If you put laminate flooring on an uneven floor, there are consequences. How to lay laminate flooring on an uneven floor. Key points for leveling a concrete surface

Before laying laminate flooring on an uneven wooden floor, you should study the recommendations of professionals. Renovation work is often very scary for people. Of course, when you think that a lot needs to be done, even if the repair is purely finishing in nature, you immediately feel uneasy. In fact, everything is not so scary and not very difficult if you know exactly what you are going to do and how to prepare for repair work. First of all, you should think carefully about what problems you may encounter during the repair work.

Easy installation of laminate flooring on uneven floors

Many residents of apartments and houses prefer to have laminate floors in their homes that are pleasant for their household members. Often in houses and apartments with wooden floors, specialists are faced with the fact that it is completely impossible to lay laminate flooring directly on the floor until the problem can be eliminated.

Before installing laminate flooring on an uneven floor, it is recommended to place a backing on it.

The most common possible problems uneven walls, floors or ceilings, as well as a number of other individual characteristics that may be present in your apartment or house:

Moved walls;
Non-standard window openings, etc.

Why is there no way to lay laminate flooring directly on the floor? There are reasons for this. Laying on uneven surfaces can cause the laminate to become lumpy, which subsequently leads to damage to the integrity of the coating. Laying on such a floor is not only impractical, but also difficult in itself. In this case, it is almost impossible to fit small laminate tiles. How can you determine whether the floor is level if no defects are visually noticeable, but laying the laminate is not possible? A good helper in this matter there will be a regular building level, which unmistakably determines whether the surface is flat or not.

If it is discovered that there is any unevenness on the floor surface, you should stop all work that has already begun and begin to correct it.

Now the question arises, how to turn an uneven floor into evenness? Relevant specialists will always help answer this question. They know better than anyone else what the dangers of repairing a crooked floor are, and how you can fix it all yourself. The most common method for leveling a floor is to use a material such as a leveling underlay, which should be laid on the floor surface. And yet, there are also some nuances here. Let's take a closer look at this type of substrate.

Why do you need a leveling underlay for laminate flooring?

According to experts, most often similar problems are noted by repairmen to varying degrees of unevenness of walls, ceilings and floors. If the unevenness of the walls can somehow be circumvented, for example, by using special tiles or panels installed on the metal carcass, and uneven ceilings are harmoniously hidden under suspended ceilings, then an uneven wooden floor is a more serious problem.

A leveling underlay for laminate flooring is an excellent solution for minor uneven floors, be it a wooden floor or a rough concrete floor.

Thanks to the leveling underlay, you can make the floor level and extend its service life.

In this case, the underlay can be used when laying both laminate and parquet floors without screed. The substrate can vary in thickness, which varies from 1 to 4 mm, so that it is enough for leveling, as well as by manufacturer and type of material itself.

So, the leveling substrate can be:

Polyethylene foam backing. This is the most popular synthetic-based material. It is characterized by low prices and high thermal insulation, which makes it an excellent material for leveling and simultaneous insulation of the floor; in addition, such material is not subject to attacks by rodents and pathogenic microorganisms.
Cork type of substrate. It is a high-quality, environmentally friendly leveling material with a price that matches the quality. At the same time, it is more advisable to lay a cork underlay for a long period under a high-quality expensive floor. Some manufacturers of cork substrates equip their material with an additional adhesive layer.
Bitumen substrates with the addition of cork chips. Relatively pricing policy, is as expensive as its cork counterpart, but due to the addition of bitumen, it has excellent hygroscopicity and sound insulation.
Expanded polystyrene type leveling material. Laying such a substrate allows you to maintain the maximum level of the floor and will help level out minor unevenness and imperfections in the floor surface.
Combined substrates. Most often, for their production, companies use a combination of polystyrene foam and polyethylene foam.
Pine needle tiles. Environmentally friendly material for leveling the floor surface. Laying such a substrate is not difficult, but it is worth remembering that coniferous tiles are laid diagonally.

Thus, it can be noted that before buying a leveling underlay, determine what type of floor it will be laid on, what the price line of underlays is and what properties and disadvantages the selected underlay model has.

Do I need to carefully level the floor under laminate?

It was considered where to start working on finishing the floor, how to choose a substrate, and what to pay attention to, but you need to decide whether maybe you don’t need to deal with leveling? Finishing work themselves imply the presence of an already flat surface on which finishing will take place, but with some materials this rule can be neglected, with the exception of laminate. Laminate tiles should always be laid on a perfectly flat floor surface. Otherwise, you will only get a headache.

