Most flooring decors have a pattern, shade and structure natural wood. This does not mean that they are all wood products. In order to understand the variety of finishing materials, we will find out what is the difference between laminate and parquet boards and parquet, and also compare their properties.
Laminate flooring belongs to the category of multi-layer flooring. Contains 4 base layers (from top to bottom):
Overlay
Protective transparencies, formed from high-strength polymer resins. The wear resistance of the finishing material largely depends on the thickness and hardness of this layer.
An overlay is not only a protector that prevents premature abrasion and damage to the coating. Special processing techniques have been developed to achieve various decorative effects:
- mirror gloss,
- silky matte satin,
- semi-matte or semi-gloss structural embossing,
- smooth matte surface, etc.
Depending on the strength of this layer, the laminate is assigned a load class - from 31 to 34.
Decorative layer
Made from thick paper. The design chosen by the designer is applied to it using high-precision printing. The most common decors are floor boards or classic deck parquet. Stone, textile and avant-garde designs are less commonly used.
HDF carrier board
Basic element of laminate. It is a rigid canvas made of compressed rubber high pressure fine chips and thermosetting synthetic resin. The degree of resistance of the coating to long-term loads depends on:
- Density of the slab. Varies from 750 to 1200 kg/m 3 ;
- The thickness of the lamella is from 6 to 14 mm.
Stabilization layer
It is paper impregnated with melamine resins. Designed to protect the bottom of the laminate from moisture and prevent deformation of the boards.
Some experts in separate layer There is also a locking part, with the help of which the lamellas are connected in a glueless manner into a single sheet, without gaps or differences. Almost all manufacturers produce laminate flooring with a Click locking system. Due to this, installation is carried out using the “floating” method.
To improve the moisture-resistant characteristics, the ends of the laminated coating (in some collections) are treated with special waterproofing compounds based on polymers or wax.
Thus, a laminate is a composite hard covering consisting of heterogeneous components.
Features of parquet boards
What is the difference between parquet board and laminate? There are some similarities between laminate and parquet boards. Both materials are multilayer, but the second coating (decorative) is made from 98% wood. Structurally consists of:
- Wear-resistant and dirt-resistant top coating. Polyurethane, alkyd or acrylic lacquer(glossy and matte), wax, mixture of oils or oil-wax compositions.
- Solid wood: oak, ash, jatoba and others. To create interesting tones, special processing techniques are used (tinting, bleaching, smoking, brushing, etc.). The cut is quite thin - 2-6 mm, but repeated grinding or scraping is allowed 1-4 times.
- Supporting base cross section 6-9 mm. Spliced wood is used to make it coniferous species technical varieties. The fibers are arranged transversely to the top layer to eliminate possible deformations (distortions, twisting, bending).
- Bottom stabilizing layer. Its thickness does not exceed 1-3 mm. The layer is designed to compensate for the stress of the layers and ensure the stability of the geometric dimensions of the planks.
Parquet board laid in a “floating” way, so each plank is equipped with a mechanical locking system Click or Lock formats. However, there is a difference here: unlike a laminated floor, the prefabricated floor can be fixed to the base using glue or fastening hardware.
Array characteristics
What is the difference between laminate and parquet? First of all, because these are single-layer planks made from solid wood. For their production, such species as oak, beech, ash, cherry, maple and many others are used. The edges, as a rule, are tongue-and-groove, connected according to the tongue-and-groove principle. There are many installation technologies; the adhesive method is most often used. Less often - using hardware, clamps or special fastening cords.
Since the flooring is made from solid wood, its quality and performance characteristics depend on many factors:
- Dimensions. The length of the products varies from 15 to 90 cm, width - 3-12 cm, thickness - 15-25 mm. Small-format planks are considered the most resistant to changes in temperature and humidity.
- Humidity. More durable coating than parquet, wood has not yet been invented. And the key to such reliability is proper drying. The optimal rate is from 4 to 10%.
- Variety This indicator depends on decorative effect. The best and most beautiful parquet is made from wood of the “extra” and “highest” categories. The product is obtained with straight or wavy lines on the edges, almost monochromatic textured surface, no defects or sapwood. Grades AB, B and C are distinguished by a more interesting pattern with many halftones, as well as the presence of knots, weak and fragile areas.
Do not confuse parquet with massive board. The difference is primarily in size. Parquet planks even visually small, while the array consists of lamellas up to 2 m long and up to 20 cm wide.
