What kind of substrate to take under the laminate. What is the best laminate underlay to use? Bitumen backing

Stylish, practical and affordable floor covering- laminate flooring - cannot effectively perform its functions - provide comfort and coziness in a living room - without a correctly selected and installed underlay.

Laminate backing (liner) 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. In accordance with the document, the substrate should perform the following functions:

eliminate unevenness of the screed surface;
serve as a damping layer for the floor;
provide sound insulation;
do not allow moisture to pass through;
keep warm well.

In this case, the main purpose of the substrate is the first three functions. Heat and waterproofing - auxiliary.

Elimination of screed surface defects

Neither the high level of skill of the builders, nor the quality materials used for laying the screed, as well as the application grinder for leveling semi-dry screeds, cannot provide an ideal surface for laying laminate flooring. There are always sagging spots or bumps.

The resulting differences on the surface concrete screed after a few months of use, the floors lead to the formation of "backlash", when the laminate panels strongly bend when walking. Even if the subsidence reaches only 2-3 mm, the lamella locks begin to creak and slowly collapse.

Eliminates the problem of a substrate that hides concrete defects. High-quality and correctly laid material allows you to achieve an almost ideal surface on which the laminate flooring serves for a long time and efficiently.

Damping oscillatory floor movements

Laminate floors are subjected to two types of oscillatory movements, caused by:

uniform dynamic load - walking;
sound waves from transmitted or reflected noise.

If you do not take measures to repay these fluctuations, then the lamella locks will quickly break, and the apartment will be too 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

The 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. The floor turns into a membrane that transmits and amplifies sound vibrations.

As a result, the downstairs neighbors will perfectly hear the steps, especially the clatter of women's heels, and the residents of the apartment - 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

Protection function flooring from condensate moisture - not the main property of the substrate. Therefore, there are few of its types on sale with an applied moisture-proof layer. Laminate manufacturers recommend conducting waterproofing work separately - first, lay a film that protects the floor from concrete screed vapors, and only then lay the substrate and the lamellas themselves.

Thermal insulation

All types of substrates, regardless of whether they are made of natural or synthetic materials, have good insulating properties, which allows you to keep heat in the room, not allowing it to go through the concrete.

However, this property of the underlying layer significantly reduces the efficiency of underfloor heating. When constructing them, 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 underlay performs makes it an indispensable element when laying laminate flooring. There is only one exception - lamellas of the "Lux" class, in which the underlying material is glued to the underside of the panel.

If we put an additional substrate under them, we get a thick shock-absorbing layer, which will not be able to keep the floor from deflection when walking. The lamella locks will not withstand such a load for a long time and will begin to collapse.

Types of substrates

The substrates offered by the trade can be classified in several ways. The material for them can be:

1. By the form of release:

roll;
sheet;

2. By the origin of the materials used in production:

natural;
artificial;

3. By types of raw materials:

polyethylene foam;
expanded polystyrene;
polypropylene;
cork;
bitumen-cork;
coniferous;
combined.

Polyethylene foam

Polyethylene foam backing is made by foaming polyethylene. This is the cheapest material, which is why it occupies a dominant position in the market. Its advantages:

high level of heat and waterproofing;
does not become infected with microorganisms, bacteria and fungi;
convenient in work - it is easy to cut and gives little waste;
not food for rodents.

It has a significant drawback - low strength, which is why it quickly compresses within several years and ceases to perform its main functions. In addition, it also has weak soundproofing properties.

Expanded polystyrene

Polystyrene foam backing is a film made of extruded polystyrene foam. The material neutralizes errors well concrete base, withstands increased stress on the flooring, is able to dampen sound vibrations when walking.

The honeycomb structure allows condensation to be absorbed and not passed to the laminate. Therefore, such a substrate can be installed 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 load, which leads to variations 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

The cork backing is made from the bark of the cork tree. It copes well 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.

Minus one - 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 backing is a type of cork bedding material. It is made of kraft paper impregnated with bitumen and fine cork chips. Has the same advantages and disadvantages as cork. 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 that allows it to absorb sound waves well. Well level the unevenness of the screed. It is a good insulation material. Capable of absorbing condensation. Perfectly serves as a damping layer between the floor and concrete.

There is one drawback, like cork substrates, - 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 backing glued from below.

Combined

The combined backing 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 expanded polystyrene balls. At the same time, plastic wrap has different purposes.

The upper layer does not let moisture through both down and below, while the lower one, on the contrary, allows condensate to pass to the balls, which bring it out through the technological gaps without moistening the lamellas. Therefore, when using such a substrate, additional waterproofing no screeds are needed.

