How to lay a roll substrate under a laminate. How to lay the underlay under the laminate? What is the function of the substrate under the laminate

It would be wrong to say that laying underlay under a laminate is a very difficult and time-consuming process, because it is not. But, this is really a crucial step in preparing for the installation of laminated panels. The good news is that you can start and finish the flooring yourself and without the use of any special fixtures or tools.

! Follow our simple tips and recommendations - and you will be provided with an excellent moisture and sound insulation layer with heat-conducting characteristics!

Why is underlayment needed for laminate flooring?

For surface leveling. This is one of the most important qualities of such material. Of course, such a layer will not smooth out large irregularities, but it will be able to cope with small height differences of 2-3 mm per linear meter. At the same time, you do not need to rely on the fact that a large coating thickness will be able to level out irregularities of 5-6 mm - it will bend at the joints. But you don’t want all the seams to come apart in six months and you start the repair again, read;
for soundproofing. This is an auxiliary layer, which is often used in apartments of high-rise buildings, where every step gives off a sound. Such an even soft layer hides noise from walking and impact sounds;
for thermal conductivity. This bedding reduces the efficiency of the warm floor, because it has good thermal insulation properties. For warm flooring there are special types of layers, so it is better to use them;
for moisture insulation. No matter how you praise the new lamellas, they are all made of pressed paper, which means that even moisture-resistant types swell when in contact with moisture. Laying guarantees additional protection of the finish from moisture from the concrete base.

It is also very important to choose the right material for such an intermediate layer. Today, the modern market offers a variety of options. We advise you to pay special attention to options from:

Isopora;
polyethylene foam;
extruded polystyrene foam;
traffic jams.

! The thickness of such a litter is of great importance, since it is it that helps to smooth out small bumps and depressions in both wood and concrete pavement.

Do you have additional questions? You can find the answers in the video of laying the substrate under the laminate . Good luck!

Video - laying the substrate under the laminate.

Laminate flooring is very popular these days. This is an inexpensive material, it looks spectacular, does not cause much trouble in laying and, with skillful installation, can last for many years. A prerequisite for the correct installation of the laminate is the laying of a special substrate under this coating. Read this article to learn how to properly lay the substrate.

What is the underlayment for?

The layer laid under the laminate is designed to perform tasks, the essence of which is as follows:

creation of depreciation, softening the blows of the laminate on the base of the floor during its operation.
Protection against sounds when walking on laminate, especially in shoes.
creation of additional moisture protection, which is especially important in the case of using a concrete leveling screed of the floor base, which can cause condensation on the inner surface of the laminate and lead to its deformation.
providing additional thermal insulation of the floor. Natural types of products retain heat especially well, which is significant for private houses.

Types of substrates

Products are produced in three varieties:

cork;
bituminous cork;
from polyethylene foam.

Cork backing features

This type of product is of natural origin, because it is based on natural raw materials, so it is an environmentally friendly material. At the heart of the products is a rigid base, which gives them sufficient strength. As a result, the material is not subject to deformation during operation, has good wear resistance, perfectly masks all the irregularities of the subfloor.

Cork litter is not subject to rotting, the formation of fungus and mold, and is not afraid of rodents. It is well suited for underfloor heating, produced in rolls and in the form of plates.

Basically, they lay a cork layer under the laminate in living rooms. It retains heat well and protects against noise. It is not recommended to use cork products for wet rooms. To protect them from moisture, sometimes a water-repellent coating is applied to the surface.

The cost of a cork substrate is significant, so it is often used for installation under an expensive laminate.

Bituminous cork products

Bitumen-cork substrate is a special kraft paper impregnated with bitumen, on the surface of which cork chips are applied. The size of cork crumbs is 2-3 mm.

In terms of its performance, such a product is in many ways similar to a cork type. It absorbs all sounds well and serves as an excellent shock absorber, provides proper air exchange, levels the base.

Unlike cork bedding, moisture does not affect this material.