If the room is residential, then for ease of use the floor should be leveled before laying the laminate

The following flaws are also possible:

A difference in floor surface level will cause deformation of the laminate panels.
A difference in the level of 2 adjacent sections of the floor will also cause poor adhesion between the panels, which will lead to the appearance of cracks.
The seams between laminate tiles will be subject to divergence, and therefore deformation of the laminate material itself. Broken seams will have to be puttied more than once.
On an uneven floor surface, especially at the transition between rooms, laminate flooring creaks.
Due to the divergence of the panels, moisture will get under the coverings, which will cause irreversible sad consequences, and the floor will have to be completely replaced.
If the floor is uneven, you may notice that some of the laminate panels, and maybe several parts, are pressed through.

As you can understand from the above, you always need to level the floor surface as much as possible before laying the laminate, otherwise you risk prolonging renovation work Not even a single day or even a month will the material costs of repairs increase accordingly.

Is it possible to lay laminate directly on fiberboard?

Very often, people moving into apartments of the so-called old building are faced with the fact that the floors are covered Fiberboard material, in other words, plywood or Chipboard boards. The question arises: is it necessary to remove everything down to the rough surface of the floor, or is it possible to install the laminate directly on top of the slabs?

If you are laying laminate flooring on fiberboard, then it must be thoroughly sanded and cleaned of debris and dust.

Experts say it is possible.

In addition, fiberboard and chipboard slabs can be used to level the floor level in an apartment, especially if there is not a strong permissible floor slope. A floor with a slope is the case when the height of one part of the floor is 0.1-0.2ᵒ or more higher than the other.

The advantages of this material work in defense of the use of fiberboard and chipboard boards:

With such slabs you can level the floor surface without any problems;
Having good rigidity, the slabs are an additional guarantee of the longevity of the laminate;
Pleasant cost of leveling material compared to others;
Does not require special conditions– Chipboard and fiberboard slabs are covered different types floors in different rooms.

Although such slabs are not full-fledged quality board, but they are able to cover and mask uneven floors, but also due to their great endurance, they can be used even in rooms with high traffic or the presence of massive heavy furniture. Such slabs allow you to correct uneven floors and level the floor surface. For these reasons alone, you can give the go-ahead for installing stoves in the room.

If initially there were no fiberboard or chipboard slabs on the floor, but you want to cover the floor with them, then first of all it is necessary to install the slabs with all responsibility. Next comes the installation of the laminate itself, which in turn follows certain classic installation points, regardless of the type.

When laying laminate flooring, it should be taken into account that a plinth will be installed around the perimeter of the room.

Let's consider what types of installation can be used:

Laying the laminate perpendicular to the light source. This method is good if you are worried that the seams between the tiles will be visible.
It is possible to lay the light diagonally and classic styling herringbone This can often be found in older apartments.

Each installation method allows you to achieve a special pattern on the floor surface, which makes the room more interesting and cozy.

Ways to lay laminate flooring on an uneven wooden floor (video)

So, there are enough options for getting the job done. It is important to understand for yourself what you want to get as a result. And then all that remains is to follow the chosen technology.

Laminate is a rather demanding coating that needs an even and solid foundation. Changes in height, holes, tubercles, cracks that appear on rough floor, significantly reduce its service life. They cause unplanned additional loads on the locking connections of the planks. Even one hole on the base will create a “failure”, upon which you will bend the slats, testing the strength of the locking joints. Sooner or later this will lead to the appearance of visible cracks, loosening, and possibly breakage of the locks. Thus the service life flooring will be reduced, and the appearance from the very first day will leave much to be desired.

So what to do? There are two options: either apply traditional ways leveling the base, or use alternative methods, which neutralize the negative consequences of irregularities. Let's consider all these methods.

Using a Leveling Underlay

Let’s make a reservation right away: a suitable base for a laminate is considered to be a surface whose height differences do not exceed 2 mm/l.m. This acceptable standards curvatures at which the internal stresses of the coating are insignificant and do not lead to breakage of the locks. Exceeding these figures requires adjustment.

The easiest way to eliminate base unevenness is to use:

polyethylene foam;
foamed polystyrene;
extruded polystyrene foam;
polyurethane;
natural cork (option - from a mixture of cork and bitumen or rubber);
wood fiber boards.

