How to lay a substrate

substrate for finishing flooring is responsible for a lot of the performance of the latter.So, it will last longer any material, so if you decide to make a quality repair, it is recommended to use a substrate for the floor.

Characteristics and functions

substrate Today the market of construction materials you can find a lot of options for flooring, eachof which has its own peculiarities of installation, but often a prerequisite is the presence of the substrate.Its purpose is to provide additional heat and sound insulation, floor leveling, gain enough hard coating, for example, cork floor.But whatever the floor material, you need to choose the right.

substrate is recommended for the installation of laminate flooring, tile, linoleum and carpet.Otherwise, the coating can go smoothly or quickly lose their quality and aesthetic characteristics.

Why should putting the substrate:

1. Additional soundproofing - substrate almost completely drowns out the noise coming from the room on the floor below (useful if you have noisy neighbors or small children are living apartment).
2. Additional insulation - in the winter even tiled floor, mounted on a substrate is not too cold (actual for the apartments located on the ground floor).
3. Paul, mounted on a substrate, never will emit squeaks when walking.In addition, if the laminate between the elements fall fine litter or sand substrate will absorb all the sound it makes from the friction of the floorboards.
4. Increased service life of flooring, especially laminate.Substrates for the laminate are composed of moisture-resistant membrane that protects the boards from absorbing moisture.
5. smoothing irregularities and defects of sub-floor - often in the construction of apartments make mistakes that lead to a slight distortion of the floor and walls.It is imperceptible to the naked eye, but it becomes obvious when laying laminate, linoleum or tile.

substrate thickness

There is a misconception that the more the thickness of the substrate, the better.However, if the floor has obvious defects or dents, even the thickest substrate can not fix it - you must make a pre-screed surface, build self-leveling floor or lay a plywood floor.

thick substrate "work" only if we put them on a more or less flat surface.Then they provide excellent thermal insulation and sound insulation, but in this case, there are some nuances.Thus, the thick substrate deform faster and more thin, leading to sagging in places large loads (from large furniture).Optimal variant for the substrate thickness of laminate, for example, 2 mm.

substrate under a laminate

Laminate is fairly thin, but tough and durable coating, so it is recommended to put on the prepared substrate (preferably a multi-layer).There are several types of substrates especially for laminated floors, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.The choice of substrate directly depends on the life of the laminate, so if you decide to install an expensive floor covering, it makes sense to buy the highest quality, albeit expensive, substrate.What is a laminate substrate is best?

In addition, the substrate affects the appearance of the floor and the atmosphere in the room.

What should I look for when choosing a substrate for laminate:

• material from which made the subfloor;
• condition of the subfloor;
• need prior plastering;
• level of humidity in the room;
• support costs;
• operational characteristics of the substrate material.

The same requirements apply to wood flooring substrate.

substrate cork

substrate under a laminate cork is the most expensive and highest quality option.It is made of crushed and compacted cork oak.As part of the crust is present a natural adhesive substance - suberin.It provides a strong connection pieces material providing coating uniformity.The main advantage of cork substrate lies in its absolute environmental, so this option is ideal for those who advocate for the health of the household and taking care of the environment.

substrate for laminate, cork can also be used as an excellent finishing material for the walls and ceiling.She is very hard-wearing and can last for between 150 and 200 years without major repairs.Also, cut out and mounted it can even inexperienced person without assistance.

substrate has a porous structure that ensures a natural floor ventilation and a comfortable indoor climate.For this reason, the weight of cork material is very small, so you can save on shipping.

Pros cork backing:

• durability;
• environmental friendliness;
• light weight;
• porous structure - it not only provides natural ventilation, but also provides reliable insulation floor;
• noise reduction;
• shape retention at the edges during installation;
• surface leveling floor;
• moderate depreciation.

cork backing could be called perfect for any floor covering, if not for one significant drawback - after prolonged heavy load it is pressed.If you are using a classic substrate made of natural cork, about underfloor heating is better to forget, because it has a low thermal conductivity.To maximize pull deformation of the material, it is recommended to use a substrate with a layer of foiled.

Another detail to consider when choosing a cork backing - it can not be installed in areas with high humidity, without conducting work on additional floor waterproofing.But it is better to give preference to all kinds of special moisture resistant substrates without risking ruin expensive natural cork.

are several types of cork backing, depending on the components used in the composition:

1. Classic - a material made from natural cork crumb crust.The binder is used and either natural grams adhesive synthetic resins.This substrate is completely hypoallergenic, so is perfect for a child's room.It does not burn and does not produce static electricity.
   
2. Bitumen-cork - a substrate made of a layer of cardboard or heavy paper, on one side which caused the bitumen, and the other - pressed cork.The bitumen substrate has high waterproofing characteristics, so it can be used for the bathroom.It not only protects the floor from water, but also will absorb moisture from the laminate.Stela substrate under a laminate should always be the top layer of asphalt and seal the joints wide tape.
   
3. Rubber-cork - this option will appeal to those who want to organize a high-quality soundproofing floor.The substrate is a mixture of synthetic rubber and cork shallow.Its cost is much higher than the classic type of cork.

Before installing a cork backing, it is necessary to hold a series of preparatory work.Unpack the material and leave it in the room, which will make repairs, for a day, that he has adapted to the new climate.

Features laying cork backing:

1. to substrate is not moved with respect to the laminate, position the cross-deck boards.To start smooth out the concrete floor and zashpaklyuyte all potholes, if present.
2. Treat floor antiseptic primer to prevent mold and mildew (after all, cork - a natural organic material).
   
