Laminate is a finishing material that has long and firmly entered the life of, perhaps, every person, professional designers love to use it in their work, and for ease of installation, it was “liked” by those who build a house / make repairs in an apartment on their own. There are several types of laminate, experts emphasize that this material has not only advantages, but also disadvantages - you need to have at least minimal information to make a competent choice of such a floor covering.

First of all, the surfaces of the laminate differ, which is why the classification of this flooring is carried out according to this parameter.

Types of laminate by the type of their surface:

The next classification of the laminate is its classes. The fact is that the flooring in question is divided into only two categories:

• used in residential premises;
• for use in commercial buildings.

Therefore, you need to know which grades of laminate are used in residential areas and which are suitable for commercial buildings.

Laminate that can be used in residential areas:

• Class 21 - in rooms where a large load on the flooring is not expected (for example, in a pantry or bedroom, office);
• Grade 22 - in medium-traffic areas (living room, children's room);
• Grade 23 - withstands high loads (kitchen, corridor).

Interestingly, consumers most often opt for class 23 laminate, lay this flooring in absolutely all residential areas, regardless of the expected load.

• 31 class - the load will withstand small (study, small office);
• Class 32 - can be used in rooms where average traffic of people is expected (reception in the office);
• Grade 33 - withstands simply huge loads (supermarkets, boutiques).

To study in more depth the types of laminate, its capabilities, you should familiarize yourself with the table below:

Many sellers claim that class 31-33 laminate can also be used for arranging residential premises - this is true, especially since the life of the floor covering in this case will be almost a lifetime. But keep in mind that the higher the class of laminate, the greater its cost. It may not be worth chasing fashion tips / recommendations - for residential premises, class 23 of the material in question is still considered the best option.

Naturally, the average consumer first of all pays attention to the quality characteristics of any material - building or finishing. Before going to a store or a construction site for a laminate, you should study all its advantages and disadvantages - this will help you make the right choice.

Benefits of laminate:

From the list of advantages, one should not exclude the adequate cost of the flooring in question - laminate is available to the majority of the population. And the simplicity in its installation attracts the attention of not only professional builders, but also absolute beginners in repair matters.

Unfortunately, even the highest quality material has a number of drawbacks - the laminate is no exception.

Disadvantages of laminate:

1. If the class of laminate upon purchase is chosen incorrectly, then the life of the floor covering is automatically reduced. Even if the homeowner cannot yet calculate the expected load on the laminate in a particular room, it is better to take the material one class higher.
2. Before laying the material, it will be necessary to carefully prepare the surface - differences of more than 3 mm per square meter are not allowed.
3. There are always joints between the laminate panels - they are “afraid” of moisture, so the flooring in question is not recommended to be laid in the kitchen (we are not talking about the bathroom at all!). But if, nevertheless, the decision on the laminate in the kitchen is made, then experts strongly recommend treating the already laid flooring with a special waterproof solution, and choosing the panels not with locks, but those that need to be glued.
4. If the laying technology is violated, then laminate swelling will appear in the near future. There is only one way to correct the situation - to dismantle the coating and lay a new one.

And despite all the shortcomings of the laminate, this type of flooring remains the most popular. A very important factor when choosing is the declared ease of installation of such a floor covering.

To lay a laminate with your own hands and get a really beautiful, perfect floor as a result, you need to know the basic rules of the process. Of course, the work of installing a laminate is somewhat complicated, but having studied all the details and nuances, you can count on the fact that the ultimate goal will be achieved.

Basic rules for laying laminate flooring:

1. It is necessary to prepare the surface - it must be absolutely even, according to the technology, a difference of no more than 3 mm per square meter is allowed. It is not recommended to lay laminate on linoleum and wooden floors - distortions and squeaks will inevitably appear.
2. Before laying the laminate, it is imperative to take care of the insulating layer - the material in question is made of wood, so any contact with moisture must be excluded. As such an insulating material, you can use a polyethylene film with a thickness of at least 2 mm, but you should know that such a layer is placed only on a concrete floor (and its “age” is completely unimportant), for wooden floors, chipboard or fiberboard, such work should not be done costs.
3. A substrate must be laid on top of the insulating material. It performs the following functions:

• provides sound insulation;
• retains all the qualities of the wrong side of the laminate;
• able to even out some minimal irregularities and roughness on the floor;
• additionally protects the floor covering from moisture.

