The correct choice of flooring during repairs in a house or apartment is a serious task, which must be taken with all responsibility. After all, replacing wall cladding or, for example, ceilings is much easier than replacing or repairing flooring.
Therefore, as a rule, when choosing the latter during repair work, most people are guided by the fact that the floor will not be repaired or redone in the near future.
Recently, the so-called wooden laminate has gained great popularity in the building materials market. The advantage of the material, in comparison with other floor coverings, such as linoleum or wooden parquet, is that it is able to withstand heavy loads that appear during external impact on it.
In addition, wood-based laminate does not require laborious and time-consuming maintenance after installation.
Material description
The vast majority of people, just hearingthe name "wooden laminate", they mistakenly start to think that it is made solely of wood. As the basis of such a floor covering, not the wood itself is used, but only its fibers alone. During the production of wooden laminate, the latter are pressed, after which a laminated board of increased strength is obtained.
Important! During the pressing of wood fibers, during the production of laminate, special fastening additional substances are used. They are necessary in order to give the material resistance to moisture. If nothing is used, then the laminate will swell after getting even a small amount of moisture on it.
During the manufacture of the material, wood fibers also undergo a special treatment that involves the use of wood resins. Thanks to their use, the fibers can be firmly fastened together. In addition, the more resins used in the production of laminate, the stronger, warmer and more resistant to moisture.
Builders call this material laminated panels, which are used when covering the floor surface. Their size may vary depending on which collection they belong to.
However, the maximum parameter of a laminated panel or wood laminate is no more than 1.5m in length and 0.25m in width.
Layers of material
Wooden laminate consists of 4 layers. They are tightconnect with each other.
Lower
Usually made from items such as unrefined or tarred paper, which is an excellent waterproof material. The task of the bottom layer of the laminated panel is to protect the core.
Some natural wood laminate collections in the bottom layer may have special covers made from soundproofing material.
Main
Made from a material such as wood fiber, which after being pressed into a board shape.
For the manufacture of the base layer, laminate manufacturers use a variety of tree species. This layer is the main one, since its thickness reaches 4-6 mm. It stiffens the laminated panel and makes its shape clearer.
In addition, special locks are mounted in it, which are necessary for fastening individual laminated panels together during their assembly.
Decorative
It is a layer of special paper on which a pattern is applied. Also, special furniture foil can be used as a decorative design, which is necessary to imitate various types of wood.
Top
Protects the laminated panel from abrasion and physical stress. This layer is made using acrylic or melamine resins.
After applied to the panel, they begin to gradually harden, forming a strong, rigid surface.
Classes
Quality laminate has several wear resistance classes, which are determined by the level of loads acting on it. The latter are:
- Light.
- Average.
- High.
In the study or bedroom, it is recommended to install a wooden laminate that can withstand a light level. The load class of such a laminate is 21.
In the hall or living room, the level of load on the surface of the laminated panel is medium. Therefore, in this case, it is recommended to use a wooden laminate 22.
The highest load on the surface of the floor covering is carried out in the children's room, in the corridor of a house or apartment, in shops or bars. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable to use the panel of the 23rd class.
Dignity
Of all known building materials that are used as flooring and imitate wood, the most economical solution would be to use wood laminate.
The composition of the material is a fibreboard, which is additionally covered with a special decorative film. It is worth noting that the latter can imitate not only the surface of a tree. It can also show the texture of marble, wild stone, and so on.
Wooden laminate is a great alternative to using boards or parquet flooring in a private house or apartment. Its advantages include:
- price;
- easy styling;
- durability;
- combined use with a system called "warm floor".
An undoubted advantage of laminate is also the fact that it can be used to equip floors in almost any room. It perfectly adheres to any surface - concrete, wood, concrete slab and so on. Therefore, there is no need to remove the old flooring before installing the laminated panels.
Attention! Laminate, unlike wooden boards or parquet, is resistant to moisture, so mold or fungi that pose a danger to human he alth do not appear on its surface.
Some types of this finishing material are additionally treated with special anti-allergenic substances during their production, which increase the level of environmental safety of products.
Flaws
Wood laminate flooring is quite noisy. When walking on it in high-heeled shoes or shoes, a loud sound is produced, which is undoubtedly one of the biggest disadvantages of flooring.
In addition, damaged laminate panels cannot be repaired or refurbished. The only possible option in this case is to replace the damaged laminate with a new one. Also, when using the material as a floor covering, you must remember that its surface is very slippery and easy to slip on it.
Recommendations
Forflooring, wooden laminate can be used both in living rooms (living room, bedroom) and in the kitchen. In addition, the material is also used in technical rooms.
However, it should not be used for arranging floors in rooms with a high level of humidity (bathroom). Even oak laminate is not recommended.
