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DRICORE Certiguard™

Features & Benefits

Air Gap Technology ensures airflow beneath your floors, protecting against moisture damage from concrete surfaces
DRICORE Certiguard™ is a premium underlayment that provides moisture protection, sound reduction, and a thermal break for engineered hardwood, laminate, and vinyl plank flooring with click lock system 5 mm or greater
Multi-Purpose Design: Acts as a moisture barrier, thermal break, and sound reducer, ensuring a durable and comfortable flooring foundation
The overlapping design eliminates the need for tape, making installation quick and hassle-free while preventing squeaking
Backed by a 25-year limited warranty, DRICORE Certiguard™ ensures comfort, protection, and long-term peace of mind

Product Overview

DRICORE® is the first and most important step towards creating a new living space as warm and comfortable as any other space in your home. The DRICORE Certiguard™ is a premium underlayment engineered for application under hard surface finished flooring.

Made with high-density plastic, the DRICORE Certiguard™ premium underlayment is a multi-functional installment that is engineered to make your floors comfortable, protected, and long-lasting.

What makes DRICORE Certiguard™ stand out from other underlayments is its innovative Air Gap Technology, which offers unbeatable protection against moisture on concrete surfaces.

The raised bumps allow a positive airflow beneath finished floors for year-round protection. Perfect for Free-Floating Engineered Hardwood, Laminate & Vinyl Plank Flooring with Click-Lock System with a core thickness greater than 5mm.

This 100% waterproof under-flooring can support up to 6,600 pounds per sq. ft., supporting your floor and any other heavy object that you place on it. It has a low profile 5/16″ (.7 mm approximately) to maximize headroom. This underlayment acts like a shock absorber, which helps the floor stand up to wear and tear, covers minor floor variations, and ensures superior in-room noise reduction.

This premium underlayment uses an uncomplicated overlapping design which makes the installation quick and easy. Our easy-to-cut flooring underlayment requires no power tools, less taping, and leaves no sawdust or mess behind while providing a better hold between panels. A 500 sq. ft. room can be completed within a few hours! Ideal for renovation, basement refinishing, and floor padding.

DRICORE® Certiguard

Features and Benefits

Ultimate Comfort and Protection

DRICORE Certiguard™ is a premium underlayment designed to make your floors warm, comfortable, and long-lasting, perfect for engineered hardwood, laminate, and vinyl plank floorings*.

Moisture Protection

Featuring innovative Air Gap Technology, it provides year-round moisture protection and airflow under floors, ensuring a dry and safe environment.

Durable and Waterproof

Premium underlayment designed for comfort, warmer floors, and superior sound reduction (IIC 73), making it ideal for installations over concrete floors.**

Quick and Mess-Free Installation

Its overlapping design makes installation simple, requiring no power tools or extensive taping—complete a 500 sq. ft. room in just a few hours!

*For use with free-floating engineered hardwood (12mm or thicker) with a click-lock system, as well as laminate and vinyl plank flooring with a click-lock system and a core thickness of more than 5mm.

**Check the floor for low spots. If there is a height difference of more than 3/32″ over 6′, then fill with self levelling cement.

Install Instructions

DOWNLOAD DETAILED INSTALLATION GUIDE - ENG
DOWNLOAD DETAILED INSTALLATION GUIDE - FR

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the required gap from the perimeter wall during Certiguard installation?

Leave a 1/4-inch gap between the Certiguard panels and the perimeter wall to allow for proper expansion and ventilation.

Why is the overlap on Certiguard panels not holding tight?

Certiguard panel overlaps are designed to lock loosely and not hold tightly. If they seem to separate when pulled, this is normal and does not impact performance as long as they are correctly aligned during installation.

What should I do if Certiguard panels are curling at the seams?

If Certiguard panels curl at the seams, apply tape at the seam ends to secure them. This will help maintain a smooth and stable surface.

Why are some panels installed over Certiguard bouncy or rocking?

If Certiguard panels feel bouncy or rocking, the floor underneath may not be level. To fix this, use a self-leveling compound to even out any height differences greater than 3/16″ over a 6′ span before reinstalling Certiguard.

Can multiple Certiguard panels be stacked during installation?

No, Certiguard panels are not designed to be stacked. Use only one layer for proper performance.

Is glue compatible with Certiguard installation?

Glue should not be applied directly on Certiguard. If needed, glue can be applied on a layer of plywood installed above the Certiguard panels.

Is taping of Certiguard seams necessary?

