Sometimes environments are less than ideal. There are many homes that may have uneven floors, whether it's because of the passage of time or because of flooring that has been removed. Uneven floors still have a lot of options, but there are some flooring types that may not be advisable.
Flexible Flooring Options
One way to install flooring on uneven floors is to choose a type of flooring that is naturally flexible. This makes carpet one of the most ideal options: it's cheap, easy to install, and very attractive. For only slightly uneven flooring, sturdy materials such as luxury vinyl plank can also be used for full coverage. The benefit of sturdier types of flooring is that they will give the floor the illusion of being more even than it actually is. 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. Modern epoxy can be designed to mimic a variety of appearances, from hardwood to "galaxy" designs. Epoxy won't just finish out the floor: when properly installed, it will actually even out the floor. It should be noted that even flexible flooring can be damaged if the flooring is uneven enough. Gradual bends in the floor surface will be fairly easy to install over, but sharp corners will damage nearly any flooring option over time. The thicker the flooring is, the more likely it actually is to break and become stressed. Because of this, you may need to plan head and assume that your floor will need to be replaced fairly frequently.
Can You Install Hardwood on Uneven Floors?
In order to properly install hardwood on uneven flooring, the floor itself has to be smoothed out. This can be done through the use of underlays and re-surfacing. For concrete surfaces, sanding and polishing may be required. If the floor simply tilts, most hardwoods (especially engineered hardwoods) will be able to be installed quite easily.
Flooring Options to Avoid for Uneven Floors
There are certain types of flooring that should never be installed on uneven floors. Ceramic and porcelain tiles -- especially large format tiles -- will usually crack over time if the floor cannot be evened out. Natural stone is even more susceptible to this type of breakage.
Of course, homeowners may also want to look into the reason behind their uneven floor surface. Uneven flooring can potentially indicate foundation issues -- especially if the floor is becoming more uneven over time. UB Hardwoods can provide some options for those who want the best and most durable type of flooring option for them. Contact UB Hardwoods today to find out more!
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