The substrate is a special damping material, the main task of which is to separate the laminate from the base. Thanks to him, the finish is protected from moisture and impact noise. Moreover, the lining material provides the best thermal insulation of the room. What is the best underlay for laminate flooring? This article will focus on the types of dampers, as well as the pros and cons of modern flooring.
The main tasks of the substrate
Floor covering plays one of the most important roles in the repair of the premises. At the same time, laminate and parquet are placed only on a pre-prepared base. That is why the choice of flooring must be taken seriously. The underlay performs many functions that improve the performance of the floor covering:
- Soundproofing. Laminate, like many synthetic materials, has one significant drawback: while walking on the surface, an unpleasant loud sound is made, which betrays the artificiality of the coating. Therefore, a buffer in the form of a special bedding is placed between the lamellas and the screed to absorb impact noise;
- Leveling properties. Since it is almost impossible to make a perfectly even screed, some of the “concerns” are taken over by the intermediate flooring;
- Moisture isolation. High humidity adversely affects the laminated coating, so it cannot be mounted on a wet screed. To ensure sufficient waterproofing, special moisture-resistant substrates are used to protect the lamellas from destruction;
- Thermal insulation. By itself, the laminate is a good thermal insulator, but this is not always enough to provide effective conservation heat in the room. The damper will help to reduce the level of "leakage" of heat, which, in combination with the top coat, will give double protection from the cold.
lining requirements
Today, manufacturers of building materials offer consumers a variety of substrates that should ensure the durability of the coating. At the same time, saving on the damper can lead to very negative consequences, up to the destruction of the locking systems and the deformation of the lamellas.
What is the best underlay for laminate flooring? First of all, it must be of high quality, so the material must meet certain requirements:
- The floor must "breathe", for this reason it is desirable that the structure of the flooring be porous, this will contribute to the micro-ventilation of the floor;
- The material must provide good sound and heat insulation;
- The litter should reduce the load on the lock joints of the lamellas.
The main types of dampers
What underlay should I use for laminate flooring? To make a choice, it is worth considering the main types of materials, as well as the pros and cons of their use. Only then will everyone be able to determine for themselves best option underlying layer.
All litters are classified according to the following criteria:
- Manufacturing material. As raw materials for the production of the damper are used:
- Natural additives - wood pellets and pressed chips;
- Synthesized additives - polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene.
- Manufacturing method.
At the same time, each of these types has the pros and cons of the substrate for the laminate. And in order to make the right choice in favor of one or another type of coverage, it is worth evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of each separately.
Isolone pad
- does not react with chemicals;
- is not a favorable environment for the reproduction of bacteria and mold;
- has excellent sound and heat insulation;
- has vapor permeability, so it can be mounted in rooms with high humidity;
- cheap material.
At the same time, many consumer reviews indicate the presence of some disadvantages of the flooring.
- easily torn and deformed;
- under the influence of a serious load, it can become thinner, which will lead to the appearance of backlash between the lamellas and the base.
Polystyrene flooring
The bedding consists of two layers: foil and polystyrene. In comparison with the isolone layer, it has better technical characteristics.
- Does not thin out so quickly under mechanical stress;
- Eliminates up to 70% of noise;
- Protects the coating from impact vibration.
- The material is quite difficult to unfold, so mounting it is very problematic;
- It costs more than isolon.
fiberglass flooring
The damper is an environmentally friendly material, so it can be easily laid even in children's rooms. Fiberglass is recommended for installation on concrete and wooden floors.
- does not contain toxic substances;
- amenable only to elastic deformation;
- mounted immediately on the rough base without any intermediate layers;
- has good soundproofing performance.
- used for laying lamellas, the thickness of which does not exceed 5-7 mm;
- rather expensive material.
What substrate to choose under the laminate, so that it is durable? For these purposes, it is best to use a lining of pressed oak bark granules.
- does not wrinkle and can last more than 100 years;
- excellent heat and sound insulator;
- very strong, therefore withstands a significant point load.
- not suitable for installation in rooms with a high level of humidity;
- like cellulose, it is a favorable environment for the reproduction of mold;
- It is used mainly for laying on a wooden base.
Bitumen cork damper
This type of material is produced on the basis of kraft paper with some addition of bitumen.
- well absorbs noise;
- prevents the penetration of moisture;
- provides microventilation of the coating;
- has leveling properties.
- due to the content of bitumen, it is a fire hazardous material, therefore it is not used in private dwellings;
- one of the most expensive intermediate flooring.
Composite materials
- Special membranes provide good moisture insulation;
- Absorbs transit noise;
- Provide good thermal insulation suitable for underfloor heating system.
- High price.
How to choose a substrate?
The best substrate for laminate flooring is one that matches the thickness of the laminated boards. When choosing a damper, first of all, you should pay attention to its thickness. Under the laminate, with a thickness of 4 to 6 mm, experts recommend using a 2 mm lining.
Tip: For boards with a thickness of 7 to 12 mm, it is advisable to use 4 mm substrates. A thicker buffer layer will spring, which will lead to loosening of the locking system on the lamellas. After some time, this will affect the quality of the connection of the panels.
What kind of substrate will be of high quality? To finally answer this question, it is necessary to determine the selection criteria, according to which each consumer will be able to make the best decision for himself:
- Compare the cost of a laminated coating and a damper layer. It makes no sense to put expensive composite bedding under a low-quality laminate, this will not affect its technical characteristics in any way. That is why it is not recommended to use special bedding for the budget option of the finish coat;
- Before making your choice, decide on the purpose of laying the damper layer, what functions it should perform. Often people overpay by choosing best coverage, half of whose properties remain unused;
- Estimate the area of the base. For large rooms, it is desirable to use rolled substrates, and for small ones - tiled ones. This will significantly reduce the time of preparatory work.
The final choice of damping material will depend on the financial capabilities of the consumer, as well as the characteristics of the premises where repair work. It should be borne in mind that each individual situation needs its own technical solution.
