The laminate lock is the most important indicator quality depends largely on its execution general form coverings. Having a good lock will allow you to get closer to the answer to the question: “which laminate is better.”
Patented by the Quick-Step concern. The locking system is very convenient when laying laminate flooring in doorways, corners and in confined spaces. The board can be snapped using the standard method, at an angle of 25-30 degrees, or by laying the board completely on the floor, using the tamping method.
Another undeniable dignity– the ability to lay and snap boards both on the left and on the right is important in complex room configurations. The boards click into place very easily, with a characteristic clear click. Treatment against moisture penetration is present.
According to the manufacturer, the system allows you to repeatedly disassemble the boards without damaging them. In my fifteen years of practice, this was the only time I encountered a customer’s desire to remove the old laminate flooring and move it to the dacha. In any case, the laminate is deformed during use and takes on unevenness in the floor; assembly in a new place is possible, but it will no longer be of such high quality, even if the boards are numbered. The declared function is useful primarily during normal installation by a novice master, when repeated separation of the boards during the fitting process is inevitable.
After assembly, the surface is perfectly smooth without the slightest difference in height or gaps. A small disadvantage of this type of lock is the ability to diverge along the short side of the boards. Connected with a very small protrusion of the latch at the bottom, visible in the photo.
It was produced and is still on sale by the Tarkett concern (it is being replaced by a new lock). Feature— a large angle of elevation of the board during installation is not required; an angle of 20-25 degrees is sufficient. T-Lock is well-known, but at the same time quite old, requiring assembly of the entire series. For one person, this is a time-consuming task, and sometimes impossible. With a typical room being six meters long, the slightest shift of any panel at the end joint, left or right, will require dismantling the entire row. Also, transverse joints are often visible,
Moreover, this feature is observed in different collections. This defect is most noticeable in collections of dark tones. During installation, you can feel the moment when the board has settled into place, although not as clearly as with Quick-Step. In our work, in the vast majority of cases, we use a laminate with a thickness of 8 millimeters for longitudinal locks, the protrusion is rather weak - often, when snapping it again, it breaks off. Moisture protection is proprietary - Tech3s.
The 2-Lock lock has a plastic insert, provides high assembly performance, plus the ability to work alone.
Lock from TARKETT, which replaced the T-Lock. As sales progress, all laminate collections are transferred to the new lock, and without any increase in price. The old and new lock are not compatible; there will be a difference in height of about 0.4 mm.
The manufacturer claims a tighter connection of the boards, which significantly increases protection from moisture. 
The tensile test showed a result eight times higher than the specified parameters, according to the EN13329 standard, which can significantly reduce the number of chips and divergence of boards. Boxes with a new lock are marked accordingly. From personal experience, laminate with such locks assembles perfectly. Fixation - without any effort, the installation speed significantly increases. Assembly can be done by one person.
From the manufacturer Classen. A plastic insert is installed at the end of the board, which allows you to snap the board into place by simply pressing on the board from above. Provides a very strong mechanical connection. Work with a vacuum cleaner! The main advantage is the speed of installation; unlike standard methods, there is no need to assemble one long strip, which allows one person to work comfortably, without outside help. Very high quality factory moisture protection.
A variety of locks with plastic insert. Very easy assembly process. Assembly can be done without a partner. No additional tool required. Convenience and speed of installation, has reverse side— repeated disassembly leads to breakage of the lock ridges. It must be collected immediately, without errors. You should be wary of “confident masters.” The lock is similar in appearance to the Uniclik system, which entails the temptation to knock something, knock on it, and so on. The result is inevitably damaged locks.
A characteristic, soft click will notify you of correct installation. Assembly can be done with different sides boards from both tongue and groove. Relevant when assembling floors without thresholds.
No complaints were identified during operation.
From the manufacturer Egger, good locks, Pro does not require assembling the entire row; the board is pushed down from above with a fist blow. High assembly speed.
Just-clic replaced it. Unlike the old one, it requires complete assembly of the row during installation. The profile of the lock is in the form of an oval, with minimal gaps following the contours of the tenon and groove. Very precise fitting of the lock elements, requires perfect cleanliness inside.
