Conservatory Flooring

[SheepSocks]

My husband has very impressively has built a conservatory single handed whilst on lockdown. He has laid a cement floor and we are now trying to decide how to cover the floor.

He says putting a laminate down would be best as the floor isn't 100% level. I was thinking of a lino floor as DD and I have already claimed the conservatory as an arts and crafts zone. I think that Lino is more forgiving and easy to clean.

Can I ask what you have on the floor of you conservatory, and if you have any recommendations?

I've got LVT, laid last year after 17 years of ceramic tiles.
Definately not forgiving of an unlevel surface though, needs to be totally level - and laid on a latex screed to ensure this.

Why not use some levelling compound and open up the options?

Thank you for the replies.

@loofah01 what would the options be if we used levelling compound?

@Chasingsquirrels are you happy with the LVT?

Very happy, I had it laid in the hall about 10 years ago and have had the same laid through the kitchen, utility & conservatory.

Normally I'd say glue down LVT, but given that it's going in a conservatory, you'd need to make sure that you use a glue that can stand up to very high heats.

You could always look to level the floor and use a click LVT instead. Failing that just laminate.

I'm not a massive fan of lino or cushion flooring, it dents very easily. Equally though if you're using it as a craft room and the floor will get covered with paint and glue then maybe it would be a good option as it can be replaced cheaply and easily.

Do you have underfloor heating? This is vital in my opinion. You can install over concrete and then level the floor. Then have engineered wood flooring or ceramic. It will be usable all year round.

My conservatory has very shiny (very smooth) tiles. Extremely easy to clean but I've wondered if they are specialist tiles because they hold the heat from the day well into evening which is actually quite pleasant. Feels like under-floor heating. It was built before we lived here so wouldn't know exactly what they are but if I was by building one from scratch I'd be looking into materials to get the same tiles.

Apart from carpet you must level the floor otherwise even laminate will not sit properly and bounce and be springy

As some else has said use self levelling compound before you fit any skirtings, lay the laminate and fix skirtings then

Underfloor heating lol. Well if electric it will send your heating bills soaring. Don't even bother. There are other threads on here from people discussing UFH. Better with a convector unless you can extend your central heating

Well done to your husband for building it but most people I know who (used to) have conservatories don't use them much as either freezing cold or boiling hot!

Thank you for all the replies, DH has put down leveller yesterday and then he is going to look through the suggestions on here.

I love the idea of under floor heating but I am scared for my energy bills.

The room will mostly be used as an arts and crafts area/ somewhere I can sit and watch DD playing in the garden.

Your DH sounds brilliant, well done to him.

We have lvt throughout our downstairs too, it’s amazing with the DC as it’s so easily cleaned and completely waterproof. So it would be perfect for a playroom area.

You can extend your central heating system for wet under floor heating. Most people cannot use their conservatories without very effective heating and top class glazing. I have a conservatory kitchen and we extended our central heating. It’s warm all year. There is little point having extra space if you cannot use it.

If you haven't had the underfloor heating fitted yet then I'd skip it. They have to dig out, lay it, screed and then worry about the flooring about a month later. Just fit whatever flooring you like and have a small fan heater for the moments you need a little extra.

Digging out might not be necessary. Depends on the floor level as it is right now. Not having good heating usually means these rooms are unusable all year round. It’s a false economy not to think about it.

Without sounding critical of his work thus far. A few things to consider are:

1. Adding fixed heating to a conservatory may mean it doesn't meet Building Standards, which solicitors love to pick up on when you come to sell.
2. The choice of floor cover should be made in line with the drying out time of the concrete base.
3. The main use of the conservatory should lead to the decision on materials. Laminate is useless once it gets wet.

Whilst I agree that conservatories can be too hot / cold, depending on their orientation you can open the outside door in summer to cool them a bit and open the doors to the house in winter to warm them a bit.

And in spring and autumn ( perfect conservatory days) a great place to unwind with a G&T after work.

We had to allow 1 day for each millimetre if concrete/screed and longer if the area is not well ventilated or heated reasonably. Anything less and there will either be damp under your flooring or tiling etc will just come away. We lived with bare concrete for ages

Also if you tile it, then I understand the surface of the concrete will need sanding/treating. We didn't tile but were warned. It is to get rid of what comes to the surface of the concrete when drying and means the tiles will not stick properly.

Ideally you need the floor damp testing before laying anything on it

You must put down a damp proof membrane. Don’t put anything on the concrete. You then screed over the membrane.

@BubblesBuddy

The floor is already laid. I would assume it already has a DPC...big problems if not but the concrete and screed still must dry out

You put the membrane between the concrete and the screed.

A DOC is built into walls. It’s totally different. That is to stop damp rising up walls. The floor membrane is to protect the floor and any heating you install into the floor. Yes. Give it a chance to dry out.

DPC!!!

Thanks all, DH works for a building firm so he has put down damp proof membrane, sorted out ventilation etc. Although not a builder himself, he took a lot of advice from work colleagues.

He is now adding flashing to the roof, I think the floor is a bit of a while away, once supplies are back in the shops and we are allowed to buy them.