Any substrates existing on the market can compensate for some unevenness of the base. The quality of the result depends on their density and thickness. For example, a regular polyethylene foam backing with a thickness of 2 mm levels the surface of the base to 1 mm/m.p. Wood fiber substrates "ISOPLAAT" or "Quiet running" are more effective. “ISOPLAAT” slabs with a thickness of 4 mm are able to compensate for differences of up to 3 mm/l.m., and with a thickness of 12 mm – as much as 5 mm/l.m.! Wood-fiber substrates “Quiet Run” have approximately the same abilities.

Leveling the base

If the differences exceed the capabilities of the substrates, then it is necessary to use more effective methods. The most common bases for laminate flooring are concrete slabs or wood floors. Each of these options requires its own approach.

Concrete surface

In most city apartments, the “subfloor” is formed by concrete slabs. To level such a base, follow the step-by-step instructions:

Prepare the base. Remove the old coating, clean the concrete slab of debris and dust. If there are deep cracks, holes, or chips, first seal them with cement mortar.
Prime the surface. Priming improves the adhesion of the finishing screed and the concrete base. In some cases, it is advisable to use a waterproofing primer rather than a regular primer. This is relevant when renovating kitchens or ground floors located above damp basements.
Perform alignment. If the base is problematic, with large differences in height, then it is more practical to use a regular one. Prepare it yourself (the ratio of sand to cement is approximately 3:1) or buy a ready-made dry mixture. There should be enough water so that the consistency of the screed resembles very thick sour cream.
Install (preferably special metal profiles, which do not need to be removed after completion of work) in increments of 0.5-1 m. This step may be larger if there is a long rule and the screed is performed physically strong man. Place the cement mortar between the guide rails, leveling the screed with the rule.
After the solution has hardened a little (2-3 hours is enough) cement strainer additionally leveled with a foam or wooden grater. Cement screed takes a long time to dry and gain strength. It is recommended to lay laminate on its surface no earlier than after 2 weeks.

If you don’t want to bother with a cement screed, there is a much more modern, albeit more expensive solution - to use.

Leveling mixtures are the easiest way to level a concrete floor

Dilute the dry mixture in water according to the instructions, and then simply pour it onto the base, leveling the solution with a spatula. To remove air from the mixture, roll the surface with a rubber spiked roller. This will make the surface smoother, without holes from small air bubbles on the surface. The mixtures harden much faster than cement screed, so you can begin finishing the floor covering in just a few hours.

Wooden floors

Carry out the work according to the following plan:

Clean up existing wood flooring. Inspect the wood floorboards for cracks, crevices and other defects. All this needs to be eliminated with putty. , then inspect the logs and replace them if necessary. Re-fix the boards on the joists, preferably with self-tapping screws rather than nails - this is more reliable. During this operation, some parts may have to be replaced with new ones.
If there are significant bumps and irregularities on the wooden floor, the situation can be corrected (sanding). You can easily rent a sanding machine; you don’t have to buy new equipment for one-time work.
Level the wood floor.
After puttying and sanding, it is quite possible that your wooden floors are completely ready for use. Check the base with a level, if everything is in order, then the leveling is complete. If the unevenness is significant and it was not possible to correct them, it is necessary to lay sheets of plywood or OSB boards. Use material 15-20 mm thick.

OSB or plywood sheets are screwed to wooden floor using self-tapping screws, making sure that the edges of adjacent slabs are at the same level

There is another option - pour a self-leveling mixture on top. This must be done in exactly the same way as when leveling concrete foundations. In this case, you will get an even and smooth screed, ideal for installing the coating.

Replacing chipboard or fiberboard laminate with vinyl

If you do not want to carry out complex work, you can use the existing alternative to capricious material. This - the new kind floor covering, called "". It, unlike the usual dies made of chipboard or fiberboard, can be laid on an existing, not sufficiently level base.

The flexible version is available in the form of strips, each of which consists of two layers: top part– made of a mixture of polyurethane and aluminum oxide, the bottom – made of vinyl. Bottom part offset from the top by a couple of centimeters, forming a free thin layer of vinyl around the perimeter. Adhesive smart tape is applied to it, thanks to which the planks are glued to each other at the ends. A “floating” floor structure is formed, without direct attachment to the base. Therefore, pits, bumps and cracks will not be “imprinted” on such a coating, unlike adhesive-based vinyl tiles.

Video: leveling the floor under laminate

A connection using a smart tape is called an adhesive lock, by analogy with Click and Lock mechanical locks. However, the adhesive joint is more elastic, so it will not break on uneven floors. For example, Allure Floor vinyl laminate can withstand base differences of up to 5 mm. In this case, the resulting coverage appearance no different from standard flooring or wooden parquet. And according to operational characteristics- even wins. Vinyl, unlike its wooden counterparts, is absolutely moisture resistant and much stronger, which is confirmed by a strength class of 42-43.

