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In this story, we take you behind the scenes of a technically demanding, multi-layered LVT installation for returning clients in Ely.
You'll see why good floor prep is never optional, how we handled a 20mm subfloor variance, and what craftsmanship means when it's quietly done right.
When Melina and Nicholas walked back into our Cambridge showroom, we knew two things immediately: they valued good work, and they had a new challenge for us.
We'd previously helped them transform their first floor with a Harvey Maria luxury vinyl tile (LVT) in a classic wood plank style. Now, they were ready to bring the same finish to their downstairs—a light-filled but technically awkward space that included the entrance hallway, kitchen diner, and living room. But beneath the surface, quite literally, lay the problem.
The existing floor was a thick laminate herringbone, floated over a foam underlay. Combined, it sat nearly 20mm high, and everything had been built around it: kitchen plinths, stair bases, even the bottom of the doors.
Once removed, this would leave a chasm beneath the skirting boards and a level discrepancy we couldn't ignore.
Melina and Nicholas had a clear vision: a seamless transition from their upstairs LVT into a hardwearing, wood-effect floor downstairs that looked like it belonged.
No trims. No excuses. Just continuity, warmth, and a finish that felt quietly perfect.
They'd come to us for precisely that.
But to achieve it, we had to rebuild the subfloor from the ground up—not just patch but precisely engineer it back to level across three distinct rooms.
We walked them through every option, including temporary solutions like cover strips, but they were aligned with us on one point: quality mattered more than speed. The floor had to be right, not just replaced.
We started by removing the laminate and foam underlay, exposing a variable and damaged concrete subfloor. Our first step was to moisture test every section—a crucial step to avoid future lifting or failure of the new LVT.
Next came essential patch repair work. Cracks, dips, and weak areas were identified and filled, preparing for the more delicate task of height rebuilding.
We chose Uzin PE360 primer to bond the surface and ensure optimal adhesion for our levelling layers. Then, over the course of five days, we applied three coats of 6mm Uzin NC151 smoothing compound. That time wasn't just caution, it was precision. Each coat required time to cure, settle, and create a uniform, robust foundation.
Only then did we begin the final phase: laying Harvey Maria's wood-effect LVT, plank by plank, bonded directly to the prepared surface.
Karl, our highly experienced fitter, conducted a dry layout first, visually aligning plank joints with natural light and thresholds, before bonding each section for longevity.
We opted for a glue-down system, unlike click-together options, which can fail under micro-movements, a glued floor bonds completely to the surface beneath it. It removes the need for expansion gaps, works elegantly around skirting and built-in cabinetry, and most importantly—it lasts.
When Melina and Nicholas returned to see the finished installation, their first reaction wasn't words—it was a pause. The kind that says yes, this is precisely what we imagined.
The space felt grounded, unified, and quietly luxurious. The floor didn't call attention to itself—it completed the home.
From a technical perspective, it was one of the more complex domestic LVT projects we've undertaken this year. But that effort is now invisible, hidden under every step. And that's the essence of what we do: precision that disappears, beauty that lasts.
Melina and Nicholas now enjoy a durable, waterproof, low-maintenance floor that will serve their life in Ely and their visits back from France, for years to come.
This project demonstrates why floor preparation isn't a bolt-on, but the foundation of everything. We:
Looking for long-term peace of mind from your flooring? Visit our Cambridge showroom to speak with a fitter who cares as much about the hidden layers as the final look.