The thickness of the cork substrate under the laminate. What should be the thickness of the substrate under the laminate Additional factors determining the thickness of the substrate

Laminate is an affordable floor covering, which is a fibreboard covered with a decorative wear-resistant film. It has a multi-layer structure and is divided into classes (31-34) depending on the withstand load. You need to lay the laminate on the substrate.

Laminate underlay can be 2-10mm thick. Although the greater layer thickness allows laminate flooring to be laid on floors with strong drops, floor manufacturers do not recommend this. Therefore, before work, you need to accurately level the level of all surfaces.

Popular materials:

• wood cork;
• fibreboard;
• Styrofoam;
• Foamed polyethylene.

The purpose of the substrate under the laminate:

• Soundproofing (absorption of extraneous noise, ensuring silence);
• Elimination of differences in floor level (smoothing irregularities);
• Thermal insulation (maintaining a constant level of temperature in the room);
• Cushioning (shock absorption when walking);
• Squeak protection.

The right choice of underlayment is the key to a long service life of the flooring and a guarantee of comfortable conditions in the room. It is worth doing it based on three criteria: material, thickness, packaging (sheets, rolls).

Types of substrate materials

An important selection criterion is the material of manufacture. It depends on the material what properties the floor will have.

Cork

Natural cork underlay is made from crushed cork tree bark. Wood grains are held together by a sticky substance found in the bark itself. The material is obtained with high density (200-260 kg per cubic meter), has a tensile strength of 2 kg per cubic cm, absorbs sound well and retains heat. And also the cork has sufficient resistance to compression, therefore, during operation it is subject to deformation.

If it is necessary not only to prepare the surface for laying the floor, but also to provide heat and sound insulation, then cork will be the best solution. It is an environmentally friendly material that is safe for health. It is also 100% hypoallergenic.

A significant disadvantage of this choice is the high cost of the material, so laying a cork under a cheap laminate is a bad idea. But under expensive flooring, cork as a substrate is just right.

Combined options for cork-based floor underlays can also be found on sale:

• rubber-cork;
• bituminous cork.

Cork is usually sold in rolls. The thickness of one sheet is from 2 to 4 mm. Sheets with a greater thickness are no longer used as a substrate, but are an independent floor covering. Cork is not suitable for underfloor heating.

fibreboard

This substrate is a board made from wood fibers with the addition of binders. Chips, chopped wood (crushed wood), lignified parts of plant stems (bonfire) can be used as raw materials for manufacturing.

The material is capricious in terms of laying: the plates must be laid perpendicularly, plus it is necessary to indent from the walls so that when the air temperature changes, the substrate does not squeeze the floor covering.

Styrofoam

Expanded polystyrene is a 100% artificial material that is obtained by combining polystyrene granules with various additives under high temperature and pressure. Its peculiarity is that it has many cells with air.

Many flooring manufacturers offer an expanded polystyrene underlayment under the laminate flooring. This material has become popular due to its low price and high performance. The thickness is 2-5 mm. Sold in slabs, rolls, sheets.

During installation, resin and mastic compositions must be avoided. They can react with polystyrene foam.

Foamed polyethylene

Available option of a substrate – the made foam polyethylene. However, despite the cost, it has many advantages. The material can be laid on the floor with a height difference of up to 4 mm. Perfect for laying under an inexpensive laminate. It is worth choosing such a substrate with a high density of the material.

If you need to lay the floor in a room with high humidity, then it is better to buy a substrate with a foil layer. Choose the thickness of the substrate is in the range of 2-5 mm. If you take more, it will spring when walking.

This underlay option is not suitable if the laminate has a soundproofing layer. Exception - the floor covering is mounted directly on the concrete.

How to lay the underlay

Before laying the substrate, dust and dirt must be carefully removed from the subfloor. If necessary, it is covered with a layer of moisture protection.

Start laying the laminate is from the window deep into the room. You can do this in stages: lay a part of the material, lay the floor on it, then lay the substrate again, and on it another section of the laminate. Phased laying will keep the materials clean, especially if such work has to be done for the first time and it is not clear how long the process will take (maybe several days).

