The most important task facing the repair of flooring is to ensure an excellent appearance of the room, creating coziness and comfort. It is important that when a person comes home from work, he can take a break from the noise and bustle of others. When moving around your home, knocks and creaks of the floor covering should not create discomfort and irritation. This can help special material(substrate) laid under the laminate. In addition, the substrate acts as sound insulation, protects the laminate from moisture, and the durability of the laminate will largely depend on it. Let's take a closer look at what they are and which underlay for laminate is better.

Types of underlays for laminate

The construction market is saturated with the most various types substrates laid under laminate flooring. This special material, depending on the initial components used in its production, can be divided into:

• natural – created on the basis of natural materials;
• polymer (artificial) - these are, as a rule, products of the chemical and oil refining industries.

Substrates made from natural materials

Natural substrates are made from various wood species. This material does not cause allergies (which is very important), it is environmentally friendly and does not emit harmful odors. The most popular materials used for the production of substrates natural type- This is cork and coniferous wood.

Cork backing

Cork backing for flooring under laminate has very valuable characteristics, such as good sound insulation, low thermal conductivity, good shock absorption. Available in the form of rolls from sheets of compressed cork chips.

This material, due to its special physical characteristics, is recommended for use in children's rooms and bedrooms. There are several types of cork substrate, the main ones are rubber-cork (a mixture of granulated cork and synthetic rubber) and bitumen-cork.

Let's describe the bitumen option in more detail. It is done as follows: on special paper a thin layer of hot bitumen is applied and then sprinkled with fine cork chips (powder). This underlay promotes good air flow under the laminate or other floor covering. Air circulation removes condensation and moisture and also prevents the wooden plates from drying out.

Coniferous substrate

Substrate them coniferous species are made in the form of carpet strips Green colour from a glued, pressed mixture of sawdust and shavings. It is characterized by increased mechanical strength and the ability to retain heat well, and when it dries after getting wet, it does not deform or crumble. It is produced in the form of slabs up to 7 mm thick, resembling chipboard in appearance, and has different sizes.

Disadvantages of natural substrates

Despite the expanded list of positive qualities, natural materials have some disadvantages:

1. High price. Compared to artificial analogues, the difference can reach 40 percent or more.
2. Sensitivity to changes concrete base. Cork and coniferous substrates for laminate “tolerate” a difference of no more than 2 mm for every 2 meters of cement screed. Otherwise, the laid laminate will constantly sag and, as a result, its locks will diverge, which will create an unpresentable appearance. So if you decide to use a natural substrate under a laminate flooring, take care to carefully level the concrete base.

Substrates made of artificial materials

Laminate substrates created on the basis of artificial polymer compounds are much cheaper than their natural counterparts. The most popular and accessible are:

• made of foamed polypropylene;
• from expanded polystyrene;
• foil backing;
• “Tuplex” backing.

Foamed polypropylene backing

The most common material for the manufacture of inexpensive substrates is a polypropylene compound. The term "inexpensive" in no way means poor quality. This material absorbs quite well laminated coating floor under load. Satisfactorily absorbs extraneous noise and retains heat.

The backing has a wavy structure that allows air to ventilate freely under the laminate. It is not afraid of condensation or moisture, and is produced in strips up to 5 mm thick, rolled into rolls. The main advantage of synthetic materials is their stability with differences (irregularities) of up to 4 mm per two meters. The main disadvantage of this material is that it does not withstand large static loads, under which air bubbles can burst, resulting in a change in its thickness.

Polystyrene foam backing

The substrate is made from polystyrene foam molded under certain conditions. This material is much stronger and denser than foamed polypropylene. Its peculiarity is that it is able to withstand heavy loads for a long time. It is produced in the form of plates or mats of gray-green color.

Extruded polystyrene foam has no environmental contraindications for use in residential and work areas. It can smooth out minor unevenness in the underlying concrete floor. This type of substrate is in great demand in the construction market.

However, polypropylene substrates have certain disadvantages. This material has a structure similar to foam bubbles. Over time, under load, the pores burst and become compressed. When a laminate coating is used intensively, the substrate loses its shape and elasticity, which negatively affects its protective properties. Another disadvantage is that it is quite flammable material, through which the fire spreads quickly.

