Selecting the appropriate underlay for linoleum installation on a concrete floor can significantly impact comfort and longevity. The underlay provides advantages like enhanced insulation, noise reduction, and an additional layer of moisture protection by acting as a cushion between your linoleum and the hard surface of the concrete. But choosing the underlay that best meets your needs can be challenging given the variety of options available.
We’ll look at the various kinds of underlay options for concrete floors beneath linoleum in this guide. Every variety, including felt, rubber, and cork, has pros and cons of its own. We’ll go over the advantages and disadvantages of each material as well as how they may impact the look and feel of your linoleum flooring.
Knowing the characteristics of each type of underlay will help you make a more informed choice. This article can assist you in selecting the best underlay to improve your linoleum installation, whether your goals are soundproofing, improved insulation, or just a smoother finish. Take a look and see which option best suits your project!
- Features
- Varieties
- Which is better
- Based on jute
- Based on flax
- Cork material
- Raw material mixture
- Artificial analogues
- How can you insulate
- Preparation
- Waterproofing
- Substrate
- Fixation
- Recommendations
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Features
A unique synthetic or natural material, usually in the form of a sheet or roll, is placed between the rough and finishing types of finishing to serve as underlay for linoleum on a concrete floor. The substrate is usually supplied in rolls that are up to 10 meters long and one meter wide.
Depending on the material, the layer’s thickness can range from 2 to 10 millimeters. After installing the underlay and fixing it to the concrete floor, linoleum is installed on top. Because the rolls are lightweight and standard, you can determine how much material is needed and deliver it to the location on your own.
- Providing sound insulation in the room
- Reducing the level of heat loss due to the work as insulation
- Alignment of minimal defects on the concrete surface
- Significantly extending the service life of linoleum, which does not directly touch the concrete and does not interact with it
It is important to keep in mind that not all finishing coatings are appropriate for use as the underlay for linoleum on a concrete floor when selecting a material. Therefore, you can decline the underlay if you intend to install multi-layer linoleum, which is already offered with a felt or jute base. With a "lining" material, linoleum can be up to 5 millimeters thick, and the reverse side is devoid of a foam foundation.
Concrete floors can be covered with linoleum substrates in a variety of settings, including homes, warehouses, businesses, public spaces, and more. All you have to do is consider the room’s intended use when making your selection; the weight on the work surface dictates the kind of material needed.
Additionally, be sure to consider the humidity level in the space. Certain substrates should not be used in high humidity environments because they can harbor and facilitate the growth of microorganisms (mold, fungus).
- In private houses where the basement is not heated or in apartments where there is also a basement and it is cold there, the substrate will provide good thermal insulation
- In old houses with poor sound insulation
- On any cold floors
- Uneven floors – provided that the defects are minor
- When laying linoleum without a base – an intermediate layer is required under it
An appropriately chosen, premium underlay will level the floor, preserve heat, shield linoleum from early deterioration, and prolong its lifespan.
- Absence of traces of the old layer of paint and varnish coating, glue, oily/greasy stains, streaks, etc.d.
- The base must be smooth, hard, durable, without obvious holes and bumps
- Dryness in the room and on the rough floor, complete exclusion of moisture under or on the underlay layer
Varieties
Examining the materials found beneath linoleum on a concrete floor, you will find that they fall into two primary categories: natural and artificial. Although they cost a lot more than synthetic ones, natural ones have more benefits. It is important to weigh the tasks at hand against the cost when making a decision.
Low-cost synthetic materials (penofol, isolon, etc.) have a limited shelf life and will soon compress from walking. The interlayer’s thickness can vary unevenly and depending on the load, which will impact the coating’s performance and appearance.
This option is important if the flooring is not laid for a long period. It is preferable to use linen, felt, cork, jute, or a combination of these when there are no immediate plans to change the coating. These coatings don’t need to be replaced for 20 to 30 years. Combination substrates are thought to offer the best heat, sound, and operating comfort.
Right now, cork is thought to be the best option because it ensures the perfect balance between price and quality. The material’s cellular structure performs admirably, evenly distributes the load, and provides excellent insulation.
Which is better
You have to think of everything that can be placed on a concrete floor beneath linoleum. Next, evaluate the floor’s state, ascertain the room’s loads, consider the coating operation’s characteristics, and choose a budget. It won’t be possible to identify the best choice until after this.