The rough base of the floor is not suitable for laying laminate directly on it.
As a gasket between the base and the top flooring, a special substrate is used, the use of which guarantees comfortable operation of the laminate for many years.
Hardware stores offer a wide selection various kinds substrates, and each of them can be characterized both from a certain positive side and from a negative one.
To begin with, let's try to figure it out - why is a substrate under the laminate needed at all, and is it needed at all?
Functionality
- Soundproofing and sound absorption
Such properties of the substrate provide a significant reduction in the noise effect when various objects fall on the floor.
In addition, noise absorption reduces the audibility between adjacent floors.
- Moisture isolation
It is no secret that the rough concrete floor actively “breathes”, and unnecessary moisture inevitably forms on its surface.
If you lay a laminate directly on it, then the bottom layer of the flooring may be affected by mold.
- Leveling effect
The subfloor naturally may not be ideal.
Differences of a few millimeters, pits and bumps are a frequent occurrence both in old buildings and in new construction.
Laying the underlay will help smooth out minor surface irregularities, taking the load off the locks of the laminate in those places where it will be necessary to do so.
- Cushioning properties
By itself, the laminate is a hard floor covering, and if it is laid, for example, on a concrete base, then walking on it will not only be uncomfortable and uncomfortable, but also not safe for the health of the feet.
The underlay has a slight shock-absorbing effect, which is necessary for the ease of use of the floor.
Also, depreciation allows you to increase the life of the locks of laminate boards.
The need for laying the substrate is eliminated only if the selected laminate already has it on the back. In this case, the relevant information must be indicated in the instructions for laying the laminate.
Thickness
Manufacturers offer different thicknesses of substrates for laminate - it can vary from 0.8 mm to 10 mm.
The main criterion for choosing a thickness is the condition of the subfloor. The smoother it is, the thinner the substrate should be.
For domestic use, most manufacturers offer to purchase a 2.3.4 mm underlay - these dimensions are most suitable for the most comfortable laying of the floor and at the same time do not cause excessive cushioning at all.
Substrate varieties
How to choose a laminate flooring?
From needles
This type of substrate refers to thick, as it is produced in the form of layers with a thickness of 5 mm or 7 mm.
Its use is advisable in those places where the unevenness of the floor is more than two millimeters mm per square meter.
According to all characteristics, the coniferous substrate is on top:
- it has excellent sound insulation,
- cushioning and moisture-retaining properties,
- high level of noise reduction.
In addition, the undoubted advantages of such a coating include the environmental friendliness of the material. After all, coniferous substrates are pressed into layers without the addition of binders. chemical substances, for example, glue.
But this material has not received wide consumer distribution, not only because of the large thickness, but also because of its high cost.
In addition, most laminate manufacturers oblige to use a substrate of only “standard” thickness (up to 4 mm), and if some boards become completely or partially unusable, then it will not be possible to replace them under the factory warranty.
Polystyrene
Extruded polystyrene foam is increasingly being used as a substrate material for laminate flooring, as it has a whole range of positive characteristics, properties and qualities:
- he does an excellent job of leveling the subfloor, if there is such a need,
- is a good sound and noise insulator,
- has anti-vibration and shock-absorbing effect.
In addition, polystyrene is non-toxic in nature, does not attract rodents and other pests, and is also virtually mold resistant.
Of the negative points - this is a short service life in places of local load (for example, in places where heavy massive furniture is placed) - polystyrene can become thinner up to the formation of holes.
Made of polyethylene
This type of substrate is one of the most common and inexpensive, you can find it in almost any specialized hardware store.
Izolon is a multicomponent mixture based on foamed cellular polyethylene, and various dyes, as well as compounds that ensure the fire safety of the material, are added to it.
In spite of chemical composition, isolon is an absolutely non-toxic material, which also effectively resists the aggressive effects of various chemical reagents.
Isolon does not attract rodents and is not a delicacy for insects, so it can be safely used even in a private home.
According to its characteristics, isolon is inferior to other types of laminate substrates, since its cells are short-lived, and it quickly wrinkles. In some cases, the opening of the floors showed its complete thinning.
Therefore, it is not recommended to put isolon under a durable class 33 laminate, it is best to use it in places with a small step load and a minimum of massive furniture.
with foil
Foil substrate for laminate flooring can be found in two versions: with a polystyrene base and with an isolon base.
Aluminum foil is glued to one of their sides with special glue.
There is no fundamental difference between both types, since the materials are, in principle, similar in their performance characteristics.
The foil also gives the substrate an additional heat-insulating effect, reducing the heat loss of the room by almost 30%.
Manufacturers of such a substrate do not always indicate in the instructions which side to put.
But it is precisely the correct location of the foil side that achieves the necessary heat-preserving effect. When laying the substrate, the foil layer must be on top!
Combination of polyethylene foam and isolon
Another interesting material is the so-called Tuplex.
The substrate from it will consist of three layers: polyethylene foam along the edges, and granular isolon in the middle. In this case, its thickness will be no more than three millimeters.
When developing Tuplex, manufacturers took into account the main drawback of the substrates - quick creasing - and tried to solve this problem.
In addition, this material has increased moisture resistance, which prevents the development of mold.
Cork
This is a high-quality, expensive and durable material:
- she keeps her shape very well
- is an excellent sound and noise absorber,
- does not transmit vibration
- evens out the unevenness of the subfloor,
- ideal in terms of environmental friendliness.
She has only one drawback - the fear of moisture.
And if it is planned to lay it on a rough concrete base, then the use of an additional moisture-proof gasket is mandatory; you can also use an ordinary wide rolled polyethylene film as it.
Choice of underfloor heating
When buying, you need to pay attention to special marks - there should be an inscription “for a warm floor” on the substrate. Generally speaking, the substrate should transmit heat as much as possible, i.e. have a very low coefficient of thermal resistance.
The substrate should be thin, no more than 3 mm. The cork substrate is not suitable, as it is a good heat insulator.