Its disadvantage is a small release of harmful substances by the bituminous composition.

The product is produced in rolls and plates. Due to the significant cost, it is more reasonable to use it for laying under expensive wear-resistant brands of laminate.

Products from polyethylene foam

Polyethylene foam materials are in great demand. This is primarily due to the low price of the material, ease of installation and a small amount of waste. The product is characterized by increased moisture resistance, good ability to retain heat, is not afraid of mold, fungi, insects and other living creatures.

A common version of the product is coated on one side with a metallized film.

The material is produced in the form of rolls and can have different thicknesses.

The polyethylene foam substrate has a significant drawback. It does not hold its shape well and sags during the operation of the laminate, losing its cushioning properties.

Which underlay is best

Each type of product has its own characteristics, which are reflected in its advantages and disadvantages. The criterion for the best substrate must be correlated with the room in which the laminate will be installed, as well as with its characteristics.

For example, for a children's room, cork flooring under a laminate is the best, because it is the most environmentally friendly, while taking into account the characteristics of the laminate itself.

But for a wet room, a bitumen-cork substrate is better, provided that this room does not serve for the constant stay of people in it.

Polyethylene foam material is not suitable for rooms where heavy pieces of furniture and high operational traffic are placed, because it will quickly lose its qualities because it will sag.

How to choose a substrate

When choosing a product, one must proceed from the material possibilities and reasonableness of the use of a particular type of material. First, you need to find out

what properties should this material have under specific conditions. The cost of a high-quality substrate is significant, but if there is a need for this particular type of product, then you should not save on this, so as not to run into problems during the operation of the laminate.

In order for the underlying layer to match the laminate and protect it from destruction, it must have certain properties:

reduce the pressure on the docking locks of the lamellas;
have good moisture resistance;
do not contribute to the formation of condensate;
provide additional floor insulation;
be chemically and biologically neutral material.

These properties of each type of substrate are discussed above, so when choosing a product, you can be guided by this information.

Thickness of required substrate

The thickness of the underlying layer is an important factor influencing the successful operation of the laminate and the performance of the tasks assigned to it. These tasks do not depend on the size of the product thickness, but on its optimality.

To determine the optimal substrate thickness, the following conditions must be considered:

the class and thickness of the laminate floor chosen for finishing;
the degree of its operation and the expected load;
the magnitude of the curvature and irregularities of the surface of the base;
the type of underlying material itself;

The soft and non-dense polyethylene foam backing is typically limited in thickness to two or three millimeters.

The most popular cork backing thickness is 2 to 4 mm.

P The laminate backing must be chosen in a thickness that matches the thickness of the laminate itself.

Necessary materials and tools

To carry out work on the installation of the underlying material under the laminate, you need to take care of the availability of the necessary materials and tools:

purchase the selected type of substrate in the right amount;
purchase, if necessary, a mixture for concrete screed;
prepare a knife for cutting the rolled material;
in the case of a concrete base, prepare a polyethylene film;
check the presence of a ruler, marker and construction tape.

You may also need other tools, such as a level, pliers, and a hammer. They are needed to bring the surface of the base of the floor into proper form.

The selection of tools and materials depends on the type of material used and the condition of the floor.

How to lay underlayment under laminate. Step-by-step instruction

Having studied the properties and purpose of the substrate, you can start laying this material yourself.

Before proceeding with laying the laminate and laying a substrate under it, you need to check the degree of unevenness of the floor.

The floor level difference should not exceed 1 millimeter per 2 meters of length .

