DRICORE® Certiguard™
Features & Benefits
- Air Gap Technology ensures airflow beneath your floors, protecting against moisture damage from concrete surfaces
- Makes finished floors up to 6°C/10°F warmer (R-value 0.9)
- 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
- IIC 73: Provides high-performance noise reduction
- Backed by a 25-year limited warranty
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.
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.
Disclaimer: DRICORE® Certiguard™ is designed as an all-in-one underlayment solution with integrated moisture protection and sound control. For optimal performance, DO NOT install any additional underlayment materials (such as foam, cork, or felt) underneath or on top of Certiguard™. The use of supplementary underlayments can interfere with the product’s functionality and may void the manufacturer’s warranty.
Which Subfloor Is Right For You
|
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floor Temperature | Up to 6°C/10°F Warmer | Up to 7°C/14°F Warmer | Up to 10°C/19°F Warmer | Up to 10°C/19°F Warmer |
| R-Value | 0.9¹ | 1.4 | 2.7 | 4.1 |
| Weight Supported (per sq. ft.) | 6,600 lbs. (2,994 kg) | 6,642 lbs. (3,012 kg) | 3,153 lbs. (1,430 kg) | 3,650 lbs. (1,659 kg) |
| Air Flow | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Top | HDPE | OSB | OSB | EPS Foam |
| Bottom | PET | High Density Plastic | EPS Foam | EPS Foam |
| Size | 39.2″ x 25.6′ (99.5 cm x 780 cm) | 23.25″ x 23.25″ x 0.75″ (59 cm x 59 cm x 1.9 cm) | 23.25″ x 23.25″ x 1″ (59 cm x 59 cm x 2.5 cm) | 47.25″ x 23.25″ x 1″ (120 cm x 59 cm x 2.5 cm) |
| Height | 0.28″ (0.7 cm) | 0.75″ (1.9 cm) | 1″ (2.5 cm) | 1″ (2.5 cm) |
| Finished Flooring Options | Free-floating Engineered Hardwood, Laminate and Vinyl Plank (LVT/LVP) Flooring² | Laminate, Engineered Hardwood, Carpet, Vinyl, Tile, Stone Plastic Composite | Laminate, Engineered Hardwood, Carpet, Vinyl, Tile, Stone Plastic Composite | Laminate, Engineered Hardwood, Luxury-Vinyl³ (LVT/LVP) ≥5mm, Stone Plastic Composite |
| Warranty | 25 Year | 25 Year | 25 Year | 25 Year |
*Tested by an independent lab. ¹Based on modified ASTM C518-17 testing with LVT. The test result was 0.879 and has been rounded up to 0.9 for reference. ²For use with laminate and vinyl plank (LVT/LVP) flooring with a click-lock system (5 mm core or greater) and free-floating engineered hardwood flooring (12 mm core or greater). ³ LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) that is equal to or greater than 5 mm in thickness and has a clock-lock edge profile.
Ensure the concrete subfloor is properly levelled before installation. Always check with manufacturer for below grade installation of hardwood.DRICORE® Subfloor R+ and DRICORE® Insul-Armor® are only available online and in-store at select stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Solid hardwood flooring is not suitable for use with Certiguard. Solid hardwood is never recommended for below grade.
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).
No, Tile flooring is not compatible directly with Certiguard.
Certiguard is not designed for direct use with heated flooring systems
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wall trim or skirting should be installed 1/8 inch above the finished floor to allow for expansion and ventilation.
Certiguard requires a fully level floor for proper installation. Use a self-leveling compound to correct any slopes or uneven surfaces.
Yes, all dust on the foundation floor should be removed before installation to ensure proper adhesion and stability of the Certiguard panels.
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.
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.
Glue should not be applied directly on Certiguard. If needed, glue can be applied on a layer of plywood installed above the Certiguard panels.
No, Certiguard panels are not designed to be stacked. Use only one layer for proper performance.
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.
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.