There are also special perforated substrates, for example, Arbiton Izo Floor Thermo 1.6 mm.
Substrate laying
The method of laying the substrate depends on its form of release. Basically, there are three types of sheet formation: roll, accordion and layers.
One of the simplest types of substrate formation in terms of its installation is roll twisting.
The width of the roll is most often 1.2 m, length - from 10 meters. The rolling of the roll is carried out in a direction perpendicular to the forthcoming laying of the laminate boards.
This is done so that during the operation of the floor, the seams of the substrate do not part.
The installation process itself will look like this:
- The rough base is carefully cleaned of dirt, which can create additional irregularities, and a polyethylene film is laid out on it as a moisture-proof layer - at will or on the recommendation of the laminate manufacturer.
- Further, starting from any wall, the roll of the substrate is rolled out. Its edges must necessarily go to opposite walls at least a few centimeters, then the excess can be cut off.
- Then, close to the first strip, the second is rolled out. You can fasten them together with both simple adhesive tape and aluminum tape. The main thing is that the seam is strong and reliable. Thus, the entire necessary floor surface is covered.
Sheets
The substrate in sheets are strong rectangular plates.
The process of laying them begins in the same way as the roll substrate, that is, with cleaning the floor and moisture protection flooring.
There are only two rules:
- The perpendicularity of the long side of the backing to the intended direction of the laminate.
- Laying adjacent rows of platinum in a checkerboard pattern.
The plates are also fastened with adhesive tape or special adhesive tape.
What is an accordion underlay for laminate flooring?
This is a symbiosis of the compactness of the plates already fastened together along the long side and the convenience of roll rolling.
This form of the substrate is much less common than the previous two, although it combines the convenience of each of them.
It is easier to transport than, for example, rolled, and faster to stack than sheet.
Laying it is the same as rolling out the roll substrate.
Estimated cost of the substrate
As an example of the cost of one square meter substrates for laminate flooring, here are some of the most popular types of material and their average retail prices in Moscow.
Which is better? Customer Reviews
Theoretical knowledge about the types of substrates is, of course, a significant plus when going to a hardware store. Together with them, the reviews of people who already operate a properly laid laminate will also help determine the right purchase decision.
“... I laid the laminate myself without anyone's professional or outside help. This is probably why the required number of selected polystyrene foam sheets was calculated incorrectly. Unfortunately, in the nearest building supermarket, only rolls of isolon were on sale, but of the same thickness. So I had to combine: half of the room has one substrate, the second - the other.
After one year, I don't notice any difference. Laminate boards lie just as I laid them. The locks are not loosened, I do not feel voids. The only thing I really don't like is the complaints from the living neighbors below about the roar from even small objects falling on our floor. Unfortunately, this manifested defect can no longer be corrected ... "
Andrey Yurievich, 39 years old.
“... I came to a hardware store, and the consultant began to strongly recommend that I buy an expensive cork substrate. It's good that I guessed to call a friend who is engaged in repairs, and he told me that in the bedroom under the cheap laminate that I had already chosen, buying an expensive substrate is just stupid.
Therefore, I bought polyethylene foam in a roll, gave the materials to the master, and he once again confirmed that I had chosen everything correctly. Unfortunately, my bed has massive legs, and after a couple of months, I began to feel that the laminate under them seemed to sag. There are no problems with the locks yet, no gaps have appeared ... "
Olga Tikhonova, 32 years old.
Summing up, you need to pay special attention to the fact that the purchase of an expensive high-quality laminate will not bring pleasure from its operation if the false material under it quickly becomes unusable and becomes unusable.
Conversely, does it make sense to purchase a substrate more expensive than the flooring itself?
Before going to the store, ask as many of your friends as possible, study special articles - this way you will insure yourself against unnecessary unplanned expenses both at the time of purchase and some time after the operation of the floor.
Stylish, practical and affordable flooring- laminate - can not effectively perform its functions - to provide comfort and coziness in a residential area - without a properly selected and laid substrate.
Laminate underlay (lining) is a thin layer of non-woven material between the floor screed and the floor covering.
Main functions
The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) in 2013 developed regulatory requirements on the underlying layer under the laminate. According to the document, the substrate should perform the following functions:
- eliminate surface irregularities of the screed;
- serve as a damper layer for the floor;
- provide sound insulation;
- do not let moisture through;
- retain heat well.
At the same time, the main purpose of the substrate is the first three functions. Thermal and waterproofing - auxiliary.
Elimination of surface defects of the screed
Neither the high level of craftsmanship of builders, nor quality materials used for laying the screed, as well as the application grinder for leveling a semi-dry screed, cannot provide an ideal surface for laying laminate flooring. There are always sagging places or tubercles.
The resulting differences on the surface of the concrete screed after a few months of floor operation lead to the formation of a "backlash" when the laminate panels sag strongly when walking. Even if the subsidence reaches only 2-3 mm, the lamella locks begin to creak and slowly collapse.
The underlay that hides concrete defects eliminates the problem. High-quality and correctly laid material allows you to achieve an almost perfect surface on which the laminate flooring lasts for a long time and efficiently.
Damping of vibrational movements of the floor
A laminate floor is subjected to two types of oscillatory movements caused by:
- uniform dynamic load - walking;
- sound waves from transmitted or reflected noise.
If measures are not taken to offset the above fluctuations, then the lamella locks will quickly break, and the apartment will be excessively noisy. Therefore, the main function of the substrate is to be a damper (from the German word dämpfen - to drown out) a layer between the concrete and the floor.
Soundproofing
Concrete screed transmits noise quite well. Thin laminated floor panels (thickness 8-12 mm) also do not delay incoming sounds, but, on the contrary, amplify them. The floor turns into a membrane that transmits and amplifies sound vibrations.
As a result, the lower neighbors will perfectly hear the steps, especially the clatter of women's heels, and the residents of the apartment will hear ringing sounds from below. Only the substrate is able to protect the owners of the apartment from the noise of the neighbors, and the latter from various sounds in the apartment.
