Unfortunately, no one can unequivocally answer the question whether a linoleum substrate is needed. Some experts believe that it is indispensable, others argue that the purchase of a substrate is a waste of money. Let's try to understand this issue and find out which linoleum substrate is needed and for what purpose it is used.
Why do I need linoleum underlay?
As a rule, the substrate performs several practical functions at once:
- Aligns the unevenness of the floor, so that the linoleum would lie better and last longer;
- It plays the role of a heater, which is especially important if there is an unheated room from below;
- provides sound insulation , absorbing noise and sounds from the lower floors.
Do I need to put a liner under the linoleum?
Sometimes it is possible to do without a substrate, but in most cases it serves as a solution to several problems at once. So, there are three cases where the substrate is simply necessary:
- Substrate based on jute, wool or flax will be relevant if you have cold floors, and the purchased linoleum does not have a warming layer.
- In a situation with uneven floors, you can buy any substrate - from plywood to cork. Remember that with a smooth base the PVC coating will last much longer.
- Even if you do not live on the ground floor, the use of a thin single-layer linoleum without a substrate is fraught with the fact that the floor will still be cold and the coating will be uneven. Therefore, if you decide to save on linoleum, do not skimp on the substrate.
However, in some situations without a substrate it is quite possible to do. Typically, these are two cases - if the new linoleum is stacked on top of the old one, and if the purchased linoleum already has a foamed base or a layer of jute that provides sufficient sound and heat insulation.