Positive properties include:

long service life;
flexibility;
the property is good at leveling the errors of concrete;
the ability to maintain its original shape until the end of operation.

The material has very significant disadvantages:

high price;
the middle layer is made of styrene, which is very harmful to health.

Caution: Styrene is a highly toxic liquid that, if inhaled, can cause lethal outcome... In a combined substrate, it is contained 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 to a general insignificant malaise, and on long term, may cause. Daily ventilation of the premises solves the problem.

Which substrate to choose

The 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, at the same time 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:

building material price;
lifetime;
the ability to resist an alkaline environment, microorganisms, fungi and rodents;
environmental friendliness of the flooring.

For special requirements professional builders include:

thermal insulation properties;
moisture resistance;
thickness in order to more effectively damp various kinds of vibrations;
the ability to suppress noise;
the form of release (sheet or roll material, which affects the complexity of the installation).

Based on the above indicators, you can independently choose the type of substrate. Below we will consider some of the nuances of special requirements, which will help you better understand which 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 concrete screed. For these purposes, naturally, a thicker material is needed.

Many people do not spare money and lay a standard underlay in two layers to enhance the effect of sound and heat insulation. But at the same time, the effect on the laminate of dynamic and static loads is completely ignored. Heavy furniture or the walking of an adult bend individual lamellas, and they have room to bend (a thick layer of the substrate is more crushed), and eventually break the locks.

The mechanism of the process is as follows - bending under the weight, the lamella, through the lock, transfers the vibrational motion to the neighboring slabs. Those also sag, but to a lesser extent. The entire load falls on the connecting lock, which gradually, along microcracks, begins to collapse.

The thickness of the substrate is dictated by its main purpose: to level the surface on which the floor covering will be laid and to dampen vibrational movements, i.e. to be a damping layer between the floor and the concrete.

So which substrate to choose for laminate in thickness? It all depends on the condition of the screed surface. If the concrete base is level, 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 functions most effectively.

An increase in the thickness of the underlay material even by 1 mm leads to negative consequences... This statement does not mean at all that thicker materials are not used in practice. A thicker substrate is also placed under expensive laminate panels, 20-33 mm thick.

Rating of the best substrates

Izolon. Manufacturer: Nelidovsky Plastics Plant, Russia. The roll is produced in lengths 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's Factory Nizhny Novgorod, Russia / Finland. Roll material. Dimensions 9.09 m by 1.1 m. Thickness 3 mm. Price for 1 m 2 - 90-100 rubles.
Iznoise. Country of origin: Poland. The sheet substrate for the laminate is produced in a length of 1.0 m, a width of 0.5 m, and a thickness of 3 mm. Sold in packs of 10 m 2. Price for 1 m 2 - 55 rubles.
Eco-cover 3 mm. Manufacturer: 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. Price for 1 m 2 - 131 rubles.
"Petroform" 5 mm. Manufacturer: PKP "Resource", Russia. In a roll 52.5 m 2. Price for 1 m 2 - 52 rubles.

If the material for the substrate is selected by price, then the rating of the cheapest materials is represented by:

Petroform 2 mm - the average price is 18 rubles / m 2;
Izolon 3 mm - the average price is 30 rubles / m 2;
Jermaflex 3 mm - the average price is 24 rubles / m 2;
Isoplaat Startfloor Barlinek - price 55 rubles / m2;
Izopolin - the price is 55 rubles / m 2.

What kind of substrate is needed for a warm floor

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 the heating elements upwards. Therefore, it is necessary to look for a substrate with a high thermal conductivity.

Arbiton Cork 2 mm appeared on sale for these purposes. Him interesting feature- fine perforation that allows heat to pass through without hindrance, which does not interfere with the performance of the main functions - floor support. Affordable price.

Isoplaat Startfloor Barlinek wood fiber can also be used. The average cost of this substrate is pleasantly pleasing - 55 rubles / m2. 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.

As a 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.

Laying the underlay

A novice repairer can lay the underlay. It is enough to follow a few simple rules.

Vacuum the screed surface.
Lay the waterproofing film with an overlap, with an approach to the walls. Glue the joints with tape.
Lay the underlay. Elastic materials must be installed on the walls.
The connecting seams are glued together with tape.

Attention: elastic materials are laid immediately throughout the room, perpendicular to the laying of the laminate. Many cheaper materials lose performance when walked on. Therefore, such rolls are rolled in the same direction that the laminate will be laid, one sheet at a time. Lamellas are placed 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 mounted again.

The final choice of a substrate for a laminate is influenced by several factors that were not considered above.