Waterproofing
The function of protecting the flooring from condensate moisture is not the main property of the substrate. Therefore, there are few of its types on sale with a moisture-proof layer applied. Laminate manufacturers recommend that waterproofing work be carried out separately - first, lay a film that protects the floor from concrete screed fumes, and only then do the laying of the substrate and the lamellas themselves.
thermal insulation
All types of underlay, regardless of whether they are made of natural or synthetic materials, have good insulating properties, which allows you to keep heat in the room, preventing it from escaping through the concrete.
However, this property of the underlying layer significantly reduces the effectiveness of underfloor heating. With their device, it is necessary to use special, with high thermal conductivity, substrates.
Is it possible to do without a substrate
The list of functions that the substrate performs makes it an indispensable element when laying a laminate. There is only one exception - lamellas of the "Lux" class, in which the underlying material is glued to the underside of the panel.
If you put an additional substrate under them, we get a thick shock-absorbing layer that cannot keep the floor from deflecting when walking. Lamella locks will not withstand such a load for a long time and will begin to collapse.
Types of substrates
Substrates offered by the trade can be classified in several ways. The material for them can be:
1. According to the release form:
- roll;
- sheet;
2. By origin of materials used in production:
- natural;
- artificial;
3. By type of raw materials:
- polyethylene foam;
- polystyrene foam;
- polypropylene;
- cork;
- bitumen-cork;
- coniferous;
- combined.
Polyethylene foam
Polyethylene foam underlay is produced by foaming polyethylene. This is the cheapest material, which is why it dominates the market. Its advantages:
- high level of heat and waterproofing;
- does not become infected with microorganisms, bacteria and fungi;
- easy to use - easy to cut and gives little waste;
- not food for rodents.
It has a significant drawback - low strength, which is why it is quickly compressed within a few years and ceases to perform its main functions. In addition, it also has weak soundproofing properties.
Styrofoam
Styrofoam underlay is a film made from extruded polystyrene foam. The material well levels the errors of the concrete base, withstands an increased load on the flooring, and is able to dampen sound vibrations when walking.
The cellular structure allows you to absorb condensate and prevent it from passing to the laminate. Therefore, such a substrate can be laid without a layer of waterproofing film (this is not a recommendation, but a statement of the property). In terms of cost, it is in the lower part of the middle price segment (not very expensive).
Polypropylene
Expanded polypropylene is not in high demand. The reason is a large number of small air bubbles in its structure, which burst under loads, which leads to changes in the thickness of the substrate. In addition, the material has very poor sound insulation.
The advantages include high moisture resistance. The price is in the middle range.
Cork
Cork flooring is made from the bark of the cork tree. It perfectly copes with all the functions assigned to the bedding layer under the laminate. It has:
- high sound and heat insulation properties;
- convenient size for styling;
- long service life.
One minus is the high price, which does not allow it to be laid under an inexpensive laminate, whose service life is 2 times lower than that of the substrate.
bituminous cork
Bituminous cork underlayment is a type of cork bedding material. It is made from kraft paper impregnated with bitumen and small cork chips. It has the same advantages and disadvantages as cork material. However, the material has one additional plus - increased moisture resistance.
Coniferous
Coniferous substrate - classic natural material. It is made from coniferous, mainly spruce, wood. It has a porous structure, which allows it to absorb sound waves well. Well levels the unevenness of the screed. Is an good insulation. Capable of absorbing condensate. Perfectly performs the role of a damping layer between the floor and concrete.
The downside, as with cork substrates, is one - a very high cost. But there is an explanation for this: high quality - high price. Therefore, basically, it is laid under an expensive laminate without a substrate glued from below.
Combined
The combined substrate consists of polyethylene and expanded polystyrene. It is a 3-layer material. The top and bottom are polyethylene film, and the middle layer is represented by polystyrene foam balls. At the same time, the polyethylene film has a different purpose.
The top layer does not allow moisture to pass both down and from below, and the bottom one, on the contrary, passes condensate to the balls, which bring it out through technological gaps without moistening the lamellas. Therefore, when using such a substrate, additional waterproofing of the screed is not needed.
The positive properties include:
- long service life;
- flexibility;
- the property is good at leveling the errors of concrete;
- the ability to retain its original shape until the end of operation.
The material has very significant disadvantages:
- high price;
- the middle layer is made from styrene, a very unhealthy substance.
Caution: Styrene is a highly toxic liquid that can be fatal if inhaled. In the combined substrate, it is in polymerized granules, which in themselves are absolutely safe. But in the same granules there is 1-2% free styrene. Its evaporation, due to the small amount, will not bring serious health problems, but it can lead to a general slight malaise, and for a long time. Daily airing of the premises solves the problem.
Which underlay to choose
A huge number of domestic and imported materials that are offered for the substrate make it very difficult to choose a specific material for a particular apartment. Different prices, while high, and different properties prevent the buyer from making the right decision.
Selection criteria and material requirements
Substrate under the laminate: which is better, how to choose? Here it is necessary to take into account several requirements for the substrate material, both general and special, related to the characteristics of the apartment. General criteria include:
- the price of building materials;
- lifetime;
- the ability to resist an alkaline environment, microorganisms, fungi and rodents;
- environmental friendliness of the flooring.
Special requirements for professional builders include:
- thermal insulation properties;
- moisture resistance;
- thickness in order to more effectively dampen various kinds of vibrations;
- ability to extinguish noise;
- release form (sheet or roll material, which affects the complexity of installation).
Based on the above indicators, you can independently choose the type of substrate. Below are some of the nuances of special requirements, which will help you better understand what kind of purchase to make.
Substrate thickness
Many apartment owners mistakenly believe that the main purpose of the substrate is to increase the heat and sound insulation of the apartment (house), as well as protect the floor from condensation from the screed concrete. For these purposes, naturally, a thicker material is needed.