3. If you are using a classic substrate, it is recommended to lay a modicum of waterproofing.To do this, use a solid plastic film.Cut it into pieces equal to the width of the room, taking into account the overlap on the wall 2.5-2 cm (the excess can then be cut).Lay flaps overlap each other at 10-12 cm. Use only the adhesive masking tape, but in any case not a stapler or nails, or a penny the price will be the waterproofing.When laying laminate on a wooden floor waterproofing is not required.
4. Lay the sheets of cork substrate close to each other but without overlapping.Joints connect the tape width of 6 cm sheets, adjacent to the walls and the threshold should be placed on them at a distance of 1 cm

important point:.. Do not install the substrate in several layers, even if it is very thin.This will not only improve performance, but posposobstvuete early wear.Classical "clean" cork underlay is suitable only for dry rooms, such as living room, nursery or bedroom.

substrate of expanded polystyrene

Foam polystyrene substrate are very popular in the domestic market, as they represent an ideal balance between price and quality.They effectively absorb noises from outside and "extinguish" the sound of steps on the laminate, well retain their shape, are a good additional insulation.And best of all for the Russian consumer economical - inexpensive.

material consists of a layer of foil and styrofoam, but you can find and single-layer extruded substrate.EPS boards is convenient and easy to install, even alone, they are suitable for laying on the "warm floor", well conceal surface irregularities, but over time can be deformed by the constant strong load (are pressed on the furniture).

substrate of foam

There are several types of polyethylene foam substrates other than the foaming process, but having about the same performance.

Of the merits of this type of substrate can distinguish the excellent water repellency, low thermal conductivity, resistance to chemicals, mold, light weight, low cost.

Unfortunately, flaws in polyethylene foam substrates about the same, so many advantages:

• small period of operation;
• quickly lose their shape;
• sensitivity to UV;
• only suitable for laying on the wooden base;
• can be used for laying laminate inexpensive.

However, low cost and versatility makes this species one of the most sought after on the market.Foam can significantly reduce the time and cost for repairs.

substrate under the linoleum

difficult to find more common, especially in our latitudes, flooring than linoleum.He is always present in every home since the heyday of the USSR and continues to sell well, with enviable speed and consistency.However, few people know that not only just to lay bare concrete floor with linoleum.That he served for a long time and bring maximum comfort, it is necessary to choose the right substrate.

substrate for linoleum should fulfill two main objectives:

1. Leveling Base - quality linoleum can be put only on the perfectly flat floor, so if you want to do screed, it is recommended to buy support.
2. insulated - even the most expensive and high-quality linoleum with insulated layer will not give the necessary comfort in the winter, especially when it comes to the apartment on the first floor.The support will provide additional insulation the floor without a large financial costs.

Types of substrates under the linoleum

Today in specialized stores can be found thickened linoleum with already built-in support.Naturally, the additional layer is not required for such material.

In other cases, you can use one of three substrates:

1. Jute - substrate made of natural jute fibers, pressed and processed flame retardant composition, which protects the material from fire and decay.Jute cloth is able to deduce the excess moisture from linoleum, self without getting wet.
   
2. Linen - another substrate under linoleum completely herbal.The ability to support natural ventilation in the room, thereby preventing the appearance of mold and mildew.Cleaner Floor, treated flame retardant composition (not infest insects, does not burn).
   
3. Combined - painting, which is composed of fibers of jute, flax and wool.Such a substrate provides a very warm and dry basis, under the linoleum.It features durability and fine thermal insulation properties.The most popular type of substrate of all these.
   
4. Cork - similar to the substrate is used for laminate and tile.Specifications and features are described in the previous section.If you want to lay linoleum on the cork, keep in mind that since both the material is quite soft, the load of the heavy furniture selling fast plug and deform it, so it is recommended to purchase rubber pads on the legs.
   

substrate under the carpet

If in the case of the laminate or linoleum are granted substrate material itself, when laying carpet on them somehow completely forgotten.Meanwhile, the substrate ensures not only an increase in terms of use of the coating, but also makes it much softer and more comfortable when walking.Even the thin carpet, laid on, say, a cork backing, will be warm in the winter.By the way, this is a good option if you want to save, and not to buy an expensive thick carpet.

Advantages substrates for carpet:

1. operation carpet life extended 2-3 times.
2. Additional depreciation offloads the legs when walking, making the floor surface is less traumatic if young children live at home.
3. carpeted longer remains whole and can not be deleted, since the substrate takes some of the load itself.
4. sound reduction.
5. Hygroscopicity.
6. Additional insulation.
7. Alignment deformed without floor screed.

How to choose a substrate

Before you give preference to any substrate, it is necessary to understand the general characteristics of the material.The basis under the carpet should be dense, but quite firm, to provide cushioning, it must retain its shape as long as possible and not be too large, if possible.

optimum substrate thickness ranges from 5 to 10 mm.It is desirable that the material had a porous or fibrous structure and breathable, so as not to disturb the natural ventilation in the room and do not accumulate moisture.Otherwise, the mold can rapidly occur under the carpet.

Before buying take into account the load on the floor - how much and what kind of furniture will stand in the room.

under the carpet using the following substrates:

1. polyurethane foam - are used not only in homes but also in offices and hotels.Very common material because of their low cost and practicality.It ensures nearly 100% noise isolation, holds heat well, disguises floor defects and creates the most comfortable conditions.
   polyurethane substrate to be installed on a prepared floor - the stripped and dry.The sheets are mounted close to each other, promazyvaya base glue.