RenovaStairsA floor is only as flat as what lies beneath it
You level the subfloor for a PVC floor because thin PVC shows every irregularity underneath; with glued-down PVC (dryback), levelling is therefore always required. Levelling means making the screed flat with a levelling compound, so your new floor lies smooth, stable and durable. I always assess the subfloor first during my home visit.
What is levelling?
Levelling is making a subfloor flat with a levelling compound. The compound is a liquid mix that is spread over the screed and flows out into a smooth, even layer. Dips, joints and small differences in height disappear, creating a flat base for your new floor.
Levelling is not the same as pouring a new screed. The existing screed stays in place; the compound only fills the irregularities and makes the surface smooth.
The levelling is carried out by a specialist I work with. That way each part of the job is in the hands of a specialist. After that I lay your floor myself.
Why glued-down PVC always needs a level subfloor
Glued-down PVC, also called dryback, consists of thin, flexible strips glued directly onto the screed. Because the material is so thin, every irregularity shows straight through. A bump, a joint or a small dip shows up as a ridge or a shadow in your new floor, especially when light falls across it at a low angle.
With dryback, levelling is therefore not optional but essential. The benefit is considerable, though: glued-down PVC has the best heat conduction of all floor types, which makes it an excellent match for underfloor heating.
And with rigid click PVC?
Rigid click PVC has a hard, stable core of PVC and stone minerals. That core bridges small irregularities and fine cracks in the subfloor. As a result, rigid click can often be laid over an existing floor without levelling.
Often, but not always. If the differences in height are too large, even a click floor will start to flex or creak and the click joints have to take too much strain. If I find during my visit that the floor is not flat enough, I will advise levelling first here too.
How it works in practice
From the first visit to the new floor, levelling follows a few clear steps:
- Step 1: I assess the subfloor during my free home visit
- Step 2: you receive a price indication for the levelling in advance
- Step 3: the old floor covering is removed and the subfloor is cleaned
- Step 4: the specialist I work with applies the levelling compound
- Step 5: the compound dries out completely
- Step 6: I lay your new floor and finish it with skirting boards
For the planning you have one point of contact: me. I arrange the levelling with the specialist and come to lay your floor as soon as the compound is properly dry. So you do not have to coordinate anything yourself.
What determines the cost of levelling?
The cost depends on two factors: the thickness of the levelling layer required and the number of square metres. A floor that is only slightly uneven needs a thinner layer than a floor with large differences in height.
You always receive a price indication in advance, so you know roughly what to expect. The final amount can only be set once the levelling is done, because the exact layer thickness is only known then. That way you are never caught out by a quote that turns out to be wrong afterwards.
Just as important for laminate and wood
A flat subfloor matters for every new floor, not just PVC. A laminate floor with a good underlay lies quieter and more stable on a flat base. An engineered wood floor, with an oak top layer on plywood, is fully glued down on underfloor heating for good heat transfer. Then too, the subfloor needs to be in good order.
If you choose a pattern such as herringbone or chevron in glued-down PVC, a level subfloor is even more important, because every deviation in the pattern stands out immediately.
Have your subfloor assessed for free
Not sure what state your current subfloor is in? I visit you free of charge and without obligation, inspect the subfloor and tell you honestly whether levelling is needed. I bring the floor collections, so you can choose straight away.
After that I measure up myself and you receive a clear quote, with a separate price indication for the levelling if it is required. Book your free home consultation and lay your new floor on a solid base.