Many do not spare money and lay a standard substrate in two layers to enhance the effect of sound and heat insulation. But at the same time, the impact on the laminate of dynamic and static loads is completely ignored. Heavy furniture or walking of an adult bends individual lamellas, and they have room to bend (a thick layer of the substrate is more crushed), and break locks over time.
The mechanism of the process is as follows - bending under the weight, the lamella, through the lock, transmits the oscillatory movement to neighboring plates. They also bend, but to a lesser extent. The entire load falls on the connecting lock, which gradually, through microcracks, begins to collapse.
The thickness of the substrate is dictated by its main purpose: to level the surface on which the flooring will be laid, and to dampen oscillatory movements, i.e. be a damping layer between floor and concrete.
So what kind of substrate to choose under the laminate in thickness? It all depends on the condition of the surface of the screed. If the concrete base is even, a minimum layer of 2 mm is sufficient. If there are small irregularities, a material with a thickness of 3 mm is required, which is considered optimal, since it ensures that the substrate performs all the functions most efficiently.
An increase in the thickness of the underlying material even by 1 mm leads to negative consequences. This statement does not mean at all that thicker materials are not used in practice. Under expensive laminate panels, 20-33 mm thick, a thicker substrate is also laid.
Rating of the best substrates
- Izolon. Producer: Nelidovsky plant of plastics, Russia. The roll is produced with a length of 20-50 m. The width of the film is 50-150 cm. The structure resembles a thin sponge. The price, depending on the thickness, for 1 m 2 - 20-50 rubles.
- Tuplex (Tuplex). Manufacturer: Tuplex plant in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia/Finland. Roll material. Dimensions 9.09 m by 1.1 m. Thickness 3 mm. The price for 1 m 2 is 90-100 rubles.
- Isoshum. Country of origin: Poland. The sheet substrate for laminate is produced 1.0 m long, 0.5 m wide, 3 mm thick. Sold in packs of 10 m 2. The price of 1 m 2 is 55 rubles.
- Eco-cover 3 mm. Producer: Eco-cover, Russia. The size of the sheets varies in length from 500 mm to 14300 mm, in width from 1000 mm to 1500 mm. The price for 1 m 2 is 131 rubles.
- "Petroform" 5 mm. Producer: PKP "Resource", Russia. In a roll 52.5 m 2 . The price for 1 m 2 is 52 rubles.
If the material for the substrate is selected by price, then the rating of the cheapest materials is:
- Petroform 2 mm - average price 18 rubles / m 2;
- Izolon 3 mm - average price 30 rubles / m 2;
- Jermaflex 3 mm - average price 24 rubles / m 2;
- Isoplaat Startfloor Barlinek - price 55 rubles / m 2;
- Isopoline - price 55 rubles / m 2.
What kind of substrate is needed for underfloor heating
How to choose a substrate for a laminate if a warm floor is being installed? Ordinary materials are not suitable - they do not allow heat to pass from heating elements up. Therefore, it is necessary to look for a substrate with high thermal conductivity.
Arbiton Cork 2 mm appeared on sale for these purposes. It has an interesting feature - small perforation, which freely passes heat, which does not interfere with the performance of the main functions - floor support. The price is affordable.
You can also use Isoplaat Startfloor Barlinek fiberboard. The average cost of this substrate is pleasantly pleasing - 55 rubles / m 2. If there are no such materials on the building materials market, you can buy polyethylene without foil. It is also a good conductor of heat.
V last resort you can put a simple corrugated cardboard. The lack of moisture, the warm floor dries it out, and allows this option to work well.
Substrate laying
A novice repairman can lay the substrate. It is enough to follow a few simple rules.
- Clean the surface of the screed with a vacuum cleaner.
- Lay down waterproofing film overlap, with entry to the walls. Glue the joints with adhesive tape.
- Lay the underlay. Elastic materials must be brought to the walls.
- The connecting seams are glued with adhesive tape.
Attention: elastic materials are laid immediately throughout the room, perpendicular to the laying of the laminate. Many cheaper materials lose their performance when walked on. Therefore, such rolls are rolled out in the same direction that the laminate will be laid, one sheet at a time. Lamellas are laid on the rolled sheet over the entire area of the substrate, after which the next sheet is rolled out and glued to the previously laid one. The floor is being installed again.
There are several factors that influence the final choice of substrate for laminate flooring, which were not discussed above.
- If the apartment is on the first floor, where cold comes from the basement, it is better to purchase Parkolag 3 mm, with increased thermal insulation properties.
- For a children's room, where there is constant running around, screaming, screeching, falling objects, it is better to buy Steico Underfloor or ReFoam 3002. Their specifications allow effective damping of sound waves.
- There is a height difference on the screed up to 3 mm, and there are no opportunities to smooth out the protrusions - the only solution by Petrof is 5 mm.
- In individual houses high humidity, preferably, in addition to waterproofing, lay the Eco-cover 1000x500x3 underlay.
- Best underlay for laminate flooring budget repair or construction - Tarkett 2 mm.
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Substrate thickness and other theoretical information
Perhaps the most common misconception among buyers is the belief that the thicker the substrate, the better. Allegedly, it will be softer to walk and the load on the parquet board or laminate will be less. This is not true. According to the standard, the maximum height difference when laying laminate and parquet board- 2 mm per 2 m². This includes both the drop of the base itself and the shrinkage of the substrate. Soft materials such as foam backing or cork backing will compress when pressed. The larger the layer of such a substrate, the greater the height difference. The difference in height creates play on the locks of the laminate or parquet board, which causes increased wear of the lock joint and the appearance of a creak. What is most offensive is that the parquet board creaks and the lock does not break off immediately, but after a few months without the possibility of timely detection of a laying defect.
Based on the above, the standard substrate thickness is 2 mm. Such a thickness with a well-leveled base, even with complete damage or the absence of a substrate fragment (for example, due to poor-quality laying or underlay strips that have parted) allows you to keep within the standard allowable difference. Please note that most parquet board manufacturers state in their laying requirements that a cork underlayment with a thickness of 2 mm is required. With a non-standard substrate, even in warranty case the manufacturer may refuse, but in practice the manufacturer only cares about the thickness.
