LVT Over an Old Timber Floor: Get the Floor Right First
If your priority is getting the substrate right, this is the job for you. I assess the existing floor for movement and level, repair or secure any loose or defective boards, then lay the right plywood and levelling before the LVT goes down.
Common in Victorian and period terraces across South London and Surrey, where the boards under the old vinyl or carpet are rarely flat.
Why the Floor Matters More Than the LVT
LVT is thin, and it copies whatever is underneath it. A ridge, a dip or a loose board that carpet would hide shows straight through, and on a glued floor it can be the difference between a floor that lasts and one that lifts at the joints within a year or two. On an old suspended timber floor, the boards flex, the gaps open and close with the seasons, and years of settling can leave the surface uneven.
The UK code of practice for resilient floor coverings, BS 8203, sets out how flat a base should be for thin flooring like LVT, and the manufacturer's own instructions for the LVT you choose have the final say. My job is to get your floor to that standard before the LVT goes down. I explain the detail in the guide to LVT subfloor prep and what it costs.
What I Check and What I Do
Assess Movement
I walk the floor and check it for movement, springy or squeaking boards and signs of sag, then check how flat it is with a straightedge.
Check for Damp
I check the moisture in the timber and look for signs of damp, because covering a damp floor with LVT traps the problem.
Repair the Boards
Loose boards are secured and any defective ones are repaired or replaced, so the floor is solid before anything goes on top.
Plywood and Levelling
I screw down a plywood overlay for a flat, rigid base, and use a smoothing compound where the floor needs levelling, then fit the LVT.
When I Will Tell You to Stop
Plywood over a floor with a real structural problem just hides it. If the survey shows significant joist sag or movement, I will tell you before you buy any flooring, because that needs putting right before LVT is worth laying. If the floor is sound, you will know exactly what it needs and what it costs.
- Free survey, with the floor assessed in person before any quote
- Itemised quote showing preparation, materials and fitting separately
- Assessment, preparation and fitting all done by me, with no subcontractors
- LVT fitted to the manufacturer's instructions, click-lock or glue-down
Preparation and Fitting Prices
These are my standard rates per square metre. Board repairs are priced after I have seen the floor, and I confirm everything in writing at the survey.
Example: a 20m² kitchen on an old timber floor needing a plywood overlay is about £360 for the ply plus £340 to fit the LVT, before the LVT itself. If levelling is enough, latex smoothing adds £200 to £360 instead of the ply. Check your own room in the cost calculator.
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LVT on Old Timber Floors: Your Questions
Can LVT go straight over old floorboards?
Usually not. Gaps, ridges and movement in old boards show through thin LVT and can make click joints separate or glued tiles lift.
The usual fix is a plywood overlay screwed down over the boards to make a flat, stable base. What your floor needs depends on its condition and on the instructions for the LVT you have chosen, which is why I assess it first.
What if my floor has sunk or moves underfoot?
I check it at the survey and tell you plainly what I find. Loose or defective boards can be secured or replaced, and plywood then gives LVT a flat, rigid base.
Plywood evens out a floor but does not cure a structural fault. If the floor has real joist sag or movement, I will say so before you spend money on flooring, because that needs putting right first.
Can you lay LVT over my existing sheet vinyl?
Not usually. Sheet vinyl hides what the boards underneath are doing, and a soft or cushioned backing compresses under LVT.
I normally lift the old vinyl first so the boards can be properly assessed, then prepare the floor and lay the LVT on a sound base.
How much does subfloor preparation cost?
From my price list: 6mm plywood overlay is £18/m² and latex smoothing is £10 to £18/m², with LVT fitting at £17/m². Board repairs are priced after I have seen the floor.
As an example, a 20m² kitchen needing a plywood overlay is about £360 for the ply plus £340 to fit the LVT, before the LVT itself. If levelling is enough, latex smoothing adds £200 to £360 instead of the ply. You get an itemised quote with preparation, materials and fitting shown separately.
How long does preparation add to the job?
For a straightforward plywood overlay or levelling pour, it typically adds around half a day.
Larger rooms, board repairs or a floor that needs more than one treatment take longer. I will give you a time estimate once I have seen the floor.
Do you do the work yourself?
Yes. I do the assessment, preparation and fitting myself, with no subcontractors.
That means the person who looks at your floor is the person who decides what it needs and does the work.
What Customers Say
I take pride in my work. Here is what local homeowners have to say about my fitting services.
"Just had the whole house done in Bromley by Paul. 3 bedrooms plus everything else using that Cloud 9 underlay, and honestly I'm buzzing with how it turned out. The fitting is spot on, and walking on it feels proper plush and warm now (plus it cuts down the noise heaps). Super smooth process from start to finish. Massive thumbs up, would defo recommend!"
"A Proper local honest company. We had a new carpet fitted in our Loft conversion by Paul and Leon not the easiest place to access but we could not fault them one bit. The customer service provided was flawless from start to finish. The work done is first class The fitters are pleasent, courteous and respectful. They arrive on time and left everything tidy."
"Fantastic, Friendly and reliable service. We use Flooring&Fitting on all our projects and highly recommend his knowledge and ability to deliver a superb finish"
"Fast and friendly service, Paul was very professional from start to finish and a really hard worker. The end result was outstanding and the staircase and landing fitting was top notch. I will definitely be recommending to friends and family."
"Supplied and fitted my flooring lvt to lounge kitchen hallway, vinyl to bathroom and toilet and carpets to bedrooms completed over 3 days as all the sub floor needed plying and feather finished for a perfect finish nothing was to much trouble. Already recommended. Reliable"
"Great friendly service from start to finish nothing is to much they go above and beyond to make sure you get the finish you want and have years experience I would highly recommend"
Book a Floor Survey
Tell me the room size and what is on the floor now. I will visit, assess the floor and give you an itemised quote.
Further Reading & Project Guides
Explore our expert guides, pricing breakdowns, and recent project galleries to help plan your flooring project.
Buyer's Guide Ultimate LVT Flooring Guide
Everything you need to know about Luxury Vinyl Tiles, wear layers, and finishes before buying.
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Comparison LVT vs Laminate vs Real Wood
An honest trade comparison of durability, water resistance, feel, and cost per square metre.
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Subfloor Prep LVT Subfloor Prep: What You Need to Know
What actually needs doing to a subfloor before LVT goes down, and what it costs in 2026.
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Moisture Testing Flooring Moisture Limits: The 75% RH Rule
The exact concrete (75% RH) and timber (8-13% MC) moisture limits for LVT, plus DPM costs and failure risks.
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Gallery Our Recent Case Studies
Browse our interactive gallery of recent carpet and LVT installations across London and Surrey.
View Case Studies