Types of laminate locks: what is it? Types of laminate locks: Click, Lock, metal, plastic, aluminum, which locks are better? Just click lock system reviews.

Today, there is practically no laminate that would be mounted with glue. Modern panels are interconnected using special fasteners, which are locks. This type of laminate assembly has certain advantages:

flooring elements are easily connected to each other;
Laminate flooring can be easily dismantled completely or in any required area, while it is easy to reassemble it at a new or old installation site.

Now on the market building materials each manufacturer offers its floor products with locks of its own design, while claiming that its design is the best and has unique advantages. You can consider in more detail how they differ and how similar different types laminate locks.

Regardless of the manufacturer, locks are divided into two large groups, which differ in the principle of installation. The types of locks are:

lock type latches;
collapsible type Click.

Lock type locks

Laminate with a Lock-lock is considered a more affordable modification. It entered the market ahead of its competitors. This model performed well thanks to the hammer-type lock. Its configuration is cut milling machine from the body of the main layer of the lamella, which is located in the middle part of the product made of HDF boards or MDF. One side of the panel has a figured “thorn”, the other side has a “groove” of a suitable shape. The groove is made in the form of a comb with fixation. During installation, the spike is driven into the groove.

To hammer one element into another, a wooden mallet or a metal hammer with a wooden stand is used. Laminate assembly with such castle design You can do it yourself, but it is better to trust an experienced professional.

Note! To prevent water from penetrating through the joints between products, it is advisable to treat all types of laminate locks with a sealant.

In addition to advantages, Lock-locks have a disadvantage. When moving on a laminate floor, a load occurs that acts on the junction, and friction occurs. Over time, the fixing part of the comb is subject to abrasion, which leads to a weakening of the contact between the connected panels. In the locations of the castle, cracks begin to appear, which will no longer be possible to eliminate.

Click locks

Laminate locks of this type were developed later, and they managed to avoid the disadvantages of their predecessor. Laminate with click-locks can be laid even by an amateur who carefully read the instructions. The assembly of elements takes place at an angle of 45º and ends with a snap. A big plus of a particular design is the invariance of the quality of the interlock connection during the installation process.

Click-locks are guaranteed against the appearance of gaps at the joints of the panels. In fact, in a high-quality laminate, the joints should not be visible at all. If the elements of the flooring are connected correctly, the floor should look like one monolithic whole.

Qualitatively made Click-locks for a long time are not subjected to deformation loads and do not allow the elements to diverge. The floor retains its appearance even under heavy loads. When choosing a laminate class, it must be remembered that the planned surface loads must correspond to those specified on the packaging.

These locks do not risk anything during repeated assemblies and disassemblies. And if such processes are allowed in the future, you need to purchase only laminate with Click-locks. Large and well-known manufacturers floor coverings give a guarantee in case the floor has to be mounted and dismantled up to 4 times.

Video

In principle, nothing innovative in the new interlock TC - Lock no. We can say that this is an improved castle T-Lock . First of all, the milling of the lock has been changed - it has become larger. But let's go in order. First, consider the old castle T-Lock:

The first thing that catches your eye is the more concave part of the lower TC-Lock.

And this is a significant plus, since T-Lock the bottom was flat. This made it difficult not only to install the laminate Tarkett . Also, thanks to this improvement, the tongue of the lock will be increased, and, accordingly, its strength.

The second change is the cuts of the corners of the upper part of the lock connection. They have become more rounded.

In the old T-Lock , even minimal debris, could “raise” and make a bump on the front side, with TC - Lock this problem is minimized

The third change is an increase in the thickness of the "shelf" of the upper part of the castle.