But, despite these disadvantages, polypropylene backing remains a leader in a specific market segment because it is the most satisfactory and budget option.

Foil backing

It is usually made on the basis of polypropylene, and can be covered with foil on one or both sides. It costs more, but its thermal insulation properties are much higher than those of a substrate made of ordinary polypropylene.

Any type of underlay must be laid joint-to-joint under the laminate. The edges of the strips are tightly fixed to each other with tape. For the foil backing, mirror tape is used on the floor side to create the effect of a thermos as fully as possible. This will reduce heat loss much more effectively, and the bubbles in polypropylene will additionally provide sound insulation!

Remember that the total thickness of the laminate and underlay should not exceed the jointed floor coverings of adjacent rooms.

“Tuplex” backing

Tuplex underlayment is a 3 mm thick composite material consisting of two layers of polyethylene film and a layer of granular polystyrene foam in between. The pores in polystyrene foam and the air between the granules reliably retain heat and also protect against extraneous noise and sounds. This type of underlay can even be laid on a screed that has little residual moisture.

The high-strength top layer of polyethylene can withstand significant loads, but its main task is to prevent moisture from passing through and to protect the laminate, preventing it from deforming. The bottom layer of polyethylene, on the contrary, has a porous structure that allows moisture to pass into the polystyrene foam layer, through which the moisture escapes outside around the perimeter of the room.

How thick should the substrate be?

There is an opinion that the thicker the substrate under the laminate, the better it will be. You can even meet people who lay it in several layers to achieve maximum insulation and sound insulation. There is a significant disadvantage with this approach, which is that such a substrate under point loads (any heavy object or even a person) can be strongly compressed, causing the laminate boards to even break.

With a substrate thickness of 3 mm or more, the connections of the lamellas may deform over time, since the laminate is not adapted to regular bending when walking. From such a load, the locks quickly wear out, as a result of which cracks appear and the floor begins to creak heavily. Therefore, it is important to consider the rigidity of the substrate and its thickness. The smoother the base, the thinner material can be laid.

Vapor barrier under laminate

Laminate is produced from paper impregnated adhesive composition, from pressed waste from the woodworking industry. Therefore, contact of the laminate with surfaces that emit moisture is very undesirable. These, of course, include concrete floors, which, regardless of their “age,” can absorb and release moisture. Well, let’s not even talk about a fresh concrete screed; in this case, a vapor barrier layer must be required. There is no need to use it when laying laminate flooring on a wooden floor. You can read more about vapor barrier materials and the nuances of their installation here -. That's all, we hope you found the answer to the question, what is the best underlay for laminate flooring?.

Review of the best of the most popular

To recommend you the best substrates, we took into account the opinions of representatives of manufacturers of the most popular laminate brands, analyzed reviews of craftsmen and users on specialized Internet resources and construction forums, and technical characteristics of materials.

Selection criteria

We made the selection based on the parameters below, which we suggest you use as a guide when making your choice.

Noise absorption

This means the absorption of “impact” (reflected and transmitted) noise. Reflected noise is what you hear when you walk on the floor; transmitted noise is what your neighbors below hear. Let’s be clear right away: NO underlayment will save YOU from the noise of your neighbors underneath you, it’s YOU who saves them from the rumble of your heels.

Relation to moisture

Substrates from different groups react differently to moisture. Please note that an indispensable condition The guarantee for laminate from manufacturers is the presence of a waterproofing film with a thickness of 200 microns.

Thermal insulation

This indicator is important if the floors are located above basements, unheated garages, or passageways.

Density, thickness

For laminate flooring, the ideal is the most solid base possible. In this case, wear on the locks will be minimal. The softer and thicker the substrate, the faster the coating will deteriorate. If the thickness is greater than the optimal(!) 3 mm, then there is a high probability of cracks appearing due to wear of the locks.

Reaction to unevenness of the main floor

How denser material(and cork has the highest density), the worse its leveling abilities and the more carefully the base should be leveled. You can’t even out a large radius curvature with anything!

