Substrate under the carpet - which is better to choose?

A modern substrate for carpet is a useful material in construction, but many people do not know about its qualities, keeping the decorative coatings directly on concrete or wood. Having learned to choose an intermediate damping layer, you will be able to achieve the effect of absolute softness and comfort from the floor covering.

Substrate for carpet

Carpet is soft and elastic material, but without protection under daily load, it wears out faster and in a short time loses its decorative appearance. On an abrasive concrete foundation, this coating underneath is destroyed, lets in particles of concrete dust, which gradually spreads around the room. The lining under the carpet is able to slow down the negative processes and significantly improve the comfort when walking.

What is good under the carpet:

1. The gasket takes on loads, and the service life of the carpet is at least doubled.
2. Improved insulating qualities of the carpet.
3. The room is soundproofed.
4. Substrates under the carpet improve the hygroscopic properties of the floor material.
5. The small irregularities on the surface of the screed are evened out and become invisible.
6. Even a thin budget carpet with the use of a substrate becomes softer by feeling, comfort increases, and the illusion of using an expensive floor covering is achieved.

Polyurethane backing

There are several types of polyurethane substrates - with felt top and polyethylene top layer. Felt better isolates the room from noise, softens small irregularities. Polyethylene is waterproof and durable, it is not afraid of 5 mm swings, it is suitable for the technique of fixing the coating by stretching. A separate type of foam polyurethane substrates under the carpet, greatly increasing noise insulation , waterproofing, reducing heat loss. They are installed on a dry coating with drops of up to 3-4 cm.

Rubber backing for carpet

If you have a decorative coating has a natural basis, it is better to purchase a lining made of rubber chips. This material has a high density and hardness at a small thickness. It well withstands the load, normally flattenes the plane, does not pass moisture, has an excellent spring-like effect. Rubber substrate under the carpet on the wooden floor is better combined with the tracks on a natural basis.

Cork pad under the carpet

Cork is made from natural ingredients, it does not produce unpleasant odors, does not cause allergic reactions in the residents of the house. This material is able to absorb excess moisture, to give it back to the atmosphere when the air is dry. Cork can be used equally well, as a substrate for carpet on concrete or on a wooden base, the technology of its manufacture prevents the development of mold or fungi on the surface.

Laying carpet on the substrate

The first important stage is the choice of a good substrate. During the purchase it is desirable to pay attention to the thickness of this intermediate cushioning layer. If it is less than 5-10 mm, then this substrate under the carpet on a concrete floor or a tree of poor quality. Try to check the elasticity of the lining by hand, when pressed, a good coating always restores the shape.

Types of laying carpet on the substrate:

1. Free laying - in this case the cover is not fixed rigidly to the base. To the walls, the carpet is fixed with skirting boards up to 15 cm. Although this technology is simple and does not require the use of glue or other materials, it is not without flaws. It is often possible to observe the wrinkling of the substrate, especially when the carpet is laid carelessly.
2. Fixing the substrate to the base with a double-sided adhesive tape is important for small spaces, if two pieces of a track are to be joined, then the bands are joined end to end.
3. Stretching carpet cloth with the help of influenza - special rails with nails are installed, installed along the perimeter of the space.
4. Glutinous technology - the substrate is adhered to the substrate, the time for drying is given, then the decorative cloth is pasted on top. It turns out a strong coating, excluding the appearance of bubbles, but this kind of work is laborious and does not allow the carpet to be reused.

Adhesive for carpet backing

The adhesive is selected depending on the type of substrate and the substrate material. At temperature changes or high humidity, a poorly attached lining can react unpredictably, causing deformation of the surface and swelling. The cork substrate for the carpet is perfectly fixed with adhesives from Decol Vern or Bunitex P-55. Developed and successfully used in the construction of special compounds for elastic-elastic substrates. For example, solutions of Polyplast 105 or ELASTEX-22PZ that do not contain volatile organic solvents are well suited for this task.