If you need to get a new floor laid, whether it is at home, in commercial premises, or in an office, you may spend a lot of time thinking about the floor itself, be it a carpet, sheet vinyl, vinyl tile or another material.

However, before so much as a square inch of carpet, or one single new tile is laid down, it is vital to have subfloor preparation carried out, otherwise you may literally undermine your efforts to create an attractive and user-friendly new surface.

A subfloor is the surface on which your floor is laid. It can vary in composition from concrete to plywood. The problem that can occur is when a new floor is laid on top of the old floor, which can lead to a very uneven surface. The old floor needs to go and the subfloor be made ready.

Central to this is the simple fact that your floor is only as good as the subfloor. If it is uneven, not structurally sound, damp, unclean or faulty, this can lead to sagging, dampness, squeaks and creaks, uneven spots and even damage to the floor.

As well as being even, particular floors need a focus on certain issues. For instance, if you are laying a hardwood floor it needs to be clean and dry underneath. If you are laying luxury vinyl flooring, you will need to do this but also lay down a vapour barrier. New carpet should never be laid on old carpet.

Quite simply, if you are laying a new floor, you must pay attention to what lies beneath. It has to be dry, clean, even and structurally sound. By doing this you will ensure your new floor performs well and lasts a long time.