If you will be laying laminate flooring on a concrete floor with a substrate, then you should first familiarize yourself with the technology of the work. This type of flooring is quite new in the market of relevant materials. Due to not too high cost, practicality and aesthetic appearance, it has become for many the most optimal option. You can lay the home of the topcoat on any surface. Thus, quite often a concrete floor is used as a rough foundation. This procedure is common and easy to do on your own.
Specifications
In appearance, the lamellas resemble boards, the thickness of which can vary from 7 to 12 millimeters. As for the width, it varies from 17 to 30 centimeters. Before you lay the laminate on a concrete floor with a substrate, you should familiarize yourself with the main dimensions. So, the length most often equals the limit of 1 to 1.5 meters. The structure of the material resembles a multilayer cake, individual layers in it play a certain role, namely the main, decorative, protective and stabilizing. Depending on the manufacturing method, a laminate of higher or direct pressure is distinguished. The life of this coating, if it is not flooded, will depend on the surface layer, namely the protective film. If we are talking about a high pressure laminate, then this component is multicomponent.
For reference
In addition to expensive melamine and acrylic resins , alumina or corundum is used, which increases strength properties. The protective film increases wear resistance and also prevents exposure to ultraviolet radiation and chemicals. If you will be laying the laminate on a concrete floor with a substrate, then you should know that under the protective film there is a decorative layer, which can be a special foil or paper. From this layer will depend on how the coating is aesthetically pleasing.
Concrete base preparation
How high-quality and successful the laying of the coating will depend on the condition of the rough foundation. The surface should be flat, horizontal, protected from moisture. The surface must be noise and heat insulated. If you previously cleaned old floors, then the surface should be leveled. Altitude differences should not be more than 2 millimeters per square meter. If they are more significant, then you can try to eliminate them using a special mixture or knock down the protrusions. If such a technique is not possible, then a new screed should be equipped.
Recommendations for preparatory work
Quite often, laying a laminate on a concrete floor with a substrate is carried out only after a cement or concrete coating has been equipped, but each of them involves a long drying time. As for modern materials by the type of bulk floors, they allow for the preparation of manipulations in a shorter time. The thickness of such coatings can be very significant. They dry quickly. Many manufacturers emphasize that just a few hours after pouring, you can walk on such floors. Experts do not recommend rushing, walking on the surface, although it is possible, but you should not rush to mount the coating. Complete drying of such a surface will occur in a few days.
Mounting the substrate
Laying a laminate on a concrete floor with a substrate is carried out according to a certain technology, which involves the installation of a waterproofing layer. The role of the cheapest option is a regular film, the sheets of which are overlapped. The edges will need to be joined using construction tape. Experts consider this option not the best. It is preferable to use substrates made of polyethylene foam or extruded polystyrene foam, they have sound-absorbing properties. A more expensive, but also effective option is a bitumen-cellulose substrate, it includes cork chips. When choosing this option, you must remember that it is not compatible with the system of underfloor heating and suggests the presence of special breathing skirting boards. Polymer substrates that have a self-adhesive base are also quite convenient, which is why they are very easy to lay. Without the use of the substrate can be dispensed only with the installation of a four-layer laminate. This is due to the fact that its lower layer performs the same function. However, one should not save in this case on the use of waterproofing material.
Styling technology
Laying a laminate on a concrete floor with a substrate (photos are presented in the article) provides for the acclimatization of materials in the room for 2 days. This will prepare the laminate for installation work and save it from deformation. For the reason that during installation work a surface will be formed that does not have adhesion to the base, it is necessary to leave a gap near vertical surfaces, the width of which should be 10 millimeters. If the laminate is laid on a concrete floor with a substrate with its own hands, then installation work must be done so that the long side of the lamella is directed along the light flux. As soon as the wedges are in place, which is necessary to ensure the gap, you can lay the first row, which will be located at the wall surface. After the first row is completed, it will be necessary to determine the length of the last workpiece, given the width of the gap. The rest of the lamella can be used at the beginning of the next row, but this rule is only true when the element is not less than 30 centimeters. Otherwise, the wizard will have to prepare another panel. Laying a laminate on a concrete floor with a substrate is work that involves the presence of waste. However, if you use the aforementioned technique, then the waste can be minimized, ensuring the displacement of the joints, which, according to experienced masters, is very important. If necessary, the last row should be cut to width.
Conclusion
You should remember that laying a laminate on an uneven concrete floor with a substrate is not performed. In this case, you run the risk of getting a finish coating that will deform and will not last long.