How to Fix Gaps in Hybrid Flooring

📖 9 min read

Gaps in hybrid flooring shouldn't happen – but they do. Sometimes it's an installation issue. Sometimes it's environmental. And sometimes the floor is actually behaving exactly as it should, but something else has gone wrong.

The good news: most gaps can be fixed without replacing the entire floor. The key is figuring out why they appeared, because the fix depends entirely on the cause.

Let's diagnose what's happening with your floor and get it sorted.

🔴 IMAGE 1 (Hero): Close-up of hybrid flooring showing a gap between planks – clear enough to see the issue but not so dramatic it looks like a disaster. Educational, not alarming. Ideal size: 1200x600px landscape.

Why Gaps Happen in the First Place

Hybrid flooring uses a click-lock system. When installed correctly, the planks lock together tightly with no visible gaps. If gaps appear, something has caused the planks to separate or prevented them from locking properly.

The usual suspects:

Fixing Gaps at Plank Ends (Short Edges)

These appear where the short ends of planks meet. They're the most common type of gap.

Cause: Usually Installation

End joints need firm pressure to click together. If the installer didn't fully engage the end lock, a gap will eventually appear – sometimes immediately, sometimes after a few weeks of foot traffic.

The Fix

If the Gap Won't Stay Closed

If the gap closes but reopens, the floor may be under pressure somewhere else:

• Check that expansion gaps exist at all walls (8-10mm)
• Check around door frames, pipes, and fixed objects
• Look for scotia or transitions that are pinning the floor down

The floor needs room to move. If it can't expand at the edges, it will push apart in the middle.

Fixing Gaps Along Long Edges

These run along the length of the plank where two long edges meet. Less common than end gaps, but they happen.

Cause: Click-Lock Not Engaged or Subfloor Issues

Long-edge gaps usually mean the locking mechanism never fully engaged, or the subfloor is uneven and the planks are rocking apart.

The Fix

For installation gaps:

1. Lift the edge of the upper plank slightly (if possible without damaging it)
2. Angle it down into the locking channel of the adjacent plank
3. Press down firmly until you hear/feel the click
4. If you can't lift the plank, try pressing down on the seam while tapping with a tapping block

For subfloor-related gaps:

If the planks rock when you step on them, the subfloor isn't flat enough. This is harder to fix without lifting the floor. Options:

• Minor unevenness: Sometimes a thicker underlay can help, but you'd need to reinstall
• Significant unevenness: The floor may need to come up so you can level the subfloor properly (see our subfloor preparation guide)

🔴 IMAGE 2 (Repair): Someone using a tapping block and mallet to close a gap in hybrid flooring, or using a pull bar near a wall. Hands-on, instructional. Ideal size: 1000x600px landscape.

Fixing Visible Perimeter Gaps (Gaps at Walls)

If you can see a gap between the flooring and the wall – and it's not hidden by scotia – you have a different problem.

Wait, Isn't There Supposed to Be a Gap at the Wall?

Yes! Floating floors need an 8-10mm expansion gap around the entire perimeter. But this gap should be hidden by scotia, skirting boards, or the flooring sliding under door frames.

If you can see it, either:

• The scotia or skirting was never installed
• The floor has contracted and pulled away, exposing more gap than the trim can cover
• The expansion gap was too large to begin with

The Fix

Random Gaps Appearing Over Time

If gaps appear randomly – not in a pattern, not near walls, just scattered through the floor – something is causing the floor to shift.

Most Likely Causes

1. Blocked expansion – The floor is locked somewhere (doorway, pipe, fixed furniture) and can't move naturally
2. Heavy furniture drag – Sliding heavy items can pull planks apart
3. Subfloor flex – If the subfloor bounces or flexes, click-locks can disengage

The Fix

1. Close the gaps using the tapping method described above
2. Investigate the cause – check all expansion gaps, look for anything pinning the floor
3. Address the root cause, otherwise the gaps will return

Seasonal Gaps (Usually Winter)

In winter, indoor heating dries the air. This can cause slight contraction in any flooring, including hybrid.

Is This Normal?

SPC hybrid flooring is much more stable than timber, but it's not immune to temperature and humidity changes. Very minor seasonal gaps (hairline) can be normal in some climates.

However, gaps you can easily see or feel underfoot are not normal seasonal movement – something else is going on.

The Fix

• If gaps are hairline: Wait until the humidity returns in warmer months. They'll likely close on their own.
• If gaps are visible: Use the tapping method to close them. Consider a humidifier in very dry homes.
• If gaps are significant: Investigate other causes (installation, expansion, subfloor).

How to Prevent Gaps

Prevention is easier than repair. If you're installing new flooring (or reinstalling), get these right:

For the full installation process, see our hybrid flooring installation guide.

🔴 IMAGE 3 (Prevention): Proper installation in progress – could show expansion gap spacers at wall, or someone properly clicking planks together. Shows "doing it right." Ideal size: 1000x600px landscape.

When to Call a Professional

Some gap issues are beyond DIY repair:

The Australasian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA) maintains a directory of accredited flooring professionals who can assess and repair problematic floors.

Quick Reference: Gap Type → Likely Cause → Fix

Need Help Diagnosing Your Floor?

Not sure what's causing the gaps? Send us a photo and describe when they appeared – we're happy to help diagnose the issue and suggest the best fix. Call 0431 311 633 or send us a message.

Last updated: December 2025 · Written by the team at Hybrid Floors Australia