Purely subjectively, I liked the first option more, the fixation, without a pronounced click, although in both cases there are no complaints. The surface is perfectly flat.
Russian manufacturer Kronospan. Almost indistinguishable from Tarkett T-lock. Allows you to assemble laminate flooring only in the standard way, in whole rows; it’s better to work together. Average quality price category, without differences in height and gaps. When assembling, there is no feeling of a clear fixation of the lamella. Quite complex work in doorways, a method for adjusting to door frame, by cutting off the lock ridge, is relevant in inconspicuous places. This type of lock is difficult to achieve high-quality styling The now widespread method is “the whole apartment without thresholds.” On well-lit surfaces, all the tricks, in the form of a cut lock, will be noticeable, which can lead to rapid wear of the protruding part.
Locks in inexpensive collections do not hold moisture at all; they must be treated with Click Guard sealant. Today, this is already nonsense, given the cost of the sealant and the labor intensity - it is better to choose an option with a waterproof lock.
From a Norwegian manufacturer, very high quality, lock with aluminum insert, for ordinary apartments does not have any advantages, its main advantage is a strong mechanical connection that can manifest itself on large areas, where for a conventional laminate, the installation of dividing thresholds is required. Ease of installation and clear fixation are a plus. Price is a minus. Compared to the same Classen, given the huge selection of colors for a small apartment, the purchase can hardly be called advisable.
This article describes only those locks that our locksmiths work with constantly; there are a huge number of different trade names, but the essence remains the same. Padded adhesive locks are a thing of the past. Modern locks allow you to work without glue and sealants, are quite well designed and reliable, provide high quality and strength. The only difference is the ease of installation.
Contrary to manufacturers' statements about the possibility of laying coatings without the use of additional tools, settling the boards using a block or a piece of lock from another lamella is always required! Easy sampling of gaps must be carried out. .
Taking into account the permissible micron gaps, installation work, for any type of lock, should be carried out only with the use of a vacuum cleaner. Dust removal of the groove under the next row is also mandatory!
Laminate flooring that requires laying in a row, it is advisable to lay it with a partner, alone, it is easy to break the lock, this manifests itself in the form of a gap and a characteristic rise in the transverse joint.
All famous manufacturers in Russia, they produce laminate in accordance with GOST or TU, often similar to European standards. As a rule, a difference of up to 100 microns is allowed - this is the thickness of a sheet of “Snow Maiden” paper. Tactilely, such a difference will be felt when held with a fingernail, and will be visually visible, although it is considered the norm.
You should not purchase laminate without moisture protection locks, this is no longer relevant, the difference in price is negligible, and the service life differs significantly.
The craftsmen working for us note successful design Uniclik locks from Quick-Step, which allow laying laminate flooring in “difficult places” with minimal damage to the lock, and experience in using coatings from the manufacturer of the same name allows us to give it an “excellent” rating. The preference is for Belgian-made laminate, compared to the Russian Quick-Step, with quality, however, not everything is so smooth yet. There is no such ease and clarity of assembly. The Uniclic lock is used by the Kastomonu concern, which produces laminate flooring in Elabuga. The new TC-Lock from TARKETT honestly deserves a “good” rating.
Can be considered the most common floor covering. The simplicity of laying the panels allows you to do this work yourself without hiring expensive specialists. Each panel has special locks, thanks to which it is not difficult to assemble the flooring. We will tell you what types of laminate locks there are, and which ones are best to give preference to.
Many manufacturers often come up with various locking connections and claim that their system is the best and most reliable. To the question of what kind of locks there are, you can answer this way - all locks are conditionally divided into two groups (varieties):
The difference between these groups is the way the panels are joined. Lock locks have been used for a very long time and have proven themselves to be the most economical option. Such laminate locks are produced using the milling method. They are a tenon with a locking comb on one side and a milled groove on the other side of the panel.
