Laminate has become one of the most popular and cheapest floor coverings. It is strong, durable, pleases with a wide choice - from budget to elite models of any color. As a rule, people spend a lot of time choosing a laminate, but they forget about the substrate. In this article, we will figure out which substrate is better, because the durability of the coating depends on its quality.
Underlayment for laminate flooring is required by floating floor technology. This is due to several factors, which we will talk about.
- Soundproofing. If the bedding under the laminate is not used, then each step will be given a booming thud. The presence of a soft even layer will hide small noises, frictions (see article about).
Sometimes in the 33rd and 32nd class of laminate there is a built-in substrate: an insulation layer is already glued on the reverse side. It is more convenient to lay such material than usual, but due to the more difficult production technology, the cost increases significantly.
- Surface leveling. Another function of the substrate is to level small irregularities. This is very important when, because the durability of the locks depends on the evenness of the base. According to the technology, the allowable floor differences should be no more than 2 mm per 1 m. However, too much thickness of the substrate under the laminate will rather prevent bumps from hiding, because then it will sag at the joints when walking. So that the seams do not spread in six months, the floor surface is carefully prepared before laying the coating (see article on.
- Moisture isolation. The laminate is made of pressed paper, so even moisture-resistant models do not need to be exposed to high humidity, otherwise the panels will swell. Laying the substrate under the laminate will provide additional protection against moisture from the concrete floor. For the same reason, before laying the coating, it is better to wait at least a month after the installation of the concrete screed.
As a test of the readiness of the screed, you can put polyethylene on the floor overnight. In the morning, there should be no perspiration on the concrete.
- Thermal conductivity. A conventional underlay for a laminate installed under a warm floor reduces the efficiency of its work, since both the laminate itself and the substrate material have good thermal insulation properties. There are special substrates for underfloor heating, which we wrote about in. We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with, which describes the installation process on a wooden and concrete base with further finishing with a laminate.
Substrate selection
It's easy to find plenty of options at any hardware store, but how do you choose the right underlay for laminate flooring? After all, they differ in material, thickness, sound insulation.
First of all, you need to find out the condition of the floor. If the base is even, the thinnest substrate will be enough - 2 mm. When small irregularities are encountered, it is worth choosing an insulation thickness of 3 mm. The thickness of the laminate with the underlay will be approximately 10-11 mm (assuming an average laminate floor thickness of 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, because the parameters are general, so any company will do.
A brief video review of popular species:
Polyethylene foam
The most common polyethylene foam backing. Its popularity is primarily due to its low price. In addition, it has good moisture resistance, thermal insulation and is not affected by rodents and microorganisms. This material is very easy to use and minimizes waste. Often it is supplemented with a foil layer with aluminum to reflect infrared heat. 
However, despite the large number of advantages, the cheapest material also has many disadvantages. First of all, it is a non-environmentally friendly synthetic material, which sags over time and does not hold its shape well. There are cases that after laying the laminate on a polyethylene foam substrate, static electricity is generated (especially in dry rooms), and the owners are periodically shocked. Therefore, think 10 times before saving 500 rubles, is your comfort worth this money? The material of domestic manufacturers will be cheaper: the price of a roll of 25 square meters. m. about 320-400 rubles. Foamed polyethylene from Quick step will cost 60-90 rubles. for 1 sq. m.
Cork substrates
Cork underlayment under laminate flooring is great as a base for a floating floor. Although it is a natural material, cork is not subject to mold and decay, and is an excellent heat insulator. Throughout the entire service life, such a substrate will retain its dimensions and characteristics. This type is available in the form of rolls or sheets. In some cases, there is a self-adhesive layer on the back (see the article about). 
Due to the high cost, it is impractical to use the cork option for cheap coatings, but it is well suited as a durable base. The disadvantage of cork is water permeability, so condensation may appear under the coating.
Bitumen-cork substrates
This material is made on the basis of kraft paper with the addition of bitumen, and then covered with fine cork chips on top. The dressing is made from small pieces of cork 2-3 mm. Thanks to bitumen, this type is devoid of the disadvantages of conventional cork: it does not allow moisture to pass through and retains sounds well; the material breathes, which prevents the formation of condensate. Like the previous option, bitumen-cork substrates are only suitable for expensive types of laminate, due to the high price.
Styrofoam
Often, extruded polystyrene foam is used as an insulating layer. It is optimally suited for high-loaded premises and evens out irregularities well. This is one of the most effective heaters due to the high air content in its composition. Due to its rigidity, it retains its shape well and effectively absorbs sounds, does not let moisture through. When using expanded polystyrene on the floor, a comfortable feeling when walking is provided. The most popular in this form are products from Izoshum, Arbiton. 
