Thursday, June 6, 2013

Minding the Gap


Very old wood floors, beautiful as they are, inevitably raise the question of how to seal the gaps that develop between the planks in order to make the floor safe and functional. During warmer and colder temperatures, the wood can expand and contract, and therefore the wood filler needs to be flexible in order to move with it. The thicker the wood planks and the deeper the gap, the more difficult it may be to find a solution that seals the gap and still looks good.

That’s why I was thrilled to spy this solution being implemented at Maison Premiere in Williamsburg.



This lovely oyster bar has gorgeous decades-old wood flooring. The substantial gaps between the thick planks have been filled with rope and stained to match the floor. The rope expands and contracts along with the wood, ensuring that it never falls out or widens the gap. It also looks fantastic, and matches the distressed look of the flooring. And most importantly, it keeps staff and patrons from tripping, ensuring that the delicious cocktails and oysters are all accounted for. 

 photo courtesy of Maison Premiere


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