My place used to have a balcony but the previous owner converted it into part of living room but there's a 1inch difference in height in the flooring. I'd like to level it up but was quoted either EP form (more expensive) or sand screeding (cheaper). What's the difference? And I was previously quoted CEMENT screeding. Same thing or not? Some kind soul please help!

Does it really matter? You're going to tile it over right? If not, the new area will be different from the living room...

Haha I guess you're right, it doesn't matter. I'm going to put laminate over it, but just curious why the difference in quotes that's all

Does it really matter? You're going to tile it over right? If not, the new area will be different from the living room...

for hdb flats, there's a rule to use Extruded polystyrene foam (EPF) if u'd wish to level up either the balcony/ kitchen with the hall because of weight bearing issues on the floor slab, no doubt there's no longer a need to apply for a permit to carry this out.. if the drop after removing the existing floor finishes of the balcony is less than 50mm, there's also no way to place the thinnest (EPF).. the cost of (EPF) depends on the area it requires.. and concrete screeding is definitely needed for preparation of tiling works, unless it's a case of overlaying.. so u shouldn't be charged for it if u're tiling up the area..

sand + cement mixed together with water, when dry up = concrete

preparation work for tiling works without any existing floor finishes = screeding

applying a thin layer of cement over the screeding = smooth cement screed

sand screeding = no such thing

i recon u're not removing the existing floor finish of the balcony.. so since the sliding doors for the balcony is no longer there.. i think it'll look better to have a platform with Laminated floorboard/ timber strips there, as compared to just Laminated flooring alone. but of cause it'll cost u a little more to build the platform..

just my 2cents worth..

hi sinner,

thanks for your thoughts. we will be overlaying the tiles with laminate flooring (kronotex or supreme) and were hoping to have everything on the same level.

i don't quite understand the last portion you mentioned about the 'platform' though. do you mean to have the balcony area raised instead? unfortunately that's not quite possible. we need it to be the same level as the living room cos if not, the TV area would be too small !!

Edited April 1, 200719 yr by pinkbunny