Combined options
There are also combinations of polyethylene and expanded polystyrene. The most famous substrate is Tuplex (Tuplex), it consists of two layers of polyethylene, between which there are polystyrene foam balls. 
This combined version is sold in rolls and has a thickness of 3 mm. Due to its structure, it can ventilate the room. The upper layer does not allow moisture to penetrate inside, and a thin lower layer passes it inside to the granules, and from there it comes out through technological gaps.
Coniferous tiles
A novelty of recent years is a coniferous substrate for laminate flooring. It is difficult to find it in stores due to its high cost, but coniferous boards from Isoplat are sometimes sold. The material is completely environmentally friendly and allows air to pass through, so there will be no greenhouse effect under the floor. However, in terms of elasticity, needles are inferior to cork. It is also worth considering that the minimum thickness of coniferous tiles is 4-5 mm, which is contrary to the requirements of many laminate manufacturers. The tiles are laid diagonally.
Substrate laying
Now let's talk about the technology, how to lay the substrate under the laminate:
- If there is a fresh concrete screed on the floor, a layer of thin 0.2 micron polyethylene should be laid before laying. In older houses, this is not necessary.
- Thoroughly clean the floor of debris, vacuum all the dirt. The base must be dry.
- For cutting, use ordinary scissors or a construction knife. They overlap the walls, then the plinth will close it.
- In no case do not lay several layers of the substrate to compensate for irregularities, a layer of 2-3 mm will be enough. If you need more, they are produced with plywood, screed or in another way.
- If the material has a corrugation, it is laid down with this side, so there will be less irregularities. The foil material is laid with the reflective side up.
- Laying is carried out end-to-end, without overlapping sheets on each other. In order not to displace the substrate during work, it is recommended to stick it on a double-sided adhesive tape to the floor.
Summing up
Subject to the technology and the purchase of a high-quality substrate and laminate, they will last more than 10 years at home. Of course, the final choice will depend on material possibilities, but it is better to try to purchase high-quality natural materials so as not to pay twice.
The most important task that is set before the repair of the flooring is to ensure the excellent appearance of the room, the creation of coziness and comfort. It is important that after coming home from work, a person can take a break from the noise and extraneous fuss. Moving around your home, knocks and creaks of the floor covering should not create discomfort and irritation. This can be helped by a special material (substrate) laid under the laminate. In addition, the substrate acts as sound insulation, protects the laminate from moisture, and the durability of the laminate will largely depend on it. Let's take a closer look at what they are and what kind of substrate for a laminate is better.
Types of substrates for laminate
The construction market is saturated with a wide variety of types of substrates laid under the laminate flooring. This special material, depending on the initial components used in its production, can be divided into:
- natural - created on the basis of natural materials;
- polymeric (artificial) are, as a rule, products of the chemical, oil refining industry.
Underlays made from natural materials
Natural substrates are made from various tree species. Such material does not cause allergies (which is very important), it is environmentally friendly and does not emit harmful odors. The most popular materials used for the production of natural type substrates are cork and softwood.
Cork backing
Cork underlayment for laminate flooring has very valuable characteristics, such as good sound insulation, low thermal conductivity, good cushioning. It is produced in the form of rolls from sheets of pressed cork chips.
Such material, due to its special physical characteristics, is recommended for use in the nursery and bedroom. There are several types of cork substrate, the main ones are rubber cork (a mixture of granulated cork and synthetic rubber) and bituminous cork.
Let's describe the bituminous option in more detail. It is produced as follows: a thin layer of hot bitumen is applied to special paper, and then sprinkled with fine cork chips (powder). Such a substrate promotes good movement of air flow under a laminate or other floor covering. Air circulation removes condensate and moisture, and also prevents the wooden plates from drying out.
Coniferous substrate
Their softwood underlays are made in the form of green carpet strips from a glued, pressed mixture of sawdust and shavings. It is distinguished by increased mechanical strength and the ability to retain heat well, and when dried after getting wet, it does not deform or crumble. It is produced in the form of plates, up to 7 mm thick, resembling chipboard in appearance, and has different sizes. 
Disadvantages of natural substrates
Despite the extended list of positive qualities, natural materials have some disadvantages:
- High price. Compared to artificial counterparts, the difference can reach 40 percent or more.
- Sensitivity to differences in the concrete base. Cork and coniferous substrates for laminate “tolerate” for every 2 meters of cement screed a difference of no more than 2 mm. Otherwise, the laid laminate will constantly sag and, as a result, its locks will diverge, which will create an unpresentable appearance. So if you decide to use a natural underlay for laminate flooring, take care to carefully level the concrete base.
