Modern technologies, often used in the manufacturing process of laminate flooring, help create the most durable, reliable, beautiful and varied slats. But here's the main catch: which laminate to choose: cheaper or more expensive, European brands, domestic or Chinese, with or without chamfer? A series of articles will help you figure out what's what.
Laminate classes
It is known that all products are divided into 2 types: commercial options and household. We advise you to pay attention to commercial ones. In principle, their cost is low, but their service life exceeds household copies several times:
- floors can be used in commercial premises with a characteristic light load. On average, the service life is from 2 to 3 years. In everyday life - from 10 to 12;
- fits in commercial premises with a typical average load level. Service life in the office is up to 5 years, at home - up to 15 years. 32 wear resistance class- most best option. This is what most buyers choose, both for their apartments and for shops, offices, cafes, etc.;
- Suitable for commercial establishments with intensive load. Service life in an enterprise is up to 7 years, in everyday life – up to 20 years. Many people take this into account long term use in everyday life. The undoubted advantage is that such floors do not lose their appearance over time. long period;
- : slats with the highest technical performance and characteristics. They are designed for commercial premises with maximum load. Although, today such flooring can also be found in the homes of many families;
- This is not a common laminate flooring option. It is classified as one that is produced to order.
! If you are interested in high quality products, we advise you to pay attention to . This is where quality always comes first!
Chinese laminate: check, and then trust
If you have already figured out the wear resistance class of the panels, and you are not afraid of moisture, you can choose moisture-resistant slats or the option. The advantage of the latter option is visual imitation: after installation, the coating will have an excellent appearance, plus it is moisture resistant, which means it will not deteriorate over a long period of use. Could there be anything better?
Today there are several types of slats for the kitchen. Please note when purchasing Special attention on the:
- class: start choosing from wear resistance class 32. Only such models are suitable for the kitchen;
- moisture/water resistance indicators. Don't confuse them. Moisture-resistant ones are protected only from moisture, while water-resistant ones can even withstand a flood.
! This material costs much more than usual, but it also lasts an order of magnitude longer.
Today, the most famous manufacturers of such panels are European companies, especially German and Belgian. Among the huge number of brands, the following deserve trust: Tarkett, Pergo, Eco Flooring, Egger, Kronotex, Classen, Witex, Alloc, Kronospan and Kronostar.
Suberic
The texture of the front layer of the lamellas is varied. It can vary from lamellar to fine-grained. More classic designs include warm shades of yellow, brown and ochre. For lovers of exotic coatings, options with colored splashes are available. You can find out more details.
The advantage of such finishing bases is that they do not accumulate static electricity and do not emit harmful substances. They are also characterized by high dirt-repellent properties: no trace of oil or ink stains will remain.
! In general, the production of such material is well established. Thanks to modern technologies, such flooring can last up to 30 years in a home and up to 10 years in a public place.
Vinyl
This variety appeared on the market quite recently. The structure of the board differs from the layers of ordinary lamella. It consists of only two layers, which are combined together into a plank for arranging the subfloor:
- The front layer is aluminum oxide or polyurethane. A pattern is applied to its surface that imitates the natural surface of expensive wood;
- The base is vinyl, which is resistant to moisture. It is this that increases the rigidity and strength of the floor, extending the service life of the entire flooring.
! The main ones are resistance to mechanical damage, wear resistance and durability.
Glossy
Everyone, sooner or later, thinks about buying. We are attracted by its mirror shine. Yes, such a coating has many advantages, but we should also not forget about its disadvantages.
Therefore, before you decide to purchase, analyze all the pros and cons. Then you will understand what will be best for your house/apartment. Externally attractive material will fit into any interior and any design. The gloss will reflect light, scattering it throughout the room, making it lighter and larger. An undoubted advantage is that all dust, dirt and stains are removed more easily than with a matte structure.
Under parquet
Slats - absolutely new trend. Special innovative technologies, used in the production process, allow you to give the panel any appearance, including the appearance parquet board. So, you pay less, but get almost the same floor.
! You can also buy any option or without it. As a rule, the thick panel option is especially popular.
The question of the difference between these two lamella options is particularly acute. So what's the difference?