There are several types of laminate flooring on the market, the following image will help you navigate their quality and availability:

1. Now you need to make a preliminary layout of the laminate in order to choose the direction of each panel, designate those fragments that need to be cut, adjusted to size. Moreover, it must be taken into account that if the floor covering in question is laid on a wooden floor, then each fragment of the laminate should be located “in a cross” to the floorboards. In more detail, an example of the preliminary layout of the laminate can be seen in this image:

1. We proceed to the direct installation of the laminate - this is done simply also because each fragment has a “lock” mount, although there is also an adhesive type of the flooring in question. Please note that it is impossible to tap on the laminate even with a rubber hammer - this is done only through a die. And when you lay out the first row of the coating, be sure to leave a small gap between the wall and the laminate - wedges can be inserted into it. This will get rid of squeaks when they occur and eliminate the likelihood that the coating will “lead”.

Please note: Each laminate package contains instructions for its installation. This document is drawn up, as a rule, very competently - strictly following the recommendations, everyone will cope with the work.

Laminate is recognized as the most popular type of flooring - practical, economical, meets all the requirements for this type of material.

Building Laminate

For the average layman, the expression "building laminate" sounds rather strange, but still it exists. Such a technical laminate is used for the construction of formwork, the manufacture of temporary partitions, and sometimes for the creation of designer decorative elements in the interior.

For your information: The advantages of this material include high moisture resistance, resistance to mechanical stress, less fire hazard (compared to wood) and a lower price than other materials with similar technical characteristics.

Typically, in construction, such a laminate is used with plates, in contrast to interior finishing work, where a laminate board is used.

Material for furniture production

Furniture laminate, or laminated chipboard, is a chipboard sheet coated on both sides with a special film. High resistance to moisture allows it to be used for the manufacture of furniture not only in the office, but also for such premises as the kitchen and bathroom.

Laminate for furniture is easy to process, therefore it is used not only in industrial production, but also in the construction of structures at home.

floor laminate

This is the most popular flooring in our time, which is a multi-layered wood fiber boards (stabilizing, load-bearing, decorative), covered with a protective melamine layer on top, otherwise natural laminate.

Laminate is classified according to the following criteria:

• wear resistance;
• thickness;
• lock type;
• design.

Wear class

The main thing that distinguishes a laminate from each other is its wear resistance. The following classes are distinguished:

• 21, 22 and 23 are varieties of household laminate. Such a coating has low wear resistance (serves in residential premises from 2 to 6 years) and is currently practically not produced;
• 31 - refers to semi-commercial. In a small office or meeting room, it can last up to 3 years, when used in a residential area, the service life is 9-10 years;
• 32 is a commercial laminate designed for areas with medium flooring loads (boutiques, receptions, offices with low traffic). The service life is up to 5 years, and when used in domestic conditions - 12 years;
• 33 - this coating is able to withstand the heavy loads of restaurants and large stores. Manufacturers claim that when used in full force, such a coating will last up to 6-7 years, and at home, the period increases to 20 years;
• Grade 34 is quite controversial. It is not officially approved, however, some manufacturers label their products in this way, which means the super strength of laminated panels and the ability to withstand huge loads, for example, in bars, airports, etc.

In addition to wear resistance, there is such a thing as abrasion resistance, denoted by the letters AC. It is checked using the “taber test”, in which the laminate is sanded with special paper. From the number of revolutions made by the grinding wheels until scratches appear on the upper protective layer of the panels and until it is destroyed by 95%, the abrasion resistance of the coating depends.

As a rule, the abrasion resistance of the top coating and the load resistance of the very base of the laminated panel are the same: 31 class - AC3, 32 - AC4, 33 - AC5 and AC6. However, there are times when a lower grade laminate has greater abrasion resistance, such as grade 32 (AC5).

When choosing a flooring, laminate marking can help, from which you can find out not only the class, but also resistance to various influences (for example, moisture, ultraviolet radiation or household chemicals) or care recommendations (for example, the use of soft furniture legs).

