Thickness of the material
Thin vinyl rises less than parquet planks or thick carpet, so the material you choose has a direct effect.
A detail many people miss before fitting
New Floor Height and Door Clearance: What to Know Before Fitting
A new floor means a new level: the thickness of the material, underlay and adhesive can raise the surface by several millimetres and sometimes centimetres, so doors rub, appliance openings tighten or awkward thresholds appear. We show you how to measure and plan before fitting, and we check it on a free site visit inside Riyadh.
Plan before fittingOne simple measurement saves trimming doors
Free site visitWe measure doors and thresholds
Thickness planningBefore you buy the material
Supply & fittingOne team does both
Open daily7 am to 10 pm
The factors
What raises the floor level after fitting?
The finished height is a sum of layers, not one layer, and each adds part of the rise. We explain each layer and what can be done to reduce it; see also floor preparation and levelling.
Underlay beneath the floor
Underlay adds thickness while improving comfort and sound; see floor underlay.
Adhesive or levelling compound
A levelling layer and adhesive add a little height and help even out the base.
The old floor left in place
Fitting over tile or similar adds the old floor's whole height; see fitting over tiles.
Skirting and thresholds
Small steps can appear where rooms meet, and are handled with suitable transition strips.
Carpet and pile
Carpet adds pile thickness plus underlay, and its height changes with pressure and use.
How to measure
Steps to measure floor height and door clearance
The measuring is simple and saves the cost of trimming doors or refitting the floor. All you need is the space available today between your floor and the underside of the door and any other obstruction, compared with the thickness of the new floor and its layers.
Measure door clearance
Measure from the existing floor to the bottom of the door at the tightest point, because floors are rarely perfectly level. Subtract the thickness of the new floor and its layers to see whether the door will swing freely, and leave a small gap for movement.
Check built-in appliances
A dishwasher, an integrated fridge and kitchen units may not fit the new height. Measure the opening under the worktop and the height of the appliance to be fitted; see kitchen and bathroom vinyl.
Watch the start and end of stairs
Raising a landing or hall floor changes the height of the first or last step and can upset the balance between steps. We check it and suggest a simple fix where needed, and for stairs see stair carpet.
Look at sockets and floor openings
Low sockets, floor outlets and air-conditioning units may need a small adjustment after the floor goes up.
Compare room to room
Sometimes one room gets a thicker material than the rest, leaving a threshold between them. We plan the transition with a suitable strip or by levelling part of the floor.
Typical thicknesses
How much height does each material add?
| Material | What it usually adds | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Glue-down vinyl | A few millimetres | The lowest rise but needs a very level base |
| Floating SPC vinyl | Several millimetres with an attached underlay | Suits cases where clearance is fairly limited |
| HDF parquet or laminate | Several millimetres up to over a centimetre with underlay | Affects doors if clearance is tight |
| Carpet with underlay | About a centimetre or less depending on pile | Changes with pressure and use |
| Covering an existing tile floor | The new material on top of the current tile height | The case that most needs exact measuring |
These are approximate figures for guidance only; actual thickness comes from the specification of the product you choose, and we check it at the visit before any order. For prices see vinyl prices and parquet prices.
The fixes
What if the clearance is not enough?
We have several practical fixes when clearance is tight, and we explain the strengths of each.
Choose a thinner material
We suggest thinner vinyl, or a system without a thick underlay where the base allows it.
Trim the bottom of doors
The simplest fix in many cases, done precisely so the look and sealing of the doors are not affected.
Adjust door hinges
Raising the door slightly by adjusting the hinges where suitable.
Remove the old floor
Lifting the old floor and starting from the base lowers the final height; see renovating old floors.
Level the high spot
We deal with high edges using compound or grinding rather than lifting the whole floor.
Change the thresholds
We choose graded thresholds that hide the difference between rooms and prevent tripping.
Before pricing
What we ask you for
Current door clearance
How much space is under the main and inner doors? A photo with a tape measure is enough at first.
Built-in appliances
Is there an integrated fridge, dishwasher or built-in units affected by height?
The current floor
Do we fit over it or remove it? The difference in height is large.
The material you have in mind
So we know the thickness intended and can compare it with the clearance.
Examples
Pictures of materials and fitting
Vinyl planks
Plank thickness is fixed early in any job, and options can be compared in the showroom.
Fitting parquet
We take the parquet and underlay height into account before laying starts.
A bedroom being fitted
We check the bedroom door clearance before fitting to avoid trimming after the work is done.
How we work
How we check height before fitting
Measure
We measure door, appliance and threshold clearance with a precise gauge.
Choose the thickness
We suggest a material and underlay that suit the available clearance.
Decide the fixes
We decide whether doors need trimming, thresholds changing or part of the floor levelling.
