Wood Flooring - glue free

[JohnHH]

This is not the solid stuff, but the wood on like a plywood. I'm aware I need to allow for expansion so I plan to take of the the skirting baords and reduce them. But a number of issues crop up when I look at it in reality.

Do i really need to allow for expansion across the width of the doorway? (Chop of the bottom of the door frame?)

Likewise at the base of the stairs.

This looks like becoming a bigger job than I imagined!!!

 

[WoodYouLike]

Yes on both accounts to prevent problems later on

 

[JohnHH]

Thanks ... OK guess I was looking for a too easy solution. Is there an easy / tidy way to chop bits out of the door fame, base of stairs etc. The problem is that the area is small but with no end of corners etc! The other issue I've got is a sunken door mat, currently with a strip surround in hardwood ... I guess even this I have to but up to leaving some method for expansion?

 

[WoodYouLike]

We normally use a Feinmaster for this work (but bit expansive to buy for just one DIY job I'm afraid). There are ways to do it need: take time, don't rush!
Place a board on the floor next to the door post so you can constantly measure how much you need to cut out and use that board also to 'guide' your hand saw to cut the top cut. Then you can either chisel the bit out, or cut the bottom with the hand saw as best as possible and then chisel out the remaining bits. (Hope this sounds 'sound')
For your doormat: there are L-profiles or End-thresholds for neat finish and take care of the expansion gap

 

[JohnHH]

Thanks for all the help, din't think about cutting surrounding areas in situ. On a fiddly job like this it will save a lot of time.