Which underlayment for locking quartz vinyl tiles is best suited?

Selecting the appropriate underlayment is essential if you’re thinking about installing quartz vinyl tiles in your house in order to guarantee a stable and long-lasting flooring surface. The vinyl tiles are supported by the underlayment, which also acts as a smooth base to improve the tiles’ longevity and performance.

The best underlayment choices for quartz vinyl tiles that lock are those that have good moisture resistance and sound absorption capabilities. The ability to withstand moisture helps shield flooring from possible water damage, particularly in locations where spills or high humidity are common.

Another important factor to take into account is sound absorption, which improves the general comfort of your living area by reducing noise transmission. This is especially crucial in apartments or multi-story houses where foot traffic noise can be an issue.

In addition, the underlayment needs to offer enough cushioning to improve underfoot comfort and help even out small subfloor imperfections. In addition to making the floor feel better underfoot, this cushioning effect keeps the vinyl tiles stable over time.

For locking quartz vinyl tiles, selecting the appropriate underlayment is essential to guaranteeing longevity, comfort, and simplicity of installation. The best underlayment should have a smooth surface that makes it easier for the vinyl tile locking mechanism to work, provide adequate cushioning to improve walking comfort and reduce noise, and have outstanding moisture resistance to shield the flooring from subfloor moisture. Homeowners can improve the overall functionality and appearance of their living spaces in addition to extending the life of their flooring by choosing the right underlayment.

What does the concept mean?

This is the term for a layer of extra material that is placed in between the floor covering or screed. In addition to keeping heat from escaping the space, it improves the performance qualities of quartz vinyl.

A substrate can be made of a variety of materials, such as wood shavings or regular polyethylene foam.

Is it necessary to lay it under quartz vinyl with a lock??

In this case, a lot relies on the loads and anticipated operating conditions of the floor covering.

A part is also played by the base material. Installation of the substrate is necessary if it is intended to be placed on a concrete screed.

It is possible to avoid using more material if:

  • the material is laid on plywood (previously puttied);
  • installation is carried out on a dry prefabricated screed.

If someone wishes to add another layer of thermal insulation, installation is advised even in the previously mentioned situations.

Primary requirements

When using interlocking quartz vinyl, the substrate does not need to meet any specific specifications. All that matters is that it has a minimum thickness of 1-2 mm. If not, the material will be unable to support the loads during operation. It will be necessary to rebuild the building.

It is not desirable to use structures thicker than 2 mm.

Types of quartz vinyl

For these kinds of floors, there are various substrate options. Their differences include material composition, performance attributes, and a few other features.

Natural

  • Cork. People who prefer natural materials in construction, lay a cork substrate under the quartz vinyl. It consists of compressed cork oak bark. It has a high degree of noise absorption. Its main disadvantage is hydrophobia. It is strictly forbidden to use it in rooms with high humidity (bathroom, kitchen). When water gets on the cork base, the material does not repel liquid. It begins to absorb it. As a result, it accumulates in it. This can lead to the development of fungal plants (in particular mold) and the appearance of insects in the room. Cork requires a perfectly flat base.
  • Spruce. Another type of natural substrate is spruce slabs. They are distinguished by their high performance characteristics and are not afraid of moisture. Spruce underlay is not recommended for use in rooms with high floor loads. Here it will quickly wash out, which will lead to the appearance of cracks on the quartz vinyl itself.
  • Plywood. This is a transitional type between artificial and natural varieties. Plywood is distinguished by its low cost. Therefore, it is often used as a substrate not only for quartz vinyl, but also for other types of flooring. Popularity is also determined by the availability of the material. It can be purchased at any hardware store. Plywood may contain substances that cause allergies in some people.

Artificial

  • Izolonovaya. One of the best options. Average thickness – 2 mm. The main advantage of this material is that it compresses under the weight of the final floor covering. This allows you to eliminate uneven floors. Isolon can be used in rooms with high humidity levels.
  • Expanded polystyrene. Suitable for high traffic areas. Therefore, it is often used in offices, shops, etc. But before installing such a substrate, builders need to level the base. Any, even slight, distortion or depression will lead to cracking of the material. Expanded polystyrene. Can be used as a heat and waterproofing layer.
  • Tuplex. It is highly durable, allowing it to be installed even in commercial premises. Has good heat and sound insulation properties. The structure of the material allows it to be used as a leveling layer, which expands the scope of its application in construction.

Additional man-made materials consist of:

  1. Extruded polystyrene – dense mats up to 1.8 mm thick;
  2. Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) – a roll substrate up to 1.5 mm thick made of synthetic rubber;
  3. Polyurethane substrate on a non-woven (or PET) basis with mineral additives – available in rolls up to 2 mm thick, the most expensive, durable and hardest of all substrates;
  4. A combination of EVA and cork – elastic roll mat up to 1.8 mm thick;
  5. Thermoplastic substrate – produced in the form of an “Accordion” or a roll, made of polyethylene/polypropylene, with a heat-reflecting layer and an adhesive side for ease of installation.

These are the principal varieties of substrates made of quartz vinyl.

By type of subfloor

The substance of the floor base should be taken into account when selecting a substrate:

  1. Concrete. It is better to lay artificial materials on a concrete base, for example, isolon or polystyrene foam. Cork models can be laid from natural substrates.
  2. Tree. Plywood is most often laid on a wooden floor. However, before this the base is carefully sanded. Otherwise, the underlay, and accordingly the floor covering itself, will quickly become unusable. From artificial materials on wooden floors, the use of duplex is allowed.

By room type

You can use a substrate made of artificial or natural materials in domestic spaces (low traffic volumes). The cost is the only distinction in this case. However, it is best to stay away from using plywood, spruce, or cork for backing in commercial spaces.

