Substrate preparation for wood-laminate-spc floors

The first step involves assessing the existing subfloor . This could be a cement screed, an old tiled floor, a parquet floor to be covered, or wooden floors. Each of these situations requires specific assessments: flatness, surface resistance, residual moisture, and the presence of cracks and movement. For new screeds, for example, it's essential to ensure they're well-seasoned; excessive moisture can cause serious problems, especially for wooden floors.

For uneven or uneven surfaces, a leveling or leveling treatment is often considered. Small depressions or dips in the screed can be corrected with self-leveling products, while cracks or fissures require targeted interventions with resins, meshes, or specific systems to limit movement. The goal is to have a subfloor that is as flat and stable as possible, within the tolerances specified by flooring manufacturers.

When installing over existing floors , such as tiles or old laminates, the degree of adhesion to the substrate, the absence of loose tiles, and any steps or critical passages are assessed. If the existing floor is solid and well-anchored, it is often possible to install over it with the aid of specific underlays and, if necessary, with light skimming to correct localized defects.

The choice of intermediate underlay varies depending on the material to be installed and the type of installation (floating or glued). Acoustic underlays, vapor barriers, and panels with specific insulation and defect correction features come into play to improve comfort and performance. For glued wood, for example, the adhesive and screed preparation play a key role; for floating laminate or SPC floors, however, the underlay-interlocking combination is the heart of the system.

Expansion joints should not be overlooked. In large spaces or with multiple connected rooms, it's essential to plan for any technical joints near doors, thresholds, or strategic points. These elements, if well-designed, are almost invisible overall, yet allow the floor to "work" without warping.

Proper substrate preparation prevents creaking, abnormal movements, forced closing under doors, and problems at contact points with other materials. It's an unspectacular step, but it determines the perceived quality of the floor every day.