The best laminate flooring by customer feedback

Substrates under the laminate are in rolls or rectangular blocks, and help to lay out the floor covering itself. To ensure that the laminate strips are not unusable because of the raw floor or if there are no gaps between them, it is important to lay substrates that have insulating properties, but remain sufficiently elastic to serve as the correct base. Different materials are used for the production of the interlayer between the floor and the laminate. Some are more concentrated on the sealing from the wet basements for the ground floor apartments. Others better eliminate noise and more insulate the floor. There are economical and expensive options. To understand which substrate under the laminate to use in each case and where you can save, you need to finish reading the article to the end.

Substrate under the laminate of which company to choose

Release of such products is an important branch of the construction market. Here, the world brands and start-up companies that focus on economy products have placed their goods.

Here are the most common manufacturers of such products:

1. Steico

2. Decora

3. Tarkett

4. Eco-cover

5. "Petroform"

Decora belongs to the Polish production and is famous for its insulating materials,skirting boards and PVC profiles. Has several subsidiaries with separate lines and brands.

Petroform is a domestic trademark of Resource, the headquarters of which is located in the cultural capital of Russia. The company specializes in the production of insulation for floors based on polyethylene, past foaming. Such an accessible and thick material is widely used in construction throughout the North-West region of the country.

German brand Steico began to develop in 1960 and is today one of the leaders in the production of flooring materials from natural components. This is expensive, but very high-quality products, with plants not only in Germany, but also in France and England. The company is constantly developing new options for combining wood materials to produce high-quality products.

Tarkett specializes in all types of flooring products, including not only building materials, but also sports coatings for wrestling, running and fitness. The company sells its products in more than 100 countries. Production reaches an output of about 1 million square meters per day.

The best substrates for laminate made of natural materials

To ensure that the laminate has long served and has no cracks or breaks, it is important to put a high-quality substrate. Natural materials in the base are represented by a wood component( cork, chips or chips) and binding compounds. Such a substrate is warmer, but more expensive. Well it absorbs and noise, which helps to maintain friendly relations with neighbors, if the apartment has many children or there are fans of dancing. A thick structure gives a slight leveling of the floor. It is advisable to use it in children's rooms or cold houses. Here are the best representatives of such materials from the reviews of those who have placed them.

Steico Underfloor - for children's rooms

Children jump a lot and often drop toys on the floor. To reduce unpleasant conversations with neighbors, it is advisable to lay this thick substrate. It is based on natural fiber of coniferous trees, which has been thoroughly grinded and glued together with natural wood tar. Such a coating is stable in size, without shrinkage or shrinkage. The substrate is able to absorb excess moisture and give it to the atmosphere. If it gets a solvent or glue, nothing will happen.

The product is available in the form of rectangular plates, the thickness of which varies from 3.6 to 7 mm. Here you can choose your own version depending on the floor temperature and the expected noise level. The substrate is capable of leveling the differences on concrete tile joints of the floor up to 3 mm. The material is not prone to mold. Plate parameters are standard and are 590x790 mm. Sold in a package of 15 pcs.

Pluses:

• is very warm;
• isolates sound well;
• natural ingredients do not have an unpleasant odor;
• are easily mounted( panels are expanded and all);
• does not crumble at the edges;
• has an international quality certificate.

Disadvantages:

• variant in 3.6 mm is very fragile and can be broken during installation;
• expensive;
• difficulty in transport.

Cork substrate Tarkett 2 mm - economical option for the apartment

Fans of quality materials who want to save money should pay attention to this product of an international company, created specifically for flooring before laying the laminate and is one of the most affordable.100% natural composition, which is easily recovered after a compressed condition in the package. The cork has good thermal properties and easily keeps the cold from the bottom of the cellar and the heat in the room.

The product is produced in rolls of 10 m. The thickness of the plug is 2 mm, which makes it possible to create a rigid base that does not allow the laminate locks to wither with time. The binding component is a polyurethane resin produced in Portugal. You can buy a substrate only on the official website of the company, which protects against fakes. The product can be laid directly on concrete at a humidity of no more than 4%.The material is designed for 25 years of use.

Advantages:

• completely natural components;
• reasonable price;
• isolates sound well;
• retains heat;
• is durable;
• is elastic;
• easy to put.

Disadvantages:

• weakly level the floor due to a thin layer;
• quality cork crumb refers to recycled materials.

Arbiton Cork 2 mm - for warm floors

This Polish product from Decora is both quality and availability. The substrate is made of natural cork. The product is produced in rolls with dimensions of 10x1 m. The thickness of the common layer is 2 mm. This provides both heat and rigidity. The product is characterized by the possibility of laying with a laminate or parquet board, under which will be located a system of warm floors with water heating. But for this purpose it is necessary to lay shielding interlayers.

The natural base is good against moisture and mold. Since the laminate experiences transverse and longitudinal loads when walking along it, the substrate reflects them well by its elasticity. When rolling roll does not leave a wave. But the edges are fragile, which can lead to a fracture.

Pluses:

• price;
• elasticity;
• possibility of combining with a warm floor;
• no wave from the roll;
• is easy to combine joints;
• is suitable for gluing and free laying of the coating.