Marking is usually indicated on the packaging of the material, an example can be seen in the photo.

Panel thickness

The thickness of laminated boards varies from 6 to 12 mm in 1 mm increments. Moreover, this indicator affects not only the wear resistance class, but also such characteristics as sound insulation and thermal insulation. This is also reflected in the assembly of the laminate: the thicker the material, the easier it is to mount it.

Panel size

There is no single standard for a laminated board, so each manufacturer sets the dimensions independently. Moreover, they can vary from one company depending on the collection. There are both rectangular laminate options and square ones.

However, the assembly of long boards is easier and faster. It should also be noted that when using square panels, there are more joints, which can manifest themselves over time. Photos of floors assembled from laminate of various configurations are presented below.

Type of locks

Another important difference between laminate is the type of connection. In relation to this criterion, the following types of laminate can be distinguished:

• laminate with lock;
• Laminate with Click lock.

Lock lock is an earlier invention. It is a fixing spike on one side of the panel and a groove for it on the opposite side. Laminate with this type of locks is more economical, but laborious and requires special care in assembly. In this case, installation must be carried out using a wooden mallet or an ordinary hammer, but using a small wooden beam, as in the photo.

Click lock differs from the previous one in the form of a spike, which in cross section resembles a hook. The panels are assembled quite easily: a second board is attached to the board lying on the floor, putting the hook into the groove at an angle of 45 degrees, and then lowering it. The fact that the docking has occurred correctly, and the hook has been hooked, will be indicated by a characteristic click. Laminate with a similar system of locks is collapsible. That is. in the process of laying it, already mounted panels can be swapped, or if there is a need after the time of its use, for example, in case of flooding.

Important! So, the main differences between laminate by type of locks: the possibility or lack of re-installation of the panel, the assembly quality of the coating (in the second case it is better) and the need to use special tools (not available for Click-locks).

Cover design

According to the surface structure, the laminate is:

• Glossy. Often such a surface is slippery, which is not desirable for families with the elderly and small children, as the risk of falling increases. Also on it are very clearly visible footprints and children's hands;
• Matte. They gained their popularity, firstly, thanks to practicality (no traces of feet, stains from a rag are visible). And secondly, they look more natural, natural and do not slip;
• With texture. A very interesting coating that imitates natural brushed wood.

By color distinguish:

• Laminate imitating a natural board. Standard colors: oak, bleached oak, walnut, alder, beech, cherry, rosewood, etc.;
• Laminate imitating ceramic tiles. Almost every manufacturer has collections of this type (mainly 32 and 33 classes). They are usually used for domestic purposes for the kitchen and hall;
• Leather-look laminate. Original, extravagant, but not suitable for every room.

All of these types can be both with a chamfer and without. Chamfered panels have a rounded or straight beveled edge. When you walk barefoot on a floor made of such material, there is a feeling of joints between each board.

Our article will be incomplete if we do not mention such a type as self-adhesive laminate. This is a new type of PVC covering, characterized by its flexibility, which greatly simplifies the installation process. Also, the adhesive laminate is incredibly resistant to moisture, or rather, it is not at all afraid of water. It can be freely used in areas such as bathroom, toilet and kitchen.

We understand the variety of types and categories of laminate from well-known manufacturers

Picking up a cover is quite difficult. This is due to a wide range of finishing materials and a significant number of its manufacturers not only in our country but also abroad.

Laminate classes

Laminate flooring can be divided into commercial and domestic. The cost of the commercial option is quite affordable, and the service life exceeds domestic counterparts:

• 31 class. Used in commercial premises with low loads. The average service life in offices is three years, with domestic use it can exceed ten years.
• 32 class. Used in commercial premises with medium load levels. The average service life in offices does not exceed five years, when used at home, the period of operation reaches fifteen years.
• 33 class. It is used in commercial premises with intensive loads. Average service life in office premises reaches seven years. When used in a domestic environment, the coating can last twenty years.
• 34 class. Lamels have the highest technical parameters and quality characteristics. This allows the material to be used in commercial premises with maximum loads.
• 43 class. This less common type of laminate falls into the "premium" category. Produced by manufacturers under the order.

