Required build height is 12mm, but the desired vinyl has only 4.5mm thickness

Hello everyone,

the following problem: Our kitchen is being completely renovated, and the floor is also being replaced. The selected vinyl has a thickness of 4.5mm - the floors of the adjacent rooms are about 12mm high.
We would like to at least come close to this height. The first thought was to simply use an accordingly thick underlay. However - no matter where you look - you only find underlays approved for vinyl with a thickness of max. 2mm. While for laminate/parquet, you can indeed find 5mm underlays. The temptation to just use such an underlay is definitely there...
What are your opinions + tips on this matter?
Thanks already in advance.
Best regards
N

How is the floor structure? I’m afraid you can only compensate for the missing millimeters with filler, because gaps would appear in the vinyl with too thick insulation layers, which is why they are only approved up to 2mm.

Hello questioner.
If the height difference to adjacent components (or neighboring rooms) is 12mm and the PVC covering is 4.5mm thick, the calculated (rounded) height difference is only about 7mm.
If the PVC covering is glued, the adhesive bed adds another approx. 3.5mm. That leaves a remaining height difference of 3.5mm. The entire surface must be filled beforehand anyway, and here we can easily accommodate the 3.5mm to 4mm in this spot.
Now the example if it is to be laid floating:
The height difference is 12mm - 4.5mm = 7mm (see above).
Since the empty area must be filled anyway (highly recommended!!) and the kitchen area will have a manageable size, the additional costs for filling (to a total of 5mm) are negligible.
2mm remain, which are absorbed by the transition profile into the neighboring room.
The last option is the most sensible, as no "half measures" are included in the new construction. For example, filling ramp-like over 0.6m at room transitions etc.
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Underlays under elastic floor coverings are also not intended to compensate for height differences! "Tamstar" correctly passed on the note that due to walking and the point loads of furniture, unsightly joint formations (to put it very politely!) are almost unavoidable.
Which option you choose is up to you.
I only want to point out that internal female permanent opposition (in case the work fails) will prove to be far worse and more nerve-wracking than the minor additional costs incurred to properly build up the existing floor technically correctly....
Regards and good luck: KlaRa

Hello and thanks for the answers!
But first I have to ask, why do you think that ".. die leere Fläche ohnehin gespachtelt werden muss"?
Actually, I want to avoid that, the surface is perfectly even and besides, that would increase the rough construction height compared to the neighboring rooms, which could lead to similar or other problems in the future.
OK, if you say there is no underlay with which I can gain 5mm and be happy, then maybe another approach:
Even though I am reluctant, it might be advisable to discard the selected vinyl and choose one from another manufacturer that already has a thickness of 9mm (e.g., seen at Parador, Wineo and Gerflor).
best regards
N

That's exactly what I actually want to avoid, the surface is perfectly flat and besides, that would increase the raw construction height compared to the neighboring rooms, which could lead to similar or other problems at some point in the future.

You have to die one death. Either you have problems now (that's why you're posting here) or later on.

Options:
1. Use leveling compound, then the vinyl fits now, but no other covering later (or removal of the leveling compound)
2. Live with the small step
3. Choose a different floor covering. With 12mm, tiles, glued two-layer parquet or "thicker" design flooring on HDF with cork insulation or laminate are possible

However, for me, plastic flooring is simply too expensive compared to, for example, parquet. Not to mention appearance and feel.

Why should it be exactly this vinyl floor? Compile reasons and find a suitable alternative. You can make what doesn’t fit fit – finding something suitable seems to be the smarter alternative.