Produced in several versions. As a rule, rolls and sheets are on sale. The width of the material in a roll is 1.2 m, and the length is more than 10 m. Rolls should be laid perpendicular to the laminate boards, otherwise the seams of the substrate may move apart. To keep it in place when rolling the material around the room, it can be fastened with masking tape. The sheet substrate is stacked in a checkerboard pattern and fastened with adhesive tape in the same way.

When choosing a substrate for laminate flooring, it is necessary to consider options in the same price category as the flooring itself. An expensive floor will last less if you lay a cheap substrate under it. And vice versa: an expensive underlay will be a waste of money if it is needed under a cheap floor. Therefore, it is necessary not only to pay attention to the characteristics of the material, but also its price. In this case, cost may be the determining factor.

Today, laminate is the most popular and sought-after flooring material. It has an aesthetic modern look and excellent performance. In order to keep its original gloss as long as possible, to extend the service life of this wonderful floor covering, it is imperative to follow all recommendations for installation and further operation of the laminate floor.

Laminate requires a well-prepared substrate: perfectly leveled, dry and clean. On this base, first, the substrate for the laminate is laid, and then the laminated coating itself.

Therefore, it is necessary to choose both a laminate flooring material and a lining for it.

A variety of substrates, which one is right for you, what thickness of the substrate to choose for the laminate of your particular case, let's try to figure it out.

Why put a substrate under the laminate

She has several important purposes:

1. Depreciation, which helps to reduce the load on the interlocks of laminated panels, i.e., prolongs the life of the coating;
2. Eliminates minor flaws and base defects;
3. Thermal and sound insulation, thanks to which the floor has a pleasant warmth and does not rumble when walking on it.

There are quite a few varieties of substrates, we will name only the most common:

• polyethylene foam;
• polystyrene foam;
• cork;
• coniferous.

Of these, the first two types are made from synthetic materials, the last two types are made from natural materials.

Polyethylene foam or polyethylene foam- the most inexpensive material. Available in two types: foil (for insulation) and regular.

Well absorbs sounds, is not damaged by rodents.

Styrofoam is in the form of small sheets. It has the properties of good sound insulation, thermal insulation, smooths minor unevenness of the subfloor, long service life. Easy to install, no damage during installation.

Cork backing consists of compressed natural chips of cork oak bark.

It has many remarkable qualities: good depreciation, thermal insulation, excellent sound absorption, very long service life, ease of installation on any surface.

Cork underlay can be used under different floor coverings: laminate, linoleum, parquet board and under carpet.

It has a high density, so it can withstand loads perfectly.

Cork backing thickness: in rolls - 2-4 mm, in sheets - 3-10 mm. The optimal thickness for laminate is 3 mm, the maximum allowable is 6 mm.

Coniferous - natural "breathing" material from coniferous wood.

Keeps heat for a long time, good sound insulation, has a long service life. Due to its high density, it levels out small errors in the base. Laying a coniferous substrate is not difficult.

In addition to these features, each substrate has one more characteristic that is very important when choosing the substrate material - this is the thickness of the substrate for the laminate.

How thick should the underlayment be for laminate flooring?

It depends on a number of factors:

• foundation level;
• class and thickness of laminated panels;
• expected conditions - humidity, loads;
• the presence of waterproofing.

The most correct option: when choosing a substrate material, find out recommendations on this matter from the manufacturer of the laminated coating. These recommendations will determine which materials and with what parameters you should prefer.

The thickness of the substrate under the laminate varies from 2 to 10 mm, but which one is better must be decided, taking into account all the factors that matter.

It should be borne in mind that lining materials with low density, softish are recommended to be used with a small thickness, for dense and elastic, the thickness may be greater:

• for foam polyethylene and polystyrene substrates, the optimal thickness is 2 mm;
• cork backing thickness: in rolls - 2-4 mm, in sheets - 3-10 mm. The optimal thickness for a laminate is 3 mm, the maximum allowable is 6 mm, due to its density, elasticity;
• the thickness of the coniferous sheet substrate is in the range from 4 to 7 mm. Under the laminate, you should choose a coniferous substrate with a thickness of 4 mm, no more.

