Laminate – flooring material, which can externally imitate natural wood and even tiles. It is distinguished not only by its attractiveness, but also by its strength, durability, good performance thermal insulation. In order for the laminate to fully perform its functions, it is necessary to lay a special substrate on the surface of the base before laying it. Its main purpose is to protect the laminate board from rapid wear. How to lay a backing under a laminate if you have no experience working with such material? First you will have to choose it correctly, and it will also be a good idea to study the installation instructions.

Purpose of the substrate and its types

The substrate has the following functions:

1. Soundproofing. The laminate itself is well protected from noise, but when walking it knocks heavily on the subfloor. The substrate allows this knock not only to muffle, but also to make it almost indistinguishable, i.e. neighboring rooms he will not be heard. There are a number of substrates that muffle even strong impacts that occur when certain objects fall on the floor.
2. Creaking when walking no longer bothers you, since the underlay blocks contact between the floor and the laminate board, pushing through its locks. At the same time, the service life of the material increases.
3. Excellent thermal insulation. Even in the cold season, such a floor will be warm and cozy.
4. The substrate allows you to level out small defects in the base base.

What kind of substrate should I buy, what are they made of? Manufacturers offer the following options:

• natural and combined cork;
• polyethylene foam;
• special.

Polyethylene foam or cork?

The simplest option is polyethylene foam materials, which are low cost. This material has its advantages:

1. The product is not subject to rotting or insect attacks.
2. Thermal conductivity characteristics are excellent, the underlay well protects the floor from heat loss and makes the coating more comfortable.
3. The density of the material is sufficient to allow a 2 mm thick substrate to be laid under the laminate.

But there are also a number of disadvantages that often negate all the advantages. This type of substrate is characterized by fragility and shrinkage. The canvas is dented, which increases the risk of ruptures and damage to the laminate board. When walking, creaks and knocks appear, furniture and equipment begin to push through the boards, over time they easily break and become covered with cracks.

The second option is cork slabs. This material is expensive, but this is justified by all the properties of the coating. Cork is dense and durable, considered an excellent heat insulator, it is not affected by moisture or temperature changes. Cork boards allow you to correctly distribute the loads, so the wear of the laminate board will be minimal. Installation of this type of coating is simple. The slabs are simply laid on the floor surface, not glued. Their thickness may be small, but the material cannot be used in 2 layers. Among the disadvantages, it is necessary to note the high price, which is often an obstacle to the purchase of slabs.

Special types of substrates are designed for specific operating conditions. For example, increased sound insulation. Some product types provide reliable protection from moisture, can be used for corridors, kitchens. When choosing one option or another, you must definitely reconsider all the pros and cons.

Work technology

To lay a substrate under the laminate, you need to prepare the following materials and tools:

• the substrate itself of the selected type (can be supplied in rolls or in tiles, for example, cork);
• hammer;
• spacer wedges;
• scissors or knife for cutting material;
• polyethylene film - it is necessary when the substrate is laid on a concrete base;
• ruler, pencil;
• beam;
• construction tape.

When choosing tools, you need to focus on what type of substrate is used. How to lay a backing under laminate in a house or apartment? The order of work will be as follows:

1. Preparation of the base, if necessary, its repair and leveling.
2. Laying waterproofing and thermal insulation on a concrete base.
3. Installation of the selected type of substrate.
4. Laying laminate boards.

The first stage is usually the most difficult, since leveling requires filling in some cases cement mixture. This can be done by inviting specialists.

If the floor is fairly level, then this stage consists of cleaning the surface from traces of the old coating, dust, debris and other things.

The flooring technology itself is extremely simple:

1. First, the surface of the base floor is inspected. If necessary, cracks and other defects are repaired. A layer of waterproofing made of polyethylene film is laid on the concrete base. The canvases are laid overlapping, after which all joints are taped. The film should extend to the surface of the walls by approximately 10-15 cm; after all work has been completed, its excess is simply trimmed off.
2. Next, the substrate is laid; it is best to use material with a thickness of 2-3 mm, but not more than 4 mm. You cannot lay the underlay in 2 layers.
3. If roll material is used, the substrate is simply rolled out. This material should be laid under the laminate in the direction in which the laminate board will be mounted. During installation there should be no breaks or other defects; the strips are fixed together with adhesive tape. Under no circumstances should the underlay be attached to the floor or walls.
4. If a slab base is used, it should be laid with the smooth side up. For foil material, the foil should also face up. When fastening, the slabs do not stick to the floor or walls. The joints are fixed with adhesive tape.

