1.5 Cm Difference Between Floor Levels, And The Old Back Doorstep....

[Mosaic]

....the old back door has been the way through to our back extension for some 30 years. Now that I've got round to it, I'm wondering what to do about the doorstep that the dear corner-cutting builder left in situ. The step lies (as it should) across the threshold but the level of the floor beyond is about 1.5cm lower.
If I put laminate flooring down, that would make it level with the step.
But I'd still have a worn stone step in the doorway.
And if I put laminate flooring in the room before the step, the same difference in level would be apparent
I am happy to lever the step out - would it be feasible to make a gradual incline in its place?

[The Builder]

Mose, could you make it a bit clearer as to the relative levels. You have three levels ...........

House floor; step; and extension floor. Is the step the same level as the house floor? Is it the extension floor that is 1.5cm lower?

Which floor is going to be "laminated"?

[Mosaic]

Hello builders, the house floor is level with the top of the stone step, then the extension beyond the step is 1.5cm lower.
Ideally I want to have wooden floor from front to back of the house, it being the fashion of the time as Granpa Simpson would say.

[Old_Geezer]

The subsequent post makes things a little clearer (I think). I was going to ask for a photo !

I think you have two or three options.

If the 15mm difference is a bother then surely you need to build the extension floor up, either by putting something on top, or by ripping it up and putting something underneath.

If it isn't a bother then you could grind/cut the step down to the floor level, or remove it and replace it with something that brings that bit up to the extension floor.

A gradual incline should be possible (and useful for wheelchairs ?) but it is going to make a fair chunk of the extension floor "unflat". Is this an issue for you ?

I think it depends on what you really want to achieve.

[Old_Geezer]

Or grind down the step to a slope and leave it like that, and hope no one keeps tripping up on it.

[Mosaic]

Cheers OG. What I'm after is as smooth a transition as possible, in as short a space as possible. I'm kind of aiming to futureproof against later life, and also have some nice flooring through the whole ground floor.

[Old_Geezer]

In which case, without having looked at it, my thoughts are, lever the step out, and your angle grinder/chisel, and take most of the excess away in a workshop/safe environment now that you can get to it easier. Wear goggles. Slope it front to back and from centre to sides to avoid edges to trip over. Then put the step back and finish off grinding so it looks ok in situ. Paint it a nice colour (white maybe if the muddy footprints aren't a problem).

[Old_Geezer]

Just an afterthought. Go slowly. Check the overall shape still looks ok as you go. Probably want a little flat area at least rather than step out onto a dome. Particularly re the centre to sides, or maybe that should be centre to front corners. It seems something difficult to visualise before you do it, although I'm unsure what computer packages might show that for you.

[Mosaic]

very comprehensive OG
And I deserve punishment for failing to describe that, conveniently, the step ends flush with the former outside wall ie doesn't extend into the extension floor area at all.....
sorry....I am a dizzy nit.

[The Builder]

I agree with OG. I would bring the extension floor up to match the higher floor.
Dig out the step with a small electric breaker, and shoot right over it with the new flooring. As far as I can see, there should be no need for any step or ramp.

[Mosaic]

Why can't I mark two best answers? not fair!

[Tuvok]

Do what I do - give best answer to the one with lowest count.