Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice on how to raise my concrete subfloor by half an inch so that I can properly install LVP and have it match the height of my other floors. I want to keep it removable in case I decide to tile later, so I'm trying to avoid self-leveling compounds due to their high cost. What alternatives do you suggest? Could cement board work? I'd really appreciate any tips—thanks a bunch!
2 Answers
If you do consider self-leveling compound, definitely watch some instructional videos to get it right! It can be tricky to get the 1/2" exactly, but it does save time in the end if you're okay with it.
Cement board might end up being pricier than you expect, especially when you factor in the adhesive needed to install it. It costs around £10 per square meter for the board and adhesive. Self-leveling compounding usually comes out at about £6 per square meter at 10mm thickness, and it would save a lot of time. But overall, it may not be the best match for future tiling if you want full height.
I've seen multiple sources suggesting self-leveling compound is 1.66 kg per mm/m²; you'd need about 41.5 kg for 5mm across 5m², so keep that in mind. If you want to tile later, removing the cement board would likely be easier.