Subfloor preparation · Faversham, ME13
When a plywood overlay is right for timber floors in Faversham, including grade, thickness and fixing centres for a stable base.
Timber floorboards move, flex and have gaps between them, none of which suit resilient floorcoverings like LVT or sheet vinyl that need a smooth, stable, continuous surface. A plywood overlay is screwed down over the boards to bridge those gaps and stop movement telegraphing through the new floor. In Faversham properties with original or aged board floors, this is usually the deciding factor in whether an overlay is specified before fitting begins.
Timber suspended floors turn up often enough in Oare that we treat squeaks and springiness as a screwing-down and packing job first, before any covering gets discussed.
Plywood should be WBP grade suited to flooring use, with a sanded face where a resilient floorcovering will be fitted directly on top, since surface texture can telegraph through thin materials.
| Use case | Typical thickness | Grade notes |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic overlay before LVT or vinyl | 6-9mm | WBP (weather and boil proof) plywood, sanded face |
| Higher traffic or commercial areas | 9-12mm | WBP plywood, thicker for extra rigidity |
| Overlay before carpet with a good underlay | 5.5-6mm | Standard WBP grade acceptable |
| Uneven boards needing extra bridging | 9mm+ | Thicker sheet to span minor undulation |
Check existing floorboards for soundness, movement, damp and ventilation before deciding to overlay.
Choose WBP plywood at the correct thickness and grade for the floorcovering going on top.
Cut sheets to fit with a perimeter expansion gap, staggering joints between rows.
Timber suspended floors turn up often enough in Oare that we treat squeaks and springiness as a screwing-down and packing job first, before any covering gets discussed.
Timber suspended floors turn up often enough in Oare that we treat squeaks and springiness as a screwing-down and packing job first, before any covering gets discussed.
Images show our own flooring work across Kent. Photographs are illustrative of the type of work described, not of a specific customer address.
Postcode district ME13, Swale Borough Council.
We reach Faversham via the A2, and cover the wider ME13 district as part of our normal round.
It is not recommended. Gaps and movement between boards will telegraph through LVT over time and can affect the click joints or adhesive bond, so a plywood overlay is the standard preparation.
It depends on the floorcovering and traffic level, typically 6-9mm for domestic LVT or vinyl and thicker where more rigidity is needed, as set out in our thickness guidance for your specific job.
It raises the floor by roughly the thickness of the sheet used, which we account for at survey stage so doors and thresholds in your Faversham property are checked before work starts.
Overlay is generally less disruptive than full replacement where the boards are sound, since it avoids lifting and disposing of the existing floor structure.
A plywood overlay bridges gaps and movement in timber floors, giving resilient flooring the stable base it needs. We specify grade, thickness and fixings to suit your Faversham property.
We will assess your boards at survey stage and recommend overlay or replacement honestly.