When choosing flooring in departments of specialized stores, you can see large rolls of thin synthetic material that “recline” next to samples of parquet and laminate. These rolls are nothing more than a substrate that is used in the installation of a laminated or parquet coating.
The underlay for parquet is used with those types of coatings that are mounted in the adhesiveless way, using the technology of locking joints. Its role in the correct and high-quality installation is very large. Firstly, the elastic material serves as a kind of shock absorber for a solid parquet board, so that the coating becomes more elastic. Secondly, the parquet underlay 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 life of the floor covering, as it eliminates its contact with the hard surface of the subfloor.
In addition to synthetic soft polyurethane, there is also a cork underlay for parquet and laminate. This is a thin coating pressed from cork wood, which has all the advantages of natural fiber - high environmental friendliness, pleasant appearance and smell, and due to the fact that it is made from cork - also natural warmth. Such a substrate is more expensive than synthetic, but its unconditional quality characteristics are much higher and worth it. The underlay for parquet and cork laminate is, first of all, environmental safety, high sound insulation and heat.
Work on the flooring of the parquet board and the laminate begins with the preparation of the rough foundation of the floor, which is based on a high-quality and durable cement screed. If the floor is based on flooring from boards, then they are strengthened, those that become unusable are replaced with new ones. From above, such a rough floor is covered with sheets of plywood, which are “planted” on glue or wood screws. Then they lay the substrate, and after that they cover it with a parquet board or laminate, connecting the boards with each other with a “lock”. On a high-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-base is that it should be very even and dry, without cracks and sag. On an even, high-quality rough surface, a parquet board or a laminate with a castle connection is laid quickly and simply, this work does not require special knowledge and skills.
I would also like to say about the use of a substrate for carpet. It is widely believed that soft and resilient carpeting does not require any backing, and it can be laid immediately on the rough floor. However, this opinion is not entirely correct and it is true only if you use inexpensive material, the life of which is no more than 3-4 years. The approach to high-quality and durable work should be completely different, and here you cannot do without certain rules and standards.
The substrate is a very important element of high-quality soft flooring, as it doubles its life, because without it the coating is wiped quickly enough, especially in the most popular 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 on itself. It also increases the feeling of softness and comfort. With it, a thin pile coating will seem thicker, significant and expensive, but they can be used only if carpet is laid without glue, for example, using scotch tape, a flue strip or pressing plinths.
The materials that make this auxiliary element of soft flooring are the most diverse: polyurethane, flat or grooved rubber, felt. When choosing, it is necessary to pay attention to the elasticity and thickness of the substrate, and to do this, conduct a small experiment. For example, squeeze the material by hand. If it is easily crumpled, it is unlikely to successfully cope with the role of a shock absorber. Thick and dense fabric will give the carpet the necessary parameters for comfort: durability, sound insulation, softness, thickness and elasticity.