HAAG Certified Reviewer

Which type of flooring commonly uses spacers to keep gaps between pieces uniform?

1. Wood

2. Luxury Vinyl Tile

3. Laminate

4. Ceramic Tile

The correct answer is: Laminate

The correct choice is based on the distinct characteristics of laminate flooring installation. Laminate flooring is composed of several layers that are fused together, and it typically expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. To accommodate this natural movement and to ensure that each plank aligns uniformly during installation, spacers are used to create consistent gaps between the planks and the walls or any adjoining surfaces. This gap allows for expansion and prevents the planks from buckling or warping over time, which is crucial for the longevity and performance of laminate floors. In contrast, while wood flooring may also require gaps for expansion, it is usually installed using nails or glue that can hold the planks more rigidly, often reducing the reliance on spacers to maintain gap uniformity compared to laminate. Luxury vinyl tile can be installed in a way that doesn’t necessarily require spacers, and ceramic tile installation involves using spacers as well; however, its application differs as it focuses on maintaining grout lines rather than accommodating thermal expansion of the material itself. Thus, the use of spacers to ensure consistent gaps during installation is most prominent in laminate flooring.