Tolerates high levels of indoor humidity very well. Such boards are not afraid of short-term contact with water, so they are ideal for those who are thinking about renovating their kitchen.
Able to withstand even prolonged contact with water, so it is suitable even for bathrooms and saunas.
What is the main difference? As you probably already understood, the difference is in the ability of these two types of coating to withstand the effects of dampness, moisture and water. Its advantageous properties waterproof panels received through use special technology production: on the stove at high temperature affected by high pressure devices. So, it is compressed and becomes especially strong. All cracks that remain after pressing are filled with heated wax. Witex laminate made in Germany is considered the highest quality product today.
! Based on this, you can decide which version of lamellas is suitable in your individual case.
Although, at first glance, everything seems quite simple, choosing a laminate flooring has been and remains a real problem for many of us. We tried to help you find correct solution among the many brands, classes and options presented on modern market.
No matter what they tell you, no matter how they convince you, no matter what they prove, and no matter what they persuade you to do - now you have reliable source all necessary information. Use it to transform your home into a combination of a variety of design trends and fashionable interiors at a reasonable price and for a short time. Go for it!
Laminate is one of the most popular types of flooring for residential and office premises today. With its help, designers create unique interiors, filled with colors, an atmosphere of comfort and warmth. But if you dig deeper, it becomes clear: there are a great many varieties of such material on the domestic market. Next, we’ll look at which laminate is best to choose for your home and why it’s preferable for a particular room. different types material.
Laminated flooring loved by owners of country cottages and city apartments for the optimal price-quality ratio for which it is famous. Indeed, the price that is being asked today for laminated panels on the domestic finishing materials market is quite consistent with the high performance parameters of such finishing.
However, this is far from the only advantage of laminate that is worth mentioning. Good laminate has such advantages as:
- high environmental friendliness, naturalness. The material is created using modern technologies, therefore it does not contain toxic components that can harm human health;
- wide variety of designs, sophistication of external aesthetics, high level attractiveness. Laminate flooring looks incredibly stylish and expensive. It can have different textures, surface effects, and colors, so it provides residential interior designers with flights of imagination that are practically unlimited by any limits;
- long service life without loss of original characteristics. If the installation of the material is carried out in accordance with all norms and rules, the coating is resistant to impact and lasts up to 20 years;
- high levels of antistatic properties, resistance to moisture, ultraviolet radiation, and scratches from pets’ claws;
- no need for careful care or processing protective equipment. The coating can be washed with a damp cloth, which is extremely important for families with children.
In other words, high-quality laminate brands, skillfully selected for a specific room with its characteristic conditions, are optimal for residential premises. It's reliable durable coating for the floor, which certainly helps fill the house with comfort and warmth.
But such materials have their disadvantages. Among the disadvantages of laminate, it is worth mentioning the following qualities:
- has poor thermal conductivity, so its installation must be carried out on a special substrate. And if the home owner absolutely wants to have heated floors in his home, he will need to organize a floor heating system under the laminate. Its acquisition and organization can often cost quite a decent amount of money, which increases repair costs;
- Installation of a laminated floor should be carried out on a flat base without significant deviations from the horizontal. A minimum level difference is allowed, which is smoothed out due to the presence of a special substrate between the base and the coating. Otherwise, the reliability of the panel connections will be compromised, the locks will become loose, and the floor itself will inevitably begin to creak over time.
We’ll talk further about how to choose laminate flooring for your home as successfully as possible.
Types of laminate for home
Before answering the question about which laminate is best to choose for residential buildings, you need to understand the variety of types of such floor finishes. Modern manufacturers provide the market with a large selection of laminated panels of different quality, design, shape and installation method.
Regarding the design of modern laminate, its diversity will surprise even sophisticated connoisseurs of beauty. Manufacturers provide customers wide choose original patterns and designs, color shades and textures of laminated panels. So you can choose the right option for any wall decoration and interior items present in the room.
Based on the material of manufacture, laminated boards are distinguished:
- classic based on HDF boards - characterized by high performance parameters, very common in the domestic market;
- cork based on natural cork, cork veneer, fiberboard and MDF boards. High strength, natural, flexible;
- vinyl made of polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride. Very durable and resistant to moisture, so even suitable for outdoor use. But it is extremely rare in our country.