Laminated panels are considered one of the most convenient and practical types decorative covering. Manufacturers produce them in different options, among which there are models with protective layers. By the way, this is one of the few types of flooring that can be installed in rooms with high humidity. However, in terms of mechanical stability, this coating is very demanding, and the question of how to lay laminate on an uneven floor is especially acute. Of course, there are no perfectly even bases, but significant errors can negatively affect the further operation of the panels.

Is it possible to lay laminate flooring on an uneven substrate?

Regular modernization of laminated coatings in order to increase wear resistance and physical strength expands their areas of application. This is facilitated by the presence of protective layers and reliable locks. And yet long-term use on wood or concrete base with altitude differences is not recommended. Even if laminate is laid on an uneven wooden floor with minimal deviations in levels different areas, there is a risk of deformation of the flooring at the places where the panels are attached. As a last resort, you can use high-strength commercial models of wear resistance categories 32 and 33, but even under this condition, the service life will be noticeably reduced.

Does the above mean that if you have an uneven floor, you should completely abandon the laminate or replace it with a more suitable one? suitable material? Of course no. Firstly, any coating will not last long on a base with elevation changes. Secondly, laying laminate flooring on an uneven floor is quite feasible without negative consequences, but subject to appropriate preparation, including measures to level the rough surface.

Floor leveling technologies

Not every leveling method will correct defective concrete or wood floors. Much also depends on how great the difference in elevation is. For example, if it is no more than 0.5 cm per 1 m, then you can get by with laying the substrate, main function which is precisely the elimination of defects on the surface of the coating. This is the simplest and affordable way not only for leveling, but also to provide shock absorption, sound absorption and insulation of the floor. More serious damage in the form of holes, cracks, chips and bumps will have to be eliminated either by replacing coating elements, or by completely renewing the surface. The second option is appropriate to use if you need to lay laminate flooring on an uneven concrete floor with significant differences in height. If the errors on an uneven floor are insignificant or are represented by pinpoint defects, then you can limit yourself to grouting agents or primers. They will make the base even and smooth.

What underlay should I use?

An uneven floor can be corrected with different floorings, including natural and synthetic ones. If the laminate is installed in a residential area, then, accordingly, it is better to use natural material. These include cork substrates, linen and coniferous fabrics. But it should be borne in mind that the leveling function of these materials is not their main quality. First of all natural fibers and cork base create optimal conditions for ventilation, noise reduction and thermal insulation. If you are going to lay laminate flooring on an uneven floor with deep damage, then it is better to choose artificial substrates. This category is represented by flooring made of rubber, bitumen and polyethylene foam. The environmental friendliness of these materials is far from perfect, but compensation for unevenness and ease of use of the laminate will be guaranteed.

Laying the leveling underlay

The backing for laminated panels is installed directly on the base. But before this, you should make sure that the rough surface is cleaned of debris, sand and greasy stains. If possible, existing defects should be primed and sanded. At least small defects will be eliminated by this treatment. Before laying laminate flooring on an old wooden floor using an underlay, you should also evaluate the reliability of the boards. Rotten floorboards are replaced, since in the future this can only be done after dismantling the laminate.

The substrate is spread in roll strips in the direction of further installation of the lamellas. The material is laid overlapping, and the strips are fixed to each other using adhesive tape. It is important to note that the substrate should not be attached either to the laminate itself or to the rough base. The leveling flooring in the form of slabs is laid so that the elements come close to each other. The panels are fixed to each other using tape.

Methods for leveling concrete screed

In this case, in addition to the substrate, self-leveling mixtures or a traditional cement screed device can be used. Both methods are appropriate to use only if there are significant deviations in the levels of the base in different areas, since laying new coatings will inevitably lead to a reduction in the height of the room. Laying laminate flooring on an uneven floor using self-leveling compounds is considered the most effective, but this option is also considered the most expensive and also difficult to implement. The usual pouring of a new screed will cost less, will hide the deepest depressions, but is the most labor-intensive way to level a concrete floor.

Using self-leveling mixtures

These are so-called self-leveling floors, which, after drying, form an almost ideal surface, allowing laminate flooring to be laid with maximum reliability and durability. But it is advisable to use such compositions only if the differences in heights do not exceed 3 cm. In more severe cases, only a cement screed will correct the situation. Preparing the composition will not take much time - as a rule, bulk mixtures include two components that are thoroughly mixed. Next, the resulting composition is poured onto the problematic coating and leveled with a spatula. You may also need a needle roller to remove air bubbles. Further laying of the laminate on an uneven floor filled with a self-leveling solution can be done in approximately 10-12 hours, that is, after the coating has hardened.