If the apartment is on the ground 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 constant running, screaming, screeching, falling objects, it is better to buy Steico Underfloor or ReFoam 3002. Their technical characteristics allow you to effectively extinguish sound waves.
There is a height difference on the screed up to 3 mm, and there are no possibilities to smooth the protrusions - the only solution by Petrofom is 5 mm.
In individual houses with high humidity, it is advisable, in addition to waterproofing, to lay Eco-cover 1000x500x3.
The best underlay for laminate flooring budget repair or construction - Tarkett 2 mm.

The main tasks of the substrate

The flooring plays one of the critical roles in the renovation of the premises. In this case, the laminate and parquet are placed only on a previously prepared base. That is why the choice of flooring must be taken seriously. The underlayment has many functions that enhance the performance of the flooring:

Soundproofing. Laminate, like many synthetic materials, has one significant drawback: when walking on the surface, an unpleasant loud sound is emitted, which gives out the artificiality of the coating. Therefore, a buffer in the form of a special bedding is placed between the lamellas and the screed to damp the impact noise;
Leveling properties. Since it is almost impossible to make a perfectly flat screed, part of the "worries" is taken over by the intermediate flooring;
Moisture insulation. High humidity negatively affects the laminated flooring, therefore, it cannot be mounted on a damp screed. To ensure sufficient waterproofing, special moisture-resistant substrates are used to protect the lamellas from destruction;
Thermal insulation. The laminate itself is a good thermal insulator, but this is not always enough to provide effective conservation heat in the room. A damper will help to reduce the level of "leakage" of heat, which in combination with the topcoat will provide double protection from the cold.

Lining requirements

Today, manufacturers of building materials offer consumers a variety of substrates that must 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 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 flooring structure is porous, this will contribute to the micro-ventilation of the floor;
The material is obliged to provide good sound and heat insulation;
The bedding should reduce the stress on the lamellar joints.

The main types of dampers

What kind of backing to use under the laminate? To determine the 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 the best option underlying layer.

All litters are classified according to the following criteria:

Manufacturing material. The following are used as raw materials for the production of the damper:
- Natural additives - wood pellets and pressed shavings;
- Synthesized additives - polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene.
Manufacturing method.

In this case, the pros and cons of the substrate under the laminate have each of these types. And in order to make the right choice in favor of this or that type of coverage, it is worth evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of each separately.

Isolone litter

does not react with chemicals;
is not a favorable breeding ground for bacteria and mold;
has excellent noise and heat insulation;
has vapor permeability, so it can be installed in rooms with high humidity;
cheap stuff.

At the same time, many consumer reviews indicate the presence of some disadvantages of flooring.

easily tears and deforms;
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 litter consists of two layers: foil and polystyrene. Compared to 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 shock vibration.

The material is quite difficult to unfold, so it is very problematic to mount it;
It is more expensive than isolon.

Fiberglass flooring

The damper is an environmentally friendly material, so it can be easily installed even in children's rooms. Fiberglass is recommended for installation on concrete and wooden floors.

does not contain toxic substances;
lends itself only to elastic deformation;
mounted immediately on a rough base without any intermediate layers;
has good sound insulation performance.

used for laying lamellas, the thickness of which does not exceed 5-7 mm;
quite expensive material.

What kind of 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 pellets.

does not wrinkle and can last more than 100 years;
excellent heat and sound insulator;
very durable, therefore it can withstand a significant point load.

not suitable for installation in rooms with high level humidity;
like cellulose, it is a favorable breeding ground for mold;
it is mainly used for laying on a wooden base.

Bituminous cork damper

This type of material is made on the basis of kraft paper with some addition of bitumen.

absorbs noise well;
prevents moisture penetration;
provides micro-ventilation 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 homes;
one of the most expensive intermediate flooring.

Composite materials

Special membranes provide good moisture insulation;
Absorbs transit noise;
Provides good thermal insulation, suitable for underfloor heating systems.

High price.

How to choose a substrate?

The best laminate underlay is one that matches the thickness of the laminated planks. When choosing a damper, first of all, you should pay attention to its thickness. For laminate with a thickness of 4 to 6 mm, experts recommend using a 2 mm backing.

Tip: For boards with a thickness of 7 to 12 mm, it is advisable to use a 4 mm backing. A thicker buffer layer will spring back, which will lead to loosening of the locking system on the lamellas. After a while, this will affect the quality of the panel connection.

What quality substrate will be? To finally answer this question, the selection criteria should be determined, according to which each consumer will be able to make the best decision for himself:

Weigh the cost of laminate flooring and damping layer. There is no point in placing expensive composite underlays under low-quality laminate flooring, this will not affect its technical characteristics in any way. That is why for budget option it is not recommended to use special mats for the topcoat;
Before making your choice, decide on the goals of laying the damper layer, what functions it should perform. Often people overpay by choosing the best coverage, half of the properties of which remain unused;
Estimate the footprint. For large rooms it is advisable to use roll substrates, and for small-sized ones - tiled ones. This will significantly reduce the preparatory work time.