Vinyl 
Based on HDF boards 
Suberic Laminated panels differ in the specific surface, so they can imitate:
- a wooden surface of a smooth type with barely noticeable lines and pits on the top layer, a natural type with pores and patterns of a specific species, a waxed type with a refined shine;
- an aged wooden surface with noticeable smoothed irregularities;
- glossy finish;
- matte surfaces.
Glossy 
Matte 
Under the tree 
Aged wood The shape of the laminate panels is:
- rectangular;
- square.
Square 
Rectangular According to the type of locking connection, the laminated finish can be:
- with a Lock type lock - the panel is inserted into the groove of the previous panel and hammered in to secure the connection;
- with Click type lock - more modern version, when the panels are simply inserted into one another and snap into place.
Types of locking connection According to the degree of resistance to moisture, the following types of laminate are distinguished:
- non-moisture resistant - intended for living rooms, bedrooms, children's rooms;
- moisture resistant - additionally processed protective compounds, preventing the destructive effects of moisture, suitable for the kitchen;
- waterproof - intended for the bathroom, as it is not at all afraid of water.
Moisture resistance characteristics The most popular options are:
- classic wood effect - panels completely copy the appearance of natural wood with its characteristic pattern of a particular species;
- leather avant-garde - many lovers of sophistication and non-standard interiors will be interested in a floor with a crocodile skin design. This interesting option for offices or a spacious living room;
- metal shine - such panels are actively used when creating high-tech interiors. This style implies a predominance of glass and metal parts, therefore in in this case It is very appropriate to use laminated metal panels;
- laconicism of the stone - a stone-look laminate coating provides a feeling of reliability and eternity. It looks very unusual and original, but in comparison with natural material, a laminated floor with a similar design is very comfortable even for bare feet in terms of its warmth;
- panels with children's designs are also very popular today and are used to decorate children's rooms. They can have different designs and be decorated with custom-designed skirting boards, so they look very funny and interesting.
Children's 
Under the tree 
Under the stone 
Under the skin 
Metal look Division into classes
Based on quality outer covering, laminated boards are divided into several classes, which indicate the level of their resistance to wear.
On the domestic market today, laminate panels of the following classes are presented in a wide variety:
- 21, 22, 23 - initially created exclusively for residential premises where there is no high traffic: 21 and 22 for bedrooms and living rooms, 23 for kitchens. But practice has shown that they have too small a margin of safety if they are created from cheap, low-grade materials. And if they are of high quality, then they turn out to be too high in cost, so over time, the use of such classes of material in residential buildings refused;
- 31 and 32 are optimal for almost every living space: bedroom, living room, corridor, children's room, kitchen. So for the first three options, class 31 will do, but for the second and third it is better to choose class 32;
- Classes 33 and 34 - relevant for use in premises with a high level of traffic. That is, this is a more durable and wear-resistant option. It costs more, but it lasts longer long time;
- 41, 42, 43 class - is not part of the official laminate classification, since it is not endowed international standard. It is often produced in small batches to order, as it is suitable only for industrial use and can withstand high loads.
Which one is better to choose depending on the room?
Which laminate to choose and what should the buyer pay attention to? The main factor determining the choice is the purpose of the room in which the renovation is planned. It is necessary to analyze the conditions that are characteristic of it in order to understand what operational parameters the laminate is needed for finishing the floor here.
Kitchen
The kitchen space is complex in terms of the specific selection of laminated floor boards. And if everything is simple with the design of the coating (focus on your own taste and fashion trends recent years), then you will have to think about the wear resistance class.
The kitchen is characterized by high humidity, food odors, splashes of grease and boiling oil from the stove. Therefore, for finishing floors here, it is better to choose a laminate with an increased degree of resistance to these aggressive factors (class 33 or 34).
Experts also recommend preferring slabs with a chamfer, which will act as an additional protective mechanism to protect panel joints from moisture. Finish strictly rectangular shape Without recesses on the sides, moisture can completely ruin it, leading to deformation of the slabs. And due to the chamfer, the floor will retain its beauty and tightness of the joints. But to be sure, it is better to saturate the joints of the slabs after installation with a special mastic. Then neither water nor steam will spoil the beauty of the repair.