The thickness of the lining and panels should be commensurate. So, for a laminated material with a thickness of 7-8 mm, a lining thickness of 2-3 mm is suitable; for thin, less than 7 mm - respectively, a substrate with a thickness of two millimeters; and the thickness of the substrate under the laminate from 9 to 12 mm should be in the range from 3 to 5 mm. We remind you that the most correct thing is to follow the recommendations of the manufacturer of the laminated material on the preferred parameters and quality of the substrate material.

Choosing the thickness of the substrate for the laminate

Most often, buyers make the same mistake - they try to purchase a thicker lining in order to level a poorly prepared base. Yes, the substrate levels out small errors in the base, but not huge differences in height. When there are a lot of irregularities, and the differences are significant, then you can’t get by with just the help of the substrate, you have to start with leveling and preparing the base.

It happens that dense coniferous substrates 5 mm thick are used for flooring under the laminate. This is correct if this thickness is recommended by the manufacturer of the flooring material. And even then, the permissible maximum thickness is no more than 5 mm.

About soft substrates: It is recommended not to exceed a thickness of two to three millimeters. And certainly you can not lay the lining in two layers. Because over time, the material gradually decreases in thickness and a void is created between the substrate and the lamellae. The thicker the lining, the greater the amount of empty space. There is a risk of deformation of the panels and failure of the locking connections. If you choose a foam or polystyrene backing, do not get carried away with a thickness exceeding 3 mm.

If the levels of rough foundations in the premises are different in the apartment, it is possible to level the levels by laying substrates of different thicknesses, but always within acceptable limits.

Let's summarize our reasoning.

1. When choosing the thickness of the substrate for the laminate, it must be remembered that its optimal value is 3 mm. In specific cases, a smaller value is allowed: 1.8-2 mm or more: from 4 to 5 mm.
2. A thin substrate is laid under a thin laminate, provided that the base is perfectly leveled. A thicker lining is laid under the thicker lamellas, if this is allowed by the manufacturer of the laminated panels.
3. Do not try to straighten out significant irregularities using a thick substrate, this does not work, but the coating can be ruined in this way.

Now you know everything about the thickness of the substrate for the laminate, which one is best suited for the material you have chosen. Now it remains to apply the knowledge, choose a laminate and a suitable substrate and start decorating the floor in your home. Good luck!

Laminate is one of the most democratic types of floor coverings with a decent appearance. Its advantages also include a long service life and undemanding maintenance. And most importantly - the laminate is easy to lay with your own hands. But in order for the coating to last for a long time, it is necessary to follow certain rules during installation. And one of them is the obligatory use of the substrate.

Underlay features

All laminate manufacturers recommend laying this flooring not on a bare floor, but on a special underlay, which is usually offered with it. It is not worth neglecting this recommendation or using cardboard and other improvised materials instead of a substrate, since The substrate performs several important functions:

• It is an additional thermal insulator., which is especially important when laying a laminate on a concrete screed.
• Provides sound insulation- dampens impact noise (falling objects on the floor, walking on heels, etc.).
• Reduces the effect of moisture on the laminate arising in the screed.
• Protects the inside of the floor covering from abrasion.
• Helps to adjust the level of the "clean" floor for docking with other floor coverings. For example, when docking with a porcelain stoneware floor, such a thickness of the laminate with the substrate is selected so that there are no differences in height (see)

• Helps to smooth out small irregularities in the base.
• Serves as a shock absorber between the base and the laminate.

The choice of substrate and its thickness

Now let's try to figure out how the thickness of the substrate and the material from which it is made can affect the described functions.

Substrate types

When choosing a substrate, we first of all pay attention to what it is made of, to those properties of the material that are most important to us.

• The most popular is polyethylene foam.. Its main advantages are good moisture resistance, low thermal conductivity, resistance to mold and bacteria, and low price. Disadvantages - polyethylene foam is easily torn and quickly crushed under load.

• Cork underlay is made from crushed cork tree bark.. This is an environmentally friendly material, which is also resistant to mold, has good heat and sound insulation properties, and is resistant to stress (it does not wrinkle slightly). But this is the most expensive type of substrate, which is also afraid of moisture. Therefore, it is coated with special water-repellent agents before laying. The instructions also require laying on plastic wrap for additional moisture protection.

