Substrate choice for LVT flooring
LVT Over Liquid Screed vs Over Plywood
LVT is unforgiving of an uneven or unstable sub-floor. The substrate you choose underneath it does more to determine the final result than the LVT itself.
Planning an LVT floor?
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Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is thin and rigid enough that any imperfection in the sub-floor — a board joint, a dip, a screw head — will telegraph through to the visible surface over time. That makes substrate choice critical, and the two common options are a liquid screed poured to a laser-flat finish, or plywood overlay boards fixed to an existing floor.
Both can deliver a good result with the right prep, but they suit different situations: new-build and major renovation versus refurbishment where lifting the existing floor isn't practical.
This page compares them directly for LVT specifically, since the requirements differ slightly from tile or carpet.
LVT substrate comparison
| Factor | Screed vs plywood |
|---|---|
| Flatness | SR1 laser-flat vs dependent on board fixing and packing |
| UFH compatibility | Excellent, pipe encapsulated in the mass vs limited, relies on overlay UFH systems |
| Moisture risk to LVT | Requires moisture testing before laying vs generally low once boards are dry-fixed |
| Installation disruption | Full pour, drying time required vs quicker fix with no drying wait |
| Suitability for refurb without lifting floor | Limited — screed needs proper insulation build-up vs well suited |
Choose screed as the LVT substrate when
- New build or major renovation with the floor build-up open
- UFH is part of the design
- You want the flattest possible base for large-format LVT planks
Planning an LVT floor?
Tell us your existing sub-floor and whether UFH is wanted, and we'll recommend screed or advise on the right overlay prep.
Choose plywood overlay when
- The existing floor structure can't be lifted or built up further
- Programme doesn't allow for screed drying time
- The sub-floor is timber and needs a stable, dimensionally consistent layer before LVT
For a full renovation or new build, we'd always push for a screed base under LVT — it gives the flattest, most stable result and lets you add UFH. For a light refurbishment on an existing timber floor, plywood overlay is the pragmatic choice.
— Exeter Liquid Screeders
LVT Over Screed vs Plywood — questions we get asked
Keep reading across the site
Planning an LVT floor?
Tell us your existing sub-floor and whether UFH is wanted, and we'll recommend screed or advise on the right overlay prep.