left a 15mm expansion gap everywhere else
this is a blind screwed floor so I assume that I wont have too much movement?

Steve

 

[Richard S]

I would still leave an expansion gap at the upvc door but fill it with cork expansion strips, neatly done on an oak floor it should be virtually un-noticeable

 

[n0legs]

Why not do a mat well by the door?
Stop the floor the doors width from the door, edge it with a trim and then install a quality coir door mat. At the minimum it'll stop anyone entering tracking in dirt on that lovely new floor.
Plus it'll stop the door mat sliding :evil:

 

[whiskywill]

A spline is also the name given to thin strip of wood inserted between the planks of a carvel built wooden boat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nosQFTHQWA

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I've always put a near flat threshhold of a nice piece of wood between two rooms - any movement is less noticeable and if work or change is ever required on one of them it makes life easier.