• Substrates made of composite materials are slightly cheaper- rubber-cork and bitumen-cork. They are not afraid of moisture and do not require additional waterproofing of the base, they work more effectively to reduce noise and absorb vibration.
• The best sound-absorbing ability has a substrate made from wood products. The thickness of such a substrate is maximum compared to other types, and reaches 7 mm. The main advantages are resistance to deformation and crushing under load, good thermal insulation and acoustic characteristics.

Note. The wooden substrate is able to withstand a single exposure to moisture. But to extend its service life before laying, it is better to subject the material to a water-repellent treatment.

What should be the thickness of the substrate

It depends on its type, installation conditions and operation of the floor covering.

If you watch a video on laying laminate flooring, you will see that the base under it must be carefully leveled (see)

For reference. Differences in the surface of the base in height should not exceed 2 mm for every 2 meters.

Since the laminate itself has a small thickness (from 8 to 12 mm), the impact of the load at the gap between the base and the coating can lead to a breakdown of the interlocks. Therefore, a substrate spreads under it, leveling the unevenness of the base.

• In the case of using a polyethylene foam substrate, its thickness should not exceed 2-3 mm. Since this material is quickly crushed, in the passage zones, as a result of a strong thinning of the substrate, in comparison with other areas of the floor, a large play is formed between the coating and the base. And the thicker the substrate, the larger the gap will be, and the higher the probability of breakage of the locks.

Advice. If the total thickness of the class 33 laminate with underlay is insufficient to level the floor level in different rooms, then instead of polyethylene foam, it is better to choose a different, thicker type of underlay that does not compress under load.

• In the case when the differences in the base floor are from 2 to 5 mm, it can not be leveled with a cement screed or plywood, but a wooden substrate can be laid. The slabs are laid out on top of polyethylene spread on a wooden or concrete floor, if necessary, gaskets are placed under them in the right places.

• If all floor materials have already been purchased, and you are faced with the task of joining different coatings at the same level, the substrate is chosen taking into account that the thickness of the laminate and the substrate is equal to the thickness of another material - carpet, laid on the tile adhesive.

Conclusion

You should not think that increasing the thickness of the substrate will seriously change the acoustics in the room or make the floors warmer. In any case, it will be almost imperceptible. Therefore, asking the question - it is better to dwell on a thinner material, especially when it comes to cheap polyethylene foam.

The choice of laminate must be approached carefully, taking into account the technical features of the material, impregnation, types of locks, as well as the dimensions of the product. The thickness of the laminate is directly related to its quality and durability. With proper selection and professional installation, the coating can serve for at least 20 years.

Peculiarities

The main qualities of a laminate - moisture resistance and antistatic, resistance to fading and deformation, ease of installation, a wide range of textures and designs are determined, first of all, by the thickness of this material and its substrate, as well as the structure of the material. The properties of modern laminate are such that it is universal, and therefore suitable for industrial premises, and for a private house, and for an apartment.

Structurally, the lamellas include 4 layers, each of which has its own structure:

• The layer at the bottom, which gives stability to the structure and protects the next layer from moisture, gives the quality of high density to the entire panel (material - unrefined or tarred paper).
• This is followed by a rigid base with a lock, made of dense fiberboard (HDF). The base determines the thickness of the panel.
• The penultimate is a decorative layer made of foil or special paper, where a pattern is applied under a tree, stone or other structure.
• The protective layer determines the service life of the laminate. Material - melamine or acrylic resin. This is the actual laminated layer, which determines the wear resistance, strength and other parameters of the product.

Kinds

Conventionally, there are 7 main classes of laminate:

• 21st, 22nd and 23rd grades- discontinued from production, however, they can still be found on sale, used at home.
• For industrial premises, offices, apartments, canvases of an increased class are produced according to the criterion of wear resistance - 31st(for areas with low load and service life of 3-5 years); 32nd(for use in homes and small offices. Withstands an average load and maintains good quality up to 15 years); 33rd(for offices, housing, places with an average intensity of visits, with a service life of 15–20 years); 34th- used for shops, waiting rooms and other places with high traffic intensity. Service life up to 20 years.

It is important to remember that the load class is a relative parameter, since the quality strongly depends on the technological aspects of production. So, the German production options, according to the 32nd class, are no worse in quality than the Russian 33rd class.