Bathroom
And if you still want to use laminate in the bathroom, you will have to choose waterproof laminate, it is not afraid of moisture, condensation, steam. Its performance parameters are similar to regular tiles, but it is much warmer. Although we won’t hide the fact that this type of laminate is quite expensive. Experienced designers advise choosing a material with a textured surface that will not be slippery. This will increase the level of safety in the bathroom.
Living room, bedroom, children's room
For rooms such as a spacious hall, cozy bedroom or a colorful children's room are important not only good design floor coverings or current level of resistance to impact. But a number of other laminate characteristics must be taken into account for such a space. For example, the noise absorption level for a bedroom is one of the most important parameters in matters of comfort and coziness of this room. Therefore, the laminate, as well as the substrate for it, must be of high quality, which will reduce the likelihood of echoes while walking. This will also protect household members from the risk of annoying squeaking of panels, which can occur over time due to poor-quality floor finishing. You can choose laminate brands with a special soundproofing layer, but this is an additional expense.
Regarding the coating class in living rooms of this type, then 31 or 32 classes are quite enough.
If we are talking about color scheme, then you should select it taking into account the size of the room. Laminate flooring of all colors and shades is suitable for bright and spacious living rooms. But for narrow bedrooms with poor natural lighting dark colors It's better not to buy. It is important to lay here bright hues and place the panels across the room, which will visually expand it.
If we talk about a children's room, then such properties of the laminate as hypoallergenicity, safety, and warmth are important here. It is good to organize a system of heated floors in such a room in combination with a laminated floor. Avoid smooth panels in favor of roughness. This is a safer option for children's games.
Hallway
A hallway or corridor is characterized by a high level of traffic, contact with dirty shoes at the entrance to a house or apartment, and frequent cleaning of the floor in this regard. For these reasons, a moisture-resistant laminate of a high wear resistance class is needed here. If the budget for repairs is limited, then take class 33. And if you have enough money, it is better to choose resistance class 34.
Types of substrates
The selection of a substrate for the laminate is also important, and it can be different:
- cork - natural material highly environmentally friendly, pleasant to the touch, does not rot, provides the floor with high shock absorption, and correctly redistributes the load on the floor when walking. This option is optimal for the bedroom and nursery. But the main rule in this type of substrate is high quality, since low-quality cork will crumble;
- foamed polypropylene - it is not afraid of moisture, as it allows air to pass through itself, providing the finish with excellent ventilation. It is capable of successfully concealing any unevenness in floors, but it cannot be used under high static loads;
- expanded polystyrene - used in case of severe loads on the floor covering. It has a long service life and provides excellent thermal insulation. But polystyrene foam is flammable and can release toxins when burned, so it is better to avoid it in a child’s room or bedroom;
- coniferous substrate - provides adequate ventilation floors, but not very flexible;
- foil backing - capable of creating the effect of a thermos, but quite expensive to sell.
Polypropylene 
Foil 
Polystyrene 
Cork 
Coniferous Manufacturers
As practice shows, more famous manufacturers products are of higher quality, original design. This rule also applies to laminate; many try to choose it according to this principle. The following describes the most popular brands whose laminated panels are worth the attention of buyers in the domestic market.
| Manufacturer name | Localization of production | Product advantages | Product Disadvantages |
| Quick-Step | Production is established in the Russian Federation and Belgium | Artfully imitates aesthetics natural wood, an extremely durable and wear-resistant option (class 32 is even more durable than 33 from other manufacturers), is distinguished by a wide variety of textures and a long service life. | High cost, limited colors in resistance class 33. |
| Kaindl | Austria | Highly environmentally friendly, highly similar to wooden parquet in terms of external aesthetics, a thirty-year quality guarantee from the manufacturer. The FloorUp wall system is available and is intended for wall mounting. | The higher the load level, the shorter the laminate lasts: from 30 to 5 years. |
| Berry Alloc | Belgium and Norway | It is a leader in global quality: it is extremely resistant to moisture, highly durable, and lasts for more than 30 years. | Very expensive for its price. |
| Parador | Germany | Very original in design: wide range of colors, variety of textures, originality of effects. | Average in quality and service life, expensive in cost. |
| Balterio | Belgium | It has high technical parameters and a varied design. | High cost, low scratch resistance. |
When decorating an apartment or house, special attention is paid to the choice of materials. They must be practical, beautiful and modern. The floor covering bears a heavy load. Laminate looks beautiful in different stylistic designs. It differs in different parameters - design, surface, type of lock, wear resistance class.