Let's note one more important feature. Parquet requires additional processing after laying and protective finishing of the surface. Sanding and varnishing are carried out to prevent contact of the coating with water, dirt and other negative factors. At the request of the customer, the master can cover the floor with special oil or wax.
Similarities and differences: laminate and parquet, parquet boards
From the above it follows that all three coatings considered are significantly different. For clarity, we summarize all the characteristics in a single table.
| Characteristic | Parquet | Parquet board | Laminate |
| Appearance | The characteristic color and texture of living wood, the surface is warm to the touch. | A presentable appearance of natural solid wood with a rather uniform texture. Pleasant in tactile terms, warm. | Excellent imitation of wood and stone textures, a wide selection of designs for parquet, boards, stone, etc. |
| Wear resistance and service life | Depends on the type of topcoat. The floor under a layer of durable varnish lasts at least 50 years with intensive use | The service life of finishing materials with varnish protection is up to 30 years. Board under oil or wax – no more than 10 years. | The warranty period for class 31 is 10 years, class 32 – up to 20 years, for class 33-34 – 25-40 years. |
| Advantages | 1) Low coefficient of sound, noise and thermal conductivity; 2) Maintainability; 3) Moisture resistance; 4) Restoration up to 12 times; 5) Over time, the color becomes more noble, acquiring honey shades; 6) Manufacturing defects can be corrected by grinding. |
1) Easy installation and disassembly; 2) Moisture resistance; 3) Maintainability; 4) Restoration up to 4 times; 5) Gradually the shade changes towards saturation. 6) It is allowed to use some collections in commercial premises |
1) Quick installation and easy dismantling; 2) Moisture-resistant, and for some collections also water-resistant; 3) Partial maintainability; 4) Used in rooms with high loads. |
| Flaws | 1) Complex and expensive installation; 2) Necessity of varnishing or processing protective equipment; 3) Contact with water is undesirable. |
1) The protective wax or oil coating must be renewed every 3-5 years; 2) Afraid of water; 3) It is undesirable to use defective boards; 4) Waste during installation can reach 5% of the total. |
1) Surface that is cold to the touch; 2) May periodically accumulate static electricity; 3) Requires protection from furniture legs, rollers and abrasives; 4) A large number of installation waste; 5) Weak noise and heat insulation properties; 6) Fade over time. |
| Interaction with the “warm floors” system | Operation only with water heating complexes is allowed | Possible combination with water, infrared and special systems type Devicel Dry, etc. Standard electric heating unacceptable | |
| Care | Lacquered coatings are easy to clean and maintain. You need to be careful with floors coated with oil or wax; it is advisable to purchase a series of care products. | Constant care and special chemistry based on waxes and polymer compositions are required. | Easy to clean and maintain. To remove stains and scratches, it is better to purchase a restoration kit in advance. |
| Cost, from | 350 rub./m2 | 1400 rub./m2 | 300 rub./m 2 |
Let's summarize:
What is better to choose: parquet, laminate or parquet boards? The answer lies on the surface: focus on your design preferences and financial capabilities. The most important thing is to choose a really high-quality product from well-known manufacturers.
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When a serious renovation is underway in an apartment, the owner inevitably faces the question of choice. flooring, and most often this question is - which is better, parquet or laminate? The tree is the oldest building material, people have long appreciated its practicality, and over the last century they have begun to pay more and more attention to the environmental friendliness of wood. But before solving the dilemma, parquet or laminate - what to choose, of course, you need to understand the difference between their properties, compare the advantages and disadvantages.
- Variety of types of wood flooring
- Design differences
- Price
- Advantages and disadvantages of parquet and laminate
- Installation
- Appearance
- Exploitation
Variety of types of wood flooring
Humanity has come up with quite a lot of floor coverings, the names of which contain the words “parquet” or “laminate”:
- laminated parquet;
- parquet board;
- laminated flooring, etc.
So that the ignorant buyer does not get confused in this variety, we will describe the main ones.
“Laminate flooring”, “laminated parquet” and simply “laminate” are the same thing.
And the variety in names is explained by the constant improvement of manufacturing technology of this coverage, the quality characteristics of which are constantly growing, and it itself looks more and more like natural parquet. That is, laminated parquet is the same laminate, but more reminiscent of natural dies.
As for parquet and parquet boards, these are completely different things:
- Classic parquet consists exclusively of hardwood. There are many types of parquet.
- Parquet boards appeared much later and are a material made from glued wooden planks in several layers. At the beginning, parquet boards were made from parquet production waste.