Substrates made of artificial materials
Substrates for laminate, created on the basis of artificial polymer compounds, are much cheaper than natural counterparts. The most popular and available are:
- from expanded polypropylene;
- from expanded polystyrene;
- foil backing;
- substrate "Tuplex".
Polypropylene foam pad
The most common material for the manufacture of low-cost substrates is a compound of polypropylene. The term "inexpensive" in no way means poor quality. Such material dampens the laminate flooring quite well under load. Satisfactorily absorbs extraneous noise and retains heat.
The underlay has a wavy structure that allows air to ventilate freely under the laminate. It is not afraid of condensate or moisture, it is produced in strips up to 5 mm thick, rolled into rolls. The main advantage of synthetic materials is their stability in case of differences (irregularities) up to 4 mm per two meters. The main disadvantage of this material is that it does not withstand large static loads, under which air bubbles can burst, resulting in a change in its thickness. 
Styrofoam underlay
The substrate is made from polystyrene foam molded under certain conditions. Such material is much stronger and denser than foamed polypropylene. Its peculiarity is that it is able to withstand the effects of heavy loads for a long time. It is produced in the form of plates or mats of gray-green color.
Extruded polystyrene foam has no environmental contraindications for use in residential and work areas. It can smooth out small irregularities in the underlying concrete floor. This type of substrate is in high demand in the construction market.
However, polypropylene substrates have certain disadvantages. This material has a structure similar to foam bubbles. Over time, under the influence of the load, the pores burst and become compressed. When the laminate coating is used intensively, the substrate loses its shape and elasticity, which negatively affects its tread properties. Another disadvantage is that it is a fairly combustible material, through which fire spreads quickly.
But, despite these disadvantages, the polypropylene substrate remains the leader in a specific market segment, as it is the most satisfactory and budget option.
Foil backing
It is usually produced on the basis of polypropylene, can be covered with foil on one or both sides. It costs more, but its thermal insulation properties are much higher than those of a conventional polypropylene substrate.
Any type of underlayment must be laid end to end under the laminate. The edges of the strips are tightly fixed to each other with adhesive tape. For the foil substrate, a mirror tape is used from the side of the floor in order to create the effect of a thermos as fully as possible. This will reduce heat loss much more effectively, and the bubbles in polypropylene will additionally provide sound insulation!
Remember that the combined thickness of the laminate and underlay should not exceed the articulated flooring of adjacent rooms.
Substrate "Tuplex"
Tuplex underlay is a 3 mm thick composite material consisting of two layers of polyethylene film and a layer of granulated polystyrene foam in between. The pores in polystyrene foam and the air between the granules reliably retain heat, and also protect against extraneous noise and sounds. This type of substrate can even be laid on a screed with a small residual moisture content.
The high-strength top layer of polyethylene is able to withstand significant loads, but its main task is to keep moisture out and protect the laminate, preventing it from deforming. The lower layer of polyethylene, on the contrary, has a porous structure that allows moisture to pass into the polystyrene foam layer, through which moisture escapes outside along the perimeter of the room.
How thick should the underlay be?
There is an opinion that the thicker the substrate under the laminate, the better. You can even meet people who lay it in several layers in order to achieve maximum insulation and sound insulation. With this approach, there is a significant disadvantage, which lies in the fact that such a substrate under point loads (any heavy object or even a person) can be strongly compressed, which may even break the laminate boards.
With a substrate thickness of 3 mm or more, the lamella joints may deform over time, since the laminate is not adapted to regular bending when walking. From such a load, the locks wear out quickly, as a result of which cracks appear, and the floor begins to creak strongly. Therefore, it is important to take into account the rigidity of the substrate and its thickness. The smoother the base, the thinner the material can be laid. 
Vapor barrier under laminate
Laminate is made from paper impregnated with adhesive, from pressed waste from the woodworking industry. Therefore, contact of the laminate with surfaces that release moisture is highly undesirable. These, of course, include concrete floors, which, regardless of their “age”, can absorb and release moisture. Well, there’s no need to speak for a fresh concrete screed, in this case a vapor barrier layer should be required. When laying laminate on a wooden floor, you do not need to use it. You can read more about vapor barrier materials and the nuances of their installation here -. That's all, we hope you found the answer to the question, what is the best underlayment for laminate flooring.
Due to its practicality, laminate flooring has become very popular. But in order for such a coating to fully reveal all its positive qualities, a substrate for a laminate is needed. The lining smooths out the unevenness of the floor, is both vapor and sound insulation.