The final choice of damper material will depend on the financial capabilities of the consumer, as well as the characteristics of the room where it is planned renovation work... It should be borne in mind that each individual situation needs its own technical solution.

Content:

When choosing and buying a laminate, many people forget about the need to use a substrate under this floor covering. Although it is the laminate underlay that affects the durability and appearance such a coating, and also provides additional heat and sound insulation of the floor. If you are interested in the question: do you need a substrate for a laminate? Which substrate to choose? Then, first of all, it is necessary to determine the basic requirements for this insulating layer.

The choice of lining in this case should be based on conditions such as:

material and condition of the base;
the class of the laminate used;
humidity and temperature drops in the repaired room.

In addition, in order to know which substrate for the laminate to choose, you need to imagine the requirements for the coating in a given room (for example, the floor will be subjected to significant dynamic loads in game rooms ah, or the underlay will be used in the bathroom, where it is often humid).

Benefits of a laminate underlay

The laminated flooring is made of wood, MDF and fiberboard. In addition to the advantages, such materials have their own disadvantages, which should be smoothed out by a high-quality substrate for the laminate. Therefore, such a layer provides:

Excellent soundproofing. Laminate floors are characterized by one rather unpleasant disadvantage - a loud sound from footsteps, which is heard everywhere. And the insulating layer, laid on the sub-floor, perfectly absorbs sound. Separate types laminate flooring (usually 32 or 33 class) can have an integrated sound insulation system.
Smooth surface, since such a lining smooths out small irregularities in the screed and hides minor differences in the base.

Note! It is unacceptable that the thickness of the substrate under the laminate exceeds 3 mm. Since a too thick layer of insulation at the joints will bend, and may cause damage to the connecting locks.

Moisture insulation. The underlayment protects the surface of the laminate from moisture, and also provides an optimal microclimate between the base and the new floor covering.

In addition, the substrate for the laminate has a low thermal conductivity. It provides thermal insulation for the floor due to its high thermal insulation properties. Therefore, it is economically unprofitable to use the laminated coating and the substrate under it with , since they significantly reduce the efficiency of such a heating system.

The main types of laminate liners and their features

On construction market a wide variety of insulation materials are available. Therefore, in order to determine which substrate to choose for the laminate, you need to have an idea of the main types of such material.

Depending on the material of manufacture, the lining for the laminated coating can be:

Cork

It is produced from natural tree bark chips. It is an excellent insulating layer that is not subject to decay and mildew. Differs in environmental friendliness, durability and high wear resistance.

But cork lining has its own drawbacks - it is the high cost of such a material, so the cork should not be used in combination with a cheap coating.

Advice! Cork substrates should not be installed in rooms with high humidity (bathroom or kitchen), as they do not tolerate moisture. It is also not recommended to use such a substrate if the subsequent installation of a warm floor is provided.

Polyethylene foam

Such isolon-based substrates are the most economical option with high moisture resistance, low weight and good fillability. This material is convenient to work with, but it tears easily and quickly crumples during operation.

Styrofoam

Such insulating material usually consists of two layers - aluminum foil and polystyrene. There are also substrates of one layer of extruded polystyrene foam.

The advantages of such a gasket include excellent sound insulation, ease of installation, and affordable cost. It serves as a good protection against moisture and fungus, and is also able to hide the unevenness of the rough base.

But the material from expanded polystyrene also has its drawbacks: it rolls poorly during installation and can lose its shape under direct load.

To answer the question: which substrate is better for the laminate, you need to objectively assess the conditions in which it will be used. And also compare its cost with the price of laminated flooring.

Cork substrates will become excellent option for laying under expensive flooring, and are perfect for children's and playrooms, as well as for rooms with normal level humidity.

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PE foam pads are best used in rooms with high humidity and placed on boards. Such a substrate can significantly reduce material costs for arranging a laminate floor.

Expanded polystyrene substrates are a versatile option that has an optimal ratio of quality and price.

Styling features

When installing the insulation on a concrete or stone base, be sure to first lay a layer of waterproof film. This will protect the subfloor and flooring from moisture generated by the subfloor. And laying the laminate on wooden base can be carried out without using such a film.

Video instructions for laying the substrate and the laminate itself

Please note that the optimal thickness of the substrate under the laminate is 2-3 mm. It is not necessary to use several layers of insulation - this will not level the floor and will contribute to the appearance of unnecessary loads at the joints of the lamellas.

