Vinyl and LVT have become some of the most popular choices for both homeowners and developers, both incredibly durable and stylish while being surprisingly easy to maintain.
However, they are also fairly unforgiving: any flaw in the subfloor will eventually show through the finished surface, and that is often where many installations go wrong. We have witnessed this firsthand across countless projects, including recent work involving floor compound in Cheltenham, where small defects would have caused major problems if the compound had been skipped.
The thing is that vinyl and LVT can only look their best and perform well if the foundation laid underneath them is perfectly smooth and even. Skipping this important step affects not just the looks but the longevity of performance, which is neither easy nor inexpensive to fix.
Why floor compound matters so much
Floor compound provides a smooth, even surface for your final flooring to set exactly as it should. Vinyl and LVT are thin materials, and even slight imperfections, such as small dips, raised patches, or rough trowel marks, and/or slight uneven drying in the screed, will eventually print through the surface. This is what’s called “telegraphing,” and once it has happened, there’s no quick fix other than removing the flooring and starting again.
We also see problems when people assume their subfloor is level, simply because it looks fine to the naked eye. The truth is, screeds can dry out unevenly, old flooring can leave behind adhesive residue, and aged concrete can crack or crumble. A proper floor compound layer eliminates these risks, giving your new floor the support it needs.
What happens if you skip it?
Skipping floor compound saves a little time up front, but usually leads to much bigger problems later. The most common issues we come across include:
- Visible bumps and dips appear within weeks of installation
- Uneven joints where LVT planks no longer lie flat or even.
- Premature wear in areas where the floor moves or flexes
- Loose or lifted areas due to poor adhesion
- Noise underfoot, particularly on rigid LVT systems
Each of these problems comes from the same source: an uneven or unprepared subfloor that wasn’t corrected before the flooring went down.
Getting It Right the First Time
A well-applied floor compound will give your vinyl or LVT the best chance to stay in place for years with no movement or defects. We always match the compound to the subfloor type, whether that be concrete, timber, or mixed materials. We’ve just finished working on a project involving floor compound in Bath; careful preparation made sure the final finish was perfect in every room.
Need Professional Help?
More than anything else, the foundation matters when it comes to vinyl or LVT that stays smooth, level, and lasts. Whether you need expert advice, proper subfloor preparation, or a high-quality compound application you can rely on, UK Screeds Ltd. has you covered.