Design differences
Comparing laminate and parquet should start with something in common - both of them finishing materials are made of wood, and the parquet consists entirely of it.
Here lies the main difference between parquet and laminate, since in the manufacture of the latter, other materials are used along with wood.
Moreover, if European manufacturers laminate consists of 90-95% wood, then in Chinese products there may be no more than half of it.
Laminate is like a layered cake: the main layer is made of wood fiber, similar in structure to plywood or fiberboard, and the other layers are artificial materials- paper and resins. Front side laminate is made of very durable and wear-resistant plastic with which the product is laminated, hence its name. Underneath this transparent plastic There is also a film that has a pattern that imitates the texture of wood - it is this that determines appearance laminate The same technology is used to produce low pressure laminate.
Video about the differences in manufacturing and performance characteristics of parquet and laminate:
Price
Listing the characteristics that demonstrate the difference between parquet and laminate, one cannot fail to note the price, which is several times higher for parquet than for any laminate.
The difference is significantly influenced by both the type of wood and the quality of the laminate. The most expensive brands laminate is not much cheaper than parquet. But if the buyer already has enough money for an expensive laminate, then it is better to add a little more and buy parquet, which will have a number of advantages.
If financial issue doesn’t matter at all, then you definitely need to go with a solid parquet board, or even better - with piece parquet.
Advantages and disadvantages of parquet and laminate
For the consumer, of course, there is no more important question than which material will perform better during operation.
Advantages of parquet
- parquet can be restored many times;
- good thermal insulation makes parquet floors warm;
- good sound insulation;
- durability (with high-quality installation, material and adequate operating conditions, the service life of parquet will be tens of years);
- hypoallergenic;
- dust is not attracted to the wood.
Cons of parquet
- dents and scratches easily appear on the parquet;
- caring for parquet is troublesome and expensive - every few years it needs to be sanded and varnished, and this requires a special grinding tool and specialist skills;
- The parquet restoration procedure is very lengthy (almost like full renovation) and is associated with the transfer of all furniture.
- very sensitive to fluctuations in humidity and temperature, which causes it to dry out, crack or swell;
high price.
Advantages of laminate
- the operation of the laminate does not involve too much troublesome maintenance;
- with average intensity of use, laminate can last quite a long time - a couple of decades;
- the cost is cheaper than parquet.
Cons of laminate
- laminate is less durable than parquet;
- it cannot be restored.
A common limitation for both parquet and laminate is that both of these coatings cannot be used in rooms with regular high humidity(bathrooms, kitchens), this also needs to be taken into account when washing parquet and laminate flooring.
You should know that both coatings are quite suitable even for daily use. wet cleaning, but the rag must be thoroughly wrung out, preventing excess water from getting onto the surface.
Video about the differences between parquet and laminate:
Installation
As for laying these coverings, in the case of laminate it looks much simpler. Inviting specialists to install it will cost much less than laying block parquet.
Modern laminate flooring is a little more complicated to install than a children's construction set, and does not require any expensive or specific tools.
Special locks are made on the laminate strips, with the help of which they are easily, smoothly and reliably connected, and the final coating looks monolithic.
The advantage of laminate in installation time is also obvious, because the area of an average-sized room can be covered with it in one to two hours. If in the same room you place piece parquet, then the matter will drag on for a day, or even two.
In this sense, the Solomonic solution may be the use of parquet boards. The technology for installing it is closer to installing laminate than block parquet, which is very reminiscent of assembling a mosaic.
Appearance
There is no doubt that well-maintained natural parquet will look much more refined and luxurious than laminate. Although, with the development of technology, not every consumer can distinguish a modern laminate floor from a parquet floor. It is not without reason that manufacturers spent a lot of effort to simulate a wood pattern on a laminated board, which has become almost indistinguishable from natural, so in many cases replacing parquet with laminate can go unnoticed.
Traditional parquet is strongly associated in the imagination with strict classical interiors of residential premises or formal halls. Laminate flooring can fit perfectly into either classic interior, and in modern times. This is facilitated by the huge variety of textures and shades that manufacturers have learned to impart to laminate flooring.
Laminate can imitate not only wood itself, but also tiles, marble, granite and a whole range of artificial and natural materials.
Exploitation
When comparing the behavior of parquet and laminate, it quickly becomes clear that the latter is colder and especially noisy, although the latter disadvantage can be quite successfully combated with the help of sound-absorbing substrates. And if you combine it with a heated floor system, then this disadvantage will turn into an advantage - heat will easily flow into the room.
