Table of Contents
As a homeowner, you may have found yourself in the position of having to level a wooden subfloor for laminate. It is important to take your time and do it right so that you don’t end up with an uneven floor or worse, a floor that has dips and valleys.
You can use various methods to level your wooden subfloor for laminate. It just depends on the size of the area you’re working on. All in all, what you need to do is to remove the high and low spots. Replace these spots with new boards and then re-attach the remaining boards with nails and screws.
This blog post will walk you through the various ways to level a wooden subfloor for laminate. Laminate flooring is often installed over an uneven wooden floor that can be difficult to install without reducing its life expectancy. With these tips and techniques, you’ll learn how to level your wooden subfloor quickly and easily so that it’s ready for the new laminate!
Why a Level Subfloor Is Important
Before we get into the different ways to level your wooden subfloor, let’s talk about why it’s important to have a level floor in the first place. A level subfloor is important for two main reasons: The first reason is that an uneven subfloor can cause your laminate planks to crack or break.
The second reason is that an uneven subfloor can shorten the lifespan of your laminate flooring. When planks are not level, they are more susceptible to wear and tear. And, when one plank is damaged, it can also cause the surrounding planks to become damaged. This domino effect can quickly lead to an expensive repair or replacement project.
Things you need to Know When Leveling a Wooden Subfloor for laminate
- Always use a good quality underlayment. The right subfloor will allow your laminate to breathe and provide the best results for you over time.
- When choosing the leveler, make sure it is safe for use with laminate. Not all leveling compounds are created equal, and some may contain ingredients that will damage your laminate.
- You may need to add additional material in some areas when leveling a wooden subfloor for laminate. This will depend on the condition of your existing subfloor
RELATED: How to Level Subfloor for Hardwood in Easy Steps
Assess the Subfloor
If you’re unsure of the best way to level your subfloor, assessing the situation before beginning is a good idea.
Use a Straight Edge to Check for Raised Edges and Dips
One of the easiest ways to assess your subfloor is by using a straight edge. Set it on top of the floor in various places, over different sections, checking for raised edges or dips in between each section. If any high spots need leveling out, you can see them easily with a straight edge.
How much Room is Needed for the Thickness of the Flooring?
Measure the thickness of your laminate flooring when planning out how to level a wooden subfloor. This way, you’ll know in advance how much space it takes up and whether or not there will be any gaps between the floor and the wall.
Tools You’ll need
These are some tools you may need to level your subfloor.
How to level a wooden Subfloor for Laminate: Easy Methods
Once you have assessed your subfloor, it’s time to level the high spots. The best method for your particular situation will depend upon the type of flooring you have and how it is constructed.
Whole-House Approach: Installing a Subfloor of New Boards
If you have a subfloor made up of boards, your best option for leveling them would be installing new boards. This is a whole-house approach to leveling, and it’s the best option if you have several high spots throughout your subfloor or many dips in between the boards. With a whole-house approach, you’ll replace your entire subfloor with new boards with the same thickness.
- Remove the High Spots or Boards that are Low
To begin, you’ll need to remove any high spots or boards that are low. This will be the first layer of boards that you take up. Use a pry bar to remove any nails or screws holding them in place before taking them up.
- Replace the High Spots or Boards that are Low with New Boards
Once you have removed the high spots, it’s time to replace them with new boards. You can use a sawhorse or saw to cut the replacement boards so that they are all even and of equal thickness.
- Re-attach the Remaining Boards with Nails/Screws and Spacers
Before replacing the boards, make sure to reattach them. Use a drill and screwdriver with the appropriate size of screws for your subfloor to reattach it securely in place, spacing out each board with thin pieces of wood called spacers.
Small-Area Approach: Installing One Board at a Time
If you have a small area that is high or low, then your best option for leveling it would be to install one board at a time. This is a small-area approach, and you’ll have to adjust the thickness of each board that you install.
- Remove High Spots or Boards that are Low
To begin, you’ll need to remove any high spots or boards that are low. This will be the first layer of boards that you take up. Use a pry bar to remove any nails or screws holding them in place before taking them up.
- Install One Board at a Time to Replace the High Spots or Boards that are Low
Once you have removed the high spots, it’s time to replace them with new boards. You can use a sawhorse or saw to cut the replacement boards so that they are all even and of equal thickness.
- Re-attach the Remaining Boards with Nails/Screws
Before replacing the boards, make sure to reattach them. Use a drill and screwdriver with the appropriate size of screws for your subfloor to reattach it securely in place, spacing out each board with thin pieces of wood called spacers.
RELATED: How to Level Subfloor for Vinyl Installation
How to Level Wood Floors of Uneven Surfaces
Wood floors can be a great addition to any home. They are easy to clean and maintain and add a touch of elegance to any room. However, one of the most common problems with wood floors is that they can be uneven. If your wood floors are uneven, there are a few things that you can do to level them out.
Use a Leveling Compound
One of the easiest ways to level wood floors is to use a leveling compound. This is a substance you can spread over the floor and then smooth out with a trowel. Once it dries, it will create a level surface.
Use Shims
Shims are thin pieces of wood that you can insert between the floorboards. This will raise the boards and make them level with the rest of the floor.
Use a Sledgehammer
If your floors are really uneven, you may need to use a sledgehammer to level them out. You can do this by hitting the high spots with the sledgehammer until they are level with the rest of the floor.
Use a Floor Jack
This is a device that you can place under the boards and then turn to raise them up. Once they are raised, you can put shims underneath them to hold them in place.
Tips for Leveling a Wooden Subfloor for Laminate
Here are some tips and considerations to keep in mind when leveling your subfloor:
Cut Boards at the End of Your Sub Floor
If you use a small-area approach to leveling, cut the boards at the end of your subfloor. In Case you are using a whole-house approach to leveling, then you can cut all of the boards.
Cut Boards at a Right Angle
It is important that each board you install be cut at a right angle to fit against the boards already in place.
Flooring Options for Your New Sub Floor
After leveling your subfloor, you can install any flooring you like. Laminate is one option, but there are many others to consider as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a leveling compound on my wood floors?
Yes, you can use a leveling compound on your wood floors. This is a substance that you can spread over the floor and then smooth out with a trowel. Once it dries, it will create a level surface.
What are shims?
Shims are thin pieces of wood that you can insert between the floorboards. This will raise the boards and make them level with the rest of the floor.
How do I use a sledgehammer to level my floors?
You can use a sledgehammer to level your floors by hitting the high spots with the sledgehammer until they are level with the rest of the floor.
How do I use a floor jack to level my floors?
A floor jack is a device you can place under the boards and then turn them up. Once they are raised, you can put shims underneath them to hold them in place.
How Much Does it Cost to Have a Floor Levelled?
The cost of having the floor leveled will depend on the size of the area that needs to be leveled and the type of equipment that is used. Generally, you can expect to pay between $200 and $300 for a small job and between $500 and $1000 for a larger job.
What are some flooring options I can choose from after leveling my subfloor?
After leveling your subfloor, you can install any flooring you like. Laminate is one option, but there are many others to consider as well. You can also consult with a professional to see what they recommend for your specific situation.
How to Level Wooden Subfloor for Laminate: Conclusion
Removing boards can be time-consuming. If you’re doing it with a whole-house approach to leveling, then the benefits of having an even subfloor will be worth it.
Remember to cut boards at a right angle, and you’ll be on your way toward installing the perfect laminate flooring for your home.
2 thoughts on “How to Level a Wooden Sub floor for Laminate: Tips By A Pro”
Comments are closed.