The best laminate underlay in 2020 is sold in both rectangular blocks and rolls. It is a really useful building material that helps you lay out your flooring in the right way. So that the strips from the laminate do not quickly become unusable due to the damp floor or the formation of gaps between them, it is worth knowing which substrate for the laminate is better to use. Such a material will provide the surface with insulating properties that remain sufficiently resilient. As a result, the base will be correct and comfortable to use.
For the production of the interlayer between the laminate and the floor, it is customary to use various kinds of materials. Some of them are more concentrated in order to seal from basements where there is dampness, while others are aimed at eliminating noise and floor insulation. The market is presented in a wide variety, and therefore we decided to help you simplify your choice.
Content
Manufacturer list
Today there are substrates, both from the expensive product segment, and economical options. To figure out which one you need to choose, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the manufacturing firms. Indeed, the release of products in this segment occupies a solid market sector. Many global brands, as well as start-up organizations that focus on economical products, place their products.
The most common brands today are considered to be:
- Petroform;
- Steico;
- Decora;
- Eco-cover;
- Tarkett.
The list is opened by the domestic trading platform Petroform. It should also be noted that it belongs to the Resource brand. The main headquarters are located in Moscow. The main specialization is the production of insulating materials for the floor surface, which contain polyethylene that has passed the foaming process. In fact, the material is affordable. It is very thick on the surface and is used in the construction industry in the North-West region of the Russian Federation.
Steico is a German brand that has been on the market since 1960. It is one of the leaders in the field of flooring materials, which are produced on the basis of natural ingredients. High-quality, but quite expensive products are presented to the attention of buyers. The company has located its production facilities not only in Germany, but also in England and France. The company is developing new options for combining wood materials, which allows it to obtain high-class products.
Decora brand represents the Polish product segment. The brand is distinguished by its excellent substrates, which are complemented by insulating materials. Also in the assortment are PVC profiles, skirting boards. The brand has several subsidiaries that produce separate product lines.
The Tarkett brand deserves special attention, which produces various kinds of floor products. There are not only building materials, but also sports coverings. Such options are suitable for jogging, wrestling or fitness hobbies. The organization is engaged in the production of products in 100 countries, while the scale is constantly increasing.Today, production has reached approximately 1,000,000 sq. m per day.
TOP of the best substrates for laminate: natural materials
When thinking about which is better for concrete or wood under the laminate, so that it lasts longer, pay attention to natural materials. This is cork, shavings, crumb. The basis is the wood component and the mixture of the binding composition. Such a base has warmer properties, but at the same time expect that the price will not be low either.
The advantages include the ability to absorb noise. You will not disturb your neighbors, even if your family has children or fans of hot dances. The structure of the material is thick, which makes it possible to level the floor as desired. It is best to use a substrate for children's rooms or if your house is cold enough.
A warm underlay for laminate flooring is presented on the market in a solid assortment, but keep in mind that only the best options are included in our TOP, which deservedly enjoy positive reviews on the Web. Let's take a closer look at them.
Arbiton Cork 2 mm
Produces a substrate intended for warm floors, a Polish brand. This option differs in an affordable price and high quality. Made on the basis of natural cork. The release is carried out in rolls, the dimensions are equal to 10x1 m. The total layer thickness is 2 mm. This provides both warmth and rigidity.
The substrate differs in that it can be laid with a parquet board and laminate, under which there is a system of underfloor heating and water heating. For these purposes, it is worth laying layers of shielding properties.
The base is natural. She manages to resist mold and moisture in an excellent way. Due to the fact that the laminate encounters loads when a person walks on it, the substrate helps to reflect them due to its elasticity. Also, when unrolling a roll, it does not leave waves. The edges are brittle and fracture will result.
Benefits
- cost;
- elasticity indicators;
- combines amazingly with a warm floor device;
- there is no wave from the roll;
- the joints fit perfectly;
- It can be used for gluing and positioning the coating in free mode.
Minuses
- the substrate is fragile;
- the composition contains solid inclusions.
Tarkett 2 mm
A cork backing on a wooden floor or concrete will lay down fairly well, although this option is economical. It should be noted that the product is produced by an international organization. It was created for the purpose of flooring before laying the laminate. The composition is 100% natural. It is easy to recover, even though it is compressed in the package. The cork has excellent thermal properties. She is able to keep the cold from below from the basement and the warmth in the room.
On the market, the substrate is presented in special rolls, they are packaged in 10 meters. The cork is 2 mm thick, this is enough for the base to be rigid, not allowing the laminate locks to loosen after a while. Due to the binding component of the polyurethane resin, the substrate does not lose its properties.
The Portuguese brand is engaged in production, and therefore it is better to buy it on the official website of the organization. In this case, you will not fall for a fake. Laying can be arranged directly on concrete, but keep in mind that the humidity should not exceed 4 percent. The material has been used for 25 years.
