One way to install flooring on uneven floors is to choose a type of flooring that is naturally flexible. This makes carpet one of the most ideal options: it's cheap, easy to install, and very attractive. For only slightly uneven flooring, sturdy materials such as luxury vinyl plank can also be used for full coverage.
Planks installed on an uneven floor can also lead to hollow spots, bouncing floors, and flooring joints separating, breaking, or splitting, causing the floor to fail. Tip: Use a level or straight edge to ensure the floor is flat before installing your vinyl.
Prep your subfloor so that it's clean, dry and level within 3/16-inch change per 10 feet. Use a self-leveler on low spots and/or sand high spots of wood or concrete. Don't sand vinyl flooring as it may contain asbestos.
Both vinyl and laminate floors are versatile and durable options that can be installed over slightly uneven surfaces. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to clean and maintain, and come in a wide range of patterns and colors so you don't have to sacrifice style for function.
Pour the liquid-like floor leveler onto the subfloor and smooth it out with a trowel. Gravity will help it settle into the low areas. Remove any excess floor leveler and feather it around the edges so it blends with the rest of the floor. Let the floor leveler dry overnight or as indicated by the manufacturer.
Underlayment can help smooth things out, though, but the type you choose will vary depending on your specific reasoning for wanting an even subfloor. That can make choosing the right one for you rather tricky, so here's a quick guide that should lend a helping hand in getting the best underlayment for uneven subfloors.
When you're installing a vinyl plank floor or any rigid type of new flooring, it's important for the underlying layer to be both level and flat. If you're installing vinyl planks on top of a concrete floor, the standard tolerance required is for the floor to be level to 3/16” within a 10' radius.
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.
Floating flooring is not recommended for uneven floors as this increases risk of the planks moving or splitting apart. Ceramic and porcelain tiles will also crack over time if the subfloor is uneven.
Vinyl flooring naturally expands and contracts in the heat and cold. Stop the floor between a quarter inch and a half inch shy of the wall to allow for this natural expansion. If the floor is installed flush with the wall there is no room for growth in the hot months and the loose-lay floor can easily buckle.
If your planks already have a pad-attached underlayment, you most likely won't need an underlayment. However, if your flooring manufacturers installation instructions allow for an extra underlayment, adding an extra underlayment will provide improved sound reduction, insulation, and moisture protection.
When properly used, expansion gaps can relieve the pressure from heat expansion that can affect a floating floor and prevent any noticeable buckling or peaked appearance. If the floor is less than 50 ft in length or width, leave at least a ¼-inch expansion gap around the entire perimeter.
Forgetting to level the subfloor
The subfloor must be level before installing laminate flooring. If the subfloor is leveled, the laminate planks will not lay properly, causing uneven and unsightly floors. If the subfloor is not level, you can use a self-leveling compound to level it out.
Luxury vinyl flooring is more forgiving than other types of hard flooring when it comes to installation on a subfloor that is less than perfect. If you attempt to install ceramic or natural stone tile on a subfloor that is not well prepared, with no bumps, blemishes, cracks, or warping, every imperfection will show.
In some cases, a slight slope may be normal and not cause for concern. However, if the slope is severe or getting worse over time, it could be a sign of a serious problem that requires immediate attention. One potential risk of sloping floors is damage to the structural integrity of the home.
What Causes Uneven Floors? The term “uneven floors” is used to describe any floor surface that sags, bounces, buckles or slopes. As mentioned above, it's common to find slanted floors in a house more than 15 years old due to the home's foundation shifting over time.
If you want to raise the height of a floor, the cheapest and easiest way is to add a thick underlayment designed for the job. There are other options too like adding a framed wooden subfloor or floor leveling compound before installing new flooring.
But, just like with any other permanent product, it's imperative that the existing floor is clean and dry, in excellent condition, and most important, level.
Lifespan. Thick, quality vinyl flooring can last up to 25 years, with thinner vinyl flooring's lifespan limited to less than 10 years. Laminate flooring can last between 15 and 25 years, though poorly maintained laminate may last only five to 10 years.
Vinyl stands up the best against excess moisture and spills, and it can be less expensive than laminate. However, laminate gives a more realistic wood look to enhance the design aesthetic in your home.
In short, vinyl flooring itself can be completely self sustainable and does not require an underlayment to function properly. Another reason underlayments may be suggested for vinyl flooring is if the vinyl flooring type is thin. When the vinyl flooring is thin, it becomes a lot easier to flex and bend.
When you install your vinyl on a wood subfloor, the top plywood should be a minimum of 1/4″ thick. For most subfloors, you will need to add an extra layer of wood. To do this, measure and cut the plywood to fit your room.