When placing a long piece of flooring, how far should it be positioned from a side wall?

When installing long pieces of flooring, it is important to maintain a gap between the flooring and the side wall to allow for expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature and humidity. The correct space of 1/2" to 5/8" provides an adequate buffer for these environmental factors, ensuring that the flooring has enough room to expand without causing buckling or warping against the wall.

This space also accounts for potential irregularities in the wall, as most walls may not be perfectly straight or level, and maintaining a gap helps achieve a professional and aesthetically pleasing finish. By adhering to this measurement, you help secure the long-term integrity of the flooring installation while also conforming to best practices in flooring assembly.

Other options provided either offer insufficient space, which could lead to issues with the flooring expanding and potentially damaging the installation, or too much space, which may create a gap that appears unsightly and unprofessional once the installation is complete.