And this will reduce to nothing the likelihood of swelling in the area of the interlock. The laminate will lie in one layer, without flaws on the front side, which appeared on uneven bases under artificial lighting.Thanks to all these changes, we get a strong, reliable lock. With the advent TC - Lock known problems of the old castle will be removed, and this is in fact good news. Let's look at the burst test - one of important parameters locks in laminate flooring

As tests have shown, according to the standard EN 13329 (lock strength standard) on the long side of the lock board TC - Lock showed results eight times higher than the norm, on the short side of the board, four times higher than the norm. What do these numbers say? Everything is simple here, in comparison with the standard, thanks to the lock TC - Lock the divergence of the laminate boards, and the appearance of cracks, as well as damage (bloating) of the front surface, will be minimized. We get a strong, reliable connection, which of course pleases, but many people have a reasonable question - how is the new lock doing with moisture protection? A test has been carried out. Laminate Tarkett with new TC - Lock collected, and with the help of silicone, the so-called pool was created. After that, water was poured there, and special devices were installed that record changes in the size of the board. The test results are impressive - after an hour of exposure to water on the laminate, there is no change. After a day of the test, changes in the joint of the boards were no more than 3%. This clearly shows that the TC - Lock protects the laminate due to the tight connection.

The last test was carried out by our specialist installers, and they assembled several boards to check the ease of installation. In principle, we did not expect anything else - the castle behaves excellently, the floor is assembled easily. Of the minuses that we found - the old castle T-Lock won't fit with the new one TC - Lock , therefore, hurry up with the installation, so as not to look for several boards later, as is often the case when changing the lock from the manufacturer.
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, laminate is already appearing. Tarkett with a new lock. The price of the laminate will not change, the name(s) of the decors will also remain unchanged. Games with a new castle will be marked with a special sign:

Which you can find at the end of the pack. If you have any additional questions, or you need advice, be sure to call, we will be happy to help you.

Variety of sizes, colors and textures. This is not limited to the choice of laminated floor coverings. An additional factor in deciding whether to purchase a particular material may be the connection system. Consider the most popular types of laminate locks that provide the necessary technical requirements by styling. We will also figure out which locking system is best suited for each specific case. And finally, we will give a few recommendations for installation and maintenance.

Several decades have passed since the creation of such a coating as a laminate. During this time, technology has changed a lot, this also applies to locks. Every 2-3 years manufacturers present the new kind connections, arguing for improved stability and ease of installation. However, each prototype comes down to two basic ones: Lock and Click. Let's consider them in more detail.

The most popular collapsible systems that have won the recognition of laying masters. For each of these types of castles, there are many subspecies. Some of them can be found only in individual manufacturers, while others, on the contrary, are in service with most well-known laminate manufacturers.

Both basic systems are based on a tenon-and-groove connection. The difference is only in the profiling of the connecting parts.

Which lock is better Lock or Click

We will make a comparison according to the characteristics that are most relevant for the buyer.

cheaper;
tight connection.

with prolonged use (with a deviation from the installation and operation standards), gaps between the lamellas may appear;
a more complex laying process using a mallet and a padding strip;
the risk of damage to the lock during installation.

ease of installation;
installation is made without additional tools;
increased strength;
during operation, the lock does not wear out, cracks do not appear;
a tight connection is ensured when using double locks;
the possibility of mounting on an imperfectly flat surface;
safe assembly with minimal chance of damaging the lock;
the possibility of re-coupling after dismantling the coating.

high price.

Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of both systems below.

Lock locks

Translated from English name connection translates as "lock". This method fixing laminated panels is one of the very first. At present, this type of surface closure is technologically obsolete.

On the one hand, the mating surfaces are a groove, on the other hand, a spike, which are cut by a cutter on the bearing layer of the board.

The installation principle is as follows:

An attached board is attached to the board located on the floor at an angle of 0 °.
A padding bar is substituted for the opposite side of the lamella.
With light blows of the mallet on the bar, we achieve tight contact until the gap is eliminated.

Advice: tamping should be done carefully, without any extra effort, since with strong blows with a mallet, there is a high probability of damage to the lock.

When correct installation connection, the spike fully enters the groove, the comb fixes into the spike in the recess and prevents the adjacent panels from coming out of the hitch. This type the lock is also called driven.

The weak link in the design is precisely the comb, which takes most of the stress on itself. The connection between the groove and the thorn is quite tight, however, with frequent loads on the lock, the comb is abraded. In the future, cracks appear at the attachment point. This defect cannot be eliminated without dismantling and subsequent replacement of the panel.

But this defect can be prevented. To do this, it is necessary to install the laminate on a perfectly flat surface with the elimination of the smallest particles. construction debris and the use of a substrate material that will not give a strong drawdown during operation. Otherwise, any "pebble" under the coating will create additional stress in the castle, reducing the life of your flooring.