Benefits
- natural ingredients are used;
- reasonable price;
- sound isolation;
- retention of heat;
- elasticity;
- durability;
- simple installation.
Minuses
- thin, and therefore the floor is poorly leveled;
- the quality of cork chips belongs to recycled substances.
Parkolag 3 mm
The substrate is best suited for those houses and apartments where the floor is very cold. A company from the Russian Federation is engaged in the release of this option. She will help solve this difficulty. Cork chips are taken as a basis, which is associated with bitumen. It is located on thick cardboard.Due to this, it is possible to combine the properties of elasticity and the durability of the laminate. Due to the bitumen, moisture will not penetrate the concrete panels in the room.
The structure is triple, presented in a mixed form. This allows you to maintain an acceptable rate of air exchange and stop the appearance of mold or mildew. If there is intense heat in the summer, the material will not be deformed. It is able to keep the linear dimension of the stable type. The product is sold in rolls, the length of which is 15 m, the layer thickness is 3 mm. It will not be difficult to acquire such a substrate in the Russian Federation, it is sold in different regions of the state.
Benefits
- the substrate has a thick layer;
- able to isolate moisture due to bitumen;
- the structure is elastic, does not allow the floor to "walk";
- can be used with expensive types of laminate;
- differs in terms of wear resistance;
- ventilated properties are high enough;
- the purchase can be made in different regions of the country;
- has strong properties.
Minuses
- not suitable for use in the case of a warm floor;
- after installation, a slight bitumen smell will be present.
TOP of the best substrates for laminate: polymers
Synthetic type materials are actively used for interlining between laminate panels and concrete. The option will be cheaper than analogues, since the composite polymer is taken as the basis for the interlayers. Due to this, it is possible to protect the surface from rotting and moisture. Only the properties of sound insulation and heat saving in polymers are much worse.
ReFoam 3002
The substrate has good sound insulation performance. To be more precise, they reach 21 dB. The material is cross-linked polyethylene. It has really high density indicators, and therefore can be used for a children's room. It is both elastic and resilient composition, which makes it possible to easily cope with installation work, while maintaining the integrity of the floor covering. Despite the fact that production is carried out in the Russian Federation, the technology of interlayer material was developed in Japan.
The substrate is realized in rolls. They are 10 m long and 1.2 m wide. A 2 mm thick is able to provide adequate rigidity for this reason, the locks on the laminate will not loosen. It is important to note that less than 1 percent is equal to water absorption. This is not the best indicator, and therefore note that the underlay is not recommended for wet surfaces. This applies to the first floors in residential buildings.
The polyethylene does not deform under the panel area. It is designed to be used for a long time. The smell of chemical products evaporates quickly enough, and therefore the material remains environmentally friendly.
Benefits
- excellent performance of sound insulation;
- lack of smell;
- easy transportation;
- ease of installation;
- stiffness indicators are acceptable;
- the floor will not clap when walking;
- no deformation.
Minuses
- high price.
Eco-cover 1000х500х3
This product is distinguished by its elasticity and strength. Due to good surface tension. The manufacturer is a domestic brand. This option is suitable for decorating children's rooms, office premises, the private sector. It is obtained by combining vinyl acetal and ethylene. It is a harmless material with a layer thickness of 3 mm.
The production is carried out in slabs that are expertly rolled into rolls. This is really a very convenient solution that makes it easy to transport and carry out installation work. Cutting is easy, sound insulation is capable of reaching 17dB.
The material has a water absorption level of 0.098 percent. This makes it possible to exclude the fungus or the decay process under them. The product is effective for use on ground floors or in the private sector. Indeed, in such cases, moisture emanates from the earth. This layer can be used in conditions of indoor temperature - 40 +80 degrees. Even with such fluctuations, the material is easily stored and will not lose its useful properties.
Benefits
- is elastic;
- the choice of sizes is solid;
- easy to cut;
- moisture resistance;
- dielectricity of low properties;
- thickness of 3 millimeters;
- composition of improved values;
- noise absorption.
Minuses
- there is a chemical smell;
- the cost is high.
"Petroform" 5 mm
A product from a domestic brand that is very affordable in cost. He has acceptable thickness indicators, moreover, the layer is 5 mm. The material is used as the need to smooth out irregularities in the floor area. Such problems can occur most often in old buildings.
The material is released per meter in rolls. You need to accurately calculate and buy the length that you need. In this case, an overpayment will not be required for unnecessary parts.
The substrate is produced by foaming polyethylene. This creates a porous lightweight structure. From user feedback, it became clear that cutting the substrate is easy. To do this, you can take a simple scissors. After the roll, waves are observed, and therefore it is better if you can fix the edges with adhesive tape and pull them.