Lifetime

Under an expensive laminate with a lifespan of 15 years, it is not economically feasible to lay a cheap polyethylene backing that will wear out in a couple of years.

Suitable for use with heated floors

This characteristic is relevant for those who plan to lay laminate flooring on heated floors.

Ease of installation

Some types of rolled substrates (cork, in particular) tend to curl up when laid. In this case, it is better to take sheet material.

The best manufacturers (brands) of substrates

Well-known laminate manufacturers strongly recommend using branded substrates for their products. Otherwise, they reserve the right to refuse to consider a claim if one arises. However, they all favor cork substrates from Portugal and VTM brand extruded polystyrene. Excellent reviews of Parkolag and Izoplin from both installers and buyers. NPE substrates from Quick Step. But the domestic analogue will provide you with “bubbles” and “waves” after installation. We also do not recommend extruded polystyrene from Russian and Chinese brands: their product descriptions overstate their characteristics.

OUR RANKING OF THE BEST SUBSTRATES

Place	Name	average price	Nomination	Description	Our rating
The best natural substrates
1.	Premium Cork, Portugal	90 rub./m2 (2 mm) 145 RUR/m2 (3mm)	Natural cork Highest density Lowest thermal conductivity	“Technical cork” material made from compressed bark balsa wood. It has great resistance to deformation, good noise and vibration absorption, and excellent thermal insulation properties. Installs exclusively on thick film. Sold in rolls and sheets. Not recommended for heated floors.	9 out of 10
2.	PARCOLAG (Parkolag)	95 RUR/m2 (3mm)	Bitumen-cork Best characteristics	Ventilated backing. It is kraft paper impregnated with natural bitumen with natural cork topping (granules 2-3 mm in size). It is characterized by high noise absorption, excellent noise and moisture insulation. Roll material.	9 out of 10
3.	Isoplaat	55 RUR/m2	Better thermal insulation, acoustics, equalization	Fiberboard on coniferous resins for sound insulation. Levels uneven subfloors up to 4 mm. Characterized by high thermal insulation, natural ventilation, vapor permeability. Effective damping of “impact” noise, sound dispersion, moisture resistance.	9 out of 10
The best extruded polystyrene substrates
1.	VTM, IsoPolin (Isopolin)	55 RUR/m2	Best price-quality ratio	Material: polystyrene film. This rigid structured XPS underlayment falls somewhere between cork and polyethylene in terms of installation complexity and cost. Excellent sound insulation, minimal moisture absorption. Excellent thermal insulation properties that are maintained at high humidity.	10 of 10
The best polyethylene substrates
1.	Tuplex	99 RUR/m2	The most technological	State-of-the-art composite material consisting of polystyrene foam granules between two layers of polyethylene different thicknesses. It has excellent moisture and sound insulation properties. The membrane design of the lower layer of Tuplex allows you to ventilate the space under the laminate: moisture seeps inside and then is discharged under the baseboards.	9 out of 10
2.	Izolon PPE	35 RUR/m2	The cheapest substrate	Heat-resistant, finely porous substrate made of foamed “cross-linked” PPE. Surpasses NPE in all respects.	8 out of 10
3.	Foil Izolon PPE	56 RUR/m2	Foil	Insulating substrate Izolon PPE with a layer of foil 14 microns thick applied to one side.	7 out of 10

The best natural substrates

Let us immediately clarify that natural origin the substrate in this case does not provide any advantages in terms of ecology, since on top of it there will be a laminate, which, as is known, is artificial material.

Cork backing Premium Cork (Cork)
Rating 9 out of 10

Photo: vopros-remont.ru

Average price in Russia: 90 rub./m2, thickness 2 mm (145 rub./m2 - thickness 3 mm)

Advantages: One of the best substrates made in Portugal, Spain. Very high density means the resistance of both itself and the laminate locks to deformation under load. Due to its high damping properties, the floor will not “play” over time. Due to its very low thermal conductivity it is good insulation floors above unheated rooms. Since it dampens noise well, it will be an excellent solution for children's and playrooms. Can be used with high-class laminate without requiring replacement for 25 years. Unlike its Chinese counterpart, it does not crumble, is easy to install and use, and does not harm the laminate.

