Ok so I am a DIY novice and have a big flat to do up on a budget.

Can anyone tell me whats the cheapest way to cover horrible, uneven gappy floorboards in preparation for carpet, vinyl flooring?

I was thinking hardboard but really don't have a clue tbh.

Any advice greatly appreciated

Hardboard will be fine....use 25mm ring shank nails in rows 200mm apart, and rough side up.

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By eck! ©

Just a thought, it's best to soak the hardboard before you lay it. It wiil shrink as it dries out, making it tight as a drum.

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By eck! ©

Thanks :D

Sorry dumb question but when you say soak it how exactly, completely immerse it in water?

Just lay it out in the garden and put the garden hose over it, or even laying it on the lawn for an hour or so will be enough. It needs to be damp, so when it dries out it will shrink.

hardboard-which-way-up-t22989.html

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By eck! ©

You could of course use plywood which is totally dry!........it's available in thicknesses from 3.5 to 4mm!.....a bit more expensive but it's ready shrunk!

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By eck! ©

i have only ever used ply, usually 6mm.

ive took floors up in the past that have been covered with hardboard and noticed the hardboard follows the shape of the boards so any cupping on the boards show thru the vinal ply has more structural strength so covers better imo

. depending on how bad the carpeted carpets sub floor is you could splice some new timbers in the gaps and make sure its all screwed down level the underlay will be ok without hardboard,so with the money you could save on the carpet hardboard you could put twards the vynal ply