Work must be carried out in the following sequence:

Carry out the dismantling of the old external floor covering, if it was on it.
If the old wooden floor has become unusable, then it must also be removed. Or restore and lay laminate on it - read the article How to lay laminate on a wooden floor.
Level the base of the floor by pouring a self-leveling compound, which is well dried. This will take several days.
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt, dust and debris from the floor base area.
If the subfloor is uneven, level it by pouring a self-levelling screed. The surface must first be primed.
After the screed has dried, lay a polyethylene film on its surface to protect it from moisture. Use a film with a thickness of 0.2 mm. Laying the film must be carried out in strips overlapping 25 cm on top of each other, as well as on the walls of the room by 1.5 - 2 cm.
It is not necessary to lay a plastic film on a wooden base.
Lay the underlay in the direction of the lamella installation. It is necessary to lay it not on the entire surface of the base at once, but under the mounted rows of laminate with alternating work on laying the substrate and laminate. This will prevent damage to the product, since walking on it is excluded.
Lay the strips of material end-to-end with fixation between them with adhesive tape.
You need to retreat from the walls of the room, leaving a distance for the deformation of the laminate.
When using a corrugated product, lay it with the smooth side up. If there is a layer of foil, it should be in the upper position.

The substrate must not be glued to the base surface. It should be freely placed on it.

Before laying the shock-absorbing layer on the cement base, it is necessary to check the degree of its humidity by laying a plastic film overnight. If condensation appears on the surface, then work must be postponed for 3 to 4 days.
Underlayment and laminate flooring should be laid perpendicular to natural light coming from windows.
When choosing the thickness of a polyethylene foam product, it is necessary to provide for a margin for subsidence of this material during operation and use a product with a thickness of 4 mm at a standard of 3 mm.
Some craftsmen advise laying the material across the laminate panels. This requires covering the entire surface of the base with the material at once, which speeds up the process of work, but makes it inconvenient, because, in order not to damage the substrate, you will have to walk on it with great care.

Detailed instructions for laying the substrate under the laminate are shown in the video on laying this material of the Tuplex brand:

Having studied the purpose and types of the substrate, as well as all the subtleties of its installation, you can easily select the right material and perform the work of laying it yourself.

So you've made the decision to choose laminate as your flooring. We will share with you the secrets of how to lay underlayment under laminate, which type of this material to choose, and also consider its advantages.

And is it worth buying?

Why do you need underlayment for laminate flooring? And is it possible to do without it when installing flooring. In fact, this inconspicuous and invisible detail performs a number of very important functions:

Isolates noise. Have you noticed that in some rooms (the owners of which decided to save money), when walking on the laminate, a deafening knock is heard literally. It sounds equally loud both for the residents of such an apartment and for their neighbors below. This is due to the fact that the most popular type of laminate has a very small thickness (no more than 8 mm). The floating method of laying laminate also contributes to the “noise problem”. To avoid the appearance of this unpleasant effect will help to correctly select and put the substrate. If you want to completely eliminate the possibility of noise, give preference to a laminate in which the substrate is already integrated into the planks themselves. As a rule, these are products of 33 and 32 classes, as you know, the most expensive of all available. Underlayment for laminate flooring in sheets or rolls is a cheaper option, and its soundproofing capabilities are often just as good. You can read about them on the product packaging when buying.
Makes floors look even. All small defects in the concrete screed can be corrected with this gasket. The thickness of the substrate under the laminate should be chosen taking into account the fact that too thick a fabric will give a deflection in those places where the parts of the laminate are connected to each other. Preference should be given to products with a thickness of not more than 3 mm. Such, for example, is the Isoplat substrate , reviews of which are very positive. A 5 mm laminate underlay would not be the best option. Otherwise, breakage of laminate locks cannot be avoided. You also need to understand that a thin substrate cannot correct strong elevation changes. It is necessary to have a completely even surface in order to lay laminate flooring.
Doesn't let moisture through. Once you've leveled the floor with the screed, it should ideally be allowed to dry completely for a month. However, it is not always possible to wait for the base to dry. And if you put the laminate directly on the dry concrete, it can deteriorate. And the substrate acts as a kind of barrier to the harmful effects of moisture on the way to the floor covering.
Makes floors warm. And for this it is absolutely not necessary to carry out the installation of an expensive system called "warm floor". Its function will be taken over by the same substrate under the laminate. In this case, the heat will not go to the floor.

How to choose a laminate flooring

First of all, determine what form your subfloor is in?