Flaws: High price. Noisy on a poorly leveled base. Best used on wooden floors, plywood, chipboard. Absorbs moisture, therefore requires waterproofing of concrete and is not recommended for wet rooms and kitchens.

Typical reviews
“We need to remove the base under the cork more carefully! I encountered this..."
“...hard to lay down. When the roll ends, the cork tends to move back strongly, and there is a fear that it, crumpled, will fall under the laminate.”

Parkolag
Rating 9 out of 10

Photo: strmnt.ru

Average price in Russia: 95 rub./m2, thickness 3 mm

Advantages: High noise absorption, wear resistance, and very high moisture insulation make this ventilated substrate one of the best. Cork powder, which retains its elasticity, contributes to the long service life of the laminate, and bitumen prevents the penetration of moisture from the concrete screed. The presence of air exchange prevents the formation of condensation, fungus, and mold. Saves linear dimensions under very significant pressure and with changes in temperature and humidity conditions. A reliable substrate that will be an excellent solution for expensive brands of laminate and will serve for many years without causing problems.

Flaws: Cannot be used under heated floors.

Reviews:
“Compared to technical cork, the mixed version is more versatile and more wear-resistant. Benefits in terms of a barrier to excess moisture.”
“As a substrate, I always liked Pargolag, about which I heard a lot of stories, like it stinks of bitumen in a way that is not childish, etc. All this is nonsense.”
“I bought a parkolag for laminate flooring. Great! And there’s no smell, and thiiiiiiho...”

Isoplat (Isoplaat startfloor barlinek)
Rating 9 out of 10

Photo: bug.ua

Average price in Russia: 55 RUR/m2 (thickness 5 mm)

Advantages: An ideal substrate for heated floors due to its absolute safety when heating. Thanks to its porous structure, it has good noise- and sound-absorbing, acoustic and heat-insulating properties, and heat resistance. The special structure of the bottom layer allows air to circulate freely, providing ventilation properties. In addition, thanks to antiseptic impregnation, it is protected from fungus and mold. In terms of elasticity, thermal conductivity, resistance to compression, sound absorption, durability and naturalness, it is similar to cork. As for thermal insulation, due to the thickness of Izoplat it is 3 times higher and comparable to soft insulation.
Flaws: Slabs of smaller thickness are not available.
Reviews:
“I have 5 mm isoplaat under 33 laminate. Elastic, warm to the touch, dampens noise well. With two small children, the neighbors downstairs simply don’t hear us (their opinion).”

The best extruded polystyrene foam substrates

VTM, IsoPolin (Isopolin)
Rating 10 out of 10

Photo: skill-spb.ru

Average price in Russia: 55 rub./m2 (thickness 3 mm)

Advantages: A stable base for laminated floors, making even diagonal laying of laminate flooring convenient. Thanks to its closed, moisture-proof pores, it is ideal waterproofing. Optimally selected density is expressed in a sufficiently high resistance to external pressure and at the same time the absence of strong rigidity. The latter quality compensates for floor unevenness up to 3 mm and enhances sound insulation: the impact noise absorption rate is close to cork. Technical characteristics are similar to Izoplat plates. Mechanical pressure does not have a destructive effect on the structure, therefore, VTM and IsoPolin substrates do not lose their high heat and sound insulating properties over time. Service life more than 10 years.

Flaws: Not suitable for rooms with high intense traffic and load (dance halls, fitness clubs, etc.). Not suitable for heated floors.

Reviews:
“In terms of laying properties and resistance to subsidence, XPS substrates and Isoplats are almost identical.”
“As a builder, I will say: it’s pleasant and easy to work with; many customers require just such a substrate.”
“In the Olympic Village ... there is a huge demand for this substrate among understanding people.”