In order for the shelf to be laid correctly and efficiently, you need to follow a few simple tips:

1. The underlay must be laid perpendicular to the walls.
2. During installation, you must ensure that there are no gaps or cracks. The material should be laid from one wall to another; if necessary, the joints should be taped. It is important to strictly follow the installation technology.
3. It is not recommended to use a substrate that is too thick, as it will cause the floor to spring. When installing furniture and household appliances On such a laminate the board will be pressed and cracks will appear. In addition, such a floor is uncomfortable to walk on.
4. The substrate must be chosen in such a way that it has not only all the necessary qualities, but also durability. Today, manufacturers offer a number of coatings at a low price, but this leads to the fact that the material is quickly pressed through, ceases to perform its protective functions, and the laminate itself quickly wears out.

Today you can buy various types substrates for laminate, which one to choose is up to you.

Laminate is considered one of the most popular and widespread floor coverings. This is justified by a number of advantages: ease of installation, wear resistance, aesthetics, variety of textures.

What needs to be done to ensure that the floor coverings can serve for a long time? What should I put under the laminate to get rid of deformations, squeaks and other problems after installation?

Typically, an underlay is placed between the laminate and the floor. It's worth figuring out whether it's needed.

Let us remind you that laminate is a coating made from woodworking residues and treated with special impregnations. The base of the laminate is exposed to moisture, and the substrate can best protect it.

You can do without it by laying laminate flooring on the subfloor. However, this will not avoid subsidence, which can lead to deformation when walking or rapid wear of the coating due to friction of the floor and laminate.

Substrate functions

You should not skimp on the use of the underlay, although you cannot do without leveling the floor under the laminate. It costs significantly more to fix problems in the future. The substrate has a number of very important functions:

1. Noise insulation. If you do not place a backing under the laminate, as is necessary according to technology, then the sound of shoes will be heard while walking. In addition, children's bare feet can also produce loud noises. And thanks to the laying of the substrate, excellent sound insulation will be ensured. Technical cork is better suited - it lasts longer and is environmentally friendly.
2. Thermal insulation. Particularly important in private homes. For this purpose, special substrates are used that retain heat.
3. Depreciation. The substrate has a special feature - it is able to take the shape of the base, while eliminating all differences in height. It has a porous structure, due to which its deformation is not noticeable when walking on the laminate.
4. Moisture insulation. When using concrete screed to level the floor, condensation appears on its surface over time. Because of this, deformations of the laminate occur. For moisture insulation, as a rule, polyethylene film is used. It is placed under the substrate, thereby providing reliable protection against condensation.

For all these functions to work, it is necessary to correctly place the substrate under the laminate, or rather, place its edges on the wall.

Product range

Knowing all the advantages of such products, you can choose the most suitable one for you, as well as decide which substrate is better. There are several types of substrates.

Polyethylene foam substrates

• They have excellent thermal insulation and moisture resistance.
• There is no risk that such a substrate will be eaten by rodents.
• The substrates are in great demand due to their low cost.
• They are easy to install and are connected with simple tape.

However, there are also disadvantages. This type the substrate is exposed to ultraviolet radiation, the layer sags over time and breaks easily. To lay such a substrate in apartments, a thickness of 2 millimeters is sufficient.

Useful information! This option is the most suitable for laying laminate flooring, however, it has an impressive cost.

The substrate is produced in the form of separate slabs or rolls, which is very convenient. This allows you to take required quantity material, reducing your costs.

A 2 mm underlay is well suited for installation in apartments. And it is recommended to check whether it is translucent or not. Only a high-quality substrate does not show through.