But purchased high-quality laminate is not afraid of scratches from sharp ladies' heels or moving furniture, it will not fade in the sun and will not retain traces of indentation or static loads. Modern laminate is difficult to ignite and is quite moisture resistant.
When comparing the care of laminate and parquet, it should be borne in mind that the appearance of the latter is difficult to maintain if the owners often like to rearrange furniture, are used to walking around the house in heels, or have pets.
Wood is sensitive to delicate external influences, and in the absence of careful handling, its surface is noticeably damaged.
Therefore, it is necessary to scrape natural parquet every few years in order to remove the thin damaged layer from it.
If the microclimate in the room changes, the parquet begins to dry out and deform, causing an unpleasant creaking sound. Soft and hygroscopic wood does not like sudden temperature changes. Lacquered parquet may lose its attractiveness in terms of environmental friendliness, since toxic components may be released from the varnish.
Neither parquet nor laminate can surpass each other in every characteristic; each has its own strengths and weak. Therefore, the choice between these two floor coverings should be based on the buyer’s financial capabilities, operating conditions and the owner’s willingness to regularly monitor the appearance of the coating.
What would you choose – parquet or laminate, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments and explain them - other readers will be interested!
What the flooring will be like is one of the first questions that we have to solve when renovating any room. Many people want the floor in the kitchen to be wooden, so it is important for them to know what is better – parquet boards or laminate. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages.
The parquet board looks impressive and solid, adding discreet nobility to the atmosphere
Parquet boards – prestige, quality, reliability
Many people believe that laminate flooring is more suitable for offices. People who prefer quality things and can afford to buy expensive flooring choose parquet. In terms of price, it is much more expensive than any laminate.
Many people confuse the concepts of parquet and parquet boards. The parquet board consists of three layers. The bottom layer is coniferous veneer (layer thickness is about 2 mm), the second is wooden planks, which are laid perpendicular to the top and bottom layers. Also here are the outermost locking slats. It is due to them that the parquet is laid so quickly. The top layer of the parquet board is valuable wood (oak, ash, birch, beech). Piece parquet is also made from the same wood. The attractiveness and durability of the parquet board depends on the top layer. It is impregnated with special solutions that help preserve the beauty of the parquet board for several (or even many) years.
Attractive natural wood pattern enhances decorative possibilities parquet board
People value wood for its naturalness and warmth. It warms even a minimalist interior. Features of wood species, limitless possibilities laying parquet boards, new technologies for the production of this material significantly expand the artistic possibilities of parquet. The wooden floor is cozy and warm. But when varnished in several layers, the natural comfort disappears. To preserve this most valuable property of a parquet board, it is recommended to use wax or oil as a coating rather than varnish. They do not hide the beauty of the wood and leave the texture natural. Oil coating updated every few years.
Parquet boards have a complex structure that improves specifications this type of flooring
Parquet board design can be single-strip, double-strip or three-strip. Single-strip parquet has a top layer of solid wood strips, so you can see the grain of the wood. In two- and three-strip parquet boards, the top layer consists of two or three rows of lamellas, which can be different lengths, so the drawing looks unusual. This type of parquet board does not differ in appearance from parquet laid in a deck pattern. There are also models that imitate piece parquet laid in a “wicker” or “herringbone” pattern. As for the pattern of the top layer of the parquet board, it depends on the cut, and can vary from uniform striped to variegated with veins and knots. A wide variety of wood types and processing options allows you to choose parquet boards of any color.
Parquet board, like laminate, is a material ready for installation. The parquet board is sanded, coated with varnishes and protective agents. Laying both laminate and parquet boards is quite simple, and the floor can be disassembled and assembled if necessary.
Laminate – easy to maintain, durable, attractive price
Laminate is one of the most common floor coverings. Relatively recently, it replaced parquet boards and became a worthy competitor to it. Over the past few years, laminate production technologies have developed so much that the coating can compete with many other varieties. Unlike parquet, laminate does not require sanding, impregnation or varnishing; it does not change color when exposed to sunlight; floors can be washed using chemicals for washing laminate flooring. As you can see, the coating gives the owner little trouble.
