On the prepared floor plank substrate, and then laid laminate
Soundproofing
When walking around the apartment is given to the sound of footsteps loud enough. This can be uncomfortable for both you and the neighbors. Such poor sound insulation associated with two laminate characteristics: panel thickness and method of its installation.
The standard thickness of the laminated board is 8 mm. This is not much when you consider what it has to withstand the load. In this stacking method is mostly used floating, which creates an additional membrane for sound transmission. However, this problem can be solved by laying an additional substrate that has good sound insulation.
Related article:
Waterproofing floor apartment in front of the screed: types and parts assembly. Types of waterproofing materials used under a coupler: Rolling, liquid, dry and penetrating mixture. Tips for self-assistance.
Many manufacturers provide a laminate substrate, attaching it to the back side of each board. However, this convenient addition is mostly found in coatings 32 and 33 classes. The thickness of the laminate to the substrate is greater, respectively, and the price of such a product is much higher. Therefore, the decision to lay
backing with his own hands - is a good way not to overpay. Much better to be yourself and choose to purchase support, the most suitable to you according to your specifications.Useful advice! Pay attention to the labeling of the acquired substrate. It is the packaging manufacturer specifies all the characteristics of the material.
Substrate sheet is easily cut by a knife stationery
Additional alignment surface
Another important function performed by the substrate - smoothing irregularities are present on the screed, used for floor covering. Unfortunately, no matter how you tried to level the floor to the ideal state, small differences still remain. But even such modest deviation of a few months may negatively affect laminate.
Any deviation and base differences lead to the fact that between the panels and concrete screed appear "backlash". Simply put, the coating sags in places, where the gap is large as possible. Although it seems that a few millimeters - it is not a problem, but in reality it will be strong enough to significantly floor surfaces both externally and walking.
The solution to this problem also lies in the laying substrate. High-quality and properly folded material to hide flaws and achieve almost perfectly flat surface sub-floor. However, there are pitfalls - do not consider that the thicker the material, the better it will level the surface.
The optimum thickness of the substrate under the laminate - 3 mm. If you select a material with a greater thickness, it can lead to the fact that in places slats joints formed deflections. It can also negatively affect the health of the locks between the panels.
The substrate for laminate could align the base minor defects
moisture insulation
Everyone knows that laminate - quite capricious material and does not tolerate exposure to water. However, take care of the safety cover is necessary before it is laid. The first concrete screed, prepared for laying laminateShould thoroughly dry before being used as a basis. Sometimes this process can take up to one month. Here you should not hurry to do everything as quickly as possible, otherwise between the surface and free of wet laminate Condensation may accumulate.
Useful advice! To understand whether the screed has dried, leave the night on the floor of a plastic bag. If the morning was dry pack - so the base is completely dry. If there was condensation, you will have to wait a little longer.
In this case the substrate serves moisture proof function for supporting the microclimate concrete screed, as well as for the back side of the laminated coating.
The substrate for laminate should have high moisture barrier properties
thermal insulation
Apart from the fact that the substrate itself performs insulation properties while retaining heat in the room and not letting it be consumed through the concrete itself laminate - it is also fairly warm coat. Thus, a combination of quality and proper coating of the substrate provide Heated floor, which does not need to be supplemented.
As for the installation of heating systems, they are not always effective, because, caught between two insulating materials can not fully achieving their potential. Much more useful to combine it with tiles or other "cold" material.
What a substrate under a laminate better material requirements
Based on the foregoing, it is clear that the laying of the substrate under a laminate - a necessary measure. Here, just have to choose what material is preferred. The cost of high-quality rolled materials is high enough, so before you make a purchase you must carefully weigh all the "pros and cons" of each option. Otherwise, chasing a lower cost, you risk in the near future face problems of poor-quality paving.
The substrate for laminate floor provides additional thermal insulation
What substrate under a laminate is best to use? Let us see what are the requirements for support, and what criteria should be followed in choosing the best flooring:
- the material used must be neutral and do not react with the alkaline compounds;
- bactericidal properties also play an important role;
- it must have good thermal insulation properties;
- be moisture-resistant;
- substrate should not be a breeding ground for insects, rodents and bacteria;
- It should facilitate the withdrawal of moisture accumulating;
- It should ensure reduction of load experienced by the laminate locks when walking.
Focusing on these figures, you can choose a laminate substrate. How to do it - look at further.
When choosing a substrate for laminate - is not worth saving, and then the floor will serve you for years to come
Types of substrates under the laminate: what to choose?
Large selection of materials that are recommended for use as a substrate, can be confusing. And find out which option is better, it is not easy. So the first thing you should pay attention - this is the condition of the concrete screed, prepared as a basis. For a smooth and high-quality surface will fit perfectly substrate 2 mm. If base with flaws - it better align using the material thickness of 3 mm.
Useful advice! Many manufacturers recommend the use of a substrate of the same company as the laminate. In fact, any value that does not, and will fit perfectly any high-quality material.
Today, among the most popular types of substrates under the laminate are: polyethylene foam, Styrofoam, composite, pine and cork and cork-bituminous. Let us consider each of these options and try to draw a conclusion as to which of these options is the most high-quality and profitable.
When selecting the substrate need to be guided by the laminate manufacturer's recommendations
Penopolieilenovaya substrate
Due to the high performance thermal insulation and moisture resistance, polyethylene foam backing are very popular. Their synthetic nature provides protection from the appearance of a laminate of rodents and insect pests. Cut and stack the material very easily.
Some manufacturers produce polyethylene foam substrate is further equipped with another layer of metal foil. Such foil materials made using aluminum. This option would be the ideal solution, if not its life. It is limited to a few years, after which the material begins to sag and lose its original shape.
Cork underlay is a sheet and roll. The latter is also available with a foiled layer
The main drawback of the cork substrate for laminate - price. Especially when it comes to laying inexpensive laminate with rather limited service life. Also for this material is characterized by the appearance of condensation on the reverse side of the laminate which may adversely affect its state.
Bitumen-padded corkboard
As a basis for the manufacture of the material used kraft paper with the addition of the bitumen. On top of a base layer of cork laid consisting of elements of 2-3 mm. The positive side of use can be called to ensure adequate sound insulation, as well as good protection against the ingress of moisture.
This is one of the best materials in terms of air and prevent condensation appearance. The only thing worth noting - the use of such high-quality and expensive substrate with a simple and inexpensive laminate simply impractical. This option is more suitable for the installation of expensive and durable coating.
Laying of laminate on a cork substrate
The substrate of styrofoam
Another common variant of the substrate under the laminate - polystyrene. Film made of extruded polystyrene, has the best performance when it comes to coverage of resistance to different kinds of stress. This is indispensable material for rooms that are widely used and, as a result, have increased the burden on the laminate. Moreover, the film perfectly aligns all the irregularities of the concrete base.
The elasticity and the initial thickness of the material capable persist for many years, but the ability to absorb vibration when walking makes laminated covering practically noiseless. Polystyrene cellular structure provides a high moisture resistance and prevents the formation of condensate. As the substrate under a laminate, polystyrene - inexpensive and very high quality option.
Structure of expanded polystyrene substrate
Coniferous laminate substrate under
Almost all the proposed materials can boast a high level of environmental performance. However, among them there are exceptions. Coniferous substrate under a laminate is made from wood and naturalness leaves behind all other materials. Due to the porous structure of such substrate copes with sound insulation function, while providing natural ventilation floor.
Installation is also not a problem even for a beginner. After reading about the softwood substrate under a laminate reviews, you'll see hundreds of satisfied owners who have provided your home safe and environmentally friendly flooring.
The only thing that can cause difficulty - is the price of the material. Production of softwood substrate is costly and, most likely, you will have a lot to pay for the purchase. But if we consider all the pros and cons in detail softwood substrate under a laminate, it is possible to make sure that it's worth it.
Softwood substrate to be installed diagonally
The combined substrate
Underlying substrate combination is a combination of synthetic materials such as polyethylene and polystyrene. The brightest representative of this type of substrate for laminate - Tuplex. Many times she was seen or at least heard of it. Externally combined substrate is a two polyethylene layers, between which is a layer of polystyrene beads. This structure provides good ventilation.
Sale of such a "sandwich" mainly in rolls and has a standard thickness - 2.3 mm. Two polyethylene layer have different characteristics: the top does not allow water to penetrate to the bottom floor, and the bottom, conversely, allows moisture from the concrete base to the beads. From there, thanks to the technological gap, the condensate is expelled.
The benefits of the combination substrate also can include high strength, flexibility, ability hide defects of the concrete base and maintain their initial thickness over the entire period service.
Foil substrate for laminate
As laid under the substrate laminate
High quality folding the substrate under a laminate it is possible to carry out on their own. No unusual construction tools are not needed. All you need - to adhere strictly to the algorithm of actions. After all, how exactly you follow all of the recommendations will depend on the quality of life and the life of your floor covering.
Preparatory work
Before lay under the laminate substrate, it is necessary to clean and prepare the substrate. It is best to use for this building cleaner. So strainer avoid contact with excess water. Cut material can be selected using conventional construction knife or scissors. To simplify the task of all the measurements can be transferred onto a substrate using a simple pencil or marker.
Note! If you are dealing with a rough concrete surface, it is strictly forbidden to stack several layers of the substrate.
Scheme stacking the substrate sheet for laminate
What thickness to choose a substrate for laminate - you decide. This largely depends on the quality of the base, as well as the necessary heat and sound insulation layer characteristics.
If you do not listen to the manufacturer's recommendations about what should be the thickness of the substrate under a laminate chosen brand, then soon you will come across the floor deflection while walking, as well as the fact that the locks on the panels will begin to break down one by one others.
Major work on stacking of the substrate
The first and most important rule for laying laminate substrate - positioning it in the opposite direction to that in which will travel along laminate. This requirement is due to the risk that in the future, at careless movement of the floor may move out of his seat.
The second thing to remember - the substrate must be wind up on the wall. So you provide coverage greater reliability and prolong its service life.
Bonding joints between the sheets of substrate
Useful advice! Never use a substrate that is damaged. Better to replace this part right, than to run into problems after the fact, the entire laminate is laid.
Another important point - in order to understand which side to put under the laminate substrate. If you are dealing with an embossed film, it is necessary to lay down the grooved side. In this way you will be able to eliminate the defects of the base better. If you are working with a material based on aluminum, it must always be placed on top.
After the substrate to be laid over the entire floor surface can safely proceed to the laminated assembly surface. If something is unclear in the process of placing the substrate under a laminate - videos will always help you to understand what and how to do it.
Driving roller sheathing substrates
Rating substrates under the laminate 5 of the best options
As in any other sphere, in construction there are leaders and outsiders. And think about what kind of support to choose a laminate, you want to understand what the manufacturers in this business the best. Consider the 5 most popular and at the same time high-quality substrates that meet all of the selection criteria.
Substrate Premium Cork
High quality manufacture and strength of the material tested for years. The substrate is not deformed. Extremely low thermal conductivity to effectively insulate its floors even in a fairly cool rooms. Ideal for children's room or living room, where the floors have to withstand considerable loads.
The only drawback - Cork is not designed to use it to align the base. Such support requires a qualitative basis and waterproofing.
Guaranteed service life - 25 years, Country of origin - Spain, the average price of 1 m² - 90 rubles. at a thickness of 2 mm, and 145 rubles. at a thickness of 3 mm.
Premium Cork substrate manufacturer guarantees the product life of at least 20 years
substrate Parkolag
It combines all the necessary qualities and provides natural ventilation of the floor. Like the first version, it is not subject to deformation. The only drawback to this product - it can not be used with the system "warm floor". However, it does not matter, because the qualitative composition itself provides the insulation that the extra heating is simply not necessary. Furthermore, the substrate is not exposed to mold, mildew, etc..
Country of origin - Russia. When the thickness of the bituminous cork laminate substrate under 3 mm price of 95 rubles. / M².
Structure bituminous cork substrate Parkolag
Substrate Isoplaat Startfloor Barlinek
support option that is ideal for decorating a "warm floor" system. For laying under the laminate can select a product with a thickness of 4, 5, 6 and 7 mm. The flooring of this brand is able, without deformation or damage to withstand the load of heavy furniture.
The material reacts well in heating, thus it has all the characteristics required ideal substrate: sound- and heat insulation, the natural circulation of the air and condensate discharge resistance to fungi and mold. The average cost of this option is also pleasantly pleased - 55 rubles / sqm..
Wood-fiber substrate under the laminate Isoplaat Startfloor Barlinek
substrate Tuplex
Technical characteristics of the material meets all the requirements of high-quality substrate. It has a very high noise insulation properties. It has a low compression (compared with foams - up to 14 times less) and, as a result, retains its shape and holds the laminate in a stable condition.
As mentioned earlier in the article, this substrate perfectly removes moisture thanks to its device and provides a natural air circulation.
Among the shortcomings - only the fact that the use Tuplex with the "warm floor" system is irrational. And yet this is one of the most popular substrates domestic production, which costs about 99 rubles. / M².
Granulated "breathing" under the laminate substrate Tuplex
PES substrate Izolon
Inexpensive substrate fully with acceptable characteristics, including thermal and acoustic insulation. This option is often used in public areas, where price plays a crucial role. Izolon not exposed to deformations, non-flammable and has improved resistance to moisture.
In addition, the manufacturer specifies the lifetime of 25 years, which is quite a lot for a material with such a cost. With a thickness of 2 mm price is only 35 rubles. / M². Country of origin Russia.
Izolon foiled layer - one of the most popular types of substrates
To summarize we can say that to decide what to laminate substrate better still you have to yourself. It all depends on the goals you are pursuing and the characteristics of the material, which are crucial for you. Also, a lot depends on your hands or with the help of professionals you want to put under the laminate substrate. As practice shows, high-quality support and easy to lay yourself, plus it will provide a long service life, even the most simple and inexpensive laminate.
