Pipes

What to lay linoleum on? Substrate for linoleum: a whim or a need The thickness of the substrate for linoleum on a concrete floor.

When choosing flooring for your home, most people opt for linoleum. This is due to the fact that the material has long established itself as strong, wear-resistant and durable. In addition, it is distinguished by its availability, lightness and ease of installation. However, before you start laying the coating on the floor, you need to determine in advance whether a substrate is needed under the linoleum and what is it?

Despite the fact that many experts assure of the mandatory need for laying the substrate under the final coating, let's find out if it is really so necessary and in which cases the presence of this material is absolutely not necessary.

First, before laying linoleum, make sure that the floor surface is in good condition. If the floor is even, there are no visible flaws, bumps, depressions and other things, then over time the linoleum () you have laid will not tear or crack.
Secondly, a lot depends on the composition, quality and thickness of the linoleum itself. Underlayment may not be necessary if the coating consists of several layers that can independently protect the surface from damage.

Let's take a look at what it consists of household linoleum, and whether a gasket is needed under it:

1 layer - fiberglass;
2 layer - polyvinyl chloride with a printed pattern and a protective layer;
3rd layer - glued lining made of fabric, jute or other material.

When linoleum consists of several layers that are able to provide both strength and thermal insulation of the flooring, additional substrates will not be needed. If the linoleum is without a base (less than 5 mm), then a gasket may still be needed to extend its durability.

What should be the basis for laying linoleum?

Here are the main requirements to consider:

The composition of the base must be either concrete, cement-sand, wood, ceramic (tiles).
The base must be solid and durable.
Do not allow moisture to enter the surface, which must be absolutely dry before installation.
As smooth as possible, without sharp drops.
As clean as possible, free of oil, paint and other contaminants.

Do I need to glue linoleum to the surface?

This must be done without fail, otherwise the coating may shift under the influence of constant load and traffic, which will lead to the appearance of "wrinkles" and damage to the flooring. If glued new linoleum on the old one, it is necessary to first degrease the old surface.

Isolone substrate

A good base for coating will also serve ceramic tile, which also needs to be cleaned first, sanded with sandpaper, and the seams should be leveled.

Thus, if the base of the floor for the installation of linoleum is in good condition, then a special gasket is not needed.

What is the substrate for at all and is it necessary to glue linoleum on additional material?

The underlay is designed to correct small irregularities, especially if the floor is concrete base. Such a substrate will help to lay down the finish coat just perfectly. Of course, if the potholes and irregularities in the base are significant, then the substrate simply cannot be dispensed with, a thorough repair will be required.

The gasket will also help to additionally insulate the floor if the linoleum itself does not have such an insulating layer, and there is some unheated room under the floor surface, for example, a basement.

If you live in apartment building, then an additional layer under the linoleum will achieve additional noise and sound insulation.

Read more: What are floor heating thermostats?

Which gasket is better to choose?

There are several options. Let's take a look at them.

Cork. This material has several advantages. Firstly, it is the convenience of laying, since the material is sold in the form of rolls. The floor covering itself with such a substrate will be soft and pleasant to walk on. However, there is a significant disadvantage of such flooring - under the influence of a heavy blow, traces will definitely appear on the coating. Therefore, when choosing cork material, give preference to more rigid options for this flooring.
Jute. The material consists entirely of natural fibers. During production, the material is pierced with needles and calcined high temperatures. This allows the jute to become resistant to mold, fungus, etc. damage.
Linen backing. The technology of its production is similar to the previous one (with the exception of the composition of the material).
Universal combined material . The composition of such a coating includes a combination of natural fibers and flax, and jute, and wool. This combination allows the material to be the most durable, dense and resistant to external influences.
Polymer. This type of substrate is completely unsuitable for laying linoleum, but is more often used for another finish coat(laminate, ceramics). The disadvantages of the material are that it provides neither thermal insulation nor air circulation through the coating (the floor "does not breathe").
Fiberglass with a layer of jute, fabric and PVC. This gasket helps create strong, airtight floors without affecting the ventilation of the floor.