Taping is required only at the ends of rolls. For seams along adjacent rolls, taping is optional and not mandatory, but it can provide added stability.

How should ventilation and floor drain access be maintained during Certiguard installation?

Maintain access to floor drains by cutting an opening in the Certiguard panel over the drain. Cover the opening with a ventilating decorative cover to ensure proper airflow and functionality. Never cover the floor drain.

Should dust on the foundation floor be addressed before Certiguard installation?

Yes, all dust on the foundation floor should be removed before installation to ensure proper adhesion and stability of the Certiguard panels.

What is the slope tolerance for installing Certiguard?

Certiguard requires a fully level floor for proper installation. Use a self-leveling compound to correct any slopes or uneven surfaces.

How high should wall trim or skirting be above the finished floor?

Wall trim or skirting should be installed 1/8 inch above the finished floor to allow for expansion and ventilation.

How should uneven floors be leveled before installing Certiguard?

Use a self-leveling compound to address height differences greater than 3/16 inch over a 6-foot span. This ensures a smooth and stable surface for installation.

Can I use LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) flooring on top of Certiguard? What are the guidelines for the same?

Certiguard works well with LVP flooring, including SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) and WPC (Wood Plastic Composite). Use a free-floating (click-lock) LVP with a core thickness greater than 5mm. For best results, the Certiguard underlayment and flooring should be installed in opposite directions to avoid alignment of seams.

Where can Certiguard be used?

Suitable Locations:

    • Basements, on-grade, and above-grade areas.
    • Condos.
    • Bathrooms (refer to flooring compatibility for specifics).
    • Garages (Only if used for living applications, NOT advisable if car is intended to be parked on it).
  • Unsuitable Locations:
    • Outdoor decks, patios, and shower pans.

Does Certiguard protect against moisture?

Yes, Certiguard is equipped with moisture-resistant technology to protect against minor spills and dampness, making it a great choice for basements and other below-grade applications.

How durable is Certiguard in high-traffic areas?

Certiguard provides excellent durability in high-traffic areas when paired with compatible flooring. Its rigid surface and moisture-resistant properties make it ideal for basements, utility rooms, and other frequently used spaces.

Can Certiguard be used with heated flooring systems?

Certiguard is not designed for direct use with heated flooring systems

Is Certiguard compatible with tile flooring?

No, Tile flooring is not compatible directly with Certiguard.

Can carpet be installed over Certiguard?

Yes, Carpet can be installed over Certiguard, but it requires a plywood layer (3/8″ or 7/16″) screwed down to Certiguard for a stable base. The screw length should account for the combined thickness of OSB, Certiguard, and concrete (e.g., 1 1/4″ screws for 3/8″ OSB).

Can solid hardwood flooring be installed over Certiguard?

Solid hardwood flooring is not suitable for use with Certiguard. Solid hardwood is never recommended for below grade.

Is Certiguard compatible with engineered hardwood flooring?

Certiguard can be used with engineered hardwood flooring when installed as a free-floating floor. The engineered hardwood should be at least 12mm thick. Nail-down, staple-down, and glued-down methods are not recommended.

Can laminate flooring be installed over Certiguard?

Yes, free-floating (interlock, click-lock, or tongue-and-groove) laminate flooring can be installed directly over Certiguard. The laminate should have a core thickness of at least 5mm. Glued Down or Peel and Stick Laminates are not recommended.

Is Certiguard suitable for vinyl tiles or sheet vinyl flooring?

Vinyl tiles and sheet vinyl flooring are not recommended for use with Certiguard. For these types of flooring, Dricore OSB panels are a better alternative.

Can LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) flooring be used with Certiguard?

Yes, LVT flooring, including SPC and WPC varieties, is compatible with Certiguard. A free-floating (click-lock) installation is recommended, ensuring a core thickness greater than 5mm. For best results, the Certiguard underlayment and flooring should be installed in opposite directions to avoid alignment of seams.

ask a question

Skip Bedell (TV Host and Professional Contractor)

“You never want to put your finished floors on top of wet, damp, and cold concrete. DRICORE® Subfloors gives you a layer of protection to help with moisture and cold coming from concrete.”

Skip Bedell

Steve Maxwell (Professional Contractor)

“Nobody wants a musty smell in the house and that’s why I go with DRICORE® Subfloors.”

Steve Maxwell

Bryan Baeumler (HGTV Host and Professional Contractor)

“In my mind, you cannot finish a basement without putting down DRICORE®. Every house I’ve ever built has DRICORE® in the basement, it’s the only way to do it.”

Bryan Baeumler
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