What is better to put under the parquet board. What is the best underlayment for parquet boards? What are the functions of the underlying material?

Purpose of the substrate
Wrong stereotypes about the substrate
Substrate varieties

The peculiarity of laying parquet flooring is that under it it is necessary to create a layer of the substrate in case the installation is carried out in a floating way. The article will talk about why such a layer is necessary, about its independence and about which substrate to choose for a parquet board so that the coating lasts a long time and effectively.

Purpose of the substrate

If the owner decides to lay parquet in his house, then first of all he should take care of bringing the base to optimal condition.

Regardless of how diligently the worker processed the subfloor, irregularities on it will remain and must be eliminated.

Due to their presence, voids are formed under the parquet flooring that can cause the coating to quickly deform, which is unacceptable, since any visual manifestations will spoil the impression of guests or people who see the room in the photo published on social networks.

First of all, after improper laying of the parquet, the shortcomings will appear in the form of a backlash - a gap that creates characteristic sounds when walking on the floor surface.

Any knock on the parquet flooring leads to sound propagation over a long distance.

To avoid such floor imperfections is quite simple.

If a high-quality parquet underlay is used, then any unevenness of the subfloor will be smoothed out, depreciation characteristics will increase, and any noise from impacts and knocks on the parquet flooring will be softened.

Wrong stereotypes about the substrate

Many owners of their own homes have a certain opinion about whether a substrate is needed for a parquet board and what its features should be.

Basically, they do not correspond to reality, and therefore it is necessary to refute each one so that other buyers do not make mistakes when choosing a substrate for parquet.

Consider the main stereotypes:

• The effectiveness of the substrate depends on its thickness.

  Do not think that the substrate will soften the movement on the surface and reduce the load. In fact, it is not. According to the rules, the amplitude of the unevenness of the base under the parquet should not exceed 2 millimeters per meter. For example, polyethylene foam or cork material is strongly compressed under load, and therefore, with an increase in thickness, the amplitude of the surface levels also increases.

  As mentioned earlier, too large differences in surface level will lead to the formation of play and rapid deformation. The most negative impact will be at the joints between parquet flooring boards. The first negative manifestations of the excessive thickness of the parquet board with the substrate will give already 2-3 months after commissioning (read: "The length and thickness of the parquet - standard sizes").

  It is optimal to use a substrate layer of 2 millimeters. Naturally, the maximum effectiveness of a substrate of this thickness will be achieved only with appropriate leveling of the subfloor.

• By using an underlay, any variations in the subfloor can be eliminated.

  Again, this is an unreasonable baseless statement. The peculiarity of the substrate is that its structure completely repeats all the elevations and depressions of the base. It is necessary to obtain a perfectly even base using various self-leveling compounds, gypsum sheets or moisture-resistant plywood.

• Sheet substrate is the best option. The sheet substrate does not dominate in any of the indicators over the rolled type of material.

Substrate varieties

On the modern construction market, you can find many types of substrates for parquet flooring.

Let us consider in more detail the features of the main types:

1. Polyethylene foam. The most common type is an underlay based on foamed polyethylene foam. The advantage of this material is increased resistance to chemical attack of various substances.

   Such a layer is absolutely indifferent to the formation of mold, fungi, reproduction and influence of bacteria, moisture, etc. The disadvantage of this material is excessive flammability and reversibility of the polymerization process.

   If the first can be avoided by following the basic safety rules when laying the material, then the second disadvantage causes a limited life of the polyethylene foam substrate. Under the influence of sunlight and oxygen, the polymer decomposes and turns into a powder composition with the loss of all its positive properties.

   In order to achieve the longest possible service life of such a substrate, it is recommended to store it in a dark, dry place without drafts until it is laid under the parquet.

2. foil. Underlayment with a foil layer is an excellent material that not only ensures the reliability of parquet flooring operation, but also improves its noise, hydro and heat insulation characteristics.

   The foil layer most often has a polyethylene film under the parquet board on the basis of a log with a rigid mount.

3. Cork. A similar cork underlay for a parquet board is represented by oak bark, which is crushed and pressed. The material used is natural wood, which is absolutely harmless to the human body.

