Thread: How would I attach this?

Liquid Nails

Whatever you do, attach it to the skirting boards and not the floor.

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

Whatever you do, attach it to the skirting boards and not the floor.

and thats hard to get right.

I don't think thats it's a great idea. there is a reason every one uses quad to cover that gap...

By all means glue in a strip of timber but is the gap even all the way? or will you have you shape the timber to fit in different spots, it'll take you ages! and unless you get it spot on you will be filling the gaps anyway and will have to paint. Are you painting it after?
bog it and paint it.
or use quad to get a even finish.

Good luck

Originally Posted by Lumber Bunker

and thats hard to get right.

I don't think thats it's a great idea. there is a reason every one uses quad to cover that gap...

By all means glue in a strip of timber but is the gap even all the way? or will you have you shape the timber to fit in different spots, it'll take you ages! and unless you get it spot on you will be filling the gaps anyway and will have to paint. Are you painting it after?
bog it and paint it.
or use quad to get a even finish.

Good luck

The gap is fairly even, and I know I will need to do some filling and painting afterwards. All the walls have already been painted (long story) as I wanted to rip off everything, and re-attach it so there would be no gaps. SWMBO realises now (far too late) why I wanted to do things the way I did! So now I'm stuck with a relatively straight forward job, being all the more difficult. I was considering liquid nails, but wondered if there might be any other nailing/screwing methods I wasn't aware of.

how wide is the gap?

Cheers
Michael

The gaps under my skirting boards change as the house moves around. Everynow and then I find a cable that's got stuck under the skirting board as the gap closed up.

Are you sure the gaps are stable?

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

Whatever you do, attach it to the skirting boards and not the floor.

Please clarify conditions supporting rejection of that suggestion, such as reference to standard details. If the filler is attached to the floor, and not to the skirting boards, new gaps will be created at the skirting.

Vertical gaps will fill with dust. Over time, infinitesimal movements will jack the components apart.

Cheers,
Joe

Originally Posted by blonk

I am contemplating a different method to fill a gap between skirting boards, and a timber floor. Rather than using the traditional quad to fill the gap, I was wondering whether it would be possible to make a strip that will fit between the bottom of the skirting, and the floor. In theory this will give me a nicer looking finish, however, I haven't really thought of a decent method to securely attach this strip to the bottom of the skirting. What methods does anyone suggest as practical, without removal of the skirting?

Hi.
Read my reply to a similar query by Ozwood as to why the gap is there, it is to allow for movement of the floor boards and as well movement due to expansion not only in the flooring but also in the actual house. Just provide some type of moulding such as a quarter round or even a splayed bead of a size to cover the gap, this could be nailed to the skirting with light gauge nails or if you can get hold of a nail gun using a suitable nail.
Regards
Mac

Originally Posted by joe greiner

Please clarify conditions supporting rejection of that suggestion, such as reference to standard details. If the filler is attached to the floor, and not to the skirting boards, new gaps will be created at the skirting.

Vertical gaps will fill with dust. Over time, infinitesimal movements will jack the components apart.

Cheers,
Joe

If the fillet is attached to the floor and the floor moves from seasonal variations, then you'll get a step between the skirt and the fillet, it'll be pulled out of line when the floor shrinks. If the floor expands, you may cause problems if the fillet is as wide as the skirt, since you've effectively removed the expansion gap between wall and floor. Depending on how well the fillet is attached to the floor it'll either crack the joint between it and the floor or it'll buckle the floor.

BTW for gaps between 2mm-5mm you can fill them quite effectively with a flexible filler if you know a few tricks. Get a roll or oven baking paper and unfurl a length of it and push the edge into the gap. Run the filler into the gap and tool off with a paint scraper dragged along resting on the skirting. Leave the paper until the filler has cured and then pull it out, nothing sticks to it.

Cheers
Michael

Originally Posted by mic-d

BTW for gaps between 2mm-5mm you can fill them quite effectively with a flexible filler if you know a few tricks. Get a roll or oven baking paper and unfurl a length of it and push the edge into the gap. Run the filler into the gap and tool off with a paint scraper dragged along resting on the skirting. Leave the paper until the filler has cured and then pull it out, nothing sticks to it.Cheers
Michael

We learn something every day, good tip Michael.

Originally Posted by mic-d

how wide is the gap?

Cheers
Michael

The gap varies from wall to wall. Some are about 15mm high, others only about 5.

Originally Posted by rhancock

The gaps under my skirting boards change as the house moves around. Everynow and then I find a cable that's got stuck under the skirting board as the gap closed up.

Are you sure the gaps are stable?

Not sure how stable they are. We've only lived here a few months. Originally all gaps were covered with quad nailed to the floor. I removed them in preparation for relocating the skirtings lower, however other circumstances prevented me from getting this done prior to moving in.

Originally Posted by Malcolm Eaton

Hi.
Read my reply to a similar query by Ozwood as to why the gap is there, it is to allow for movement of the floor boards and as well movement due to expansion not only in the flooring but also in the actual house. Just provide some type of moulding such as a quarter round or even a splayed bead of a size to cover the gap, this could be nailed to the skirting with light gauge nails or if you can get hold of a nail gun using a suitable nail.
Regards
Mac

I understand there will be some expansion. The solution to removing this gap as recomeended by most queries on forums, is to remove the skirting and lower it onto the floor to remove the gap. Unfortunately not an option for me any more. I thought that the majority of expansion was laterally in timber rather than an increase/decrease in thickness? If there was a huge amount of movement, wouldn't the boards be constantly loose as the expansion of the timber pulled the nails out?

Originally Posted by blonk

I thought that the majority of expansion was laterally in timber rather than an increase/decrease in thickness? If there was a huge amount of movement, wouldn't the boards be constantly loose as the expansion of the timber pulled the nails out?

Yes, it's the lateral movement you need to cater for. Lowering the skirting boards until they touch is fine... any expansion in thickness will be in fractions of a mm and of no great concern.

Pity you can't just lower the skirting. Can I ask why?