Stores often sell cork 4, 6 or 8 mm thick, but such materials are not intended by manufacturers for laying laminate and parquet boards.
Another myth is that the base can be leveled with a substrate. Substrates for laminate and parquet board perfectly follow the shape of all floor irregularities. To level the floor in cases where it is impossible to use hardening mixtures (often due to saving work time), it is necessary to use hard materials- either it is gypsum or other sheets, or moisture-resistant traditional plywood.
Almost all types of substrates (except for Tuplex and based on bituminous mastic) have a porous structure that is not protected from moisture. When laying on plywood or leveling dry sheets, additional moisture insulation is not required. If parquet boards and laminate are laid on a screed, dew appears on the surface of the screed due to the temperature difference, therefore it is highly recommended to lay a 200 micron thick polyethylene film or slightly thicker with a wide overlap under a moisture-proof substrate.
More often, the substrate was sold not in rolls, but in sheets. For example, a cork. No benefits or convenience sheet materials when laying, no, except for a greater profit for the manufacturer.
Propylene foam backing
The cheapest substrate, which is often bought under the laminate. Nothing particularly bad can be said at first glance - it satisfies the requirements for laying, does not react to moisture. One caveat - the collapse of the foamed propylene occurs on average after 7-10 years, after which the substrate turns into powder, losing the necessary properties of hydro and thermal insulation. In addition, foamed propylene rolls may lie in storage for a couple of years before being sold to the consumer. All foamed polymers are flammable, much more dangerous than wood, especially when taking into account the high toxicity, as a result of which the use of such a substrate is prohibited in many buildings.
Cork backing
Traditional underlay for parquet boards. Cork is the best natural sound and heat insulator and a completely natural product, so it’s really an excellent material. The only serious minus of the cork is that it swells from water. The cork underlay is available in different thicknesses; under the parquet board and laminate, only a cork underlay with a thickness of 2 mm should be used. If the substrate is thinner, it crumbles, significantly reducing the life of floating floors. If the cork is thicker, there is an excessive load on the locking joint. The lack of moisture protection should not significantly affect the choice, because. the inner layers of the parquet board, and even more so the laminate, are much more afraid of moisture. If the cork underlay is placed on concrete screed or self-leveling floor, be sure to lay a 200 micron thick polyethylene film with a wide overlap from below and walk along the joints with moisture-proof tape.
Sometimes you can find exotics in stores - a cork substrate with a ready-made polyethylene layer. Good, but the cost is too high, it's easier to buy two layers separately.
Substrate Duplex
Substrate Duplex - a material of three layers. The bottom layer is a porous film that allows moisture to pass from below into the middle layer. The middle layer is stuffed with expanded polystyrene (styrofoam) balls that maintain a constant layer height. Between the balls there is an air layer with good ventilation. The top layer is a polyethylene film.
Together, this is especially effective in case of insufficiently dried screed or if there is condensation on the screed due to intermittent heating of the room. Moisture penetrates through the pores into the middle layer and is well ventilated through the air ducts along the perimeter of the room in the places of gaps between the parquet board and the wall. Thus, the risk of damage to the parquet is significantly reduced.
Tuplex underlay is by far the best “lazy” underlay for parquet boards and laminate if you don’t want to look for waterproofing polyethylene under the cork. Duplex has a price approximately equal to the cork substrate, however, it is usually supplied in rolls of 33 m², which is not always convenient. If desired, you can find rolls of 10 m² in stores. Tuplex in any case guarantees waterproofing, regardless of the professionalism of the installers, so parquet manufacturers like to recommend such a substrate (Karelia and Kahrs, for example).
Bituminous substrate
Bituminous mastic underlay is a new product on the Russian market, but actively promoted by several chains of parquet shops. The main advantages are noise, heat, moisture insulation. We confirm that these benefits are in place, but the sellers are silent about one thing - bituminous mastic releases formaldehyde in large quantities, especially in hot weather or when installed near heat pipes. Because of this feature, bitumen-based materials are banned in many countries and institutions. Recently, in Moscow and a number of regions, it was forbidden to use bituminous materials for roofing, huge amounts of money are being invested to convert asphalt with bitumen into paving slabs just because of environmental issues.
Coniferous substrate
Actively promoted product on the Russian market. The thickness of the substrate is 4-7 mm, so you automatically lose the warranty for parquet or laminate. In any dispute, the parquet manufacturer will say that you have used a non-recommended underlay, regardless of who is at fault in your case. The main problem - an attempt by companies promoting a coniferous substrate to sit on two chairs - is recommended both as a material for the base (i.e. a competitor to GVL, OSB and plywood), and as a damper (other substrates). The material cannot fulfill both purposes, because. in the first case, the rigidity of the material is required, and in the second, softness. Below is a press release from one of the popular manufacturers of softwood substrates with technologist's comments.
- "Completely environmentally friendly material that does not contain chemical elements." Debatable. Due to what particles of needles are kept, what is the composition of the glue / resin?
- "Removes uneven floors up to 3 mm, depending on the thickness of the substrate." For what? If due to softness, then an additional load on the locks (the service life of parquet / laminate is reduced, creaking, cracks at the ends may appear).
- “The porosity of the softwood substrate prevents moisture from accumulating under the floor covering and weathers it, passing it through itself, which prevents the appearance of mold and fungus.” No, the author does not understand the issue. For the occurrence of a fungus, you need: a) the absence of sunlight; b) absence of drafts; c) the presence of a nutrient medium. Everyone has A and B, but cellulose is just a breeding ground for the fungus. The use of pine needles increases the possibility of fungus. Or glue is used that closes the cellulose, which is not immediately environmentally friendly.
- “Over time, it does not dry out and does not sag.” Debatable. Due to what then aligns, if not sags?
