Accumulation of moisture above the substrate under the parquet board. Parquet underlay: main varieties and selection rules

Laminate flooring is one of the most popular flooring options. Parquet boards have a lot of advantages: high environmental friendliness, quick installation, retains heat, and most importantly, from an aesthetic point of view, is the main decoration of the interior of any room.

Laminate is a rather “ringing” material. Parquet is not flexible; even with slight unevenness in the base of the floor, it can deform and collapse.

The substrate under the parquet board is “designed” to resist these negative phenomena. In this article, we will talk about which underlay for parquet boards is best to choose.

Preparing the subfloor

No matter how hard you try, it is impossible to achieve a perfectly flat subfloor surface. If the laminate was laid on uneven ground by careless workers cement screed, then new floors for short term will fall into complete disrepair.

The parquet boards will begin to separate, forming cracks. The locking connections will collapse, so the concrete floor screed is brought to maximum evenness of the horizontal surface. The standards allow a maximum height difference of 2 mm per 2 running meters.

To control this tolerance, take a 2-meter ruler. By placing the slats in different places along and across the floor, control measurements of height differences are carried out.

Use chalk to mark problem areas on the surface of the screed. Cement mortar level the floor. After re-checking the horizontalness of the base of the floor, lay a lining under the laminate.

Why do you need a substrate?

The underlay also serves as a shock absorber for the floor

Parquet underlay is a necessary component of laminate flooring.

The lining has the following qualities:

• optimizes the thermal properties of the floor;
• fills small differences in the height of the floor base;
• protects the locks of parquet boards from below from cement dust;
• reduces the noise level from walking on the floor;
• promotes uniform distribution of mechanical loads exerted on the laminated coating.

Let's look at the types of lining material so that everyone can understand which lining is best for their parquet floor.

Types of substrate

The retail chain offers for sale several types of lining material for parquet:

1. Polyethylene foam.
2. Cork.
3. Parkolat.
4. Tuplex.

Polyethylene foam

Foamed polyethylene (PP) backing is the most used material as a backing for parquet. PP is not afraid of mold, fungi and harmful bacteria. PP is a very light and easy-to-install material. The substrate is sold in rolls.

Store PP rolls in a dark room, since the polymer is exposed to sunlight quickly becomes unusable.

Foil polyethylene foam (FPP)

FPP is the same polyethylene foam, covered on one side with a layer of thin foil. FPP is used as a lining under parquet when installing heated floors.

The substrate is laid with the foil side up to reflect heat into the room.

FPP has the same qualities as polyethylene foam, retains heat 30% better and does not require additional vapor barrier installation. The service life of the FPP is about 10 years.

Cork

Cork underlay for parquet boards – natural natural material, which is made from balsa wood chips with the addition of plasticizers and stabilizers.

The material, due to its porosity, has unsurpassed sound-absorbing and thermal insulation properties. Cork resists mold and fungal growth.

The cork underlay absorbs moisture and “transports” it to the edges of the floor, where it evaporates through the gaps between the floor covering and the walls.

Parkolag

The bitumen-cork substrate is produced under the brand name Parkolag. The environmentally friendly material is used as a soundproofing lining for parquet. The name itself suggests that the cork coating has a bituminous upper surface.

The bitumen layer prevents moisture penetration from below. The cork surface provides ventilation of the floor covering, due to which moisture is removed to the edges of the floor.

The elastic underlay effectively hides small unevenness in the subfloor and makes walking on the parquet virtually silent.

Parkolag is laid with the cork down on the concrete screed without laying additional vapor barrier.

The substrate is sold in rolls measuring 1,000 mm x 15,000 mm. For more information on choosing a substrate, watch this video:

Tuplex

The Tuplex company produces a substrate made of composite polymer materials. The lining consists of three layers:

• the lower porous film absorbs and passes moisture upward;
• the middle layer is a fabric consisting of microscopic balls that removes moisture beyond the edges of the coating;
• The top polyethylene film serves as a vapor barrier.

Let's summarize the advantages and disadvantages of the above types of substrates in a table:

Substrate thickness

A thick lining will lead to distortions in the coating

There is a misconception that the thicker the substrate under the parquet board, the better.

