'Slope' ok when laying engineered wood floor?

[tomsavage]

I'm about to embark on a flooring project, fitting engineered wood boards in my hallway and kitchen. The floor is nice and even, and I've filled any "dips", however, there is a "slope" up towards the left-hand side of my front door. This can be seen here:

This is slightly better illustrated with a level:

Over the length of the level (90cm) there is a drop of about 12mm. The slope obviously runs the other way too, but is less pronounced:

I have read various things about not having an uneven floor with dips and bumps of more than 2 or 3mm over a 1m length. However, would I be able to get away with this kind of 'slope'? The floor I plan to lay is Kahrs Linnea engineered walnut, which is essentially a 7mm thick MDF board with a 0.5mm veneer. So hardly top quality but hopefully nicer than a laminate.

If this slope is a no-go, then any suggestions as to how can deal with it? Using a levelling compound is no good, as it would mean raising the overall level of the whole floor by about 15mm! I guess I'd have to chisel up the slope, then use levelling compound to smooth out the surface. I *really* want to avoid doing this if possible, so perhaps I should just lay the boards and see what happens. Given the location of this slope, I can't see that it will create a see-saw effect?

Thanks in advance!

 

[WoodYouLike]

Hi Tomsavage
Veneer boards 7mm on a steep slope is indeed a no go. The boards will bend and T&G (or click) might crack. More rigid boards would be better, but then still: as you have found 3mm per meter is acceptable, yours is way more.
Only solution (as indeed leveling isn't possible due to door entrance): vinyl in matching design?

 

[tomsavage]

Thanks for the repsonse. Alas the wife will not entertain vinyl/laminate/tiles, so I'm stuck with trying to make engineered boards work. Plus, I have actually ordered them

I did wonder about laying some kind of coir matting in the immediate entrance, and then transition into the wood for the hallway. This would also double as mat and reduce grit/dirt being trodden onto the wood. In that case, what would recommend for the transition? A T-bar of the sort I'll be using in the doorway?

However, the wood is coming tomorrow, and I really want to get laying... if I lay the boards running lengthways away from the door, isn't there a chance the clickloc joint of the boards will be able to absort the slope? I guess you will say no, and while I'm sure you know best, I am tempted to try as I am just desperate to get this job done.... :-\

 

[WoodYouLike]

I did wonder about laying some kind of coir matting in the immediate entrance, and then transition into the wood for the hallway. This would also double as mat and reduce grit/dirt being trodden onto the wood. In that case, what would recommend for the transition? A T-bar of the sort I'll be using in the doorway?

Good thinking, that might do the trick and also protect your veneer floor better. Best 'threshold' to use is a so-called 'End' (L-profile) and is this case I would recommend a metal one instead of a wooden one because of the height of the veneer boards (as in lack of) the metal one is much more sturdier

 

[tomsavage]

Thanks very much. Didn't realise such a thing existed, but L-trim will be ideal. I now notice that Kahrs do in fact produce an L-trim specially designed for their 'flimsy' 7mm boards (this one for oak):

http://www.flooringsupplies.co.uk/accessory_detail.cfm?productID=240&type=&cat=

Would that do the job ok, or would you still recommend metal?

Have you got experience of Kahrs boards? Given that I've bought these already please don't be too harsh! I just didnt' see how else I could get a real wood look for £18/m2 +VAT. Even that is more than we can afford really.


I know it's a seperate question, but given the small area, I guess I could just stick a piece of coir/sisal down without worrying about gripper strips etc?

 

[WoodYouLike]

They look sturdy enough to me, so yes, go ahead.

We do know Kahrs, but - and this might sound strange - we refuse to sell that brand due to the fact that FS sells this with too little difference between price for domestic and retailers (trade). Kahrs UK knows this and accepts the fact that specialised retailers can add more value to their product (information, advice, tips, after-care etc) than an online store but hold market share in higher esteem than added value. (Ok, one of my pet-hates )
Kahrs is as good as any other well-known brand.