Hardwood laid to tight to the wall is a disaster wating to happen. Always acclimate the flooring before it is laid and always leave the space around all walls, doorways and the like. If I had to do it over again I would use one of the prefinished hardwoods, one we just finished has a twenty years warrenty and can be refininshed at some point many years from now. This stuff is so tough you can beat on it with a hammer and not leave a mark.
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