The fact is that the permissible height difference is 2 mm per 2 l.m. The area of ​​the floor base should be equal to the thickness of the substrate.

As strange as it may seem, a thick lining will only increase the difference in height of the subfloor, which will ultimately lead to the destruction of the entire surface of the floor covering. To learn how to lay underlay under laminate, watch this video:

A substrate made of any material is used for laying laminate only with a thickness of 2 mm.

The technological revolution is changing well-known building materials beyond recognition. Thus, with the advent of interlocking parquet boards, expensive and respectable parquet moves into the category of floor coverings available to the mass buyer. This type of floor is distinguished by its reliability, durability and unique beauty. Natural boards are pleasant to tactile contact, do not accumulate static charges, and can be sanded several times to restore their original appearance. All this becomes possible by following installation technology, which involves laying an intermediate layer between the subfloor and the floor covering.

The underlay for parquet is provided not only by Russian building codes(SNiP 3.04.01-87) and rules (SP 71.13330.2011), but also European standards (CEN), adopted in 2013.

Why do you need a substrate?

The underlay for the parquet board is thin layer nonwoven material in the form of rolls or sheets. Suitable for:

• eliminating unevenness in the subfloor;
• compensation of oscillatory movements when walking;
• improving sound insulation;
• protection of floor coverings from condensation moisture;
• increasing the level of thermal protection.

Of the above functions, only the first two are considered basic. Noise, heat and waterproofing are auxiliary.

Leveling base defects. Modern materials and technology does not allow obtaining a perfectly even screed. Even a self-leveling floor will always have slightly sagging areas or small bumps. Sanding the surface partially solves the problem, but still leaves behind the smallest irregularities, which after several months of use of the floor lead to the appearance of “play”: sagging of the boards under the weight of a walking person. In this case, an amplitude of 2-3 mm is enough for a creaking to appear first, and then the process of destruction of the locks begins.

Eliminates the problem of uneven concrete base substrate. Correctly selected in thickness and physical properties The material allows you to obtain an almost ideal surface for laying parquet boards.

Compensation of amplitude fluctuations. While walking, parquet boards bend under the weight of a walking person. The lock takes on all the load. If measures are not taken to dampen oscillatory movements, the locking joints will quickly begin to collapse. Therefore, the main functions of the substrate include its ability to act as a damper (from the German word dämpfen - to dampen) layer between the floor covering and the subfloor.

Noise insulation. Concrete in a screed conducts various noises well. The thickness of the parquet board is not enough to dampen sound waves. As a result, neighbors below hear noises inside the apartment, especially footsteps on thin heels, and the owners of the apartment are well aware of what is happening below.

Thermal insulation. The substrate, regardless of what material underlies it, has good insulating properties. Its installation makes it possible to retain heat in the apartment (house), not allowing it to escape through the concrete.

However, here you need to remember that the installation of heated floors under parquet requires other properties from the substrate: reflect heat waves into the apartment or transmit them well in one direction. This can be a material with special perforation (they allow heat to pass through) or a laminated backing (the foil reflects heat upward).

Types of substrates for parquet (parquet boards)

The underlay for parquet boards can be classified according to several criteria:

• according to the form of manufactured products;
• by the origin of the materials from which it is made;
• according to the raw materials used.

By release form

Substrate manufacturers offer two options for their products:

• roll - produced mainly from artificial materials;
• sheet made of cork, pine needles and polystyrene foam.

By origin of raw materials

Plates and rolls are made from natural (pine needles, cork) and artificial (polyethylene, polystyrene, propylene, bitumen) materials. In some cases on the shelves retail outlets Can be seen combined option(bitumen plug). Each of them has its own pros and cons, which will be discussed below.

By type of raw material

Based on the type of material from which the substrate is made, there are:

• polyethylene foam;
• expanded polystyrene;
• foamed propylene;
• cork;
• bitumen-cork;
• conifers;
• combined (composite).

Polyethylene. Polyethylene substrates can be of several types:

• from foamed non-cross-linked polyethylene (NPE), sold under the following brands: “Izolon”, “Isopak”, “Isoprol”, “Penolin”, “Porilex”, etc.;

• made of cross-linked polyethylene foam (PPE) - produced under the brands Penolon, Polifom, Tatfoum;

• foil made of cross-linked polyethylene foam - these are “Ekofol”, “Penofol”, etc.

For information: you can read more about the foil backing in the material “”.

These are the cheapest types of damping materials, and therefore construction market occupy a dominant position. Such linings have their advantages:

• enough high level hydro- and thermal insulation;
• ease of use - easy to cut with simple installation;
• inertness to most chemicals;
• does not serve as a basis for the proliferation of fungus and mold;
• does not fit into the rodent food chain.

At the same time, this type of substrate has several significant disadvantages:

• low strength, which manifests itself in the loss of shock-absorbing properties within 3-5 years (compressed);
• afraid of ultraviolet radiation - rapidly deteriorates when exposed to sunlight;
• low soundproofing properties.

Expanded polystyrene. Expanded polystyrene substrates are available in the following forms:

• mats (sheets) - brands “Isoshum”, “Aberhof”;

• accordions - “Solid”;

• rolls - “Isopolin” (Poland).

The material has many strengths:

• durable - the service life coincides with the service life of the parquet board;
• retains elasticity until the end of its service life;
• can be laid without waterproofing, which is a big advantage over other types of substrates;
• restores its original shape after prolonged static load;
• serves good insulation due to the porous structure;
• absorbs sounds well - the noise absorption level reaches 70%;
• retains elasticity at temperatures from - 50 o C to + 75 o C (can be installed in the country without any problems);
• has precise geometric dimensions, which facilitates the flooring process;
• Light weight and compactness allow the material to be transported in passenger cars.

Among the disadvantages it should be noted:

• low ability to level out screed protrusions - a thickness of 3 mm eliminates an error in the base of the floor of only 1 mm;
• immediately after laying the floor covering it temporarily sags - the problem disappears after 4-5 weeks;
• Sold only in rolls and packs, resulting in surplus quite often;
• breaks under strong bending;
• cannot be laid on a wooden floor or plywood - the wood under the polystyrene actively rots;
• flammable - contains 92% carbon and 8% hydrogen.

You can read more about the polystyrene foam substrate in the material “”.

Propylene foam backing (Isopak) is not popular among the Russian population, despite its low price. There are several reasons:

• short service life - no more than 10 years, after which it turns into dust;
• highly flammable;
• releases very toxic substances;
• poor sound insulation.

The only advantages include good moisture resistance and an affordable price.

A cork underlay performs its functions best under parquet flooring - it almost perfectly levels out errors in the surface of the subfloor. She has:

• high heat and sound insulation properties;
• practical sizes;
• long service life.

The only negative is the very high price. Represented by well-known brands in the world: “Vintage”, “Amorim Group”, “Egen”, “Wicanders”, “Sedacor” and “Steico”. Available in rolls and sheets.

For information: detailed information about the cork substrate can be obtained on our website in the work “”.

The bitumen-cork substrate consists of bitumen-impregnated kraft paper and a layer of cork chips. Has the same performance characteristics, like pure cork material. However, this type of damper has one significant advantage: increased moisture resistance.

The coniferous underlay was conceived as an alternative to other types of underlays for a wooden subfloor, since under polystyrene foam and propylene the wood is prone to rapid rotting, and under polystyrene it rots.

In Russia it is also laid on top concrete screed. However, in this case, fundamental contradictions arise. Yes, on concrete surface high humidity due to condensation, and the needles instantly become moldy in humid conditions. This requires waterproofing in the form of a film, and the manufacturers of the substrate do not recommend laying it on polyethylene.

The substrate has quite a lot of advantages that customers like:

• durability - service life is about 20 years (possibly more, but there are no accumulated statistics);
• low coefficient of thermal conductivity - serves as an excellent insulation material;
• high density, due to which sharp protrusions (small pebbles) on the surface of the screed are well leveled;
• elasticity, allowing to maintain a weight of about 20 tons per 1 m2 without deformation of the underlying layer;
• high level of sound absorption (19-22 dB);
• fire resistance - at high temperatures the substrate does not support the combustion process - it becomes charred;
• environmentally friendly - natural materials are used in production.