Laminate design

Laminated boards can have different types of surface:

• Smooth slats. The surface has a smoother finish, including glossy. This laminate is quite slippery, and almost any hand or footprints are visible on it.
• Matte elements. More popular because they have a significant naturalness, low slip and no marks.
• Textured laminate. This is a modern development with the effect of brushing or artificial irregularities. It gives the coating the most natural look.
• Bevelled laminate. They have bevels or roundings at the edges of the boards. This gives a natural appearance and increases practicality in operation.

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Variety in thickness

Modern laminates can have different thicknesses. The most common sizes include:

• laminates with a thickness of 7 mm;
• laminates with a thickness of 8 mm;
• laminates with a thickness of 9 mm;
• laminates with a thickness of 10 mm;
• laminates with a thickness of 12 mm.

The thickness of the laminate has a positive effect on the strength of the locking system and reduces the negative impact of external loads. Thick ones have less sonority.

Types of interlocks

The principle of connecting laminated boards allows them to be divided into the following types of systems:

• Lock-lock system involves the assembly of the coating in horizontal planes.
• Click-lock system involves both horizontal and corner assembly.

A significant part of laminate locks are currently classified as "clickable". They differ in reliability and efficiency of assembly.

Overview of laminate locks (video)

Residential laminate options

For flooring in residential premises, the following options for a household type of laminate can be used.

Cork laminate

The lamellas have a different texture of the front layer, which varies from lamellar to fine-grained type. Classic versions are represented by warm shades of yellow, brown and ocher. Exotic lovers choose the option with color interspersed. The material is harmless and has high dirt-repellent properties.

Vinyl laminate

It is a relatively new variety in the market of building and finishing materials. It has structural features and consists of two layers combined into planks. The front part is represented by aluminum oxide or polyurethane with a pattern that imitates the natural surfaces of expensive woods. The basis is vinyl, which increases the rigidity and strength of the floors, as well as extending the service life.

Glossy laminate

It is characterized by an attractive mirror shine and a large number of advantages, including durability, aesthetics and reliability. Gloss contributes to the reflection of light, scattering it around the room. This visually expands the space.

Pictogram types

Particularly noteworthy are the so-called pictograms, which are able to indicate the compliance of the material with international standards and clarify its advantages:

• icons EN 13893 and EN 14041 characterize the classes according to the slipperiness of the laminate surface;
• icon DIN EN 12664 characterizes the thermal stability of laminates and their ability to combine with underfloor heating;
• icon DIN EN 14041 characterizes the emission of formaldehydes in a laminated board;
• icons DN 4102 T1 and EN 13501-1 characterize the ratio of the laminated coating to the fire safety class;
• icon EN 438-2 characterizes the resistance of laminates and other types to the effects of unextinguished cigarettes;
• icons EN ISO 105-B02, EN 20105-A02 characterize the indicators of resistance of a laminated board to fading from sunlight;
• icon EN 438-2 characterizes the resistance of laminates to the formation of stains on the surface;
• icon DIN EN 1815 characterizes the parameters of antistatic laminated boards;
• icon EN 13329 with appendix F characterizes the impact resistance of laminates and the absence of deformation as a result of mechanical stress.

Be sure to use the information content of the above icons or pictograms when choosing a floor covering.

Notable Manufacturers

The selection of a laminate coating is required to be made taking into account the popularity of the manufacturers of this material. A well-established brand often becomes a guarantee of quality and durability. Here are some examples:

• The absolute world leader is represented by the Belgian company Quick step. The design features and quality characteristics of this laminate suggest laying in a residential area. Due to the high quality of the material, the popularity made the laminate of this company quite expensive.
• Laminate from the most famous and popular in Russia European manufacturer of flooring brand Tarkett. Laminate middle price class has a standard set of quality characteristics and reasonable cost.
• Prestigious coverage of the European brand Berry Alloc. It has improved qualities in terms of moisture and wear resistance. This allows the material to be used as flooring in the kitchen and bathroom. The high cost is fully consistent with the quality characteristics.
• Laminate from a German manufacturer that produces products under the brand name Parador. The material has the best characteristics, as well as an absolutely unique design, which is developed by the company individually.

