Substrate under parquet, laminate or carpet - excess or necessity?

When choosing a floor covering in the departments of specialized stores, you can see large rolls of fine synthetic material that "lie" next to samples of parquet and laminate. These rolls are nothing more than a substrate, which is used in the installation of laminate or parquet.

Substrate under the parquet is used with those types of coating that are mounted without glue, on the technology of the lock connection. Its role in correct and high-quality installation is very great. Firstly, the resilient material serves as a kind of shock absorber of a solid parquet board, so that the coating becomes more elastic. Secondly, the substrate for parquet is an additional sound and heat insulation, and in modern houses with thin concrete floors these parameters are extremely important. Thirdly, its use extends the service life of the floor covering, as it excludes its contact with the hard surface of the rough floor.

In addition to synthetic soft polyurethane, there is also a cork substrate for parquet and laminate. This is a thin, extruded, cork-wood coating that has all the advantages of natural fiber - high environmental friendliness, pleasant appearance and smell, and due to the fact that it is made of cork - also natural warmth. Such a substrate is more expensive than a synthetic one, but its unconditional quality characteristics are much higher and worth it. Substrate for parquet and laminate of cork - this is, above all, environmental safety, high sound insulation and heat.

Work on the flooring of the parquet board and laminate begins with the preparation of a rough floor base, which is based on a high-quality and strong cement screed. If the flooring is made of boards, then they are strengthened, replaced with new ones. Above such a rough floor is covered with sheets of plywood, which "plant" on the glue or screws. Then lay the substrate, and then cover with a parquet board or a laminate, joining the boards together with a "lock". On a quality concrete screed plywood can not be laid, but immediately put the substrate and on top of the parquet or laminated board. The main requirement for a semi-basis is that it must be very even and dry, without cracks and incrustations. On a flat, high-quality black surface, a parquet board or laminate with a lock joint fits quickly and simply, this work does not require special knowledge and skills.

Separately, I want to say about the use of a substrate for carpet. It is widely believed that a soft and elastic carpet does not require any substrate, and it can be laid directly on the rough floor. However, this opinion is not entirely correct, and it is true only if you use inexpensive material, the service life of which is not more than 3-4 years. To qualitative and long-lasting work the approach must be completely different, and here one can not do without certain rules and standards.

The substrate is a very important element of the quality flooring of the soft floor, as it prolongs its lifespan by a factor of two, because without it the coating is wiped off quickly enough, especially in the most running places. The substrate under the carpet acts as a shock absorber and, spring, takes part of the impact from the solid sole of the shoe to itself. It also increases the feeling of softness and comfort. With her thin pile coating will seem thicker, significant and expensive, but use it only if you lay the carpet with no glue, for example, using tape, flip flops or pressing skirting boards.

The materials from which this auxiliary soft flooring element is made are the most diverse: polyurethane, flat or rippled rubber, felt. When choosing, it is necessary to pay attention to the elasticity and thickness of the substrate, and to do this, a small experiment. For example, compress the material by hand. If it easily crumples, it is unlikely to successfully cope with the role of the shock absorber. Thick and dense in structure the fabric will give carpet cover the parameters necessary for comfort: durability, soundproofing, softness, thickness and elasticity.