Definition: "Substrate" is a word you hear a lot in relation to building and home remodeling, and is just a fancy term for underlayment: the plywood under hardwood flooring, the HardiBacker below tile, and so on. When discussing flooring, it is often called subfloor.
In dealing with floors, walls, ceilings, and almost every other flat surface, you have two surfaces, one on top of the other:
In dealing with floors, walls, ceilings, and almost every other flat surface, you have two surfaces, one on top of the other:
- Finish Surface - The outside, more attractive surface, such as the linoleum, solid hardwood, carpet, or even paint might be considered a finish surface.
- Substrate - The surface below the finish surface, which provides support for the finish surface. This can be MDF, plywood, lath, cement board, etc.
Also Known As: substrata
Common Misspellings: substrata
