Introduction
Audio for slide 1 (mp3 |6|KB)
Hard underlays are board products installed between a floor covering and the subfloor.
They include hardboard, fibre cement board, medium density fibreboard (MDF) and plywood.
Audio for slide 2 (mp3 |6|KB)
Hard underlays help to reduce movement in the subfloor - particularly in timber strip flooring, which is more likely to swell or shrink due to moisture content changes.
They also provide a flat, smooth surface for the floor covering to be laid over, and help to improve bonding between the subfloor and floor covering.
In this unit, we'll look at the tools, materials and techniques used by floor layers to install hard underlays.
Audio for slide 3 (mp3 |6|KB)
By this stage of your training, you'll probably have completed several other units from the Certificate III in Flooring Technology relating to subfloor preparation, on-site safety, reading plans and completing work documents.
Although there are no formal pre-requisite units specified for this unit, you will find it easier to undertake if you have already acquired the skills and knowledge covered in the units listed below.
| Learner guide title | Units of competency covered |
|---|---|
| Safety at work * | MSFFL3053: Establish and maintain a safe flooring technology work environment TLID2003: Handle dangerous goods/hazardous substances |
| Site assessment * | MSFFL3054: Assess flooring installation sites |
| Making measurements * | MSFGN2001: Make measurements and calculations |
| Work documents * | MSFGN3001: Read and interpret work documents |
| * Note that these units all come from the new qualification: MSF30818 Certificate III in Flooring Technology. The superseded versions of these units are available on this website, and are being progressively replaced and the updated versions are developed. | |
Workingthrough this unit
Audio 4 (mp3 |6|KB)There are three sections in this unit:
Each section contains an overview and a set of lessons covering the background theory for that topic. The links to these pages will appear in the side menu bar when you select the main link for that section. At the end of each lesson is a 'learning activity'. You should use the Workbook for this unit to write down your answers to these learning activities.
Practical demonstration
Your final assessment of competency in this unit will include various practical demonstrations. To help you get ready for these hands-on assessment activities, have a look at the Practical demonstration checklist by clicking on the link below:
Practical demonstrations and knowledge
Reference sources
In addition to the learner resources on this website, you will need to refer to a range of reference materials as you work through the procedures involved in installing hard underlays.
In particular, you should get copies of the installation guides published by the manufacturers of the products you will be using. These are likely to include the following two installation guides:
Note that the underlay manufacturers' guidelines will only cover the specific requirements and site conditions that relate to the installation of their own products. In practice, you'll also need to take into account the installation requirements for the floor coverings that go on top - because these will include additional specifications relating to subfloor moisture content, installation temperature, room humidity, and of course, the suitability of the underlay product itself.
You'll find these specifications in the floor covering manufacturers' installation guidelines, which can also be downloaded from the web. In general terms, the specifications are also set out in the Australian Standards listed below:
- AS 1884-2012 Floor coverings - Resilient sheet and tiles - Installation practices
- AS2455.1: 2019 Textile floor coverings - Installation practice Part 1: General
- AS2455.2: 2019 Textile floor coverings - Installation practice Part 2: Carpet Tiles.
Select the link below to go to the first section of this unit.
