Laminate has become one of the most popular and cheap floors for the floor. It is durable, durable, pleases a wide choice - from budget to elite models of any colors. As a rule, people spend a lot of time to choose a laminate, and they forget about the substrate. In this article we will deal with what the substrate is better, because the durability of the coating depends on its quality.

The substrate for laminate is necessary on the technology of a floating gender. This is due to several factors that we will talk about.

  • Soundproofing. If the litter is not used under the laminate, then each step is given to a humorous knock. The presence of a soft smooth layer will hide small noises, friction (see Article O).

    • Sometimes in 33 and 32 class of laminate, a built-in substrate is found: on the reverse side, the insulation layer is already glued. Stop such a material more convenient than the usual, but due to the more difficult production technology, the cost increases significantly.

  • Aligning surface. Another substrate function is the leveling of small irregularities. This is very important at, because the durability of locks depends on the level of grounds. According to the technology, the allowed floor drops should be no more than 2 mm per 1 m. However, too much the thickness of the substrate under the laminate will rather prevent hidden irregularities, because then it will be fed at the joints when walking. In order for the seams in half a year, the floor surface is carefully prepared before laying the coating (see article about.
  • Moisture insulation. The laminate is made of pressed paper, so even moisture-resistant models do not need to expose high humidity, otherwise the panel will swell. Laying the substrate for laminate will provide additional protection against moisture from the concrete floor. For the same reason, it is better to wait for at least a month after the device of the concrete screed before the coating floor.

    • As a test readiness, the screed can be put on the night of polyethylene on the floor. In the morning on the concrete there should be no shripes.

  • Thermal conductivity. The usual substrate for laminate installed under the warm floor reduces the efficiency of its operation, since the laminate itself, and the substrate material has good thermal insulation properties. For a warm floor there are special substrates that we wrote in. We also recommend to familiarize yourself with the CO, which describes the installation process on a wooden and concrete base with further finish of laminate.

Choosing a substrate

In any construction store it is easy to find many options, but how to choose a substrate for laminate correctly? After all, they differ in material, thickness, sound insulation.

First of all, you need to know the condition of the floor. If the base is smooth, it will be quite the thinnest substrate - 2 mm. When small irregularities are found, it is worth choosing a 3 mm insulation thickness. The thickness of the laminate with the substrate will be approximately 10-11 mm (if you take the average thickness of the laminated floor in 8 mm).

When choosing a substrate and the laminate itself, it is not necessary to give preference to the same manufacturer. It practically does not matter, since the parameters are common, so any company will suit.

A brief video overview of popular species:

Polyeneetylene

The most common substrate from polyethylene foam. Its popularity is primarily associated with a low price. In addition, it has good moisture resistance, thermal insulation and is not subject to rodent and microorganisms. This material is very easy to use and reduces waste to a minimum. It is often complemented by a foil layer with aluminum to reflect infrared heat.

However, despite the large number of advantages, the cheapest material also has many drawbacks. First of all, this is non-ecological synthetic material, over time she sends and does not hold a form. There are cases that after laying a laminate on a substrate from polyethylene agent, static electricity is formed (especially in dry rooms), and the owners periodically hit the current. Therefore, think 10 times before saving 500 rubles, is it worth your comfort of this money? The material will cost the material of domestic producers: the price of a roll of 25 square meters. m. about 320-400 rubles. The foamed polyethylene from Quick Step will cost 60-90 rubles. For 1 square. m.

Cork substrates

The cork substrate under the laminate is perfectly suitable as the base under the floating floor. Although it is natural material, the plug is not subject to mold and rotting, it is perfectly isolating heat. Throughout the service life, such a substrate will save its dimensions and characteristics. This species is produced in the form of rolls or sheets. In some cases, there is a self-adhesive layer on the reverse side (see Article OB).


Because of the high cost, it is impractical to use the cork option for cheap coatings, but it will be good as a durable base. The disadvantage of the traffic jam is the water permeability, therefore condensate can appear under the coating.

Bitumen-cork substrates

This material is made on the basis of kraft paper with the addition of bitumen, and then top with a shallow cork crumb. Running is performed from small pieces of cork 2-3 mm. Thanks to the bitumen, this kind is deprived of the deficiencies of the usual traffic jam: it does not miss moisture and delays well; The material breathes, which prevents the formation of condensate. Like the past version, bitumen-cork substrates are suitable only for expensive types of laminate, due to high prices.

Polystyrene foam

Often, extruded polystyrene foams are used as an insulating layer. It is optimally suitable for high-loaded rooms and aligns wellness well. This is one of the most efficient insulation due to the high content of air in its composition. Due to the rigidity, it retains the form well and effectively absorbs sounds, does not miss moisture. When using polystyrene foam on the floor, comfortable sensations are provided. The most popular in this kind of products from Isososum, Arbiton.

Combined options

There are also combinations of polyethylene and expanded polystyrene. The most famous Tuplex substrate (Tuplex), it consists of two layers of polyethylene, between which there are foam polystyrene balls.

This combined option is sold in rolls and has a thickness of 3 mm. Due to its structure, it can ventilate the room. The top layer does not give to penetrate moisture inside, and the thin bottom layer passes it inside to the granules, and from there through the technological clearances it turns out.

Conifer tiles

New years old - coniferous substrate for laminate. It is difficult to find in stores due to high cost, but sometimes coniferous plates are sold from isoplat. The material is completely environmentally friendly and allows you to pass the air, so under the floor there will be no greenhouse effect. However, the elasticity of the needles is inferior to cork coating. It is also worth considering that the minimum thickness of coniferous tiles is 4-5 mm, which contradicts the requirements of many laminate manufacturers. Laying tiles is diagonally.

Laying the substrate

Now we will tell about technology, how to lay a substrate for laminate:

  • If the floor is fresh concrete screed, before laying you need to lay a layer of thin polyethylene 0.2 MK. In old houses it is not necessary to do this.
  • Carefully clean the floor from garbage, all dirt vacuuming. The base should be dry.
  • For cutting use conventional scissors or a construction knife. Make the wall on the walls, then the plinth will close it.
  • In no case do not steal several layers of substrate to compensate for irregularities, the layer of 2-3 mm will be enough. If you need more - produce plywood, tie or other way.
  • If the material has a ripping, it is stacked down, it will be less irregularities. Foil material is stacked by reflecting side up.
  • Laying is made of jack, without folded sheets on each other. In order not to shift the substrate when working, it is recommended to glue it into two-way tape to the floor.

Let's summarize

In compliance with the technology and purchase of a high-quality substrate and laminate, they will serve more than 10 years at home. Of course, the final choice will depend on the material opportunities, but it is better to try to purchase high-quality natural materials in order not to pay twice.