Laminate has its own advantages and disadvantages, first of all, a wide variety of textures and shades
Laminate is not scary Sun rays, frequent washing and mechanical damage surfaces. Stains can be removed with acetone or any product with a high alcohol content, and if you clean the room daily, you can get by with a regular damp cloth or vacuum cleaner. Scratches, if they are minor, can be masked with a repair pencil or putty. Laminate flooring is afraid of one thing - excess moisture, although there is moisture resistant laminate. If you take proper care of the coating, it will last for a long time and will remain smooth and beautiful, as on the first day after installation.
As already mentioned, laying laminate flooring is quite simple. It all depends on its lock (fastening), the condition of the floor in the room. The fastest way to install laminate is with a “click” glueless lock, since installation does not require either glue or special tools.
What is the difference between laminate and parquet boards
Laminate and parquet boards are the most popular floor coverings. Both guarantee a reliable and durable floor at an affordable price. Sometimes laminate and parquet boards are so similar in appearance that it can be difficult for a person not involved in construction to distinguish them. What is the difference between laminate and parquet boards?
- Mode of production
The parquet board consists of three layers of veneer, while the lower layers are cheaper raw materials, and the top layer is quality materials. Laminate can be compared to photo wallpaper, which is glued onto a multi-layer fibreboard.
- Appearance of the floor covering
As for the appearance, laminate flooring is most often decorated exactly like a parquet board. But the pattern on each board is identical, which cannot be said about a parquet board. You won’t find two identical boards here, since the pattern is identical to the wood structure. In addition, laminate flooring with a “marbled” or “tiled” pattern is available for sale.
Parquet boards, like laminate flooring, are made in such a way that their installation does not cause any difficulties.
Laminate is considered more practical material. It is resistant to abrasion, and it is quite difficult to damage it with shoes or furniture. Parquet board requires careful attitude to yourself. The enemies of this flooring are heavy furniture, heels, changes in humidity and temperature, so think carefully about whether it is worth laying parquet boards in the kitchen. If you compare laminate with parquet boards, laminate may seem like a colder material than parquet boards, for the manufacture of which it is used natural wood. It is also believed that laminate flooring is noisier (it allows noise to pass through, and steps can be clearly heard). But these disadvantages can be avoided if you use modern means for sound insulation - special substrates for laminate or parquet. The substrates are made of polyethylene 2 mm thick and natural cork. Cork backing is more expensive because cork is natural material, which is considered more environmentally friendly. The underlay is not nailed to the floor, but simply placed on it before work begins.
- Features of care
If you decide to have parquet flooring in your kitchen, immediately purchase special means to care for him. The mop you use to clean your floors should be only slightly damp, and your vacuum cleaner should not use the steam function. Laminate is also sensitive to humidity, but to a much lesser extent than parquet boards. Household chemicals It is not recommended to use it during floor cleaning.
- Service life of laminate and parquet boards
In appearance, parquet boards seem to be a fragile coating, but with proper care they can last up to 30 years. You can extend the life of a parquet board through restoration and sanding, but these procedures can be done approximately 4 times over the entire period. Laminate flooring lasts from 7 to 20 years. A coating with a high wear class lasts longer. Extends the life of the laminate and proper care behind him.
- Flooring price
The simpler structure of the laminate affects its price, but not its quality
A high-quality laminate is not much inferior in price to a parquet board, so when deciding on the advisability of purchasing a particular floor covering, be guided by its properties and take into account the characteristics of the room for which this covering is intended.
Deciding on the choice of flooring
It turns out that parquet boards are more durable. Its surface can be renewed. Laminate medium price category serves no more than 8 years. Craftsmen have also come up with ways to restore laminate flooring, but the method is quite expensive. It’s easier to buy a new coating and at the same time change the color.
What some consider to be a disadvantage of laminate, others recognize as its advantage. The material, of course, is short-lived compared to parquet boards, but there is a positive aspect to this: you don’t mind parting with it. Abroad, where people change apartments and offices quite often, this material is very popular. Laminate is not afraid of ladies' heels, which your children might want to ride around the house on, metal models cars. Laminate flooring can be laid even where you most likely would not risk laying parquet boards (in the kitchen, for example).
A few words about laying parquet and laminate flooring
Laying laminate flooring, like parquet boards, should be carried out according to the principle “if you don’t know how, don’t try it.” In any case, the coating brought from the store must be brought into the room and left for at least two days so that the material “settles” and gets used to the humidity and air temperature in the room.