Panels with Lock locks are mounted by driving a tenon into the groove until it is completely seated and eliminating the gap between adjacent panels. This is done with a wooden mallet or a metal hammer, after first placing a wooden block or a piece of timber.
This kind of work requires attention from the master and constant monitoring of the joints. Despite the fact that these are simple and reliable locking connections, they have their disadvantages. Under load, the lock comb wears out from friction, which leads to the appearance of cracks between the cracks. Unfortunately, panels with such locks cannot be disassembled and reassembled if necessary.
It is important to know! To increase the protection of joints from water, it is recommended to treat any type of laminate joint with a sealant.
A more modern development is considered to be one equipped with click locks. This coating does not have the disadvantages of Locke locks. Locks are also made using the milling method, but the panel tenon has the appearance of a flat hook. The groove on the other side has a selected area for engagement with the hook.
Assembling the panels is very simple and does not require much effort. The panel is inserted with a tenon into the groove of the previous panel at an angle of 45 degrees. When the panel is lowered to the floor, the hook engages with the groove area and a characteristic double click occurs. This is where the name Twin Click comes from.
This interlocking connection of the laminate securely fixes the panels. Even under heavy load, the lamellas do not diverge during long-term use. It is very important that such a coating is easy not only to assemble, but also to disassemble. Manufacturers claim that laminate flooring with click locks can be disassembled up to 3-4 times.
If the climate is very humid, such a joint can also be treated with sealant. There is no need to be afraid that the laminate may not be disassembled later. The sealant is easily removed from the groove of the laminate flooring.
On sale you can find laminate with wax impregnation of locks. This is the so-called Lock Tec lock developed by Witex. All edges are treated with wax, which significantly increases protection against moisture.
Thanks to wax impregnation, the joints between the panels are practically invisible when laid in the correct direction. The floor looks monolithic, which guarantees the coating's resistance to moisture penetration.
Laminate with an aluminum lock can withstand loads of up to 200 kg per 1 square meter. The metal lamella located on the back side of the panel engages with the groove of the adjacent board. Due to the simplicity of the design, laying this laminate is very quick. Manufacturers guarantee that this will never come apart, and some manufacturers even give a lifetime guarantee (laminate from ALLOC). This coating can be installed and dismantled up to 6 times.
Innovative developments of Megaloc type locks make it possible to speed up the process of laying laminate flooring by 3-4 times. This is due to the location of an additional plastic lock on the end side of the plate. The covering is assembled along the side as usual, and to join at the end, just lay the panel and lightly press on it until it clicks.
The question of which laminate locks are better can be answered unambiguously – twinclick locks. A wide variety of locks from different modern manufacturers in fact, they are just modifications of one reliable locking system.
One of the most popular and in demand floor coverings of our time is laminate. And this is not surprising, because its use allows you to give the room a completely different look in a short period of time. Today there is a large number of manufacturers who make it in different colors, styles, textures, etc. Laminate flooring is famous for being very easy to assemble. Gone are the days when everything was held together with glue. Now there is glue-free technology. Laminate flooring uses special locks. It is noteworthy that there is a wide variety of them. In this article we will introduce you to all existing types of laminate locks. We will compare them with each other and discuss which one is better.
Someone may object, why, strictly speaking, complicate everything and come up with a large number of locking connections? On the one hand, it may seem that it is best to rivet everything according to the standard and then the installers will not have to bother at all. However, as practice shows, it is during installation that the need for different systems laminate lock.
Already now we can safely say that some types of laminate locks are clearly outdated. They are used by the manufacturer only because he has old equipment. Some laminate locks are considered the most popular and in demand. Others belong exclusively to one of the many companies, that is, they have imposed a patent on their development of the laminate lock, and no one can copy them.
So, if you look at the modern market, you can find the following types of locks for laminate flooring:
Among other things, there are locking systems with aluminum, plastic and other elements. We will present you with more details about all this in this article. However, now we will answer the question: why are there so many varieties of locking systems? For example, locking systems with an aluminum system are designed for loads of up to 1.2 tons per square meter. Plus, after installation a seamless effect is created.