Option 1. The screed is new and even. Then, when thinking about which substrate to choose for a laminate, give preference to a 2 mm variety.

Option 2. The concrete base is flawed, but without significant differences. Izoplat laminate substrate is suitable for you, the thickness of which is 3 mm.

As for the choice of manufacturer, here you are given complete freedom of action. It is not necessary to "combine" laminate and underlay brands.

There are the following types of substrates for laminate:

Polyethylene foam. Their moisture resistance is the highest. Thermal insulation is also at a good level, as well as resistance to the formation of fungus on their surfaces. Insects or small rodents are not afraid of them either. Experts also note the special ease of installation of this coating. And the owners note the low cost and almost waste-free use. But the cheapness is also due to the fact that this material does not hold its shape, so after a few years of operation of such a floor, you will notice that some of its useful qualities have disappeared. This is due to the fact that he sank.
Substrate under the laminate cork. A floor with such a base will be very warm, very "quiet", very durable and ... very expensive. It makes sense to lay such rolled or sheet material only if the laminate itself matches it (expensive and high-quality). Otherwise, the underlay may "outlive" the floor surface. Due to its high technical characteristics, the cork substrate for laminate reviews is mostly positive. But she also has one minus of this coating - this is the possibility of accumulation of condensate from the bottom of the laminate.
Made of extruded polystyrene foam, this substrate will withstand any load and will not change its physical properties, remaining dense and thick. With its help, it is best to level small flaws in the concrete screed. Any vibrations that occur when walking will be extinguished thanks to this pad. The structure of polystyrene foam cells is such that moisture simply does not seep through them in any way. If you need to carry out the installation of a floor covering in a room that is planned to be used extensively in the future, then an extruded polystyrene foam underlay is the best option.
Combined. If you combine polystyrene foam and polyethylene, you get an excellent combined substrate for Tuplex laminate. For this brand, buyers vote in rubles most often. This material, in fact, is a sandwich: two layers of polyethylene as a filling contain a layer of polystyrene foam balls. The thickness of such a sandwich is 2-3 mm. Despite the fact that this film is made of artificial materials, it is well ventilated. The first layer, adjacent to the concrete base, is thinner. Excess moisture passes through it well, accumulating in the “stuffing” of polystyrene foam balls. Special technological holes bring this moisture out. The second layer, adjacent directly to the layers of the laminate, is made of high-density polyethylene, respectively, it is thicker. Through it, water that accidentally gets on the laminate will not pass down to the screed. If you decide: which substrate is better - give preference to this option. It is flexible, durable, those caking over time.
Bituminous substrates with cork dressing. The raw materials for their production are kraft paper and bitumen, which are coated on top with cork chips 2-3 mm in size. As befits cork material, it perfectly absorbs sounds. But bitumen gives it complete hygroscopicity. It is worth noting the good air exchange that can be provided to the flooring if this material is laid under it. Condensation does not form here. If you want to make floors "for centuries", then this option is the most acceptable. Try and select the appropriate laminate. At the same time, keep in mind that the cost of a substrate for this type of laminate will be impressive.
Special. They are able to minimize transit noise in the room. An example of this is the Izoshum laminate underlay. Its installation is 2-3 times faster, because it contains a special membrane that is resistant to moisture.

How to lay underlayment under laminate flooring

So, what kind of substrate to lay under the laminate, we found out. Now let's move on to the actual installation process. Even if you are a novice owner, then you will certainly succeed in coping with this simple matter. You don't even need any exotic building tools. However, there are a number of requirements that must be strictly observed in this case. Remember that the more carefully you do everything, the longer the floor covering will last you. And the less reason for quarrels you will have with your neighbors below.

We put a plastic film on a concrete, stone or cement base. It will allow you to completely waterproof the subfloor. Choose a polyethylene that is more durable than an ordinary grocery bag. The best option is 0.2 mm.

Do not forget to use a vacuum cleaner to remove any, even the smallest particles of dust or dirt from the surface of the rough base before starting work. And, of course, dry.

