An underlay is required for:

• Technically correct installation
• Protection of the floor
• Improving the properties of the floor (comfort)

What determines the right subfloor?

The EPLF (European producers of laminate flooring) provide a clear guideline for the right underlay. The producers of laminate have laid down requirements that a subfloor must meet:

• Requirements based on subsoil / construction
• Requirements based on use
• Requirements based on acoustics

Download EPLF requirements:

These requirements can be found at: www.eplf.com/sites/default/files/downloads/eplf.de-infoflyer-nl-2014.pdf Values are mentioned in this to make it measurable. One gives values for minimum requirement and values for higher requirement. By paying attention to the values, a good estimate can be made about the performance of a subfloor. This makes subfloors also comparable, in which the application plays an important role. A high insulation value can be disadvantageous when applied to underfloor heating, but favourable if you want to insulate cold.

A subfloor must therefore provide a technically correct basis for the floor, the subfloor protects the floor and very important: a good underlay improves living comfort. When improving the living comfort, think of thermal insulation or sound insulation. We gladly assist retailers in the selection of a smart assortment of subfloors covering all application areas and reaching the right customers. We not only offer the right assortment, but also support in customer information and promotional material. Further on this page we have made a number of EPLF requirements through a number of videos made clearer.

In the Netherlands it is customary for floors (including subfloors) in an apartment to achieve a noise reduction of 10 dB (ΔLlin) measured according to EN-ISO 10140 / 717-2. Previously these measurements were usually done at TNO in Delft. Today TNO Delft no longer performs these measurements. Mac Lean has his measurements taken at accredited test laboratories.

The second value mentioned in the EN-ISO 10140 / 717-2 is the ΔLw value. This usually much higher value does not apply to housing associations or owners' associations. However, it says something about the noise reduction, but for apartments the Netherlands only looks at the ΔLlin value. In older buildings, where there are often no floating top floors present, much emphasis has been placed in the past on the breaking of contact noise. This is achieved by using a subfloor with a low density. The disadvantage of this is that they are less effective for the resident and even sound hollow. And because they are very soft there is a chance of damaging the connections of the floors. Subfloors with a higher density, however, often do not reach 10 dB. Mac Lean uses innovative HD materials for its Isotac gold 10dB product. This product is therefore leading for apartments.

Do you have more questions about this subject? Our advisors are happy to help you.

We also have the right underfloors for floor cooling and floor heating. The combination of floor heating and floor cooling is very popular nowadays. Most types of laminate and parquet flooring go well with floor heating. The insulating properties of wood and laminate ensure that it will heat up a little more slowly than, for example, a stone floor. But a wooden floor then also retains this heat for longer. In many cases, this is even perceived as more comfortable than a tiled floor.

In general, the temperature of the floor heating may vary only gradually to limit shrinkage and swelling of
the wood.

Floor cooling is also possible. Cold intake is limited to the same boundary conditions as heat transfer. It is possible that condensation can occur due to cooling of a room with a high relative humidity. This has not so much impact on the subfloor but on the floor itself. To prevent this, a condensation sensor must be placed on the distributor or on the connection. As soon as condensation is measured, the cooling system will be switched off. Ask your installer to ask about this (most modern installations work this way).

Heat resistance:

Floor heating limitations: Maximum heat resistance of the floor (ie underfloor + for example Laminate) may not exceed approx. 0.15 m²K / main heating. And about 0.20 m²K / W when there is additional heating. (Laminate depends on the thickness, is between 0.07 and 0.11 m²K / W) It is only a guideline and in consultation with the installer of the heating this can be deviated from.

Mac Lean has various solutions for underfloor heating and floor cooling. These are subfloors where the thermal resistance is usually lower than 0.05 m²K / W.