Consumers should be wary of laminate from Chinese manufacturers.

Widely represented in our country, such floor material not only belongs to the budget category, but also does not have sufficient quality. Often problems accompany this laminate already at the installation stage.

How to choose a quality laminate (video)

Natural floor coverings are becoming more and more popular every day. Before you decide on the type of laminate, you need to carefully familiarize yourself with its characteristics. Laminate is easy to care for, environmentally friendly, has high wear resistance and low price.

The composition of the laminate

The basis for the laminate is fiberboard. Its flexible and durable properties allow you to serve more than one year. Such a coating is connected using quick-step latches, the advantage is the absence of glue and the speed of installation.

The laminate consists of four layers:

• Protective;
• Decorative;
• Double layer HDF (Fibreboard);
• Kraft paper.

protective layer

On the surface of the laminate board there is a transparent film, it is made of resin with additives (melamine or acrylate). The protective coating protects the flooring from mechanical damage, the better and thicker the outer layer, the longer the panel will last. On a note, the protective layer increases the cost of the product.

decorative layer

This layer is made from paper, applying a certain pattern, which is responsible for the appearance of the panels. For example, there are stone, wooden or plain surfaces.

Double layer HDF

The layer is made of fiberboard or chipboard, at the end there are so-called locks or fasteners. The stronger and better materials are used at this stage, the longer the laminate will last.

Kraft paper

It is a protective layer that is in contact with the rough coating. For the manufacture of used paper impregnated with resins or paraffin. There are also polymer coatings on the market. The essence of the layer is to protect the laminate from moisture, mold and fungal infections.

Heat and sound insulation

In expensive types of laminate, there is already a built-in substrate. The presence of this layer is optional, so cheap analogues may not have it. It serves to protect and is carried out in most cases separately.

Appearance

This type of coating is represented by a wide variety on the market, the choice is great from pattern to imitation of other materials. Shades vary from white to dark. Three-strip laminate looks very noble in small rooms. Single-strip coatings are used in spacious rooms.

The variety of surfaces starts from glossy and ends with imitation of raw wood. Natural finishes have the appearance of real wood. The choice of surfaces depends only on your design and price range.

wooden classic

Imitation of a living tree began with the advent of decorative coatings. Initially, after all, the laminate was conceived as a budget option for expensive parquet. It turned out very well, just look at the imitation of oak, birch or maple, they are simply magnificent. The accuracy of the transfer of the picture at the highest level.

There is a direction of laminated coating in the style of aged wood, as a result, the surface of the laminate can be rough-smoothed and wrinkled.

leather splendor

For lovers of extraordinary solutions, a beautiful crocodile floor will appeal to you. And the finished walls in the same style will give the interior extraordinary. Of course, finding crocodile-style covers is not as easy as woodgrain, but temporary searches will pay off doubly.

Laminate under the skin is produced not only by German manufacturers, but the Russian Ritter has also begun to produce decent panels, which are even more profitable in price.

steel frenzy

Remember the high-tech that was mentioned in the article "". After all, this direction does not like anything superfluous, and the combination of minimalism and a laminated coating under steel is more than ever welcome.

Stone Confidence

Stone floors give confidence and reliability. But agree to lay out stone floors in the kitchen or living room is not very practical, they are cold, and heavy. Lovers of stone confidence from the manufacturer of laminated coatings have been met and as a result you can buy a material that is warm and pleasant to the touch, exactly reminiscent of stone.

Designer coatings

Design trends are present in any industry. So imagine that there are entire collections of designer laminate that simply blow their heads away from their appearance, they are unpredictable, colorful and, most importantly, different from production series.

For example, how do you like the coating with Da Vinci drawings, or maybe you want to walk on the skin of an animal? Not? Then maybe acid drawings of abstract artists? Guessed again? Then handprints and barcodes are just right for your gender.

For little tomboys, there are collections of their own, cartoon characters, or various patterns and city maps serve as patterns for such coatings.

Gloss

A perfectly finished laminate floor is simply stunning in the kitchen, raising the level of cleanliness to an incredible level. Glossy surfaces resemble an ordinary cobbled floor covered with varnish to the fullest.

Textural

For lovers of eco-friendly directions, you can choose textured laminated coatings. The bulging wood fibers resemble natural wood.

Classification

To answer how the type of laminate flooring affects the service life, you need to know the classification of the strength of laminated coatings.

The most durable is class 33. This species is able to withstand interaction with water and heavy physical exertion. Such coatings are used for commercial premises.

Class 32-31 is suitable for conference rooms and offices, they are not afraid of moisture and are resistant to scratches.

For the home, class 23-21 is used, strength is listed in descending order.

On the reverse side of the packaging of the laminate, all its technological properties are indicated, knowing how to decipher them correctly, you can easily select the laminate you need.

Specifications

Laminate flooring is no different from any building material, in the sense that it also has both advantages and disadvantages. As a result, before you decide which laminate is right for you, first read this list.

Benefits of laminate flooring:

• Large selection of colors;
• Easy to mount thanks to the Lock and Click systems;
• Large selection of strength;
• Does not harm a person;
• No additional processing required.

Flaws:

• Does not have an "Eco" class due to its layering;
• Without additional materials, it has increased noise;
• Doesn't like water.

The market for modern laminated coatings has a huge scope for every taste and financial opportunity. Cheaper options are most likely made in China, but you can find good coatings at an affordable price. The average price range of coatings comes from Russia or Europe, but the leader of the elite class is Sweden and Belgium.

Laminate floors look expensive, modern and beautiful. Ease of care give popularity and demand. When choosing a manufacturer, you can look in advance on the official website of the collection and even the lineup. Very often one hears the question, which laminate manufacturer is better to choose? We answer.

Rating of the 5 best manufacturers of laminated coatings

Quik step

Pros:

• Large selection of designs;
• Reliable connection system;
• High quality material.

Minuses:

• Price;
• slippery surface;
• Smell;
• Sometimes there is a marriage.

Tarkett/Sinteros

Works on the territory of the Russian Federation since 2010. They produce models of 31-33 classes. Originally from Germany. The price starts from 530 rubles.

Pros:

• Varied texture;
• Classic connection;
• Corresponds to the declared characteristics;
• Service life is more than 10 years.

Minuses:

• Modest design range;
• Stable size of all collections;
• There is a lamellar marriage.

Kronostar

The manufacturer comes from Germany on the Russian market since 2002. It produces decent products at an affordable price from 480 rubles.

Pros:

• A rich line of texture solutions;
• Classic connections facilitate docking;
• The characteristics are stated correctly;
• Serve up to 12 years;

Minuses:

• Not enough design solutions;
• Only one size for all collections;
• There is a lamellar marriage.

In Russia for more than 8 years, they specialize in leather imitations. The line is expanding every year. Price range from 500 rubles.

Pros:

• 9 collections;
• Exclusive connection system;
• Produced according to GOST;
• Warranty period of service is 30 years.

Egger

The Austrian-German-Russian coalition has been producing its products for more than 50 years. Laminate 31-33 class. Pricing policy from 500 rubles.

Pros:

• Large selection of design solutions;
• Waterproof models;
• Individual docking system;
• Possibility to mount on the wall;
• Service life up to 20 years.

Minuses:

• There is a marriage on the Russian market;
• Weak connection systems.

Connection types

Modern connection methods are not the last criterion when choosing laminated panels. Pay attention to two main types of connection - glue and castle. The latter, in turn, is divided into subspecies.

Adhesive

It used to be considered as reliable as possible, but laying the adhesive method takes a lot of time. Also, the disadvantage is the integrity of the surface, after assembly, the entire surface becomes one and any unforeseen situations hit the pocket.

Keyhole

Allows you to fix the panel behind the panel with the help of special grooves and clamps that are available on each "board". Share this view on Lock and Click.

• Click

Click is a more complicated construction. Connecting panels with this type of latch is easy, perfect for assembly by people without experience. The panels are assembled at an angle of 45 degrees, no effort is needed. A cover with such a snap system is easy to disassemble, which is an incomparable advantage.

• lock

The connection consists of a latch in the form of a spike on one side and a groove on the other. To make the connection, it is enough to have a rubber mallet and a bar on hand. It is better to entrust the floor to the master or be prepared for damage to several (dozens) panels. The spikes are very delicate, made of chipboard or fiberboard, as you remember, and it is not reasonable to knock with a hammer directly on the tile.

Realizing that each room in the house requires a floor with specific properties, a guide was developed.

Kitchen Choice

Moisture-resistant surfaces are more suitable for the kitchen, which, with frequent washing of floors, will not be destroyed. For reliability, after assembly, all joints should be treated with moisture-resistant mastic or sealant. Textured models are ideal, with which you can hide traces of stains and footprints. Strength class 33 is suitable.

Bathroom Choice

Only moisture-proof panels are selected for the bathroom; in terms of protection, they will not be inferior to tiles. Do not forget to treat the seams with moisture-resistant materials.

Choice for living room, bedroom and nursery

For these rooms, grace, design and class of coverage play a decisive role. In order to remove the sound of stomping and creaking, lay a high-quality substrate. At the same time, models of 31 and 32 classes are suitable.

Choice for the hallway

The entrance hall or corridor has the busiest flow compared to the rest of the rooms. You will have to wash the floor often, which means you cannot do without moisture-resistant models. Due to the increased mechanical stress, it is best to choose panels of class 33 and above.

Outcome

Having completed a short course, you can now say with confidence that you know all the characteristics and varieties of laminated coatings. Agree that knowing its composition, degree of classification and designation on the back of the package, you can safely go shopping. Good luck with your repair!

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In this article you will learn laminate selection rules and what varieties are on the market today.

Flooring in any room can be figuratively compared with the foundation of a house. First of all, it must be durable and reliable, that is, have a long service life. In addition, the floor covering should look attractive, consist of materials that are safe for human health and be affordable. Many criteria are satisfied by such a floor material as a laminate. Consider its varieties and the basic rules for choosing a particular type of premises. It is important to remember that any high-quality material can become unusable only because of its use in unsuitable conditions for it.

Varieties of laminate

The division of the laminate in appearance

The simplest and most elementary division of the laminate into types occurs depending on its appearance. It, in turn, depends on the color of the surface and on the layer of protection applied to it (protects from external influences - moisture, abrasion, fading, shock, etc.).

• Conventional laminate, as a rule, is externally stylized as a tree and is one of the cheapest. Often does not have particularly good characteristics and is short-lived.
• The glossy look is more expensive, but its characteristics are better and the look is more respectable - a beautiful imitation of a lacquer surface.
• The matte surface looks like oiled wood and creates the effect of a “warm” floor. It is pleasant to walk on such a coating and after that there are no visible marks left on it.
• Textured laminate is the most attractive in its appearance. Gives the impression of an expensive floor made of wood, ceramic tiles or natural stone (granite, marble), etc.

The appearance of this flooring is very diverse. That is why laminate flooring is the #1 flooring choice for creating bold and impressive interiors.

Separation of the laminate according to the laying method

• Glue look. In this case, the fastening of the components is carried out by gluing their end parts to each other. Such a laminate tolerates excessive moisture well. This is a solid mount.
• Castle view. Fastening is carried out without glue, joining together a laminate board - a "floating" fastening (does not connect to the floor). Very popular and comfortable.

The division of the laminate by load and wear resistance

Loads can be insignificant as, for example, in a bedroom - a minimum of movement. Or significant loads - in rooms where heavy furniture and appliances are installed. Flooring is divided into types designed for small, medium and large loads.

Also, the conditions of use involve varying degrees of exposure to moisture, so the laminate can be ordinary and moisture resistant.

According to the area of ​​​​use, the laminate is divided into household - used in residential premises and industrial. Accordingly, all the qualities of an industrial type are an order of magnitude higher than those of a household laminate.