Laying a cork backing under the laminate is done together with a plastic film to protect it from moisture. There are 2 types of cork backing:

• Bitumen-cork. It looks like kraft paper, which is impregnated with fine cork chips. When using such a substrate, there is no need to worry about waterproofing;
• Rubber-cork. Consists of pressed cork and rubber. Due to the presence of rubber, it is an excellent shock absorber with excellent noise absorption.

These materials are more expensive than regular cork, so they are used less often. Cork models have no expiration date, so the substrate can be reused when changing the laminate.

Special materials

The polystyrene backing is made in two layers: the first is aluminum foil, the second is polystyrene. It is not convenient to lay it out because it does not roll out well. Advantages: not afraid of mold, moisture resistant, inexpensive. Disadvantages: wrinkles and presses under heavy loads. You can buy such a substrate in construction stores.

"Isonoise"— foamed polystyrene backing. It is the most suitable and popular option, which is laid under laminate. It has excellent sound and noise insulation. The structure is dense, therefore it removes condensation perfectly and does not shrink while walking. Sold in packs of ten sheets measuring 1x1 m.

Extruded polystyrene foam is produced in rolls, has a long shelf life, and is almost waterproof.

Duplex laminate backing

Made in Finland, 3 mm thick. The product consists of polystyrene foam granules and 2 layers of polyethylene. Thanks to the high quality of the top layer of the film, moisture resistance and protection from high loads and steam are ensured.

The lower layer is thinner and has holes that allow moisture to pass through. In the process of laying this substrate, a special glue that is wetted with water is applied to the surface. You need to put everything down correctly and success is guaranteed!

Installation without experience

How is the underlay laid, and which side? Not required during installation special tools and experience, but some rules must be followed.

Useful information! Before installation, you need to vacuum the base. If moisture gets on the surface, it should be removed and wait until it dries.

Plates or rolls of underlay are laid in the same direction as the lamellas; they are not allowed to be glued to the base. The rolls should be mounted end-to-end, connecting them with adhesive tape. The substrate is laid with the corrugated side down.

To ensure a level base, a thickness of 2-4 millimeters is sufficient; for uneven floors, it is advisable to lay a thicker base, but there is a risk of damaging the locking devices when walking. Therefore, it is better to first level the floor surface.

When choosing flooring Recently, laminate flooring has become increasingly preferred. This coating is not only very aesthetically pleasing, but can also compete in quality and performance properties with such natural materials as wood and stone. But laminate flooring requires that a special shock-absorbing layer of relatively thin material– substrate.

Laminate is in no way inferior to expensive natural materials and therefore is very popular.

In our article we will look at how to lay underlay under laminate, what are its advantages and why without it the flooring will quickly lose its attractiveness.

Features of laminate substrates

A shock-absorbing substrate is necessary for several reasons, among which the following should be noted:

1. Support for an even floor surface (laminate can only be laid on a leveled surface). The underlay makes it possible to correctly distribute the load on the floor covering.
2. Sound and heat insulation. Contrary to popular belief, laminate flooring alone cannot absorb all the sounds of footsteps and impacts. Therefore, it is necessary to lay a special insulating material that will help make the use of the floor more comfortable. The underlay also provides insulation for the base of the floor, which is also important, especially for bedrooms, children's rooms, and living rooms.
3. No creaking. Laminate flooring can sometimes squeak because debris remains between it and the surface of the base, or when walking the board touches the base. The substrate makes it possible to completely eliminate these factors.
4. Increasing the service life of the laminate.

Agree, the advantages are quite significant.

Substrate types

Most often, laminate backings are made of polyethylene.

Today construction market offers large selection the most varied in production materials, properties and methods of laying laminate substrates. The most popular materials are polyethylene foam. Such autumn substrates are resistant to moisture, temperature changes, the presence of bacteria and mold, and various chemicals.

What are the substrates made of?

• made of physically cross-linked polyethylene;
• made of chemically cross-linked polyethylene;
• made of gas-filled polyethylene.

Extruded polystyrene foam is also often used, differing high level sound insulation and moisture resistance.

Let's look at the substrate options in more detail.

