Laminate is a popular flooring finish. Laminate flooring looks very stylish, it is environmentally friendly and relatively inexpensive. It is these criteria that determine the incredible consumer demand for this material. Today, many manufacturers offer a lot of varieties of laminate. How to choose it and not be mistaken? Let's figure it out together.
What is laminate flooring?
Laminate outwardly is to some extent an imitation of a parquet board. This is a multilayer material. One of its layers is a fiberboard or chipboard, another layer is paper on which the drawing is applied, and the last layer is a laminated film that protects other layers of the material from dirt, water and mechanical stress. The laminate is made from acrylic or melamine resin.
Laminate "came" to Russia for a long time. For some reason, it was in our country that this flooring did not inspire confidence on the part of the buyer for a long time. One of the possible reasons is the low quality of the material from domestic manufacturers. Now we know what kind of flooring it is and it's time to start learning about how to choose a laminate.
Cool laminate flooring
This indicator indicates the durability of the material. The higher the class of the laminate, the more wear-resistant and, accordingly, durable it is. To assign and check the class of the laminate, there is a special test, during this study, the material is polished until its integrity is violated.
Next, take data on the number of impacts on the material. If this number is less than 11,000, then the laminate class corresponds to 21-22. If the material has withstood up to 15,000 impacts, then its class rating corresponds to class 23-31, if more than 15,000 impacts were required for damage, then this material is class 32-33. Which laminate is better to choose for an apartment? Experts recommend taking only material of class 32 or 33 for themselves, but not lower. If finances allow, then take class 33, if you are trying to optimize your costs for finishing materials, then take a look at class 32 options. There is an opinion that class 23 is already suitable for the house, but we repeat that you need to consider options from class 32. Do not take risks and take with a margin of wear, especially the manufacturer is different from the manufacturer.
Laminate thickness
According to current standards, the thickness of the laminate must be at least 6 mm, the upper mark, which manufacturers are limited to, is 12 mm. Everything is extremely simple here. The thickest material is the highest quality, but also the most expensive. Also, experts say that thickLaminate is easier to install. Which laminate to choose for an apartment? When buying, pay attention to materials with a thickness of 8-12 mm. It should also be noted soundproof properties. Large thickness is an additional sound absorber, this may be relevant for choosing flooring in your private house not on the first floor. But the difference in terms of sound absorption is not pronounced, you need to take this into account too.
Laminate manufacturers
Most existing manufacturers give a guarantee for their products, it ranges from 5 to 15 years (sometimes more). Which company to choose a laminate? Take laminate only from well-known global manufacturers. In our country, unfortunately, there is no GOST for this material. It is for this reason that domestic manufacturers produce laminate according to specifications.
All imported laminate is certified strictly according to GOST. Therefore, the quality of imported products is guaranteed, but our domestic products are not. Which laminate is better to choose for an apartment? Reviews praise manufacturers such as Alloc, Tarkett and Pergo. Serious manufacturing firms give a guarantee for their products for at least 20 years. Only cheap and low-quality coatings can wear out quickly. When you produce a quality product, then you have nothing to fear. A simple truth that is relevant here. By the way, Alloc laminate comes with a lifetime manufacturer's warranty.
Laminate panel connection type
Today there are two main types for joining panels. The first option is adhesive bonding. This laminate is cheaper. But for himinstallation will need the help of specialists; you cannot cope with such a task on your own. Laminate panels are connected by their ends to each other with the help of professional quick-drying glue. Glue eliminates gaps between panels. The disadvantage is the impossibility of repairing individual panels if necessary. The advantage of this laminate option is that it is considered more moisture resistant.
Lock-type laminate is laid on the floor without the use of glue, using a special panel design. This coating can be repaired if necessary. The disadvantages and advantages of this type are a mirror image of the adhesive-type laminate just discussed.
There are two types of locks: these are collapsible locks, which are commonly called click and latch locks, which are called lock. Click-locks are very easy to install, their design is double and they are located at an angle of 45 degrees. For them, the curvature of the floor base is allowed no more than 3 millimeters per linear meter.
Panels with locks are even easier to install. But for such panels, the laminate requires a perfectly even floor covering without any irregularities. Which laminate to choose? Feedback from customers and professionals on the side of click-lock laminate flooring.
Substrates
When laying laminate flooring, it is imperative to use an underlay. This is a special material that isolates yourlaminate flooring underneath. Before laying the substrate, the coating is thoroughly cleaned, on which the panels are then laid. This is done with a vacuum cleaner (professional or household).
The underlay is also an additional soundproofing of the floor. It is worth noting that there is a laminate, which already has a substrate on its basis. This is expensive high quality material from world leaders in production.
Some people don't use underlayment at all when laying laminate flooring. In fact, this is a violation of technology. It is impossible to say for sure that everything will be in perfect order, for example, in 5-8 years after laying the coating not according to technology. If manufacturers say that the substrate is necessary, then why not follow this simple recommendation? The underlay plays no role in the overall cost of installing your flooring.
Laminate substrate materials
Polyethylene foam backing is the most commonly used. The advantages of such a substrate are moisture resistance, low market price and ease of use. There is only one drawback - it does not keep its shape and sags a little over time. This substrate is afraid of direct sunlight, it must be stored in dark rooms, without direct exposure to sunlight.
Cork underlay is the best in terms of thermal insulation. It keeps its shape and is durable. But it is worth remembering that condensation can form and accumulate on cork material. Cork substrates with the addition of bitumen or rubber are deprived of this drawback. Substrates made of such materials, in addition to protection against condensate, do not get trampledover time and absorb well. Which laminate is better to choose, or rather, what substrate under it? Cheaper to take polyethylene foam, the cons are not too critical.
Laminate pattern
Most often, the pattern on laminate panels imitates patterns on wood. There are many different shades of patterns on laminate flooring, ranging from the lightest tones to the darkest, including classic wood tones and stylish greys.
It is generally accepted that warm colors are suitable for the bedroom, closer to natural wood. But this is the conventional wisdom for conventional design. An experienced professional designer can beat your home with a variety of colors and fit into the new interior a winning laminate of a color that you didn’t even pay attention to in the store before. Which laminate to choose for an apartment? Reviews will not tell you the pattern on the material panel or its shade. Here the decision is up to you.
Laminate or linoleum?
Sometimes this is the question. What is the best laminate to choose? Reviews on some site, for example, praise linoleum and belittle the laminate. This situation can cause some confusion in your head. But it is worthwhile to understand that such reviews are left by people who, having saved a lot, bought the cheapest laminate and paid for their stinginess. Their poor-quality coating quickly fell into disrepair, and now they scold absolutely all manufacturers and advocate linoleum, because their old linoleum lasted twice as long as the very cheap laminate from dubiousmanufacturer.
From the above, we can conclude that such resonant reviews are very subjective. Should you pay attention to them? Not worth it, although it's up to you. But it just needs to be said that linoleum, for all its practicality, is a relic of the past. We also add that linoleum is made from chemical components. Do you need such a coating at home, or is it better to figure out how to choose a laminate and buy it?
Result
We have completely analyzed the question of how to choose a laminate and what should be focused on in this matter. Will this material be your flooring? It's up to you to decide. If we talk about floor coverings made from environmentally friendly materials, then there is simply no competition for laminate flooring. Parquet board and solid wood are materials from a completely different price category. And linoleum is made from chemical components that do not have any negative impact on the environment. It is completely environmentally friendly material.
It is for you and your family to live for many years in your apartment or house. It would be nice if your home would be filled with clean air and materials that nature itself gives us. Laminate is just such a material.