Laminate has an attractive appearance
Types of material by design
There are several design options. They all have their own characteristics and advantages. The coating looks like original pattern, drawings. Laminate differs in surface texture - rough, matte, shiny, glossy.
Classic wood
Laminate imitates a wooden surface. This is a budget option for replacing parquet boards. Laminated slats in their texture resemble a board made of maple, birch, or oak. By appearance This laminate is in no way inferior to parquet.
Leather luxury
This commercial laminate looks beautiful in offices or living rooms. Its texture imitates crocodile skin. You can try decorating the walls in this style to get an unusual design.
This collection is produced by Proteco and Classen. They do not belong to budget series, so it is important to take this parameter into account. The Russian company Ritter offers more budget options that also imitate genuine leather different reptiles. This flooring looks beautiful and unusual.
"Leather" floors in modern interior look beautiful and unusual Metallic shine
This is one of the directions of design. Three-strip laminate with a metallic sheen looks beautiful in modern stylistic room designs. The Kronotex brand attracts attention with German quality.
You can buy laminate with a metallic sheen from the Design Cargo Metal collection. It is most appropriately applied in living room, night club, mall. There are different varieties of shades and textures, so everyone can make a choice.
Read also:— classification of species, scope of application
Stone calm
The stone floor looks beautiful. It is characterized by strength and reliability. They are quite cold and not very comfortable for the feet. To make a floor from porcelain tiles you need to spend a lot of money.
Manufacturers of laminated coating decided to offer alternative options to expand the possibilities for the stylistic design of houses, apartments, and office premises. Many collections feature non-flammable laminate, which has a pleasant texture that closely replicates the appearance of stone.
The production of such flooring is carried out by such well-known factories as Kronotex, Egger, Witex, Parador. Laminate from the “stone” collections looks beautiful in corridors, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Designer laminate
Designer collections attract with their appearance. Buyers will be able to choose laminate flooring from a wide and varied selection. They attract with modern shades and abstract lines.
One of the main advantages is the presence of unusual patterns and exclusive textures. Manufacturer Kronotex offers unique products with map images printed on the surface.
This option is great for organizing a pop art style. To make the room more comfortable, you can buy laminate from this collection, which in appearance is similar to canvas or burlap.
Designer laminate looks beautiful and unusual in any interior Brands in Australia produce original Soft Toush collections. They look harmonious in children's rooms, playgrounds. The surface is decorated using original stamps, drawings, and patterns that are burned into wood.
No less interesting: , brands, classes
Differences in laminate surface
Laminate differs not only in types and properties, but also in the texture of the first protective layer. It is this parameter that affects the appearance of the floor covering.
Classic wooden surface
Laminate has smooth surface. The boards have a natural and natural look. The top layer has almost invisible pits and dashes. They completely imitate natural wood, which has pores. They can be clearly seen without using a magnifying glass.
Look of aged wood
When a tree is under open air, then it tends to age. The surface changes its original appearance. To make such a unique laminated coating, manufacturers smooth out irregularities.
Gloss
The laminated coating with shine looks very beautiful and original. This type of flooring is most appropriate in the kitchen because the shine is immediately visible upon entering. It helps give a clean effect. Laminate is similar to boards made of natural wood, which are varnished in several layers.
Glossy laminate looks unusual and beautiful Texture
Fibers are clearly visible on the surface of the wood. It seems that the material is natural. The relief appears slightly. The Egger company produces a unique Emotion collection, which combines original style and high quality. Thanks to innovative and modern technologies, the effect of natural wood is achieved.
Relief
There are thin lines and indentations along the entire length. They are located along the entire length of the laminated board. main feature– they do not copy the wood board pattern. This laminate replicates slight roughness.
Natural surface
Wood and other natural products must be varnished in several layers so that they retain their texture and original appearance for a long time. The laminate from the natural surface collection has pores and patterns throughout its entire surface that are characteristic of wood. There is a protective film on top that prevents moisture penetration.
Shea tree
This is a laminate with a matte surface. There are no pores or other depressions on it. Each board is perfectly smooth, even, without holes along its entire length. Visually, the slats are more reminiscent of natural wood that has been carefully processed grinder, opened with one layer of varnish.
Waxed surface
Wood can be waxed to give it an attractive and original appearance. This treatment creates an internal shine. It gives a feeling of comfort and coziness.
The coating is barely noticeable. This laminate with a slight shine is increasingly used for furnishing living rooms, bedrooms, corridors, and office spaces.
Country
IN country cottages looks great country style. Country flooring has the appearance and texture of natural wood, which has been processed using a plane. A large relief is clearly visible on the surface, which has been slightly smoothed to give it a finished look.
Laminate shape
When choosing a laminate for a house or apartment, you need to pay attention to the shape.
When choosing, you need to pay attention to a wide selection of shapes Rectangular board
Laminated boards have a length of 1.5 to 2 meters. Thanks to this, craftsmen will be able to do masonry in different rooms. The slats are equipped with convenient locks that simplify the installation process.
Tile
To create a more complex pattern, you can lay laminate flooring in the form of square tiles. Its cost is several times higher, but the flooring does not require a substrate. Thanks to this, costs can be reduced. One of the main advantages is that the tiles can be laid at home, installation is simple.
Note! Repairing tiles is much more difficult, so you will have to re-arrange a certain area of the room to replace the broken part.
Differences in laminate by connection locks
Just a few years ago, to attach laminate boards you had to use adhesive composition. Manufacturers have developed a unique and convenient way to connect the parts together.
Lock type locks (drive-in)
This type of lock was invented several years ago. There is a shaped protrusion at one end. On the other lamella there is a recess that allows you to insert the laminate and snap them securely.
During installation, each part is securely connected. To make the flooring reliable, you need to tap the top with a mallet. It has a wooden or rubber tip. Among large quantity advantages, this type of connection also has its disadvantages:
- work must be carried out by an experienced craftsman;
- under heavy loads and traffic, such a lock will last for several years;
- If you place heavy furniture, unsightly deformations and cracks begin to appear.
When the base of the floor has unevenness, holes and depressions, the locks quickly fail.
Laminate can be so attractive that people who want to install a new floor covering on an old floor always consider this material as one of the main contenders. True, few can tell you what laminate flooring is. Therefore, this article is devoted to this material and its types.
This flooring is a chipboard board, which manufacturers cover with special materials. Most upper layer boards are presented transparent protective film, for the creation of which enterprises use melamine or acrylate resin. The main function of such a film is to protect and preserve the texture of the decorating layer. It also does not allow the material to deform when placed along or across the floor with small differences.
Flooring composition The second layer is paper with a pattern or design. Under the paper is itself chipboard. She has a very high density, because its task is to ensure the strength of the lamella. During its manufacture, companies use formaldehyde or acrylic resins. It is not always recommended to lay material with first resins along or across the room, since formaldehyde is a dangerous substance. True, it is released when the die heats up to a temperature greater than 26 degrees Celsius. Chipboard with acrylic resins is environmentally friendly.
The chipboard also has grooves and ridges for fastening.
Under this layer the manufacturer places a stabilizing layer. It is a moisture-resistant paper that is designed to eliminate the possibility of deformation of the material.
Thanks to this, the sound, having overcome the old floor, does not reach the ears of the owners of the house.
The structure of the lamellas may have other layers.
There are two main types of laminate:
- domestic;
- commercial.
The first is intended for use in residential buildings. The second one needs to be installed on company premises. The commercial type has better performance characteristics. Therefore, it is often used by home owners who place boards across or along the room during installation. Despite the differences, builders for both types use the same methods of laying laminate, which partially influence the calculation of the need for material.
Placed along or across the room, as well as in the doorway, household slats are divided into three classes: 21, 22, 23. The first is the most delicate, and it is recommended to install it on the old floor of the room in which people sleep or which is used very rarely. Practice shows that this class of coating lasts for several years. Therefore, it is rarely taken into account.
