Choosing the right underlay for linoleum on a wooden floor

The selection of an appropriate underlay is essential for achieving a smooth, long-lasting, and cozy finish when laying linoleum over a wooden floor. By acting as a barrier between the wooden surface and the linoleum, an underlay fixes any imperfections in the floor and offers extra support. With so many options available, it’s critical to comprehend the advantages and disadvantages of each in order to make an informed choice.

Enhancing the insulating qualities of your flooring is one of the main advantages of using an underlay. Your space will stay warmer in the winter and colder in the summer with the help of a high-quality underlay. Additionally, by lowering noise transmission and fostering a quieter atmosphere, this extra layer can aid in soundproofing, which is particularly helpful in multi-story homes or apartments.

Moisture resistance is another important consideration. Moisture exposure can cause warping and other damage to wood floors over time. A suitable underlay can act as a moisture barrier, preventing any water damage to the linoleum and the wooden subfloor. This is especially crucial in places like kitchens and bathrooms where there is a risk of spills or excessive humidity.

Another important factor is comfort underfoot. The addition of a cushioning layer by a quality underlay makes the floor more comfortable to walk on. This is especially helpful in areas like the living room or kitchen where you spend a lot of time walking or standing. Furthermore, a well-chosen underlay can lessen wear and tear on your linoleum by absorbing the impact of foot traffic.

Finally, it’s critical to consider the installation procedure. Selecting an underlay that matches your skill level and the particular needs of your project can help you save time and effort because some underlays are simpler to work with than others. To get the best results, make sure the material—whether it’s foam, felt, cork, or something else entirely—is compatible with both your wooden floor and linoleum.

To sum up, when choosing an underlay for linoleum on a wooden floor, it’s important to take comfort, moisture resistance, insulation, and ease of installation into account. You can improve the functionality and lifespan of your flooring and guarantee a more comfortable and long-lasting finish for your house by carefully considering these factors.

Type of Underlay Benefits
Foam Underlay Provides good insulation and cushioning, affordable, easy to install
Felt Underlay Excellent sound absorption, durable, offers added warmth
Rubber Underlay Great for moisture resistance, highly durable, offers firm support
Cork Underlay Natural and eco-friendly, good thermal insulation, reduces noise
Combination Underlay Combines benefits of multiple materials, tailored to specific needs, versatile

How to choose the right lining?

The type of substrate is determined by the finishing coating’s properties. While more expensive options have a lower insulating layer, economy class linoleum does not. A substrate is not required for a cheap coating if the floor is flawlessly smooth and level. You cannot live without bedding if you require extra sound insulation.

It is necessary to choose the insulation’s thickness and rigidity so that the linoleum is not deformed by external loads.

Selecting a substrate is influenced by specific factors.

  1. External environment. Rodents often live in private homes, which means the insulation should not attract them.
  2. Place of installation. In rooms with high humidity or running water, waterproof materials are placed. You can purchase a combined substrate.
  3. Mounting method. When using glue, it is necessary to clean and degrease the floor. If nails are used, then you need to create a tight seal around the edges of the insulation: they can be coated with silicone.

Furthermore, the substrate of choice is determined by the coating’s performance specifications. It is preferable to use felt, jute, or a combination underlay to insulate the floor. The thermal conductivity of these materials is good. Cork or polymer options are preferable for sound insulation. Polyethylene foil and synthetic underlays improve waterproofing.

TOP 5 options and prices

Because linoleum comes in so many different varieties, it can be selected to fit any interior. The most common kinds are:

  • Domestic. It is usually installed in residential areas. This is a thin roll version. Is budget friendly. It is moisture resistant, elastic, and easy to clean;
  • Commercial. Durable linoleum, resistant to mechanical and chemical influences. Considered industrial, but also used in residential areas.

The floor covering is chosen based on the type of linoleum that is selected.

For domestic needs

One of the following substrates can be used to create linoleum on a budget.

