Substrate under the parquet board: why is it needed and how to choose it?

Substrate under the parquet board is necessary in the event that the floor is planned to be laid floating. It will play the role of a layer between the base and the finish floor. In addition, that apparently the floor may seem flat, on its surface there are still irregularities, because of which a void may well form under the parquet. In the future, it will certainly make itself felt.

The void can also significantly reduce the service life of the parquet flooring. If laying the floor is done directly on the screed, and the substrate is not used, the floor will give a slight backlash over time. And even if it is only a couple of millimeters, it can deliver incredible inconveniences not only to you, but to neighbors from below, if any: any of your steps will be clearly audible, especially when walking in shoes with heels. If the substrate is used for a parquet board, then this situation can be successfully corrected. The thickness of the substrate under the parquet board can be 2-4 millimeters.

The substrate allows you to finally smooth the irregularities present on the base, create cushioning between the concrete screed and the coating. It will extinguish percussion noises that can appear when walking, and also provide moisture insulation. The most common types of substrates for the parquet board are cork, polyethylene and composite. You can consider each of these species in more detail.

Cork pad under the parquet board

It is produced by pressing natural crumb from cork in a special way. The elasticity of this kind of material makes it possible to mask all irregularities, creating a smooth and perfectly smooth surface. The cork substrate is an excellent shock absorber, which prevents deformation and destruction of the parquet floor during operation. Such a substrate does not rot, but rodents, mold and parasites are not a hindrance, but it absorbs moisture very much. In this case, the cork substrate can not be laid directly on the concrete screed: additional waterproofing is imperative, as a thin polyethylene layer can be used.

Substrate under the parquet board made of polyethylene

This type of substrate is considered the most common. This material is very resistant to alkali, gasoline, solvents, oils. Therefore, he is not afraid of contact with building materials, including cement and concrete, which give an alkaline reaction. Such a substrate is not susceptible to mold influence, it is not afraid of insects and rodents. Good moisture and heat insulating properties are ensured due to its special structure - with closed pores. The joints of the substrate, when installed, are fixed with an adhesive tape.

Composite substrate for parquet board

This kind of material is multilayer in structure, it has excellent sound and heat insulating properties. The composite substrate is thin enough and consists of three layers: polystyrene pellets located between two polyethylene films. This is the only substrate providing natural ventilation of the sub parquet space. Its upper layer is made of high-density polyethylene, and this provides maximum protection of the floor covering against fumes and moisture. The lower layer is made of a thin film, differing in composition. Accidentally spilled moisture, which falls under the parquet board, freely penetrates into the space between the films, after which it is carried out outside the perimeter of the room through the expansion joints.

Now you know about what kinds of substrates for a parquet board exist, and which ones are more appropriate to use under certain conditions.