Laminate classes

For the convenience of orientation in the variety of laminate presented to the consumer, it is customary to divide it into classes. They show the scope of a certain type based on its wear resistance. Each type of laminate passes a special Taber test. It is very simple and is carried out with the Taber device. The top layer of the laminate is exposed to the abrasive wheel. Then the experts calculate how many revolutions of the wheel were made until the protective layer of the coating was completely abraded. Focusing on a special table, they assign a certain class to this laminate sample and this is where its identification by wear resistance ends.

Understanding the classes is very easy. They are indicated by two numbers, the first can be represented as "2" or "3":

• "2" is a laminate designed for home use.
• "3" - laminate for other needs, that is, stronger and "hardier".

The second digit indicates the level of resistance to external influences (mechanical damage): "1" - low, "2" - medium, "3" - high. Thus, looking at the class indicated on the package, you can "read" the area of ​​​​use of this laminate.

• "21", "22", "23" - classes of laminate for home use, the service life of which is up to 4 years. Today, such a laminate is not on sale, most factories have discontinued it.
• "31", "32", "33" - classes of so-called commercial use. Despite the historically established name, they are intended for use both in office premises and at home. Most types of laminate on sale today have a class of 31 to 33. When used at home, these types of laminate last more than 10 years. The differences between these types are as follows: class 31 is intended for floors with low intensity of walking on them, 32 for medium intensity, 33 for high intensity.

Also on sale there are classes marked with numbers 34 and more. They have not been tested by time and generally accepted standards have not been developed for them, so it is difficult to judge their characteristics.

Laminate of different classes differs from each other in the top layer - namely, its thickness, the thicker the layer, the better the protection. So, let's take, for example, 33 class. It is a material designed for floors in busy public places. Such a laminate can last up to 8 years, and if you use it at home, this period will double!

Rules for choosing a laminate

In this section, we will not touch on the rules for choosing a laminate in appearance - this is the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe interior and design. We turn to the technical side of things.

It has already been mentioned that the floor covering will last a long time, provided that it is designed for operation in the chosen room.

When choosing between adhesive and lock laminate, the following features should be considered.

The advantages of the adhesive type are a solid, one-piece moisture-resistant coating. But, if such a coating is damaged, then its repair is much more difficult. Castle view - it is more convenient and faster to lay - there are no costs for glue. And in case of damage, you can quickly dismantle the damaged board and replace it with a new one. If necessary, it also happens that the laid floor covering can be disassembled and used for its intended purpose in another room.

Turning to the reviews of people who have used both types of laminate, you can see that the adhesive type is no longer in demand, and it is clear why.

Moisture resistant laminate is better

Even if you are going to use your flooring in the most gentle way, it is best to choose a moisture-resistant type of laminate. Constant wet cleaning and various unforeseen events can negatively affect your floor. It is better to play it safe in advance and, as they say, sleep peacefully.

No moisture-resistant laminate of the highest strength class is designed for constant contact with moisture. So for the bathroom it is preferable to use tiles - it is more reliable.

Choosing a laminate manufacturer

We determine the manufacturer and price. Based on consumer feedback, it is best to choose products from European manufacturers, regardless of the type of laminate. Chinese laminate is often found in very good quality and at an affordable price, but it is possible to buy flooring with a high content of substances harmful to human health. In order to exclude such a situation, it is necessary to familiarize yourself immediately on the spot with certificates of quality and conformity, if, of course, such are available.

What to do with classes

Let's start with the fact that the important point is that the laminate is designed for different types of loads. The more weight he can hold without harming himself (including deflection), the better. This option will cost more than the usual one.

It is not always necessary to choose a class 33 laminate for your living room. Why? Yes, because consumer reviews say that buying and using a laminate whose service life of 20 years with an excellent appearance may be redundant. This period can be much longer than what will pass before the next repair.

Simple advice. If people wear shoes at home, then it makes sense to take a higher class of laminate. If they walk without shoes, then you can safely take class 31.

And finally.

If all the stages of choosing a laminate have been completed, then it remains only to inspect the components for matching in color and size. You can try the assembly right on the spot - errors in the joining of parts will immediately be visible.

There is another point that can be encountered in the store. There is an opinion that the base of the laminate tile is green, not brown - this is a guaranteed high quality. This is not true. Quality must be determined based on the characteristics declared in the attached documentation.