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I recently laid a large rough-hemlock floor((as a subfloor) using 1″1/4 rough hemlock from trees off the property. After seeing the look, and feeling the solidity of the floor, I was wondering if there is some kind of caulk or filler I could use to fill the spaces before I sand and finish it.It would be ideal if it could be somewhat elastic due to the natural movement opf the floor, yet be able to be sanded flush after curing.The finish is rustic, the budget demands that a second layer is out of the question! Any help… The local yards are scratching their heads!
BG
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Hemlock sounds like New hampshire or Vermont.
Used it from the mill in '75, random width, 6-8-10 & 12, as vertical interior wall finish and kitchen cabinets.
Anticipated that we would get a lot of shrinkage so we covered the walls with 15# felt so only black would show thru on the joints. For doors, and cabinets we made our own shiplap joint on edges. We air dryed everything for about 6 months inside. Doors and cabinets very stable. Walls moved all over the place, since we were less selective with them than the door/cabinet matl.
Anyhow............ if the floors are at equilibrium in re: moisture content, say 19% relative hum., and you can sort of control the relative humidity during the heating season, say 40% interior. then they will sort of stabilize. (check these numbers, I'm quoting from memory) and you can use a caulk like SikaFlex, which they use for deck seams on boats. Check "Wooden Boats" for back issues on applications. SikaFlex is sold at all marine supply stores around here. It's expensive and SUPER sticky and you've got a lot of seams so I would get a power caulking gun and practise in the closets until you've got the technique. You want to gun it and tool it, let it cure, and then coat with the floor finish of your choice. You CAN sand Sikaflex, but its a bear so you don't want to do that except for some occasional OOPS.
If you can't control the humidity, you're going to have a tough time with either pulling away and breaking your caulk joints or expanding and buckeling your floor. GOOD LUCK and let us know what you decide.
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Hi Bill,
This is a message from one of the many sysops, Larry.
Whenever someone adds a new message to the discussion, the discussion boards note it and modify the listing in the directory where the original post was made.
I hope this answers your question.
Cordially,
Larry!
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Then down the rabbit hole and follow the yellow brick road.
Rich Beckman
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I recently laid a large rough-hemlock floor((as a subfloor) using 1"1/4 rough hemlock from trees off the property. After seeing the look, and feeling the solidity of the floor, I was wondering if there is some kind of caulk or filler I could use to fill the spaces before I sand and finish it.It would be ideal if it could be somewhat elastic due to the natural movement opf the floor, yet be able to be sanded flush after curing.The finish is rustic, the budget demands that a second layer is out of the question! Any help... The local yards are scratching their heads!
BG