Laminated panel is a unique material that combines natural texture and a whole set of protective technical and physical properties. It organically enters both the residential area and the utility rooms, maintaining resistance to various negative influences. However, improper laying without a substrate nullifies all the advantages of a coating. At a minimum, effective sound insulation under the laminate is required, which eliminates the noise from impacts on the panel during operation.
Noise Reduction Requirements
Soundproofing of the flooring is only one of the conditions for durable and comfortable operation of the laid material. The complex structure of the laminate determines a whole range of requirements for the substrate. Often the alignment effect comes to the fore when the rigid material creates a solid supporting base that does not allow the structure of the lamellas to deform. This is especially important if screeding is planned. Sound insulation under the laminate in this case will act as a layer between the uneven concrete surface and the back of the panel. The purpose of the room in which it is planned to use the coating is taken into account. For example, in the bathroom, the emphasis is on water-repellent function. Many of the natural materials with good noise reduction in such conditions can not be used. If it is planned to lay it in a room with a warm floor, on the contrary, some of the synthetic materials are excluded.
Coniferous fiber substrates
A fairly effective noise isolator, which is also distinguished by environmental friendliness and damping properties. Unlike many even natural substrates, coniferous panels can do without a bunch of artificial mastics and resins that emit harmful substances. From the point of view of leveling the rough base, this is not the best choice, but when buying panels of the greatest thickness (about 10 mm), small irregularities can be eliminated. As for the direct function of sound insulation under the laminate, the coniferous panel on average provides a noise barrier at the level of 17-19 dB. Accordingly, the greater the thickness, the more effective the noise reduction. But it is important to consider that such a substrate has an increased sensitivity to moisture and low biological resistance - that is, without proper treatment, the material is affected by fungi and mold.
Soundproofing under the cork laminate
This is a substrate formed by small granules of natural cork, which are pressed or glued together. Material is supplied in the form of sheets, rolls and panels. A feature of the cork can be called the ability to provide high noise protection with a small thickness. In particular, the 3 mm cork lining provides an 18 dB barrier. But in the purchase of panels of greater thickness there is no point, since the structure is subject to compression and can be deformed under load. If you need soundproofing the floor under the laminate in the apartment, this will be the best solution. In addition to good noise reduction, the cork is environmentally friendly, the ability to perform spot mounting and heat-saving ability. In residential premises, these qualities are especially valuable. But again, you should beware of negative biological processes and consider waterproofing to protect against water.
Styrofoam substrates
Thin sheet material, the thickness of which is 2-5 mm. Mechanical protective qualities are not a strong point of polystyrene foam. It should be purchased in cases where it is necessary to provide a comprehensive insulating effect - including steam and water protection. Also, extruded polystyrene foam can act as an effective heat insulator. As soundproofing under the laminate, this is not the best option. The noise reduction coefficient is only 15 dB with a thickness of 5 mm. But such a substrate is spared all the disadvantages of natural coatings. For example, expanded polystyrene is not afraid of either biological damage or thermal effects with high humidity. In terms of cost, this is also one of the most profitable solutions. If you need to smooth or reduce excessive impact noise, it makes sense to enclose this particular material.
Soundproofing from polyethylene foam
Roll backing with elastic cellular structure. It also combines several effective properties of the insulator, protecting the decorative coating from moisture, high temperatures and steam. With a large thickness of 10 mm, a polyethylene foam soundproofing under the laminate is able to limit high-frequency noise at a level of 35 dB. But, as in the case with cork litter, the structure of this material is not sufficiently resistant to compression. Therefore, a thick substrate at high loads over time and sags and deforms. This effect can be eliminated in two cases:
- Using material in the nursery with a minimum load when walking.
- Laying laminated panels with a high class of rigidity. For example, you can use a model from a commercial wear-resistant series.
In general, polyethylene foam is quite a practical material, convenient in laying and resistant to the negative effects of a wide range.
Sound insulation works
Installation is carried out in several stages. To begin with, markup should be made over the entire area where the material is planned to be laid. Next, pieces of a rolled substrate, sheets or panels with the necessary parameters are prepared. As a rule, several segments are laid that completely cover the target area.
The second step is isolation. This process is optional if the decorative material already has the necessary insulating layers in the structure. The same applies to the substrate. For example, the best soundproofing for a laminate from Tuplex, Isoplaat or Izolon companies contains a base with a sealed coating that protects from moisture. If there are no such layers, then film insulators are placed on both sides.
Directly fixing the panels can be done in various ways. The panels can be laid on the adhesive mixture, fixed with hardware or special brackets. Sheet and roll materials, in turn, can have self-adhesive strips. It is enough to remove mounting tapes from them and attach to the base in the desired position.
How to do without a noise canceling substrate?
There are situations when laying the substrate in principle is not allowed. Such restrictions may be related to the need to install ultra-thin coatings or to the desire to simplify the structure of the flooring in order to facilitate subsequent dismantling. In this case, you can pay attention to the built-in soundproofing under the laminate. Which is better? The most effective option will be with a multilayer alternating structure of the noise reduction barrier. After each technological layer of the lamella, a special insulator follows for different types of noise - acoustic, spatial, structural, etc. However, the overall thickness of the laminate in this design will be increased to 10-15 cm.
Conclusion
A significant reduction in unpleasant sound effects from the operation of laminated panels is impossible without a comprehensive consideration of the insulation properties of the room. As a minimum, you should keep in mind the condition of the rough base, on which the decorative coating with the substrate is laid. What sound insulation under the laminate works better in combination with a new screed? For such purposes, use thick rigid panels with leveling qualities. You can use a substrate of natural, but tightly pressed fiber, or rigid extruded polystyrene foam. If it is planned to design a wooden floor surface, then damping properties that smooth out vibrations and shock noises will come to the fore. Thick cork panels do a good job of this. Also, do not ignore the secondary characteristics of the substrate, including environmental cleanliness, fire resistance, moisture protection, resistance of the structure to biological destruction, etc.