   The main advantages of such a substrate are that it does not undergo decay processes, mold formation, and also has excellent heat and noise insulation characteristics. The maximum effective layer quality is maintained during long-term operation. It is important to know that it is impossible to lay a cork substrate on only a flooded screed. Under it, it is necessary to organize a waterproofing layer of thick polyethylene.

There is a variety of this material, created on the basis of a synthetic substance (rubber).

The main advantage of such a layer is sound insulation and damping of vibrations from working household appliances.

1. Bitumen-cork (Parkolag). Such a substrate is created from high-strength wrapping paper treated with a bituminous mixture, with the application of cork chips. Its advantage is a long service life, excellent soundproofing characteristics, high protection against moisture.

   Laying is carried out with a layer of applied cork down. The disadvantage of this material is that it emits formaldehyde during operation.

2. Composite materials (Tuplex). A three-layer substrate for a parquet board Tuplex is created from a layer represented by a film with pores through which moisture enters higher to a layer of special balls that ensure uniform distribution over the base.

   Completes all this with a polyethylene film designed to improve waterproofing characteristics. It is best to use such a substrate with high humidity and poor drying of the parquet board. However, the possibilities of such a coating are a reason to use a low-quality floor covering, because visually and in the photo its shortcomings will be visible to everyone.

   See also: "How to lay parquet with your own hands - tips and secrets."

Outcome

Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that the most practical, reliable and durable are two types of substrate: cork and Tuplex. In case of difficulties when laying the substrate or choosing it, it is recommended to contact specialists who will take responsibility for all stages of the work.

Sound deadening and separation screen pad (with holes) made of polyethylene foam for use with SikaBond-52 Parquet adhesive. The most popular adhesive system for laying parquet on a substrate. The Sika Acoubond system allows high-quality laying of engineering, parquet, solid board, strip parquet, modular parquet, laminate, etc. without plywood. The underlay completely replaces the functions of plywood (except for the ability to fix the planks with screws), providing additional advantages.

Laying parquet on SikaLayer is cheaper than the traditional method on plywood.

Available in 3 and 5 mm thick versions.

We recommend SikaLayer-03 3mm thick. The difference between the substrates in sound insulation is insignificant, the 3 mm substrate dampens sounds by 16 dB, the 5 mm substrate by 18 dB, but with a 3 mm thick substrate it is more convenient to work and the glue line is better.

Advantages

Quality soundproofing.

Significantly reduces both reflected room noise and footfall noise (up to 18 dB) into lower rooms.

Creates a temperature barrier between the base and parquet. The parquet has a more even temperature at the top and bottom, which reduces the risk of splitting and warping of the wood. Reduces the risk of mold formation and absorption of excess moisture from the base.

Reduced base requirements.

Laying on screed, concrete, asphalt, ceramic tiles, plaster, chipboard, wooden floor, etc. is acceptable. The point load on the base is reduced, therefore, less durable screeds are suitable for laying than for classic gluing.

The high adhesive line compensates for minor irregularities in the base.

It is not required to target the substrate to the base, where communications can take place.

There are no odors and building dust during operation. It is possible to lay parquet in a room with a fine finish, for example, during a complete replacement of the flooring.

Speeds up the installation process. The parquet can be laid until it can be used within one day.

Probably the fastest way to properly lay a massive board.

Economic styling.

Substrate under the parquet board - how to choose the best, an overview of the most popular options

Low adhesive consumption, affordable substrate. Cheaper than laying on plywood or similar European adhesive systems.

Instructions for use Sika AcouBond System

Prices for the product: Sika SikaLayer-05 solid and engineered board underlay

Related products

All related products

Every laminate and parquet board store sells an underlay, a necessary accompanying material. Manufacturers are looking for additional profits and come up with more and more new substrate, often completely unreasonably. Managers in stores rarely have a serious theoretical base and often give harmful information to customers.

In this article, we will try to describe all the popular types of substrates and answer the question - which substrate is better for parquet boards and laminate.

Substrate thickness and other theoretical information

Perhaps the most common misconception among buyers is the belief that the thicker the substrate, the better. Allegedly, it will be softer to walk and the load on the parquet board or laminate will be less.

This is not true. According to the standard, the maximum height difference when laying laminate and parquet boards is 2 mm per 2 m². This includes both the drop of the base itself and the shrinkage of the substrate.

