types of substrates, their advantages and disadvantages (video)

A variety of building materials ensures the creation of unique and inimitable interiors in residential and office buildings. For example, such a flooring as laminate creates a cozy and comfortable environment due to its texture and imitation of natural wood. Easy installation makes it a very popular coating. But we should not forget some features of installation. Due to the fact that the coating is laid without fixing to the base, i.e. the floor turns out to be floating, some inconveniences may arise during the operation: increased noise and creaking floorboards.

To avoid this, you must put a substrate under the laminate.

Types of substrates and their difference

The use of a substrate provides vapor - sound and thermal insulation of the room. A small layer of material provides soundproofing, and all movements in the room will be noiseless. A large assortment of lining material to fully cope with the tasks:

Cork material. Natural, ecological coating provides noise insulation in the room for many years. Does not lose its properties over the years, does not deteriorate, does not rot. It is preferred to be laid in residential premises, children’s, bedrooms.

Manufacturers offer several types of cork coating:

• rubber cork - the most resistant to moisture, preferably stacked in wet rooms;
• bitumen cork - Kraft acts as a base paper, sprinkled on top of crumbs. Using it, you can provide excellent air exchange;
• bitumen crumb substrate is the cheapest option, but is afraid of dampness, so it can crumble and lose all its properties.

When choosing this type of material for laying it on a concrete screed, you should take into account its fear of moisture and provide moisture protection with a conventional plastic wrap. Since the base of the laminate is compressed wood shavings, it can pick up moisture and eventually deteriorate and collapse.

For the installation of such a coating, only a perfectly flat surface is suitable, since the cork substrate has a high rigidity. Small bumps, poor fit of the floorboard in combination with heavy furniture will lead to swelling of the coating and new works.

Polyethylene foam

A cheaper version of the litter, but even here there are some limitations:

• too heavy things should not be put on the laminate because the bubbles inside the polyethylene will burst, and the substrate will turn into bumpy fabric;
• not very good sound insulation will create a certain discomfort in the room.

By using expanded polyethylene, the space between the floor and the laminate will be well ventilated.

Extruded polystyrene foam

Experts recommend placing polystyrene foam only on a flat floor, because the substrate does not have leveling properties, but is able to withstand heavy loads.

By giving preference to this type of material, the client receives an excellent sound and heat insulation layer for 5-7 years. After a specified time, the material begins to lose them.

The material is combustible, fire spreads very quickly, in the process of burning volatile resins dangerous to humans are released. Plates of polystyrene put end to end, connect with tape.

Conifer insulator

Coniferous tile is an excellent insulator for laminate. The insulator is less flexible, but well ventilates the space. Butt-fit, serves for a very long time, without losing properties.

Foil insulator

The most common type of insulator is foiled. Available single and double sided. The foil prevents heat leakage and can serve as a substrate not only for the laminate, but also for the heated floor.

Stowed overlap, tape can not be joined.

Polyethylene film

Such a variant of the substrate can now be found infrequently. It is used to create budget coverage options. After 2-3 years, the effectiveness of its use disappears.

Wood-based panels

Experienced craftsmen often use chipboard or fiberboard to compensate for small irregularities and hillocks. Their laying is achieved not only soundproofing of the room, but significantly increase the floor insulation.

The plates are stacked in a staggered manner, butt-to-butt, between the sheets should be left up to 2 mm gap. For linear expansion, the plates are moved away from the wall by 7-8 mm.

A unique combination of 2 in 1

Modern manufacturers took care of their customers and connected the substrate and laminate. On sale there are floorboards with a lower insulating part. Using them, the master is not required to additionally lay a noise-absorbing layer.

Installation errors, installation features

Considering the advantages of each type of insulator, one should not forget the sense of proportion and lay the coating in two or more layers. From this, the depreciation increases, at the load point the pressure increases, from which the floorboard can break.

A rigid insulator should be taken only if the base (screed) is flat. The smoother the floor, the thinner the layer of insulation material can be acquired.

The insulating layer should be placed evenly, butt joint, to avoid coincidence of the joints and joints on the floorboards. Overlap the insulator can not be laid, because unevenness will be created and the integrity of the laminate will be exposed to the threat of fracture on high ground.

Practically all the considered substrates are vapor-permeable, in certain cases the wood flooring should be protected from moisture additionally. To do this, use the usual plastic film, but you need to choose at least 200 microns in density.

Before laying polyethylene, the surface of the screed or subfloor must be dry. If you violate the recommendations, a mold will soon appear under the laid material, which will grow very quickly and will pose a threat not only to the laminate, slowly destroying it, but also to the inhabitants of these premises.

Considering each of the proposed options, the consumer himself must determine what kind of material he needs. Each individual case is considered individually, taking into account the disadvantages and advantages of each insulator.