Before you deal with this issue, you need to find out what the material is and what its operational features are. After all, the life of any product largely depends not only on its quality, but also on the correct installation and further use. What is called a "laminate"?
The whole point is that this term, as a rule, means a coating that has an outer protective layer( film).Hence, the whole thing is at the heart of a particular product. And since cardboard, chipboard, sheets of metal and some other materials can be used as such, then the substrate for the laminate is best chosen, in accordance with this circumstance.
The most commonly known as "laminate" is sold products in the form of boards, which have, like common analogues, docking notches( "groove" and "spike").The structure of all products is multi-layer. The upper one is protective, followed by decorative, then the base( ensuring the strength of the entire "assembly").The lowest layer serves to protect the material from moisture absorption and at the same time serves as a shock absorber under mechanical influences.
What should provide the substrate
- Smoothing possible irregularities. Laying the laminate in the area where there are observed differences in height, will inevitably lead to "loosening" of the entire floor covering. Cracks form, laminate boards around the edges begin to crumble. The slightest puddle formed on the floor will immediately penetrate down onto the slab. The moisture will gradually undermine the concrete, trying to find a loophole and go down. In general, for a long time such a floor will not serve, and even the ceiling of the lower floor room will have to be constantly put in order.
- Soundproofing. Laminate - the material is solid, so without softening the sound of steps can not do.
- Reduction of heat loss in the room. Any room must be somehow insulated. This is not only comfort, but also a way to avoid the emergence and development of various putrefactive processes, which ultimately affects the health of the owners and the service life of all property.
- Load amortization. Otherwise, the laminate will deform from permanent contact with the rigid base of the floor( concrete, cement, rough board).
Consider the main materials from which the substrate is made for laminate:
Foam polyethylene
Naturally, thick material is taken. It is good that there is practically no waste during installation. However, over time, the layer becomes thinner( "compressed"), therefore, heat and sound insulation properties decrease. And the elasticity is also deteriorating. The cost is from 85 rubles per square meter.
- Cork materials. Expanded polystyrene( extruded).
- Combined products.
Arbiton
Material sheets or rolls of 2 or 3 mm thick. Excellent shock absorber, able to smooth any irregularities in the floor. The advantage is that it can be laid on any surface, as the requirements for adhesion are not needed - it does not stick.
Approximate cost - from 50 rubles / m2( 2 mm) and from 70 rubles / m2( 3 mm).
Isolon
In the "pure" form is used quite rarely, because it quickly wears out, and it tears quite easily. However, the installation of complexities does not represent, since joints are sealed with adhesive tape( construction tape).It is advisable to use it in rooms where there is no intensive movement of people. The price is from 40 rubles / m2.
More well-known foil isolone. It has all the qualities necessary for a reliable substrate. It represents a foamed polymer coated with a metallized layer. It has a good ability to "hold" heat. Accordingly, and the cost is higher - from 60 rubles / m2.
There is also a roll material( 30 x 1 m) made of polystyrene extruded. According to its performance characteristics, it almost does not differ from the cork. Has high water-repellent properties and increased strength and durability( about 50 years).A sheet of 3 mm thick( 100 x 50 cm) costs from 50 rubles.
One option is the Isoplaat slab. They have one more advantage: compressed wood sawdust of coniferous species is used as a basis. Such plates have a toning and healing effect. Therefore, the price - from 120 rubles / m2.
Tuplex
Multilayered polyethylene film( 3 mm).The specificity of the material is that between these layers there is a gasket made of granular expanded polystyrene. This substrate is characterized by increased strength. It is advisable to lay in rooms where the floors are subjected to increased mechanical stress. The cost of a roll( 30 m2) is from 90 rubles.
Isoshum
Polystyrene foamed. It is characterized by high quality and long service life. Unlike traditional film - it does not deform, therefore, does not change its properties during the whole operation time. The average cost is 50 rubles per square meter.
Varieties are produced on a cork basis. A distinctive feature is excellent damping and the ability to restore its thickness after the cessation of mechanical stress. Are sold as rolls, and plates. In the roll version( 3 mm) the price is from 150 rubles / m2, in sheet( 10 mm) - from 320 rubles / m2.
There are some other materials. Before buying them, it is better to take an interest in reviews of this product, as well as the reputation of the Producer.
Several tips from
- Practitioners believe that the optimum substrate thickness is up to 4 mm.
- The height difference on the surface to be treated shall not exceed 2 mm. Otherwise, no substrate will help.
- Some products from the technical plug absorb fluids well, so they should not be used in rooms with excessive humidity. This characteristic should be specified separately. As an option - additional processing with materials with water-repellent properties( for example, mastics).