The underlay should be laid perpendicular to the main direction of installation of the laminate. Insulating layer also need to be installed on the walls, then the laminate will last longer.

The installation process itself depends on the type of substrate. For example, the polyethylene foam lining can be easily secured with tape. And the polystyrene gasket is laid with the foil up and connected with special aluminum tapes.

Thus, a special underlay for the laminate will provide sound insulation for the new floor and smooth out minor irregularities in the rough subfloor. Such an insulating material has a number of positive characteristics and is presented on the construction market in a wide range. Therefore, you can always choose a laminate lining that will suit your operating conditions.

Laminate is a very worthy modern alternative to traditional parquet. Its installation is not difficult and even an unprepared person can do it.

But in order for such a floor to serve for a long time and not become a source of trouble, you need to take the selection of the substrate seriously. We will tell you about why you need it, what it is made of and what kind of substrate for the laminate is best used in various cases.

Why do laminate floors need a backing?

Substrate required, to:

evenly distribute the weight over the entire surface of the laminate;
compensate for all defects and unevenness of the base;
partially or completely absorb the sounds of steps, movement of furniture, knocking during children's games, etc.;
provide sound and heat insulation.

The laminate floor is not connected to the base and has, so to speak, a "floating" structure. The lining in this system acts as a shock-absorbing cushion.

Due to the elasticity of the material the substrate compensates for small surface defects and slight differences in the concrete base. It is important that the height of the projections does not exceed the height of the soft layer.

The depth of the large depressions should also not exceed the thickness of the substrate. Small holes in the concrete are irrelevant.

Ideally, the substrate should compensate for differences of no more than half of its height.

Below we will describe in detail which laminate substrate is best suited for a concrete floor in a private house and in a high-rise building.

Actually too thick the backing layer causes increased deflection of the floor under weight load. And this, in turn, gradually loosens and destroys the latches at the joints of adjacent sheets.

One of the unpleasant properties of laminate flooring is its boominess.

Without additional measures to reduce noise, the sound of footsteps in shoes or from moving furniture will be very distinct and loud throughout the room.

A good backing made of sound-absorbing materials almost completely eliminates the resonance properties of the laminate and absorbs sounds.

Since the lining usually has a porous structure, it also acts as an additional thermal insulation.

Although this is rather an indirect bonus than the full functional quality of this material. For serious thermal insulation, the thickness of the lining layer alone is clearly not enough.

How thick should the backing be?

We figured out the functional necessity of the lining. But the buyer is also interested in: What is the best substrate thickness for a particular laminate?

Most laminate manufacturers unanimously state that the thickness of the backing should be between 3 and 5 mm.

In practice, in stores you can find lining material up to 10 mm. Such a height is, of course, too much and, contrary to the statements of the sellers, it does not compensate for the flaws and large irregularities of the concrete base.

Experienced builders, not without reason, believe that the differences in the substrate in different places are more than 5 mm. quickly destroy the laminate.

Such a concrete floor needs to be leveled mechanically or make a new screed over it.

Excessive underfloor heights can sometimes be justified in order to obtain improved sound and thermal insulation properties of the floor.

This selects:

increased thickness laminate;
increased elasticity of the substrate material.

Substrate types

Let's take a look at what the ideal laminate substrate should be.

Laminate manufacturers value their reputation very much and therefore put forward serious requirements for the quality of the lining.

If the backing material does not meet them, you can easily lose the guarantees for the laminated floor itself.

Currently, the building materials market offers the following types of laminate substrates:

Cork;
coniferous leaves;
sheet expanded polystyrene;
expanded polypropylene;
foil lining;
integrated underlay.

To figure out which substrate for the laminate is better in what cases, you should know the strengths and weak sides material from which it is made.

Cork backing

The cork base is considered to be of the highest quality and most practical. It is made from small granules of cork bark.

There are several options for the production of this material:

Classic - cork chips are pressed with the addition of natural binders. Such material is absolutely environmentally friendly, does not cause allergic reactions, does not accumulate static electricity, and is highly resistant to fire.
Cork with rubber- synthetic rubber is used as a binder for cork chips. Such a base is characterized by increased resistance to moisture, excellent absorption of vibrations and sound coming from the concrete base.
Bituminous cork base- made from kraft cardboard with gluing of cork granules on it with a bitumen bond. The parameters of such a substrate are similar to those of a rubber one, but bitumen makes it flammable and toxic in the event of fire. Therefore, bitumen-cork material is recommended only for office, utility or industrial premises.

Have cork backing under the laminate there are both pros and cons.