Otherwise, even though the technology is outdated. This type of laminate lock provides all the necessary performance properties, provided correct styling and further use. However, manufacturers prefer the Click system, so find " old version» becomes more and more difficult (if we are not talking about Chinese fakes, but about certified manufacturers).

Click locks

Relatively new technology, along which the panels are fixed by snap-in means. The main distinguishing features from Lock, apart from the installation method, is a different shape of the tongue with a groove profiling for it.

The spike is also located on the carrier plate and looks like a small hook.

The installation method is as follows:

A panel to be mounted is brought to the board laid on the floor at an angle of 45°. The angle may vary different manufacturers so this point needs to be clarified.
The hook is driven into the groove.
The panel is lowered to the horizontal.
A characteristic click is heard, the connection is made.

It is because of this click that the system got its name.

During installation, there is no need for additional tools. special effort no need to apply, finish off with a mallet or hammer too. Otherwise, the key edge may be damaged.

Note: if, when fixing the plank, a small gap remains, then to select it, it is necessary to lightly tap with a mallet on a previously substituted bar or other laminate board. This must be done carefully so as not to spoil the lock element.

This type of connection is characterized by good density and operational properties - the retaining edge in the groove practically does not wear out over time. Therefore, such a laminate will last a long time without the appearance of gaps and cracks.

Also, the canvas assembled by the Click system can be reassembled. However, it is worth considering that during the life of the laminate takes on the smallest unevenness of the floor, and in a new place the adhesion may not be so tight, even taking into account the numbering of the boards.

The Click method does not require such strict restrictions on the evenness of the surface on which it fits (unlike Lock), but this does not mean that the base does not need to be leveled. An even base for laminate is a prerequisite for installation.

Let's consider several subtypes of the Click system, which are the most popular.

Uniclic

Mainly represented by brand Quick step. Installation can be done by simple snapping - for this it is enough to bring one panel to another at an angle of 25-30 ° and fix it. There is also the possibility of laying horizontally with joint padding, for laying in the last row.

It has fairly good strength properties. Withstands a tensile load of up to 450 kg per linear meter.

System advantages:

the lock snaps into place without much effort;
reassembly is possible;
laying both from left to right and from right to left;
moisture treatment.

Minuses:

over time, the lock may disperse along the end of the bar due to the low ridge in the groove.

JUST clic and UNI fit

Patented systems under the Egger brand.

JUST click replaced Pro clic. Unlike its predecessor, assembly of the entire series is required. The bar has two identical tongues and two identical grooves, which makes it possible to engage on both sides. It has a high assembly speed.

The groove and spike are profiled in the form of a conjugated oval, in connection with which a tighter contact is provided over an increased contact area. The gaps in the lock are minimal, so even the smallest debris is not allowed - check the strips before mounting.

Lamel with a lock UNI-fit can be fixed to the previous row separately, that is, it is not necessary to assemble a whole row for subsequent fastening. The spikes and grooves on the end and the long side are different.

SmartLock and ProLock

Both options are presented by Pegro. SmartLock is a more primitive version in terms of profiling - there is one additional retaining element on the top of the slot missing. As a result, a lower contact density is observed.

Majority modern models Pergo laminates are equipped with the ProLock system. Both types of locks have a water-repellent impregnation, which, coupled with a massive fiberboard base, makes this coating well protected from moisture (for more better protection seam sealers are used).

ClickXPress, DropXPress, PressXPress

Represented by the brand Balterio.

ClickXPress represents a bunch of groove-thorn with a profiling of the lower part in the form of an oval conjugation. Laying is done at an angle of 45°.

The advantages of this connection include:

reliability;
strength;
imperceptible high-quality seam;
reassembly;

DropXPress is not inherently a Click-lock. The connection profile consists of two L-shaped hooks. The hitch is held due to the weight of the laminate panel and the friction force, since the lowering of the board at an angle of 0 ° from top to bottom occurs with an interference fit.

This method has its advantages:

increased laying speed;
ease of installation
the same locks for the end and the long part

PressXPress- mounts with a counter-element, included in the new generation of 5g. When the board is seated in the groove, the fastening element is displaced, which is driven into the recess. Thus, the effort required for installation is minimal.