Soft materials such as foam backing or cork backing will compress when pressed. The larger the layer of such a substrate, the greater the height difference. The difference in height creates play on the locks of the laminate or parquet board, which causes increased wear of the lock joint and the appearance of a creak.

What is most offensive is that the parquet board creaks and the lock does not break off immediately, but after a few months without the possibility of timely detection of a laying defect.

Based on the above, the standard substrate thickness is 2 mm. Such a thickness, with a well-leveled base, even with complete damage or the absence of a substrate fragment (for example, due to poor-quality laying or underlay strips that have parted) allows you to keep within the standard allowable difference.

Please note that most parquet board manufacturers state in their laying requirements that a cork underlayment with a thickness of 2 mm is required. With a non-standard substrate, even in a warranty case, the manufacturer may refuse, but in practice, the manufacturer only cares about the thickness.

Stores often sell cork 4, 6 or 8 mm thick, but such materials are not intended by manufacturers for laying laminate and parquet boards.

Another myth is that the base can be leveled with a substrate.

Substrates for laminate and parquet board perfectly follow the shape of all floor irregularities. To level the floor in cases where it is impossible to use hardening mixtures (often due to saving work time), it is necessary to use solid materials - either gypsum or other sheets, or moisture-resistant traditional plywood.

Almost all types of substrates (except for Tuplex and based on bituminous mastic) have a porous structure that is not protected from moisture.

When laying on plywood or leveling dry sheets, additional moisture insulation is not required. If parquet boards and laminate are laid on a screed, dew appears on the surface of the screed due to the temperature difference, therefore it is highly recommended to lay a 200 micron thick polyethylene film or slightly thicker with a wide overlap under a moisture-proof substrate.

More often, the substrate was sold not in rolls, but in sheets.

For example, a cork. Sheet materials have no advantages and convenience when laying, except for a greater profit for the manufacturer.

Propylene foam backing

The cheapest substrate, which is often bought under the laminate. Nothing particularly bad can be said at first glance - it satisfies the requirements for laying, does not react to moisture. One caveat - the collapse of foamed propylene occurs on average after 7-10 years, after which the substrate turns into powder, losing the necessary properties of hydro and thermal insulation.

In addition, foamed propylene rolls may lie in storage for a couple of years before being sold to the consumer. All foamed polymers are flammable, much more dangerous than wood, especially when you take into account the high toxicity, as a result of which the use of such a substrate is prohibited in many buildings.

Cork backing

Traditional underlay for parquet boards. Cork is the best natural noise and heat insulator and a completely natural product, so it is really an excellent material.

The only serious minus of the cork is that it swells from water. The cork underlay is available in different thicknesses; under the parquet board and laminate, only a cork underlay with a thickness of 2 mm should be used. If the substrate is thinner - it crumbles, significantly reducing the life of floating floors. If the cork is thicker - there is an excessive load on the locking connection. The lack of moisture protection should not significantly affect the choice, because.

the inner layers of the parquet board, and even more so the laminate, are much more afraid of moisture. If the cork substrate is laid on a concrete screed or self-leveling floor, be sure to lay a 200 micron thick polyethylene film with a wide overlap on the bottom and walk along the joints with moisture-proof tape.

Sometimes you can find exotics in stores - a cork backing with a ready-made polyethylene layer.

Good, but the cost is too high, it's easier to buy two layers separately.

Substrate Duplex

Substrate Duplex - a material of three layers.

The bottom layer is a porous film that allows moisture to pass from below into the middle layer. The middle layer is stuffed with expanded polystyrene (styrofoam) balls that maintain a constant layer height. Between the balls there is an air layer with good ventilation.

The top layer is a polyethylene film.

Together, this is especially effective in case of insufficiently dried screed or if there is condensation on the screed due to intermittent heating of the room.

Substrate under the parquet board: features of choice and installation

Moisture penetrates through the pores into the middle layer and is well ventilated through the air ducts along the perimeter of the room in the places of gaps between the parquet board and the wall. Thus, the risk of damage to the parquet is significantly reduced.

Tuplex underlay is by far the best “lazy” underlay for parquet and laminate if you don’t want to look for waterproofing polyethylene for cork. Duplex has a price approximately equal to the cork substrate, however, it is usually supplied in rolls of 33 m², which is not always convenient.

