Abstract: An expansion joint for covered floor panels such as concrete slabs, as well as wall and ceiling panels, has a thickness equal to a covering material on the panels and is surface mounted. An expansion joint member having hingeable lateral sections bridges across substantially abutting panels at a gap which may vary laterally, longitudinally or in elevation. A U-shaped body portion incorporating the hingeable lateral sections has a width greater than a maximum width of the gap, and fasteners adjacent one side of the gap for affixing the body portion to the panel at an attachment side of the joint. The body portion bridges across the gap and carries a strip of the covering material. The lateral section opposite from the attached lateral section may rotate downwardly at the hinge, to rest freely on the surface of the panel on an opposite side of the gap. Wing members on the hinged lateral sections extend laterally outwardly at a height equal to the thickness of the covering material side.