Based on jute
A natural material derived from a plant, jute backing was originally only used to make items with a purposefully rough texture, such as ropes, carpets, furniture fabrics, bags, and so on. Because jute can absorb and expel moisture without holding it in the building, it prevents the growth of mold and other fungi by creating an unfavorable environment for their spread.
Furthermore, jute can be treated with specific chemical compounds to protect it from fire and parasites. Although the material is highly costly, it has excellent strength, durability, and reliability qualities.
Based on flax
Due to the high cost of flax, many people who choose what to lay on a concrete floor beneath linoleum do not take it into consideration. However, in situations where you need to offer a comfortable, high-quality, long-lasting coating, flax backing is the best option. Flax is treated with special agents to keep insects out and prevents moisture from building up inside.
Cork material
Under linoleum, cork (also known as crushed tree bark) is the most common natural layer. Excellent heat and sound insulation is displayed, more than making up for minor flaws in the concrete’s surface.
The one (and only) real drawback to cork flooring is that it can dent easily when subjected to pressure. It is not advisable to move heavy furniture into a room before installing new flooring because this will result in unsightly dents that will not go away over time.
Raw material mixture
A blend of flax and jute (or occasionally felt) that is incredibly dense, strong, and premium quality. Combining the benefits of multiple materials into one, a combined backing produces a smooth, long-lasting coating beneath linoleum while also providing superior thermal insulation and sound absorption.
A cork-rubber/bitumen mixture has also shown great results; because of its improved hydrophobic qualities, it doesn’t require a waterproofing layer to be laid.
Artificial analogues
When researching materials to place beneath linoleum on a concrete floor, many people focus on contemporary, novel options. One such substrate is the wood fiber layer, or coniferous substrate, which is made of pressed tree sawdust. exhibits the best heat and sound insulation capabilities.
Polystyrene and polyethylene foam are used to create foamed sheets, which serve as artificial substrates. Since the structure is soft, they all retain heat well but quickly lose their appearance and distort when any weight is applied.
Sometimes, during the manufacturing process, a layer of foil is applied to the foamed materials, which slightly increases their thermal insulation qualities.
- Roll penofol
- Polystyrene foam boards
- Foil-clad isolon
How can you insulate
Taking care of the thermal insulation is recommended if you want to install linoleum on a concrete floor that has a substrate correctly. particularly if materials with low indicators are chosen and the room’s floor is cold for some other reason. The "warm floor" system installation is the best choice.
- Roll film insulation – includes several layers, has a power of up to 150 W / m2, maintains an optimal temperature of about + 30C, does not melt the floor covering.
- Infrared warm floor – a universal option, suitable for all types of linoleum. Not afraid of fire and moisture, can be laid on a balcony, loggia.
- Cable insulation – includes a heating cable powered by the network. Durable, suitable for almost all types of flooring, but requires pouring a screed.
- Thermomats – fiberglass mesh sheets with heating cables. Mounted without screed, easy and simple.
- Water type of warm floor – heats due to a system of pipes with water circulating through them. Most often chosen for private houses, since in old high-rise buildings the arrangement will be expensive.
When evaluating which substrate works best beneath linoleum on a concrete floor, quality should be the primary consideration. When properly cared for and meeting operating conditions, an underlay can endure for many years—sometimes even longer than the linoleum itself, serving as the foundation for a new floor covering.
It is best to choose an underlay material with a density of 700–750 grams per square meter to prevent creases, dents, and cracks in the floor covering.
Preparation
You can get to work once you have decided which underlay is best for linoleum on a concrete floor. The floor needs to be properly prepared first. The base is leveled with a screed after being completely cleared of dust and debris. If the flaws are small, you can use tile adhesive like "Unis" or "Ceresit" to cover the holes and cracks with a cement mixture.
You can pre-mix the composition with PVA glue to keep it from cracking and to ensure that it reliably bonds problem areas. Before defects are smoothed, the base is primed, dust-free, and degreased. There shouldn’t be any bumps or variations in height. Make sure to apply a layer of waterproofing if the substrate material calls for it or if the base is composed of plywood.
Waterproofing
You must research the area on the concrete floor where you intend to install linoleum before installing the substrate. Polyethylene film is applied to the surface multiple times to check for vapors (humidity is always noticeable by condensation).
Installing standard polyethylene film in strips that overlap by at least 10 centimeters (and extend two to three centimeters onto the walls) is made possible by vapor barrier technology.
