Do I need a linoleum backing

When installing a floor covering, in some cases it is necessary to lay a special layer between the base and the floor. This may be due to irregularities, roughness, the need to insulate the floor, as well as reduce noise from below. Consider this issue in more detail and determine whether a linoleum substrate is needed or not.

Do I need to lay a substrate under linoleum

In order to determine whether it is possible to put a substrate under linoleum, consider what it is used for.

The purpose of the substrate

The substrate in the form of sheet or roll material is intended:

• for alignment;
• for warming;
• for sound insulation;
• when laying baseless thin linoleum.

In the case of laying linoleum on an uneven surface, premature wear of the coating will occur due to surface tension. The gasket will correct the situation and extend the service life.

IMPORTANT. In the instructions for linoleum, manufacturers recommend not using cushioning coatings and insulation. Otherwise, because of the thick soft base, linoleum will bend, tear in places of pressure on heavy furniture and deteriorate.

After determining the quality of the base and choosing linoleum, you can answer the question of whether to lay the substrate. According to the experience of masters in the device of floors, this issue needs to be approached individually and all options should be considered.

When you can do without a substrate

The substrate will not be needed for commercial and semi-commercial linoleum, which already has a substrate with its lower layer. Under such linoleum, a waterproofing is arranged on the concrete or bulk floor, and then the coating is laid.

Types of Substrates

The following types are distinguished:

• Flax jute - is a natural fiber cloth treated with flame retardants (to prevent fire) and antiseptics (to prevent the growth of microorganisms even in case of wetting).

Advantages:

1. Natural material.
2. It does not cause allergies.
3. After processing it is steady against burning.
4. Mold does not breed.
5. It does not rot.

Disadvantages:

1. Weak soundproof properties.
2. Costly material.

• Cork - made from crushed bark of cork tree without additives, processed with flame retardants and antiseptics.

Advantages:

1. Promotes sound and thermal insulation of the room.
2. Natural material.

Disadvantages:

1. Thick and soft material, which is not suitable for laying linoleum
2. Expensive.

• Composite - represents polystyrene granules protected on 2 sides with layers of polyethylene.

Advantages:

1. Excellent waterproofing, heat insulation and soundproofing of the room.

Disadvantages:

1. Elastic material, which is unacceptable for linoleum.
2. Costly material.

• Coniferous - is a wood coniferous fiber glued with resin.

Advantages:

1. Good soundproofing material.
2. It allows air to pass through due to its porous structure.
3. Depending on the thickness, it allows leveling unevenness of the floor up to 3 mm.
4. May absorb water.
5. It has thermal insulation properties;
6. Easy styling
7. Does not burn.
8. Long service life.

Disadvantages:

1. Dear stuff.
2. Not suitable for rooms with high humidity.
3. It has an unpleasant odor that disappears after a while.
4. May absorb odor.
5. Due to humidity, it can become a hotbed of fungi and mold.
6. Crumbles upon inaccurate handling.
7. It can not be used in case of allergic reactions in the apartment owners.

• Foamed polyethylene 2 mm thick is a suitable base for linoleum.

Advantages:

1. Gives softness when walking on the floor.
2. Allows you to install heavy furniture without damage to the cover.
3. Inexpensive.
4. The service life in rooms with low traffic is 5-10 years.
5. Easy styling.
6. Easy to replace.

• As linings for linoleum, you can use: particleboard, OSB and plywood sheets, fiberglass sheets, high-strength MDF sheets, cork composite sheets, and other rigid structures.

Advantages:

1. Level the floor.
2. Create a rigid frame.
3. Provide thermal insulation and sound insulation.
4. Chipboard and OSB sheets are affordable.

Disadvantages:

1. Thin sheets when laid on a very curved floor are subject to deformation.
2. Due to the influence of the loads, the boards may bend.
3. Plywood is much more expensive compared to other boards.
4. They are afraid of moisture, therefore they cannot be laid in rooms with high humidity.
5. Plates are subject to damage by insects.
6. Fire hazardous.

How to fix the substrate

When laying the substrate on a concrete floor, preliminary work is carried out on cleaning, leveling the base and laying waterproofing with a plastic film overlapping 3-4 cm on the walls. Then, it is necessary to spread the substrate, which is laid back to back and glued with special adhesive tape.The substrate, laid on a wooden floor, helps to improve the thermal insulation of the room, reduce skip floors and level the surface. It is laid on a leveled, cleaned and puttyed floor surface after a layer of waterproofing. The backing is spread end-to-end and connected with a special adhesive tape.

To fix the substrate on the base, you can use special glue or PVA glue. Particleboard and plywood can be attached with nails or laid on logs when laying on an old wooden floor base. A heater is placed between the lags. Sheets are laid at a distance of 5 mm from the wall, and then the joints are sealed with sealant. On the surface there should not be protruding nails and dents that need to be puttied.

The choice of a suitable gasket must be approached with all responsibility and consider various possible materials.