TOP 10 best laminate substrates: natural and artificial, reviews
In order for the flooring to last for many years, you should definitely choose a high-quality substrate for it. Most floor installation professionals will attest that the underlayment for the laminate is simply an integral part of the laminate flooring as it optimizes the performance of the flooring and acts as an insulating layer. The undoubted advantage of these materials is that they prevent the development of mold and mildew. Best-of-breed laminate substrates are described below.
Types of laminate substrates
Depending on the material from which the substrate is made, it is divided into the following types:
- natural cork is the most relevant option for a bedroom or nursery;
- expanded polypropylene - suitable for hiding irregularities in the base and is resistant to moisture, but not suitable for rooms with heavy floor loads;
- expanded polystyrene - designed for serious loads and provides excellent heat and waterproofing;
- coniferous substrate - unlike other materials, it “breathes” perfectly;
- foil backing - creates the effect of a thermos;
- polyethylene film - has a high rate of steam and sound insulation.
The best natural laminate substrates
A high-quality laminate underlay is a guarantee of a warm, comfortable floor without unnecessary noise effects. Types, prices, advantages and disadvantages of the most popular manufacturers, the best laminate substrates in the opinion of users - all this is collected in this TOP:
Steico underfloor
This 4mm pine wood fiber laminate underlay provides excellent soundproofing to the floor, thereby eliminating the squeakiness of walking on the floor. The substrate has a slight smell of pine needles, which disappears after the first airing of the room. The manufacturer recommends laying the material with the rough side up and positioning the sheets so that the joints of the substrate do not coincide with the joints of the laminate boards. Very easy to fit on the base of the floor and, if necessary, trimmed with an ordinary office knife.
| Specifications | Meaning |
| The size | 790x590 mm |
| Thickness | 4 mm |
| Material | Pine fiber |
| Manufacturer country | Poland |
Pros:
- easy to assemble;
- low price;
- natural material;
- good sound insulation;
- lack of odors.
Minuses:
- fragile material;
- Dust may form due to improper installation.
Testimonial: “The underlayment retains the properties of a warm floor for a long time and also helps to smooth out the remaining unevenness of the base, an excellent and inexpensive option.”
Corksribas SIlent Cork
This is an amazing and all-natural cork laminate underlay made from the bark of cork in Portugal. It is made up of millions of cells that function as small insulators and shock absorbers. After compression of any duration, it always restores its shape. Thanks to it, the detrimental effect of unevenness of the base on the finishing flooring is compensated, and it is also impervious to moisture and steam. The cork backing does not collect dust, therefore it is safe for allergy sufferers.
| Specifications | Meaning |
| The size | 1000x10000 mm |
| Thickness | 3 mm |
| Material | corkwood |
| Manufacturer country | Portugal |
Pros:
- ecological material;
- excellent heat and sound insulation characteristics;
- antibacterial protection;
- elasticity;
- hypoallergenic;
- quick and easy installation.
Minuses:
- drying out on the "warm floor" is possible;
- high price.
Testimonial: “We made a bed in the bedroom and are very happy that we chose it, the steps are generally inaudible, the floor is warm and it seems as if soft. Great choice".
Cezar Basic Wood Nature
Natural sheet underlay for a floating floor is made of extruded pine fiber.Perfectly levels the base of the surface, protects the laminate board locks from breakage, prevents the joints from diverging and relieves the floor from squeaks and knocks when walking. The material is completely natural, therefore it does not emit any chemical compounds and is absolutely safe for the human body and pets. Also, this type of substrate is well compatible with film-type warm floors and helps to retain heat for much longer.
| Specifications | Meaning |
| The size | 590x790 mm |
| Thickness | 4 mm |
| Material | Pine fiber |
| Manufacturer country | Poland |
Pros:
- evens out small irregularities;
- convenient amount in the package;
- easy to fit;
- low price;
- organic material.
