Substrate "Tuplex": instructions and references

Parquet - the coating is very prestigious and expensive. Those who decided to choose this option of flooring, it is worth considering including what substrate is best for it. In the modern market there is simply a huge amount of materials intended for this purpose. One of the most popular is considered the substrate "Tuplex", reviews about which are very good. On the properties of this material and we will talk further.

What are the advantages of using a substrate

There are several advantages of using pads for parquet. The substrate increases the service life of this type of coating, prevents the appearance of creaks, jamming steps. If desired, you can buy both natural versions of this material, as well as artificial ones. The first variety is characterized by absolute ecological safety, but in terms of performance, the latter may be inferior. The substrate "Tuplex" refers to a group of artificial materials and is considered almost the best of them.

Use the lower backing layer when installing the parquet should be required. On this expensive coating, most manufacturers give a guarantee. If the substrate is not used for laying, the company - in case of any problems - will certainly refuse from its obligations.

Design features

The structure of the substrate under the laminate "Tuplex" (reviews about which are mostly positive) has a special, which determines its excellent performance characteristics. The structure of this gasket is layered, which makes it unusually durable. The lower layer is vapor barrier. It consists of polyethylene, manufactured using nanotechnology. This modern material passes the water molecules only in one direction. The top layer is made of very dense polyethylene, having the most smooth surface. Thanks to this texture, the "Tuplex" substrate does not interfere at all with the micro-movings of the laminate or parquet web (with increasing air humidity, room temperature, etc.). As a result, the risk of scratches is significantly reduced due to the spillage of the fastening locks.

The middle layer of such material as the substrate under the laminate "Tuplex" (reviews about which are actually quite good), is made of expanded polystyrene pellets that do not completely retain water. Perhaps the only drawback of this type of lining material can be considered not too high environmental safety of this component. Styrofoam is made from very unhealthy styrene. In air, this poisonous liquid polymerizes. At the same time, it loses its harmful qualities. However, ready-made granules can still contain 1-2% styrene in a free state. But, since their layer in the substrate "Tuplex" is not too big, and the parquet coverings themselves (plus polyethylene from above) are quite tight, this material can be considered environmentally safe.

Ability to hide irregularities

The rough floor under the parquet should be as level as possible. The usual construction methods for an ideal surface can be difficult to achieve. Especially on a concrete screed. In this case, the material comes to the rescue as a substrate. "Tuplex" easily compensates for small differences in the rough floor (up to 2 mm), as well as all roughness and roughness. For concrete covering this kind of material is just perfect. On wood and plywood rough floors, experts recommend laying a natural cork substrate. But since this material is quite expensive, many apartment owners use "Tuplex" under the parquet.

Watertightness

Above we have already discussed a little the ability to retain moisture of such material as the Tuplex substrate. "Tuplex" for parquet and laminate, thanks to the ability to remove water, is suitable just perfect, because when wet, this kind of coating can be deformed. Steam from the lower floors to the parquet will not miss this material under any circumstances. If the owners of the apartment accidentally pour water on the floor, it will not stagnate under the plates either. It's all about the design and features of stacking this material.

Soundproofing

The ability to silence the noise of steps this elastic material is also very good. In addition, the substrate "Tuplex" can delay and noise coming from the neighbors from the bottom. The sound absorption level of this material is about 20 dB. This, of course, is not so much, but still better than nothing.

Resistance to deformation

One of the unconditional advantages of such a material as the substrate for the parquet board "Tuplex", can be considered that even with significant loads, it practically does not lose in volume. Throughout the life of the material, this material settles only 4-6%. Natural substrates can shrink up to 50%. This property of "Tupleksa" is explained, first of all, by the same structural features. Synthetic rigid materials even with a high degree of elasticity in general have very good resistance to loads.

Use for underfloor heating

In this case, the "Tuplex" substrate can also become an ideal option for parquet. Its thermal resistance is very low (0.0363 W / m * K). That is an insuperable barrier between the floor heating system and the flooring it will not. The floor will warm up as well as without a substrate.

"Tuplex" (substrate): installation instructions

Stacking this material is very easy. Of course, parquet is usually assembled by specialists. They also lay a rough floor and a substrate. But in the case of self-assembly, laying "Tuplex" will be quite easy. The sheets of this material are mounted butt-end with overlap of the upper layer. The material is elastic, it does not move, and therefore putting it exactly will not be difficult. When installing "Tuplex" you should always overlap the walls (4 cm).

After laying the parquet itself, the substrate is cut off around the perimeter of the room with a sharp knife. As a result, the channels present in the perforated polyethylene and the edge of the polypropylene layer remain outside. This facilitates the airing of the substrate and the complete removal of evaporating water from it. Lining itself, according to the recommendations of experts, should not have a thickness of more than 2 mm (both for laminate and parquet). Therefore, one layer of "Touplex" will be enough. Exceeding this parameter, despite the rigidity of the material, can lead to such trouble as the deformation of the lamellas or the creaking of the plates.

Substrate «Tuplex»: reviews

Most people like this stuff. Its durability, absence of shrinkage, not too high cost is noted. Also, some parquet owners are advised to purchase this material, because the wooden cover when it is used from the bottom is not covered with a fungus and does not begin to rot.

Not supporters of natural materials speak very well about this type of substrate. Of course, their opinion also has a right to exist. Parquet - a natural coating, because it will not be spoiled by synthetics. However, natural lining materials are very expensive. Taking into account the high price for the parquet itself, the resultant coating can fly into a pretty penny.

Thus, the use of substrates "Tuplex" for parquet and laminate floors is quite appropriate. Especially when it comes to concrete screeds, or if the budget allocated for flooring is limited.