Creating a new screed

The work uses the classic composition for cement mortar, for which formwork is pre-created. Wooden slats are placed on the thick mixture a meter apart from each other. After this, the solution should harden. It is necessary to pour the mixture from the far corner, leveling it in parallel with the rule. As the mixture moves, it shifts to the right and left, which makes it possible to exclude voids with air from the mass. A day after pouring, the resulting screed must be moistened with a roller, moistened again and the solution checked for strength. If the coating has acquired sufficient hardness, then the screed must be covered with plastic film and left in this condition for several weeks until completely dry. Then you lay the laminate with your own hands on the uneven floor using a new screed. Presumably, the ceiling height with this method of compensating for height differences will be reduced by 3 cm.

Leveling a wooden floor

Typically, problems with subfloor planks arise due to improper installation. The reason may be either the expansion of wood under the influence of temperature and humidity changes, or an initial violation in the laying pattern. In both cases, the situation can be corrected. This is done by replacing individual boards with joists or by completely renewing the flooring if the existing flooring cannot be restored. The main thing in this part of the work is to avoid mistakes in installation, to use quality material and ensure that the joists and boards are properly fixed. If these rules are followed, laying laminate flooring on an uneven wooden floor will not cause problems and will allow you to create a durable decorative floor. But it is important to remember that over time, plank flooring can become unusable due to biological processes, and high-quality laminate can last up to 25 years. Therefore, you should compare the operational resources of coatings in advance so that you do not have to renew one of them ahead of time.

Conclusion

Flaws and defects in the subfloor are quite common, especially in the case of dilapidated floors that have not been repaired for decades. Leveling procedures allow not only to lay the laminate while ensuring the strength and durability of the coating, but also to create a reliable foundation for the room as a whole. The same wooden floors with deep damage pose a danger both to the use of the decorative coating and to the entire structure of the house. The same applies to concrete floor, the error correction of which is a necessary condition when laying any finishing flooring.

Very often, during renovations after removing the old floor covering, you discover a not entirely smooth surface underneath. What to do next? Is it possible laying laminate flooring on uneven floors or does it need to be leveled? Let's figure it out.

All manufacturers recommend laying laminated panels on a perfectly flat floor. Only in this case can they guarantee a long service life of the floor covering. We claim that laminate flooring can still be installed on an uneven surface, but it all depends on the type and size of the unevenness. Under certain conditions, there is its own way of solving the problem.

What types of unevenness on the floor can be

Depending on the type of unevenness, we will decide what to do next for laying the laminate. The following types of floor defects can be distinguished:

Surface cracks and crevices;
Elevation differences along the perimeter of the surface and sagging.

In the first case, such irregularities will not cause problems with the laminate flooring, so you can safely begin installation. In the second case, everything is a little more complicated. It is necessary to determine the difference in surface heights and the height of the sagging. You can do this as follows:

Using a water level. We fill the level cavity with water and draw a mark on the wall at an arbitrary height (about 1 meter from the surface). Next, we apply the second end of the level every 2-3 along the entire perimeter of the room. We align the water level at the first end with the previously drawn mark and draw the mark of the second end. As a result, on the walls we get a lot of marks at the horizon level, but not a rough surface. We measure all distances from the marks to the floor. Subtracting from the resulting highest value the least we get is a height difference in the room.
Laser level is used to obtain more accurate results. Otherwise, the essence of the measurement process is the same as with the water level.
You can also use a building level, the length of which is equal to or greater than 2 meters.

What consequences can occur when laying on an uneven base?

There are a number of reasons why laminate flooring should not be laid on defective floors. You must know them to understand the seriousness of the problem.

Laminated panels, due to the gravity of the furniture or when walking, will “play” on uneven surfaces. Part of the board will hover over the void and at the same time pull neighboring boards along with it. Over time, laminated panels will deform and break down.
If there is sagging on the floor, after a certain time after installation, the laminate will move apart at the seams and break the joints, trying to find a place without unnecessary stress.
Differences in the base plane exceeding 3 cm cause deformation lock connections and destruction of the entire laid structure.
Cracks right in the middle of the board will not be uncommon with significant sagging on the floor.