What if you need to dismantle the floors, for example, you live in a house where flooding occurs frequently. And if you disassemble the laminate in time, it will not be damaged. There may be other cases. So, you can choose a system that allows you to disassemble the laminate.
Moreover, the presence of one or another lock for laminate flooring also determines the cost of the product. For example, the Lock system is characteristic primarily of budget laminate. Plus, some locks can create an original picture on the floor when installed, whether it’s a beautiful seam or no seam at all. So, now we propose to begin directly comparing and studying different locks for laminate flooring.
This type of laminate lock is created by milling the lock part. The thickness of the locking element is equal to the thickness of the MDF board. So, on one side of the laminate panel there is a special groove, and on the opposite side there is a tenon. A retainer is built into them, which holds the laminate together while walking on it. This laminate locking system has the following advantages:
For the sake of objectivity, we also note the disadvantages. If excessive load is placed on the floors, friction will form at the joints. For this reason, the fasteners in the groove will begin to wear off, and as a result, the connection will become fragile. This is one of the reasons why gaps often appear between the slats.
Unlike the laminate locking system described above, Click has more advantages. The laminate assembly process is carried out at an angle of 45 degrees. And at the same time you should not make titanic efforts. If the previous lock could be damaged during installation, this one cannot. Moreover, the docking is very tight and reliable. As a result, such a connection can cope with high loads.
Important! A number of well-known and expensive manufacturers produce such laminate, where after installation with the Click system the joints of the lamellas are absolutely invisible. Of course, such laminate locks create a beautiful effect.
There are a number of positive aspects of this system:
So, having looked at the main features of these two systems, let's compare them with each other and immediately determine which laminate locks are better. Speaking for Lock, this locking connection has proven itself positively over the years. This castle is considered the most accessible and inexpensive. After all, the lock is formed by milling directly on the lamella itself. Installation requires a lot of physical effort, as a mallet/hammer and a wooden stand are used. Otherwise the connection will not be fixed.
Important! This method installation requires special skills of a craftsman, since if you apply a little more effort, the lock for the laminate can be damaged. There were often cases when the master missed the hammer and fell straight into a tenon. The consequences are not the most rosy.
Click, in turn, is more modern system lock for laminate. It completely lacks the disadvantages described above. The process of making a groove occurs in the same way, by milling. But as for the shape of the spike, it looks like a flat hook. The groove, in turn, has a kind of platform into which this tenon fits. As practice shows, the assembly process is very fast. It is necessary to bring the bar to the groove at an angle of 45 degrees. Insert the groove into the tenon. And with a smooth movement, simultaneously pressing and lowering, a strong connection is formed. As a result, you can hear a characteristic click.
So, from this description and comparison, it is clear which of these two laminate locking systems is better. Although you will have to overpay for the latter, the end result will be much more effective.
After a while, manufacturers decided to improve the slat joining system and added plastic to the laminate locks. This technology has characteristic differences and is divided into two features:
But it is important to understand that plastic is used as a connection. And this material tends to break at the most inopportune moment and in the most inopportune place. Therefore, this type of lock for laminate flooring is not very popular.
This method of joining laminate has its own distinctive features and now we will present them to you:
Important! According to the manufacturer, this coating can cope with loads from 850 to 1200 kg per square meter.
As already mentioned, this is a lock patented by the manufacturer, developed using special technology. This docking method can easily be considered the most progressive. The locks have relatively wide special elements, which, when brought together, fit together without distortions or deformations. In this case, you should not give a large slope angle.
When docking, a characteristic click is heard, indicating reliability and complete fixation. Without deforming the lock, the laminate can be disassembled and reassembled up to four times. An important advantage is that this coating is convenient for installation in rooms with cramped dimensions.
When using this technology, the joining process occurs not only from the longitudinal side of the lamella, but also from the short end sections. In this case, there are no difficulties in installation work. The slats snap together very easily. But there is one significant drawback here. In such systems there is always a plastic or aluminum fixing tab. If it is accidentally damaged during installation, it can no longer be repaired, and as a result, the laminate board will automatically become unusable.