Disadvantages:

• is fragile;
• solid impregnations in the composition.

Parkolag 3 mm - for the first floors

In the apartments on the ground floor, a frequent problem is the cold floor. This substrate from the Russian company Icopal was created to solve this problem. It is based on cork, bound by bitumen and placed on a dense cardboard. This allows you to combine the elastic properties and gives a long service to the laminate itself. Thanks to bitumen, moisture does not penetrate from the concrete panels into the room.

Triple mixed structure allows to maintain acceptable air exchange and prevents fungus and mildew. If the summer gets too hot, the material does not deform and maintain a stable linear dimension. The product is sold in rolls of 15 m. The thickness of the layer is 3 mm. It can be purchased in any region of the country.

Pluses:

• thick;
• reliably isolates moisture due to bitumen;
• elastic structure does not allow "walking" the floor;
• is suitable for expensive types of laminate;
• is wear-resistant;
• high ventilated properties;
• is easy to purchase in any region;
• is stronger when stacked than cork counterparts.

Disadvantages:

• can not be used under floor heating;
• after laying there is a slight smell of bitumen.

The best substrates for laminate from polymers

Synthetic materials are also actively used between concrete floor and laminate panels. This option is cheaper, because at the core of these layers is a composite polymer. This gives better protection against moisture and rot. But the soundproofing and thermal properties are worse for him. Here are the best substrates of this category.

Eco-cover 1000х500х3 - for private houses

This is a Russian product for a wide range of uses that is well suited for children's rooms, offices and private accommodation in the private sector. It is convenient to level with it and the floor. The material is both elastic and strong, which tightens the surface well. It is obtained by combining ethylene and vinyl acetate. Is absolutely harmless. The thickness of the layer is 3 mm.

Available in slabs, rolled into rolls, which is convenient for transport and for installation. It is cut easily. Sound insulation reaches 17 dB.The material has a water absorption level of 0.098%, which ensures complete absence of fungus or decomposition processes under it. This is effective on the first floors and private houses, where moisture can come from the ground. This layer can be used at room temperature from -40 to +80 degrees. It is easily stored and does not lose useful properties.

Advantages:

• elastic;
• large selection of sizes;
• is easily cut;
• full moisture resistance;
• low dielectricity;
• thickness 3 mm;
• improved composition;
• effectively absorbs noise.

Disadvantages:

• unpleasant chemical odor;
• inflated cost.

"Petroform" roll backing 5 mm - good for leveling

Another domestic product, affordable and having an acceptable layer thickness of 5 mm. This is successfully applied when smoothing the unevenness in the floor, often found in old buildings. The material is produced in rolls per meter. It is necessary to accurately calculate and purchase the required length without overpaying for the remaining parts. The substance is obtained by foaming polyethylene, which results in the formation of a porous light structure.

The blade is simply cut with scissors. After the roll, small waves can remain, so the edges can be fixed with tape and stretched. The substrate has high parameters for vapor barrier, heat preservation, resistance to decay. It is light and elastic. Can be spread on concrete screed or self-leveling floors. Absolutely does not absorb water.

Advantages:

• is the cheapest in this class;The
• layer of 5 mm smooth out irregularities well;
• is easy;
• is easy to install;
• does not break;
• zero water absorption;
• you can buy the exact number of meters.

Disadvantages:

• long-lasting film odor;
• with a substrate thickness of 5 mm laminate slightly "plays" from the steps.

ReFoam 3002 - excellent sound absorption

This layer has high noise absorption performance, reaching 21 dB.Such a material, created from cross-linked polyethylene and having an increased density, is ideal for a nursery. It is both flexible and elastic, which helps to maintain the integrity of the floor covering. Despite Russian production, the technology of this interlayer material itself was developed in Japan.

The substrate is sold in rolls with a length of 10 m and a width of 1.2 m. A thickness of 2 mm provides the proper rigidity, because of which the locks on the laminate are not blended. Water absorption is less than 1%, but not the best in the class, so for the raw floors of the first floors it is better not to buy it. Cross-linked polyethylene does not deform under the panels and is designed for a long time. The smell of chemical products quickly evaporates, and the material remains environmentally friendly.

Advantages:

• good sound insulation;
• odorless;
• is easy to transport;
• just to stack;
• acceptable rigidity;
• floors do not clap when walking;
• no deformation.

Disadvantages:

• is overvalued.

What substrate for laminate to buy

Here the decisive role is played not only by the price, but also by the building factors. Here are the key criteria for the selection of interlayer material:

1. In apartments on the ground floors, where often cold floors, it is better to buy Parkolag 3 mm, which will create warmth and comfort.

2. In the children's rooms, differing in the footsteps and falling objects, they get Steico Underfloor or ReFoam 3002.

3. If there is a need to smooth uneven floors without additional costs, it is advisable to buy a thick and cheap "Petroform" 5 mm.

4. In private houses, where moisture can collect under the foundation, Eco-cover 1000х500х3 will be better protected.

5. For those who want to save money, but to lay laminate and quality substrate in an ordinary apartment, Tarkett 2 mm will be available.

6. And if you want to place under the layer of a warm floor system, then Arbiton Cork 2 mm is suitable here.