Everyone understands that installation on such an uneven floor is impossible. It should be done once, but efficiently, to avoid unnecessary ones in the future. financial costs and nerves. You need to find it first optimal solution this problem.

Leveling with underlay

For small differences in the heights of the base, it would be most rational to use a special leveling substrate. The maximum leveling distance for each substrate is different and it is indicated on the label by the manufacturer, but on average it is 3-5 mm. In addition to leveling properties, it will also provide the laminate with hydro- and sound insulation. It is attached to uneven floor using glue or a self-adhesive base, and only then the laminate is laid on it without connecting to the substrate.

The following substrates are available for sale:

Made from foamed polyethylene or isolon polymer.
Polystyrene, consisting of two layers. The bottom layer is made of direct polystyrene, and upper layer from aluminum foil.
Cork substrates that require additional moisture insulation.
New types of substrates: polymer solution, polystyrene foam, wood boards.

Leveling floors with significant unevenness

For more serious irregularities, more serious work will have to be done to lay the laminate flooring. The first of these methods of eliminating floor unevenness is using a concrete screed. It is used for very large elevation differences. For this purpose it is prepared sand-cement mortar, is leveled on an uneven surface, and equal to the horizon level. The concrete hardens and the robot is ready to begin installing the laminated panels.

For smaller differences you can use building mixtures using self-leveling floor technology. It bears this name due to the ease of its use. You prepare the solution according to the manufacturer's recommendations and pour it onto the prepared surface. To speed up hardening, a needle roller is passed over the solution layer.

Another way is to install OSB plywood sheets. The logs are installed on the prepared joists and sheets of plywood are attached to them using self-tapping screws. OSB boards can be glued directly to the floor with minor unevenness.

Laminate installation process

Whatever method of leveling the uneven field for laying the laminate you choose, then you should proceed directly to installation. The process itself is not anything special and does not depend on the initial unevenness of the base. If you are gluing laminated panels, take breaks after 3-4 rows to allow the glue to dry. If you have laminate flooring with a click system, then gradually assemble the boards between failures, gently tapping them to prevent damage.

We hope that we have helped you and helped you understand such a serious issue. We hope that you have realized all the possible consequences of an uneven base and accepted right decisions. Good luck!

Video: leveling the floor

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Laminate is a type of flooring that can be successfully combined with a wooden base. The material can be laid on boardwalks, joists, beams. When working, it is important to take into account the specifics of natural wood. This will ensure a high-quality installation of laminate flooring on a wooden floor.

In some cases, a self-leveling screed is used to level a wooden floor.

Many people wonder whether it is possible to lay laminate flooring on a wooden floor? It is necessary to understand that the material strips are fixed to each other, without organizing fastenings to the load-bearing ones building structures(walls, floors).

The floating system is placed freely on the subfloor, which leaves room for expansion and contraction. The finishing coating can safely change its geometric parameters against the background of temperature and humidity fluctuations.

The design features of the laminate allow you to get rid of the use adhesive compositions, hermetically connecting the joints. If you combine glueless technology and wooden base, high aeration can be ensured.

Spontaneous ventilation of the structure ensures long-term operation, absence of rotting and mold formation. This must be taken into account before laying laminate flooring on a wooden floor.

Materials and tools

When choosing a high-quality laminate, you should understand its structure.

The laminated board consists of the following layers:

overlay – layer with protective functions. The coating is highly resistant to wear and protects finished finishing from biological, mechanical, chemical damage. The base is melamine resins with modern additives;
decorative paper - the material is treated with melamine impregnation. It shapes color scheme, board drawing;
HDF – base – high-density wood fiber board. It is the density that affects the quality of the material - the higher it is, the stronger the coating, resistant to moisture penetration, bending, impacts and other loads;
moisture-resistant/stabilizing layer – made of melamine or paraffin paper. The purpose of the layer is to protect against moisture penetration and stabilize the operation of the coating.

The basis of the panel can be chipboard, MDF boards, produced on the basis of pressed wood processing products. In operation, laminate behaves almost the same as other wood coverings. The material serving as the basis determines the specific scope of application.

Previously, it was believed that laminate flooring was not appropriate in premises where wet cleaning. The covering was installed in living rooms, offices, bedrooms, and children's rooms. Today, modern HDF base expands installation possibilities - slats can become the basis of the floor in hallways, balconies, and kitchens.

