Hardwood Floors shrinking

[Leo Graywacz]

If it was only one coat then it sounds like he did a scuff and coat. He didn't grind it down to the bare wood.

And if he did I want to know what he used that you can only put one coat on and you are done. Usually you need a minimum of 2 coats. The first one needs to be scuff sanded so the second coat will be smooth to the touch.

[Keith Weber]

Just grout it!

[Jason White]

It's winter, so the air in your home is likely much dryer than it is during spring and summer. You should notice the gaps closing in a couple of months.

I've got a beautiful cherry Arenberg Parquet pattern floor in Los Angeles. It's about 15 years old. The house was recently remodeled and the oil based finish sanded off. The floor was refinished with a water based product. The finish was chosen because of it's quick dry and cure time. The immediate results were fine, but it's been about 3 months now and the floor has shrunk tremendously. It was previously so tight that you couldn't slip a piece of paper between the boards. Now it's open throughout and in some areas 3/16" wide. It's also apparently not finished shrinking, as it seems to continue it's process. There are no underground water pipes (in the attic). Any suggestions?