A continuous sheet of film for waterproofing is preferred. It doesn’t need to be fixed because the backing will keep it from moving. Even though packing tape can be used to hold film pieces together, experts still suggest using reinforced.
Substrate
There are no gaps in the neat placement of the substrate. The strips need to be taped together exactly from end to end using double-sided tape. After measuring the floor, the material is marked and pre-cut into the necessary pieces. The underlay needs to be straightened out right away after being laid out in order to get rid of any waves, folds, or distortions.
When laying linoleum with an underlay over a concrete floor, it’s important to work quickly and carefully because even small imperfections will show through the surface. particularly if we are discussing a thick, dense underlay.
Fixation
It is important to keep in mind that the underlay is glued to the floor when it is laid. Secure with a unique glue made of resin or polyurethane; some materials can also be glued with tape. Prior to putting the layer under the linoleum, it is important to ascertain how the adhesive and underlay material interact to prevent installation errors.
Double-sided tape is the easiest option. It is glued throughout the entire room, except for the joints. Subsequently, the underlay is placed, straightened, the top layer is cut off of the tape strips, and the material is gently pressed to adhere to the floor. Next, linoleum is installed; it is trimmed to fit and mastic-glued in the appropriate place.
It might take some time for roll materials to settle, assume the shape of the space, and lie in an even layer. Because sheet substrates lay better and are fairly dense, they do not provide for this.
Recommendations
Although laying the substrate is a fairly straightforward procedure, it has unique qualities of its own. It is advisable to acquire a bare minimum of knowledge before beginning work.
- Before purchasing the material, test for elasticity: if the substrate gives dents when compressed, most likely, it will be strongly crushed during operation
- Concrete cannot be leveled with gypsum-based mixtures – in a damp room, gypsum can peel off, and it will not withstand the optimal load
- For a smooth cold floor, the substrate is needed as thermal insulation – when choosing, they focus on this property
- After pouring the screed, wait until the concrete has fully gained strength (28 days), only then install the underlay
- Laying fiberglass in places where there is a lot of foot traffic is contraindicated
- Before laying, special attention should be paid to cleaning the base – remove all traces of detergents, dirt, oil stains
Type of Underlay | Pros and Cons |
---|---|
Foam Underlay | Pros: Good cushioning, affordable, easy to install. Cons: Can compress over time, may not offer as much insulation. |
Felt Underlay | Pros: Durable, provides good sound insulation, and is good for uneven surfaces. Cons: Can be more expensive, may be less effective at insulating heat. |
Cork Underlay | Pros: Excellent for sound insulation, eco-friendly, and provides good cushioning. Cons: Higher cost, can be susceptible to moisture damage. |
Rubber Underlay | Pros: Very durable, provides excellent sound insulation, and is resistant to moisture. Cons: Can be quite expensive, might be overkill for some applications. |
Polyethylene Underlay | Pros: Affordable, good moisture barrier, and easy to install. Cons: Can be less comfortable, not as effective at sound insulation. |
For linoleum on a concrete floor, selecting the appropriate underlay is essential for comfort and longevity. Benefits of each type of underlay vary, ranging from increased soundproofing and moisture control to better insulation and cushioning. The ideal option frequently depends on the particular requirements of your area, taking into account things like foot traffic, humidity levels, and room temperature.
Foam underlays are widely used because they are inexpensive and simple to install. They offer decent cushioning, which can improve the comfort of walking on linoleum. They can trap water and possibly cause mold problems, so they might not be the best option if you have a lot of moisture issues.
Rubber underlays are more durable and provide superior soundproofing. They are more moisture-resistant than foam and perfect for high-traffic areas. The disadvantage is that they can be more difficult to install and are typically more expensive.
Cork underlays are a fantastic choice for people who value environmental responsibility. Due to their renewable material construction, they provide both soundproofing and natural insulation. They are more expensive than foam alternatives, but they are also excellent at controlling moisture.
The ideal underlay for your linoleum will ultimately rely on your spending limit and unique requirements. When making your choice, take comfort, sound absorption, and moisture management into account. Your space will be more comfortable and useful if you select the proper underlay to prolong the life of your linoleum floor.
For maximum comfort and longevity when laying linoleum over a concrete floor, the correct underlayment must be chosen. The various underlay options—such as foam, cork, and felt—will be examined in this article along with their advantages and disadvantages. We’ll walk you through which materials are better for moisture control, soundproofing, and insulation so you can make an informed choice and get the most out of your flooring project.