Laminate classes Class 22 is recommended for the living room. It is often placed in the doorway. As calculations show, it lasts 4 years. Class 23 material is more durable. Experts who calculated the service life of this flooring note that it can last 4-6 years. Although manufacturers designate it for the hallway, it can be laid across or along the floors of quieter rooms.
Commercial type classes are 31-33. The first one was created with the expectation of use in small offices. He serves there for two to three years. In any doorway of the house - about ten years.
The 32nd class was developed taking into account the normal industrial sector (for example, hotels). Shelf life: 5-6 years. For highly trafficked business premises, where people walk up and down the halls, and also often stop in the doorway, class 33 was developed.
Manufacturers also designate their products by classes AC1-AC5.
They indicate the ability of the protective layer to resist wear. Experts recommend taking this into account when calculating the amount of money needed to replace the old floor with a laminate one. In addition, there is .
This characteristic is one of the important parameters that different types of laminate have. It determines what the overall strength of the coating placed on the floor of the room and in the doorway will be, as well as how long it can stretch under the weight of a person. It is worth adding that in addition to thickness, the “life” of the material largely determines.
Thickness can vary from 6 to 12 millimeters.
Laminate thickness may vary The larger it is, the more reliable material to replace the floor. But here the calculation is still the following: increasing the thickness makes the boards more expensive.
Laminated dies can be joined various types locks Depending on this feature, various methods of laying laminate are used. The most common types are Click and Lock.
Common types: Click and Lock Installation of boards with the first type involves inserting the ridge into the groove at a certain angle and lowering the lamella down. During lowering, the lock latches. A very convenient type of lock, because at the end of installation, all that is needed to lay the laminate is only human hands. The bracket is practically not needed.
The second type of lock is the oldest. It is such that the ridge can fit into the groove only when the boards are in the same plane. Of course, this plane is the old floor with underlay. In order for the lock to close, you need to hit the block attached to the lamella with a hammer.
Installation of boards For hammering boards last row a special bracket is used. It gives extra space for the hammer to move. It is worth adding that during installation not only a bracket and a hammer are used, but also wedges. They fix the coating. Wedges also create additional space for its possible expansion.
Wedges are used for installing material with any type of lock, regardless of the laying pattern of the laminate, and also whether the dies will be placed along, across or diagonally in the room.
There are types of laminate with other types of locks. They depend on the specific manufacturer and have various features. However, they are all advanced forms of the above two.
The surface of the laminate can imitate any pattern.
Manufacturers make it both smooth and textured.
Of course, these features also affect the types of laminate flooring.
Laminate classes The smooth surface is divided into:
- matte;
- semi-matte;
- glossy.
Any of these surfaces may have a different pattern, which may partially influence the options for laying the laminate (for example, if you need to assemble some kind of composition).
The textured surface repeats the texture of various materials: wood, tiles, marble and so on.
Since companies produce laminate flooring for rooms with different conditions, and also want to stand out from their competitors, they endow the product with special properties, which they communicate through labeling. It can talk about hygiene, the ability to install on a warm floor, resistance to water, sun rays, exposure to solid objects, fire. All markings are collected in the photo below.
All markings As you can see, today you can choose a laminate for any aesthetic requirements and operating conditions. There are a huge number of varieties, and each option is created for easy installation throughout the room, near pipes, thresholds and in doorways.
Video
Today you will learn what to look for when buying laminate, what are its main characteristics and installation features.
This material will help you understand how attractive laminate flooring can be.
Photo source: remontnikdoma.ru, prorabam.ru
Laminate is one of the most popular floor covering materials. The fact is that it has an acceptable cost and looks very similar to natural wood. But before carrying out repairs, you need to consider the types of laminate. This will help you decide what kind of cladding is needed for your home.
Laminate consists of several layers:
- The basis. The rigidity of the tiles depends on it. The base is usually made of fiberboard or chipboard. The thicker this layer, the stronger the material will be.
- Kraft paper. It serves to protect the lower surface of the base from moisture penetration.
- Decorative layer. Here it is used special paper, on which the drawing is applied. It is glued to the upper surface of the base.
- Polymer film. She protects decorative layer from erasing.