Size Specifications

Traditionally, the thickness of the laminate is in the range of 6-12 mm. As exceptions, there are options for waterproof vinyl laminate, the thickness of which can be 4-5 mm. “Thick” models (more than 12 mm) are usually produced by Chinese manufacturers using their own technological developments.

Laminate class corresponds to its thickness:

• The 31st class provides for a thickness of 6-8 mm. Purpose - household options (bedrooms, children's rooms, living rooms).
• 32nd grade - 7-10 mm. It is produced for the most part in a commercial version, but often for domestic needs.
• The 33rd class is exclusively commercial, has a thickness of 9-12 mm. Designed for large areas with high dynamic loads.
• 34th class 10-12.9 mm thick, the most durable commercial option, but not yet widely used. Available at high prices.

A Chinese manufacturer often sells special thickened models (13,14,15,16,17,18 mm) on the Russian market with the highest possible quality characteristics and long service life. For home use, the most popular option is coatings of 31-32 classes with a recommended thickness of no more than 8-9 mm. However, they cannot withstand a long load of massive objects.

It is important to take into account that the weak link of a thin laminate is fragile locking devices, which, under intense local load, often become unusable. Therefore, for apartment or office conditions in which it is planned to place massive furniture, the best option is a class 33 coating with a thickness of 9 mm or more. In these cases, the installation must be carried out integrally with the substrate, which improves the performance of the canvas.

For commercial and office space, the best options are class 33-34 with a thickness of 10, 11.12 mm. At a high cost, they are more durable, this is the main difference in comparison with cheap options.

What does it affect?

The thickness of the laminate directly affects such indicators as:

• Resistance to constant loads of both static and dynamic nature.
• strength parameters.
• isolation indicators.

It is also necessary to take into account the thickness of the laminated sheet when choosing products for large areas, when the criterion of coating stability increases in value. Therefore, the use of thickened panels in these cases will be appropriate. In addition, thick panels usually do not have significant deviations in their dimensions, which contributes to their easy and quick installation.

Thus, the web thickness parameter affects its strength, stability and a number of other indicators, which also include sound insulation and thermal conductivity.

What should be the standard?

Overall parameters of the panel - three parameters on which its entire assembly cycle depends.

The panels do not have stable standard dimensions along their length. The blade length usually varies between 1260 and 1380 mm. In practice, this size can reach up to 18450 mm. It is difficult to work with such boards, because they often cannot be laid evenly (professional skills are required).

Difficulties when laying elongated panels:

• The floor surface must be particularly even, otherwise the correct installation of the slats is not guaranteed.
• In small areas, it is inconvenient to install long panels, which can lead to marriage in work.
• In the process of laying elongated panels, there is a need for frequent trimming, which often negatively affects the quality of laying.

The standard width bar provides the following options:

• from 90 to 160 mm. This is a parquet panel. For example, an oak-like laminate.
• from 185 to 195 mm. The most popular product is an ordinary laminate board.
• up to 330 mm - wide version. For example, "under the ceramic tiles."
• up to 400 mm - wide panels, "under the artistic parquet".

The most common panels with a width of 185-200 mm, they have an average price, are practical, versatile and easy to install. Sheets of considerable size are used to cover large areas. It is more convenient to lay out a small apartment with small boards.

How to choose?

Since the choice of the optimal board thickness depends on various parameters and conditions, in the selection process it is necessary to pay attention to its wear resistance and ease of installation. According to generally accepted criteria in practice, laminate boards with a thickness of 12 mm or more are considered thick, with dimensions of 6-7 mm - thin. The most popular bar is 8 mm thick.

With a high purchasing power of the consumer, it is more profitable to purchase a waterproof coating of the 33rd class with a service life of up to 25-30 years. In order to save money, class 31 material should not be installed in areas with an intensive visitation regime (kitchens, corridors). A canvas of the 32nd class, 7-8 mm thick, may be a suitable choice for an apartment.

You should not strive for the maximum thickness of the material (a matter of cost), since a thicker material may not be suitable, for example, for underfloor heating. Therefore, a competent choice should be made taking into account the specific conditions and requirements at the place of its installation.

