If your subfloor isn’t ready for the pearly gates, be very careful about which floor you choose. Carpet and sheet vinyl can cover a multitude of sins. Glue-down vinyl plank is neither fully merciful nor totally wrathful —if you walk the narrow path, it can sometimes be installed despite minor subfloor slopes. Unfortunately, you’ll get no grace from hardwood, tile, laminate and click LVP.
Today, I want to talk to you about forgiveness. What do I mean?
Floor coverings are different. Some are more forgiving than others! So, how do they all stack up?
The most forgiving floor covering is carpet. Uneven floors covered with carpet still feel okay. Yes, carpet can hide a multitude of sins.
The second most forgiving floor is sheet vinyl. Today, they make sheet vinyl floors that are heavy and not terrible reflective. As long as the floor is not very lumpy and bumpy, many sheet vinyl products will sit nicely in areas where you can't install a plank floor.
After that, your only choice (maybe) would be a glued down luxury vinyl plank floor. In some situations, where you can a mild slope in the floor, you can get away with a glue down plank.
Other products, like tile, stone, wood, and laminate require a much more perfect, smooth, firm floor and may require preparation.
If you have any questions about subfloor preparation or flooring selection, give us a call at 401-214-0285 or visit our showroom. We serve customers throughout Rhode Island and southeastern New England, including Newport, Middletown, Jamestown, Portsmouth, Bristol and more.
About Ken: Ken Fain is the co-owner of Island Carpet in Middletown, RI and a floorcovering veteran of more than 40 years. His popular 'Ask Ken' video series answers common flooring questions on a variety of topics. It has reached thousands of viewers on both YouTube and Facebook.
695 West Main Road Middletown
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