Thinking about whether you need a substrate for linoleum? Which one is better for concrete floor and which one for wood floor? What are its functions, and what requirements should it meet? You will find answers to all these questions in this article. We will describe in detail about all types, materials and nuances of laying the substrate.

Purpose of the substrate

Why do you need to lay the underlay? Linoleum underlay performs two functions. First, it acts as a heat insulator. And its need will be higher, the colder the floors in the house.

And the second function is leveling the unevenness of the floor. Linoleum is a fairly plastic material, and any flaws in the rough base will show through on the surface of the coating after some time (see photo). Often, without a substrate, over time, small irregularities appear on the coating, which were not visible before.

Additionally, as a by-product, the underlay increases the sound insulation of the room and gives flooring a certain softness.

Substrate material

The subdivision of the substrates is rather conditional, but they can be most objectively divided according to the material.

A. Synthetic backing. These are all kinds of foamed polymers. Depending on the manufacturing technology, they can be elastic (polyethylene foam) and rigid (extruded polystyrene foam). It should be clarified that most of the material from this group is intended for laying, so their combination with linoleum is not the best.

According to reviews, polymer foams crumple quite well. And using such foil material on concrete floor, be sure that after six months of operation, it will lose its consumer qualities.

However, their price allows you not to think about serious financial expenses, because. the cost of such linings is minimal.

B. Natural substrate. What materials are used in its manufacture, you can see in the list. There are only a few types of material in this group:

Jute.
Linen.
Cork.
Felt.

Of these, the first two, jute and linen substrates, are very similar. They are made of natural fiber, quite thin and their thermal insulation is the weakest.

, according to reviews the most preferred option. The photo shows that it is made of pressed wood slags. Although this is an expensive material, it is moderately dense, provides reliable thermal insulation and well hides minor flaws in a rough wooden floor. But keep in mind, when purchasing a cork underlay for linoleum, you need to lay the most dense material.

How much does cork underlay cost in stores? - Now the average price is about 250 rubles per 1 square meter.

The felt backing stands apart. It is rarely used with linoleum, although only it can give the flooring a caressing softness and enveloping warmth.

Also have different kinds wood and coniferous substrates, wool, etc. But in this article we will consider only the most popular and common.

The common property of all substrates made of natural material is:

Weak protection from biological damaging factors, such as: fungus, decay.
Fire safety leaves much to be desired.
Excessive softness. With prolonged exposure, heavy objects will leave deep dents in the flooring, especially on a concrete floor.
High price, relative to its synthetic competitor.

But special impregnations can eliminate some flaws. That's why when purchasing any substrate made of natural material, carefully read the purpose of the impregnations. Usually, manufacturers themselves recommend choosing some specific impregnation options.

Substrate selection

Jute and linen substrates should be laid only in warm rooms. They are especially good when laying new linoleum on top of the old one.
Synthetic underlays are used in areas with low traffic.
Cork underlay is the most versatile, but also the most expensive. It can be used on any prepared base and with any linoleum.
Felt underlay for linoleum is ideal for bedrooms and children's rooms.
The use of natural substrates in rooms with elevated temperature and humidity is unacceptable. Even if they are treated with a special composition, their service life will not exceed six months.

General requirements for the base

A smooth and even subfloor is the key to a long service life of the substrate and linoleum. Compliance with this one rule will guarantee ease of installation of the flooring and eliminate potential damaging factors. Depending on the type of base, there are two ways to obtain an ideal surface. If it is a concrete floor, then it is best to use. And if the floors are wooden, then plywood 6-8 mm thick will help to cope with this work ( details: ). ATTENTION: after drying, the screed must be primed, and the plywood must be oiled.

Substrate laying rules

Any substrate should rest in a rolled form during the day, at room temperature. The floors are carefully swept. If the substrate is to be laid on a concrete base, then it is necessary to lay a polyethylene film. It is needed to protect against moisture that will appear on the concrete.

Laying correctly to produce butt. Between themselves, the strips (sheets) of the substrate are glued together with adhesive tape as in the photo. Attention: Do not glue the cork backing to the base. Firstly, a special glue for a cork substrate is quite expensive, and secondly, very often, due to the difference in the thermal expansion coefficient of the adhesive and the substrate, the latter is deformed. What is already manifested on the linoleum itself.