If desired, you can find rolls of 10 m² in stores. Tuplex in any case guarantees waterproofing, regardless of the professionalism of the installers, so parquet manufacturers like to recommend such a substrate (Karelia and Kahrs, for example).

Bituminous substrate

Bituminous mastic underlay is a new product on the Russian market, but is actively promoted by several networks of parquet shops.

The main advantages are noise, heat, moisture insulation. We confirm that these advantages exist, but the sellers are silent about one thing - bituminous mastic releases formaldehyde in large quantities, especially in hot weather or when laid near heat pipes. Because of this feature, bitumen-based materials are banned in many countries and institutions. Recently, in Moscow and a number of regions, the use of bituminous materials for roofing has been banned, and huge amounts of money are being invested in converting asphalt with bitumen into paving slabs only because of environmental problems.

Coniferous substrate

Actively promoted product on the Russian market.

The thickness of the substrate is 4-7 mm, so you automatically lose the warranty for parquet or laminate. In any dispute, the parquet manufacturer will say that you have used a non-recommended underlay, regardless of who is at fault in your case. The main problem - the attempt of the companies promoting the coniferous substrate to sit on two chairs - is also recommended as a material for the base (i.e.

competitor GVL, OSB and plywood), and as a damper (other substrates). The material cannot fulfill both purposes, because. in the first case, the rigidity of the material is required, and in the second, softness. Below is a press release from one of the popular manufacturers of softwood substrates with technologist's comments.

• "Completely environmentally friendly material that does not contain chemical elements." Debatable.

  Due to what particles of needles are kept, what is the composition of the glue / resin?

• "Removes uneven floors up to 3 mm, depending on the thickness of the substrate." For what? If due to softness, then an additional load on the locks (the service life of parquet / laminate is reduced, creaking, cracks at the ends may appear).
• “The porosity of the softwood substrate prevents moisture from accumulating under the floor covering and weathers it, passing it through itself, which prevents the appearance of mold and fungus.”

  Everyone has A and B, but cellulose is just a nutrient medium for the fungus. The use of pine needles increases the possibility of fungus. Or glue is used that closes the cellulose, which is not immediately environmentally friendly.

• “Over time, it does not dry out and does not sag.” Debatable.

  Due to what then aligns, if not sags?

• "Aligns the humidity in the room by absorbing or releasing moisture when it is deficient in the surrounding air." This is a reference to the properties of wood.

  Then fungus.

Backing with a foil layer

The foil layer is a good hydro-, heat-, sound insulator and is rather an improved version of the original backing material. The foil is usually a polyethylene foam substrate, the main qualities of such a substrate are described above. Foil underlay is recommended for laying on logs with rigid fixation of the board, as well as for inexpensive laminate with a service life of about 10 years.

Which underlay is best?

In our opinion, it is better to use under a laminate and a parquet board either Tuplex or a cork substrate (with or without a polyethylene layer, depending on the substrate).

Yes, and cork is the best substrate for underfloor heating.

We hope our underlayment review will save you and your floor.

Substrate for parquet and laminate

Porilex NPE 2, 3

Substrate for parquet and laminateMain line of materials — PenoHome

Porilex NPE LLDPE FlooRes

Underlay for parquet and laminateUnique range of materials PenoPremium

Modern building materials allow you to quickly carry out repairs and get functional, beautiful and diverse interior solutions.

Moreover, if we talk about the choice of flooring, then materials such as parquet and laminate allow you to carry out repairs associated with laying the floor quickly, efficiently and even independently. Laying a modern parquet board or laminate does not require special skills, and thanks to the unique design of the lock, the quality of such work will always be on top.

However, the quality of the floor in terms of durability and performance will be determined not only by the accuracy of laying the laminate, but also by the preparation of the surface, which can be used as a concrete screed or the so-called self-leveling floor.

Substrate under the parquet board. Features of choice

Also, it is highly desirable that a specialized foam laminate substrate be used as a gasket between the screed and the decorative coating.