The materials are insufficiently robust. The loads that occur during operation are too great for them to handle. Thus, using artificial material substrates (like the same duplex) is preferable in this situation.

According to the purpose of the substrate

Leveling

It makes sense for someone to lay a leveling underlay if they are unsure if the floor is level enough. This will even out any unevenness without affecting how the final floor covering looks or functions. These materials consist of duplex and isolon.

Warming

They are effective insulators:

Soundproofing

Fits these kinds of materials:

  • cork;
  • polystyrene foam;
  • duplex.

Moisture-proof

Under interlocking quartz vinyl, Tuplex can be installed as a universal material. It is resilient, water-resistant, and has good sound-absorbing qualities. Its high cost is its primary disadvantage.

How to choose the right one?

When making a decision, the anticipated operating conditions are the first thing you should consider. High humidity rooms shouldn’t have plywood or cork underlayment installed. Insects and mold will soon appear in the space as the first starts to delaminate quickly and the second absorbs water.

It is important to remember the maximum allowable load. It is improbable that a piece of plywood will "live" for very long in an office where hundreds of clients visit every day.

You should thoroughly research the costs associated with the chosen model before heading to the store to purchase a substrate. There shouldn’t be any significant differences between them at the point of sale.

A high asking price suggests that the vendor is only trying to "cash in" on the reputation of a well-known company. And significantly lower prices are a dead giveaway for a phony. Because a seller will never take less money for a product than they paid for it themselves. Phrases such as "the material was just sitting in the warehouse" are nothing more than an attempt to mislead the buyer.

The substrate needs to be undamaged. No white stripes should show on the sample after it has been bent and straightened several times (for flexible models).

Styling tools and accessories

Installation of the standard version necessitates:

  • roulette;
  • metal square;
  • pencil;
  • bladed construction knife;
  • chop cord or laser level;
  • rubber hammer or special rolling roller;
  • jig/tamping device (possibly made from scrap tiles).

However, a lot here depends on the substrate kind. For instance, you will also need to buy fasteners and a hacksaw or jigsaw in order to lay plywood and softwood boards.

Construction adhesive is used to mount the majority of artificial substrate types.

Installation rules and instructions

The primary guideline to follow when laying flooring is that the joints between the quartz vinyl and substrate shouldn’t line up. The lock connection will be destroyed otherwise. This needs to be considered when planning the project.

The first layer of substrate should be laid at a 45° angle to the wall, according to experts. Therefore, quartz vinyl will not coincide with its joints.

The installation process in the standard version follows this algorithm:

  1. The material is brought into the room and left there for 2-3 days. This will allow him to “get used” to the temperature and humidity. This will reduce the risk of shrinkage after installation.
  2. A waterproofing layer is laid (if necessary).
  3. The substrate begins to be laid from the far wall. A small technological gap is left between its surface and the edge of the sheet.
  4. The joints are sealed.

However, we must not overlook the properties of the materials:

  1. Coniferous panels cannot be sealed with construction tape. Here you will need metallized tape.
  2. Plywood, depending on the type of base, has to be fixed with different fasteners. If it is laid on concrete, anchor bolts are used. If it’s on a wooden floor, you can get by with regular self-tapping screws. On plywood and other “hard” substrates, it is better to seal seams using a special compound or cold welding method.

Glue is used to secure substrates of other types.

The most convenient substrate to install is the thermoplastic one, which is shaped like an "accordion." Installing it takes very little time. It simply "unfolds" in the space. One of its sides has already been covered with an adhesive base.

Pros and cons of using

Benefits

  • extends service life;
  • acts as an additional noise and heat insulation layer;
  • can be used as independent waterproofing;
  • some types allow you to “level” the base.

Drawbacks:

  • requires an additional technological process;
  • increases the total cost of work;
  • Builders have an ambiguous attitude towards the very fact of using a substrate for interlocking quartz vinyl (some believe that doing this is strictly prohibited).

Average prices

  • cork – 225 rub.;
  • spruce – 285 rub.;
  • plywood – 195 rub.;
  • isolon – 255 rub.;
  • polystyrene foam – 245 rub.;
  • duplex – 300 rub.

Useful video

See the video for additional details on selecting a substrate:

Type of Underlayment Benefits
Foam Underlayment Easy to install, provides cushioning, reduces noise
Cork Underlayment Natural material, excellent soundproofing, hypoallergenic
Rubber Underlayment Durable, waterproof, superior sound absorption

The longevity and performance of your flooring can be greatly impacted by the underlayment you choose for your locking quartz vinyl tiles. A few advantages of different kinds of underlayments are sound absorption, moisture resistance, and extra cushioning. It’s critical to match the underlayment to the conditions of the area where the tiles will be installed as well as your unique flooring requirements.

Whenever possible, use a moisture-resistant underlayment when working in a high-moisture area, such as a bathroom or basement. By doing this, you can prolong the life of your flooring and shield it from potential water damage. A well-acousticated underlayment can help lessen noise transfer between floors in areas like apartments or multi-story homes where sound insulation is crucial.

More cushioning can be achieved underfoot for those who prefer it. A thicker underlayment can do this. Picking one that is excessively thick, however, should be avoided as it could obstruct the tiles’ locking mechanism. When looking for the best underlayment options that work with the particular brand of quartz vinyl tiles you own, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

In conclusion, your specific requirements and the area where the tiles will be installed will determine which underlayment is best for your locking quartz vinyl tiles. Your flooring will perform better and last longer if you choose an underlayment that takes comfort, sound absorption, and moisture levels into account. This will guarantee a smooth and long-lasting installation.

Video on the topic

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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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