Advantages of the castle:

increased installation speed;
strong connection;
invisible seam;
possibility of installation at any angle.

In 2017, a new connection was presented at Domotex FitXPress, which will be used on Balterio's Magnitude Series laminate flooring, replacing PXP. The difference between the locks lies in the shape of the latch tongue.

Megaloc

Used on Classen laminate. It is a modification of the 5g system. Replaced the outdated EasyConnect model. The locking tab is located in the groove, not on the tongue. Just like on the Pergo coating, wax impregnation is used for moisture insulation.

Installation is carried out in separate panels, and not a whole row at once. Boards are laid at an angle until they click. Work can be done alone outside help. If necessary, disassemble the connection is not difficult.

T-lock, 2-lock, TC-lock

Featured by Tarkett

T-lock- satisfied old technology, is currently quite common, but is being superseded modern systems. It has a relatively small joining angle of panels of the order of 20-25°.

Laying may require the participation of several people, since it is necessary to mount the panels in rows as a whole. At the slightest shift of one of the boards, you will have to disassemble the entire row and start the process again.

Of the minuses can be identified:

the joint is visible on the end of the laminate, especially in dark colors;
at reuse the lock along the long part of the lamella can be deformed.

2 lock- more new model. It has a plastic tab to secure the connection. Allows for quick and easy laying even by one person - the assembly is carried out not in a whole row, but in one panel.

TC lock is a T-lock receiver. It is becoming more widespread. The cost does not exceed its predecessor. Unfortunately, old collections cannot be docked with new system TC-lock due to height difference.

Perhaps this is the only negative, let's focus on the pros:

there is a tighter contact during coupling, therefore, the probability of moisture getting into the interlock is reduced;
very good strength characteristics - the level of tensile load exceeds the norm by 8 times;
quick and easy assembly;
one person can do the installation.

TwinClic

Represented by the Russian brand Kronospan. At its core, it is an analogue of T-lock. It is also not possible to lay one panel at a time - it is necessary to assemble the entire row, which is not always convenient, especially when the installation is performed by one person.

When fixing the board in the groove, there is no pronounced click. It is better not to use this type of lock for laying laminate with a solid floor throughout the apartment, since there is a possibility of raising the joints under loads.

On models of laminate, which is in a low price category, there is very little protection against moisture.

LocTec

Patented Witex laminate locking system. Refers to high-strength compounds. Fairly easy assembly allows you to work alone. The installation process should not be difficult. The result is a smooth floor covering without visible seams.

Docking points are impregnated with a special water-repellent mastic.

Alloc

Introduced by a Norwegian flooring manufacturer. The quality is up to the mark. Has an aluminum insert. It has excellent strength properties, so it is most often used on commercial grade 33 and 34 laminate, which is designed for laying in places with increased operational load.

The advantage in strength becomes especially noticeable in large rooms. For such places, it is possible to lay a laminate without thresholds over the entire area. For ordinary apartments the installation of such a coating is not advisable, since the high price exceeds the benefits that are not destined to be revealed at home.

Lock processing

Most modern laminate models are protected from moisture in the form of impregnation of the interlock with wax, paraffin, and special mastic. If for some reason you have purchased panels that are not subject to this procedure, then you yourself can perform simple manipulations that will increase protection against moisture.

Such formulations are available in liquid or paste forms. Of particular difference is what consistency you choose. The main thing is that you feel comfortable using the composition.

Advice: if possible, it is worth buying a laminate with protection of locks from moisture.

You can also use sealant to join the panels. In this case, several positive effects can be observed:

increased protection against moisture;
a tighter connection is made;
if necessary, you can mask the seams.

Modern laminate models are equipped with convenient locks that allow you to perform a high-quality joint. In addition, most of them have water-repellent properties and do not need additional processing.

Experienced craftsmen perform installation for any system without loss of connection quality. If you are a beginner, then when choosing the type of laminate locks, preference should be given to models from the 5g generation with a fixing polymer tongue. In this case, laying will be carried out quickly and easily even alone.

