Linoleum liner

When starting repair , you must first prepare yourself purely theoretically to understand, for example, whether a linoleum substrate is needed and what it should be. There are several opinions on this score. Some say that it is impossible to do without it, other experts are in favor of the fact that it is absolutely not necessary or even undesirable at all. Let's deal with this issue together.

Do I need to put a liner under the linoleum?

Substrate is a special building material used for laying parquet or laminate. Sometimes it is also used under linoleum. What is it for? First of all, the substrate protects against moisture and mold. It also provides additional noise and heat insulation, and also conceals the unevenness of the floor, so that the finishing coat eventually lies flattened.

Quality linoleum on a fabric, jute or PVC-based in 4-5 mm does not need an additional substrate. The thickness of linoleum is quite enough to fulfill all the functions of the substrate. And under such a linoleum maximum, you can use plywood sheets for smoothness. Or you can put it directly on the concrete floor, which will serve as a substrate.

If the concrete floor is not perfectly even, then you can fix the situation with the help of a screed or technology "bulk floor".

When a linoleum substrate is needed?

Sometimes a substrate is just necessary. This applies to cases where the linoleum is thin, without a base, and the floor is uneven - with tubercles and hollows. The substrate will help the linoleum tightly fix on the floor and not repeat all the unevenness of the floor. In addition, it will become an additional heat insulator.

Types of linoleum underlay

If you are determined that you need a layer between the floor and the coating, there is only one question - which linoleum substrate to choose. There are several varieties, we will review their brief characteristics so that it becomes clear for what specific purposes they are suitable.

  1. Cork linoleum under linoleum - is an agglomerate of cork lumps. Sold in large rolls. It is used as a layer for linoleum and ceramic tiles. Lined under linoleum, such a submarine will give the impression of an easy walk. Just remember that at excessively high loads, it is prone to squandering.
  2. Jute linoleum underlay - made of natural jute fiber. It is an environmentally friendly material, which, moreover, prevents decay and mold, and is resistant to burning.
  3. Linen linoleum under linoleum - consists of natural linen, impregnated with fire retardants and other compounds that resist the fungus.
  4. Combined linoleum underlay - combines jute, wool and linen. Such material is as tight as possible, due to which it is not afraid of the weight of the installed furniture and does not sink under it.

For the sake of economy, some builders suggest using a porous polymer substrate consisting of penofizol and isolone. However, such a substrate is not a practical option, because when walking on linoleum there is a feeling of discomfort, in addition, it does not give the necessary rigidity and stability to the objects standing on the floor.

Which substrate is considered the best?

For today, the best substrate for linoleum and laminate is cork. It has a cellular structure that provides excellent performance. Each cell of such a substrate is filled with air, so that the weight of the installed furniture and equipment is uniformly distributed over the entire floor covering area.

In addition, judging by the feedback of buyers, the cork substrate is an excellent soundproof material that does not let sound from the lower floors. And in winter you can walk on such a surface even barefoot, because it does not let the cold pass and keeps the heat of the room inside.