When the repair is already coming to an end, it's time to lay flooring.In most cases nowadays people prefer this material as a laminate that is versatile, looks very neat and beautiful and can last for decades.However, before this wonderful coverage is on your floor, you need to, as they say, pave the way to it to attach it securely.And then the question arises, what is better under the laminate substrate, what should be the thickness and the material from which it must be made.
Short description substrate
Before we start to compare different kinds of "underground" layer, let's deal with the fact that it represents.For in order to understand what the substrate under a laminate better, you need to know its function and purpose, or else make the right choice will be very difficult.Thus, firstly, even in new apartments floor is not perfectly flat.Of course, the screed places compensates for this drawback, however, when installing a decorative covering over time will begin to push for irregularities under the weight of occupants of apartment and furniture.The substrate in this case performs the cushioning function and prevents laminate sag in those places where there are small cracks or cavities.It also performs a cover feature soundproof.That is, the noise that comes to you from the neighbors above, will be less visible thanks to the outdoor auxiliary layer.
Additional features support
If you are in doubt about whether there should be a laminated substrate, then look closely at it the following properties.Firstly, this extra layer allows to save a greater number of flat warm air.At the same time, he does not miss the cold, thus serves as a heat insulator.The substrate will be an additional conductor of heat, if your house has radiant floor heating, and if there is such a system, it is more than just give the room comfort.Important function of this material is to protect the wood from moisture.It absorbs most of the vapor whereby water sensitivity is markedly reduced in the laminate.This lets the floor covering longer serve you and do not deteriorate prematurely.And now for you to understand what the substrate under a laminate better, we provide a list of all existing coatings which can be used in the repair.
material - the basis of any substrate
Types of flooring is strictly divided into groups depending on the materials from which they are made.For example, one of the most common alternative is foamed polyethylene.As a rule, it is sold in the form of wide rolls of foil and has a very small thickness.It should be remembered that this material can be mounted exclusively for laminate and combine it with the floorboard is strictly prohibited.The price of this coating is extremely accessible, so it is often used during the budget repair of an apartment or office space for everything.The fact that this "foil" is very sensitive to mechanical damage, so often a laminate in the case of stacking the voids arise.However, cushioning and insulating material performs the function, therefore enjoys considerable demand.
Cork painting - one of the best choices
One of the common types of "underground" is a cork backing coatings under the laminate.The price of this material is readily available to everyone, and the quality of it highly enough.Therefore, cork rolls differ from the shelves of hardware stores quickly, and in the apartments, they are a very long time and qualitatively.It should be noted that this material is combined with the laminate is not only, but also with floorboard, but it can not be mounted if the apartment is equipped with floor heating.This is due to the fact that cork has low vapor barrier properties, and moisture that evaporates from the tubes can damage the outdoor decorative layer.Also, do not forget that this layer is mounted together with cellophane tape, which compensates lowest vapor barrier.In that case you will long serve as a decorative coating, cork and laminate underlay.The price of such a substrate will vary between 150-300 rubles per square meter, which is available today.
Parkolag-rolls - lots of warmth and comfort
Now let's talk about how dense and thick to be under the laminate substrate.How to choose the option that is ideal to amortize the floor and it does not take a lot of space?The answer is simple - you need to give preference to such coverage as parkolag, or as it is more commonly called, kraft paper.It is sold in rolls, the price of which varies according to the thickness and quality.However, even the best budget options are dense yet elastic web, insensitive to mechanical damage.This laminate substrate under 3 mm thick, whereby the floor covering perfectly aligns and prevents further deformation of the laminate.It also has excellent vapor barrier properties, so that the tree retains its best qualities.However, it is worth remembering that the top of the kraft paper have to apply a thin layer of bitumen, which is the first time after the repair will emit a characteristic smell.
Tupleks - Repair brand that will correct all errors
For that year, all of the builders told that the best substrate for laminate - is tupleks, which is sold in rolls.This material has no particular name, so it is called, in accordance with the manufacturer, but that its quality does not get worse.It is a multilayer film whose thickness does not exceed three millimeters.The cellophane layer disposed on the outer edges of the cover, and in the middle of the foam pellets contained.With this uncomplicated structure of this coating is perfectly preserves and even multiplies the heat in the room, and along with it also has the sound insulation and absorption properties.Cellophane, which is part of tupleksa, is moisture, so that the board remains fully intact.It is noteworthy that this material can also be put on the wet screed, if you want to finish the repairs immediately.Over time, moisture from the concrete will be absorbed into the substrate, and the problem persists.
Natural materials most expensive
But of the more respectable and expensive coatings under the laminate substrate is released softwood made from natural raw materials.It is produced in the form of sheets of different sizes, whose thickness is 3 mm or more.It has a distinctive dark green color and slightly fuzzy surface.This allows the material to maintain the greatest amount of heat in the building, but not to delay the air.That is, this lining "breathes", also performs thermal and sound insulation properties, as well as all unnecessary absorbs moisture, thereby prolonging the life of the tree.However, under the laminate substrate softwood is not sold in DIY stores.It can be made to order, and its cost will be much higher than that of its peers cork and cellophane.Also, this material is combined with the floorboard, and serves more than a dozen years.
Which is better: sheets or rolls?
Today, there are two main varieties of the auxiliary cover is mounted under any flooring: laminate substrate under the sheet and roll.Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages, so we'll briefly look at them now.In the first case plate, regardless of their thickness should as much as possible adjacent to the walls.The distance between them should be very minimal, and all joints are treated with adhesive waterproof tape (in a pinch you can use the tape, but the result will be less quality).Round leaf begin to be laid at the wall, gradually filling in the middle of the room.Cut the strips should be with a small margin, just in case, and if something will stick out from under the decorative coating, it can easily be cut.In this regard, the question of what the substrate under the laminate is better for you to decide, because the problem is not the quality of the material and the installation process.
optimum thickness of the lining
Thus, the quality and type of lining under the wooden floor, we had almost all learned.Now on to its aesthetic qualities - namely to the parameters.Many people are choosing a suitable material, are beginning to wonder about what the thickness of the substrate under a laminate is to be in their apartment.Now we look at this issue in detail.Mainly it depends on the size of the gender differences, ie the value of its defects.If the cavities have a size from 2 to 5 millimeters, a suitable coating thickness of approximately 3 mm.If irregularities greater, it is possible to use materials with a thickness of 8 mm, and even more.This will even out the floor and prevent further subsidence of the laminate.
few tips on laying substrate
As described above, many pads do not have the basis of cellophane, which is important in wet conditions.Therefore, before installing the material take care that this layer has been laid, which will prevent moisture in the room.Except considered substrate that already stitched this material.
Materials such as foil and plastic, well retain heat and thus are inexpensive.Therefore lining for laminate, made on their basis, are often mounted in apartments, where the temperature is always low.And, of course, it is important to pre-align the floor using concrete ties, and not to rely on the fact that these functions will take on the substrate.The smoother is a new layer, the longer you serve decorative flooring.
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conclusion Now you know that one of the necessary stages of repair is laying a material such as a substrate for laminate.How to choose what kind of prefer and how to mount it - a process in full colors can describe only a master of this case, however, as to fulfill all this.The article provides general rules and recommendations on these works, which can be used if you do repairs in the house themselves.But still like to start work without experience is not necessary.