At the turn of the 70s and 80s of the last century, laminate quickly broke into the "premier league" of floor and finishing coatings. The history of its origin, known as "Idea-77", is associated with the purchase of a plant for the production of composite coatings by a Swedish company. The Swedes experimented with everything that came to hand: they laminated wall panels, countertops, window sills. Someone during the next “brainstorming” on the topic, in order to laminate more, and the idea came up to take up the floors. A couple of years later, IKEA stores introduced the Swedes to a novelty - a laminate, which was waiting for a dizzying success, first in the Swedish, and then in the world market.

Only specialists remember the name of the company that developed the laminate, the laminate itself has changed beyond recognition, but its popularity remains huge. Affordable price, practicality, functionality, good noise and sound insulation characteristics, easy maintenance, a huge variety of patterns applied to decorative layer of this flooring by manufacturers in the struggle for the buyer - these are the components of the success of the laminate.

Today, laminate is a multilayer panel, each layer of which is "responsible" for solving different problems:

The bottom one protects against deformation.

The carrier determines the noise and sound insulation qualities, moisture resistance and fastens the panels with a lock during laying between them.

Decorative is made of PVC film or special kraft paper. Drawing is applied to this layer.

A top layer of melamine or acrylate resin protects the floor from damage. Resin can be applied several times, which directly affects the service life of the coating.

The evolution of laminate flooring over the years has also affected how the panels are connected when laid in a monolithic floor structure. Adhesive way practically “leaves the stage”, today the market is dominated by the castle method. With the locking method of connection, the tongue on the edge of the laminate panel fits into the groove on the other panel. The advantages of this method in comparison with the glue method are obvious: the laying speed has increased, there is no need to cook adhesive composition, there are no smells from glue in the room. The main advantage - castle method makes it possible to dismantle the flooring and lay it 3-4 more times (Click locks). There are several types of locks for laminate flooring.

lock

A lock for a laminate, made according to the tenon-groove principle, is called Lock. A cutter cuts a spike in one of the sides of the carrier layer, and a groove with a comb on the other side. To the panel laid on the floor, they put a piece of timber or a die, and with a wooden mallet they drive the spike into the groove with a careful blow until it is fully seated and the gap between two adjacent panels disappears. The comb in the groove will prevent the spike from coming out. Therefore, this type of castle is also called driven. The Lock lock predates other laminate locks and is considered less technically advanced today.

A relatively weak point is the comb in the groove, which begins to wear out during operation under the influence of intermittent loads. The wear of the lock will lead to the appearance of a gap in this place. Such a defect cannot be repaired. In fairness, it must be said that accelerated wear of the comb occurs when the requirements for the base on which the laminate is laid are not met. And here a paradoxical situation arises between this problem and another "disadvantage" of the Lock-lock.

This "disadvantage" lies in the certain complexity of laying the coating with this type of lock. It is recommended to entrust laying work to professionals, because you should act with a mallet very carefully, adjusting the force of impact. And at the same time constantly monitor the connection points of the panels. However, a professional before laying will inform the owner of the premises that the base for the laminate is of poor quality and problems will arise during operation. And with a properly arranged base, the service life of the interlock will approach the service life of the panels.

Castle Click

Further improvement of laminate locks was marked by the advent of the Click lock system. This lock differs from its predecessor Lock-lock in the shape of the tongue. The tongue in this case is also made by milling and has the shape of a flattened hook. The panels are applied to each other at an angle (usually the angle is 45 °, but it may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer). The panel with the tongue is lowered, the tongue engages with the groove and a characteristic sound is heard. This sound gave the name to the castle - Click.

It is not required to apply great efforts when connecting the panels; it is not required to knock out the panels with a mallet. They are securely fixed, during the laying process, the locks remain intact even if the person who works with the coating makes a mistake. Reliable connection of adjacent panels and the resulting constant voltage protect the lock from abrasion during the entire period of operation. Accordingly, gaps between the panels do not appear over time. The undoubted advantage of the Click locking system is the ability to disassemble the flooring and reassemble it. And so on up to 3-4 times.