The material has high vapor barrier performance. It helps to retain heat, and does not rot. This is a lightweight and flexible option that can be laid on a concrete screed or in the area of self-leveling floors. But keep in mind that it does not absorb water at all.
Benefits
- cheap offer;
- due to the thickness of 5 mm, it is possible to perfectly smooth out irregularities;
- ease;
- ease of installation;
- does not break;
- zero water absorption;
- sold per square meter.
Minuses
- there is a film smell and long enough;
- the thickness of the substrate is 5 mm, and therefore the laminate can "walk" when walking.
Steico underfloor
This option is considered, in the opinion of many buyers and experts, ideal for a children's room. Indeed, children quite often throw toys on the floor, and they love to jump. To reduce the unpleasant fate of communicating with neighbors, it is worth trying to lay a substrate on the floor of this type. She is really very fat. The basis is taken from the fiber of natural coniferous trees. It has been carefully processed. This option is glued together due to natural wood resin. The coating is capable of absorbing excess moisture, releasing it into the atmosphere. It should be noted that it has fairly stable dimensions, there is no shrinkage or drying out. If glue or solvent gets on it, then nothing terrible will happen.
Today the substrate is marketed as rectangular slabs. They are from 3.6-7 mm in thickness. Everyone will be able to choose the option that suits him, relying on the temperature regime of the floor, the presence of a noise level. Such a substrate can even out differences in slab concrete joints, up to 3 mm. The material on the concrete floor is not prone to mold. The plate is standard - 590x790 millimeters. Today on the market options are presented in 15 pieces in one package.
Benefits
- warm;
- perfectly isolates sound;
- the components are natural, there is no unpleasant odor;
- installation is simple;
- lack of crumbs;
- in the presence of an international quality certificate.
Minuses
- fragile version of 3.6 mm, may break during installation;
- expensive substrate;
- transportation is very difficult.
Isoplaat Startfloor Barlinek
Before you is an excellent underlay option that is suitable for a warm floor system. The choice can fall on the thickness of the product in 4.5, 6 and 7 mm. The flooring of this brand in an excellent way, excluding deformation, will cope with the task. It will remove the load that comes from heavy furniture.
In fact, the material is highly responsive to heat. It has a number of relevant characteristics that are inherent in the ideal type of substrate. For the price, this is an inexpensive offer - 55 rubles per 1 sq. M.
Benefits
- soundproofing;
- thermal insulation;
- condensate drain;
- high stability;
- natural air circulation;
- resistance to mold and fungi.
Minuses
- were not found by buyers.
Tuplex
It has good properties that correspond to high-quality substrate options. It has high soundproofing properties.The indicator is low due to compression, if we take into account foam materials in comparison, then it is 14 times less.
All this allows the substrate to maintain its shape, to keep the laminate in a state of stability. She perfectly removes moisture due to her device. And she manages to ensure good air circulation.
The downside is that the Tuplex brand is not suitable for a floor heating system. But all the same, the price for it is acceptable - around 99 rubles per 1 sq.m.
Benefits
- excellent water repellency;
- affordability;
- natural air circulation.
Minuses
- not compatible with the warm floor system.
Choosing a quality substrate
The key role in choosing a high-quality substrate for laminate flooring belongs not only to cost, but also to a number of building factors that you should rely on when buying. We will talk about them in this subsection of the article, since we consider it necessary to bring you up to date.
The main criteria for the choice of interlayer material will be:
- if the apartment on the ground floor is cold, then it is recommended to buy a 3 mm Parkolag underlay. This option will create comfortable conditions and warmth in the house;
- in a room for a child, where the kid often runs, drops toys, it is better to buy Steico Underfloor or ReFoam 3002;
- but if you need to smooth uneven floors, and you want to eliminate the need for additional costs, you need to buy "Petroform" 5 mm. This substrate is thick, and even inexpensive, and therefore it is not surprising why there is such a high demand for it in the domestic market;
- as for private houses, the best option would be Eco-cover 1000x500x3. This is due to the fact that moisture is present under the foundation area. The substrate will take on the task of protecting the surface from this circumstance;
- if the budget is limited, but there is a desire to lay a laminate with a high-quality substrate in a simple apartment, then pay attention to Tarkett 2 mm;
- the layer can be placed under the underfloor heating system, in which case the Arbiton Cork 2 mm can be an ideal purchase.
These are only the recommendations of specialists, but there are also other options for the substrate that may be more appropriate for you both in terms of price and product quality. We sincerely hope that our article will be useful for all those who wish to make a choice in the direction of a high-quality substrate for a laminate. In the comments below, you can share your opinion on this matter. It is possible that your experience will also be useful to other readers.