For cutting the substrate, ordinary scissors or a cutter are suitable. All measurements and marks on sheet or roll material are best done with a pencil (felt-tip pen) and a ruler.

Attention: in pursuit of insulation and floor leveling, do not try to lay 2 or even 3 layers of substrate under the laminate.

Lay the material across the future location of the laminate panels. So you protect yourself from the possibility of floor fragments coming off your place. To make the floor serve you faithfully, lay the cushioning material so that its edges are on the walls, forming a kind of bowl.

Some manufacturers produce materials with a corrugated surface. They need to be laid down with it in order to best level the base. The side with aluminum foil is turned up.

More and more people are choosing laminate as their flooring. It fits perfectly into the interior of any design and helps to quickly and cost-effectively transform the room. To lay it qualitatively, you need to know how to lay the substrate under the laminate.

The material located between the base of the floor and the laminate board absorbs deflections, reduces noise levels, provides thermal insulation and protection of the flooring from moisture. Its laying must be carried out correctly, then the laminate will last a long time.

Choice of substrate material

Laminate manufacturers typically recommend a specific underlay for their products, often in-house. It is worth listening to their recommendations and taking into account the requirements that the substrate must meet. The same material can be offered under different brands and at different prices, so it is better to consider other options.

Advice! The popularity of some products is explained by their low price, which should not be the main selection criterion. It is better to pay attention to performance characteristics. They are not only important for the long life of a laminate, but can also increase the comfort of using it.

By making the right choice, you can prevent the appearance of creaking floors, static electricity, loud sounds when moving. Each of the materials has its own characteristics:

Polyethylene foam film is very popular due to its affordable price. It protects the coating well from moisture, has a small thickness, and is easy to fit. The polymer porous structure is quite elastic and smooths out noise. The service life of such a substrate is about 10 years, it can be used under an inexpensive laminate.

Extruded polystyrene foam has higher characteristics. A denser structure provides resistance to stress and water resistance. It has low thermal conductivity, thanks to which it retains heat in the room. The material is produced in the form of rolls or sheets of various thicknesses. Its service life reaches 25 years.
Tuplex refers to composite materials. On top it has a layer of waterproof polyethylene film, under which there are foam balls, and on the bottom there is a vapor-removing membrane that creates ventilation. Such a substrate perfectly performs its functions and prolongs the life of the floor covering.
Compressed cork backing with a natural wood bark adhesive has excellent noise absorption and heat retention properties. It allows you to evenly distribute the load on the laminate, thereby protecting the locking system from damage. It is recommended to use it in children's and bedrooms.

Coniferous boards made from wood raw materials are also a natural material. They appeared on the market recently and have good quality indicators. The material successfully smooths out small unevenness of the floor and allows it to breathe, thanks to its breathable structure.

Floor preparation and underlayment

Before laying the substrate under the laminate, it is necessary to properly prepare the subfloor. It must be clean, dry and even. Laying laminate does not allow floor irregularities of more than 2 mm, so you will have to spend some time to bring it into line with these requirements.

The substrate material is laid out on the floor in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions - close to the walls or with a gap (cork and coniferous boards). Sheets with a ribbed surface are placed with the smooth side up. It is not necessary to fix the material to the floor.

Advice! The direction of the joints on the substrate and the laminate should not coincide, so as not to create an excessive load on the connection of the lamellas. Some manufacturers recommend diagonal placement of the substrate with an offset.

The joints of the substrate are connected with adhesive tape so that it does not move during the installation of the floor covering.

Laying the substrate under the laminate does not require special knowledge and skills. It is enough to follow the recommendations on the packaging of the material. But do not underestimate the importance of proper styling. The durability and quality of the future floor depends on this.

Laying underlay under laminate flooring is the most important operation when laying laminate flooring. Some manufacturers now produce panels with a ready-made substrate layer, but these are usually the most expensive types of the 32nd and 33rd class, which have increased strength and wear resistance.