T-LOCK and 5g locks

Manufacturers continue to improve laminate locks and develop new modifications. Thus, the Tarkett company has patented a system in which the lock is cut by a cutter in the bearing layer of the panel using the Click technology. The fundamental difference is the presence of a lock on the long and end sides. Laying repeats the steps for connecting the panels with a Click-lock - the new panel is brought to the already laid floor angle of 45 °, lowered and snapped into place.

The next upgrade for the laminate lock is the 5g system. To different options all leading manufacturers came to this lock - the goal was to further simplify the laying process without losing strength and quality of the connection. A movable tongue was installed in the end part of the panel, which ensured the simultaneous connection of the panel along the long and short sides. On the long side, the panel is brought in at an angle, and on the end side it is simply superimposed on top and lowered until the tongue clicks.

Castle Megalock

A kind of lock for 5g laminate is a system of the German company Classen. The first row of panels is laid lengthwise, the next row is applied at an angle in order to insert the tongue into the groove of the laid panel, after which the panel is lowered and the lock is snapped into the end part. Disassembly of the laid laminate, if necessary, is easy.

Aluminum locks

The Swedes invented laminate, their Norwegian neighbors developed aluminum system locks for him. The traditional tongue-and-groove connection of the Lock-lock is complemented by a lock on an aluminum profile. The tongue of this lock fits into the second groove on the adjacent board. Aluminum profile can be located below the board or located in the carrier layer. Double connection avoids deformation and appearance of joints during laying and during operation. The aluminum lock withstands a breaking force of one ton or more. In addition, these laminate locks provide additional protection for the flooring from moisture ingress.

Treatment of locks with sealant during installation

Leading manufacturers produce laminate with additional protection of seams from moisture with wax compounds. This applies to laminate 32 and 33 class. Seams should be protected when laying with sealant in cases where there is no wax coating.

Laminate is one of the most popular floor coverings. Today, there are many types of similar products that are durable and beautiful design. To facilitate the installation of boards, they are equipped with special locks, which we will talk about in more detail today.

Advantages and disadvantages

Laminate installation is a relatively simple operation, which is achieved through the use of special locking slots. They allow high-quality and fast joining of the planks. There are only two types of laminate locks, which differ in several parameters. The simplest and most economical option is the Lock system type, which has several advantages:

Detachable design. laminate with such a latch can be disassembled and mounted again. But the number of repetitions is limited, since the structures have little strength and may lose their original properties over time.
Connection strength. This is achieved through special grooves that go into each other, preventing the laminate from moving.
Low cost. This is due to the ease of manufacture and simple shape.

But such designs are not universal. If the locks are constantly subjected to significant loads, then this leads to an increase in friction between the boards. At the same time, the lock “swings” and gradually loses its properties, and this increases the distance between the lamellas. The gaps that have appeared in such a laminate are technically impossible to repair or repair. The only solution is an laying new boards.

Recently, manufacturers began to equip the material with grooves of the type Click. Such mechanisms have many positive sides which led to such huge popularity. The advantages of such products include:

Double mounts. Systems of connecting elements are located when docked to each other at an angle of 45 degrees. That is why the connection is visually almost imperceptible on the surface of the laminate. To find it, you need to take a good look at the pattern of the material.
High strength. Such locks can withstand significant breaking forces, which makes them superior to previous models.
Minimal chance that laminate boards will be damaged during assembly.

The locks are durable, which allows you to perform a cycle of dismantling and laying up to 6 times. Here they are also slightly ahead of the previously considered modifications.
Laying laminate with such locks is very simple, which does not require special skills to work with such objects.
Products with such systems can be located on a surface that has small differences. This value can reach 3 mm per square meter area.
Installation is carried out manually, which eliminates the use of any auxiliary tools.

Among negative sides of such a connection is only the complexity of their production, which affects the cost of finished goods. But this difference is almost imperceptible, since high-quality products from European manufacturers will last a long time regardless of the type of lock.

What are lock systems?

Laminate lock systems are constantly being improved, which leads to the emergence of many of their modifications. But technically, all locks belong to one of 2 types:

lock

This type of structure is the most common, since its production involves only end milling. This latch consists of a spike and a groove that repeat the structure of each other. They are equipped with several combs, which, when latched, do not allow slipping out. To fix the Lock-lock, you should hit under one of the ends of the laminate. These operations are performed using a wooden or rubber mallet, which will not allow damage to the structure of the castle. That's why, to lay the board on the floor, you need to have a little experience with these substances.