Its advantages: parameters that do not change much over the years - elasticity, water resistance, water resistance, resistance to microorganisms, mold and fungi. The cork layer perfectly dampens sounds and is a very worthy heat insulator.

The main disadvantage of this product is its relatively high cost.

Pressed needles

The lining of pressed pine needles, unlike cork, has good air permeability.

The coniferous lining has decent stiffness, low compression ratio and performs well under high load conditions. This material is recommended for rooms with a lot of heavy furniture.

Despite the bactericidal and fungicidal properties of the needles, the dry material absorbs moisture well, which contributes to the rapid spread of mold.

Therefore, such a lining requires maximum protection against any moisture.

Expanded polystyrene

Main advantage polystyrene foam substrates - increased heat-insulating and sound-absorbing properties. The material is usually offered in the form of extruded backing sheets.

Fresh expanded polystyrene is able to compete with natural cork. But, due to its short-lived nature, after 5-6 years it flattens and loses most of the original benefits.

In addition, polystyrene belongs to the group flammable materials emitting toxic fumes in case of fire.

Another disadvantage - under certain conditions, polystyrene can build up static electricity.

Therefore, such a vinyl laminate underlay is highly undesirable and laminate manufacturers never list Styrofoam as an acceptable underlay.

Expanded propylene

The expanded polystyrene backing is a very worthy and high quality alternative to expanded polystyrene.

This material does not burn at all, does not decompose during a fire.

Rodents and insects do not like it very much, as well as mold and fungus, which start there only under very favorable conditions (constant high humidity and warm).

Expanded propylene has high elasticity, moisture resistant and works great as thermal insulation.

An important factor is his low cost and ubiquitous availability. Foam lining is very widely represented in the building materials market.

The disadvantages of polypropylene are explained by its "air" structure: with prolonged compression, polypropylene loses some of its elasticity and gradually flattens.

However, manufacturers claim that the lifespan of the polypropylene backing exceeds the lifespan of the laminate itself. But we recommend choosing a lining only famous brands and to purchase this material not in the bazaar, but in serious stores.

Foil lining

The backing with foil most often has a foam backing. The thinnest material is applied to one of the surfaces of the material. aluminium foil acting as a very efficient thermal mirror.

To protect it from moisture, aluminum is coated on top with another thin layer of polymer.

As a result, we have an excellent heat-insulating material that can be used not only as a lining, but also as a heat shield for wall-mounted radiators, heat insulation of pipes, etc.

If you decide which substrate is warmer to choose for a laminate - choose a foil one, you can't go wrong!

On sale you can find not only one-sided, but also two-sided metallized substrate. Its heat-insulating and heat-reflecting properties are even higher.

Foil backing should not be used under a laminate laid on a warm floor... Otherwise, the heat will not pass through it, but simply dissipate in the thickness of the concrete cushion.

The most significant disadvantage of the foil-coated substrate is its high price.

Integrated backing

One of the most radical solutions offered to the consumer is an integrated backing laminate.

Basically, the backing layer is simply factory-glued to the underside of the laminate. For this purpose, the most often used backing layer based on rubbers or dense propylene, but other similar materials can be used.

The integrated backing virtually eliminates the resonance properties of the laminate.

In addition, such a solution gives the buyer a very important advantage: Since the backed laminate is tested in the manufacturer's laboratories, the buyer can be confident in the quality of the product.

Despite the striking "soundlessness" and high operating parameters, this material scares off buyers a little with its prohibitively high price. Therefore, such a product is often positioned as an elite product.

Laying the underlay starts with a thorough cleaning surface concrete base from debris, dust and fine sand particles. It is advisable to walk on the concrete with a vacuum cleaner. This will reveal all surface defects, including those that have been masked by dust.
To prevent dry concrete from dusting, after cleaning it is worth treating with any construction primer.
Be sure to fit on top of the subfloor waterproofing membrane... We advise you to take exactly the membrane for this purpose, and not plastic wrap, which eventually loses its flexibility and bursts. With good waterproofing, it is much easier to decide which backing to choose for your laminate flooring.
Average service life plastic wrap for flooring is 3-5 years. In extreme cases, you can take a film with a thickness of at least 200 microns. It is used for outdoor greenhouses and has an extended lifespan. The edges of the waterproofing are laid with an overlap of 20 cm.
Underlay for laminate flooring must be well dried- this is a mandatory rule! In this case, if desired, you can do without waterproofing. Without it, the floor manufacturer has every right to refuse your warranty claim!
You can check the base for moisture even without a moisture meter. For this small area the concrete or sub-floor is covered with 1x1m foil and the edges are hermetically glued to the floor. If there is a lot of moisture, condensation will appear under the film in the morning, and the floor itself in this place will be distinctly wet.