- "Aligns the humidity in the room by absorbing or releasing moisture when it is deficient in the surrounding air." This is a reference to the properties of wood. Then fungus.
Backing with a foil layer
The foil layer is a good hydro, heat, noise insulator and is rather an improved version original material substrates. The foil is usually a polyethylene foam substrate, the main qualities of such a substrate are described above. Foil underlay is recommended for laying on logs with rigid fixation of the board, as well as for inexpensive laminate with a service life of about 10 years.
Which underlay is best?
In our opinion, it is better to use either Tuplex or cork underlay under laminate and parquet board (with or without a polyethylene layer, depending on the base). Yes, and cork is the best substrate for underfloor heating.
We hope our underlayment review will save you and your floor.
Laminate flooring is laid using floating technology, which means that it is not fixed to the base. You need a cushion layer. It is multifunctional:
- Levels the surface. According to the recommendations of SNiPs, the differences in the subfloor should not be higher than 2 mm for each running meter. If not, alignment is required. But even if the surface meets these requirements, small flaws are still present. They are leveled by a shock-absorbing cloth.
- Protects from noise. The laminate is noisy. It practically does not absorb sound, which is very noticeable during operation. The insulation is quite soft, muffles crackling, creaking, etc.
- Prevents moisture from entering the lamellas. Laminated finish is a board pressed from wood raw materials. The ingress of water is detrimental to it, so the insulation traps the condensate that moves from the base.
Thus, laying the substrate is a must. The only exception is luxury material, on reverse side which the insulating layer is already attached.
Varieties of shock-absorbing fabric
There are different insulations in stores. You need to choose a solution that will work well with a laminated design.
Foamed polyethylene
The most budget variety. Available in rolls or sheets. This does not affect its characteristics, but it changes the ease of installation. The cloth is easily rolled out, fixed. The sheets are connected to each other. Otherwise, they will move when laying the lamellas. The latter involves a lot of labor.
pros
- Moisture resistant.
- Good heat and sound insulation.
- Simple installation without the use of special tools: just tape and a clerical knife.
- Lack of conditions for the development of microorganisms.
- Aluminum foil models are available for better heat reflection.
Minuses
- The disadvantage is a short service life.
- The plates gradually lose their elasticity, cease to perform shock-absorbing functions. You can notice this by the state of the floor: it begins to bend slightly, creak.
- Repair is not possible, the shock-absorbing panel needs to be replaced.
Expanded polystyrene foam
It is produced in the form of plates of various sizes. There are roll models, but working with them is not very convenient, because they break easily.
pros
- Elasticity and rigidity. Easily withstands even intense loads, does not wrinkle.
- Good insulating characteristics. The insulator effectively retains heat.
- Relatively low price.
- Easy installation without special tools.
Minuses
- After some time, the performance characteristics of the shock absorber change.
- It shrinks, crumbles.
- Its leveling ability is small. Therefore, the locks of the finish can be deformed.
- When ignited, expanded polystyrene releases toxic substances.
Cork and its varieties
The insulator is a pressed cork bark. It is a safe environmentally friendly material.
pros
- Elasticity. Restores its shape even after very strong, prolonged compression. This property does not change over time.
- Good insulating characteristics. Effectively retains heat, absorbs noise.
- Resistance to the development of fungus, mold. They do not settle on the surface, so it can be put in any room.
- Insensitivity to high humidity.
- Durability. The canvas serves without loss of properties for decades. Similar to quality laminate.
Minuses
- rigid, its leveling properties are insufficient. Therefore, the insulator is not laid on an insufficiently flat surface.
- Lack of protection against moisture, it easily passes water to the finish, high price.
Varieties of shock absorber are produced from cork with bitumen or rubber. They retain the characteristics of the analogue, but at the same time do not let water through, their price is lower.
Coniferous tiles
The raw material for its manufacture is wood, usually spruce. That's where the name came from. These are porous dense slabs, there is no roll variation.
pros
- Elasticity, which allows it to retain its shape even after repeated compressions.
- Good. The porous structure effectively delays sounds.
- Ecological safety, as it is made from natural raw materials.
- Low thermal conductivity providing good thermal insulation.
- Long service life.
Minuses
- The material is difficult to install. The manufacturer recommends laying it with small gaps between the plates diagonally across the room.
- Significant rigidity causes low leveling characteristics. Therefore, needles are good only for a flat surface.
- Another disadvantage is the high price.
Combined shock absorber
A practical combination of polyethylene and expanded polystyrene. The first is present in the form of two layers of film, between which are polystyrene foam balls. This structure allows condensate to be removed from the base.
pros
- Effective waterproofing, moisture does not get to the finish, even if the subfloor is not completely dry.
- Good leveling ability. Moving balls easily level small differences.
- Long service life, and the properties do not change over time.
Minuses
- High price.
- Weak insulating characteristics. The combined panel practically does not dampen the sound, does not retain heat.
What is the thickness of the substrate under the laminate is better
The height of the shock absorber is different. It varies from 2 to 8 mm. The choice depends on the condition of the base. If it meets the requirements of SNiPs, use a material with a height of 2 mm. For a coating with small defects, it is recommended to select plates of 3 mm thickness. Installing a higher shock absorber height for the standard trim is strongly discouraged.
Sometimes incompetent craftsmen put two layers of material at once, motivating this by improving the insulating characteristics. However, with uneven pressure that occurs during operation, the canvas begins to collapse. On a thick shock absorber, the height differences are significant. As a result, the locks of the lamellas are gradually deformed and broken.
Varieties with a height of more than 3 mm can only be used for parquet boards, reinforced laminated coatings with a thickness of 10-11 mm.
How to choose a laminate flooring
In order for the floor finish to serve for a long time, it is necessary to choose a shock-absorbing sheet, taking into account the characteristics of the room in which it will be laid. Things to consider:
- Foundation condition. The surface is carefully inspected, all detected flaws are noted. Based on this, the thickness of the panel is determined.
