What is good cork under the laminate?

One of the most common flooring today is laminate. Since the invention of the Swiss company in the 1980s, the material has undergone many significant changes. Today, manufacturers provide a huge selection of textures, colors and quality panels. Laminate almost in no way inferior to the parquet floor. Ease of installation and maintenance, beautiful appearance, durability, comfort - all these qualities of the material are available to consumers.

To ensure that the floor covering does not cause problems, it is necessary to cover the substrate under the laminate. Without it, even quality material will not bring the desired effect and will not last long. Cork under the laminate, according to experts, one of the best. Thanks to it, the life of the coating will increase significantly, there will be no complaints against it.

Why do we need a laminate substrate ? Types of panels are diverse, but even the best and thickest of them require a perfectly flat floor. Laminate forms a separate layer and does not attach to the base, so if the floor is too curved, then in some places you can hear a characteristic knock. This leads to a reduction in coating service. If the curvature is insignificant, about 3 mm, then the substrate under the laminate will solve this problem. Cork litter in this case is most effective, although it is possible to use both polyethylene or foil.

In addition to smoothing the irregularities, the cork substrate under the laminate also performs a damping function. If the panels are put on the rough floor, then there will be a clacking sound, it will be very difficult to walk quietly through such a floor, except barefoot or in soft slippers. The substrate will not allow the panels to hit the floor and soften the steps. In addition, it allows you to significantly insulate the floor. The cork substrate under the laminate also absorbs the noise emanating from running household appliances.

Although there are quite a few types of substrates, most experts recommend choosing cork oak. It is, of course, more expensive, but the quality should not be saved. The cork substrate under the laminate fully justifies its price, because all its functions perform flawlessly. There are several types of such a substrate, but they all have high heat and sound insulation properties, protect the laminate from rot and moisture. Produced in the form of rolls or sheets.

The most common substrate is made from compressed cork. Also there is a cork-rubber version, made from a mixture of rubber and cork crumbs. Such a substrate reduces vibration from the work of household appliances, prevents the formation of mold on the laminate. A bitumen-cork variant is also possible. The substrate is made by applying cork crumb to bitumen-impregnated kraft paper. To ventilate the space between the laminate and the substrate, the latter lies down with a powder. Selecting bitumen-cork, waterproofing materials can not be used.

The cork substrate improves the performance of any laminate, not even the highest quality. Although, if already and spend money on an expensive substrate, it is necessary that the floor covering it corresponded. Using quality materials once, you can enjoy the result for many years.