Operational properties and features of the sheet substrate

Our catalog contains several types of substrates for laminate or parquet, made on the basis of polyethylene foam. Such a foam underlay not only greatly simplifies the process of laying laminate or parquet, but also gives the floor unique performance characteristics:

• the substrate for the laminate evens out minor defects in the screed, helps to eliminate distortions in the finished floor structure;
• such a sheet substrate can significantly improve the soundproofing properties of the floor;
• low thermal conductivity of the substrate under the parquet board and laminate helps to increase the thermal insulation properties of the room, which means it will save on energy;
• FlooRes laminate sheet substrate does not absorb moisture, and its ribbed structure promotes natural ventilation and drying of the space under the laminate or parquet, even in case of accidental water ingress or incomplete drying of the screed before laying the coating;
• the underlayment under the foamed polyethylene laminate (SPE underlayment) is not afraid of significant temperature changes, which allows it to be used in premises of any purpose.

The technology of laying the substrate under the parquet board

The underlayment for parquet board or laminate, presented in our catalog, is supplied in rolls 1 meter wide and 10 to 50 meters long, which allows you to buy such an underlay based on the area of ​​​​the room and not spend money on extra material.

Laying such a substrate, previously cut into strips of the required length, is carried out end-to-end on the surface of the screed.

At the joints, the underlay for parquet or laminate can be attached to the screed using double-sided adhesive tape, sometimes the joints are also glued along the upper side of the underlay, which helps to prevent its displacement during the laying of the floor covering. To ensure the possibility of natural ventilation and to prevent the accumulation of moisture in the space under the laminate or parquet, a technological gap of 5-8 mm is left between the walls and the substrate.

The parquet board among modern floor coverings occupies a special place. It allows you to equip a reliable and elegant base, the service life of which is estimated for decades. One of the main conditions for the trouble-free operation of parquet floors is the competent choice and installation of the substrate under them. We'll talk about this.

Substrate - without it, parquet is not laid!

Now most of the parquet floors are mounted using floating technology. It gives the installed structures special performance properties that increase the service life of the coating. An important condition for this is the installation between the parquet products and the floor base of a special layer, called the substrate. The latter performs many functions. Let's highlight the main ones:

1. 1. Sound insulation of floors from impact noise, which is vibrations generated when a person walks, work of household appliances.
2. 2. Smoothing out small floor irregularities. Even if the base was leveled in compliance with all construction requirements, voids and minor defects remain on it. Such small imperfections can significantly reduce the life of an expensive coating (and parquet boards are such).
3. 3. Protection of the parquet from moisture due to the high waterproofing performance of the material.
4. 4. Uniform distribution of mechanical loads over the laid base.

The underlay for a modern parquet board is made of different materials. We will discuss this in detail in the next section. And before that, let's deal with the recommended thickness of the layer we are considering. Many users believe that the substrate should be as thick as possible. This is not true. According to existing building codes, the allowable difference in the base for parquet is 2 mm for every two square meters of surface. The specified value is calculated taking into account the shrinkage of the floor and the substrate itself.

To smooth out such a maximum difference, a lining 2 mm thick is sufficient.

What happens if you put a thicker underlayment under the parquet? Believe me, no good. When pressing on the coating, the layer under it is compressed. Therein lies the trick. The thicker the substrate, the more it is compressed, which leads to the appearance of a significant height difference. It will cause the formation of play on the locks of the parquet, which will begin to wear out quickly and, in the end, will fail. First, an unpleasant creak will appear. And after a few months, the lock connections will break. We will either have to re-lay the parquet, or use an uncomfortable and completely unattractive surface.

Cork products – environmentally friendly and durable

The modern market of building products impresses anyone with its chic assortment. It is easy to find the material that suits the user in all respects without exception. Parquet can be mounted on the following layers:

• cork;
• foil;
• from expanded polypropylene;
• polyethylene;
• compositional;
• bituminous cork.

Domestic consumers, not limited in finances, prefer to mount parquet boards on cork products. Their high cost is fully justified by the operational advantages. Cork is a natural material. It is distinguished by high mechanical strength and durability, environmental friendliness, excellent heat and sound insulation properties. The cork backing hardly compresses even after many years of use, perfectly smooths out small irregularities in the base, effectively absorbs moisture, and is not subject to decay.