Among the obvious criteria for choosing a laminate, you should keep in mind:

• degree of load (weight of furniture);
• thickness and quality of the preparation of the "subfloor".

For a water heated floor, professionals recommend choosing a board thickness of 8 to 10 mm, which allows heated air to pass through well.

The use of a self-leveling floor is practically the only option for obtaining high quality and durability of the laminate surface in the following cases:

• When the thickness of the applied layers is from 2 to 20 mm.
• When it is necessary to maintain high accuracy of pour height (up to 1 mm).

In the next video, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the main important points when choosing a laminate.

Which underlay is best?

The substrate (lining) under the laminate is made of various materials (cork, film of polyethylene foam or expanded polystyrene) and is different in thickness. The optimal size is a thickness of 2-3 mm. On the one hand, this size does not allow the material to spring, which increases its resource; on the other hand, it provides decent sound and heat insulation, allowing you to simultaneously smooth out minor roughness of the subfloor.

One of the best substrates is foil, which includes a polymer on which the foil is applied. This design feature makes it possible to achieve excellent thermal and sound insulation qualities due to the light reflection effect. This eliminates the need for an additional vapor barrier layer. The disadvantage is the high cost.

A cork substrate (pressed crumb) is widely used. This environmentally friendly option, with excellent sound and heat insulation, resists mold and is anti-fungal. The use of cork underlayment requires a smooth and level base. However, under massive objects, a cork 3-4 mm thick sags, and therefore it is better to use this option in small rooms. The cost of this material is also high.

The underlay based on polyethylene foam has the following advantages: it is resistant to a variety of environments, impacts, easy and convenient to install, has excellent resistance to moisture, and its low cost. However, under the influence of ultraviolet, after a while, this substrate is destroyed, and the coating itself sags.

Manufacturers

Among the variety of companies offering laminate flooring today, German, Swedish, Belgian and other European manufacturers are especially popular.

Pergo (Sweden)

Advantages:

• Rich design solutions.
• High level of strength.
• Perfect locking device PerfectFold™ 3.0.
• Ease of care.
• Environmental friendliness.
• Warranty - 25 years.

Flaws:

• High price level.
• The prevalence of fakes.

Berry Alloc (Belgium-Norway)

Produced using high technology HPL (High Pressure Laminate).

Main advantages:

• Variety of designs.
• One of the best wear resistance parameters.
• Secure lock.
• Safety and easy operation. Laminated parquet has the highest performance in terms of fire safety, antistatic, anti-slip.

Flaws:

• High price.
• Frequent forgeries.

Kaindl (Austria)

Haro (Germany)

It produces laminate products of 31-33 classes, 7-10 mm in thickness, with the most accurate imitation of natural textures.

Main advantages:

• Variety of design solutions.
• The TRITTY Silent CT soundproofing system used makes the Haro parquet "quiet".
• Reliable lock systems.
• Ease of care.
• Availability of certificates:

Cons - the high cost of products and the lack of saturated colors.

Kronotex

The largest and most stable manufacturer of laminate flooring. This is one of the structural divisions of the famous Swedish corporation Krono.

Advantages:

• Variety of collections of laminate parquet 32-33 classes.
• Excellent performance.
• Reliable Click lock.
• Service life from 18 to 30 years.

The disadvantage is high prices.

HDM

Holz Dammers Moers produces high quality panels under the HDM brand.

Advantages:

• Diverse selection of quality decors.
• Wear resistance of the protective layer.
• Harmless to allergy sufferers.
• Warranty - 25 years.

Disadvantages - high prices, a small selection of designs.

When buying laminate flooring, special attention should be paid to the question of what thickness of the laminate is optimal. This important parameter should ideally match the main request that will arise during the repair.

What is the thickness of the laminate boards?

It must be suitable for the type of room in which it is intended to be used. There is a laminate of different thicknesses from 4 mm to 12 mm, and to make it easier to navigate, these thicknesses have conditionally divided the types of laminate into classes. The wear resistance of the laminated strip, and the duration of its operation, depend on the thickness.

Wear resistance of 12 mm laminate tiles

The table above clearly shows that the thickness of the 33 class laminate is the maximum, its anti-shock and wear-resistant characteristics are high.