The laid substrate under the linoleum is cut so that 3-5 mm remains from the edge of the material to the nearest wall.

Almost immediately you can put linoleum on it.

Data for thought

A detailed article about that, for your specific situation.

The lion's share of commercially available linoleum is already equipped with a layer of insulation. But even in this case, the use of the substrate will qualitatively increase not only the thermal insulation properties of the floor covering, but also give additional sound insulation and softness to the floor. Remember, there are no floors that are too warm and quiet.

Choosing linoleum as a finishing flooring and, having bought everything you need for it, many novice craftsmen are thinking about how to install it.

After all, there are two methods: with laying the substrate and without it.

To understand whether a substrate is needed for linoleum, you should know what it is, what it happens and what functions it performs.

Substrate for:

Floor insulation
Eliminate minor irregularities
sound absorption
Insulation of the floor covering from moisture

Ignoring the implementation of these requirements leads to a decrease in performance and service life of linoleum. Substrate for linoleum - sheet or roll material that is laid directly on the base. It is used both as an insulating material and for solving two important functions:

Floor leveling. Linoleum is laid on a flat surface. It is not possible to make a screed every time and not for everyone. The substrate can hide minor bumps, mounds, cracks and depressions.
Warming. The materials from which the substrate is made have good thermal insulation properties. The underlying layer is especially important to lay in cases where the floor of the living space is located above the basement.

Types of substrates used

The most popular and good substrates:

Jute. Made from jute fibers, environmentally friendly, non-flammable, not subject to putrefactive processes. A special property of jute is the ability to absorb without getting wet, and then remove excess moisture.
Cork. It is made from the bark of wood in crushed form with the addition of synthetic substances. Endowed with good sound and heat insulation qualities.
Linen. Well saves natural ventilation between the surfaces of the lining layer and the floor, and this prevents the formation of fungus and putrefactive formations in this area.
Foamed. Experts do not recommend laying this type of lining for linoleum. The material wrinkles very quickly, loses its shape and function, respectively.

If there are difficulties in choosing the type of substrate, you can buy one, which contains wool, linen and jute fibers in the same parts. It is endowed with increased properties of strength, wear resistance and thermal insulation.

Linoleum on concrete floor

Do I need a substrate for linoleum on a concrete floor?

It depends on the functions of the room.

If it is residential, and not commercial or warehouse, then the litter layer should be laid as an additional insulation.

Most repairers use it when there is no way to make a screed or when organizing a "floating floor" in the room.

In the latter version, the litter layer must be installed. It is not recommended to lay plywood sheets as a lining layer and other wood sheets on concrete. They tend to absorb excess moisture and deform. Such a base will very quickly become unusable, losing its performance.

Installation of linoleum on a wood floor

Linoleum is often used on hardwood flooring. This is a very good building material as a finishing material, it has many advantages, in terms of cost it is the most affordable flooring. Do I need a substrate for linoleum on a wooden floor? The lining layer is laid when the base has gaps between the boards, traces of screws or nails, and small irregularities.

Most often, plywood sheets are used for this. The thickness of the sheets should not be less than 12 mm. If the base of the floor is perfectly even, does not contain any minor flaws, then it is not necessary to lay the lining layer.

Linoleum on top of linoleum

If the old coating has not lost its properties and shape, it is not necessary to lay an additional lining layer.

The bottom layer only needs to be degreased after laying the top.

When the old one has torn zones, obvious signs of deformation, it must be removed.

It is better to do the job once and with high quality than to redo it again after a short period of time.

Based on all of the above, we can draw an unambiguous conclusion. Linoleum is laid on a substrate or without it, based on each specific case taken: the variety and condition of the floor surface, type, specifications and the functions of the material used as a lining layer, as well as the purpose, the level of humidity in it and other factors. Whatever type of lining is chosen, each of them performs two key functions - insulation and sound absorption.