What is the function of the substrate under the laminate

The importance of the substrate cannot be overestimated. If you lay without it, directly on the base, then later you will have to face unpleasant moments. It is rarely possible to make a perfectly even base, and the difference is even 1 mm. will cause the floating floor to wobble where it does not fit snugly against the subfloor. The substrate, due to the porous structure, compensates for all irregularities, acting as a shock-absorbing cushion, takes the form of a base.

Noise isolation is another important indicator. Laminate without a substrate will make a lot of noise, even in a private house it will lead to discomfort, not to mention an apartment in a multi-storey building. Walking on the floor will turn into the clatter of heels, the stamping of feet, which will echo in neighboring apartments. The underlay helps to reduce heat loss due to its thermal insulation properties, and also provides reliable waterproofing.

Underlayment technology for laminate flooring

When laying the substrate, experience, professional skills and special tools are not required, but certain rules must be observed. If the base is concrete, then it is necessary to lay a layer of polyethylene film for waterproofing, and only then lay the substrate.

Before laying the base must be thoroughly vacuumed, it must be dry. Rolls or slabs of the underlayment are laid in the same direction as the boards and must not be glued to the subfloor. The edges should go on the wall, the strips should be exactly butt, they should not be allowed to go on top of each other, connected with adhesive tape or adhesive tape. If the substrate is corrugated, then the side with the corrugated surface is laid down, so it better levels the base. If with a layer of aluminum foil, then the side with the foil is laid up.

To achieve a perfectly flat surface, you can not stack several layers. For a fairly even base, a thickness of 2-4 mm is suitable. For an uneven one, you need to choose a thicker substrate, but there is a fear that the locking devices will break under pressure. Yes, and walking on such a floor is inconvenient, the panels will sag. It is better to achieve an even base.

The substrate is cut with an ordinary construction knife or scissors, the measured lines are applied with a marker or pencil using a ruler. It is a mistake to think that you need to use a substrate from the same manufacturer as the laminate, it does not matter much.

Substrate types

Substrates for laminate flooring are available in three types: from foamed polyethylene foam, cork, bitumen-cork. Each type has disadvantages and advantages; when choosing, you need to be guided by material capabilities and expediency of use. When buying, you need to accurately calculate the size so that there is a small margin for trimming.

Polyethylene foam underlay is the most common due to affordable prices. Easy to install, easy to cut, little waste is generated. Due to the cellular structure with closed pores, it does not allow moisture to pass through. Resistant to chemicals, rodents, insects, mold. It has good sound, heat and sound insulation. The disadvantage is that after several years of operation it becomes caked and loses half of its thickness, which means that it can no longer effectively perform its functions, it is easily torn. To improve performance, it can be produced with a protective layer of aluminum foil.

The cork substrate is made from natural raw materials without synthetic additives, it is an environmentally friendly safe material. It has a rigid base and has excellent characteristics. Does not deform over time, wear-resistant, ideally eliminates unevenness, mainly used for laying expensive laminate for a long time. Not afraid of mold, fungus, rodents, perfect for underfloor heating. Mainly used for rooms, not recommended for rooms with high humidity. To improve waterproofing, a water-repellent composition can be applied over the cork substrate. It has excellent sound insulation. It has a high price, another drawback is the possibility of condensation under the floor covering. Available in rolls and slabs.

The bitumen-cork substrate consists of a layer of cellulose, on one side a layer of bitumen is applied, sprinkled with cork chips. Such a substrate provides good ventilation, noise, heat and sound insulation. The side with a layer of bitumen is laid down, preventing the penetration of moisture and the formation of condensate. Has excellent characteristics which remain for a long time. Produced in the form of sheets.

Laying the substrate under the laminate is a simple operation, physically easy, but requires accuracy. Mistakes made can negate all efforts, and the laminate floor will not be able to perform its functions. This will lead to a decrease in practicality, durability, wear resistance, deterioration of the aesthetic appearance.