Polyethylene foam substrates. The leader on the market today is a substrate that is characterized by elasticity, that is, during operation it does not deform and does not shrink strongly. Most often this is isolon, which has a fairly low price and is available in rolls - cost square meter is about fifty rubles.

This substrate for the second type of laminate is available in thicknesses of two and three millimeters, which is considered the best option. The width of the roll is 150 millimeters; construction tape is used for fixation. Among the main advantages, in addition to cost, are:

• excellent thermal insulation properties;
• good protection against high humidity;
• This type of substrate is not susceptible to damage from insects, rodents, and is resistant to fungi and mold.

But there are some disadvantages: sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation; over time, the material may lose its shape.

Cork substrates can be of several types:

• natural pressed crumbs;
• bitumen-cork;
• cork backings with added rubber.

Cork substrates are very popular.

Such materials are usually manufactured either in easy-to-install slabs or in rolls. They are excellent for laying laminate in a floating manner, are not subject to rotting, and have excellent heat-insulating and sound-absorbing properties.

The only disadvantages that can be noted are the rather high cost and the appearance of condensation on the underside of the substrate, which, however, can be solved with the help of a special waterproofing layer.

Kraft paper is based on bitumen-cork materials. The top of this backing is covered with natural crumbs, and the back is made of specially treated kraft paper. This material perfectly absorbs sounds and has good protection against excess moisture. The cost per square meter is approximately three hundred rubles.

Underlayment Guide

Once the type of underlay has been selected, you can begin laying it. We offer specific guidance for laying any type of material.

1. First you need to inspect the surface of the subfloor for defects, cracks, etc. The floor must be clean, dry, and as level as possible. All cracks and potholes should be filled with putty. Laying a cement leveling screed is often recommended, which will help solve many foundation problems.
2. The substrate should be laid in only one layer, the thickness of which should be from two to four millimeters. In the case when the substrate is thicker or the flooring is carried out in two or three layers, there is a high probability that the laminate plates will simply break during operation. This happens for the following reasons: the large thickness does not make it possible to correctly distribute all the loads, because of this, the locks begin to break, and rapidly expanding cracks appear along the plate.
3. Most often, the substrate is produced in rolls, less often - in slabs. In the first case, the material is rolled out in the direction in which the laminate rows will be laid. The backing is attached with adhesive tape, but it cannot be glued to walls or floors.
4. The slabs are laid with the smooth side up (a layer of aluminum foil). The joints are also glued with tape; the slabs themselves are not fixed to the surface of the walls and floor.

Preparatory work before laying the laminate

You need to roll out the roll of backing in the direction in which the laminate will be laid.

Preparatory work is very important when laying laminate flooring. First, you should carefully prepare the surface of the base, for which it is cleaned of traces of old coating, dust, and debris.

Now the floor must be examined for the presence of cracks and potholes (for concrete) or the condition of the boards must be inspected (for wooden floors). For concrete base in cases where there are strong differences in height, it is recommended to pour a cement leveling screed, which, after drying, is covered with polyethylene film for waterproofing.

Wooden floors are prepared in a slightly different way. First you need to inspect the condition of the floor and its individual elements. If there are cracks and squeaks, you need to fix the problem (the cracks are usually filled with special compounds, and loose elements are strengthened with nails). But if the floor unevenness is significant, then several options are possible:

• installation of adjustable floors (plywood and on joists);
• simple leveling of the floor by laying plywood;
• pouring a leveling concrete screed (extremely rarely used for a wooden base).

After preparation, the floor is cleaned again; it must not only be smooth and clean, but also dry, so if there is high humidity, additional waterproofing measures should be taken.

After this, the laminate must be unpacked and left in the room where it will be installed for about two days. This is necessary so that the material gets used to operating conditions and does not deform, swell, or warp during operation. Only after this can installation of the floor covering begin.

Laminate is one of the most popular finishing materials, which is used today in flooring. The peculiarity of the installation of this product is that it should be laid on a perfectly level base. This problem is solved with the help of a special substrate located between the laminate and the floor surface. To create solid foundation which will extend the service life decorative covering, it is necessary to study all the ways of laying this intermediate layer.