For more information about laying linoleum, see the video:

Linoleum is an excellent option for flooring - a diverse, inexpensive and durable material will meet all the expectations associated with it. But, when it comes directly to its installation, two completely opposite technologies are revealed: on a substrate or without it. This question is not as simple as it might seem at first glance, so, as they say, you need to dig deeper. The article will discuss how to lay the substrate under the linoleum.

What is a linoleum underlayment and why is it needed

Underlayment is a special material made from natural fibers or raw materials of non-natural origin, which serves as a layer between the base and the floor covering itself. It is also used when laying laminate.

The substrate is not only designed to be a buffer that increases the life of linoleum, but also has insulating properties. Its purpose can be broken down into three main categories.

Smoothing out small defects and irregularities in the concrete floor. Ideally flat surfaces does not exist. Of course, before laying linoleum, the base is leveled. And the substrate will help bring the result to perfection. Those who consider it a panacea for any bumps, pits and potholes in the floor are mistaken. Major imperfections will “break through” both through the substrate and through the linoleum, ruining it.

Substrate under linoleum photo

Soundproofing. Regardless of its origin, the material in question contributes more or less to noise absorption. This will be appreciated by the neighbors below (deprived of the opportunity to hear which of the residents on the floor above went where) and the happy owners of the bedding linoleum.
thermal insulation. For the same reason that backing fibers dampen sounds, they help insulate heat. Apartments on the first floors, private houses, where the foundation is poured over the ground, most need an additional layer that guarantees warmth.

Types and characteristics of substrates on the floor under linoleum

Several commercially available types of this material got their name based on the raw materials that served as the basis for its manufacture. Before choosing which substrate for linoleum is better, you should familiarize yourself with their characteristics.

Cork underlay for linoleum. And if more precisely - then crushed tree bark. The heat and sound insulation performance of this natural material, made without any synthetics, is really at its best, as is the cost. And one more drawback - if she gets out into a room that will be furnished with heavy, massive objects, then they will push her along with the coating. The shape of the substrate will not be restored, so that when rearranging the floor, extremely noticeable recesses from the legs of the furniture will “decorate”. It is chosen either with the expectation of a permanent arrangement of furniture, or in rooms where there will not be a massive chest of drawers or an oak table with a wardrobe. In all other cases, its soft springy structure is out of place.
Linen underlay for linoleum. The substrate made on its basis provides natural and sufficient ventilation, which is a guarantee of the absence of colonies of fungi that love moisture and stagnant air. The fact that this product is natural is understandable. And as a result, it needs to be treated against insects and prevent rotting. Flame retardants protect it from fire.

Combined substrate. Warmth, dryness, the proper level of sound insulation will be provided by the material, which is a "hodgepodge" of linen, wool and jute. This combination gives it both increased wear resistance and the necessary hardness.
Foam underlay for linoleum. Despite its popularity, it has one permanent advantage - a low price. Under linoleum, in the process of constant operation, it will soon lose its shape. Along with this, the already low other indicators will go away.

Founding Debate

The debate about which surface is better to lay linoleum on is unlikely to ever end. But it should be noted that General requirements still exist in this respect. The floor, arranged according to all the rules, has the following characteristics:

solid foundation;
the most solid base;
flat position in a horizontal plane. Small differences are acceptable, provided that they do not exceed 2-7 mm and are smooth, without obvious bulges and depressions. Then the use of the substrate compensates for this;
lack of moisture during installation and sources of dampness in the future;
no stains (oil, grease) and paint.

concrete pavement fits the description well. Ideally, it should be leveled with self-leveling mixtures. But even they do not exclude the use of a substrate - thermal insulation is never superfluous. Laying must be done on a completely dry base. Just completed concrete screed(depending on thickness, room temperature and ventilation) will dry and harden for at least a month. The check is carried out using an inverted jar or a piece of polyethylene fixed with tape. If no condensation has accumulated on them after the night, the surface is ready for final finishing floor covering.