For laying laminate and parquet boards, it is better to invite professional craftsmen on floor coverings, not craftsmen, which are placed quickly, crookedly, inexpensively. In terms of installation, laminate is a rather capricious material, and there is only one chance to install it correctly. It is not glued to the floor, but laid “floating” - the boards are connected to each other using the “tongue and groove” method. Therefore, the laminate can be removed very easily. One bad thing is that it is removed once and for all. If you have removed the lampmat, you will no longer be able to put it in another room.
Manufacturers made sure that the work of laying the floor covering was simple and not particularly labor-intensive
If you invite laminate specialists, make sure that they do not glue the boards to the floor, especially with PVA glue. The laminate will first swell and then shrink. If you really need to use glue, let it be a special glue that is produced specifically for laminate flooring. Also make sure that craftsmen do not lay the boards parallel to the window. The light from the window must fall parallel to the boards, otherwise the joints will be noticeable.
If the floor is uneven, it must be leveled before you begin laying the flooring.
Let's summarize:
- Parquet board requires special conditions care Laminate is not afraid of temperature changes and mechanical stress.
- For the manufacture of parquet boards, natural wood is used, and for laminate - synthetic materials.
- Laminate designs are much more varied.
- The floor on which the parquet board is laid is beautiful, warm, and quiet.
- Parquet boards last much longer.
- Laminate flooring is usually cheaper than parquet boards.
I'm renovating my apartment and now I'm down to the floors. I decided to put laminate flooring in almost the entire apartment, except for the kitchen and bathrooms, where I will have tiles with a heated floor system. But when I got to choosing a laminate, another problem befell me. There are several types of laminate, varying in wear resistance. Now the most popular laminate classes are 32 and 33 classes. Moreover, class 33 laminate costs significantly more. So which laminate to choose? Read more...
First, let's define what a laminate class is?
Laminate class – an indicator that characterizes how long the laminate will retain its previous appearance under different loads on it. It should be noted that such tests are carried out by the European Standards Association (EN 13329), the laminate is tested under 18 - 20 different loads. After this, a conclusion is made about the strength of the laminate and it is assigned one or another class..
It should be noted that laminate flooring for personal use, in apartments or houses where the load is not very heavy, is recommended in classes 21 - 23. It is cheap in price and has high performance characteristics.
However, grades 21, 22 and 23 of laminate have been discontinued. Why? Yes, because class 31 is not much more expensive, but its wear resistance is many times higher. Therefore, they began to buy 31 and higher classes, while lower classes were left without consumer demand.
If you use class 21, 22 and 23 at home, then its service life at low loads will be up to 10 people per day.
21st grade – 2 years
22nd grade – 4 years
23rd grade – 6 years.
Moreover, it is better to lay it where there is no heavy load on the floor, for example bedrooms, storage rooms, children's rooms, dressing rooms. It is unlikely to be suitable for the main hall, hallway and kitchen.
Now the main demand is for grades 32 and 33. Even class 31 is leaving. For personal use, class 32 and even more so class 33 laminate will be quite sufficient. As the manufacturers assure, class 32 laminate can be installed both in rooms with low traffic and in rooms and hallways with high traffic. Can withstand up to 200 – 300 people per day for 10 years. If you lay such a laminate at home, you will get tired of it faster than wear it out.
Class 33 laminate is a more advanced model, the load with which it can handle 500 people per day for 15 years. At home, such a laminate can last a very, very long time.
Class 32 and 33 laminate - they differ in one thing top layer, which is additionally present in class 33.
If we take the design, then both classes 32 and 33 can have an equally complex design, sometimes very similar to the texture of wood or cut logs, classes 21-23 could not have such a texture, so it was limited in design.
The thickness of the “board” for 32 and 33 class laminates can be from 7 to 11 mm.
It is clear that class 33 is slightly superior to class 32, but it is also much more expensive in price. If “32” - you can buy it for 200 - 400 rubles, square meter, then “33” will cost 400 – 800 rubles.
But there’s not much point in taking class 33 laminate for your home (although if you really want to, you can). For a home they will serve almost the same, but the whole difference is for office premises.
To sum it up
Class 32 laminate should be used for commercial premises with low or medium traffic.
Class 33 laminate should be used in commercial premises with high traffic.
Take grade 32 laminate for your home, it is much cheaper (almost half the price), and will serve almost the same as grade 33. Of course, if you are not limited by money, then take class 33, but there will not be much sense for the apartment. In terms of design complexity, they are the same, and therefore classes 32 and 33 can be selected to suit any interior.
I hope my article helped you, especially for those who are hesitant about making a choice.