I think everyone knows what laminate is. This material is very popular now. Excellent appearance and quite affordable price- these are the main factors that people take into account when choosing this flooring for their home or apartment. How to lay laminate- We’ll try to figure this out now.
As usual, we start with surface preparation. First, our subfloor needs to be examined for any irregularities. In general, manufacturers allow irregularities of up to 2 mm per meter of floor area. Those. You take a flat strip (level, usually) 1 meter long and apply it to the floor at different places and in different directions, determining the presence of depressions and mounds.
Changes in concrete floors are leveled using a thin screed made from self-leveling liquid mixtures. If you have uneven plank floors, it is advisable to put chipboard or plywood on them. Well suited for laying laminate flooring. It is important to understand here that the more uneven the base, the greater the likelihood of gaps appearing between the laminate panels. When walking on the floor in uneven areas, the panels bend relative to each other, and the locking joints gradually wear out. And the lower the quality of the laminate itself, the faster the cracks will appear.
The next step is to lay the underlayment. Its thickness is usually from 2 to 4 mm. There is no point in making the backing thicker; this will again lead to wear of the locks. The choice of substrates is now very diverse. The cheapest are those made from polyethylene foam (penofol, polyfom, isolon and many others).
Cork substrates are more environmentally friendly, but also more expensive. There are substrates made of extruded polystyrene foam, made in the form of rectangular sheets. One side is grooved. When laying it should be facing down.
In general, the choice is large, and moreover, it is constantly replenished. To be honest, I can’t advise you on what to choose. I never felt any noticeable difference. As usual, every manufacturer has the best product. I will only say that the service life of all of the above types of substrates is much higher than that of the laminate itself, so any of them is quite acceptable.
When laying laminate on concrete base, you need to additionally spread waterproofing under the substrate. This could be, for example, a simple polyethylene film 0.2 mm thick or any other waterproofing film.
Before laying, the laminate must lie in the room for at least 2 days so that it adapts to the temperature and humidity of the room. It is recommended to lay it along the direction of the sun's rays. When laid crosswise, the joints create small shadows and they become a little more noticeable, spoiling the integrity of the appearance.
In general, there are two ways to install laminate:
The adhesive installation method has one good advantage - the joints are reliably protected from moisture penetration. Due to this, the service life of the coating increases. But the installation process itself is more complex and time-consuming (compared to the locking process), and there are additional costs for glue. In rooms where a heated floor system is installed, it is not recommended to use this method.
Installation using the adhesive method involves applying a special water-repellent glue to the ends of the panels (sold together with the laminate). Under no circumstances should glue be used on water based(for example PVA). This will lead to swelling of the joints. The glue is applied to the groove of the panel along the entire length. The groove is then mated to the tenon of the previously laid panel. The connection is sealed with light blows of a hammer through wooden block. Excess glue is wiped off with a damp cloth.
After laying 3 rows of panels, it is better to give the glue a couple of hours to dry. Then we lay the floor to the end. You can start using the coating 10-12 hours after installation.
The adhesive installation method is now used less and less. There is practically no such laminate left on sale. It is being forced out of the market by interlocking panels. This is due to the ease of installation of the latter. Moreover, the interlocking laminate coating can even be disassembled without damaging the panels and, for example, moved to another room. Although, to be honest, I have never heard of anyone doing this.
Locks from all laminate manufacturers have their own characteristics and differences. But in general, they can all be divided into 2 groups: Click And Lock.
When laying laminate with locks like Lock one panel is driven into another using a hammer. Thanks to special combs, the tenon is securely fixed in the groove without the use of glue.
Locks type Click appeared later and are considered to be of higher quality and wear-resistant. They are mounted by inserting one panel into another at an angle (30-45º). Then it is pressed to the floor and the lock latches. On my own behalf, I’ll add that you still have to hammer the laminate with a hammer, although the manufacturers don’t write about this in the instructions.