Among the disadvantages:

• high price;
• accumulates water, after which it becomes a favorable basis for the development of mold and mildew;
• smells unpleasant in the first few weeks after flooring.

Available only in mat form. Most famous manufacturers: Polish company Steico, Isoplaat (Estonia), LATTIALEIJONA (Finland) and Cezar (Poland). The characteristics of the coniferous substrate are discussed in more detail in the work "".

The combined substrate is represented by the “Tuplex” trademark. It has a top and bottom made of polyethylene film, the middle is made of polystyrene foam, made in the form of balls. Moreover, each layer has its own functions: the bottom allows moisture to pass upward, the middle serves as a damper layer, and the top retains water molecules in both directions. This structure of the material makes it possible not to perform waterproofing work.

At Tuplex:

• long service life;
• good flexibility;
• the ability to perfectly level out differences in height at the base of the floor.

However, there are also significant disadvantages:

• high price;
• The middle layer contains styrene, which is harmful to health, which requires daily ventilation of the room for 1-2 months after laying the Tuplex underlay under the parquet board.

Criterias of choice

A huge selection of substrates from domestic and foreign manufacturers with different prices and different properties makes it very difficult to select a specific material for parquet. Which underlay for parquet boards is better, what to choose? Based on expert advice, we will highlight the main and secondary selection criteria.

Main characteristics of the material:

• price;
• durability;
• ability to resist fungus and mold.

The secondary ones include:

• thickness;
• level of heat and sound insulation (judging by reviews on forums, many city residents place sound insulation in second place, after the cost of the material);
• release form.

Which is cheaper?

In the lower price sector there are substrates based on polyethylene and propylene, in the middle - polystyrene foam, in the upper - pine needles, cork, cork with bitumen and "Tuplex".

You need to cross everything off the list right away. budget materials. The reason is that low price corresponds to a short service life - no more than 15 years. If such a material can be used with a laminate - the service life of both materials is almost the same, then it cannot be laid under parquet - its durability is 2-3 times higher. There is one more point here: if there is money for parquet, then there will be money for the corresponding substrate.

Durability

Given the long service life of parquet boards, it is necessary to look for a material with a service life of 30 years or more. All materials remaining on the list meet these requirements.

Property to resist mold and mildew

According to this criterion, only pine needles are a problematic material. It cannot be used in the bathroom, kitchen and in apartments on the first floor with a damp basement.

Thickness

For some reason, there is a widespread belief that the thicker the substrate, the better. Construction forums are generally full of reviews about laying the substrate in two layers, as a result of which excellent sound insulation of the apartment is achieved and good level thermal protection. All this is true. There's no point in arguing.

But the owners are missing out important point- oscillatory movements of the board while walking. With a substrate 2-3 mm thick, the amplitude does not exceed 2 mm, which corresponds to GOST and does not affect the strength of the locks. An increase in the thickness of the substrate for each millimeter leads to an increase in the span by an additional 2 mm. As a result, on a substrate 4-6 mm thick, the parquet board will fluctuate up and down by 4-5 mm, which is a death sentence for the locking joint.

Conclusion: the best underlay for a parquet board should have a thickness of no more than 3 mm (ideal - 2 mm).

Level of heat and sound insulation

Cork and pine needles have the highest rates of heat and sound insulation. If these characteristics come first, then the choice is obvious: cork or bitumen-cork substrate. It is still better to use a coniferous substrate on a wood base: board, plywood.

Release form

Experts prefer to work with the material in the form of sheets (mats), which is very important when walking directly on the substrate is prohibited.