The best polyethylene substrates

Tuplex
Rating 9 out of 10

Photo: ekopol.kiev.ua

Average price in Russia: 99 rub./m2 (thickness 3 mm)

Advantages: Tuplex underlay adapts to the shape of the base, smoothing out small defects. Perfectly absorbs impact noise, muffling the sound of heels. This quality allows us to recommend Tuplex for both residential premises and offices. Due to low compression (14 times less compared to foamed polyethylene), it retains its shape well and prevents the laminate from sagging. The unique structure of the material allows moisture to be removed naturally, but this advantage is reduced to zero in the presence of a waterproofing film. Suitable for heated floors.

Flaws: The heating efficiency of heated floors is lower compared to traditional thermally conductive substrates due to the dissipation of part of the air.

Reviews:
“The best...thing I've worked with is Tuplex. Very easy to install."
“I heard complaints about him. The main idea: polystyrene foam balls deform over time... This may not be true, but it’s worth thinking about.”
“...tried compression, but it doesn’t recover. Although the annotation says something else.”

Izolon PPE
Rating 8 out of 10

Photo: www.web4market.biz

Average price in Russia: 35 RUR/m2 (2 mm)

Advantages: Good heat and noise absorption parameters of “cross-linked” polyethylene with closed pores, its environmental friendliness, elasticity and elasticity, increased moisture resistance and hydrophobicity, inertness to “chemistry”, bacteria and relative cheapness make the Izolon PPE substrate (not to be confused with Izolon NPE!) preferred for use in residential and public spaces. These qualities can be maintained by Izolon PPE for a long time under any operating conditions. Does not deform under load, does not burn and does not emit toxic substances. Over time, it does not collapse, does not lose stability and strength, unlike gas-filled polyethylenes Izolon NPE, Penofol, Poliizol, etc. The service life under normal conditions is more than 25 years. The optimal solution for heated floors.

Flaws: Despite the good thermal insulation properties, you should not count on thermal insulation of the floor with a material thickness of 2-4 mm.

Reviews:
“If you take Izolon, then PPE is white with very dense small bubbles, but not our NPE!”
“Compared to cork, Isolon has much worse compression and recovery.”

Foil Izolon PPE
Rating 6 out of 10

Photo: www.dom-laminata.ru

Average price in Russia: 56 RUR/m2

Advantages: In addition to the advantages of Izolon PPE, the foil layer, which is a reflective thermal insulation, enhances heat and vapor barrier properties and reduces heat loss by 97%. Important: the higher the temperature difference between the subfloor and the room, the higher the effectiveness of foil thermal insulation. For the first floor with a concrete floor, foil-coated Izolon PPE is useful; for an apartment on the fourth floor there will be no gain in temperature. But as insulation, it combines perfectly with infrared heated floors.

Reviews:
“For the foil to give a noticeable effect in heat reflection, the temperature must be around 60° C. Therefore, foil on foam... a successful marketing move...".
“...living in a plastic bag requires constant ventilation.”

Which underlay is best to buy?

Even professionals often have a diametrically opposed attitude towards the same group of materials, and most often it is poorly reasoned. Our rating of the best substrates does not give a clear answer to this question—the choice is yours. Study the characteristics of the material and choose the one that best suits your tasks, the degree of evenness of the base and your financial capabilities. However, keep in mind that thicker does not mean better; the thickness of the substrate should not exceed 3-4 mm, unless greater is allowed by the laminate manufacturer.

Due to its practicality, laminated flooring has become very popular. But for such a coating to fully reveal all its positive traits, an underlay for the laminate is required. The lining smoothes out uneven floors and is both vapor and sound insulating.

Of course, there are many materials for making substrates, everyone various characteristics and they are all good in their own way. Among other things, the lining acts as a kind of shock absorber - so that the floor covering does not sag under loads and does not play when walking. Let's look at what types of laminate substrates there are.

Foamed polyethylene

The most inexpensive roll substrate. Besides attractive price, the advantages of this material are:

• Excellent moisture resistance.
• Not susceptible to mold and mildew.
• Good thermal insulation.
• Undemanding to subfloor(permissible height difference up to 4 mm).

But like most inexpensive materials, polyethylene foam is not without its disadvantages:

• Weak mechanical strength- breaks easily.
• Sags relatively quickly under load.

This type of lining is mainly used for inexpensive repairs and commissioning of budget facilities.