Finishing strips can be mounted directly on the base surface if it is complete, strong, even, does not bend or creak

Materials required for work:

laminate class 31-33. In case of installation in the kitchen, balcony, corridor, it is recommended to choose the more expensive class 33, which is highly resistant to moisture;
substrate;
sheet material (plywood, OSB, DVL);
wood fasteners;
mastic for wood processing;
timber

Set of tools:

carpenter's hammer;
mallet;
jigsaw, saw, hacksaw;
brushes or brushes for covering floors;
scraping machine;
construction vacuum cleaner;
screwdriver, hammer drill;
nail puller;
level, ruler, square.

Top brands

High-quality and certified material is available from reliable manufacturers.

If the unevenness of the wooden base is local in nature, they can be eliminated sandpaper or by hand scraping

The following brands deserve attention:

QUICK STEP;
KAINDL;
ALLOC;
Parador;
Balterio;
HARO;
EPI.

Comparison best brands laminate made in the article.

Technical standards

How to lay laminate flooring on a wooden floor? – Initially, the foundation should be prepared. There are certain requirements related to the characteristics of the base surface.

Construction standards (according to SNiP 3.04.01-87) contain the following instructions:

the base must be level. Differences should not exceed 2 mm for every 2 m² of area;
the maximum slope is 4.0 mm in any direction, evenly distributed over 2 m of surface.

Non-compliance technical parameters will become a source of marriage. Will be damaged during use lock system, the grooves will begin to loosen. Thin ridges will break and the flooring will become unusable. The owner of an apartment or house will need to build a new covering, taking into account how to lay laminate flooring on a wooden floor correctly.

Preparatory stage

A wooden floor requires preliminary preparation, regardless of whether it is level or not.

Before laying laminate flooring on an old wooden floor, you must do the following:

the old flooring is dismantled down to the joists;
the condition of the beams is monitored;
all elements that do not inspire confidence must be replaced with strong timber;
when the revision is completed, the boards are laid again, bottom side up;
the cracks are filled with repair compound or foam;
at the end the coating is processed by a scraping machine;
Additionally, it is recommended to treat the floor with fire retardant and impregnation, which is most easily accomplished with the help of special mastics that perform both functions.

Carrying out work on your own often becomes the cause of marriage. Working with a wooden base requires experience and professionalism

If the boardwalk is new, there is no need for such a thorough diagnosis. It is enough to check the fastenings, tighten the loose fasteners, and “sink” the screws. The seams are also filled and the floor is scraped.

Dealing with structural violations

There are situations when a wooden base has to be “modified”. It is impossible to immediately determine the scope of work - everything depends on the actual state of the surface. If the floorboards sag on it, you will have to change the boards to a stronger and thicker material or strengthen the logs with timber.

Most often it is easier to lay a new layer of boards, “crosswise” with the previous ones. But, this solution is ineffective in tight spaces with low ceilings, - the usable space will suffer.

Alignment options

There are two main ways to level the base, corresponding to the technology of laying laminate flooring on a wooden floor.

Sheet materials

You can implement high-quality preparation of a wooden floor using such sheet materials, such as OSB, chipboard, gypsum fiber board, plywood. If the height differences are insignificant, the material is fixed directly to the base.

Otherwise, a grid of timber or point supports is built. Can be purchased ready set for leveling, for example, from the Knauf company, consisting of supports, plywood, fasteners. The guideline is economic expediency works

Leveling pads

How to properly lay laminate flooring on a wooden floor? – with minor differences in height, it is advisable to arrange the correct position.

When installing laminate flooring on a wooden floor, use:

substrates based on polyurethane foam;
natural cork;
foamed polyethylene;
cork-bitumen or rubber substrates.

Each type of material contains instructions that indicate what height differences it can compensate for. What to lay under laminate on a wooden floor? – in residential areas it is preferable to use cork.

Cycling

When working with professional equipment safety precautions are required. Some stages of work are associated with a high risk of injury

Laying laminate flooring on a wooden floor without plywood is only possible if there are minor height differences. After preliminary preparation, the surface is scraped, the substrate is laid and the finishing coating is installed.

Installation errors

It’s not enough to understand how to install laminate flooring on an uneven wooden floor. It is equally important to consider a large number of nuances related to this technology. So, steam and waterproofing cannot be placed on the boardwalk. This will break natural ventilation. The insulation will be the layer under which condensation will concentrate. An exception may be the installation of a diffuse membrane, which does not disrupt air exchange.

The installation of a substrate is mandatory. According to technology, it is better to place rolled technical cork or bitumen-rubber, bitumen-cork varieties on a wooden floor.

The thickness of the substrate should be selected based on the thickness of the laminate panel. For example, a 3 mm substrate is placed under 8 mm strips. No fastenings are required, just obligatory sizing with tape at the joints of the strips.

