Evening folks We have decided to tackle our kitchen for the first time since moving in. The laminate floor was basically built up to the kitchen plinths and we had a lot of trouble with all our appliances (levelling as well as installing and pulling out for maintenance). Units and floor are now out and we have found a mish mash of 1. T&G grade 4 chipboard stuff in place of original floorboards. 2. Original uneven hearth (no tiles) which the T&G has been cut to fit around 3. Patched up lines for what must have been the old building lines/pantry/outdoor loo. 4. Concrete with raised wavy lines - some sort of old adhesive? Who knows. 5. The floor generally seems to slope down from front to back. 6. All junctions are uneven Wondered about removing all timber and concreting the lot, then levelling but the void is too significant and there are electrics, gas and heating pipes to worry about. We are on a budget as the kitchen is being replaced completely but we are aware that poor prep will undermine it all if not done properly. Had hoped for 300x300 ceramic tiles (rather than the trendy bigger sizes) to keep the flooring more simple to lay. Any ideas on what to do with the subfloor? we have been sitting staring at it for hours now, scrolling through this forum and other sites. We can't raise this floor too much as we would end up with a step up to the kitchen from the hall which would be a trip waiting to happen. Would it make sense to replace the bouncy T&G with 18/22mm marine ply and levelling the lot with a screed of some sort? Would we need something else before tiling? I have seen mesh mats that seem to work like a lath, have also seen references to backing boards? Am coming around to the fact that we may not be able to do this ourselves! Any help would be great. Am attaching some pics. Thanks guys.
I'd be replacing the chipboard if bouncing or fixing down. Then 6mm ply over the wood areas Build of concrete areas with Screeding compounds and liquid dpm if needed. Then fibre Screeding compound all over. A lot of work that will need a pro. Won't be cheap but cheaper then putting a new sub floor in. On tapatalk HD
Thank you. Re abandoning ceramics for LVT Spacey, £ouch! But I am thinking on it now. Fair point. Dazlight, super helpful info, thank you. Looking for a grey/concrete effect actually. Could the screed be left uncovered and sealed somehow? Just wondering. If all of this works out unaffordable is there any mileage in overlaying with ply purely to get a more even finish for appliances and a temporary floor finish until we can come back to this properly another time? Thanks again both.
Look at polyflor expona. A few nice concrete effect tiles in their range. You could overlay the lot with ply but you could end up with more problems. All depends what your budget is really. Do you know how many m2 the room is ? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ive seen way worse than that, it really isnt that bad and was expecting to open up the pictures to find a right mess, will be no sweat for a 'proper' pro. Defo lvt route though, underfloor heating a must if having ceramics in my opinion. Like daz says, 6mm diamond grade ply over timber areas and screed to build up from the concrete parts then a nice flow of fibre screed over the top (....im Sure daz just said that )
Hi folks! Me again! All going well so far so I popped on to say a big thanks!! I have some polyflor LVT samples too. I like the locking style best. Is this a good idea? Or should I stick with old school and stick it all down?! Thanks again! Annette
Take into account if you are going for the loc system then put new skirts on afterwards as you will get a better look/finish. Id go with the stick down personally.
