How To Fill Gaps in a Wide-Plank Wood Floor

Wide-plank wood floors add character and warmth to any home, but gaps can develop between the planks over time. These gaps affect the appearance of your floor and can lead to drafts and poor energy efficiency. Fortunately, there’s a simple and effective solution to this common problem. In this guide, we’ll explore how to fill gaps in a wide-plank wood floor using a technique that This Old House contractor Tom Silva demonstrates in the video above.

Understanding the Causes of Floor Gaps

Before diving into the repair process, it’s helpful to understand why gaps form in wood floors. Several factors can contribute to this issue, including the following:

• Age and wear: Over time, constant foot traffic and a house’s natural settling can cause floor planks to shift slightly, resulting in gaps.
• Long-term movement: Even after years of settling and adjustment, wood floors will respond to environmental factors such as moisture and pressure. Long-term movement can exacerbate gaps in areas that see a lot of traffic. Homeowners often overlook this when assessing their floors’ condition but a long-lasting solution should account for long-term movement.
• Poor installation: Gaps may appear more quickly between wood planks that weren’t properly acclimated to the home’s environment before installation, or if the installer didn’t sufficiently tighten the planks.
• Seasonal changes: Wood is a natural material that expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. During dry winter months, wood planks may shrink, creating gaps between them. Conversely, in humid summer months, the wood may expand and potentially close these gaps.

Preparing for the Wood Floor Repair

You’ll need to gather the necessary tools and materials and prepare your work area before you can fill the gaps in your wide-plank wood floor.

Tools and Materials Needed

To complete this project, you’ll need the following items:

• Natural fiber rope (various sizes)
• Protective gloves
• Putty knife or 5-in-1 painter’s tool
• Safety glasses
• Utility knife
• Vacuum cleaner
• Wood stain (optional)

Cleaning the Gaps

You’ll need to clean the gaps between the floor planks before you can begin the repair process. This improves the filler material’s adhesion and produces a more professional-looking result. Follow these steps to clean the gaps:

1. Use a putty knife or 5-in-1 painter’s tool to scrape out any debris lodged in the gaps, taking care not to damage the edges of the boards.
2. Vacuum the floor thoroughly to remove all dust and loose particles.

Selecting and Preparing the Rope Filler

Using rope as a filler for floor gaps is an old technique that’s still effective today. It allows for the wood’s natural movement while providing a durable, flexible solution.

Choosing the Right Rope

When selecting rope for this project, keep the following factors in mind:

• Choose rope diameters that closely match the width of your floor gaps.
• Consider buying rope in various sizes to accommodate different gap widths.
• Use natural fiber rope—not synthetic—as it will better absorb wood stain and blend with the wood.

Staining the Rope (Optional)

You may want to stain the rope to match your floor color and achieve a seamless look. Follow these steps to stain the rope:

1. Choose a wood stain that closely matches your floor color.
2. Dip the rope into the stain, ensuring it’s fully saturated.
3. Remove the rope from the stain and allow it to dry completely before use.

Filling the Gaps in a Wood Floor

Once you’ve prepared your materials and work area, you can start filling the gaps in your wide-plank wood floor. This process requires patience and attention to detail for the best results.

Inserting the Rope

Follow these steps to insert the rope into the floor gaps:

1. Cut a length of rope slightly longer than the gap you’re filling.
2. Using a putty knife or painter’s tool, gently push the rope into the gap.
3. Ensure the rope is seated deeply in the gap, leaving it slightly below the floor’s surface.
4. Trim any excess rope with a utility knife.

Addressing Different Gap Sizes

You may encounter gaps of varying widths across your floor. Here’s how to handle them:

• For narrow gaps, use a thinner rope or twist a larger rope to fit.
• For wider gaps, you may need to use multiple strands of rope side by side.
• If the gaps are extremely wide, consider consulting a professional flooring contractor for alternative solutions.

Additional Methods for Gap Filling Wood Floors

While rope is a highly effective method for filling gaps, you can also explore other approaches for specific situations or preferences.

Using Wood Strips

Wood strips offer a more traditional look than rope and can be a better match for certain types of flooring. If you would prefer to use wood strips, here’s a brief overview of the step-by-step process:

1. Measure the width and length of each gap.
2. Cut wood strips to size.
3. Sand the edges of the strips for a snug fit.
4. Tap the strips into place with a mallet.
5. Apply wood glue to secure the strips if necessary.

Using Wood Filler

If you’re trying to fill smaller gaps, you can use wood filler instead of rope. Here’s how to use it:

1. Clean the gaps thoroughly.
2. Apply the wood filler using a putty knife.
3. Smooth out the filler and remove any excess.
4. Allow it to dry and sand it flush with the floor.

Finishing Touches for Wood Floors

After filling all the gaps, you can apply the finishing touches below to create a polished look and ensure a long-lasting repair.

Blending the Repair

You can help the filled gaps blend seamlessly into your floor by doing the following:

1. Lightly sand the filled areas if any rope fibers are protruding.
2. Apply a thin layer of wood filler over the rope if desired, matching it to your floor color.
3. Once dry, gently sand the filler flush with the floor surface.

Maintaining Your Repaired Floor

To keep your repaired floor looking its best, consider the following maintenance tips:

• Monitor the filled gaps and push down any rope that may rise over time.
• Regularly clean the floor with a vacuum or dry mop to prevent debris from settling into the gaps.
• Use a humidifier in dry months to minimize wood shrinkage and gap formation.

Our Conclusion

Filling gaps in a wide-plank wood floor is a manageable DIY project that can significantly improve your home’s appearance and energy efficiency. With Silva’s rope-filling technique, you can address this common issue while maintaining your wood floor’s natural beauty and character.