Need to raise floor by 1 /1/2 inches!

[TheBinarySheep]

We're working on our bathroom at the minute, which for some reason has a step down about a 3rd of the way in. The step down is approx 1 1/2".

I've kind of ruled out self levelling compound as we'd need a hell of a lot of it.

Someone has suggested screwing down 1" plywood, then maybe a thinner layer on top of that?

The area we need to raise is about 1700 x 2200.

So far we think we're going to lay down a laminate, but obviously we're concerned that water might get on to the plywood and cause it to rot/swell.

Doe anyone have any tip or advice?

 

[jasonj]

Hi

I'm just a DIY'er but I have a similar problem as you at the moment - in my case a concrete floor that is about 1/2 inch too low (we had planned to tile straight on top of the concrete slab but we just didn't lay a thick enough slab). I had planned to lay a thin screed but it will just be too thin; and levelling compound will be too expensive.

I read about cementitious backing board in an American tiling book a couple of days ago as being an excellent surface to lay tiles on and a quick google search revealed the following links:

http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_6688739_using-floors-ceramic-tile-installation.html

and

http://www.insulationexpress.co.uk/Plasterboard/Specialist-Board.htm

Maybe you can combine use of levelling compound and cement board.
Alternatively you could maybe lay a very thin screed but you'd have to strengthen it with some of that SBR stuff.

Hope this helps. Again, I'm just a DIY'er so bear that in mind.

 

[Richard C]

Many would give their right arm to be in your situation which is perfect for constructing a wet room, had you considered this? If you use ply it must be WBP not standard ply which will also accept tiles; you can lay a waterproof membrane under the laminate but it would not be my choice for a bathroom. If you decide to create a wet room, it must be tanked & if you plan to tile the floor, it must be rigid. Is this a ground floor? Is it a concrete or suspended timber floor? You need to decide what you want to do & do a little more research on the appropriate forum.

jasonj; It sounds like you could also benefit from a visit to our own Tiling Forum rather than rely on a non specialist forum & a tiling book; an American one at that !