Minuses:
- a lot of dust is generated during cutting;
- it is easy to damage the skin when working without gloves.
Testimonial: “We bought it for insulating the floor of a small room because of the convenient quantity in the package. Perfectly laid down and smoothed the floor almost to the ideal. Good value for money ”.
Amorim cork liner in sheets
This underlay provides easy installation and high resistance to deformation, including point loads. The use of agglomerate of crushed bark and natural glue in production is a guarantee of safety and environmental friendliness. Such material can be laid in rooms where people suffering from various kinds of allergies live, in children's rooms, kitchens and bedrooms. During operation, the release of harmful substances is completely excluded. Also, this substrate has a huge service life - more than 30 years.
| Specifications | Meaning |
| The size | 940x640 mm |
| Thickness | 4 mm |
| Material | Corkwood |
| Manufacturer country | Portugal |
Pros:
- antiseptic properties;
- sound and heat insulation;
- resistance to deformation;
- high service life;
- easy styling;
- non-combustible material.
Minuses:
- high price;
- incompatible with "film warm floor".
Testimonial: “We laid the underlay ourselves without any problems, it is easy to cut and evens the floor well. It absorbs sound perfectly and, I think, will definitely stay until the next repair without any complaints. The product is worth the money. ”
Isoplaat UNDERLAY
This coniferous laminate underlay, in addition to being environmentally friendly, has excellent sound insulation properties and evens out the subfloor well for the laminate. The slabs will provide acoustic comfort in the living space. Without any problems, they are laid on the base of the floor using glue, a construction stapler or nails and then serves as an excellent insulation for an apartment or house. Thanks to natural ingredients and production without the use of any chemicals, it does not cause allergic reactions and does not emit odors.
| Specifications | Meaning |
| The size | 850x590 mm |
| Thickness | 7 mm |
| Material | Pine fiber |
| Manufacturer country | Estonia |
Pros:
- low price;
- convenient packaging;
- excellent sound insulation;
- there are no smells;
- easy installation.
Minuses:
- large thickness;
- fragile.
Review: “The downstairs neighbors are happy that we have such excellent sound insulation. Yes, the substrate is thicker than usual, but this disadvantage is covered by almost zero sound conductivity, now I advise everyone I know ”.
The best artificial laminate substrates
Artificial laminate substrates differ from natural substrates in cost, in the presence of hydro and vapor barrier, they are more suitable for rooms with low floor congestion and low traffic. Further in the article, the best options are presented, selected based on user reviews.
Ultraflex
A special underlay for a laminate made of physically cross-linked polyethylene has an unsurpassed sound insulation property, provides high-quality steam and noise insulation, forms an additional hydro barrier, and the structure of polyethylene foam creates excellent floor cushioning.The material is biologically resistant to the development of mold and mildew, insects do not start in it, it is very easy to fit and cut to the desired size, has a low thermal conductivity and does not react with building materials.
| Specifications | Meaning |
| The size | 1050x52500 mm |
| Thickness | 5 mm |
| Material | polyethylene foam |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
Pros:
- convenient styling;
- excellent hydro-barrier;
- protection against the formation of fungus;
- low price;
- large volume.
Minuses:
- crease of the material;
- can release toxic substances.
Feedback: “On the advice of friends, I chose this inexpensive substrate and was pleased with the result, it coped with its task, absorbs noise well and keeps the floor warm”.
Tepofol
With proper installation, this substrate will last a long time, while it has excellent heat, sound and waterproofing properties, makes it easy to level the rough base of the floor, and also really save on building materials. Foamed polyethylene, covered with a metallized film, does its job perfectly and does not cause any complaints. The material is completely safe for all inhabitants of the dwelling.
| Specifications | Meaning |
| The size | 1200x25000 mm |
| Thickness | 3 mm |
| Material | Foamed polyethylene |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
Pros:
- high insulating properties;
- strength;
- resistance to decay;
- flexibility and ease of installation;
- high thermal reflection.