Use as a leveling base plywood on concrete floor possible only on condition that a layer of waterproofing is first laid. Only sheets are already being installed on it, on which the substrate and linoleum are laid.
Wooden floor quite acceptable as a basis. First, protruding nails are removed, and large gaps and irregularities are eliminated by laying plywood (8-12 mm thick). Screws are deeply recessed into its surface, so as not to damage the coating later.
Old linoleum in principle, specialists have no “contraindications” for laying on top of a new coating. Used material will have to be degreased, make sure that it is firmly attached to the floor, does not have torn sections. You can also lay linoleum on the carpet. Substrates in this case are not required.
Ceramic tile the same reliable foundation as a concrete floor. If she has flaws, the same leveling composition is applied.

Substrate under linoleum on concrete floor

from tools and additional materials may be useful:

sharp construction knives;
wide spatula;
long line;
Double-sided tape;
glue.

If we assume that there is a concrete base, linoleum without a base and a substrate, then the sequence of laying the substrate under the linoleum will be as follows.

Laying linoleum involves a completely empty room. First of all, this is necessary for the fact that immediately after the purchase it cannot be laid. Therefore, linoleum must be cut to fit the room, adding at least 10 centimeters on each side.

The material is rolled out from a roll on the floor and left alone for a couple of days. At room temperature, it will straighten out, and you can additionally press it along the edges, for example, with a stack of books.
The concrete floor surface is completely ready for installation: leveled, cleaned, free from cracks and absolutely dry. A lining is laid on top of it. Before laying the underlayment under the linoleum, it must be carefully straightened and ensure that it evenly covers the entire floor area. If possible, you can let her "lie down" for a while. When the substrate forms an even coating, it is carefully trimmed in places where there is excess material. Between themselves, the canvases are fastened with mounting tape.
Linoleum flooring should be carried out from the angle that will be "in sight", that is, the least cluttered with furniture. Since the material has already dealt with those days that lay on the floor, it will be easier to work with it. You need to check the direction of the pattern again, if it matters.

When one piece is not enough to cover the width of the floor in the room, two pieces will have to be joined and glued together. The strips cut off with an allowance are laid so that an overlap of 10 cm is formed. The part that is at the bottom is folded over, glued on the floor and glued tightly. Layers at the overlap are removed sharp knife, and the formed two edges are glued into place. This technology allows you to make the joint as imperceptibly as possible.
Now you need to remove the stock of linoleum left at the edges. First of all, this trimming operation is performed in the corners. Then the coating will lie tight enough so as not to make a mistake with trimming around the perimeter.
For ease of cutting, you can use a spatula. It is placed in place of the inflection near the wall, additionally presses the linoleum, and a cut is already made on top of it. Construction knives are best suited for such operations.
If the preparation stage, when the linoleum was previously spread out to straighten out, was skipped, then at the trimming stage it is necessary to make sure that the edge of the coating does not reach the wall a couple of millimeters. After that, he still has to be left alone for at least a day. Linoleum will straighten out and lie flat on the wall. If, after 24 hours, in some places it will “hunch” and rest against the walls, then it will be cut again.
The final step will be the installation of the plinth.

Buy a substrate for linoleum on a concrete floor

Technotex LLC- The Russian manufacturer of insulation and other materials from jute offers its products in the following versions.

The substrate exclusively from this plant is produced with a thickness of 2 to 5 mm and has a different density (from 450 to 750 g/m²). The price per square meter ranges from 42 to 58 rubles. The width of the proposed rolls is 1-2 meters, the length in both cases is the same - 10 m.
The combined version (jute + wool + linen) is available in the same thickness and density. The price, depending on the characteristics, is from 39 to 55 rubles. The dimensions of the roll are identical to those described above.
Linen underlay is also produced by this company, but only on order.
It is worth mentioning that the prices are taken from the official website of the manufacturer, and in retail may differ from those stated. If you believe customer reviews, then a square meter of such material can cost from 80 to 150 rubles.

The price of a cork underlay under linoleum on a concrete floor egen (Portugal) 3 mm thick will be 135 rubles / m². Similar material from the manufacturer PORTO(2 mm) will be even more expensive - 180 rubles. There are manufacturers offering material from 95 rubles / m².

Almost 16 square meters foam substrate 2 mm thick can be purchased from 130 rubles. per roll. As mentioned, this is the most budgetary, but also the least preferred option.

When can you do without a substrate?