Tip: Considering the most practical options in the range of thicknesses of laminate tiles, let's pay attention to the 12mm laminate. Used in public places with a high share of traffic, it must be strong, reliable and durable. It has another distinctive quality - increased moisture resistance.

If you use this class of laminate at home, then the service life increases to 18-20 years, compared to public places where replacement is required after 5-7 years.

Price quality

It is also necessary to find out what thickness of the laminate slab is objectively more cost-effective. To do this, pay attention to the characteristics and determine the geometry and size of the room in which the laminate will be laid.

Tip: Given the high cost of building materials, it would be useful to first consider the option of sound savings. The price can be reduced if a tile with an average thickness is selected and purchased, for example, a 8mm laminate.

This is the best choice for almost any type of room. Used in houses and apartments, this type of laminate flooring will last longer than 10 years, the appearance will be impeccable. A variety of proposed textures will create interesting interior solutions.

Of course, a different, higher thickness can be used. For example, choosing a 12 mm laminate - you get a more durable coating, but at home you can save a lot on this difference without losing the appearance and durability of the board.

What else affects the height of the laminate tile?

Let us consider in more detail the effect of the height of a laminate board on its hitch properties, laying features and the use of additional repair operations. Laminate height – this is the most important parameter that should be taken into account.

During installation work, the thickness affects the stability indicators, tightly joining the tiles together. Thermal conductivity and resistance to stress also depend on the thickness. Heavy furniture or a large number of people - this is just the test drive that a laminate board passes.

Also, the height of the coating affects:

• to create a flat floor surface;
• for soundproofing;
• to reduce thermal conductivity;
• for strength.

Since 6mm laminate is considered the thinnest, craftsmen do not advise making flooring out of it, except perhaps as a means of short-term cosmetic and decorative effects, without a guarantee of strength at all.

Nevertheless, manufacturers present to the building material market a lot of laminate options of this thickness for bold design decisions.

Laminate 7mm is already stronger and can successfully endure domestic loads. Due to an acceptable and inexpensive price, it is quite in demand, justifying the terms of operation and absolutely not causing trouble with the appearance of cracks between the tiles.

Laminate 8mm, in principle, is an unofficially recognized average option for acceptable flooring, an affordable price, the dimensions of a laminate board with which it is customary to work - all this contributes to its popularity in the building materials market.

10mm laminate is the most durable and can even be used for underfloor heating. It is not subject to deformation from temperature differences, dampens sound from mechanical stress.

Substrate for laminate

Be sure to use a substrate when laying the laminate, which levels the surface as much as possible and helps to protect the joints of the laminate board from breakage. Usually its thickness is from 2 to 5 mm, and the material used for manufacturing is also different. Consider the most popular substrate options (which is also called a laminate):

1. Laminate 4mm - the material is made of cork tree bark. It is produced in rolls, sheets and panels, which will allow you to determine the format that is profitable at the moment and will be able to minimize costs. Its additional benefits:
   • incombustibility;
   • heat and sound insulation;
   • elasticity and non-sagging;
   • absolutely eliminates the appearance of fungus or mold.
2. Laminate 5 mm is a modern layer of fiberglass coated with bitumen;
   • elastic;
   • durable;
   • vapor permeable;
   • leveling the initial defects of the base.

PVC laminate 4.5mm-5.5mm

An innovative development is a laminate, the surface of which is protected by a polyurethane layer. A feature is the resistance to fading of the panel pattern, under the influence of ultraviolet rays. The geometry of the slats is provided with dimensional stability, which guarantees the absence of gaps during operation.

Considering, therefore, the different thicknesses of the laminate panels, we can once again summarize what the height of this type of coating affects. The use of different classes of tiles depends on the purpose of the room in which it will be used.

Rooms or halls with a high load and traffic require a higher class of laminate. You can choose the optimal thickness of the tile based on the request for wear resistance, moisture resistance and the appearance of the room itself.

The most practical solution when choosing a laminate for an apartment and other residential premises is, of course, an 8 mm laminate. For industrial - 12mm. When buying a laminate, be sure to pay attention to all sizes, and by choosing the most suitable thickness, always be sure of the quality and strength of your floor.