Purpose

The backing for the laminate is a material that is characterized by low density. The main purpose of this substance is to smooth the surface. This is necessary when the floor level has slight differences. In this way, you can create the optimal base for the laminate, which does not tolerate strong bends.

It should be noted that the substrate is only able to level out small differences.

Therefore, preparation of the base for this material still needs to be done. If this is not done, the boards can quickly fail, even if a thick backing is used.

There are several more problems that can be solved using this product:

• Noise insulation. Some types of materials are capable of perfectly absorbing sound. Moving on laminate flooring with a backing will be pleasant, even if you walk in heels.
• Moisture insulation. The substrates are made from substances that also perfectly retain moisture. This eliminates its impact on the laminate, which simply unsticks in water. The best option There will be the use of polyethylene film, which is completely hygroscopic.

• Thermal insulation. Creating an optimal microclimate inside the room is one of the tasks of flooring. Substrates that do not allow cold to pass through to the laminate from the inside cope very well with this. Therefore, the board has the air temperature in the room, but at the same time it itself has poor thermal insulation parameters.

Species

The substrate is a rolled material made from natural or artificial components. Today there are several types of such products, Among which there are several main products:

• Polyethylene foam. The substrate made from it is the most common and accessible, as it has a low cost. The substance has good moisture resistance and thermal insulation. Corrugated surface the material is not damaged by rodents and microorganisms, which allows you to extend the service life of the floor. Today, foil-coated polyethylene, which better reflects heat, is especially popular. But this substance holds its shape very poorly and sags over time, which affects the laminate.

• Cork. Substrates of this type are made from natural substances. Cork products also do not rot and are not affected by mold. Moreover, the material retains heat very well, which makes it one of the most popular. Both roll and sheet varieties of this substrate are available on the market.
• Bitumen-cork substances. The substrates are made from cork chips and kraft paper, which contains bitumen. The cost of such products is very high, so they are used only for expensive types of flooring.

There are also combined types substrates that combine several substances. This allows you to improve technical specifications material:

• Expanded polystyrene. The material perfectly levels the floor surface and also retains heat efficiently. Substrates made from it also do not allow sound and moisture to pass through.
• Coniferous tiles. This type of substrate is made from natural wood, which makes it completely safe for humans. The disadvantages of this material are high cost and a relatively low density, which is significantly lower than that of cork.

Which one is better to put?

The choice of substrate depends on several main factors that are important to pay attention to:

• Floor quality. If the surface is not very well leveled, then you will have to use polystyrene foam or cork of considerable thickness. In another case, you can get by with a thin layer of foamed polyethylene.
• Microclimate. If moisture forms on the floor surface, then it is important to take care of its insulation. To do this, polyethylene films are combined with other types of substrates. An alternative is polystyrene foam, which does not allow moisture to pass through.

• Technical parameters. When choosing, it is important to consider whether the substrate can not only level the surface, but also provide required level sound or thermal insulation. This factor is important if the floor installation is carried out on the first floor of a private house or apartment in a multi-storey building.

How to lay it correctly?

The technology of laying the underlay under the laminate involves not only fixing it to the surface, but also high-quality preparation of the floor. Therefore, it is advisable to perform all procedures together, as this will facilitate the process and prolong the operation of the laminate. It is advisable to lay the underlay only for clean and flat surface.

Therefore, before laying it yourself, it is advisable to vacuum the floor and remove sharp objects.

Materials and tools

Installation of the substrate begins with the purchase required material, as well as searching for a tool. For such work you will need a set of the following items:

• Substrate. Its quantity is calculated depending on the area of ​​the room and width roll material or one sheet. It is advisable to take products with a small margin to avoid shortages due to incorrect measurements.
• Scotch. It is needed to fasten the pieces of the substrate together. This will prevent it from moving on the floor, as it should lie flat and without lumps.
• Roulette.
• Knife and square. The last element will allow you to get an even cut of the material at a right angle.

How to level the floor?