Which substrate is better to choose and in what cases

As noted above, for a wooden subfloor there are no other options other than pine needles. In other cases, the editors advise:

• for the first floor it is better to choose “Parkolag” with a thickness of 3 mm with increased heat-insulating properties;
• For a children's room with constant running, screaming and squealing, it is better to purchase “Steico Underfloor” or “ReFoam 3002”. Their properties make it possible to effectively extinguish different kinds noise;
• for private houses on the ground floor it is best to use Eco-cover 1000x500x3;
• if you suddenly don’t have enough money for a branded backing, Tarkett 2 mm thick will help.

General recommendation: In terms of price/quality ratio, the best substrates are the brands “Isoshum”, “Aberhof”, “Solid”. If the price factor is not taken into account, then it is advisable to choose a substrate made of cork or bitumen-cork material.

Rules for laying the substrate

Laying the underlay is easy. The main thing is to follow a few simple rules.

1. The surface of the screed or subfloor must be clean.
2. When waterproofing the base plastic film, the latter is overlapped and placed on the walls. The joints are glued together with tape.
3. The elastic backing is placed on the walls, the cork and pine needles are laid close to each other, but at a distance of 1 cm from the wall (technological gap).
4. All seams are taped.
5. You cannot walk on the substrate, except for pine needles.

Conclusion

Manufacturers of parquet boards write on the packaging that under flooring it is necessary to lay the substrate. If the recommendation is not followed, all warranties for the parquet board are canceled. Therefore, it is better to lay a damper layer of polystyrene foam, cork or pine needles between the screed and the floor. Such a layer will not only preserve the integrity of the castle connection, but also improve the sound and heat insulation of the room.

The substrate should not be thicker than 3 mm (ideally 2 mm) and have a long service life. In this regard, there is no need to consider polyethylene and propylene materials, whose operational period is limited to 10-15 years, as a layer.

To lay the substrate you do not need special knowledge or experience. Even a beginner in the construction business can cope with the technological operation.

A high-quality underlay for a parquet board is the most important factor on which both operational properties, and the service life of the used finishing material. When choosing a floor covering, you must meet a number of requirements when laying it.

Do you need an underlay for parquet boards?

Experienced craftsmen advise that when installing parquet boards, be sure to lay a layer separating the base and the immediate floor covering. The parquet underlay has several functional aspects:

1. Corrects unevenness and defects in rough screed.
2. Normalizes the microclimate between the base and the parquet board.
3. Provides additional heat and noise insulation.
4. Simplifies the installation of the finishing coating.
5. Creates shock absorption and provides the possibility of increased load on the parquet floor.

Thickness of the underlay for parquet boards

The opinion that the thicker the substrate under the parquet board, the softer it is to walk on the floor and the less stress on it, is a common misconception. After a long operating period, the material will become compacted, which will lead to a difference in its thickness. Due to the deformation of the substrate, the floors will begin to form, and play will form in the places of the locking joints, and they will crack.

The standard underlay for parquet boards is produced in a thickness of two millimeters, which provides it with the ability to keep the floors of this flooring intact and undamaged during shrinkage. In order to ensure the possibility of using a two-millimeter substrate without violating the standard drop level, the base under it should be carefully leveled.

Underlay for parquet boards - which is better?

Market building materials offers several options for insulating materials; it is difficult to determine which substrate for parquet is better; each type has its own, both positive and negative properties. Manufacturers offer the following types:

1. Cork. The best natural material, environmentally friendly, with good heat and sound insulation qualities. The disadvantage is the ability to swell after absorbing moisture and crumble if its thickness is less than two millimeters.
2. Polypropylene foam. The material is toxic and fire hazardous, short-lived (8-10 years of service), a budget option, least suitable for residential premises.
3. Coniferous. Shredded coniferous wood is used for manufacturing, it is a good sound and heat insulator and is environmentally friendly. The disadvantages include the high price compared to analogues.
4. Tuplex. An artificial three-layer material, the most popular among specialists.
5. Parkolag. It is made on the basis of bitumen, which is toxic. An advantage can be considered good insulating properties.

Cork underlay for parquet boards

The advantage of this type of substrate is its environmental friendliness and ease of installation. Cork underlay for parquet, having a rough surface and soft structure, is easily attached both to concrete and ground surfaces, and to parquet boards. In this case, no glue is used, which in subsequent operation may be harmful to human health, and additional fasteners are not required.