- The need for thermal insulation. Low thermal conductivity is necessary if the room is located in a private house or on the ground floor. If the floors are not cold, this property can be neglected.
- The degree of moisture resistance. Actual for a fresh screed, for rooms where there is. In these cases, choose a moisture-resistant canvas.
- soundproofing level. Considering, it is worth choosing a shock absorber with good sound absorption.
- Release form. This point does not affect the operational properties, but it can complicate installation. Roll panels are very easy to lay, sheets or plates are more difficult.
- Lifetime. It is worth correlating it with the expected time of use of the floor finish. If the latter does not last long, does it make sense to purchase an expensive durable model?
Another important point- price. When choosing which underlay for a laminate is better, consider different price segments. Cheap fabric doesn't mean bad.
Features of choosing a coating for underfloor heating
The main function is to heat the room. Therefore, a layer with low thermal conductivity will be completely redundant, but it is impossible to do without it at all. We'll have to choose the option that transmits heat as much as possible. There are special models for such purposes. They are distinguished by the presence of perforation, through which thermal waves additionally pass.
Preparatory work
The best substrate will not save repairs if the base under it has large differences in height, poor waterproofing, and falls apart under medium loads. If at least one of these items is present, you cannot proceed to finishing: the money will be wasted.
Therefore, the first thing to start with is to clean, level the base. If it consists of wooden planks, it is better to remove them. Then they do. Expanded clay concrete is allowed to lighten the total weight.
1. Clearing
If the base crumbles, remove anything that easily knocks off. If there is no screed, the next layers of the cake will be laid on rubble or on the ceiling above the basement (in a private house). In the apartment, respectively - on a rough basis.
2. Waterproofing
Put or apply. Its varieties are huge, here are the main ones: rolled, film, penetrating, in the form of a powder diluted with water, mastic. Rolled is familiar to many of us - it is roofing material or its modern modified variations. In general, all types of insulation will not cause trouble, but it is easiest for beginners to deal with mastic: you just need to spread it. However, drying will have to wait a few days.
Waterproofing is the most important stage of floor installation. Not only on the upper floors of apartments, where you need to protect the lower ones from (and your wallet from the repair costs of your neighbors). In a private house and on the ground floor, the apartment must be protected from moisture coming from the basement or the ground: it can destroy concrete. It is especially necessary in rooms with underfloor heating to increase efficiency, extend the life of the system, in private houses and apartments on the ground floors, since heat loss through the ground is very high.
3. Warming
Several are in demand: mineral wool, expanded clay, penoplex, cork, polyethylene with a top layer of foil. Cotton wool is not suitable for cement: being saturated with water, it loses its protective properties. The same thing happens with expanded clay, so when constructing concrete floors, as a hydro and heat insulator, it is worth putting it only as a layer between crushed stone and a rough screed in order to block entry into the house ground water.
Penoplex has practically no flaws, except for high flammability. It is put on glue over waterproofing. It is advisable to walk along the joints with metallized tape so that the sheets do not “ride”, or fill them with glue for polystyrene foam. The strength of the foam allows you to lay any coating on it, and the low water absorption coefficient makes it easy to make a screed.
Cork is good for everyone, except for the price. approximate cost 1 m 2 sheets 1 cm thick - 645 rubles. Foamed polyethylene can be laid without waterproofing, moreover, on top of concrete directly under the decorative coating. It is fixed with double-sided tape, if there is no self-adhesive base. Lay the foil layer up, glue the joints with metallized adhesive tape.
If penoplex was used, you can. Then you need to put plywood on top. However, it is a more expensive and less durable option than concrete. To protect the entire structure from subsidence and the appearance of microcracks, use a reinforcing mesh. If you have previously laid a grid, then it will be convenient for you to attach pipes to it using clamps.
4. Filling the screed
Mark a perfectly flat horizontal line on the walls, this will be the top point of the finished floor. Divide the space horizontally into separate sectors using slats. These will be lighthouses. Focusing on the line along the wall, set them in parallel and secure to the floor with a handful of cement. Prepare a solution. Mix cement with sifted sand in a ratio of 1: 3.5 (more cement is needed).
To increase the smoothness, density and strength of the mixture, add a plasticizer. Fill with water last. It needs about a third of the mass of cement. The amount of materials depends on the area of \u200b\u200bthe room and the thickness of the screed. A concrete mixer will save time and effort on the preparation of the solution. If it is not there, a hand-held construction mixer will help out.
Lay the finished solution in sectors flush with the beacon rails and smooth it with the rule. In the first ten days, concrete is recommended to be kept under a film and sometimes sprinkled with water. Lay the finish floor after it has fully cured. The time depends on the thickness of the concrete. Each centimeter dries for about seven days. You can start walking earlier - within two or three days after pouring.
To reduce the load on the floors are often added. The most common option is a semi-dry screed. The fraction of pebbles is 5–10 mm. Three parts of sand and four parts of expanded clay are taken for one part of cement. You need enough water so that the expanded clay does not float, but the mass is not dry either. Lighthouses are indispensable here. The layer thickness is from 3 to 7 cm. After a couple of days, a finishing grout of 1–3 cm is required from a self-leveling floor or a cement-sand mixture.
Stages of laying shock-absorbing fabric
Installation is always carried out in several stages:
- Surface preparation. Small debris, dust is removed with a vacuum cleaner.
- Open the cloth. With a sharp clerical knife, the roll is cut into strips so that a partial approach to the walls is performed. Sheets are also trimmed if necessary.
- Laying. The strips are placed end to end on the prepared base. If there is a corrugation, it must be laid with the corrugated side down. Foil, on the contrary, up. After that, the final fixation of the sheets to the floor with adhesive tape is performed.
Any of the shock-absorbing coatings will serve without problems for more than ten years, subject to the right choice and proper installation. The best underlay for laminate flooring is not always the most expensive. The price of many models with good operational characteristics quite small.