The coating under the laminate must be the most high quality. Therefore, it is important to take care of the field itself before you begin laying the underlayment. Depending on the type of floor, its leveling may occur in different ways. Preparation process wooden floor can be done using the following approaches:

• Dry screed. This method involves the formation of a concrete layer on wood. Before this, it is important to lay waterproofing film to prevent the solution from getting on the wood. It is used quite rarely, as it is labor-intensive and time-consuming.

• Alignment using sheets. For such purposes, plywood, OSB or plasterboard are used. Installation of sheets is carried out directly on the old floor using screws or glue. Here it is only important to form a flat surface with minimal differences.
• Looping. This process involves removing the top layer of wood using special machines. Performed only for wooden floors of significant thickness and strength.

Preparing a wooden floor also involves a preliminary assessment of its strength. If there are rotten boards here, it is advisable to replace them with new ones.

Leveling a concrete floor can also be done in several ways:

• Grinding. This process involves removing concrete in certain areas of the room in order to level the entire plane. It is used only if the surface has minimal differences.
• Correction with cement. This approach is also used for small irregularities. A thin layer of self-leveling mixture is applied to the concrete surface. After it hardens, a flat plane is formed.
• Full screed. The algorithm involves laying beacons strictly horizontally throughout the room. Then the entire surface is filled with a thick layer liquid concrete and is carefully aligned with the marks.

Is it possible to lay two underlays?

Today, many people plan to use two layers of underlay to install laminate flooring. They think that this will significantly improve the thermal and sound insulation of the floor. According to the recommendations of experts, a polyethylene film can be laid as a second layer, which will protect the laminate from moisture. Installation of two ordinary substrates will lead to the fact that the surface will become too soft. Over time, the locks of the laminate on such a base will simply break and the boards will begin to dangle in the air.

Therefore, it is better to use only one layer of material with high density and low thickness.

Which side should I put it on?

The substrate is made from various substances, but often its external structure does not differ. Manufacturers produce rolls in which one side is smooth and the other with small bulges or grooved. The substrate must be installed in such a way that its smooth side faces outward.

If you are using foil products, then this layer should also be placed towards the top. This will allow it to repel heat that will try to escape through the floor.

What can you use to glue it together?

The installation of the substrate is carried out on a flat and dry base, so there is no need to fasten the material to the base. Please note that the sheets should not be fixed, so no glue is used in this case. Experts recommend gluing together only joints using tape. This will allow you to get a smooth and solid surface that will not move while laying the laminate.

Today, laminate flooring enjoys well-deserved popularity: it is relatively inexpensive, beautiful, quite durable and resembles everyone’s favorite parquet. Moreover, it is easy to install. However, do not forget that laying the substrate under the laminate - necessary measure, the feasibility of which is not even discussed.

Laying laminate on a substrate

High-quality repairs consist of little things, each of which must be worthy of the overall picture, about which you can say “Excellent!” It is difficult to determine which part is more important, but everyone will agree that a spotless floor is no less important than a flat ceiling.

Or maybe more - after all, we walk on the floor, dirty it, wash it, and put furniture on it. We invariably come into contact with this element of an apartment or house. Therefore, choosing a floor covering is a very serious task.

A little theory

Laminate is a multi-layer board or plywood intended for use as finishing coating floor. Its upper or outer part is covered with polymer resin, in other words, laminated.

This increases the wear resistance of the material and prevents moisture from penetrating into the inner layers of the wood. Laminate parts are flat boards that require an equally flat base.

Any, even the most expensive and high-quality screed has unevenness, which, together with even boards, will lead to the following effects:

• board deformation;
• overload and lock breakdown;
• effect of increasing noise from steps;
• the appearance of condensation;
• the emergence of microorganisms and insects.

It was to combat these undesirable effects that they began to use various materials, which are simply placed under the laminate boards. But how to properly lay the underlay under the laminate to get rid of all the troubles listed above?

In fact, everything is not as difficult as it might seem. The main thing is to follow the rules and not invent new ones, and any man who can hold a ruler and a knife in his hands can figure out how to put the underlay under the laminate.

Functions of the substrate: myths and reality

Firstly, no substrate cancels out the preparation of the floor and a smooth screed; in other words, it is necessary.

