Expansion Gap
The 1/4"-1/2" perimeter gap left between flooring and walls/cabinets to allow seasonal expansion and contraction.
Wood, LVP, and laminate floors expand and contract with seasonal temperature and humidity changes. The expansion gap — typically 1/4" to 1/2" of empty space at every wall, cabinet, pipe, and door jamb — gives the floor room to move without buckling.
The gap is hidden under quarter-round, baseboard, or transition strips. Skipping the gap is a guaranteed callback when summer humidity hits and the floor lifts in the middle.
Manufacturer instructions specify the gap dimension. For floating LVP and laminate floors over 30 feet in any direction, you'll need a mid-room expansion break covered by a T-molding.