5 Cheapest Ways to Raise Floor Height

Running into an uneven floor is frustrating, this can lead to unexpected costs, in both time and money. If you want to raise the height of a floor, the cheapest and easiest way is to add a thick underlayment designed for the job. There are other options too like adding a framed wooden subfloor or floor leveling compound before installing new flooring. These are less common due to the fact that they are more labor-intensive and time-consuming.

Why Raise Floor Height?

There are many reasons for raising floor height. You might want to raise the floor height so it meets flush with another room. This will make it easier for people to get around, especially if they have mobility issues or are carrying something heavy.

You are replacing an old flooring material (like laminate) with a new one that is thinner (like luxury vinyl planks). The luxury vinyl planks won’t be as thick and will leave a gap between the flooring and the baseboards. Depending on how you choose to raise the floor height, you can gain extra benefits from the materials used.

5 Cheap Options for Raising Floor Height

Here are the 5 cheap options for raising floor height. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

QuietBoard Underlayment

QuietBoard is a specially formulated fiberboard underlayment that makes raising your flooring cheap and easy. It is made in the USA from 100% recycled fibers and has no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other harmful emissions. Simply layout the boards and tape the seams.

Not only will QuietBoard raise the floor height, but will give your new flooring other benefits as well. The dense fibers will reduce noise, support your flooring, and absorb moisture.

Pros

• Cheap
• Easy to Install (can be floated, glued, or mechanically fastened)
• Recycled Fibers absorb water and let moisture evaporate
• Compatible with float or glue-down flooring installations
• Easy to uninstall and go back to the original floor height

Cons

• Only comes in 1/4″ (6mm) thickness

Wood Fiber Board

Wood fiberboard is one of the most affordable ways to raise floor height. It’s also a good choice if you’re looking for a low-cost alternative to plywood.

Wood fiberboard consists of sawdust and wood chips held together with synthetic resin. When compared to plywood, wood fiberboard lacks compression resistance and moisture resistance. That said, if you’re putting in new floors for your whole house and want something fast and inexpensive enough that you don’t mind replacing them every few years or so if they get damaged or destroyed by water damage, wood fiberboard may be worth considering as an option!

Pros

• Cheap
• Easy to install

Cons

• susceptible to water damage
• can be dusty & messy during the installation

Floor Leveling Compound

Using a floor leveling compound to elevate the floor in a specific room and make it match the rest of the house is a low-cost option. This approach is popular among homeowners since it works when applied straight to concrete. If your project is not on a concrete subfloor, this method may not be the best option.

You can purchase a floor leveling compound online or at your local home improvement store. The installation method is usually simple once you’ve purchased it. The steps are listed below:

1. Start by sketching out the height you want to achieve. Consider all factors, including the type of flooring you have.
2. Clean the Floor: Clean the floor thoroughly to eliminate all debris and grease and to guarantee that the compound adheres.
3. In an 18.92-liter (5-gallon) bucket, combine the leveling compound with water. Attach a paddle mixer to a drill for a flawless and constant mix.
4. To apply the compound, follow these steps: Directly on the floor, apply the leveling compound (from one corner to another). Make sure you complete the process within 10 to 20-minutes.
5. More compound: Make sure you mix and apply the compound until the desired height is reached. Allow about 24 hours for the compound to set and cure. You can now install the chosen material after it has completely cured.

Pros

• Cheap
• Durable

Cons

• Difficult to install in larger quantities
• Cannot go back to the original floor height
• Only works well on concrete

Deck Mud

When tiles are used on the surface, this method works well. To begin, get sufficient deck mud for the endeavor. After that, proceed as follows:

1. Clean the floor: It doesn’t have to be spotless; just make sure it’s safe to work on.
2. Layout chicken wire across the floor
3. Pour the mud on the floor: Fill the floor with deck mud (to the center from one side of the room and again to the center from the other side of the room).
4. Use a compactor and a level to ensure the mud is compact and level.

Pros

• Cheap

Cons

• Difficult to install in larger quantities
• Cannot go back to the original floor height

Framed Wooden Subfloor

If you’re handy, measuring the height deficit and constructing a wooden base that is the right height is another option. When constructing the wooden base, measurements are crucial. For example, you will have to consider the height of the frame, the height of the plywood you will lay over the frame, and the height of the flooring. Once the measurements are made and the base is constructed, it should be covered with 3/4in plywood. With the cost of wood and the woodwork needed, this is the most expensive and time-consuming of the methods.

Pros

• Can fill a variety of different heights needed.

Cons

• Difficult installation
• More expensive option

Final Thoughts

Raising the floor height in your home doesn’t have to be a costly process. Depending on your unique flooring needs, you can choose any of the methods listed above. In most cases, we recommend choosing QuietBoard fiberboard underlayment. It is cost-effective, easy to install, and doesn’t lock you into your new flooring height. It also performs like a quality underlayment, reducing noise, providing support, and absorbing moisture from the subfloor below.

If you have questions about your flooring needs, feel free to call us at (888) 379-9695 as we have been specializing in eco-friendly flooring solutions for over 30 years!