All this information will help you understand why you need it, how it differs, how to choose the right one and which one is better to use under the laminate in your particular case.

Practical and stylish, laminate flooring is an inexpensive and comfortable flooring that quickly conquered the market. It is easy to exploit it, it is easy to look after it. But few know that the durability and appearance of the laminate is 90% merit high-quality installation, where the most important thing is to choose the substrate correctly.

And to choose it correctly, not in appearance or cost, but on the basis of:

On what kind of base will the laminate be mounted.
What are the parameters of humidity and temperature.
Are there any floor differences?
What kind of laminate will fit.

Everything is so serious that laminate manufacturers even have the right to refuse to consider a claim for deterioration in the quality of the floor covering if you used the "wrong" substrate. And most of them are loyal only to the Portuguese cork backing and extruded polystyrene.

Why does a laminate even need a backing?

The main functions of any laminate underlay are moisture absorption, sound insulation and leveling. A good underlay can actually smooth out some unevenness and slight differences.

So why does laminate need a moisture-wicking backing? The fact is that this material, in fact, consists of multi-layer panel boards, which are actually compressed wood dust, covered on both sides with a paper coating. And only with front side the laminate has a laminated decorative layer, which is somehow protected from moisture, while the base from the bottom is extremely vulnerable due to its porosity.

The soundproofing function is also necessary, because the laminate flooring is very thin, and when laying with the "floating" method, the noise effect when walking will still be the same. And this is only the most important thing. The substrate actually plays a rather large role in the future warmth and comfort.

What material is better to choose from?

So, let's take a look at modern materials and look at the provided photo instructions on how to properly lay such substrates.

Option # 1 - sustainable and durable cork

This eco-friendly and tactile material is commonly chosen as a laminate underlay in bedrooms and children's rooms. The cork does not grow thin and does not become moldy, lasts a long time, perfectly absorbs the step and protects against noise. The most valuable property of a cork backing is that, even over the years, it practically does not deteriorate.