In this case, the docking is carried out not only along the long side, but also on the short side. The connection principle boils down to the use of tongue and groove technology. This made it possible to repair the coating if necessary. Moreover, it can be disassembled and reassembled several times without the risk of damaging the coating.
Important! The Megalock locking system allows for complete isolation from moisture penetration. That is why these locks are used in combination with moisture-resistant products.
So, we have discussed with you the most common technologies that are most often found on the domestic market. Now let's turn our attention to lock systems that are patented by different manufacturers.
So, we've covered everything important features and types of locks for laminate flooring. As you can see, they all have very different types and specifications. We hope that this material has given you a lot of useful food for thought. After reading this article and watching the video at the end of the article, you can arm yourself with the necessary knowledge and confidently go to the store. This will guarantee that you will make a quality purchase.
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The first laminate was installed using only glue and screws. But as they say, the world is full of ideas. And at the end of the XX century. appeared to the world the new kind laying the laminate - in a floating way, all thanks to the locking connection. The use of HDF board instead of conventional MDF resulted in milling machines received a lock of the most complex shape and incredible precision. All laminate locks divided into 3 groups: Click, Lock and 5G. Of course, there are many more patented names. Each manufacturer has developed its own unique lock for laminate. Let's consider each of them separately.
Laminate with lockLock, or as it is also called a hammer lock, which works on the tongue-and-groove principle. The groove is a kind of comb that can hold the tenon after it is driven in. The laminate is connected by hammering the boards at right angles (90 0 C) using a rubberized hammer or wooden mallet. Disadvantages: after laying laminate with lockLock it cannot be disassembled and, at the same time, not be damaged; moreover, it has been noticed that with such a connection of the laminate, cracks always form over time. Today this locking system is almost never used.
For the convenience and speed of laying laminate flooring with a lock, Lock was developed laminate with plastic lock. Plastic can be springy or hard. Laminate with a rigid plastic lock is difficult to install, and the springy plastic plate locking the laminate can make the job much easier. But the geometry of the plate is not so ideal; for a good connection, it may be necessary to additionally tamp the laminate. Sawing the laminate in the area of the plastic lock can lead to its breakage.
SystemClick- This is a method of connecting laminate lamellas at an angle of 45 degrees. This is the most common. Laying laminate flooring using system locksClick occurs in rows, very quickly and without much difficulty. The main advantage of the Click lock is the ability to disassemble and reassemble flooring. At the same time, this does not affect the quality of the connection in any way; the boards do not separate even under the heaviest loads. This system reads dozens of individual types of laminate locks.
In addition, there are Click systems with aluminum plates that ensure reliable fixation of the boards from below. Inconveniences laminate with metal lock begin during installation. The fact is that the plate must be placed under the board, while trying not to touch the substrate. The plate itself can cut you, so you need to work extremely carefully.
In order to simplify the assembly of the laminate, without compromising the quality and strength of the connection, the average person was offered system 5 laminate lockG. Its distinctive feature is laying laminate with 1 click. Namely: the short side of the lamella is latched simultaneously with the lock connection on the long side automatically. This became possible thanks to the presence of a “moving tongue” at the end of the laminate board lock. The slats seem to be fastened to each other with simple hand pressure. There are many options 5 laminate locksG. Each manufacturer has improved and patented its type of laminate lock. Below you can familiarize yourself with them in more detail.
Types of laminate locks from different manufacturers
There are various types of laminate locks, which differ from each other in the design of the connecting elements. Leading laminate manufacturers not only independently developed laminate locks, but also patented them. Let's consider laminate locks leading world leaders.
1. Quick-Step Company, laminate with lockUniclic: original design snap lock system tongue-and-groove without the use of any tools. Quick-Step offers a lifetime warranty on its interlocking system: no gaps and no panel separation. Laminate Quick Step with lock Uniclic ensures a seamless floor, since the gap is practically invisible. Laying laminate with a lock Uniclic can be done in any direction, in two ways, since the lock is located on all four sides of the lamella. The first involves connecting boards at an angle of only 30 0 C. The second is a horizontal connection of lamellas. It is used when laying coverings in doorway. For this case, a special pad is used. It should be noted that connecting the laminate with one blow is prohibited. Make small blows along the entire length of the edge in stages until you hear a characteristic click. Dismantling and re-installation can be carried out up to 4 times.