Expanded polystyrene

Affordable choice that comes in a large range of sizes. Principal attributes:

  • Thermal conductivity: 0.036 W/m*k.
  • Tensile limit: 5.0 kgf/cm2.
  • Density: 45 kg/cube.m.

Benefits of the materials are:

  • ease of installation;
  • affordable price;
  • good thermal insulation;
  • moisture resistance;
  • the material is not interesting to rodents;
  • rot resistance.

A few of the drawbacks are noteworthy:

  • when using heavy furniture, the material may become deformed;
  • burns poorly, but emits an unpleasant odor when burning.

Polystyrene foil

Material in two layers, with foil placed on top of a layer of foamed polystyrene. The features of this option are as follows:

  • thermal conductivity: 0.035 W/m*k;
  • impact resistance: 30 mg/cube.m.;
  • sound absorption: 23 dB.

Among the benefits, materials can be identified as follows:

  • wide choice of thickness and size of the substrate;
  • affordable price;
  • long period of operation;
  • fire resistance;
  • ease of installation.

The fact that foil polystyrene is not environmentally friendly is a major drawback.

Jute

An affordable, eco-friendly, and unassuming choice. composed of fibers from plants. offered in rolls that are 10 meters long and 1-2 meters wide. The material’s thickness ranges from 0.2 to 0.5 cm.

Details:

  • thermal conductivity: 0.04 W/m*k;
  • density: 25 kg/cube.m.;
  • elasticity – 1 kg/sq.m.cm.

Jute backing offers the following benefits:

  • environmental friendliness;
  • long period of use;
  • good thermal insulation;
  • water resistance;
  • ease of use of the product.

Able to be applied over any topcoat.

Felt

It is made of felted wool that has been treated with steam and artificial additives. Furthermore, the material is additionally impregnated with unique agents to prevent rot in the coating. The finished product can be up to two meters wide and no thicker than one centimeter.

Technical attributes:

  • thermal conductivity: 0.045 W/m*k;
  • density: 0.98 -1.96 kg/sq.m.m.

Advantages include:

  • long service life;
  • environmental friendliness;
  • ease of installation;
  • rot resistance.

The following can be linked to the drawbacks:

  • felt is chewed by rodents;
  • deformation during operation.

Combined materials

Their foundation is a blend of different materials, such as linen and jute or jute and wool. Natural combined materials specifications:

  • density: 700 gsm.m.;
  • thickness: up to 0.8 cm.

It is also possible to mix artificial materials like rubber, cork, and bitumen.

Benefits of a combined substrate

  • wear resistance;
  • high-quality insulation.

A few of the flaws are as follows:

  • poor ventilation (applies to artificial materials);
  • tendency to deform.

What to lay in commercial premises?

Customers most frequently purchase the following materials for this kind of linoleum.

Cork

This is currently one of the most widely used substrate materials. It’s pressed oak bark that’s been steam-treated, plus cerin and wax. You can effectively level the surface by using a cork. available in sheets and rolls. Rolls are 1 meter wide, 25 meters long, and no thicker than 4 millimeters. The typical sheet size is 915 by 610 cm, with a maximum thickness of 1 cm.

Technical attributes:

  • thermal conductivity: 0.043 W/m*k;
  • density: up to 250 g/m2.m.;
  • noise insulation: 16 dB.

The benefits include:

  • excellent heat and sound insulation;
  • environmental friendliness;
  • resistance to fungus;
  • service period more than 30 years.

Among the drawbacks are:

  • high price;
  • the need to comply with installation technology;
  • after prolonged exposure to heavy furniture, the material may become deformed.

This is a thorough article about cork backing.

Linen

Not requiring glue, made from pressed fibers that are environmentally friendly. Packaged in rolls with a maximum product thickness of 0.8 cm, a length of 6 to 10 meters, and a width of 0.9 and 1.8 meters.

Details:

  • thermal conductivity: 0.05 W/m*k;
  • density: 700 gsm.m.

Flax has three main benefits: it can be used as additional insulation, it has a long service life (minimum 65 years), and it resists wear.

Among the drawbacks, the content’s poor ventilation and memory should be highlighted.

Composite material

It’s a three-layer material made of polysteronal balls, finely perforated polyethylene, and dense polyethylene.

The composite substrate is only 0.3 cm thick, despite being made up of multiple layers.

Details:

  • Heat dord: 0.08 W/m*K;
  • Sound insulation: 20 dB;
  • Density: 130 kg/kV.m.

The product’s benefits include:

  • elasticity;
  • the ability to withstand a large load;
  • excellent waterproofing indicators;
  • A long service period.

The material’s expensive price is its primary disadvantage.

Needles

These goods have just recently been released. Coniferous fibers that have been compressed and bonded together are part of the composition. used in rolls that are up to 0.35 cm thick and mats that are up to 0.7 cm thick.

Details:

  • heat transfer: 0.05 W/m*K;
  • density: 250 kg/cube.m.;
  • sound absorption: 20 dB.

Principal benefits:

  • environmental friendliness;
  • absorbs odors;
  • absorbs sound;
  • has shock-absorbing properties;
  • low fire resistance.

The primary drawback is the price.

Foam glass

It’s a mass of foamed glass. It can support heavy loads without deforming, even when exposed to continuous external influence. offered as sheets that are up to 18 cm thick on the market.

Details:

  • thermal conductivity: 0.040 – 0.052 W/m*k;
  • density: 150 kg/cube.m.;
  • strength: 160 t/sq.m.m.

Benefits of foam glass

  • moisture resistance;
  • resistance to rodents;
  • does not deform;
  • long service period.

The primary drawback is the price.

Why is it important to make the right choice??

You must pick the substrate material carefully when installing linoleum. particularly if a lining for commercial linoleum is required. Selecting options that are resistant to deformation is advised if the coating will be subjected to continuous high pressure. If not, the substrate will quickly lose its usability.

In child’s rooms, it is preferable to go with an eco-friendly linoleum installation method.

Useful video

Additional selection advice in the video:

The longevity, comfort, and aesthetics of your linoleum flooring can all be greatly impacted by the underlay you choose for a wooden floor. In addition to acting as a cushion, the underlay smooths out any imperfections in the wooden subfloor and gives the linoleum a smoother surface to adhere to.

It is imperative to take into account both the kind of wood flooring you have and the volume of foot traffic in the vicinity. A thicker underlay can provide more support and lessen linoleum wear and tear in high-traffic areas. A thinner underlay might be adequate and more affordable in areas that are quieter and aren’t used as much.

Insulation is another crucial component. A good underlay can improve thermal insulation, keeping your house warmer in the winter and colder in the summer, and soundproofing, reducing noise between floors. This may also result in more comfortable living quarters and cheaper energy costs.

Additionally, moisture resistance is essential, particularly in places where spills are more common, like bathrooms or kitchens. Your flooring can last longer if you use an underlay with moisture-resistant qualities to shield the linoleum and wooden subfloor from harm.

The longevity and overall performance of your flooring can be improved by carefully selecting the appropriate underlay for your linoleum on a wooden floor. Spend some time considering your unique needs and all of the options so that you can make an informed choice that will improve your house over time.

For linoleum on a wooden floor, selecting the appropriate underlay is essential to guaranteeing a smooth, comfortable, and long-lasting finish. The underlay prolongs the life of the linoleum and helps to even out small imperfections in the wooden surface. It also acts as insulation and muffles noise. Foam, cork, and felt are just a few of the options available. It’s important to choose one that best fits the needs of your space, taking into account things like comfort, foot traffic, and moisture levels. You can dramatically enhance your flooring’s performance and feel by making the right decision.

Video on the topic

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Underlay for a wooden floor: selection and installation

How to lay linoleum on a wooden floor

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Timur Kiselev

Professional builder with 15 years of experience. I know everything about the construction of houses, cottages, bathhouses and other buildings. I will be happy to share my knowledge and experience with you.

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