You can install vinyl on many types of subfloor, including concrete and wood. But that floor must be flat for your installation to be a success. An uneven subfloor can lead to potential problems, such as planks having varying heights that will make the flooring unstable and wear down more quickly.
Moreover, if your floor is just slightly uneven, keep in mind that a vinyl plank over uneven floor can provide it with full coverage, as well as other sturdy materials. Not only do these types of materials give the floor the illusion of being more even than it really is, but they're also easy DIY flooring options.
No. Rigid vinyl planks like Sound-Tec, Studio 12, and Foundations float over minor subfloor imperfections. They mask slight subfloor unevenness. However, because of the precisely milled clip system, a flat substrate is recommended for support.
The solution is to place a thin layer of plywood down first on top of the floorboards, secured with some short, flat head nails. This creates a perfectly level surface across your entire room, which you can then lay your vinyl flooring on top of as per the manufacturer's instructions.
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.
Engineered wood flooring is a more traditional option that can be installed over uneven surfaces. It's made of a thin layer of solid wood on top of multiple layers of plywood. Engineered wood flooring is also relatively durable, easy to maintain, and can help retain the look and feel of an historic home.
If you have uneven floors, flexible flooring like epoxy is the best choice. This is because the epoxy self-levels itself and covers the entire floor evenly. Nevertheless, the term “best” depends on the strength of the underlayer. Soft, inflexible underlayers like cork don't work well with epoxy.
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.
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.
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.
The pass level for ASTM F 2199 is such that shrinkage of up to 0.024” / linear foot is considered a “pass”. This equates to a maximum allowable gap of 0.072” for a typical three foot plank, which is more than double the thickness of a credit card.
When learning how to install vinyl plank flooring with a glue down method, remember to start in the center of the room, rather than in the corners. Find the center of the room, then using your chalk and straightedge, strike a line.
One of the best ways to fix the issue of uneven floor is to use floor patch product. It can be used in concrete subfloor or wooden subfloor. It is best for leveling floors that has dips, slanting issues, cracks and chipping problems.
Side Plank Separation
Humidity and temperature changes can cause planks to contract, creating gaps along the sides. Improper installation can also be the culprit. Either way, these unsightly spaces can be easily fixed with a tube of putty.
If the subfloor is uneven, with dips, ripples, or waves, this irregularity will be telescoped through to the surface floor covering and can even cause the flooring installation to fail. For example, ceramic tile installed over a bad subfloor can result in cracking grout or broken tiles.
Fibreboard underlay
It helps smooth uneven floors, reduces noise and acts as an excellent thermal insulator. Not to mention, it's also the number one choice of underlay for laminate and wooden floors. If you have an uneven subfloor, the fibreboard will help even any dips and dents you can't level out.
If you're installing a loose lay vinyl plank floor, you will not need an underlayment. This material can be installed directly on top of the subfloor without any additional padding. Your subfloor will need to be level just as any other vinyl installation.
Uneven floors in a house are usually a sign of a foundation problem, but not always.
Shimming the subfloor is a common method to flatten to required tolerance. Shimming may consist of many variations in technique and a multitude of products to achieve the same goal. Probably the most common method of shimming is using underlayment material to build slight elevation gains.
Many homes older than 15 years tend to experience some sort of foundation issue or settlement. Slab, basement, and crawl space foundations are all at risk of settlement, which can cause your floors to warp, bend, and become uneven.
The main things that you need to consider when choosing the thickness of your laminate floor are the evenness of your subfloor and any reason you may have to be worrying about noise reduction. If you have a subfloor that is in any way uneven, it pays off to choose a thicker laminate.
Should you install LVP under cabinets? No, you can't put cabinets on top of a floating vinyl floor. Like other types of floating floors, floating vinyl flooring and LVP should not be installed under cabinets.