2. Pergo laminate uses the following laminate locks: ProLoc and SmartLock. ProLoc system used for laying laminate flooring large rooms and in places with intense loads. Its distinctive feature is a triple fastening system. Installation is quite quick and simple. This type of interlocking laminate is particularly moisture resistant, since all joints are additionally impregnated. For areas with high humidity, Pergo recommends the use of its advanced SafeSeal sealant. When dismantling laminate lock It is almost impossible to damage, which is why the floor can be disassembled and reassembled several times.
SmartLock System- this is more simple laminate lock, the joints of which are also impregnated with moisture-resistant impregnation. The coating can withstand heavy loads, the installation itself is very quick and easy at any angle. The insert ridge itself is fixed in the groove by simply pressing the end of the laminate board. The floor does not deform because the laminate boards are firmly fixed to each other.
3. Next on our list is laminate lockEgger - Pro Click system. Thanks to the special geometry of the lamella, laying the laminate occurs on one side (see photo below), very easily, quickly and very reliably. In this case, it is possible to use STRIP EX and CLIC SEALER sealants. Laminate lock Pro Click provides high level stability of the coating, its strength at any surface tension. Egger laminate can be removed several times without losing the quality of the lock.
4. Balterio laminate floors offer the following revolutionary interlocking systems: Click Xpress, DropXpress and PressXpress. By the way, Balterio laminate can be disassembled as many times as you like. Virtually no loss of quality of the locking connection.
- Click Xpress System- installation of the floor without gaps, creating a seamless coating. At the same time, the laminate can be easily disassembled and re-installed if necessary.
- DropXpress laminate lock- this is a castle U-shaped 5G systems. Laminate flooring is laid by connecting boards along the short side from top to bottom, and along the long side they fit together independently.
- Lock PressXpress from the 5G system. The laminate is connected by simply pressing. At the same time, the groove, which is located inside the panel, ensures reliable fixation and assembly without visible seams.
5. Megaloc Castle from the German brand Classen. Perhaps one of the strongest laminate locks on the end part of the lamella. An interesting technological solution made it possible to create a lock that is easy to install and extremely reliable. The connection takes place using a special tongue and groove (see the figure below).
Installation begins by connecting the boards along the length. But there is one difference. The installation of the next row is a little different: along the first row, the tenon of the board of the new row is applied at an angle, with its long side. To completely connect the ends, the board is lowered and pressed lightly until a characteristic click occurs, since Megalock laminate lock located on the end of the panel. Additional recommended processing of laminate locks ISOWAXX impregnation, which penetrates into the locking joint, fills it and reliably protects it from moisture. If necessary, the laminate can be easily dismantled and reassembled.
6. LocTec lock from the manufacturer Witex: connection strength, tensile strength up to 1100 Nm/lm, reliability and durability - these are the main advantages of the LocTec lock. Highlight from Witex - laminate with impregnated locks paraffin for better protection against moisture. The laminate boards are simply inserted into each other at an angle and click into place with a simple downward push. The floor can be used immediately after installation. If necessary, the floor can be disassembled and reassembled several times.
7. LockT-Lock- an exclusive development of the Tarkett company, is one of the best, adopted by many laminate manufacturers. Laminate with lock T-Lock Installed by simply clicking the laminate boards along the long side using a small angle. The floor is obtained without cracks or distortions. If necessary, Tarkett laminate can be dismantled and re-installed ( Tarkett laminate lock works 3-4 times).
Laminate with lock- this is real grace. Judge for yourself - no dirt, no dust, no need to wait for the glue to dry. Lay the laminate and enjoy the floor to your health. Another question, which laminate lock is better. Each manufacturer did their best, offering us not just quick and convenient assembly, but a reliable, durable and very beautiful floor. Choose a laminate depending on your requirements for it. If you have questions regarding the choice of laminate, please contact laminate price
Modern types of laminate locks are a structural part of the laminated board, which is responsible for connecting the lamellas to each other. The service life of the floor covering depends on how well the lock is made and how well the covering laying technology is followed.
Most famous brands and brands offer their own locking system designed for specific type laminate or a specific collection. In general, almost all locks are a derivative or a modernized version of two classical types– “Click” or “Lock”.
Lock type connections require more thorough preparation of the subfloor
The “Lock” type of connection is a standard “tenon-groove” principle. The laminate panel has a recess with a comb on one side, and a protrusion that follows the shape of the comb on the other.
Installation of the laminate occurs by hammering the board to be laid into the already laid panel at an angle of 90 degrees using a mallet and a tamping block. As a result, the panels are brought together, forming an invisible joint.
Among the significant disadvantages of this type of lock are:
The occurrence of problems with loosening of the locking connection can be minimized by carefully leveling the subfloor and using a high-quality damping underlay.
“Lock” locks are gradually losing popularity to their higher-quality counterparts, but some manufacturers still use them, especially when producing cheap collections.
The “Click” type locking connection is made in the form of a groove with a protruding element on one side of the panel and a tongue shaped like a hook on the other side of the panel.
Installation of a laminate with such a lock is carried out by placing the laid sheet into the groove of the laid panel at an angle of 45 degrees. The angle may have different values depending on the manufacturer.
Next, the panel is lowered to the floor surface, an improvised hook clings to the comb in the groove and closes. If the connection is tight, a characteristic sound resembling a “click” or faint click may occur.
Click systems create a stronger and more durable connection
Among the advantages of such a lock are the following:
It is worth noting that these benefits apply only to branded panels. Chinese counterfeits or coatings that do not meet international standards rarely last the stated service life and become unusable when you try to dismantle them.
The “Click” locking system served as the basis for the development of proprietary connections from many manufacturers. Often the locks are supplemented with a locking system that allows you to install the covering by simply pressing the edge of the panel.
For example, there is a 5G laminate locking system that has a similar shunt and groove design. In the recess of the shunt (from the end) there is a closing “tongue”, which is pressed under pressure, and after the elements fit tightly, it closes.
If we carry out a detailed comparison, the “Click” type lock is significantly superior to the “Lock” type connection. This is a modern fastening system that allows you to fix laminate boards more efficiently and more firmly.
The flooring after laying the laminate with the “Click” lock forms almost monolithic slab without a joint visible to the naked eye. The strength of the joint, in turn, guarantees trouble-free operation of the laminated cladding during the stated period.
If we consider the question from the point of view of which laminate lock is better or which system to choose from the existing options, it all depends on the budget and allocated funds. Manufacturers such as Tarkett, Kronospan, Classen offer their solutions, which are based on click or 5G systems.
General comparison of two popular connection types
Tarkett has a T-Lock connection that combines classic version“tenon and groove” and “Click”. When laying, the panel is set at a slight angle, pressed slightly and at the same time lowered to the floor. Laminate flooring with such a lock is easy to install even without extraneous tools. To dismantle the panel, simply perform the reverse steps.
Kronospan laminate has a lock with a brand name - 1clic2go. When installing, just align the locking cutouts and lightly press the panel. This allows you to finish the flooring in a room in record time. It is almost impossible to somehow damage the laminate during work.
Classen products are equipped with a connection called Megalock. This is a proprietary variation of the 5G lock. At the end of the panel there is a shaped power layer, which opens when the panels fit tightly. Installation, as in other cases, takes place without special tools.
When choosing a laminate, always consider the interlocking connection from the point of view of simplicity and reliability of the design. Laminate with 5G lock and its variants is most preferable for rooms where dismantling or re-installation of the flooring will not be carried out in the next 10-12 years.
For re-installation, it is better to use laminate with a simple “Click” lock. Especially if the relaying of the coating will be done once or in case of urgent need to eliminate any problem.
