Levelling Boards For Flooring

Levelling boards and underlayments serve similar functions, but are not the same thing:

• Levelling Board – Levelling boards are primarily used to create a flat and smooth surface above the subfloor so that the final installation will be without any imperfections. They can be made of plywood, OSB or even specialised MDF boards. They are best used when there are clear problems with the subfloor, as this is often an easier solution than having work done on the floor itself. 
• Underlayment – Underlayments serve more as a barrier between the floor and the subfloor, rather than a support, although they can also have that functionality. Each underlayment has a main feature, whether that be comfort, sound reduction, insulation, moisture protection and more. 

There are several factors that dictate which levelling board you should get.

• Nature of the Imperfections – If you have minor imperfections, you should only need a thin levelling board. This of course means that major imperfections will require a thick board. That being said, if there are significant depressions across the subfloor or height differences, you may need to use multiple layers. 

• Type of Finished Flooring – The heavier the flooring material, the thicker and stronger the levelling boards you will need. 

• Load-Bearing Requirements – Depending on the room, and what will be placed in it, you may require a strong foundation. For example, a kitchen is full of heavy appliances that will weigh on the floor. 

• Subfloor Material and Condition – Subfloors are often thought of as being concrete or some other type of stone, but that’s not necessarily the case. Some can be made of flexible materials, like wood or MDF.

• Transition to Adjacent Rooms – Doorways and transitions must be kept in mind. If you don’t properly calculate how much the levelling board will raise the flooring up, then you might create a blockage or a tripping hazard in these areas. 

There are several factors that dictate which levelling board you should get.

• Nature of the Imperfections – If you have minor imperfections, you should only need a thin levelling board. This of course means that major imperfections will require a thick board. That being said, if there are significant depressions across the subfloor or height differences, you may need to use multiple layers. 

• Type of Finished Flooring – The heavier the flooring material, the thicker and stronger the levelling boards you will need. 

• Load-Bearing Requirements – Depending on the room, and what will be placed in it, you may require a strong foundation. For example, a kitchen is full of heavy appliances that will weigh on the floor. 

• Subfloor Material and Condition – Subfloors are often thought of as being concrete or some other type of stone, but that’s not necessarily the case. Some can be made of flexible materials, like wood or MDF.
• Transition to Adjacent Rooms – Doorways and transitions must be kept in mind. If you don’t properly calculate how much the levelling board will raise the flooring up, then you might create a blockage or a tripping hazard in these areas. 

Whether or not your levelling boards will be underfloor heating compatible will entirely depend on the material it’s made from. 

• Type of Compound – Some levelling compounds are made with underfloor heating in mind. They often have low TOG ratings and lend themselves to resist alterations made by temperature. 

• Thickness – Typically, for underfloor heating, you want flooring that is not so thick so the heat can properly conduct. The thicker it is, usually, the harder it is to transfer heat to the room above. 

• Curing Efficiency – The curing process needs to be done correctly to ensure the surface of the floor doesn’t crack or become uneven. Follow manufacturer instructions to be sure.
• Expansion Joints – Flooring without expansion joints means they cannot properly expand and contract in accordance to the temperature changes – meaning that cracks are likely.

Our complete floor levelling system – Jumpax Basic – is designed to be a quick and cost-effective method of subfloor levelling. Made of lightweight MDF material, it is able to be used in both domestic and commercial settings and can help with sound reduction as well as being used with underfloor heating, too, so they’re incredibly versatile. 

With 0.7 tog, this product is well-suited to underfloor heating thanks to its low thermal resistance to allow heat through until the room above.

Jumpax Basic is available in one thickness – combining both a top layer of 3mm and a bottom layer of 4mm to provide the perfect subfloor levelling. This thickness usually suffices for most subfloor levelling projects.