Uneven Tile Surfaces To achieve a smooth vinyl surface, you may need to level the tile with a patching compound or use a thicker underlayment.
Using a floor levelling compound provides a practical solution for addressing uneven tile surfaces and preparing a smooth foundation for various flooring options, including vinyl flooring.
Vinyl and Laminate flooring:
Both vinyl and laminate floors are versatile and durable options that can be installed over slightly uneven surfaces.
If any unevenness is relatively minor, then the installation should not present much of a problem. In actual fact, the thickness and sturdiness of the tiles or sheets used for this type of floor can have the effect of concealing the problem.
Just rent an edger and buzz the plywood down in the high spots and feather finish the lows. If it's concrete, sub the edger for a grinder with a cup wheel. It will be worth the extra effort.
Techniques like using transfer tape and applying heat enhance the vinyl's ability to stick properly. Transfer tape helps in the accurate placement and alignment of the vinyl, while heating the vinyl makes it flexible enough to fit into the textured surface's unique contours.
When preparing your subfloor for luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring, it is important to ensure that the surface is level, clean, and free of any debris or obstacles.
Please follow these requirements: Subfloor unevenness cannot be greater than 3/16 of an inch over a 10-foot span or 1/8 inch over a 6-foot span. Subfloors must not slope more than ½ inch per 6 feet (25 mm per 1.8 m) Subfloors must be structurally sound.
Yes, mold can grow under vinyl flooring if moisture becomes trapped underneath the flooring material. Vinyl flooring is not a breathable material, which means that moisture cannot escape through the flooring.
For only slightly uneven flooring, sturdy materials such as luxury vinyl plank can also be used for full coverage. The benefit of sturdier types of flooring is that they will give the floor the illusion of being more even than it actually is. For very uneven flooring, laminate sheets or tiles may be a better bet.
Various flooring options cater specifically to uneven floors, offering durability, aesthetics, and functionality. Vinyl flooring, laminate flooring, carpet tiles, engineered wood flooring, cork flooring, concrete flooring, and rubber flooring are among the best flooring for old house with uneven floors.
In short, the answer is yes.
Luxury vinyl flooring is a great option for covering existing tiles due to its durability, easy maintenance, and cost-effectiveness. Durability is one of the key benefits of luxury vinyl flooring. It's made from multiple layers that are fused together in a process called lamination.
There is no need to use an underlay with our vinyl flooring. If your sub floor is uneven we recommend you use a good-quality latex self-levelling compound, alternatively smaller uneven spots of more than 3mm can be filled with a rapid-drying deep-fill compound.
When moisture penetrates your flooring, it can cause mold, mildew, and the potential for water damage. A moisture barrier helps control the water vapor's movement to help protect your floors. Therefore, if you're installing floors in an area that sees moisture, even a little, a vapor barrier is needed.
Whether or not LVT can be installed depends largely on how uneven the surface of the floor is - if the floor is not too uneven, then an installation should be ok however is not recommended.
Use the proper leveling compounds to provide a flat surface – subfloors should be 3/16” in 10' or 1/8”: in 6' – the use of a 6' level can help to determine the flatness of the subfloor.
For residential work, the minimum movement joint between the underlayment and tile layers and any restraining surfaces is 1/8 inch (1/4 inch is recommended).
Traffic flow
The path most traveled in a room also dictates a sensible direction for your vinyl planks. Laying the planks parallel to the main traffic flow does a couple of things. First, it creates a visual elongation of the space, making the journey through the room feel more direct and spacious.
In general, if a floor slopes ½ inch to 1 inch for every 20 feet of the floor, it may require you to watch the situation, but it may not be a big concern. Sloping or sagging floors of more than 2 inches will indicate a problem. Sometimes, original builders slope the floor to allow for drainage.
In summary, self-leveling cement plays a vital role in the installation of vinyl plank flooring, serving as the foundation upon which a flawless finish is built.