Advice. It makes sense to use cork products when installing expensive parquet. If we carry out the installation of budget materials (for example, economical laminated boards), there is no need to spend money on a natural layer. Its service life will be longer than the coating itself. When dismantling the old parquet, we will have to remove and discard the substrate under it.

Cork materials are produced in rolls. It is quite convenient to work with him. For laying products special knowledge is not required. Important! The cork must not be placed directly on the concrete screed (it is usually used to level the floors). Before this, a layer of waterproofing should be laid on the base - any strong and thick polyethylene film will do. And only then you can mount the substrate.

Parkolage and Tuplex - modern pads with special features

In recent years, manufacturers have been actively promoting Parkolag bitumen-cork products on the Russian market. Their main advantages are listed below:

• high level of noise and heat protection;
• excellent waterproofing characteristics;
• durability.

In addition, Parkolag has the ability to self-ventilate, which is ensured by its unique structure. Structurally, the material is a layer of bitumen applied to kraft paper, additionally covered with cork granules. The latter are evenly distributed over the surface of the product, making the substrate elastic and wear-resistant.

Parkolag could be called the best option for arranging parquet floors, if not for one of its drawbacks. It lies in the low environmental friendliness of the material. When heated, the substrate begins to release formaldehyde into the air, which negatively affects the well-being of people. Constant inhalation of such vapors often causes various diseases. Therefore, Parkolag is not suitable for laying in places where internal heat-conducting networks pass or a system of warm floors is installed.

Another modern material - Tuplex, has three protective layers at once. At the same time, the thickness of the parquet board with such a substrate does not increase. Each layer is small. The standard thickness of Tuplex used for parquet is the same - recommended by professionals, 2 mm. The basis of the composite product is a polymer material. The second layer is made of polystyrene, the third is made of polyethylene.

Tuplex perfectly protects floor bases from condensate and moisture. Its lower vapor-permeable layer absorbs water vapor and reliably retains them. After the accumulation of a certain amount of moisture, the material pushes it out through the edges of the composite layer, which are always left open. This feature of the products necessitates the installation of special skirting boards in the room (they are called ventilated). Firstly, they keep the geometry of the coating, and secondly, they do not interfere with the free passage of wet vapors.

The need for arranging special skirting boards can be called a disadvantage of Tuplex. But, by and large, the cost of their purchase and installation will not be so great. Recommendation. It is best to use composite products for floors in cottages and country houses, where it is not always possible to maintain a consistently high temperature in the home. We add that Tuplex can be laid on any base, including concrete screed.

Other types of substrates - budget solutions for parquet flooring

The cheapest are interlayers for parquet, made of foamed polyethylene and polypropylene. The former are characterized by good sound and heat-shielding capabilities. Such products do not pass or absorb moisture, do not collapse under the action of solvents, do not rot. Unfortunately, all the positive properties of polyethylene substrates are lost over time. The material actively shrinks during operation and ceases to fully fulfill its protective functions. Other disadvantages of polyethylene foam:

• insufficient resistance to fire;
• low environmental friendliness due to the artificial origin of the material.

Polypropylene interlayers for parquet flooring have a porous structure. Moreover, air is pumped into each pore of the material. Due to this, the substrate provides excellent soundproofing and heat-insulating characteristics of products. The advantages of polypropylene, in principle, end there. But he has a lot of cons. Firstly, such substrates serve a maximum of 9–10 years. After that, they literally turn into dust as a result of the decomposition of the synthetic structure. Secondly, polypropylene products are considered fire hazardous. Thirdly, they are classified as toxic. If you are concerned about the health of your household, it is better not to use such linings in your home.

An improved version of foamed propylene products are foil substrates. Their design is simple. An additional layer of foil is glued onto the propylene base, which improves the operational capabilities of the material. The result is a product with the highest heat, noise and waterproofing. The disadvantages of foil substrates are similar to the disadvantages of conventional propylene layers. Therefore, they should be used with caution. It is optimal to lay such inexpensive products under budgetary coatings, as well as under parquet boards mounted according to the principle of rigid fixation of individual elements.

It is impossible to single out the best material for laying under parquet, as you can see for yourself. For each specific case, you should choose a specific product with a set of special properties. We can advise only one thing: buy substrates, focusing on the available budget, giving preference to the most environmentally friendly materials. Then the house will always have a healthy and comfortable atmosphere.