A careful reading of the foregoing begs the question: if all surfaces are pre-leveled, then why use a substrate that is quite expensive in its high-quality performance?

The answer is this. If the material in question was needed as a leveling layer, then on even floors there is no need to use it. This also applies to those types of linoleums that are already produced with a substrate. They are securely fastened to each other, and this type of flooring is much more expensive than a simple counterpart that does not have a base. If expensive linoleum with a high-quality base is purchased, then there is no point in duplicating it.

In all other cases, the substrate should not be neglected, especially if the old floor covering is not pre-leveled, and the room needs additional thermal insulation.

Plining under linoleum video

About the need to use a substrate for linoleum, discussions are being held by both professionals and amateur home craftsmen.

Many say that it is not necessary to use it, and even call its purchase a waste of money.

Others, on the contrary, argue that it is necessary.

The truth, as it usually happens, is in the middle of these two polar opinions. The need to use a substrate for linoleum depends on several factors.

What is a standard linoleum underlay? This is a special material used for insulation that prevents the floor covering from coming into contact with the subfloor.

It performs the following functions:

floor leveling

Often the floor is uneven, whether it is a concrete screed or a wooden surface. Irregularities can do a disservice - the linoleum laid on such a floor wears out very quickly, and its overall service life becomes much less.

The use of a substrate for linoleum on a wooden floor allows you to get rid of the flaws in the base present.

Warming

In some cases, this is also an important factor.

If there is a cold room below the floor level basement, which is not heated, and linoleum does not have a layer of insulation, then the substrate can play its role.

Soundproofing

Underlayment can help if you're having trouble with this, which often happens in cheap new builds or older homes.

Sounds that reach you from below may be absorbed by the substrate which significantly increases the comfort of living in the apartment.

When is it needed?

There are three main cases when a substrate is indispensable:

Cold floor in the room.

If you have a cold basement under the room, then you need a substrate, after all, what you should not save on is health.

In this case, it is worth using a warm jute-based substrate, or from its mixture with wool and linen. It will keep you warm and protect your feet from drafts.

Uneven subfloor.

A perfectly flat floor is rare, while microscopic differences will not cause much harm to linoleum, but if they are noticeable, the substrate will help straighten them.

An even base is a must for the long life of your PVC flooring., while during the entire period of operation it will please the eye with a smooth surface.

Using linoleum without a base.

Such a single-layer material is much cheaper, but the floor will turn out cold. The substrate will help to eliminate this shortcoming.

When can linoleum be laid without a backing?

Among the shortcomings can be noted the high cost.

Based on flax

Such a substrate provides natural air circulation between the floor covering and linoleum.

As a result, it is possible to avoid excess moisture and the appearance of fungus. Insulating properties, like those of jute material, are not the highest.

Combined variant

The combination of jute, wool and linen allows the underlay not only to successfully resist moisture, but also to make the floor warm, while noticeably muffling any sound.

Of the minuses, it is worth noting its higher cost.

Underlay made of sheet material: plywood, OSB or fiberboard

Such sheets are used to level the wooden floor and serve as an excellent substrate in this case.

Of the minuses - such a substrate is poorly resistant to water, with high humidity it gets wet and loses its properties.

Use depending on the base

A smooth, well-prepared concrete base is ideal for mounting linoleum on top of it. It is not necessary to use the substrate here, unless of course you have a single-layer linoleum.

In order to level the surface, it is better to use a special mixture designed specifically for leveling the concrete screed.

If you are laying thin linoleum on a screed, then it is better to use a combined linen-wool-jute underlay, as it provides an optimal combination of strength and insulating characteristics.

When using plywood on a concrete base, it is necessary to carry out preparatory work and examine the floor for fumes. She is very afraid of moisture, so this floor can become short-lived.

A wooden floor, on the other hand, is great for plywood.

If the base is made of wood, then the problem of moisture insulation should initially be solved.

In this case, the uneven floor will be optimally straightened exactly sheet material, preparing the surface for mounting linoleum.

If the linoleum is single-layer, it is best to put a linen or jute substrate under it. Thermal insulation is not so important here (a wooden floor is already quite warm), and ventilation is best for these materials.