The installation sequence for all types of laminate described above is almost the same. Laying begins from the left corner of the room. Before laying the 1st row, you need to measure the width of the room and calculate how wide the last row will be. Otherwise, it may turn out that you cover the entire room and at the end there will be a gap of 2-3 cm along the wall. You cannot close it with a plinth, and such a narrow strip of laminate will not hold well. The width should be at least 5 cm. To do this, the panels of the first row will need to be cut to length.
It is necessary to leave a gap between the laminate and the walls for thermal expansion. Usually it is made about 1 cm. The main thing is that it is then covered with a plinth.
So we assemble the first row of laminate from left to right. The rightmost panel basically always needs to be trimmed (don't forget the gaps). You can start the next row with the remaining piece, this way we get the necessary seam spacing. It is recommended that this distance be at least 30 cm.
Having completed the first row between the laminate and the walls, we insert wedges to provide the necessary gap, while ensuring that the row is straight. True, I do it myself a little differently. When hammering the panels of subsequent rows with a hammer, the wedges often fly out, the straightness of the row is disrupted, and in general it is inconvenient. Therefore, I fix the first row with self-tapping screws and washers (if we are laying on a wooden floor) or dowel-nails with washers (if the floor is concrete). I screw them in the corners and at the joints of the panels of the first row. After finishing installing the laminate, I make sure to unscrew it.
When laying laminate using the adhesive method and with drive-in locks such as Lock Each subsequent panel is first joined along the long edge, then along the end.
When laying laminate with a lock type Click First, a whole row of panels is assembled and then it is completely inserted into the previous one. If the room is large, it is inconvenient to do this alone; it is better to do it together.
When installing, it is convenient to use a special set of tools to tamp laminate panels. If this is not available, knock the laminate through a piece of panel (10-15 cm), inserting it into the groove with a tenon. When installing the rightmost panels of the row and the entire last row, you can press it away from the wall with a small nail puller, only carefully, through the pads, so as not to damage the walls and laminate.
After completing the installation, you need to install the skirting boards, and they can only be attached to the wall, and not to the floor.
IN modern world Laminate flooring is popular. A special system for laying laminated panels, which snaps them together with a lock, allows you to update the floor easily and quickly.
Life time flooring directly depends on the quality of the locks and compliance with the panel laying technology.
The technology for locking laminate flooring was developed not so long ago, but has already earned the love and recognition of people involved in repairs. There are several reasons for this:
First, let's look at the basic types of locks:
Unlike the lock system, click locks are not afraid of heavy loads and are also easy to disassemble.
In addition to basic locks, many companies, using their own technologies, produce laminate with patented locks. Among the existing proprietary developments are:
Aluminum locks allow the use of laminate flooring in areas with high loads and high foot traffic. According to the manufacturer, the panels can be disassembled 3 times and reassembled without losing the quality of the floor covering.
For a person who is not involved professionally repair work, quite difficult to choose suitable laminate among the variety of lock connections.
According to most experts, the most practical design is flooring with Click locks. And although Lock locks are less susceptible to stretching over time and are easier to disassemble when necessary, and the price of such a laminate is more affordable, they are still a more outdated modification. Over time and under heavy loads the connections at the joints wear out, creating gaps between the panels.
The Click system, in turn, guarantees maximum strength of connections during repeated assembly and disassembly without damaging the locking system. Laying such a coating is very simple and quick, even on floors with minor unevenness.
And although you will have to pay for such a laminate more money, but the quality of the coating will remain at its best for many years.
The method of laying laminated panels and connecting them to each other depends on the type of laminate. Before laying the slats in any case it is necessary to eliminate differences and unevenness of the floor using a screed, and then lay the underlay.
There are two options for connecting panels when installing laminate. The adhesive method, thanks to a special technology, protects the joints between the panels from moisture penetration. Therefore, the lifespan of the flooring is significantly increased. But this method also has many negative points. For example, spending additional money on purchasing a special waterless adhesive composition, besides, gluing laminate is always more difficult and takes longer. Warm floors are absolutely incompatible with the adhesive method of laying laminate flooring.
In order to lay laminate flooring in this way, you need to apply glue to the groove part of the panel and insert a tenon into it. Then, using a hammer with a wooden head, you need to press the lamellas together as tightly as possible. Excess adhesive solution must be removed using a cloth rag. First you need to lay out three rows of slats and wait a few hours for the glue to set. Then you can fill the rest of the room with slats.
It should take at least half a day for the flooring to dry completely.
However, due to the ease of installation, hardware stores are increasingly offering laminated panels with different locks. Assembly of laminate with Lock-locks occurs by hammering one panel into another. Most Click mechanisms are connected at an angle, and when the panel is lowered to the floor, the lock closes. If necessary, the panels can also be knocked out with a hammer.
Laminate with a locking connection has approximately the same assembly algorithm. Before laying, you need to measure the width of the room so that at least 5 cm in length remains for the last row. If necessary, you need to shorten the slats of the first row. In addition, you need to leave gaps for thermal expansion.
When laying panels using the adhesive method or using Lock-locks, the panels must be joined first along the length and then along the end side. Click-locks are characterized by gathering the entire row of lamellas at once and attaching it as a whole to the previous row.
Therefore, for a large area of the room it is better to enlist the help of an assistant.
Sometimes even such a flawless floor covering as laminate can come apart. Then it is necessary to determine the cause of the damage to the coating and, if possible, eliminate it.
The cause of failure of the laminate may be dry air, due to which the panels shrink and crack. To avoid this, you need to constantly ventilate the room, or install a humidifier.
Neglecting the screed before laying the laminate leads to the fact that the laminate uneven floor it comes apart, creaks or sways when you walk on it, and the locks become unusable.
If the panel lock breaks very quickly, it may be due to the poor quality of the product. There is no need to chase cheapness and choose models from unknown manufacturers.
Failure to comply with installation technology laminate also often leads to problems with the coating. Often during installation they forget to leave gaps, and when the boards swell, the laminate cracks. Do not forget to remove construction debris from the floor, since even a small stone can disrupt the operation of the best quality lock.
Laminate is a modern, durable, wear-resistant and comfortable floor covering. Installation of flooring can be done without special skills. The amount of effort will depend on what types of laminate locks are used by the manufacturer on the product used to decorate the apartment. Some of them do not provide for disassembly and secondary assembly of the coating. Others speed things up. The third ones are most convenient if you need to minimize the displacement of the slats.
Considering price lists and analyzing laminate flooring offers, the average user does not understand why there are different types castle zones. It would seem more rational to use only one, the most convenient one. In practice, things are different.
Some laminate locks are outdated and are only used by manufacturers with older technological lines. Others appear to be the most common. Still others are patented by individual companies. Some are the latest technological solutions; such locks on laminate require a special approach to the molding of lamellas.
The following types of docking mechanics systems are found on the modern market:
The list closes with a special class of laminate joint areas where aluminum parts are used. Such laminate locking systems guarantee resistance to the separation force of the lamellas up to 1200 kg per square meter, as well as the invisibility of connecting lines between laying elements.
When choosing a specific type of laminate slats for home decoration, it is useful to immediately assess whether disassembly and subsequent assembly of the covering is necessary or not. If you purchase a product from the budget segment that will wear out during the time between repairs, you can save money by choosing a product with a Lock lock.
For a flooring that is designed to last for decades, it is helpful to consider disassembling and reassembling the decking. For this case, manufacturers will offer different types of laminate locks.
To understand exactly which locks on the installation elements will be most convenient in a particular apartment, we will consider in detail the properties of each of them. Laminates from different manufacturers of the same strength class and thickness may have different joining systems. The final price of the products will depend on their complexity, so you should carefully choose a specific product when purchasing.
The Lock type lock zone is considered obsolete. Her thesis description looks like this:
With the help of Lock class joints it is easy to obtain a durable coating. It can be sealed using a wide range of adhesive compositions and mixtures. But Lock class laminate does not require dismantling and reassembling the coating. It is almost impossible to do this without damaging the installation elements. In addition, if even a small amount of water gets into the joining line unprotected by glue, deformation of the base of the laminate board will quickly ruin the flooring.
There is also the problem of long-term use of flooring created from elements with Lock locks. Over time, due to mechanical deformation of the lamellas under load, the connecting line loses strength. The material simply wears out and the lock's tenon wears out. To reduce the destruction process to a minimum, the surface under the decking must meet strict requirements, 2 mm height difference per square meter. In fact, the industry standard was developed specifically for laminate flooring with Lock locks.
The most common, fairly simple and durable lock. It uses the same tongue and groove technology as the Lock connection. However, hammering is not required. Working with a Click lock can be described as follows:
When the lock is locked, a characteristic click sounds, which gave common noun class of docking zones. The Click system is convenient, simple, durable. You can disassemble and reassemble the coating up to 4 times. However, one of the disadvantages of Lock locks remains. The tenon and groove wear out over time and the connection weakens.
Tarkett has carefully considered the advantages of the aging Lock and the common Click system. The patented T-Lock design realizes the most noticeable advantages of the two systems. The slats are connected at a small angle, almost horizontally (unlike Click, where the initial parking angle can be 40 degrees), and are fixed to guarantee the strength of the connection. At the same time, installation is quickly done without distortions and cracks (what makes the Lock system attractive).
Today the Tarkett company is not a monopolist and dozens of brands offer T-Lock locks in their products. Laminate flooring made from lamellas equipped with such a system allows for disassembly and re-laying of the flooring without damaging the joint area up to 4 times.
For laminates equipped with a 5G locking system, the lamellas are connected not only along the length, but also in the end area. When laying, the board is easily fixed, literally with one click. There is a slight drawback to this connection system. It necessarily uses an aluminum or plastic fixing tongue that cannot be repaired. Its failure means that the laying board will have to be replaced.
The 5G system is not widespread. The development company patented its invention, so other brands were forced to follow their own path.
The very same path that companies took, trying to offer customers the functionality of the patented 5G system. Megalock provides fixation of the board from the end and along the length, but provides for a special procedure for assembling the covering.
The tongue-and-groove connection of the lamellas made it possible to achieve high repairability of the coating, provide many cycles of assembly and disassembly of the flooring; when treating the joining areas with special impregnations, complete protection can be achieved lock connection from moisture.
The advantages of various locking connections can be listed for a long time. The list contains many names and subtypes, most of which belong only to individual brands. Listed types the connection is enough to understand how a particular laminate with locks works. This is an excellent floor covering, characterized by durability, excellent aesthetics and a solid service life. And interlocking connections, which simultaneously speed up assembly and improve the quality of the flooring, will allow you to do all the work on decorating a house or apartment yourself.
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 locking system, developed for specific type laminate or a specific collection. In general, almost all locks are a derivative or a modernized version of two classic 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 base 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, which 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, which combines the classic “tenon and groove” and “Click” options. 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.
I’m rarely asked “which type of laminate lock is better, more convenient or stronger” and it’s clear why such a question is not relevant. The buyer considers the product as a whole, focusing on the end result - appearance, comfort, and service life of the coating. And how the process of performing the work of a hired worker will take place is not important to many. However, in Lately, people have become more discerning, which is right. Therefore, this article will be of interest to many readers who are planning to lay laminate flooring themselves. Or those who have read a lot of information, but still haven’t figured out which laminate to buy, with Lock or Click 3G, 5G locks and what is the difference between them?
Dear readers! Below in the text there will be links to the largest stores where you can view products with specific locking connections.
The type of locking connection does not seem to directly affect the operation process. This is partly true, but much depends on the conditions in which the installation is carried out.
The evenness of the floor and walls, the presence of door blocks, the method of flooring, the experience of the craftsman - all this contributes or hinders the assembly of the laminate with various types castle And difficulty in execution can lead to damage to the coating and disappointment from the results of apartment renovation.
List of articles you must read before purchasing laminate flooring.
The brief background written below is important for understanding the entire process of creating and improving lock joints. You can read the conclusions below or draw them yourself.
In 1977-1979, the Swedish company Perstorp AB (later Pergo) introduced laminated parquet with an adhesive locking system - an adhesive lock. The development of the laminate was done with the participation of Darko Pervan, who later founded the Valinge company in 1993. In 1994-1996, Bureau Valinge designs and licenses the world's first 2G lock for the mechanical connection of laminate locks. Offering to use the invention on Pergo laminate, but the company refuses the former employee's generous offer.
The lock connection with the name Lock is a prototype of the further development of the lock with the name Click - which can be attributed to the name of the joint of the laminate or parquet board 3G.
Many Chinese laminate manufacturers represented on Russian market, a slight modification is usedLock-lock without brand name fromValinge. Which no longer needs to pay bonuses due to the expiration of the invention.
Lock – the lock is lockable. It is assembled one board at a time using a hammer and finishing block with significant effort. At the moment, the Lock locking system is outdated morally and physically, but most importantly, it is really inconvenient to assemble. NOW PRACTICALLY NOT USED.
In 1994, the company entered into a licensing agreement for the use of its lock with the parquet board manufacturer Kahrs (Chers) - 2G locking system and the Norwegian licensee Alloc AS - 1G locking connection. But the product launch will take place in 1996. From 1996 to 2001, under the leadership of Darko Pervan, a number of further modifications of the locking connection were made to 3G Click and commissioning.
IN narrow circles There is debate about who is the founder of laminate:Pergo orAlloc.
In 1990, Unilin and Quick-Step joined forces and launched laminate flooring under their own brand for the first time in Belgium.
In 1997, the concern introduced a new development - the Uniclic lock, which subsequently received many awards. The locking connection is class 3G. Unilin believes that they were the first to introduce the 3G floor locking system into operation. Looking ahead, I’ll say - in my opinion and not only, the key Uniclic connection is the best, at least, that I know of.
From then until 2007, there were disputes between Valinge and Unilin about the legality of activities relating to the issuance of a patent to licensees. For example, Apple and Samsung had a similar dispute over the invention of the idea and its implementation for controlling the smartphone screen by touching the fingers.
In 2007, Unilin (patent BE 9600527, BE 9700344) and Valinge (patent WO 94/26999) reached a preliminary agreement on a legal framework in which a third party undertakes to obtain a license from one of the rights holders to use adhesive-free floor panel assembly systems.
Simply put, they divided the market. In the context of the above, we take into account that the inventions of various locking systems are used not only for the convenience of consumers, but to combat competitors and obtain financial benefits. Then marketing work is carried out, as a result of which the buyer, through advertising, conveys the idea that the new locking connection is more effective than the previous one. Although this may not be the case.
There is fierce competition all over the world in various fields from international politics to the provision of small household services. They are trying to keep opponents in the convoy in various ways, using various methods for these purposes. Of course, the most the right way– is to improve your products and quality of service.
For example, at one time I also thought about modifications to equipment that could be introduced to stay ahead of competitors in my field. With a squeak, despite the protests of my wife, I purchased a large industrial vacuum cleaner. Even earlier, the idea of using an MFP for trimming door frames was spotted. This useful devices, facilitating the work process and making the result more tidy.
In 2003-2004, the guys from the marketing company Valinge, led by Darko Pervan, sat down and thought about what they could do to bypass their European neighbors and capture the flooring market. Having decided that it was necessary to work in the area of improving the convenience of locking locks, they implemented the idea of introducing a plastic tongue as a latch. It became possible to assemble laminated panels not in rows, but individually, focusing attention on one board rather than the entire row.
Thus, the 5G Click laminate lock was released. A powerful advertising campaign and explanatory work was carried out. Agreed financial aspects with licensees, an appropriate increase was made to the final cost of the product and everyone was satisfied.
What is this preface for? It shows the commercial component of projects. First and foremost, everyone wants to benefit financially while showing they care about their customers. Even if the actual result of an innovative idea turned out to be not as successful in practice as advertised. But it was launched into a large project and serious money was spent, this is not an indicator of its quality. Surely one can remain silent about the negative aspects of a product?
My personal opinion... When technically simple products are complicated to more complex ones, the latter have a higher chance of failure. What periodically happens under certain conditions of laying the floor covering. Examples will be given below.
RESULT:
It can definitely be argued that a more modern castleClick, aka 3G and 5G, more durable in locking, more convenient to install a completely outdated lock connectionLock.
Modern types of laminate brands can be divided, by and large, into two types of locking designs, which have their own pros and cons. Let me remind you that both are Click connections and the installation method is different between them.
The 3G Click lock has a spike on one long and one short side in its design. During assembly, the ridge is inserted into the groove of the previous board. The last die is cut to size, completing the assembly of the first row of laminate.
Next, spacer wedges are installed between the wall and the slats and the second row along the short part is assembled in the same way as the first. And then the connected row is evenly inserted into the first row with a tenon into the groove with tapping special tool along the entire length.
Different manufacturers have their own characteristics in the design of locks. They differ from each other in the angle at which the bar enters, in the length of the ridge, and in the thickness of the base of the locking joint. These features complicate or simplify the installation process.
Below are several examples of a similar type of lock used by leading manufacturers of laminated flooring
Medium in complexity of installation lock from famous manufacturer. The connection is generously lubricated with wax to protect it from moisture, but due to the excess, the paraffin composition periodically rolls off and the planks fit tightly into the grooves.
The comb is short; if the room is long and there are differences in the floor, it can be difficult to evenly insert into the groove of the previous row. The design feature of the locking connection is the presence of a micro-step. Most often, due to its presence, you have to tap the row in two stages for a complete fit.
Tarkett is very difficult to assemble without thresholds between rooms, if you need to assemble rows in reverse side. The insertion angle of the planks is average (about 30 degrees) - because of this, it is not possible to install the laminate under the door frame without cutting the lock. Despite this, I like Tarkett itself, but more on that in another article. I recommend it when self-installation in a simple room.
Quite a successful locking connection. For the first self-installation I would recommend the Twin Clic lock out of all the options. Laminated boards can be inserted very easily and effortlessly. The angle at which they start is low, about 15 degrees, which is convenient when you have low-cost heating radiators. A relatively thick edge at the base of the lock implies greater tensile strength.
Like all covers with a 3G lock, reassembling it in the opposite direction requires considerable effort. I like this locking type model. Although questions arise regarding the geometry of the slats.
Uniclic is the best lock joint in my opinion. I will try to express my conclusions in simple words.
The Uniclic lock looks like an arrowhead from the side - long, about 4 mm, and sharp. The recess into which the comb is inserted completely follows its contour. There is no backlash in this connection, like most other types of joints.
Due to the tight closure of the lockUniclic, large contact area and lack of play, the connection firmly holds the tensile load. For the same reason, sealing Uniclik is not recommended. The sealant simply has nowhere to go.
I should note that the Quick-Step 12mm has a more recessed groove profile. But the panels can also fit at a zero angle, although more tightly.
Due to the low partition in the mating part, the Quick-Step lock can be connected to each other at a zero angle, although its natural operating mode is about 10-15 degrees. This feature is necessary when installing laminate flooring without thresholds with already installed door blocks when it is necessary to place panels under the door frame to avoid gaps.
When installing the Quick Step laminate planks parallel to the floor, the lock does not break, including due to the lubricated wax composition the lower part of the arrow-shaped ridge. Roughly speaking, it’s like sticking your hand into a jar - it goes deep easily, but you can’t pull it out.