Minuses:
- rapid loss of its original shape;
- cannot be mounted on wooden surfaces.
Testimonial: “Great inexpensive underlay, I took it for extra waterproofing and because it's easy to install. I was satisfied with the result, I am ready to advise everyone ”.
Penoterm
This backing is made of foamed, ribbed polyethylene coated with a polymer film. It forms a system of air channels through which water vapor is removed, and the polymer film provides additional waterproofing. The material compensates for minor unevenness in the subfloor, prevents damage to laminate locks and eliminates squeaks when walking. During installation, this substrate does not emit dust or harmful substances. It is protected from the formation of mildew and mildew, allows to reduce heat transfer to the floor, so that it will always be warm.
| Specifications | Meaning |
| The size | 1000x12000 mm |
| Thickness | 3.5mm |
| Material | Polyethylene foam |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
Pros:
- protection from dampness and moisture;
- increase in the service life of the floor covering;
- does not corrode and rot;
- during installation it does not crumble and does not get dusty;
- reduces heat loss.
Minuses:
- low strength;
- short service life.
Review: “I bought it with the aim of inexpensively insulating and insulating the floor in the country. Surprisingly, I was very pleased for the money. The laminate does not creak, the floor is warmer. ”
Quick Step Basic
The three-layer backing consists of foil, polyethylene foam and a waterproofing film. It has all the necessary qualities of a substrate for a laminate, and also meets all European quality standards and is tested for the absence of emissions of harmful chemical elements. It has a good leveling quality and high waterproofing properties, protects against excessive noise when walking, perfectly matches any kind of warm floors, even when using a laminate of small thickness. Such material will save money on repairs.
| Specifications | Meaning |
| The size | 1000x15000 mm |
| Thickness | 2 mm |
| Material | Polyethylene foam |
| Manufacturer country | Belgium |
Pros:
- good insulation;
- the presence of an adhesive strip for styling;
- evens up to 1.4 mm of the coating base;
- high strength;
- compatibility with any warm floors.
Minuses:
- short service life;
- the tendency to loss of depreciation.
Testimonial: “Thanks to three layers in the substrate, it does not transmit any moisture at all and creates the effect of a warm floor, the laminate does not creak or knock when walking. Great stuff for a decent price. ”
Tuplex Professional
This warm underlay is arguably the best option for a subfloor such as a concrete floor. Despite being only 3 mm thick, it has three layers of insulation. First, a micro-perforated membrane film is installed, which removes moisture. The middle layer is granular polystyrene foam, which increases the elasticity of the substrate, evens out any defects up to 2 mm, absorbs noise and creates the effect of quiet walking. The last layer is high pressure polyethylene, which keeps moisture out of the laminate. This material is perfect for any premises.
| Specifications | Meaning |
| The size | 1100x10000 mm |
| Thickness | 3 mm |
| Material | Polyethylene / Expanded polystyrene |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
Pros:
- excellent moisture-repellent properties;
- very elastic material;
- noise suppression;
- ease of installation;
- suitable for underfloor heating.
Minuses:
- with prolonged use, it loses its elasticity;
- may give off toxic gases when heated.
Testimonial: “I am very pleased with the choice of this particular position, since I laid it myself on the concrete floor and saved money by choosing a high-quality base for the laminate. I advise you to buy this particular position. "
Criterias of choice
When choosing a substrate for a laminate, one should start from many factors, such as the material of the subfloor, the humidity of the room, the presence or absence of irregularities, the functionality of the room, etc. The further quality and service life of the flooring depends on this. For example, with high humidity indoors, it is better to give preference to artificial substrates, as well as with a concrete base. However, if the underlay is laid on a wooden floor, the priority will be a natural cork or pine fiber underlay. This rating describes all the best substrate options for different applications.
With the right laminate underlay, flooring can last for many years without causing any complaints or inconveniences. Thanks to this article, you can easily determine the right material suitable for any base.