The service life of the cork substrate is not limited; over time, having crumbled into granules, it will not change in height and will not lose its functional qualities. To make the most of the underlayment, cut it into long strips that match either the length of the room or its width. The parquet board should be laid on it so that all the parquet strips are on the same cork strip.

Coniferous underlay for parquet boards

This type of substrate is one of the most commonly used due to its thermal insulation properties, it makes the parquet floor noticeably warmer. According to experts, the best underlay for parquet boards is coniferous, as it has the best balance of rigidity and thickness. After 15 years of operation, the material will not sag, will not dry out and will keep its shape.

Coniferous underlay for parquet boards is produced in sheets, slabs or rolls. It is most convenient to carry out installation when the material is in the form of slabs; they have small in size, their installation is easy and quick. An important condition its use may be limited by the presence of a rigid base, for example, if it is laid on a base made of wooden boards, you need to make sure that they do not sag.

Penohome underlay for parquet and laminate

This type of substrate is flexible, roll material, efficient and high-tech, based on polyethylene foam. It has increased resistance, does not react to the influence of an aggressive environment, smoothes out unevenness of concrete floors, protects floors from cold, and improves sound insulation. Its physical and chemical properties are not lost over time, and it is not susceptible to rotting and mold.

Having previously cut the backing into strips of the required length, lay them end-to-end using double-sided tape. In order to prevent the strips from shifting, the joints can be glued. Before choosing a backing for a parquet board, study the performance characteristics of the material and, if factors such as quality and price match each other, feel free to purchase it.

Underlay for Tuplex parquet boards

Tuplex substrate can be characterized as a special, composite type, consisting of two polyethylene layers, between which polystyrene foam granules are located. Due to the film applied to the bottom layer with holes on it, it has the ability to be ventilated, has high strength, and is suitable for “floating” floors. If you have to make a choice of underlay for a parquet board, Tuplex will be good decision, it is able to maintain its shape for 20 years, preventing the floors from deforming.

When choosing a substrate for a parquet board, you should take into account that none of them will provide high quality flooring if the rough work to create the base is done poorly. When purchasing your favorite substrate material, evaluate it from the point of view of safety and strength; ease of installation and durability are also important factors.

If the parquet floor is laid using a floating method, then you will definitely need an underlay for the parquet board. It will take on the role of a layer between the surface base and the finishing coating. Is it really that necessary? We will talk about the indispensability of the substrate, as well as its main types in this article.

Why do you need a substrate?

So, the decision has been made - there will be a parquet board on the floor. But have you prepared the foundation for it? Even if it seems to you that the floor is “polished” to perfection, some unevenness will still be present, whether you like it or not. They form those very voids under the parquet board that can significantly undermine the “well-being” of the coating, even shortening its service life.

If you lay the floor covering without any “preludes” directly on the screed, then after a certain period of time the floor will begin to play. A gap of even a couple of millimeters causes a lot of inconvenience, not only to you, but to your dear neighbors below - any sound from human movement (especially in high-heeled shoes) will be heard very clearly. Agree, there is little pleasant here.

All this can be easily avoided - you just need to purchase and promptly lay a high-quality underlay under the parquet board. It is able to completely smooth out minor unevenness in the base, create good shock absorption and dampen impact noise that appears when walking.

Dispelling myths about the substrate

Myth #1 - the thicker the better

This is the most common misconception. For some reason, many people believe that laying a thick underlay will significantly reduce the load on the parquet board and that walking on the floor will be softer. We hasten to assure you that this is not the case. According to the standards, the maximum permissible difference in the base under a parquet board is two millimeters for every two square meters. Soft foam or cork underlays tend to shrink when pressed. The greater its thickness (its layer), the greater the height difference will be. And the difference in height and other irregularities, as we have already noted, create a backlash - in in this case on the locks of the parquet board. The locking connections begin to creak and actively wear out. And the saddest thing is that all this beauty will “come out” in a couple of months - you will not be able to take measures in a timely manner.

The optimal thickness of the substrate for parquet boards is two millimeters. If the base is well leveled, this is the figure that will allow you to meet the standard difference. Plus, the absence of, say, a small fragment of the substrate will be completely imperceptible.

Myth #2 - the substrate can even out any differences

Oh, how lovely it would be if it weren’t true! The repetition of all the unevenness of the subfloor is one of the features of the substrates. To bring the base into proper condition, it is necessary to use either appropriate mixtures or sheets of gypsum or moisture-resistant plywood.

Myth #3 - sheets of backing are the most wonderful

Sheet material has absolutely no advantages over rolled material: neither in terms of installation, nor during operation.

Types of substrates and their features

The modern market offers the buyer polyethylene foam, foil, cork, rubber and bitumen-cork substrates, as well as substrates made of composite materials. Let's look at each variety separately.

Option #1 - polyethylene foam

Foamed polyethylene backing is the most common. This material has high chemical resistance to various substances. She is not afraid of mold, fungi, bacteria, or moisture. But! Foamed polymers are fire hazardous and toxic. This is an unusually significant minus.

In addition, as is known, the polymerization process is reversible - this means that this kind of polymer will decompose under the influence of light and oxygen. Simply put, after about ten years, your polyethylene foam substrate will turn into a kind of powder, completely losing all its positive properties. Since foamed polyethylene is sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, it is better to store the underlay made of this material in the dark before laying it under the parquet board.

Option #2 - foil

A substrate with a foil layer is a good noise, hydro and heat insulator. As a rule, polyethylene foam samples are foiled - this material is recommended for use when laying the coating on joists with rigid fixation of the board.

Option #3 - cork

Such substrates are crushed and then compressed cork oak bark. This is an organic natural material without any chemicals. Cork underlay for parquet boards does not rot, does not mold, and is an excellent heat and sound insulator. She is able to maintain her best qualities throughout the entire operational period.

The only caveat is that the cork backing cannot be laid directly on a fresh screed. First, you should lay a waterproofing layer: a high-quality polyethylene film.

There is also a rubber-cork variety of the substrate described above, on a synthetic basis. This is an excellent sound insulator. It dampens vibrations of electrical appliances with a bang.

Option #4 - bitumen-cork (Parkolag)

This is kraft paper treated with bitumen and sprinkled with cork chips. The main advantages of bitumen-cork substrates are durability, good sound insulation, and high moisture protection. Placed with the cork side down.

When considering the advantages of a particular material, it is important to pay attention to its disadvantages. A significant disadvantage of these substrates is the property of bitumen mastic to release large quantities formaldehyde.

Option #5 - made of composite materials (Tuplex)

Tuplex is a three-layer material. The bottom one is represented by a porous film that allows moisture to pass into the middle layer filled with balls (it maintains a constant height of the product). The top layer is a polyethylene film.

The use of such a substrate is especially important in case of problems with the screed (its “under-drying”, condensation formation). Thus, the risk of damage to the parquet board is significantly reduced.

Which option is better?

After reading this material, you will probably ask yourself the question - which substrate is better? According to experienced experts, as well as already sophisticated buyers, the most reasonable choice in terms of practicality, safety and durability are cork samples, as well as Tuplex.

The article provides detailed description the process of installing parquet boards on a screed. You will learn about the differences between the substrate, the properties of parquet boards and installation features. The article contains step by step photos process with detailed comments on the installation of parquet floor boards.

Wooden floor covering - profitable solution For cozy interior. Diversity today natural materials and imitations are huge - from dozens of types of exclusive natural small-piece parquet to fiberboard slabs with a “wood-like” pattern, called “laminate”. The golden mean of these options is parquet boards on a plywood base. It combines the exceptional structural strength and durability of plywood (the base board), an abrasion-resistant coating (1-3 mm) and excellent appearance, indistinguishable visually from natural wood.

Requirements for the screed

The parquet board is laid on a pre-prepared base. This preparation has two purposes:

1. Strengthening the old or creating a new foundation. An old wooden floor can be quite reliable if it is additionally reinforced with self-tapping screws.
2. Leveling the base. Placed on a wooden floor OSB boards or plywood, a screed is placed on the concrete. The combination is quite acceptable - when to concrete slab attach the plywood base.

In the vast majority of cases, parquet boards are laid on a cement-sand screed through a backing. This is the most economical and fastest floor covering option. Screed requirements:

1. The level difference is no more than 1 mm per meter. This is due to the special fastening of individual boards to each other - a “lock”. It does not tolerate (does not hide) distortions - they immediately become visible. Cracks may appear on the surface of the parquet, allowing moisture from cleaning to pass into the body of the board.
2. Waterproofing. The surface should not absorb or release moisture - this can lead to the formation of areas of high humidity.
3. Absolutely Smooth surface, without bumps and random stones.

The finishing layer of screed for parquet is a leveling mixture that creates an ideal plane in the horizon.

About cork backing

Two in principle different types installation - “dry” and with glue. When gluing, no backing is used, but enhanced waterproofing is used. We will consider the option of “dry” installation on a cement-sand base.

There are only two options for the substrate - natural and artificial. Natural ones are made from cork, artificial ones from polyethylene. There is no decisive difference between them, except perhaps the very understanding of the fact that the wooden covering is laid on a natural substrate with similar properties. Another fact is that when burned, a cork sheet does not emit harmful substances, unlike polyethylene.

Installation of underlay and board

So, if the base is prepared in accordance with the requirements, you can begin laying the parquet boards. To work you will need:

1. Control, measuring and marking tools - tape measure, square, pencil.
2. Carpenter's power tools - jigsaw, vacuum cleaner.

Question: What to do if there are cracks in the screed?

Answer: Such foundation defects are the norm for “high-speed construction.” If the width of the crack is no more than 2 mm, it formed during intensive drying of the screed due to rapid and uneven evaporation of moisture. Such a crack is not dangerous.

Laying the substrate

Before starting work, the screed should be dust free.

Carefully go through all corners and crevices with a vacuum cleaner.

After cleaning, you need to lay a substrate. The distance from the wall is 5-10 mm. It is better to secure the sheets together with tape so that they do not get confused.

The substrate can be laid gradually - every few rows. The width of the roll is 1-1.2 m, which means that one sheet will yield 5-6 rows of boards.

The nuance of this method is that before laying each sheet you need to remove dust from the surface. The screed will wear out from the master's shoes.

Board installation

Crucial correct installation first row. However, if the series starts from flat wall, to make it easier - we install the boards through the lining to maintain the distance from the wall.

The method of installing the board is intuitive - the design of the lock makes it impossible to do it incorrectly. To avoid damaging the edge when seating with a hammer, use a spacer.

When measuring the board for side cutting, do not forget about the technological distance from the wall of 5-10 mm.

One of the most effective techniques of the master is reverse marking or marking from the reverse side. The teeth on a jigsaw file are arranged from bottom to top. In order not to damage the decorative edge of the cut, it is better to cut the board along inside. In addition, this way you will avoid possible stripes and scratches from the movement of the jigsaw.

The last boards of the room are marked according to the fact and cut to length. If you plan to join along a joining strip, maintain a minimum gap of 5 mm.

Laying at an angle

A popular technique is visual “expansion” narrow corridors due to installation at an angle to the wall. The complexity of installing the first (“beacon”) row in this case is higher than that of the rows “from the wall.” Especially if there are niches, corners, slopes, etc.

Let's look at the process complex example— pairing of two walls with recessed canvases.

To install the “beacon”, you should build a straight line (using a laser, thread, or ruler) at an angle of 45° to the junction bar. Then install this straight line at a distance of the technological gap from the tip of the corner. The edge of the first row of boards will run exactly along this line. If necessary, the angle can be adjusted.

This method really “expands” the space, but you have to pay for it additional expenses material for trimming.

Final coating:

If you intend to continue work, be sure to lay protective layer- polyethylene, but cardboard or fiberboard is better.

Parquet boards are not a cheap material, and their service life is at least 30 years. Therefore, it requires a lot of attention and skill. If you neglect leveling or underlayment, a negative result will appear within a year after installation. Therefore, follow the rules from the instructions and our articles.