Fitting
We fit the floor and finish the transitions between rooms.
Final check
We try every door before handover.
Cost
How does height affect cost?
Choice of material
Thinner materials may cost more or less depending on type, but they avoid adjustment work.
Trimming doors
Adds labour for each door, and varies with the type of door.
Adjusting thresholds
Graded thresholds and strips are added to the quote where needed.
Levelling
Treating high edges with compound adds material and labour.
Removal
Lifting the old floor to reduce height adds labour and disposal.
Time to complete
Any extra treatments may lengthen the job slightly.
Practical tips
Tips for avoiding height problems
Measure before you buy
Know the door clearance first and then choose a material thickness to suit.
Ask about underlay thickness
Underlay adds height that is not in the advertised thickness of the material.
Check the start of the stairs
Do not forget the first and last step when the floor goes up.
Take photos with a tape measure
A photo of each door with the measurement is enough for us to estimate the effect.
Think of the fix early
Trimming doors before fitting is easier and cleaner than after.
Keep the height consistent between rooms
A slightly graded floor is better than sudden steps that cause tripping.
An important detail
Thresholds and the move between rooms
When floor thickness differs between two rooms a small threshold appears, and if it is not dealt with it becomes a trip hazard and a dust trap. We handle it with suitable transition strips that give a calm move from one room to the next.
- A transition strip suited to the height difference
- Firm fixing so it does not move
- Choosing a colour close to the floor
- Avoiding high thresholds at kitchen and bathroom doors
Avoid
Common mistakes with floor height
Buying before measuring
You find after fitting that doors will not open.
Forgetting the underlay
It adds height you did not count.
Ignoring built-in appliances
An appliance may not go in or come out after the floor rises.
Trimming doors after fitting
It leaves dust and can harm the new floor.
Neglecting thresholds
They become edges that cause tripping.
Treating approximate figures as exact
Actual thickness comes from the product specification.
After fitting
What to check after handover
Open and close the doors
Try every door to confirm its clearance.
Check the thresholds
Make sure the strips are firm and not moving.
Test the appliances
Slide built-in appliances into place to check.
Watch the edges
Treat any lifting early before it spreads.
In summary
A simple rule that saves you surprises
The rule: measure the clearance before you choose the material, then pick a thickness to suit rather than trimming doors later. Many after-fitting problems start with a purchase made without measuring.
One measurement is enough to begin
The tightest door clearance and the height of the nearest built-in appliance decide most of the choice on their own.
Ask before you buy
You can send us photos of doors and their measurements before buying the material, and we will suggest the thickness, even if you will buy elsewhere.
Leave the details to the visit
At the visit we measure doors, thresholds and appliances and give you a clear plan that leaves no room for surprises.
Estimate the area
Estimate the floor area before requesting a price
Enter the length and width of each room, then send the result on WhatsApp with your door clearance measurements.
0Area (m²)
0Suggested order (m²)
Questions about floor height and doors
How much does the level rise after fitting vinyl or parquet?
It varies with the material, underlay and old floor; it can be a few millimetres or exceed a centimetre. We measure and give the exact figure at the visit.
Will the door rub the new floor?
If the clearance under the door is more than the new floor's thickness with underlay, usually not. Otherwise we fix it by trimming the door or choosing a thinner material.
Does trimming the bottom of doors harm them?
It is done precisely and does not harm the door if cut by the right amount, and it is best before fitting to avoid dust on the new floor.
What about a built-in dishwasher or fridge?
Measure the opening before buying, because the clearance may tighten once the floor rises, and we may suggest a thinner material or a small adjustment.
Does the height affect stairs?
Yes, raising a hall floor changes the height of the first or last step, and we deal with it by reviewing the steps before fitting.
Can the floor go down without underlay to reduce height?
In some systems yes if the base is very level, but underlay helps with sound and comfort, so we balance the two.
What is best when clearance is tight?
Usually thin glue-down vinyl on a level base, which we assess after measuring.
How is the threshold between two rooms of different height handled?
With a suitable transition strip fixed firmly, and sometimes by levelling part of the floor, decided at the visit.
Can I send photos before I buy the material?
Yes, send photos of the doors with a tape measure and of the current floor on WhatsApp and we will reply with the suitable thickness.
Start by checking your clearance with a free visit
Tell us the floor you have in mind and the rough clearance and we will arrange the visit inside Riyadh.
More guides and services you may need
Vinyl Installation
Preparation and fitting steps and what we check.
Parquet Installation
Fitting, underlay and edge steps.
How to Measure Flooring
Measuring guide and waste allowance.
Open Plan Kitchen and Living Flooring
How to choose one continuous floor for an open plan kitchen and living room in Riyadh: water and stain resistance, SPC vinyl, parquet or tiles.