For very uneven flooring, laminate sheets or tiles may be a better bet. This material is more flexible, but may reveal the imperfections in the surface. The most durable and attractive option for an uneven floor is often a pour on option, such as epoxy.
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.
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.
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.
For very uneven flooring, laminate sheets or tiles may be a better bet. This material is more flexible, but may reveal the imperfections in the surface.
Ramp option for joining a carpet to a hard floor.
Another floor transition for uneven floors is the Compression Ramp. It is designed to join a carpet to a hard floorcovering, where there is a height difference of up to 5mm either way.
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.
Don't install your laminate on any floor with a drain. Don't install laminate on any uneven subfloor or outdoors. Don't install your laminate over residential carpet. Don't install a second layer of laminate underlayment.
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.
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. A flat and level floor is key so that the adjoining vinyl plank flooring don't have varying heights.
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.
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. It also can't have a dip of ⅛” within 2'. Level means that a floor doesn't slope in any direction. From one end of the room to the other, there is no pitch.
Uneven floors in a house are usually a sign of a foundation problem, but not always.
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.
The layout of your home
If you have an open concept floor plan, a single flooring material will look more cohesive. The continuity will make your home appear even larger. If your home has a closed layout with each room having its own defined space, you can customize each space to have its own personality.
If your old floors are in bad shape, any new flooring will help. While solid hardwood flooring would add more value, laminate will give your home the look of hardwood at a much lower cost, will look good for years, and your return on investment should be solid.
Cannot be refinished: Due to its composite construction and wear layer, a laminate floor can never be refinished. Once it has been damaged or worn out, laminate flooring must be replaced.
Not moisture-proof
Being made of wood, laminate flooring is not impervious to the effects of moisture. Therefore, it's not suitable as a hard flooring for bathrooms and should be used with caution in kitchens or laundries. Light surface water for cleaning shouldn't cause issues, but saturation must be avoided.
While laminate tends to be more forgiving of subfloor imperfections compared to other types of flooring, it is still important to level your flooring to avoid future damage if you are installing laminate flooring on an uneven subfloor. A level subfloor ensures a more attractive and long-lasting finish.
Underlayment can serve as a relatively simple fix to an uneven-subfloor. Keep in mind that in some circumstances you won't be able to use underlayment as underlayment should only be used for minor imperfections.
Avoid excessive water when mopping, which can seep into the seams between boards, causing swelling. Laminate flooring will not tolerate standing pools of water, which often appear in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. For areas with heavy moisture, you need an impervious surface, such as vinyl or porcelain tile.
First, the slipping started, because peel-and-stick vinyl tiles don't actually stick that well to uneven surfaces. Sure, they make great contact with flat areas, but grout lines pose a bit of a problem. And moldings and appliances, too. You need laser precision to cut these babies flush to the footprint of your space.
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. However, the uneven floor may be an indicator of a larger, unseen problem with the house.
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.