LVT vs Laminate (Need to access under floorboards)

howzat92

I would like to replace the carpet flooring in my home however there are electrics and water pipe under my floorboards.

My understanding is if I get my prefered LVT floor they will need to screed first which I believe will make accessing under the floorboards in future (should anything go wrong with water/electrics in future) very difficult?  

Would using laminate be any easier to access under floorboards in future?   Has anyone had this situation in their own home and could make a reccomendation please?

Would appreciate any suggestions as would like to replace the carpet in al llikelyhood I will have the electrics updated prior to replacing as there were a couple of faults identified by electrician during testing - thanks

jennifernil

Do you have anywhere, such as a cupboard, where you could make a permanent hatchway for access?

Is it just the ground floor you need access under?

Martin_the_Unjust

Are you in a flat or a house?

Doozergirl

Laminate will be ruined if it is pulled up.  

Fact is, most, if not all of us have services running under floorboards.  If you need a rewire then it has and always will makes sense that you ensure the structure and services in your home are up to scratch before doing the 'pretty' things like flooring etc.  

The only thing that isn't going to hugely affected by needing to access underneath is carpet or the actual floorboards.   Most of don't expect to or need to access those areas.  

35har1old

howzat92 said:

I would like to replace the carpet flooring in my home however there are electrics and water pipe under my floorboards.

My understanding is if I get my prefered LVT floor they will need to screed first which I believe will make accessing under the floorboards in future (should anything go wrong with water/electrics in future) very difficult?  

Would using laminate be any easier to access under floorboards in future?   Has anyone had this situation in their own home and could make a reccomendation please?

Would appreciate any suggestions as would like to replace the carpet in al llikelyhood I will have the electrics updated prior to replacing as there were a couple of faults identified by electrician during testing - thanks

How old is the wiring and water pipes?
How much depth have you beneath the joist?
Having excess at one point only likely insufficient due to small walls supporting floor and insufficient crawl space

howzat92

jennifernil said:

Do you have anywhere, such as a cupboard, where you could make a permanent hatchway for access?

Is it just the ground floor you need access under?

The space under floorboards is only about 2 ft so I think the access hatchway won’t work sadly. Will also need to access upstairs I think. 

35har1old said:

howzat92 said:

I would like to replace the carpet flooring in my home however there are electrics and water pipe under my floorboards.

My understanding is if I get my prefered LVT floor they will need to screed first which I believe will make accessing under the floorboards in future (should anything go wrong with water/electrics in future) very difficult?  

Would using laminate be any easier to access under floorboards in future?   Has anyone had this situation in their own home and could make a reccomendation please?

Would appreciate any suggestions as would like to replace the carpet in al llikelyhood I will have the electrics updated prior to replacing as there were a couple of faults identified by electrician during testing - thanks

How old is the wiring and water pipes?
How much depth have you beneath the joist?
Having excess at one point only likely insufficient due to small walls supporting floor and insufficient crawl space

The electrics are all very old so will be replaced (I made another thread about this). 

The water pipe is old and still lead - not intending on changing at this stage as have had it tested and reads very low. 

howzat92

Martin_the_Unjust said:

Are you in a flat or a house?

1930s house 

Doozergirl said:

Laminate will be ruined if it is pulled up.  

Fact is, most, if not all of us have services running under floorboards.  If you need a rewire then it has and always will makes sense that you ensure the structure and services in your home are up to scratch before doing the 'pretty' things like flooring etc.  

The only thing that isn't going to hugely affected by needing to access underneath is carpet or the actual floorboards.   Most of don't expect to or need to access those areas.  

Thanks. Will be best to get things up to date then do the flooring.

Grumpy_chap

howzat92 said:

I would like to replace the carpet flooring in my home however there are electrics and water pipe under my floorboards.

My understanding is if I get my prefered LVT floor they will need to screed first which I believe will make accessing under the floorboards in future (should anything go wrong with water/electrics in future) very difficult?  

Would using laminate be any easier to access under floorboards in future?   Has anyone had this situation in their own home and could make a reccomendation please?

Would appreciate any suggestions as would like to replace the carpet in al llikelyhood I will have the electrics updated prior to replacing as there were a couple of faults identified by electrician during testing - thanks

If you want a "wood effect" look and the ability to lift and access below the floor boards, then neither laminate or LVT will be a good solution.

Have you considered a quality lino floor with the appropriate stylistic look?  You might be surprised how lino has improved compared to the memories of the thin products of yesteryear.

Albermarle

Grumpy_chap said:

howzat92 said:

I would like to replace the carpet flooring in my home however there are electrics and water pipe under my floorboards.

My understanding is if I get my prefered LVT floor they will need to screed first which I believe will make accessing under the floorboards in future (should anything go wrong with water/electrics in future) very difficult?  

Would using laminate be any easier to access under floorboards in future?   Has anyone had this situation in their own home and could make a reccomendation please?

Would appreciate any suggestions as would like to replace the carpet in al llikelyhood I will have the electrics updated prior to replacing as there were a couple of faults identified by electrician during testing - thanks

If you want a "wood effect" look and the ability to lift and access below the floor boards, then neither laminate or LVT will be a good solution.

Have you considered a quality lino floor with the appropriate stylistic look?  You might be surprised how lino has improved compared to the memories of the thin products of yesteryear.

As an alternative to lino, you can buy sheet vinyl. ( there are some pros and cons between them) Most of it nowadays has various wood effect patterns.
LVT has taken over from sheet vinyl to some extent, as it looks even more realistic and some you can click together and fit yourself. Also some sheet vinyl is rather thin and not very hardwearing, but if you get the better quality type it is pretty good.
However as far as I know if your floor is uneven, the lino or sheet vinyl fitters may still want to do some surface work before laying them. Although they will be more forgiving than the normally more rigid LVT.

GDB2222

2 feet is okay as a crawl space, although you might find it hard to get people prepared to go down there. 

It would be worth measuring. Also measure the height underneath the joists.

Chickereeeee

GDB2222 said:

2 feet is okay as a crawl space, although you might find it hard to get people prepared to go down there. 

It would be worth measuring. Also measure the height underneath the joists.

Maybe OK to crawl, but a) you have to get down there. Sliding between joists with 400mm spacing is not easy. Ether it is not wide enough for you shoulders,, or you can't get in far enough to bend around under the floor. And b) there tend to be sleeper walls that prevent you from accessing the whole floor anyway.  Actually doing any work under there would be ... problematic.