Plywood Over Concrete To Level Floor For Laminate

The floor can have an unlevel subfloor and still have a base for a nice laminate floor.

Plywood over concrete to level floor for laminate.

It is made from a resin and wood dust base covered with a paper top layer. Self leveling underlayment products can be used on concrete floors wood subfloors that are uneven but still in decent shape and even over ceramic tile floors eliminating the task of tearing. Level floors are critical for reducing gaps between the flooring material and substrate and preventing sagging and other structural complications. Not only is trying to install laminate over an uneven subfloor difficult but also it can be dangerous.

Whether you re going on to install hardwood ceramic tile or laminate one of the most important steps of any flooring project is making sure the subfloor foundation is level. Laminate flooring is a material designed to resemble solid hardwood flooring but costs just a fraction of the price. If your floor is concrete use a concrete grinder for large open areas or a 4 inch or 8 inch angle grinder with a cup wheel attachment made for use on concrete. Fill any low spots with a cementitious leveling compound following the manufacturer s directions and allow it to dry before proceeding.

To make a subfloor suitable for installing laminate check out this basic guide first. Inspect the moisture level check the moisture level of the subflooring using a moisture meter. 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. A floating floor laminate or locking hardwood shouldn t be installed over a wood subfloor that s adhered to a concrete slab.

Check your wood flooring manufacturer s recommendations and sand any high spots with a concrete grinder. Typically the floor must be level and uniform within 3 16 inch every 10 feet. I have read in some places that you need a vapour barrier to put over the concrete before installing the plywood and in other places to just glue the plywood to the concrete floor. Grinding and repairing a concrete floor can create concrete dust so be safe and wear a respirator a dust mask will not give you enough protection.

First assess the severity of the uneven subfloor. Laminate flooring on an uneven subfloor can cause problems and needs to be addressed. I have seen many blogs and read a lot and know it can be done but need a bit of help. The paper is printed to look like real wood then topped with a protective coat.

How to level a floor to lay laminate. Laminate flooring provides an affordable and eco friendly alternative to standard hardwood.