Of course, there are a lot of materials for making substrates, they all have different characteristics and they are all good in their own way. Among other things, the lining performs the function of a kind of shock absorber - so that the floor covering does not bend under loads and does not play when walking. Let's look at what types of substrates for laminate flooring are.
Foamed polyethylene
The most inexpensive roll substrate. In addition to the attractive price, the advantages of this material are:
- Excellent moisture resistance.
- It is not subject to formation of a mold and fungi.
- Good thermal insulation.
- Undemanding to the subfloor (permissible difference in height up to 4 mm).
But, like most inexpensive materials, polyethylene foam is not without its drawbacks:
- Weak mechanical strength - easily torn.
- Relatively quickly sags under the influence of loads.
Basically, this type of lining is used for inexpensive repairs and commissioning of budget facilities.
Foil polyethylene foam
The next type of substrate is also made from foamed polyethylene, but has a base. It is the foil base that makes it possible to somewhat improve the technical characteristics of the substrate. There are two ways to lay this material:
- If it is necessary to protect the laminate from the effects of a damp or cold floor (for example, on the ground floor above a damp basement), the substrate is laid with the foil down.
- To reduce heat loss or when installing underfloor heating, lay foil up.
A version with double-sided foil is also available, but this material is more expensive.
Advice! When installing polyethylene foam pads, the joints must be glued with ordinary or masking tape on both sides. A foil substrate - with aluminum tape.
Extruded polystyrene
Such a substrate for laminate flooring is the best solution in terms of its properties and pricing policy. This material has the following characteristics:
It is produced in the form of sheets, often a greenish tint. Also, on the basis of extruded polystyrene foam, such a lining as "Isoshum" is known, which is used as an excellent soundproof damper for laminate flooring.
The only disadvantage of this substrate is the high toxicity of smoke during combustion, which makes one more attentive to fire safety.
cork material
The lining made of crushed natural cork tree bark is the most environmentally friendly material of all manufactured linings. In addition, it has such positive characteristics:
Among the shortcomings it is worth noting:
- Afraid of moisture.
- Pretty high price.
- High demands on the surface of the subfloor.
Advice! If you decide to lay a cork damper, then it is necessary to lay a layer of waterproofing on the subfloor (especially concrete). Rolled polyethylene film is suitable for this purpose.
Varieties of cork substrate
Several varieties of this material are also produced, for example, bituminous and rubber-cork linings, each of which has its own nuances:
- Bitumen-cork material has an increased waterproofing property.
- The damper based on rubber and cork has a pronounced depreciation characteristics.
Common to these materials is the fact that it is not recommended to mount them on underfloor heating.
coniferous material
This laminate substrate has appeared relatively recently and reviews about it are mixed. Someone praises, some scold, and we will figure out what technical characteristics it has. Let's start with the positives:
- The environmental friendliness of the material is beyond doubt.
- Large thickness (5–7 mm) contributes to excellent leveling of the subfloor.
- Good heat and sound insulation abilities.
- When wet, it does not lose its properties and retains its shape.
It is worth noting that such a substrate is produced in the form of green mats, which break and crumble quite easily and often.
Advice! In order not to spend your money on a low-quality product, you should consult with the seller about the product warranty. The better the material, the longer its warranty period.
Other materials
Other types of linings are also produced, among which the following materials stand out most noticeably.
fiberglass damper
Although this lining material does not have pronounced flaws, it is rarely laid under the laminate. Among the advantages are:
- Increased strength to various influences, which has a positive effect on the resistance of the material to deformation.
- The environmental friendliness of such a substrate allows it to be used even in a children's room.
This rolled underlay is optimally combined with the thin look of the laminate and laid on a pre-leveled subfloor surface.
Underlay for quick laying
A unique lining is also produced - an accordion. All sheets of this lining are fastened together and stretched like an accordion. This laminate underlay allows you to quickly and easily install any floor covering. This material has the following properties:
- High density, as a result of which the damper does not sag or compress.
- Excellent water-repellent characteristics are combined with the ability of the material to pass air. This allows the laminate to "breathe".
- Acceptable soundproof performance.
- Ease of transportation and installation, because the packaging does not take up much space.
In addition, the accordion pad has a special corrugated packaging, which not only makes it easy to transport and store the material for a long time, but also clearly demonstrates all its advantages.
Advice! For each type of laminate, the manufacturer most often recommends a specific damper. It is important to read and follow these guidelines. In case of gross violation of the instructions, the manufacturer can even remove the warranty period from their products.
Having studied what laminate substrates are made of, you can choose exactly those damper specifications that you need from the whole variety of materials. A wide range will allow you to make the right choice without much difficulty.