How to choose a quality laminate for an apartment

Nowadays, when choosing a floor covering, more and more people prefer laminate. This material can rightfully be called an ideal example of the 'price-quality' ratio. Its appearance is almost indistinguishable from natural parquet, due to its sufficiently high strength, it is perfect for laying in places with high traffic of people, and a huge number of colors and colors allows you to choose the model that will fit into the interior of the room in the most ideal way.

The best laminate manufacturers – which company to choose

The laminate market has been 'divided' for a long time. The lion's share of the products is produced by world-famous manufacturers who do not need advertising; in the assortment of their catalogs you can find both budget models and premium laminate, which by its properties is quite capable of 'competing' with real parquet. When choosing a laminate, it is worth giving preference to products from the following manufacturers:

1. Kronostar

2. Balterio

3. Egler

4. Alloc

Laminate structure and application

Laminate is a flat rectangular board, the thickness of which varies from 6 to 12 millimeters. Its 'heart' is the so-called load-bearing base – HDF board, made of pressed wood fiber. From above, the slab is covered with a decorative layer covered with a special transparent compound. Being laid in a solid floor covering, for the uninformed person, laminate is practically no different from parquet.

The structure of the laminate is a kind of 'sandwich', which includes the following layers:

1. Waterproof layer – the lower part of the board, which prevents the laminate from getting wet from below;

2. HDF layer, which is the basis of the laminate, it is on it that the performance characteristics of a particular board depend;

3. A decorative layer, which is, as a rule, a thin paper layer with an applied pattern of a special structure, reminiscent of wood, stone or other other type of surface;

4. The protective layer is a special transparent coating that ensures safety from moisture, mechanical stress, as well as temperature changes and direct sunlight.

Due to its excellent functional characteristics, laminate is widely used both in domestic and industrial premises, it is laid in schools, hotels and various public catering facilities. With proper care and adherence to the installation procedure, laminate can retain its properties for many years.

Types of laminate

Despite the general structure and a similar production principle, it is customary to divide the laminate into two separate classes, each of which differs in its characteristics, and also has both positive aspects and disadvantages.

Laminate for residential use

A great option for laying in an apartment or a private house. Differs in decent mechanical strength and resistance to abrasion, moisture and sunlight. Laying of such a laminate is carried out using special locks and does not require special skills and knowledge.

Advantages

• Unpretentious in care;

• Low cost;

• It goes well with warm floors;

• A huge number of texture options, colors and shades;

• Excellent strength and mechanical properties;

• Simple styling;

disadvantages

• Insufficient resistance to moisture;

• In places with an intense flow of people, it wears out quickly enough;

Laminate for office and commercial use

The structure of this type of laminate is practically the same as the type described above, and the main difference is, unlike the higher resistance to abrasion. Many manufacturers provide a five-year abrasion guarantee even for those models that fit in hotel lobbies and conference rooms – places with several hundred people daily!

Advantages

• Maximum resistance to friction and mechanical damage;

• Long-term guarantee subject to the installation procedure;

• Nearly perfect docking;

• Does not burn;

disadvantages

• High price;

• Afraid of water;

Laminate selection options

There are a lot of key features that should be paid attention to when choosing a specific laminate model. Before proceeding with the selection of a suitable model, it is necessary to determine the type of premises, as well as the conditions in which it will be used. And only after that you can choose, paying attention to the following parameters.

Laminate class

This concept is a composite parameter that includes many different features. The worldwide methodology for determining the class of laminate flooring includes more than ten independent tests, the results of which indicate the degree of resistance to external influences. So, one of the most important tests is the abrasion resistance test, referred to as the Taber Test, the results of which are displayed as the acronym AC followed by a number. The larger it is, the more resistant the laminate is to mechanical stress.

Based on the test results, a particular laminate model is assigned to one of the following defined classes. It is indicated by a two-digit number, the first of which indicates applicability (2 – for home or 3 – for office use), the second – resistance to mechanical stress (sometimes 1,2 or 3).

1. Laminate class 21-22 is an excellent option for installation in rooms with a small number of visitors;

2. Covering class 31 can be recommended for installation in commercial premises, where the human traffic is relatively small. Under such operating conditions, it will quite calmly last up to 5-7 years, without changing its properties and without losing its appearance;

3. Class 32 laminate flooring is intended for medium-density commercial premises. During normal domestic use, it is able to retain its properties for up to 20 years;

4. The 33 class laminate is much stronger. It is designed for use in rooms with an intense flow of visitors. Under these conditions, it is able to withstand up to 5-7 years without changing its own physical properties;

5. Class 34 is considered the most durable. This type of coating can withstand, if not extreme, then close to them loads. During normal use, it is able to maintain its appearance for up to 15 years. When laid in houses or apartments, such a coating will be truly eternal.

Laminate thickness

Contrary to popular belief that only the outer protective layer forms the characteristics of the laminate and the resistance to impact, the most important role is played by the base – HDF-board made of fiberboard. Its thickness can vary from 6 to 12 millimeters. The thicker the concrete slab, the better the sound and vibration insulation and the higher the resistance of the material to mechanical stress.

The presence of a chamfer

The edges of the laminate can be either uniform or V-chamfered. In the first case, being laid together, the seams between the boards are invisible, and the floor covering appears as a single whole, which is not to everyone's liking. On the contrary, the presence of a small V-shaped bevel, similar to that of a natural parquet, looks natural and does not cause any negativity.

Moisture resistance

A parameter that reflects how well a particular laminate will withstand moisture. When operating in a normal rhythm, this parameter fades into the background, however, in the case when there is a high probability of prolonged exposure to high humidity on the surface, the most moisture-resistant models should be preferred.

Connection type

Boards can be connected to each other in one of the following ways:

1. Click. Provides for the presence of a special spike on one tile and a groove for it on the second. The board is retracted at an angle of 45 degrees and inserted into the groove, after which it snaps into place;

2. Lock. Connects two comparable tiles on the long side;

3. Glue method. Laminate boards do not have a lock and are connected with glue. The least convenient and functional way.

Appearance

Currently on sale you can find a wide variety of laminate that imitates not only wood, but also stone, marble and other equally aesthetic and beautiful types of materials. Which one to choose depends only on your preferences, style and functional purpose of the room.

Environmental class

Resins, which provide moisture resistance and resistance of the laminate surface to mechanical stress, contain formaldehyde, a substance that can negatively affect the respiratory organs. It is for this reason that many manufacturers use such a concept as an environmental class. It is designated by the letter E and a number representing a specific class. For example, E0 is an absolutely harmless laminate, it can easily fit in children's rooms or bedrooms. E2 is already less environmentally friendly, and therefore experienced craftsmen advise to lay it on balconies, in loggias and other places that are not regularly visited.

Which laminate to choose?

1. For living quarters – a children's room, a bedroom – a 23 or 31 class laminate, which has a V-shaped bevel and belongs to the environmental class E0, is best suited;

2. If the installation will be carried out in the hallway, the 32 class models should be preferred, which have increased resistance to moisture and belong to the E1 ecological class;

3. Office premises require laying the most mechanically resistant laminate. Models of class 33, with a thickness of about 10-12 millimeters, with a V-shaped chamfer and belonging to the E1 environmental class are the best option;

How much does laminate flooring cost?

1. Inexpensive models of 22 or 31 classes, intended for installation in residential premises, cost from 500 to 700 rubles per square meter;

2. Laminate, laid in the hallway or in the kitchen – places subject to increased mechanical stress, costs 800-1200 rubles per m2;

3. Class 33 office laminate will be somewhat more expensive, about 1000-1500 rubles per 'square';

In the following articles, our experts tell you how to choose the right linoleum and the secrets of choosing a screwdriver.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.