Lock-locks are relatively simple and therefore are losing their popularity. Today, many companies supplement such systems with special plastic plates. This makes it possible to simplify installation work for newbies. This type of locks can be divided into 2 subtypes:

Springy. This type of construction is classic, as the lock snaps into place when connected.
Rigid. To connect similar elements, you need to insert one groove and align in the longitudinal direction. But the installation of such a laminate is much more complicated, which requires studying the description of this technology.

Click

These types of locks also consist of two slots that complement each other. But in order to connect them, you will have to correctly insert the structures one into the other at an angle of about 30-45 degrees. After that, the plates are aligned on the floor, which leads to the snapping and fixation of the lock. Today they began to produce a laminate with aluminum locks of the same type, but this connection can withstand a much higher load.

Click-locks are more common, which has led to the emergence of many varieties of them. Among this diversity, several classic designs should be distinguished:

Just click. Locks of this type are equipped with a laminate of the Austrian manufacturer Egger. These mechanisms are located on all sides, which makes it easier to lay the laminate. A feature of such a product is the presence of a high comb, which will provide a reliable joint and high strength of the connection.
Uniclic. Belgian castle. It combines the technology of snapping and knocking the slats, so it is used by beginners who do not have certain skills in working with other systems.
PressXpress. This group includes peculiar locking structures such as 3G, 4G and 5G. A feature of this system is the presence of a plastic tongue, which improves the adhesion between the docking elements. Such double designs have a minimum joint, and also minimize the occurrence of gaps between the lamellas. But if you re-assemble such a laminate, then plastic elements can bring a little difficulty.
4G and 5G-S Aluminum Locking System. These systems are hybrid, as they combine both classical designs. Metal inserts at the same time provide high strength and durability of the laminate.

As you can see, the variety of lock systems is very wide, so before laying the laminate it is important to determine the type of lock connection in order to choose optimal algorithm styling.

Which is better to choose?

The lock systems of the considered types have unique properties, but at the same time they can radically differ in technical parameters. Many experts claim that the Click system is the most practical lock design. The advantage of this system is durability. Click locks during installation form a kind of monolith that is difficult to destroy or loosen.

In its turn , Lock system somewhat easier and cheaper. If the quality of the surface on which the laminate is laid meets all the requirements of the manufacturer, then the type of connection practically does not play a role.

When choosing lamellas, it is important to take into account their manufacturer, since the quality of the final surface and the duration of its operation depend on it.

How to treat from moisture?

Laminate is a material based on wood fibers and piece polymers. Therefore, many types of boards absorb moisture very well, which negatively affects its structure. To exclude such an impact, water should be prevented from entering the lower layers of the lamellas, where the wood is located. The solution to this problem is additional processing seams after laying the laminate.

Today, several types of substances are used for such purposes:

Sealant. The best option there will be a mixture based on silicone. Such substances do not allow moisture to pass through. Before applying this mixture to the joints, you need to level the surface, so the laying of the lamellas must be constantly monitored.
Wax. This substance is very popular, as the material qualitatively protects the joints from moisture and is easy to apply. However, the mixture wears off over time, so you need to cover the laminate with it periodically.
Polish. Compositions of this type are specially produced for laminate. The products are presented on the market both in solid and liquid state(spray). The use of polishes significantly increases the service life of the top layer, and also gives it an attractive shine.

Why does laminate come apart?

The quality of operation of laminate locks depends on many factors. There are times when the joints begin to diverge, which leads to the formation of small gaps. There are several reasons for this phenomenon:

Low humidity. Dry air causes the wood substrate of the material to shrink. You can eliminate this phenomenon by creating optimal air humidity inside the room. The easiest option is to periodically air the room. If this does not help, you can install a humidifier and control the performance individually.
uneven floor. Surface differences lead to the fact that the lamellas are joined unevenly, and this leads to a difference in height at the junction. Please note that in some cases they can diverge, and sometimes, on the contrary, shrink (especially under pressure). The solution to this problem is only laying the lamellas again. However, it is important to carefully level the floor beforehand in order to glue the laminate to the surface without drops.