Another advantage of the Uniclic locking connection is the almost complete absence of the need to reinforce the laminate boards with finishing timber. The design of the arrow-shaped ridge has a unique relief. The recess completely repeats it, and until the contours match, the planks will not sit in place.
When connecting the dies evenly at the ends and evenly inserting a row of laminate into the previous one, it is enough to press on the edge of the boards and they will sit in place. However, we still use a finishing tool. This feature is described as rather amazing mechanical development and serves as an example.
LockUniclic from the flooring manufacturerUnilin has the ability to tighten locks together. And even on an uneven surface it can be assembled with virtually no gaps.
In the opposite direction, the Uniclik lock connection is assembled worse than 5G type locks, but better than most 3G connections due to the long and sharp comb.
The disadvantages of the Uniclic locking connection are: high difficulty insert the last row of laminate if it is narrow. This feature is especially evident in 12 mm thick planks.
I recommend the Uniclic locking connection when laying laminate flooring yourself. However, difficulties may arise when arranging the second row if the collection has a small board width.
Egger is a leading manufacturer of laminated flooring. Previously and currently it is equipped with a Just Clic lock. But now it's happening transition period? to the UniFit locking connection. Apparently, UniClic integration is happening everywhere. I wonder if this is due to the weak economic performance of the Egger company, forcing the company to look for new impulses for drive? Or European calculation for the future?
Dear readers! At the moment, the Just Clic locking joint is not found regularly. In Egger there is a substitution for another compound. From time to time this lock is used in Artens laminate.
Just Clic – This type of 3G lock is similar to the Tarkett T-Lock. The same short front tenon has one advantage over UniClic - it does not need to be cut down when laying. Whereas with Quick-Step it is advisable to cut it off, otherwise, in large rooms, it may rest against the wall. It happens that an extra 2.5 mm can play a role when setting the gap from the wall.
Just Click has a rounded shape at the bottom and fits into the recess at a high angle, about 40 degrees, which makes it not very convenient to install with low-standing heating radiators, especially with door frames installed. If you want to properly place a panel under the jamb, you need to cut off the lock with a knife and place the inserted and adjacent panel together with glue.
Just Clic is a fairly strong lock. On the mating part of the lock, the base has a rounded shape with a thickening. It turns out that the move is “half-bearing”. Thanks to this design solution, the tensile connection is quite strong.
When installing, be careful with the edge of the lock mate. Although it is thick, it is pointed at the top and is easy to break. This will not particularly affect the strength of the lock, but if the broken piece remains in the groove, a step may form at the junction of the panels, which may not be immediately noticed.
It is very difficult to assemble the laminate in the opposite direction with this type of 3G lock. Therefore, I do not recommend using Egger laminate with Just Clic lock for technically difficult threshold-free installations.
In 2004, the Valinge laboratory released a relatively new locking principle for 5G floor coverings. Structurally, the difference from its predecessor was in the end joint. The connection and latching of the lock along the short part was carried out using a plastic tongue.
This system worked as follows: the board being laid was inserted along the long part into the groove of the previous row, closely adjacent to the end of the previous plank and smoothly lowered. The plastic tongue has a staple-like shape and, when pressed, goes into a groove. And when the panel lies completely, it clicks into the recess of the laid laminated panel, closing it.
Thus, it became possible to install by inserting and assembling the laminate one board at a time. This method generally speeds up the installation process, but not always. It all depends on the design of the lock, each manufacturer has its own, and other features, for example, thickness.
There are two types 5G laminate locks with plastic
Few people paid attention to it in articles, because it is not mentioned, and copywriters do not know this. But there is a laminate with 5G plastic locks on different sides laminated panel.
When I receive phone call from the customer, first of all I ask what company laminate is to be laid. If “Classen” plays, I’m generally calm. Although it is not the most convenient to install, and for this reason.
The end lock has a long platform with a thick partition, so it is nominally strong to break. But the partition is designed at a right angle and, if you have to disassemble the laminate to trim the first row, this part is easy to break even for me, with my work experience.
The long part of the groove has a rounded shape with a high side. Therefore, the slats are inserted at a high angle, which in some cases is inconvenient, but strong.
It’s easy to move laminated panels in the opposite direction, this is the advantage of 5G types of locks over 3G.
In general, the lock is not bad, but difficulties may arise when assembling/disassembling the first row of laminate.
By the way, I believe this is the reason why most laminates with 5G locks have a bevel. The cracks on it are not so noticeable. Read
I will describe the last lock in this article from the Egger company. The UniFit connection appeared recently, from the start of installation it feels like about a year ago, but I could be wrong. The clutch design along the long part is derived from Unilin with all the ensuing advantages. And the end part is equipped with a plastic insert. Thus, Egger Pro and Egger Home are the carrier of the 5G lock. But Egger’s new collections still have a 3G latch.
The ridge along the long part of the board resembles an arrow-shaped shape. For this reason, it fits easily into the groove of the previous plank and, what is important, at a slight angle. In principle, it can be hammered, like the Quick Step, parallel to the floor. However, the tenon is flat on the underside. It seems to me that if the base is uneven, this design is easier to jump out of the groove.
The end lock consists of a groove and a plastic insert located in it. When the panel is snapped into place, the insert, resting against the edge of the previous board, slides in and then snaps out. Thus, falling into place and locking the connected panels. This design doesn’t look very impressive, but it does its job.
In principle, this connection is convenient, although I do not like the placement of the plastic insert in the form of an “S” in place of the spike.
Unfortunately, in my collected collection of scraps I did not find the 5G Kronotex lock - which I liked. There are also no cuts from leading manufacturers Berry-Alloc and Pergo. Let me draw your attention to the fact that Pergo has a connection like Quick Step and a 5G plastic lock.
While I was writing the article, I almost forgot about laminated coating a Norwegian manufacturer, about which the story would be incomplete and disgraced by critics. Alloc is the most expensive laminate I know in Russia.
The high cost of this brand is explained by a specialized aluminum lock that can withstand heavy loads and its place of origin: Norway is an expensive country.
The Alloc lock's locking device is based on the connection of planks by means of a metal plate cut into each panel from the bottom along the long and short parts. Accordingly, the entire tensile load falls on the aluminum side of the part - stronger than any HDF.
The width of the plate allows the panels to be mounted at almost zero angle.
Allok's advantages are obvious. Why not include it in the best lock?
As you may have guessed from the text, for me the best castle The laminate is a Uniclic 3G-Click connection. It is easy to insert, minimizing the possibility of edge bending. Uniclic is quick to work with and has a strong, tear-resistant connection. Possibility to insert laminate under the lock without cutting off part of the lock door frames. What is important when deciding to replace the flooring when there is no desire to update the doors.
It is also not the most difficult of the 3G latch types when laying the floor in the opposite direction.
5G laminate locks are modern, which is positioned in advertising brochures as an easier option. The principles of this type of docking are speed of assembly, simplicity, and accessibility.
But this is not entirely true. A technically more complex product is more susceptible to the risk of defects due to uneven floors and irregularities in the geometry of the planks, especially for 8mm thick laminate. The installation speed drops, since most brands of laminate still need to be reinforced with finishing timber.
However, the 5G Click connection is more convenient when installing laminate in the opposite direction. This type of installation is required with a continuous flooring method.
This article expresses my personal opinion based on installing many thousands of meters of laminate flooring. As a craftsman, it doesn’t matter to me whether a laminated floor is laid with what type of 3G or 5G lock, except in cases of continuous installation.
I focus buyers not only on the type of locking connection, but also on a manufacturer with more reliable geometry and overall quality (film strength, wear resistance class).
In this article I express my personal opinion based on re-read articles and personal observations.
Good luck with your choice! You can ask - as soon as I read it, I will definitely answer.
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