A few facts about the dangers of laying laminate flooring on an uneven wooden floor:

when walking, some of the panels will hang over the void, which will cause their deformation;
the floor will come apart at the seams, the integrity of the coating will be compromised;
there is a risk of cracking and damage to locks.

Laminate - technology for laying on a wooden floor

For better orientation, it is recommended to draw a plan for the layout of the boards. The plan indicates all elements and openings to scale. Preliminary planning and implementation of calculations will ensure high quality of work. The material can be laid diagonally or in straight strips, which corresponds to the rules for laying laminate flooring on a wooden floor.

How to lay laminate flooring on a wooden floorby piece:

the starting position is selected - usually this is any corner farthest from the opening;
4 boards are taken, the ridge is cut off from 1 and 3 (which will lie against the wall);
the groove must remain in place as it always faces the stacker;
Marking is carried out to offset the panels of the adjacent row, which will avoid cross intersections. Usually this is 30 -40 cm - this is the length that the adjacent board is cut to;
Based on the type of lock, the joining of boards 1 and 3 is realized. If it is a Click system, each subsequent panel is related to the previous one at an angle of 45 degrees and is mounted in place with light pressure;
then the standard laying of the laminate on the wooden floor continues - a piece of 2 boards and 4 whole planks are added;
the assembled segment is placed at the installation site. Special spacers, 1 cm thick, are pre-installed, which will maintain the gap;
the first row is extended with 5 strips with the ridge removed, then the second strip is extended with 6 elements;
according to this principle, the first two rows are laid to the end and beyond;
it is necessary to control the displacement of the end connection, trimming the ridges facing the wall;
the boards completing the row are cut to precisely measured distances;
in the last rows, a mounting bracket is used for snapping;

The difference in floor unevenness can be 2 mm per 2 meters maximum

Laying laminate flooring on a wooden floor with your own hands can be done sequentially, forming entire strips. This method is effective for long planks or in case of single work.

To understand how to properly install laminate flooring on a wooden floor, you need to familiarize yourself with the nuances and subtleties of the work.

The base must be vacuumed before installing the laminate floor. Otherwise, during operation, the slats will emit an unpleasant crunch and squeak;
the panels are mounted in a perpendicular direction to the floorboards. It turns out that the direction of the substrate strips coincides with the direction of the floorboards;
material should be purchased with a 7% margin when laying straight and with a 15% margin when laying at an angle/diagonal;
installation methods under batteries, pipe bypasses, openings comply with general rules styling;
how to install vinyl laminate flooring on wood floors? – if the differences in height of the base base do not exceed 5 mm, the material can be laid without preliminary preparation. All you need to do is clean the floor. Otherwise, a standard range of work is implemented;
if the room has a large area, the temperature gap is installed in increments of 10 m in width, 8 m in length, and not just along the walls. The gap is decorated with a profile;
Before laying the laminate on a wooden floor, the subfloor boards are attached to the joists. It is better to use self-tapping screws rather than nails. The fasteners should not be over-tightened as this may cause distortion.

Indoor use

Before installing the flooring, it is advisable to consider the effectiveness of laying the material in rooms for various purposes.

Living rooms, children's rooms, bedrooms

The premises are characterized by low traffic and moderate loads, which requires the installation of class 31-32 laminate. It is advisable to use cork material as a substrate. The flooring can be laid on a plywood base, which will provide additional sound insulation.

Kitchens, corridors, balconies

In rooms with unstable levels of temperature, humidity and high traffic, it is appropriate to place a 32-33 class laminate or self-adhesive vinyl type, suitable even for placement in the toilet. This is an expensive coating, but it pays for itself over a long period of use. Instead of cork flooring, you can use modern foam materials or special membranes.

Laying laminate flooring on a wooden floor - price

There is a certain amount of expense involved in installing laminate flooring over a wood floor. Depending on the actual condition of the base base, prices for the implementation of work vary from 12 to 16 USD per square meter.

Laminate must be laid on a dry surface. If present high humidity wooden or concrete floors, it is necessary to carry out their complete waterproofing

conclusions

There are no serious restrictions on the question of whether laminate flooring can be laid on a wooden floor.

The main thing is that the base has undergone preliminary preparation:

the old floor must be dismantled and checked for defects;
special substrates are installed under the laminate;
installation of a waterproofing layer is contraindicated.

An example of how to lay laminate flooring on an uneven wooden floor can be seen in the video: