Laminate parquet, according to experts, accounts for about 10% of sales on the flooring market, which is not so little. What attracts laminate potential buyers, so this is ease of installation and operation, as well as low cost and great variety drawings.
It’s hard to figure out where the termite “laminated parquet” came from. However, this phrase misleads many consumers. Firstly, real parquet is not laminated; to protect it there is varnish, mastics and oils, and secondly, with real parquet you laminated coating there is nothing in common except appearance. And even that is only a skillful fake - the top, decorative layer, which creates a beautiful picture, is often made of special paper or furniture foil, which is given the desired look.
This parquet is made entirely of whole pieces wood, each floorboard is cut and planed in accordance with the right size. The drawing we see is a real drawing of a tree. When choosing, keep in mind that the first one can be scraped and sanded, coated with varnish or mastic, which cannot be done with laminate.
The fact is that laminate consists of 4 layers. The topmost protective layer consists of high-strength resins, melamine or acrylic. This lamination gives the coating its name. The protection is transparent, so many people, out of ignorance, confuse it with varnishing, but the membrane varnish coating much less durable. In addition, the protective coating on the laminate can be composite - consist of several elements, each of which will be responsible for a specific task: repelling moisture, wear resistance, resistance to ultraviolet radiation and dirt.
Under the protective layer is the same decorative layer that we wrote about above. By the way, manufacturers reproduce not only wood patterns, but also many other, more original ones, for example, the colors of a chessboard or a sandy coast. The thickest layer, the core of the laminate, is a supporting layer of high-strength chipboard or fiberboard. And underneath there is a bottom covering, paper impregnated with resins, which protects the core from moisture.
Considering that chipboard is made from the same wood, the content of this natural material in laminate can reach 95% for US and European manufacturers and about 50% for Chinese products. But, nevertheless, this does not make the laminate a parquet - it is most correct to call it laminated flooring, or simply laminate.
If you are looking for something between parquet and laminate, pay attention to parquet boards - not to be confused with parquet made from solid wood.
In the second case we are dealing with expensive coating, the creation of which takes a lot of wood - the floorboards have big sizes and fully reflect the pattern of the wood core. The production of parquet boards requires much less wood. The fact is that it consists of three layers: the bottom and middle layers are made of inexpensive coniferous species, but the top one is made of valuable wood.
Its thickness is only 3-4 mm, so it can be repaired using standard methods only once. Well, if it lasts at least 20 years, it won’t be enough for more. But it is as easy to install as laminate, and can even be moved to another place. This is convenient if you decide to make minor repairs in a rented apartment - when you move out, you can take the covering with you.
In addition to mobility, laminate has other advantages. It does not need to be scraped, sanded or varnished - after installation, the surface is immediately ready for use. High-quality laminate does not fade in the sun, and any stains are removed with a solvent. It is impossible to give an unambiguous assessment of environmental friendliness and safety, since different manufacturers use different technologies and components. However, if you wish, you can find a hypoallergenic laminate that is completely harmless to sensitive organisms.
Of course, for such a type of product as laminated parquet, there is GOST 4598-86, but it poorly reflects the truly important standards, and besides, certification of laminate flooring is considered voluntary. It is much more correct to focus on the European system for determining the quality of laminated floors, which was adopted in 1999. According to this system, each class of coating is tested according to 18 tests for abrasion, resistance to scratches, resistance to aggressive substances, impact resistance, etc. According to the results, a verdict is made about belonging to one or another strength class.
However, most consumers know about only one such test - the Taber test. The question that is asked to the seller to find out about the results of this test is usually “How many revolutions?” The announced figure is for many an indicator of the strength of the laminate. How are these very revolutions determined and what is meant? The test is that front side products are pressed abrasive wheel with special parameters that simulate wear conditions. Depending on how many revolutions of the circle the laminate can withstand before complete wear, the degree of its wear resistance is determined - usually the resulting figure ranges from 6,000 to 20,000 revolutions.
However, there are many “buts” in this test. Firstly, there is no universal grinding wheel and tool - each manufacturer uses the equipment that it considers correct (or profitable). That is, a Taber test of the same product from different manufacturers can surprise you with completely different results.
In addition, during the test, they first give an assessment initial phase in the form of an IP value (initial phase) - the resulting figure indicates the number of revolutions that lead to the appearance of the first signs of wear. Then the FP (final phase) value is determined - this is the final phase of the study, when the degree of wear has reached 95%. From these two values, the arithmetic mean (AT, TT or simply T) is calculated.
What exactly manufacturers indicate on price tags or price lists, one can only guess, since in most cases it is just a number without any letter designations. You have to rely only on honesty, because it will not be difficult for the manufacturer to correct the data, and it will be impossible to catch him in deception. For example, instead of the average value, the company will indicate the number of revolutions that fell in the final phase. It seems that she didn’t lie, but the information is no longer accurate.
For ease of understanding and convenience, European manufacturers introduced a classification of laminate flooring, which was adopted all over the world. The class indicates the degree of wear resistance determined by test results.
Thus, classes from 21 to 23 are intended for premises with low and medium traffic. For example, you can easily place class 21 in the bedroom, class 22 in the nursery, and class 23 in the kitchen or hallway. For office or retail premises, there are classes from 31 to 33. Class 31 is suitable for rooms with relatively low traffic volume, for example, a presentation room or assembly hall. Class 32 and 33 should be laid where laminated parquet will be subject to special loads.
In addition to the class, you should also pay attention to the warranty period, which can tell a lot. For example, if the manufacturer gives only 5 years for class 31, while a competing company gives all 10, this suggests that in the first case the parquet meets only the minimum requirements for class 31, so the company is not too confident in its strength and durability.
Don't be afraid to spend time preparing the surface, then you will save it on the simplicity and installation of the laminate itself. It is not recommended to lay it on an uneven floor - if a separate part vibrates due to a bump or falls into a hole, this will lead to breakage of the locks and compromised strength.
It is best to make such a coating floating, that is, not attach it to the base. Like any wood material, laminate also reacts to changes in humidity and temperature, so it can shrink or expand. Therefore, it is important to leave a small space between walls, pipes and edge strips, at least 5 mm. If you want to lay the same fabric in all rooms, in any case, make transitional thresholds to avoid swelling of the floor.
Before arranging the interior of a room in which it is preferable to make a wooden floor as a floor covering, you should familiarize yourself with the options for this type of covering. Which is better - parquet board or parquet laminate- the characteristics of each of them will help you decide. By comparing the qualities of each material, it will be easy to make a choice. Knowing the requirements for the floor covering, extending its service life is quite simple.
Choosing what kind of coverage would be better suited For a specific room - parquet boards or parquet laminate - their characteristics should be fully assessed.
Laminate is a layered system consisting of 4 types of material. The total thickness is rarely more than 1.5 cm. The main layer consists of a chipboard or fiberboard. It gives rigidity to the product. The bottom of the laminate is made of paper impregnated with a water-repellent substance. Sometimes plastic is used for these purposes. The bottom layer reliably protects the slab from moisture. The decorative layer has a color that imitates the color of the main tree species. There are also other types of textures. Upper layer The product is a thin, transparent film that protects it from moisture penetration and mechanical damage.
When choosing which is better - parquet boards or parquet laminate - you must take into account that laminate is durable, durable material. Corundum grain is added to expensive building materials for strength.
Laminate has a number positive qualities. Thanks to them, according to consumer reviews, this type of coating will last about 10 years. This should be taken into account when choosing between it and parquet board.
The main advantages of laminate include environmental friendliness. It can even be placed in a nursery. What distinguishes laminate from parquet boards is the ability to install it in rooms with elevated temperatures. It is able to repel dirt and does not slip. The coating is resistant to abrasion, mechanical damage and stress. Laminate is resistant to rising temperatures. Withstands overheating.
One of the positive qualities that distinguishes laminate from parquet boards is the absence of the need to maintain the coating using special methods. It is enough to carry out regularly wet cleaning surfaces.
Parquet board or laminate - which is better? Consumer reviews also make it clear that laminate is a little easier to install. Its cost is less than that of parquet boards.
When considering whether to choose parquet boards or laminate, you need to familiarize yourself with the disadvantages of the latter.
This material cannot withstand high humidity. Therefore, it is better not to use it in the bathroom or kitchen. Among the disadvantages of laminate, it is also worth noting the impossibility of restoration by polishing. Serious scratches will be very difficult to remove. By choosing a high strength class, you will be able to avoid negative manifestations.
Laminate or What to choose is, of course, up to you. The main thing that good quality was present in each type of material. Low quality laminate will last only 2-3 years. And the good high-quality coating The presented type is comparable in cost to parquet.
It is also a layered structure. However, its overall thickness is slightly greater than that of laminate. Usually it reaches 2 cm. The top layer is made from various valuable types of wood. That is why such coverage is quite expensive.
The difference between parquet and laminate is that its structure consists of 3 layers. The wood and plywood included in the composition are located perpendicular to each other. This system allows you to increase the strength of the product and also avoid deformation. The top decorative layer, which is durable wood, additionally protects the product.
By studying how laminate differs from parquet boards, we can come to the conclusion that both types of material are quite rich in the spectrum of texture diversity. The surface of the parquet board is sometimes additionally painted. However, even without this, creating a real work of art on the surface of the material will not be difficult.
Using brushing technology, it is possible to artificially age the appearance of wood. The material is colored using toner. This helps give the desired shade to the wood.
The surface of the parquet board can be bleached, steamed and other manipulations can be performed. If desired, the texture is not used at all. The surface will be simply smooth and shiny. But thanks to the characteristics inherent in each type of wood, you can choose an interesting, unique style flooring very simple. Texture can add luxury to the interior. The main thing is to correlate the design style of the room with the choice of pattern on the surface of the wood.
Parquet board or laminate - which is better? User reviews highlight the following: positive features wooden floor, as environmentally friendly and hygienic. Thanks to the properties of wood, dirt is simply pushed out of the material. With proper use, the durability of such coating exceeds 30 years. This is also facilitated by the possibility of sanding the parquet board. It is being restored to remove scratches and traces of mechanical damage.
This material can be easily combined with other types of floor coverings. For example, in the kitchen, near the work surface, you can lay ceramic tiles and cover the rest of the space with wood.
When deciding which is better - parquet boards or parquet laminate - you should take into account that natural wood is considered warm material. Therefore, in a room with laminate or parquet boards, the temperature difference will be noticeable.
Using lock connection The parquet board is easy and quick to assemble.
Laminate or parquet boards, the pros and cons of which were discussed above, are chosen at the discretion of the consumer. The disadvantages inherent in the latter also include the change in the size of floor elements in summer and winter due to the ability to absorb and release water.
In or parquet boards, you need to be guided not only by their pros and cons. You should also pay attention to general qualities materials. The similarity of the coatings lies in the wide range of their colors and textures. This will allow you to create a wide variety of interiors.
Parquet boards are produced using the deck method. The ease of installation of both systems is ensured by the technology of their connection. When laying laminate or parquet boards, you do not need to use glue or mastic. This assembly method will also help you easily replace a damaged coating element.
The difference between laminate and parquet boards should be taken into account when the consumer chooses the necessary building material. IN different situations Any of the following would be better:
To choose a laminate correctly, you need to pay attention to the wear resistance class. Even for residential premises it is better to choose strength class 31-33. This will significantly extend the life of the flooring.
The thickness of the laminate, like the parquet board, has different meaning. It should be from 8 to 12 mm. For this type of coverage this is quite enough.
The thickness of laminate and parquet boards is different. The first option is much more subtle. It does not raise the floor level noticeably. This is true for people doing renovations in one room. With laminate, there will be no step between rooms.
When committing self-installation It is better to choose a lock type connection for wooden flooring.
When making a purchase, you should also pay attention to the quality, cost and color of the flooring wood covering.
As for the color of the parquet board, it is selected to match front door. They don't have to match in color. The main thing is that their tandem is harmonious.
The contrasting combination of parquet with a door looks very interesting. It is best to choose the color directly in the store. Shades may be distorted in the photo.
When choosing the color of the floor covering, you should take into account that the difference between laminate and parquet boards is that the color of the artificial version is preserved. Natural wood will lighten over time. This must be taken into account when choosing the color of the floor covering and door.
The shade of wood even depends on the type of cut and production location, as well as processing technology. Lighting plays an important role in the process of choosing the color of a parquet board.
It is better not to select the same texture of the door and wooden covering. Otherwise, there will be little harmony in such a combination.
A good parquet board is usually up to 2 cm thick. You should also pay attention to the hardness of the material. Moreover, this indicator should be correlated with the moisture resistance index of the tree.
When selecting a parquet board as a floor covering, you should ensure that the humidity in the room is not lower than 45 and not higher than 60%. During the heating season, if there is a lack of humidity, the natural wood floor covering may crack. Therefore, asking the question: “Laminate or parquet boards - what to choose?” - it is necessary to measure the humidity in the apartment. If the level of this indicator is insufficient, it is necessary to give preference to laminate.
Parquet board is an expensive coating. The cost depends directly on its thickness, processing method, as well as the brand of production. The better the quality of the flooring, the more expensive its price. A good laminate costs as much as a parquet board.
The most expensive materials for natural coating Exotic wood species such as cherry and walnut are considered. This is due to the thinness of plant trunks. Good processing, high-quality sanding also makes the final product more expensive.
Products produced by popular manufacturers have more high cost. Although a big name and a high price are not always a guarantee of quality. The appearance of the product, its locks, thickness and quality of processing should play a decisive role in the process of selecting flooring.
Having familiarized yourself with the main characteristics, types and their features, it will be easy to decide which is better - parquet boards or laminate flooring. Depending on the requirements for the floor covering, everyone chooses the best option for themselves.
Knowing the basic parameters that you should pay attention to when choosing an artificial or natural wooden floor, it will not be difficult to determine the best quality product at an affordable price.
Laminate parquet, according to experts, accounts for about 10% of sales on the flooring market, which is not so little. What attracts potential buyers to laminate is its ease of installation and operation, as well as its low cost and wide variety of designs.
It’s hard to figure out where the termite “laminated parquet” came from. However, this phrase misleads many consumers. Firstly, real parquet is not laminated; there is varnish, mastic and oil to protect it, and secondly, laminated flooring has nothing in common with real parquet except appearance. And even that is only a skillful fake - the top, decorative layer, which creates a beautiful picture, is often made of special paper or furniture foil, which is given the desired look.
Real parquet flooring is made entirely from solid pieces of wood, each floorboard is cut and planed to the required size. The drawing we see is a real drawing of a tree. When choosing parquet or laminate, keep in mind that the former can be scraped and sanded, coated with varnish or mastic, which cannot be done with laminate.
The fact is that laminate consists of 4 layers. The topmost protective layer consists of high-strength resins, melamine or acrylic. This lamination gives the coating its name. The protection is transparent, so many people ignorantly confuse it with varnishing, but the varnish coating membrane is much less durable. In addition, the protective coating on the laminate can be composite - consist of several elements, each of which will be responsible for a specific task: repelling moisture, wear resistance, resistance to ultraviolet radiation and dirt.
Under the protective layer is the same decorative layer that we wrote about above. By the way, manufacturers reproduce not only wood patterns, but also many other, more original ones, for example, the colors of a chessboard or a sandy coast. The thickest layer, the core of the laminate, is a supporting layer of high-strength chipboard or fiberboard. And underneath there is a bottom covering, paper impregnated with resins, which protects the core from moisture.
Taking into account the fact that chipboard is made from the same wood, the content of this natural material in the laminate can reach 95% for US and European manufacturers and about 50% for Chinese products. But, nevertheless, this does not make the laminate a parquet - it is most correct to call it laminated flooring, or simply laminate.
If you are looking for something between parquet and laminate, pay attention to parquet boards - not to be confused with parquet made from solid wood.
In the second case, we are dealing with an expensive coating, the creation of which takes a lot of wood - the floorboards are large in size and fully reflect the pattern of the wood core. The production of parquet boards requires much less wood. The fact is that it consists of three layers: the bottom and middle layers are made of inexpensive coniferous species, but the top layer is made of valuable wood.
Its thickness is only 3-4 mm, so it can be repaired using standard methods only once. Well, if it lasts at least 20 years, it won’t be enough for more. But it is as easy to install as laminate, and can even be moved to another place. This is convenient if you decide to make minor repairs in a rented apartment - when you move out, you can take the covering with you.
In addition to mobility, laminate has other advantages. It does not need to be scraped, sanded or varnished - after installation, the surface is immediately ready for use. High-quality laminate does not fade in the sun, and any stains are removed with a solvent. It is impossible to give an unambiguous assessment of environmental friendliness and safety, since different manufacturers use different technologies and components. However, if you wish, you can find a hypoallergenic laminate that is completely harmless to sensitive organisms.
Of course, for such a type of product as laminated parquet, there is GOST 4598-86, but it poorly reflects the truly important standards, and besides, certification of laminate flooring is considered voluntary. It is much more correct to focus on the European system for determining the quality of laminated floors, which was adopted in 1999. According to this system, each class of coating is tested according to 18 tests for abrasion, resistance to scratches, resistance to aggressive substances, impact resistance, etc. According to the results, a verdict is made about belonging to one or another strength class.
However, most consumers know about only one such test - the Taber test. The question that is asked to the seller to find out about the results of this test is usually “How many revolutions?” The announced figure is for many an indicator of the strength of the laminate. How are these very revolutions determined and what is meant? The test consists of pressing an abrasive wheel with special parameters to the front side of the product, which simulates wear conditions. Depending on how many revolutions of the circle the laminate can withstand before complete wear, the degree of its wear resistance is determined - usually the resulting figure ranges from 6,000 to 20,000 revolutions.
However, there are many “buts” in this test. Firstly, there is no universal grinding wheel and tool - each manufacturer uses the equipment that it considers correct (or profitable). That is, a Taber test of the same product from different manufacturers can surprise you with completely different results.
In addition, during the test, the initial phase is first assessed in the form of an IP value (initial phase) - the resulting figure indicates the number of revolutions that lead to the appearance of the first signs of abrasion. Then the FP (final phase) value is determined - this is the final phase of the study, when the degree of wear has reached 95%. From these two values, the arithmetic mean (AT, TT or simply T) is calculated.
What exactly manufacturers indicate on price tags or price lists, one can only guess, since in most cases it is just a number without any letter designations. You have to rely only on honesty, because it will not be difficult for the manufacturer to correct the data, and it will be impossible to catch him in deception. For example, instead of the average value, the company will indicate the number of revolutions that fell in the final phase. It seems that she didn’t lie, but the information is no longer accurate.
For ease of understanding and convenience, European manufacturers introduced a classification of laminate flooring, which was adopted all over the world. The class indicates the degree of wear resistance determined by test results.
Thus, classes from 21 to 23 are intended for premises with low and medium traffic. For example, you can easily place class 21 in the bedroom, class 22 in the nursery, and class 23 in the kitchen or hallway. For office or retail premises, there are classes from 31 to 33. Class 31 is suitable for rooms with relatively low traffic volume, for example, a presentation room or assembly hall. Class 32 and 33 should be laid where laminated parquet will be subject to special loads.
In addition to the class, you should also pay attention to the warranty period, which can tell a lot. For example, if the manufacturer gives only 5 years for class 31, while a competing company gives all 10, this suggests that in the first case the parquet meets only the minimum requirements for class 31, so the company is not too confident in its strength and durability.
Laying laminate flooring is no more difficult than assembling it the children's designer– panels are quickly and accurately connected to each other. It is much more difficult to prepare the base for the laminate so that it is as level as possible. Traditional concrete screed Only at first glance it is smooth, but when laying it, a lot of tubercles and pits will be revealed.
In such cases, it is recommended to lay a material under the laminate that could smooth out minor defects, for example, sheets of technical cork. The larger the defects, the thicker the sheets should be. If this does not help, self-leveling self-leveling floors will help level the surface. If the surface does not have a slope, then a layer of 2-3 millimeters is enough to smooth out the unevenness.
Don't be afraid to spend time preparing the surface, then you will save it on the simplicity and installation of the laminate itself. It is not recommended to lay it on an uneven floor - if a separate part vibrates due to a bump or falls into a hole, this will lead to breakage of the locks and compromised strength.
It is best to make such a coating floating, that is, not attach it to the base. Like any wood material, laminate also reacts to changes in humidity and temperature, so it can shrink or expand. Therefore, it is important to leave a small space between walls, pipes and edge strips, at least 5 mm. If you want to lay the same fabric in all rooms, in any case, make transitional thresholds to avoid swelling of the floor.
For real beautiful interior can be created in the house only if there is a good floor. Currently there are many various types floor covering. Among all this abundance, laminated parquet boards stand out.
It can be varnished or matte, imitating not only wood, but also marble or granite. It is possible that such a floor will have a chamfer-groove, as when laying a conventional wooden board. What type of this material to choose for housing and how to do it correctly? This is what this article will discuss.
The birthplace of this type of flooring is Sweden. It was in this Scandinavian country that laminate flooring was first manufactured. Now this material occupies a worthy place in the international market.
Laminated parquet structurally resembles layered cake. The top layer is protective and is made of a high-strength film, which is formed after processing the material with acrylic resin. The process of applying a protective layer, which gives such products their name, is called lamination.
Let's watch a video about what laminated parquet is:
The coating can be either single-layer or multi-layer; it is also called composite. The top layer performs a protective function - it prevents aggressive influence environment on the material. It is resistant to moisture and is not afraid of Sun rays, it is resistant to abrasion, withstands dirt and is indestructible various substances household chemicals.
The importance of this layer is indicated by the fact that its quality determines the cost of the entire product. Even the hardest and valuable wood without protection it will become unusable in a couple of years. Under the film there is a decorative layer of special paper. It imitates certain tree species and wood structure.
Or displays the texture and color of some building materials:
It can resemble a chessboard or look like rusty iron, or anything, it depends on the imagination of the manufacturer.
Laminated parquet boards are very durable. Its basis is a supporting layer, which is made of fiberboard or chipboard. Fiberboards have an extremely high density, which makes them particularly strong and rigid. They are able to withstand moisture and maintain their characteristics under significant temperature fluctuations.
The bottom layer of the laminate is paper impregnated with resins. Its main purpose is to protect the base layer from moisture and stabilize the entire board.
This flooring has many advantages over others, including regular board from an array or piece parquet. The most important difference is that laminated boards do not require a tedious and dusty sanding procedure. There is no need for additional sanding or subsequent varnishing of the floor.
Unlike natural parquet, laminate does not fade in the sun; protective surface does not become disfigured by cracks over time. Any stain can be easily removed from it without leaving any traces behind.
Back in 1999, quality assessment standards for this type of flooring were created in Europe, which are still in effect today and are used in the production of laminate floors. All types of this material undergo mandatory tests for strength, wear resistance, sound insulation, ability to withstand mechanical damage and more, using a total of 18 tests. Based on their results, the laminate parquet board is assigned a certain class of use. It is usually indicated by a two-digit number.
Watch the video on how to choose the right coating classes:
According to the classification used in Europe, laminated parquet is divided into several classes, and this depends primarily on wear resistance. They can be divided into two groups: those used for residential buildings and those used in commercial premises.
The first includes:
The second group consists of:
But when assessing the real quality of the flooring, you should also look at other parameters. Both the warranty period and the manufacturer play an important role here. So, for example, a floor from any Scandinavian manufacturer belonging to class 31 will have a warranty period of 10 years or even more, but one made in Poland or Russia is designed for only 5.
As practice shows, class 33 laminated parquet can withstand direct contact with water for a long time. But there are also products that can warp due to excess moisture. And in some cases, laminate flooring is cared for only with the use of special products.
This indicator indicates the strength of the product and allows you to determine the possibility of combination with the doors installed in the room. For living rooms It is advisable to choose a laminate with a thickness of 7-8 mm, but not less than 6 mm.
A floor laid with a thin parquet board will feel like a cold surface and in this case it will need to be heated. But thick laminated parquet has only good reviews. It is wear-resistant, durable and is not afraid of prolonged loads from furniture.
Each manufacturer himself determines what width and length his products will be. This explains that the laminated board has different sizes. And if you lay the flooring yourself, then you should choose not long and wide boards, but standard ones. It's much easier to work with them. If the floor installation is carried out by professionals, then the size of the parquet will not cause any difficulties for them.
Many people are interested in how long laminate flooring will last. This depends on many factors, and first of all, on its characteristics, room traffic and warranty period.
So, for example, the most popular is considered to be 31 classes, laid in a room where high loads, can last more than 3 years. And in ordinary apartment will please the owners for more than 10 years.
Laminated parquet of class 32 in an office will last about 5 years, and in a residential building it will withstand loads for 15 years. This kind of floor is excellent option both for private housing and commercial premises.
When choosing a floor covering, it is very important to pay attention to the warranty period. And never buy laminate without a guarantee or with a period of only a couple of weeks. Even if it will be offered practically free of charge. Through very a short time such an advantage may result in greater costs for the purchase of other flooring material.
High-quality laminated parquet, the price of which is higher than the market average, will last you a long time, and caring for it will not cause significant trouble. In order to navigate prices, just look them up on the Internet on specialized websites or on the official pages of manufacturers.
Many companies, in addition to several main collections, also produce several minor ones under the same brand. Their cost is lower than the main products, but the quality also leaves much to be desired. It is better to choose laminate from the main one model range manufacturer, this will ensure high quality coating and its long service life.
Don't be tempted to buy cheap laminate flooring. Remember that too low a price indicates an equally low quality. When making a choice, pay attention to the nuances highlighted above, and then, installed in your home new material for the floor will not only be reliable, but also attractive, and for a very long time.
Or simply - it is nothing more than an artificial parquet substitute. It has the fewest disadvantages compared to other types parquet flooring, if you do not take into account the artificiality of its origin. Laminate is heat resistant. If a lit cigarette falls on the floor, not the slightest stain will remain on the laminate. It removes stains from coffee, wine or nail polish with ease. You can place heavy furniture on it without fear that characteristic dents will appear on the floor over time. Laminate does not fade in the sun and perfectly imitates almost any type of flooring: parquet, ceramic tiles, abstract patterns. And most importantly, its flooring does not require special skills and can be done in a matter of hours. From this point of view, laminate is “a real breakthrough into the future.” However, it is worth adding that all of the above advantages relate to quality and higher.
Despite the external similarity, laminate has a more complex structure than conventional plastic panel. A slab of laminated parquet consists of four layers. The bottom layer is a melamine base impregnated with resin and coated polymer material. It protects the floor from moisture. The middle layer, or core, is made of fiberboard. It bears the main load and is responsible for the durability of the coating. A decorative layer is applied on top of it - a printed pattern that determines the “species” and “color of the wood.” And finally, on top of the structure, pressed with high temperature And high blood pressure, covered with a layer of durable laminate. It protects against scratches and mechanical impact.
The basis of the laminate is a load-bearing board with water-repellent impregnation, which comes in three types: MDF - medium-pressed fiberboard; HDF - a board of the same structure, but with a higher degree of compaction; and the third connection, the most durable, is a composite of wood-shaving structure, which in Russian is most often referred to as chipboard. The bottom layer of the laminate serves to compensate for the stress that occurs on the slab after applying subsequent layers.
As for colors, the most popular are imitation wood or ceramic tiles. Companies that produce, as a rule, offer the buyer three or four color plates. Larger decor manufacturers may have several dozen.
When comparing laminate with natural parquet, in addition to increased wear resistance, it is worth noting the ease of installation of the former. When laying laminate flooring, there is no need to free up the entire area of the room, since the work can be carried out in stages. Laminate flooring is laid using the so-called floating floor method, when the plates are not firmly attached to the surface, but, tightly joined to each other, are laid on a special floor, which, among other things, provides shock absorption and muffles the noise from footsteps.
There are two ways of joining laminate plates: adhesive and locking (“click”). The first method is more traditional. And he has undeniable advantage- glue enveloping the parts to be joined creates a guaranteed waterproofing of the floor. The castle method is now the most popular. Its main advantage is the ability to easily replace a damaged floorboard (though, in fairness, it should be noted that after 2-3 replacements, a gap may appear between the plates and then the floor insulation will be compromised). Taking into account all the nuances, many duplicate collections, releasing them with two different systems installation
Installing laminate flooring is very simple; all operations are accessible even to a non-professional, especially since the entire process is described in detail in the instructions. But sellers still recommend contacting specialized organizations. Firstly, you don’t have to spend money on specialized tools. And, secondly, with professional installation on a laminate floor, they provide a guarantee.
