One of the most important and time-consuming repair processes is flooring. The traditional concrete screed, which has proved itself since the Soviet era, is being replaced by new progressive surface leveling technologies. First of all, these include adjustable floors, the installation of which allows you to accelerate repair work and avoid unnecessary costs.

Content

1. ​What is an adjustable floor and where is it better to apply
2. Self-installation of adjustable floor on the logs  video
3. Features of the installation of raised floors
4. Adjustable plywood as an alternative to flooring on logs
5. Advantages and disadvantages of adjustable floors  video

What is an adjustable floor and where is it better to apply

The technology of laying the adjustable floor allows you to change the height in different parts of the surface, giving them evenness. As a leveling system, there is a dense, solid flooring with adjustable mechanisms (rack bolts), which provide a horizontally smooth surface. There is a gap between the floor and the solid floor base.

In some cases, the use of an adjustable floor is not just desirable, but necessary:

• during reconstruction of rooms, when the floor level after disassembly decreases by more than 10 cm (the use of a traditional screed is unacceptable due to the severity of concrete);
• during redevelopment, especially if the kitchen and the bathroom are moved (it becomes possible to let communications through the gap under the floor);
• separation of the room for a home theater - a new technology is used on the floor and on the walls, soundproofing material is laid in the gaps;
• if the floor structure provides for several levels.

Depending on the flooring used, there are two types of adjustable floors:

1.adjustable floor on the logs;

2. Adjustable plywood.

They are slightly different from each other in installation and functionality. Let us consider in more detail each of the options.

Self-installation of adjustable floor on the logs

Installation of adjustable floors is not particularly difficult. To install you will need:

• logs wooden bars;
• flooring (thick plywood, GVL);
• rack bolts for adjustable floor (or anchor);
• dowels, nails (or studs with nuts and washers).

Let's consider step by step how to independently make raised floors:

1. Drill holes for mounting the rack bolts in the logs.
2. Make a thread in the holes obtained.
3. Screw the rack bolts into the wooden logs.
4. Lay out prepared logs at a certain distance (depending on the expected loads).
5. Adjust the height of the bolts (it is convenient to use the laser level) by turning them with a special key.
6. Drill and fasten the bolt racks with metal dowels, nails.
7. Cut off excess racks protruding above the surface of the log.
8. Check flatness before laying.
9. Fix the flooring (plywood, GVL) on the logs.

Instead of rack bolts for level control, you can use a driven anchor for an adjustable floor, fastened to the base with studs with nuts and washers.

Features of the installation of raised floors

Reliability and durability of adjustable floors depends on some features of its assembly:

• between the walls and the floor it is necessary to provide a gap (10-12 mm), which will provide ventilation;
• the step of laying the log is regulated depending on the intended coating (for a laminate, linoleum 50 cm is enough, for a tile 30 cm);
• lag fastening, through bolts-racks, should be at least 40 mm deep;
• height differences between parts of the floor should not exceed 1 mm per square meter;
• moisture-proof plywood (one or two layers), cement-chip boards, sheets of moisture-proof drywall are used as flooring.

Adjustable plywood as an alternative to flooring on logs

In fact, adjustable plywood is one of the varieties of raised floors. This is a lightweight version of the floor on the lags. Installation of adjustable plywood will be advisable in situations where it is necessary to raise the floor level by no more than 7 cm.

Making plywood adjustable floors with your own hands is not difficult. In the sheets of the flooring, holes must be made into which bushings with thread and flanges are inserted. The pillar bolts are screwed into the bushings, and the system itself is attached through the flanges with screws.

By installing adjustable plywood, you can successfully level and prepare the surface for laminate flooring. However, this option is not so universal, compared with the design on the lags.

Advantages and disadvantages of adjustable floors

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The new floor alignment technology has become quite popular, due to a number of its advantages:

• installation work takes place without dirt and dust;
• deadlines are minimal (1-2 days will be required for flooring 100 sq.m.);
• range of floor lift level (from 2.5 cm with plywood adjustment to 25 cm when installing floors on logs);
• ease of construction allows you to update the floor in rooms where loads on the floor slab are unacceptable;
• improves the interior (minimal height differences and hidden communications);
• high sound insulation and thermal insulation;
• protection of the finish (parquet, laminate) from moisture;
• reliability and durability (the term of operation with the correct installation is not less than 50 years).
• the cost of adjustable floors (the price of 1 square meter of floor raised by 12 cm will be about $ 25 is almost the same as the cost of a cement screed with plywood flooring for surfaces with differences up to 3 cm).

The disadvantages of raised floors include the possibility of creaking during operation. This drawback can be prevented if the dowel nails are driven deep during installation and the surface of the ceiling and plywood are cleaned after drilling.

As you can see, the adjustable floor is relatively easy to install, and its installation can be an excellent solution for leveling the surface, supplying communications and saving money.

Author: Sergey and Svetlana Khuentsov

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