Foil polyethylene foam

The next type of substrate is also made from foamed polyethylene, but has a base. It is the foil base that makes it possible to somewhat improve the technical characteristics of the substrate. There are two ways to lay this material:

1. If it is necessary to protect the laminate from exposure to a damp or cold floor (for example, on the first floor above a damp basement), the underlay is laid with foil down.
2. To reduce heat loss or when installing heated floors, they should be laid with foil facing up.

A version with double-sided foil is also available, but this material is more expensive.

Advice! When installing pads made of foamed polyethylene, the joints must be taped with regular or masking tape on both sides. And the foil backing with aluminum tape.

Extruded polystyrene

This laminate underlay is optimal solution according to its properties and pricing policy. This material has the following characteristics:

Excellent waterproofing properties.

Capable of dampening vibrations and stress of the floor covering.

Good sound insulation properties.

Does not rot, is not susceptible to the formation of fungi and microorganisms.

Available in the form of sheets, often greenish in color. Also based on extruded polystyrene foam, such a lining as “Isoshum” is known, used as an excellent soundproofing damper under laminate.

The only disadvantage of this substrate is the high toxicity of smoke during combustion, which makes us more attentive to fire safety.

Cork material

Lining made from crushed natural cork tree bark is the most environmentally friendly pure material of all manufactured linings. In addition, it has the following positive characteristics:

High sound insulation properties.

Good thermal insulation.

Wear resistance.

Among the disadvantages it is worth noting:

• Afraid of moisture.
• Quite a high price.
• High demands on the subfloor surface.

Advice! If you decide to install a cork damper, then you need to lay a layer of waterproofing on the subfloor (especially concrete). Rolled polyethylene film is suitable for this purpose.

Types of cork backing

Several varieties of this material are also produced, for example, bitumen and rubber-cork linings, each of which has its own nuances:

• Bitumen-cork material has increased waterproofing properties.
• The damper, based on rubber and cork, has pronounced shock-absorbing characteristics.

What these materials have in common is the fact that it is not recommended to install them on heated floors.

Coniferous material

This laminate underlay appeared relatively recently and reviews about it are mixed. Some people praise it, some people criticize it, but we’ll figure out what technical characteristics it has. First, let's look at the positive properties:

1. The environmental friendliness of the material is beyond doubt.
2. The large thickness (5–7 mm) contributes to excellent leveling of the subfloor.
3. Good heat and sound insulation abilities.
4. When wet, it does not lose its properties and retains its shape.

It is worth noting that such a substrate is produced in the form of green mats, which break and crumble quite easily and often.

Advice! In order not to waste your money on a low-quality product, you should consult with the seller about the warranty on the product. How better quality material, the more he has guarantee period operation.

Other materials

Other types of linings are also produced, among which the following materials stand out most noticeably.

Fiberglass damper

Although this lining material does not have pronounced disadvantages, it is rarely laid under laminate. Among the advantages are:

• Increased strength to various influences, which has a positive effect on the material’s resistance to deformation.
• The environmental friendliness of this substrate allows it to be used even in a children's room.

This roll underlay is optimally combined with the thin look of laminate and is laid on a pre-leveled subfloor surface.

Quick styling underlay

A unique lining is also available - an accordion. All sheets of this lining are fastened together and stretch like an accordion. This underlay for laminate allows you to quickly and easily install any floor covering. This material has the following properties:

• High density, as a result of which the damper does not sag or compress.
• Excellent water-repellent characteristics are combined with the ability of the material to pass air. This allows the laminate to “breathe”.
• Acceptable sound insulation performance.
• Ease of transportation and installation, because the packaging does not take up much space.

In addition, the accordion backing has a special corrugated packaging, which not only makes it easy to transport and store the material for a long time, but also clearly demonstrates all its advantages.

Advice! For each type of laminate, the manufacturer most often recommends a specific damper. It is important to study and follow these recommendations. In case of gross violation of the instructions, the manufacturer may even remove the warranty period from its products.

Having studied what laminate substrates are made from, you can choose from a variety of materials exactly those technical characteristics of the damper that you need. A wide range will allow you to make the right choice without much difficulty.