How to choose a laminate, selection criteria - the pros and cons of different types. Interview with the master. What is the best quality laminate? Customer reviews Moisture resistance
Laminate - became a universal floor covering, so it is used in completely different conditions. It is well suited for both home and commercial use. And all due to the fact that its varieties, although not a great many, but they have different characteristics. Therefore, this flooring has become universal.
It differs not only in the manufacturer, color and size of the board, but also in the classes that contain the characteristics of abrasion, moisture resistance, shock resistance and others. Now let's find out how to chooselaminate wear resistance class and which one is better to use in which rooms.
Knowing the main features of these characteristics, you will easily select a floor covering that will meet your requirements and significantly save on unnecessary properties that are not essential for use in this type of premises. If all the conditions are chosen correctly, the flooring will delight you with its chic look for many years.
Why are they divided into classes?
Ever since laminate flooring has taken root in the sex scene, the companies that make it and the people who buy it have grown exponentially. Therefore, a controlling organization was created, which prevented the flooding of the market with products of inadequate quality. And with the introduction of certain standards and norms, it has become much easier for the consumer to navigate when choosing this product. In the distant 1999 Western The laminate flooring manufacturers have formed an association (EPLF). In turn, this membership in this association is an indicator of the quality of this company. In our homeland, of course, quality control is not as good as in the West, and therefore the products of domestic manufacturers are classified according to abrasion tests.
Why Choose Laminate?
Very easy to install. The boards are simply connected to each other using locking joints: click( that snap), this type of connection is considered to be more reliable and lock( who are driven in).
Does not require special attention in cleaning. Generally enough once a week to pass the vacuum cleaner.
Very durable (depending on the class). Hairpins from ladies' heels, claws of pets, cigarette burns, furniture wheels - all this is a laminate to sneeze at!
A wide selection of styles and colors. You can easily choose exactly the pattern and size that suits your design solution.
Environmentally friendly (only high-quality models). Will never cause allergies or other skin and asthmatic diseases.
Not hot. Easily tolerates high temperatures and does not support combustion.
Starts at a low price. Due to the low pricing policy (again, dependence on the class and manufacturer) is in good demand.
Therefore, having weighed all the advantages of the laminate, some people use it not only as a floor covering, but also for finishing walls, and sometimes ceilings.
Testing
European classification The EN 13329 laminate standard includes 18 different tasks. The laminate is marked at the exit depending on the result of this testing.
The results of studies of different types of the same class may vary, since each manufacturer himself tests the products.
The following are the tests that are carried out:
- Abrasion resistance.
- Resistance to
- impact resistance.
- High temperature tolerance.
- Stratification test.
- Fade resistance .
- Testing resistance to household chemicals.
- Slip resistance.
- Absorbed water swelling test.
- Emission test.
In fact, there are a lot of tests, this is only a part of the most basic ones.
In order to test manufactured products, the following actions are carried out in the laboratory: a special device is attached to the front side(Taber abrameter) with a grinding wheel, in the end, for how many revolutions the protective coating will be erased will be the determining factorwear resistance class of laminate.
I would like to note that according to the new method, the measurement standards have changed. According to the old tradition of measurement, the abrasive paper of a special circle was changed every 500 circles, and according to the new technology it needs to be changed every 200 circles, this leads to more intensive abrasion with each new plate of the laminate. And due to these innovations, manufacturers often indicate both parameters at once, both according to the old scheme and according to the new one.
table of correspondence
| Designation symbols | Load level in use | Application area | Abrasion coefficient | |
| According to EN 438 | According to EN 13329 | |||
| Living spaces | ||||
| 21 | light | office, bedroom, closet | ≥2000 | ≥900 |
| 22 | average | nursery, living room | ≥2000 | ≥900 |
| 23 | high | kitchen, corridor, hallway | ≥6000 | ≥2500 |
| public spaces | ||||
| 31 | light | The meeting room | ≥6000 | ≥2500 |
| 32 | average | Office, boutique, reception | ≥10000 | ≥4000 |
| 33 | high | Gym, bar, cafe, shop | ≥15000 | ≥6500 |
Classification
An important criterion when choosing any floor finishes is to understand what functions it will perform. After that, it will become clear which laminate is better for a particular room. It would seem yes? - take the most durable and sculpt it everywhere. But no, the prices for different types of laminate differ significantly. And sometimes it does not make sense to overpay for the most wear-resistant laminate, laying it, for example, in the bedroom, where in fact there is no particular load.
The entire laminate is divided into 6 classes according to wear resistance. Half are residential and half are commercial.
Surely you are not going to live your whole life without repairs. If we take the average calculation, the replacement of the flooring occurs every five years, for one reason or another. Someone gets tired of the color, someone wears out from careless use. Yes, lots of options. If if you do not plan to use this coating for a long time, then the models will surely suit you 21st, 22nd or 23rd grade. They are endowed with medium technical characteristics and are perfect for flooring in the hallway and in the bedroom. On the other hand, if according to the design project it is planned to use laminate in the kitchen or in the bathroom, then you should pay attention to a laminate of at least class 31. Which will last longer in such conditions.
If you are purchasing a flooring for use in an office or a small shop, for example, the laminate should also have enhanced performance. In this case, choosing which laminate is better directly depends on the wear resistance class. The best solution would be a laminate with the number 33.
Due to the reorientation of potential buyers to laminated coatings of increased strength, in the production of laminate, the coating of the 31st class or 33rd class has become increasingly used. Today, in the production of wood panels, a protective coating of class 31 or more is increasingly used. Therefore, the most common type of laminate wear resistance has become the 32nd class. With proper operation, the service life reaches about 20 years.
Both commercial and domestic laminate should always have a pictogram on the box that shows a picture that defines the class of this laminate. (see figure below). By memorizing these drawings, you will easily understand.
Household laminate
Laminate with wear resistance classes 21, 22, 23 falls into this category. The price category is average. TOwhich class of laminate is the best from this category is up to you, do not forget just dLongevity with proper care of two years.
21 class
Term wear resistance, subject to the rules of operation, fluctuates around 2 years old. The main reason for this was the lack of quality protective layer. Recommended for use in utility rooms or closets.
22 class
It has a slightly more reliable protective layer. Recommended for use in areas with low traffic (bedroom, toilet). The service life, subject to the rules of operation, does not exceed 2-3 years.
Cunning!
To extend the life of this class of laminate, you can go for a trick! Laying a carpet or original carpet on top of it in the middle of the room.
23 class
It is a modernized version of the previous class. Wear resistance is slightly increased. Focused on medium traffic. Service life does not exceed 4 years. So it turns out that there are differentlaminate classes and which one is better to choose is up to you.
commercial laminate
31 class
Is the cheapest in this category. It is mainly used in commercial premises with low traffic. In commercial operation, it will last no more than 3-4 years, and if in domestic use, sometimes the service life reaches 10 years. The initial price of a square meter of the 31st class of laminate is 200 rubles.
32 class
The most popular class of laminate in Russia. It will go as the best solution in terms of price-quality ratio. In the office, this coating will stand in its original state, subject to the rules of operation, for no more than 5 years, and when used in domestic conditions, the service life reaches 12-15 years. For this type of laminate, prices start at 700 rubles per square meter.
33 class
Proven due to its excellent durability. Unless, of course, we take into account class 34, which is not officially available. This coating is suitable for hotels, dance floors, or restaurants where traffic is very high.
It owes its durability to a thickened lamella (10-12mm), despite the fact that it is designed for commercial use, the service life of this coating will be more than 6 years. And if you decide to lay such a coating at home, then it will serve you for more than 20 years, and some manufacturers even give a lifetime warranty. Accordingly, if it is properly looked after. The cost per square meter of such a laminate is around 1500 rubles.
Cunning!
Laminate class 33 with parquet texture in appearance is sometimes confused with real parquet.
Class 34
Recognized in the world as the most durable and wear-resistant type of laminate. Able to take on the load of a gym, car dealership or airport waiting room. At home, rarely does anyone acquire this type, in view of its high cost, which starts from 1800 rubles. The most wear-resistant class. Withstands the loads typical for gyms, car dealerships, airport halls. Few decide to buy a 34-class laminate for a home, since its price starts at 1,800 rubles per square meter. m. But when using it at home, manufacturers Alloc and Pergo give a lifetime warranty. By the way, they are manopolists in the market for the production of this class of laminate flooring.
In lab tests, this 34 laminate performs even better than the EPLF rating and is therefore considered a premium laminate.
So the answer to the questionwhich laminate is better to lay in the apartment will be class 33, again depending on how long you plan not to make another repair and what is the budget of the current one.
Conclusion
It is not always necessary to purchase top-class laminate flooring. An important criterion for making such a decision will be taking into account the patency of the covered area. In an apartment, it is better to lay a laminate at numbers 31 and 32, due to a moderate load and low traffic, this will be enough. In this case, it is worth considering the parameters of moisture resistance (if you plan to cover the bathroom or kitchen). Laminated dies of the 33rd class Perfect for both home and commercial use. And if the planned loads on the floor are very high, they recommend a laminate with the number 34.
Moisture resistant laminate 33 class
Video instruction
Laminate is a modern floor covering. It is widely believed that this artificial substitute for natural parquet is very expensive and unreliable. In addition, many believe that he is afraid of moisture, and six years after installation, he will need to be replaced. Until recently, this was the case. However, today the leading manufacturers of building materials offer their customers high quality laminate. Its service life is within twenty years or more. How can a buyer determine the best quality laminate? To do this, you need to clarify its wear resistance class. This parameter of the flooring is affixed only after the so-called taber test. Belonging to one class or another will indicate the quality of the coating.
Compound
What is a laminate? This is a panel consisting of several layers. Let's consider them in more detail. The topmost layer of an artificial parquet panel is a hardened mass of acrylic or melamine resin. Which laminate is the highest quality and least wear-resistant? The one in which this layer has the greatest thickness.
By production, this coating is made of acrylic with corundum. Such a surface not only shines, but also wears out a little. This ability is given to the laminate by corundum, which in its hardness does not lag behind diamond.
The second layer of artificial parquet is considered decorative. It is made from paper with a specific pattern. Thanks to this layer, the floor panel acquires its appearance. Here, the possibilities of manufacturers are not limited. The laminate can have a wood structure, look like sand, stone, marble, etc. That is why the second, decorative layer of the laminate is important when developing the design of the room. And this is fifty percent of the success of the repair work.
As for the third, next layer, this is nothing more than a stabilizer waterproofing. It is a waterproof film. Thanks to this layer, the artificial parquet does not swell when water gets on it. Some varieties of laminate can even hold a puddle on their surface for three days without harming the panel.
The next, fourth layer is the thickest. This is a stabilizing board made of high-strength fiberboard. This layer determines the dimensions of the laminate itself, which is 6, 8, 10 and 12 millimeters thick. The larger the values \u200b\u200bof these dimensions, the better the quality of the lock that is cut around the perimeter will be.
And the last, the bottom layer is kraft paper. This is the protection of the stabilizing plate from moisture. In some brands of laminate, a substrate is additionally glued to the bottom layer. This increases the price of artificial parquet.
Classification
Laminate, like all types of building materials, is divided into certain types. According to this classification, artificial parquet is:
- moisture resistant (for rooms with high humidity);
- ordinary.
Each of the listed types is divided into classes that indicate the density of the panel, its wear resistance and reliability. Choosing a quality laminate should begin by looking at these characteristics. If the class of the panel you are considering is in the range from 21 to 23, then this coating is suitable for home use. At the same time, it is worth remembering that a larger number indicates a greater wear resistance of artificial parquet. Thus, the highest quality laminate for an apartment corresponds to class 23. A coating with a high value for residential buildings is not worth looking for.
And for offices, shops and other premises with high traffic, which laminate is of the highest quality? Reviews of experts and users give an unequivocal answer to this question. related to 31-33 class. Industrial and office spaces need a more durable floor that can carry more than one thousand feet. When using in such cases a lower class of panels, the coating will quickly fail.
But some manufacturers have gone further. To date, they offer 34 grade laminate. This type of artificial parquet is available from Aloc. However, if you compare this laminate with the class 33 panels manufactured by Tarkett, you will notice that the accompanying documentation in both cases guarantees up to twenty-five years of operation under the same conditions.
Method for determining classiness
How does a manufacturer determine a high-quality, good laminate? To do this, the panels undergo a taber test for wear resistance. It consists in checking the laminate with a rotating abrasive wheel. This or that number of revolutions will indicate the class of the material and the degree of its wear resistance. The disk is rotated until the top transparent layer of the panel is completely erased. For a commercial line, which laminate is the best quality? Reviews of experts indicate that these are panels that have passed the number of revolutions from 6 to 20 thousand (depending on their class).
The parameters of such testing are indicated in the accompanying documents of each batch. Their designation is as follows:
- IP - gives an indication of the number of revolutions that the abrasive disc made before any visible damage appeared on the panel.
- FP - indicates the phase in which ninety-five percent abrasion of the top layer occurs;
- AT is the average value.
Each of the classes of artificial parquet has its own minimum wear resistance value (IP) and maximum wear resistance (FP). According to the parameters, what is the best quality laminate? Reviews of experts indicate that these values \u200b\u200bshould be close to optimal. However, this does not mean at all that each of the buyers should strive to buy a laminate of 33 or even 34 classes. It is necessary to purchase those panels that are designed for the load falling on the floor covering in the room for a specific purpose.
Panel selection by class and purpose of premises
How to choose a quality laminate for an apartment? To do this, first of all, you need to pay attention to the class of panels. An important factor will be the appointment of a particular room. As mentioned above, for apartments it is recommended to purchase a laminate of 21, 22 and 23 classes. At the same time, the least wear-resistant is suitable for a bedroom and an office. Panels assigned to class 22 will be a good floor covering for the living room and nursery. A higher category of material is recommended for hallways, loggias and kitchens. It should be borne in mind that for apartments and private houses, panels from class 21 to 23 are an inexpensive but high-quality laminate. After all, it is used in rooms with low traffic.
Laminate, starting from 31 and ending with a rare 34 class (it is produced in small batches due to the high cost), is used in public places and offices. That is, where a large number of people pass every day. What class of artificial parquet is used in a particular room? So, it is recommended to apply:
- 31 class - for offices and rest rooms;
- Grade 32 - in offices, classrooms and reception rooms;
- Class 33 - for shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, gyms, medical institutions and receptions.
It is worth mentioning that some owners, when deciding how to choose a high-quality laminate for an apartment, buy panels of a commercial type. Of course, if the necessary financial resources are available, this can be quite expedient. It will be possible to walk on such a laminate in heels, besides, it will not be damaged if a heavy object falls on it, and it will not sag under the load of heavy furniture. And the service life of commercial artificial parquet of class 31-34 will be approximately two decades, while the period of using a cheaper coating will not exceed 5-10 years.
Panel thickness selection
There is another criterion that will help answer the question of which laminate is of the highest quality. Reviews of experts advise choosing artificial parquet according to its thickness. In this case, you will need to remember some basic rules that are directly related to this indicator. The thickness of the main layer made of fiberboard determines the tightness of the panels to each other. The larger these dimensions, the stronger the joint.
In addition, the requirements for the surface on which the thin laminate is applied are more stringent. It must be perfectly smooth and flawlessly even, and this complicates the construction work.
Directly affects its sound-absorbing properties. The price of artificial parquet also depends on this parameter. How to choose a quality laminate according to this characteristic? Here again, one should take into account the room where it will be placed. Thus, panels from classes 21 to 23 are produced with a thickness of 6-8 mm, and the values \u200b\u200bof this indicator for panels with greater wear resistance are in the range of 10-12 millimeters.
Moisture resistance selection
How to choose a high-quality laminate that would not deteriorate from washing with a damp cloth? To do this, choose the right type of floor panel. As mentioned above, the laminate is moisture resistant and ordinary. So, the second of these types of artificial parquet is afraid of water. It is not intended for use in areas with high humidity. In addition, such panels are able to swell with prolonged contact with water. That is why in rooms where a conventional laminate is used, it is possible to carry out wet cleaning with only a slight contact of the floor surface with water.
Another thing is moisture resistant panels. They are not afraid of wet daily cleaning. In addition, they will not deteriorate even if someone spills something on the floor. That is why this material can be safely laid in the kitchen or in the hallway.
visual assessment
How to choose a quality laminate? The panels offered in the store are worth smelling. A strong smell indicates a bad product. What is the quality laminate? One that has no odor.
Experts also recommend comparing the proposed instances of panels by weight. What is the highest quality professionals recommend purchasing panels of greater weight. lightweight laminate is made from boards of low density and thickness. And this is confirmation of its worst quality.
Also, in order to determine which laminate is of the highest quality, it is necessary to consider it from the side of the long end. The product must be perfectly straight. The presence of any bends on it is evidence of improper or very long storage. It is especially harmful to keep ordinary panels in stock. But for a moisture-resistant laminate, a long shelf life is not a reason for deterioration in quality.
If, as a result of a long stay in a warehouse, an ordinary laminate has absorbed moisture, then after laying such boards dry out. Their surface swells and becomes covered with ugly spots, and cracks appear at the joints.
Select country of origin
What is the best quality laminate? When buying artificial parquet, it is recommended to ask the country where this building material was produced. And here it is worth bearing in mind that almost all brands of high-quality laminate are produced in Europe. Domestic materials, as a rule, delight buyers only with prices. As for their quality, it disappoints most of our compatriots.
Unfortunately, a third of the Russian laminate market is occupied by cheap Chinese goods. Moreover, the problem here lies not at all in the producing country, but in the importers. In China, there are a large number of factories producing the highest quality laminate. However, our customers, in order to maximize profits, bring artificial parquet produced in factories engaged in handicraft production. Of course, the price of such panels is low, which allows sellers to earn large sums. But it is worth bearing in mind that such panels can be made from MDF, and not from high density. In addition, they do not correspond to the class declared in the accompanying documents. To attract buyers, such a product is placed in a beautiful package, on which high indicators that do not correspond to these plates are placed.
How not to let yourself be deceived?
How to get the best quality laminate? The manufacturer of building material must be large and have already established itself in the consumer market. The floor covering can also be produced by a little-known brand, but it must be from a factory with a good reputation. Only in this case you will definitely buy a quality laminate.
Laminate(from English. laminate– layering) is a floor covering based on laminated fibreboard (MDF) or chipboard (chipboard) boards with high density, strength and rigidity.
Laminate flooring has a very beautiful aesthetic appearance, low cost compared to natural flooring and practicality in use. Such properties of the laminate have recently led to its widespread use in civil engineering.
Laminate was first made at the end of the 19th century in Sweden based on wood, with low compressive strength and abrasion. Initially, laminate was created as a relatively cheap flooring alternative to parquet. In the modern world, laminate is made using two technologies. : high (HPL) and direct pressure (DPL). HPL technology is used to produce high quality expensive laminate. DPL technology consists in simultaneous pressing and gluing of all layers. This laminate is cheaper, but the quality is worse than HPL laminate.
Now a huge variety of laminate is being produced, imitating not only parquet and wood texture, but also the surface of other floor coverings, such as ceramic tiles, natural stone, carpets, leather. (photo 1.).
Photo 1. Varieties of laminate texture
Laminate layers
In most cases, the laminate consists of 4 layers (photo 2.):
- Top layer film consists of acrylate or melamine resin with high strength and wear resistance. The surface layer may also be polyurethane.
- Second layer- consists of decorative paper that imitates the surface of different types of wood or other building material.
- Third layer (main)- consists of high-strength fibreboard (MDF) or chipboard (chipboard), which is designated HDF or HDF (High Density Flag) and has a thickness of 6.6 ... 7.7 mm.
- fourth layer- consists of moisture-resistant paper impregnated with resins or paraffin. Performs the function of a stabilizer.
Photo 2. Varieties of laminate structure
The surface of the laminate can be:
- solid smooth (matte, semi-matte, glossy);
- textured (imitating another material, with all kinds of chamfers and bulges).
Laminate is produced in the following parameters:
- laminate thickness from 6 to 14 mm. The thickness of the laminate depends on its thermal conductivity and strength. Also, its price depends on the thickness of the laminate: the thicker, the more expensive.
- width from 90 to 400 mm, but the most common is 185 ... 200 mm.
- length 1200 ... 1400 mm (some manufacturers produce up to 2 m long).
The main properties of the laminate
- Strength. This is the main property of the laminate. Laminate is classified by strength class:
- Class 21, 22, 23 (household, home laminate) - strength sufficient for the operation of the laminate at home;
- Class 31, 32, 33 (commercial, office laminate) - strength, allowing it to be used as a floor covering in office and home premises.
The thickness of the laminate has some connection with the class:
- Class 31: thickness up to 8 mm;
- Class 32: thickness 7…12 mm;
- Class 33: thickness 8…12 mm.
- wear resistance. Laminate is also classified into wear classes: AC1, AC2, AC3, AC4 and AC5. The maximum wear-resistant class is AC5.
- Water resistance. Because laminate is primarily made from fiberboard or chipboard, it is not a waterproof flooring material.
In relation to water and moisture, the laminate is divided into:
- ordinary laminate (not moisture resistant, class 21, 22);
- moisture resistant laminate (class 23, 31);
- waterproof laminate (class 32, 33, 34).
The “sore” place of the laminate is the joints where water can get in, which will lead to soaking and swelling of the material. To increase moisture resistance, the joints of the laminate are glued with a water-repellent composition, and fiberboard (HDF) is additionally impregnated with a water repellent. Such a laminate can be laid in the kitchen, in the toilet, but still, with prolonged contact with water, it swells.
A waterproof laminate that can even be used in a bathtub and a bath includes a vinyl laminate or a laminate in which fiberboard is replaced with plastic. Laminate with increased resistance to moisture and water is called "aqua-laminate".
- Soundproofing. The sound insulation of a conventional laminate is low, which is due to its hardness and rigidity. To reduce noise when walking on a laminate floor and increase sound insulation, a sound-absorbing substrate 2 ... 4 mm thick is used ( photo 3.):
- cork;
- cardboard;
- foamed polyethylene;
- synthetic winterizer;
- felt;
- synthetic winterizer with metal foil.
The substrate is also able to level out small unevenness of the floor, which is important. It is not recommended to use a substrate with a thickness of 5 mm or more, since the laminate can sag over time, and the locks can fail. The absence of a substrate under the laminate leads to its rapid wear.
Photo 3. Varieties of laminate substrates
By using tab. 1, you can choose the most suitable underlay for your laminate flooring.
Table 1
Comparison table of material properties of various parquet/laminate substrates
|
Material type |
Properties |
|||||
|
Ensuring sound comfort in the room |
Smoothing uneven floors |
Rot and mold resistance |
Ease of installation |
Impact on the human body |
||
|
Styrofoam |
||||||
|
Cross-linked polyethylene foam |
||||||
|
Non-crosslinked polyethylene foam |
||||||
Note: ++ is great; + good; - Badly
- Fire resistance. Laminate is resistant to high temperatures. Combustibility class of material G1…G2.
- biostable material. Insects and bacteria do not start, it does not grow moldy.
- Resistance to chemical cleaning agents(the laminate of a class 31…34 has the increased firmness).
- UV resistance. Fastness of color (the laminate of a class 31…34 has the increased firmness). Laminate of classes 21 ... 23 over time under the influence of sunlight "burns out" (color is lost).
What are laminate joining systems?
When choosing a laminate, it is very important to choose a material with a quality joint system. The connection of the laminate between themselves is of two types ( photo 4.):
— adhesive mount. Such a connection consists in gluing the boards with a special glue. When using a water-repellent glue to connect laminate boards, the water resistance of the laminate coating as a whole increases. Laminate with such a fastener is cheaper than a castle one, but its installation is more complicated and takes more time.
- connection with locks. Such a connection is obtained due to a special profile at the ends of the laminate boards, which allows you to connect the laminate like puzzles. Locks are of two types photo 4.):
- latch lock(click). Such a connection is simpler and more reliable in use, it works well even with minor floor irregularities;
- driving lock(lock). The cost of a laminate with a drive-in lock type is cheaper than with a latch-lock connection.
Laminate with a lock-latch connection is easy to install - it greatly simplifies and speeds up its installation. It is also possible to easily disassemble it, replace individual boards, and fold back. Hammer-in laminate flooring cannot be re-installed.
Photo 4. Types of connecting laminate boards
Please note that according to the European standard EN13329, all commercial laminate grades have a glueless joint system.
Deciphering the designation of the laminate on the packaging
On photo 5 pictograms are presented that are found on the packaging of the laminate, which indicate its main advantages and properties.
Photo 5. Possible pictograms on the laminate packaging
A laminate with increased thermal conductivity is also produced, which allows it to be used with the “warm floor” system. At the same time, there is a limiting range of laminate heating (27…28°C), at which its geometric parameters and basic properties do not change. Such a laminate has a certain marking ( photo 6).
Photo 6. Designation of a laminate for a warm floor
What are the disadvantages of laminate
- It is almost impossible to use in very damp ("wet") rooms. The material is "afraid" of high humidity (except for waterproof class 33, 34).
- If the laminate laying technology is violated, it may creak during operation (due to friction in the locks).
- Laminate is electrostatic: it attracts dust particles.
- High quality laminate has a significant cost.
Table 2.
The scope of the laminate, depending on its wear resistance and strength class
|
Laminate strength class |
Features of operation, service life |
||
|
Household (home) |
Bedroom, children's room, closet | Service life: 2…3 years. Can quickly change color, scuffs appear. Usually covered with carpets | |
| Kitchen, corridor, hallway | Service life: 4…5 years. For home rooms with low traffic intensity | ||
|
Commercial (office) |
Conference hall, school | Average wear resistance and moisture resistance. Service life: 2…4 years (in public premises), and 10…12 years (in domestic premises) | |
| office, reception, school | The best option price / quality laminate. Reliable and best-selling laminate class. Service life: 3…5 years (in public premises), and 12…15 years (in domestic premises) | ||
| Public spaces with intensive movement of people: sports and shopping centers, bar, cafe, canteen, restaurant | One of the most durable laminates. Has high resistance to loadings and to humidity. Service life: 5…7 years (in public premises), and 15…20 years (in domestic premises) | ||
| Class 34 | Premises with very high load on floor coverings - airport, railway stations, bus stations, supermarkets | ||
One of the new quality flooring is vinyl laminate, photo 7. Vinyl laminate is produced with a texture that imitates wood, tiles, natural stone, marble and other materials.
Photo 7. Vinyl laminate
Vinyl laminate, like conventional laminate, consists of four layers ( photo 8.):
- Top surface strong edge.
- A layer of very thick textured vinyl.
- High strength base layer.
- Bottom edge.
Photo 8. The structure of the vinyl laminate
Benefits of using vinyl laminate:
- high durability of the material (more than 40 years);
- high strength, rigidity and elasticity;
- very easy and fast installation (within a few hours you can lay the flooring in a medium-sized room);
- very flexible material;
- not afraid of water (moisture and water resistant);
- environmentally friendly material, non-toxic;
- has good thermal conductivity (ideal for underfloor heating);
- vinyl laminate can be laid on the old flooring;
- manufacturers claim that with the help of a vinyl laminate, certain irregularities in the base can be smoothed out;
- thin coating;
- impact resistant material;
- silent laminate;
- UV resistant material.
On photo 9. Let's give an example of the designation of the main properties and parameters of the Art vinyl laminate ( photo 8.)
Photo 9. Main symbols on the Art vinyl laminate
Laying a vinyl floor consists in gluing its tiles together - an adhesive is applied along the joints, photo 10.
Photo 10. Sticking a vinyl laminate
Vinyl laminate is also produced in several strength classes, which allows various types of such laminate to be used not only at home, but also in enterprises with a high load on flooring. In commercial conditions, a laminate is used in which stone chips are added. Such a laminate is able to withstand a load of 10 MPa or more.
How to choose the right laminate
After considering the main properties and varieties, we present a brief algorithm for choosing it.
- It is necessary to determine the class of strength and wear resistance of the laminate, which will correspond to the conditions of use of the premises (intensity of use of movement).
- Determine the required quality of the laminate (HPL or DPL technology).
- Determine the environmental friendliness of the material. The content of phenol-formaldehyde resins must meet class E1 - an environmentally acceptable content rate (according to European standards).
- Determine the parameters (dimensions of the laminate board) of the laminate and the main properties, the type of connection (glue or lock).
- Determine the texture of the laminate.
- Calculate the required amount of laminate: you need to divide the area of \u200b\u200bthe room by the area of \u200b\u200bthe visible part of one laminate panel (and not the area, taking into account locks), and then multiply by a factor (taking into account trimming):
- 1.07 (7%) - with longitudinal laying of the laminate;
- 1.15 (15%) - when laying the laminate diagonally.
- To quickly determine the desired laminate, you can use tab. 1 or more extended tab. 3.
Criteria for choosing the right laminate
Table 3. How to choose the right laminate
Advice! And finally, I would like to give advice on manufacturers. The leaders in the quality of the laminate are German (Tarkett and Classen) and Belgian (Quick Step) manufacturers. Excellent quality Swedish laminate (Pergo). You can also buy Ukrainian, Russian or Chinese laminate, but it may be worse in quality (you should pay attention to reviews about a particular material). The average cost of a laminate varies in the range of 7 ... 27 $ / m 2.
P.S. In addition to laminate flooring in separate rooms, you can either.
Konev Alexander Anatolievich
Laminate Berry Alloc (Belgium-Norway)
0 (from 950 rubles/m2)
The huge transnational corporation Beaulieu International Group includes a group that is rightfully considered one of the most important areas. This is a production complex producing laminated finishing materials under the Berry Alloch brand.
The association of the Belgian plant Berry Floor and the Norwegian company Alloc combined huge production capacities, a serious research base and accumulated experience. As a result, production of parquet using the unique HPL (High Pressure laminate) technology has been launched. The principle is that the top layer is pressed first:
- Protective overlay;
- Decorative paper;
- Multiple layers of kraft paper.
It turns out a layer with characteristics significantly exceeding the parameters of conventional DPL (Direct Pressure Laminate - direct pressure laminate). Accordingly, HPL coatings are of high quality and excellent inertness to various types of surface influences.
Main advantages:
1) A huge selection of designs - one of the largest sets of collections.
BerryAlloc produces more than 18 lines of laminate 32-34 wear resistance class, and each has up to 20 different decors: classic, modern, art nouveau, eclectic, chamfered and smooth, concrete, slate, typical parquet or marble.
Laminate section - from 8 to 11 mm. The range includes interesting solutions, such as:
- Narrow herringbone parquet with Best Loc® X-Treme locking system;
- Planks with integrated sound-dissipating PVC gasket;
- Long boards with infinity effect Extra-long Planks;
- Extra-wide slats for large rooms 2410x236 mm;
2) The best performance of the laminate in terms of wear resistance.
BerryAlloc guarantees:
- 10 years for commercial coatings. Applies to indicators such as resistance to abrasion and moisture, staining, fading;
- 30 years for floors used in residential areas.
3) Reliable lock.
- Aluminum Lock System - the famous Allock aluminum lock used in the High-Tech series;
- Best Loc® X-Treme is a three way connection for the rest of the product.
4) Easy to operate.
Laminate flooring is easy to keep clean with a vacuum cleaner or damp soft cloth. Special cleaners and household chemicals are not required.
5) Security for users.
Berry Alloc laminate is certified according to:
- PEFC;
- DOP 170 DL3113 1 (Declaration of Performance).
It should be noted that according to the latest document, laminated parquet was awarded the highest classes in terms of such parameters as fire safety, antistatic, anti-slip. There are certificates confirming the low level of emission of toxic substances (formaldehyde, pentachlorophenol).
- High price;
- It is often possible to purchase a fake of an unknown production (without certificates and other documents).