Option # 3 - expanded polystyrene (for serious loads)
Both Russia and China are actively producing a substrate made of extruded polystyrene under a variety of brands. And each product has its own characteristics. This counterfeit is also not considered officially approved by laminate manufacturers. But, if you take this, then give preference to the brands VTM or "Izopolin" - you can hear most of all good reviews about them.
Expanded polystyrene is durable and can withstand severe stress. It does not allow moisture to pass through and is able to provide good thermal insulation. Here's how it is laid:
The disadvantage of such a substrate: in the first years, it even surpasses the roll cork in its qualities, but after 6-7 years it already loses its valuable properties... Also, this substrate is very toxic when burning, while the fire itself spreads over it very quickly. Be careful! Also, expanded polystyrene has insufficient leveling ability; such a substrate can only be laid on a perfectly flat floor.
Option # 4 - Coniferous Backing (Valuable Ventilation)
This popular material must be purchased in the form of tiles. The softwood lining is not as flexible as cork, but it is breathable. Those. "Breathes".
Option # 5 - foil backing
This material creates the effect of a thermos, for which it is appreciated. In your specialist store, you can find both single-sided and double-sided backings.
Option # 6 - plastic wrap
Yes, polyethylene backing is really used today. Literally in three years, the film under the laminate will lose its properties, like the 21st class laminate itself, which is no longer on sale. But still, the floor of such a structure is still being arranged - for the commissioning of budgetary facilities, where the most important thing is appearance and cheapness (the density of the film is about 25 kg / m3, while the cork has 220 kg / m3.)
Only for this purpose, not any film is suitable - you need to take the one that is 0.2 mm thick, in rolls, and lay it with a 20-centimeter overlap. Here, the polyethylene film at the top and bottom ensures vapor tightness, and the expanded polystyrene granules between the layers absorb noise. Moreover, there are gaps between the granules for accidental moisture.
The underlay should be spread perpendicular to the panels. You do not need to bend over the walls.
Option # 7 - combined and integrated underlays
This material uses both polyethylene and expanded polystyrene. If you are satisfied, then choose a sufficiently thin substrate that will provide the necessary sound insulation and protect against moisture, but will not interfere with heat transfer.
Some craftsmen adapt other materials as a substrate for the laminate. And in some ways they are right: for example, instead of an expensive cork backing, you can put those cork sheets that are used to cut out cup holders - cheap and cheerful, and the same properties. And there are also punctures when a completely unsuitable material is placed under the laminate. If you decide to take a chance in this way, remember: the substrate must be bactericidal, mold resistant and absolutely not edible for insects and rodents.
There are also integrated substrates - this is rubber, which is glued directly to the laminate in the factory (some manufacturers do this) and covered with a thin non-woven material. It glides well on the screed, does not warp and significantly removes noise when walking. You've probably heard that some companies produce laminate flooring with valuable sound-absorbing properties, but its price, naturally, is much higher.
How thick should the backing be?
There is a myth among the people: the thicker the substrate under the laminate, the better. And some even put it in two layers to achieve even greater sound insulation and warmth. But there is one important negative point here: such a substrate under a point load (for example, from a standing heavy object or person) can compress too much, and the boards can even break, unfortunately.
So, even if the substrate is slightly thicker than 3 mm, then over time, the joints of the lamellas may be damaged, because the laminate is not designed for deflection when a person walks. And here are the consequences: the boards bend, the locks wear out quickly from this, and large gaps appear, from which the floor then does not just creak - it "rumbles". The smoother the base, the thinner the backing can be. But still consider the level of its rigidity.
Here correct styling substrates:
What does the modern market offer?
Modern firms produce special substrates specifically for the laminate. They cost a lot, but they are durable, moisture resistant and well retain heat and sound. Let's take a look at the most popular ones.
The most in demand today is the Isoplat coniferous substrate. On sale you will find it in the form of fibrous sheet material, which consists of pine wood. "Izoplat" is able to absorb up to 20% of its own volume, without changing either its insulating properties or tightness. Its counterpart is the Estonian product "Quiet Run".
Isoplat slabs are inferior to the cork substrate in terms of elasticity and restoring qualities. Besides, minimum thickness of these plates - 5 mm, and therefore you can forget about the guarantee for the laminate.
Teplon is a rigid polystyrene sheet material with a good level of sound and heat insulation. But any materials with "air granules" inside do not tolerate constant dynamic loads and deteriorate quickly.
Foil-clad "Izolon" is a rolled polyethylene foam backing of a new generation. It is based on foamed polyethylene foam and a layer of foil. Bottom line: excellent thermal insulation properties, vapor barrier and durability.
The Polish product "Arbiton" consists of extruded polystyrene with additional vapor barrier. This substrate has a homogeneous dense structure, and installation is quite simple, despite the fact that "Arbiton" is considered a professional material.
Finnish Tuplex underlay. Its main trump card is high elasticity, which well hides defects and unevenness in the floor, while remaining sufficiently resistant to deformation. At the same time, the substrate also has high ventilation properties, allowing excess moisture between the coating and the base to be removed in a natural way. In appearance, such a substrate is like a two-layer polyethylene film, where foam granules serve as an intermediate layer. Moreover, the lower layer of the film has a hole that allows moisture to pass through - due to this, condensation does not form. Tuplex is often chosen due to the ability of this substrate to significantly reduce noise - up to 20 dB. Also, this substrate has good thermal and vapor barrier properties.
The "Parkolag" underlay is produced in Russia, and in its structure and properties it clearly resembles the overseas "Tuplex". There are many positive qualities, but there are also upsetting nuances: the substrate comes in an inverted form, and after the rolls are opened on the floor, it must be turned over. And this is no longer easy - with careless handling, cork crumbs are poured out.
The famous "Izoshum" is a domestic substrate made of extruded polystyrene foam, which reduces noise by up to 50%. It looks like a rigid sheet, which is quite convenient to use. Here's how:
How to properly lay the underlay?
When laying the underlay, the most important thing is to avoid the overlap of its seams and the seams of the coating. It is necessary to lay the sheet lining in a checkerboard pattern, not overlap, but to fix it with masking tape. The roll substrate must be laid with an overlap on the walls, on next stripes already without overlap - only with adhesive tape fastening. Do you understand why this is so? The overlapping joints will simply create an uneven surface on which the laminate can no longer be laid.
All other types - according to the attached instructions in the video.
Do you need a film under the backing?
And now one more important point. Despite the advertising of most manufacturers that their substrate is the best waterproofing, it is still highly desirable to additionally put plastic wrap on the floor. And take one with parameters not less than 200 microns. If you miss such a moment, then none of your claims will be considered by the firms.
But, interestingly, sometimes builders convince not to put the film between the substrate and the floor - they say, mold will quickly start there. And there is a grain of truth in this: if you do not dry the concrete before laying the laminate, it will be so. But this is already a direct violation of building codes, the consequence of which may be not only fungus. Just get a moisture meter and measure the base.
You can check whether such problems will arise in the future as follows: cut the 1x1 m film and put it on the floor. Tape around the edges to completely seal the temporary backing. If the film remains dry in the morning, everything will be fine.
And you can read more about laying the laminate itself.