Subfloor Uneven Laminate Flooring

How to install laminate flooring on an uneven surface.

Subfloor uneven laminate flooring.

Laminate boards aren t as flexible as vinyl but they still follow the contours of an uneven subfloor and you ll feel the unevenness when you walk on it. If you have a concrete floor you must use a self leveling compound to level the floor out. First assess the severity of the uneven subfloor. To make a subfloor suitable for installing laminate check out this basic guide first.

An even floor surface effects your budget and can limit your floor options. It s important to level the subfloor. A subfloor is meant to be flat and level. Otherwise the floor will take the shape of the surface.

Here are some things to consider when your subfloor is uneven. Underlay will not hide major flaws and a floor that is uneven will need attention before you lay any laminate flooring. If you have a wood floor you can follow the same process. Only very small imperfections can be concealed using underlay.

The subfloor must be even. A floating floor is the best option when structural and subfloor imperfections are part of your floor selection equation. A level subfloor ensures a more attractive and long lasting finish. 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.

The floor can have an unlevel subfloor and still have a base for a nice laminate floor. If not your floor covering which is the solid hardwood laminate tile or other exposed flooring that goes on top of the subfloor will never be flat and level this problem can be fixed but it all depends on exactly what kind of uneven subfloor you have. Floating floors are a less expensive option when dealing with uneven surfaces. Dealing with uneven floors is a part of the trade when installing flooring.

It s a bit confusing but a flat floor can still be slightly out of level and still create a good foundation for a long lasting floor installation. Before you can do a good job of installing wood laminate or any other flooring you need a good subfloor to start out with.