During production, additional layers can be added: substrate, natural veneer made of wood, moisture-proof shell, protective corundum coating.
Despite the fact that the laminate pattern is not natural, in expensive types of this material it is printed very realistically.
Product types by class
Before purchasing such cladding, you should consider its types according to. This parameter determines where you can lay the laminate:
- 21, 22 and 23 grades. This material is different in that it has the most low level wear resistance. That is, it cannot be used where there is constant high traffic of people, and in conditions high humidity. Most often it is spread in bedrooms and is also used as temporary flooring. Although class 23 has almost all the necessary technical characteristics to use it in residential areas with light loads.
- 31-33 grade. This material is installed in rooms where floors are subject to intense loads. It can be used in corridors and hallways.
Laminate classes according to wear resistance - . It is the most durable and can even withstand contact with water for several hours. This lining is extremely resistant to wear. Typically, this material is used in restaurants, dance floors, public institutions(schools, hospitals).
- 42, 43 - a special premium class, which is made to order. It is used in airports and train stations, as well as in those rooms where the floor is subject to the heaviest load. It is not advisable to use such material in a residential setting, since you simply cannot create a strong load on it at home. In addition, cladding of this class is very expensive.
Classification of material according to the degree of resistance to moisture
In this case, we can distinguish the following types of laminate flooring:
- . It can be used in the bathroom or. This material is not afraid of moisture, as it is additionally treated with protective resins or wax.
- Water resistant. It can withstand direct contact with liquid for several hours. At the same time, additionally waxed locks do not allow water to pass under the floor covering.
Types of products by decorative qualities
The following types of material can be distinguished:
- Glossy. It has a special shine. The surface of the laminate is polished. The disadvantage of the presented floor covering is that it is slippery. In addition, it leaves footprints on it.
- Natural. This does not mean the present wood covering. It’s just that the product is very similar to a natural board. All pores and knots are drawn very realistically. This floor covering also has a shine, but it is not bright, but more silky.
- Waxed. In appearance, this laminate flooring is very similar to wood, well impregnated with wax. The coating has a slight shine, which indicates high quality material.
- Relief (texture). This laminate resembles natural wood. The texture of the picture is drawn so well that at first glance the coating can be mistaken for floorboards.
- Matte. The presented material does not have a bright shine. It is most often used in children's rooms and in the kitchen, as it is considered non-slip. In addition, there are practically no footprints left on it. And you don’t need to polish it as often as glossy.
- Country laminate. In appearance, this product resembles embossed aged material.
Matte, country and waxed laminate Before choosing a floor covering, you need to consider it technical specifications, as well as features of subsequent operation.
Types of product according to installation method
This factor is one of the main ones when choosing a material. There are several ways to fix tiles:
- Glue. This method ensures the most reliable fixation of products on the base surface. However, installation in this case is labor-intensive and also takes a lot of time. And you cannot remove the floor covering and move it from one room to another. Repairing laminate flooring after gluing the tiles is also very difficult.
- Castle. It provides for fixing tiles without the use of glue and is additionally divided into two types.
Lock system
This type of lock is characterized by the presence of a latch, which is a tongue on one side of the tile and a groove on the other. In order to connect the elements, you must use a rubber hammer and a wooden block. Please note that you cannot hit the tiles directly with the hammer. It is advisable that the floor assembly be carried out by an experienced craftsman. The fact is that the thorns are very delicate, and if used improperly they can be damaged. In the event of a breakdown, the damaged element will be difficult to replace.
Click system
The laminate in this case differs more complex design. However, assembling the coating is very simple, so even a person who has never held a hammer in his hands can carry it out. The peculiarity of the planks is that they are connected at a certain angle - 45 degrees. There is no need to put in any effort. The presented connection method makes it possible to disassemble the covering and move it to another room. Another advantage of such a system is that it does not deform over time.
If you use the adhesive installation method, then in this case it is better to additionally seal the joints between the planks.
That's all the types of laminate. Naturally, when choosing, you should pay attention to the manufacturer. The material must be certified and have no claims from other buyers. Leave comments on the article - express your opinion or share your experience!
At the end, a series of 6 video instructions on choosing various types laminate: