Substrate Under Linoleum: Why Is It Needed When Laying, Is It Possible To Lay The Coating Without It, Which Option Is Better For Linoleum On A Foam Basis - Cork Or Jute

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Substrate Under Linoleum: Why Is It Needed When Laying, Is It Possible To Lay The Coating Without It, Which Option Is Better For Linoleum On A Foam Basis - Cork Or Jute
Substrate Under Linoleum: Why Is It Needed When Laying, Is It Possible To Lay The Coating Without It, Which Option Is Better For Linoleum On A Foam Basis - Cork Or Jute

Video: Substrate Under Linoleum: Why Is It Needed When Laying, Is It Possible To Lay The Coating Without It, Which Option Is Better For Linoleum On A Foam Basis - Cork Or Jute

Video: Substrate Under Linoleum: Why Is It Needed When Laying, Is It Possible To Lay The Coating Without It, Which Option Is Better For Linoleum On A Foam Basis - Cork Or Jute
Video: 7 Best Underlayments For Vinyl Flooring 2019 2024, March
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On the issue of construction and repair, there is a conflicting opinion about the linoleum substrate. Some people think that this is a completely useless material, while others think that a substrate is necessary for a quality and even coating.

To decide whether to purchase a substrate for PVC coating or not, you need to get to know the material better, find out what it is, and also identify its features and purpose.

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What it is?

A backing is an insulating material that is placed underneath the floor covering. It differs in composition, material of manufacture, shapes, styling methods, functions and cost. Basically, the substrate is used for unevenness in cement grout, cold coating and baseless single-layer linoleum.

An interesting fact is that moisture always forms and accumulates on the screed, and the concrete or wooden base does not have ventilation holes. That is why the substrate is also a kind of sponge that absorbs condensation. But linoleum can also be laid on an old substrate if it is in good condition and not damaged. This will greatly facilitate the task and speed up the repair work.

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Modern floor coverings have several layers, so you can buy linoleum with glass fiber, PVC impregnation, some kind of fabric material in the base, polyester or jute and refuse the substrate.

Functions

There are not many reasons for installing underlays, but they are all decisive and important. Many are interested in whether it is possible to put without it and why it is needed in general. Actually, you can easily do without a backing if the subfloor is perfectly flat, there is no extraneous noise, no drafts and unheated rooms below.

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The linoleum underlay has three main functions:

  1. Leveling the sub-floor. Despite the fact that during repairs on the floor all cracks, irregularities and other damage are carefully masked, when laying linoleum, there is a risk of new defects. Since the flooring is quite soft and plastic, over time, all the gaps become visible, and in some places even tears and scuffs may appear. The substrate easily hides such flaws and prolongs the life of the linoleum.
  2. Warming … Linoleum does not have thermal conductivity, and therefore, when laid on cement, it will be cold and unpleasant for the feet. This is especially true for premises on the ground floors and private houses. The underlay perfectly copes with this problem, it provides comfort, warmth and coziness.
  3. Soundproofing. A similar function is necessary in panel multi-storey buildings, in which there is too much audibility. The linoleum underlay perfectly protects against noise emitted from below.
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There are a large number of types of linoleum underlays on the construction market. With such an assortment, it is difficult for a beginner to decide and choose the right one. Therefore, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with each material separately, and only then draw conclusions based on preferences, housing conditions and financial resources.

Cork

The cork substrate has a lot of positive properties: high sound insulation, excellent heat retention, moisture resistance, preventing the growth of bacteria, mold and microorganisms, protection from mechanical damage.

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The material is made from the bark of a cork tree, which is crumbled and then pressed under pressure and high temperature. Thanks to this processing, the cork substrate has an unusual structure, consisting of a large number of cells filled with air. This contributes to an even distribution of the load on the linoleum. She undoubtedly easy to lay, as it is produced and produced in a roll.

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The disadvantages of cork are softness and high cost. Soft material is not suitable for heavy massive furniture, as there is a risk of dents and deformation of the linoleum.

Jute

The non-woven fabric is ideal for floors where concrete is laid directly on the ground or for a ground floor apartment with a cold basement. Jute perfectly retains and conducts heat, is environmentally friendly and has the ability to create a favorable microclimate. It is resistant to burning, decay and mildew, and also perfectly absorbs moisture and recovers after drying.

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When choosing a jute substrate, first of all, you need to pay attention to its density. It must be extremely large, otherwise over time there is a risk of dents formation.

The only drawback of a jute substrate for linoleum is a rather high price.

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Polypropylene

This type of substrate is considered the most impractical and substandard. Foamed polyethylene is very soft and when linoleum is used, it quickly loses its original appearance. In most cases, scuffs, cracks and dents appear on it. In addition, PVC flooring combines very poorly with polyethylene, does not retain heat, is inconvenient when walking and is rather difficult to put on the base.

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To see the minus of the foamed isolon, you can conduct a small and light experiment with a sheet of paper and a knife. To do this, try to pierce the paper lying on a hard surface with a blade, and then on a soft one. In the first case, there will be an inconspicuous hole, and in the second, the knife will make a noticeable hole on the sheet. the same thing happens with linoleum, which is on a polypropylene backing. Of the relative merits, only low cost.

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Felted

This backing is made of wool by drying. The material is treated with steam and combined into an integral web. In the process of creating a felt substrate, it is treated with high-quality substances that protect it from burning and decay.

The natural substrate has many positive properties: it is environmentally friendly and safe, resistant to damage and abrasion, elastic, soft, and antibacterial. Felt material perfectly conducts heat and retains it.

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Linen

Natural and environmentally friendly material is processed with needles and fire retardants, which prevents the emergence and reproduction of harmful microorganisms, bacteria, insects. Linen perfectly permeates air and creates a favorable microclimate in the room.

Combined

The universal backing consists of linen, jute and wool. It is a completely natural material that has high strength, density and rigidity. The combined underlay perfectly conducts and retains heat, and is also distinguished by sound insulation.

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The material is treated with agents against fungus and mold, as well as fire retardants, which reduce the risk of harmful insects.

Foil

Substrate consisting of a compound of polystyrene, isolone and aluminum foil. This building material is particularly durable, as well as heat-reflecting and moisture-resistant properties.

The foil backing will be especially appropriate in cold apartments and in rooms with sharp temperature changes. Lay the foil material with the shiny side up. In this case, the heat will be reflected and flow into the room.

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Coniferous

A novelty in the construction market, which has already won the hearts of consumers. Wood fiber material is made from coniferous waste. It has high sound insulation and excellent heat retention. The only drawback of the coniferous substrate is an unpleasant odor that evaporates over time.

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Which one to choose: pros and cons

Linoleum with different bases performs a large number of functions and can easily do without a substrate. It should be noted that the thicker the layers, the warmer and more comfortable it will be on the floor. In addition, a floor covering with a backing has twice the service life than without it.

On the construction market there is a wide range of linoleum with different bases. Each of them requires a special approach and careful selection of the substrate. Therefore, before purchasing material you need to consult a specialist or a seller and find out which is better to use a substrate under the vending linoleum and under which base it fits better.

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Foam-based linoleum is used as an insulating coating. It consists of several layers that protect against damage, noise and cold. This type of material most often fits in the living room or hallway. Judging by the reviews of experts, absolutely any substrate is suitable for such linoleum.

Today, felt and jute mixed with artificial wool and linen fibers are used for the textile base of the floor covering. All of these materials are treated with protective agents against moisture and fungal bacteria. Cork or jute can be placed under warm and soft linoleum with a fabric backing to improve thermal insulation and reduce noise.

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Modern floor coverings can be produced on a duplicate basis. Such a unique double base, consisting of foamed vinyl and polyester, is considered to be more resistant to high humidity, stretching, tearing and other mechanical damage. Under the soft and elastic linoleum with a duplicated base, you can put absolutely any material except polypropylene.

The flooring also differs by class. The most common are household, commercial and semi-commercial. Each of them has its own characteristics and disadvantages, therefore, it is necessary to select the type of substrate separately for a certain class.

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For example, commercial linoleum, which is used both in apartments and in offices, has increased durability and density. Therefore, under such a material, you can lay a light and thin substrate: foil or linen.

Semi-commercial flooring is a medium-strength linoleum. It is used in apartments or industrial premises with moderately high traffic. The substrate for such linoleum should be selected more dense and resistant to damage. For example, felt or combined.

The household class, as the name suggests, can only be used in apartments or private houses. It is characterized by low strength and durability. But the advantages include efficiency and ease of care. Household linoleum is considered the cheapest material for an apartment.

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With an incorrectly selected substrate, such a floor covering quickly loses its original appearance. Therefore, the purchase of a base must be approached as responsibly as possible. Jute or cork material is best suited for household coverage.

In the construction market, linoleum with a calendered base has recently become popular. This novelty is made in the process of pressing the material. The main substance of the base for linoleum is polymer raw materials, which have hydro and thermal insulation.

An interesting fact is that although the coating is soft, it is considered to be quite durable. And if any mechanical damage occurs, then the deformation is very quickly restored and the linoleum takes on its original form. For a calendered backing, a coniferous, combined or jute backing is ideal.

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Laying rules

If a decision is made to carry out repair work with your own hands, then before starting it is necessary to consult with a specialist and clarify how to properly lay the substrate at home, how to glue the joints, which side is best to put the material on, how to fix linoleum, etc.

First, you need to carefully examine the cement or wood base. Installation is always carried out only on a clean and level surface. In order for the substrate to harden well, it is necessary to vacuum the floor, and then get rid of the irregularities with the help of special mixtures.

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It should be noted that before starting work, it is required to check the base for the presence or absence of moisture. To do this, spread polyethylene on the surface and fix it on the sides. After 10-12 hours it is necessary to check the cellophane. If there are no water droplets on it, then you can safely proceed with the repair.

Experts recommend that two to three days before the start of installation, bring the substrate into the room where the repair is underway. This will contribute to its acclimatization and even styling. In this case, the air temperature should be above 18 degrees, and the humidity should not be lower than 60%.

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If the renovation is taking place on the first floor of an apartment building with an unheated room downstairs or in a private house, then initially it is necessary to take care of waterproofing. To do this, polyethylene is spread on the concrete surface, and the sides are fixed with tape.

To connect the sides of the substrate, it is necessary to use construction tape or glue on polyurethane or artificial resins. The substrate can be in the form of a roll, stripes, panels or any other shape, therefore, the methods of installation can be different.

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It is important to remember that the substrate, despite its density and rigidity, should be laid and moved very carefully to avoid mechanical damage from shoes or construction tools.

It is recommended to sheathe the wooden base with fiberboard sheets as a substrate without a waterproofing layer. But first you need to make sure the floor is strong and clean. To do this, you need to get rid of all the skirting boards, fix the slats and smooth out any uneven boards. You should also remove the old paint from the base and thoroughly wash the floor.

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Examples and variants

Oriented strand board can also be used as a substrate. It is also considered an ideal option for creating a sub-floor. But it is worth noting that OSB must be laid very carefully in order to avoid further sagging of the plates, squeak and swelling of linoleum.

The floor covering is laid only on a perfectly flat and clean surface of oriented strand board. Therefore, at the base, it is necessary to patch up all seams and fastening points of screws with putty, to clean it of crumbs, construction debris and dust. Only then will linoleum last a long time and you will not have to worry about the appearance of bumps and flaking.

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Separately, it is worth considering the option of laying linoleum on a wooden floor. If the subfloor consists of old creaky floorboards, cracked uneven boards and other defects, then a leveling underlay is a must. In this case, moisture-resistant plywood is considered the best material, but a jute base can also be purchased.

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If possible, it is worth purchasing a substrate made only from natural materials that last for many years and are safe for health.

For information on how to choose linoleum, glue and substrate, see the next video.

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