Secondly, it’s not difficult to figure out how to lay a backing under the laminate, but you still have to work with your head and hands.

Thirdly, buying an expensive underlay for a cheap laminate or vice versa is unwise, it is better to strive for compliance price categories these materials.

It is important to know: a substrate that is too thick will cause the laminate boards to sag in areas of point loads of large masses, for example, the legs of cabinets or stoves.

Types of substrates

As is the case with any other building materials, there are many types of laminate substrates, so it’s better to understand the range a little to understand -. Let's start with the expensive ones.

Cork underlay

It has a number of positive qualities:

• Excellent noise absorption.
• An excellent heat insulator.
• Does not rot and is not food for insects and microflora.
• Does not sag and retains its original shape for a long time.

It has one minus, but a big one - high cost. Available in rolls and slabs, sometimes impregnated with antiseptics against mold.

In general, this is probably best substrate, since it also glides perfectly, which is important for leveling out the processes of wood expansion with changes in temperature and humidity. And, of course, the most environmentally friendly material.

Bitumen-cork substrate

Special paper is impregnated with bitumen and sprinkled with cork chips. As a substrate it copes well with all tasks, but it is also quite expensive. Recommended for expensive and durable types of laminate, the wear resistance of which allows the use of such a substrate.

How to lay underlay under laminate

If for the two listed materials it is difficult for you to imagine how to lay the substrate under the laminate, it is better to hire builders, it would be a shame to spoil this.

You can name one minus (besides the price) - bitumen emits various harmful substances, but their number is so tiny that you shouldn’t seriously worry about it.

Expanded polystyrene

This is a material with the most favorable price/quality ratio. It dampens noise well, holds its shape well, provides excellent insulation, and is relatively inexpensive.

If you are deciding what material to use, you don’t know how to lay the underlayment under the laminate with your own hands - a video to help you, polystyrene foam for this fits better everything.

Polyethylene foam

One of the most popular materials. Judge for yourself:

• inexpensive;
• moisture resistant;
• easy to install;
• uninteresting to rodents, mold and cockroaches.

Polyethylene foam backing

Like all cheap polyethylene foam, it has a minus - it sags and loses its shape over time, which is like death for a laminate floor. Well, cheap things are extremely rarely good.

Technique for laying the substrate

Having figured out and purchased the material for the substrate, the laminate itself, you will want to immediately begin installing it. But first you need to find out what condition your floor is in.

Remove the old covering down to the concrete base. If it's level, then everything is fine. If not, it is necessary, it is better to use a self-spreading mixture, and you will need a minimum layer. The result is a floor as smooth as a lake in winter.

The photo shows the result of such a screed.

Floor preparation

The floor must be vacuumed very thoroughly. Then install a vapor barrier. What did you want: laminate on top and bare concrete below? This is not possible. You can use ordinary construction plastic film, which is used to cover the floor with a slight overlap of 2–3 cm on the walls. The joints of the strips can be secured with construction tape. We make an overlap of 10 - 15 cm, up to 25.

Laying underlay material

We glue damper tape to the wall along the perimeter of the room; it will compensate for the expansion of the wood. Next, we cut strips from the roll and lay them on the floor covered with film. The material should touch the walls and each other end-to-end. We connect the strips together with construction tape.

Laying the substrate

It is important to know: to determine how dry a floor screed is, you can place a piece of polyethylene on it overnight. If in the morning there is evaporation or drops of water from below, it means the concrete is still damp. How to lay the underlay under the laminate when the concrete has not yet dried? The answer is no. You have to wait, it will take a little time, the instructions prohibit working on wet concrete.

Some substrate slabs are produced corrugated on one side. Many people cannot understand which side to put the underlay under the laminate.

Everything is very simple here: it is always placed with the smooth side up. We lay the slabs in a checkerboard pattern and connect them with tape.

After these simple manipulations, you can begin installing the laminate (see)

This is somewhat more difficult to do, but you can use the services of professional installers, the main thing is to look at their age and appearance, inquire about the availability of a photo portfolio, reviews and work experience.