How to choose the right laminate for a living room. How to choose laminate for a room? What do you need to know when buying laminate? Consumer Reviews

Featured on modern market laminate flooring can be used both in residential premises and in offices, boutiques, in public places. When choosing laminate flooring for an apartment, you need to take into account its purpose and class.

It makes no sense to overpay for a wear-resistant commercial coating, the benefits of which will be imperceptible in conditions of low load on the floor. But other factors: moisture resistance, compatibility with floor heating systems, design - are more important for a living space, and they are worth paying attention to.

Laminate from famous manufacturers and little-known brands differs significantly in price. What does the consumer pay for when purchasing products from a well-known brand - for the name or for the quality?

It is not necessary to buy the most expensive laminate of the most famous brand for your apartment.. But it is very desirable that the manufacturer be a member of the European association EPFL (the packaging of the laminate should have the appropriate marking). The list of association members is quite extensive and can be found on its website www.eplf.com.

All products bearing the EPFL mark undergo a series of tests, based on the results of which a class is assigned. It is not known exactly on what basis other manufacturers classify their products into one class or another. So, Chinese-made class 33 laminate may, in fact, be inferior in a number of ways performance characteristics class 31 product manufactured by an EPFL member.

It is also worth paying attention to the warranty period. A manufacturer that is confident in the quality of its products gives it a longer warranty.

Laminate classes

As a rule, the main technical characteristic of a laminate, which is taken into account when choosing, is the load and wear resistance class. When laminate production technology was not very advanced, it was divided into 6 classes:

21-23 - household
31-33 - commercial

Today this classification is outdated; laminate classes are divided into 31, 32 and 33, and some manufacturers assign class 34 to their products. This means that the results obtained during testing significantly exceed the characteristics corresponding to class 33.

The optimal solution for an apartment is class 31 laminate; it is considered transitional between domestic and commercial. This coating can be used in offices and other non-residential premises with low traffic and moderate floor load. It is guaranteed to last 8-10 years in an apartment.

It is also necessary to take into account the quantitative composition of the family and the purpose of the premises where the laminate will be installed.

For an apartment where a large family lives and the load on the floor increases, you should choose class 32 laminate, which is more durable (10-12 years).

Its use is especially justified in rooms with the highest traffic - the corridor, the kitchen. You can purchase products of 32 classes for them, and 31 for the bedroom, office, living room.

Studying numbers and markings

The description and technical characteristics of the laminate usually indicate:

brand and country of origin;
collection, color, design;
dimensions, thickness of the panel, their quantity in the package and total area, sometimes weight. For an apartment, a thickness of 8-9 mm is quite sufficient. Thicker laminate can be made from boards of lower density, which reduces its quality;
wear resistance class.

The following characteristics may also be present:

abrasion class - for an apartment, class AC3 (W3) is sufficient; for rooms with low load and traffic, this figure may be lower;
Impact resistance - IC1 is sufficient;
density - must be at least 850 kg/m3;
emission class - E1 is recommended for residential premises, E0 is the ideal solution.

But usually all the characteristics are not described in detail. The numbers in the list of technical specifications may be uninformative for the average buyer, since he has to remember many parameters in his head that must be met. quality laminate, It's hard enough. The markings are more clear and understandable.

What else to pay attention to

Moisture resistance. , with additional resin impregnation and processing lock connections. Information about moisture resistance may be available in the technical specifications of the laminate, simply indicating yes or no.

Commercial laminate produced by EPFL members is generally moisture resistant. For rooms with high humidity levels ideal solution There will be vinyl laminate.

Lock connection type. The laminate connection can be glued or glueless; the first is used quite rarely these days. The process of assembling such a coating is more labor-intensive, and it is impossible to dismantle it if necessary. Glueless connection is more convenient and popular. There are 2 main types of locks:

Additional "chips". There is an expensive laminate with an integrated backing; it has better noise-absorbing and heat-insulating characteristics. Its purchase will allow you to do without a substrate. An even more interesting option is laminate with a built-in heating system, for example, Alloc Heating System. The product is rare and expensive, but the owner of such a floor covering will be spared the hassle of installing a heated floor.

Design

The appearance of the laminate does not affect its performance characteristics (except for signs of obvious defects - stains, uneven painting, peeling lamination).

But this is what the buyer usually pays attention to first. When choosing a pattern and color, you need to focus on your own preferences, but There are a number of other factors worth taking into account.

Interior design in general. The laminate should be in harmony with other interior elements, for example, with doors, furniture, or set them off based on the principle of contrast;
Style. For classic style The ideal solution would be a laminate that imitates valuable types of wood or natural stone. For ethnic, rustic, and retro styles, lamellas with an aged surface effect are suitable. The minimalism of the interior can be emphasized with the help of a plain laminate, black or white.
Lighting. How brighter room, the darker the laminate can be laid in it.
Room dimensions. Dark laminate can be used in spacious rooms, and a light floor covering will help to visually enlarge a small room. In small rooms, a motley pattern and a combination of several colors are inappropriate.

Bottom line

The range of laminate flooring that can be used as flooring in residential premises is very wide and varied. It makes no sense to buy the most expensive one for an apartment commercial laminate, but it is worth correlating its class with the purpose of the room where it will be installed.

It is necessary to take into account the degree of load on the floor, traffic, the risk of scratches on the surface, the level of humidity in the room and choose a laminate that, under appropriate conditions, will last as long as possible without damage. Design is of no small importance; the largest number of collections are created in the category of semi-commercial laminate used in residential buildings and apartments.

Everyone who plans apartment renovation, I’ve wondered more than once which laminate to choose for my apartment. Wooden boards, absorbing moisture, become damp and quickly lose their former attractiveness, linoleum deteriorates, contributing to the development of mold. But laminate is precisely the material that is the best option for creating high-quality flooring and is considered a full-fledged substitute for parquet. In this material we will look at how to choose the right laminate.

Selecting laminate by class

Firstly, you need to start with the fact that laminate has a classification and is divided into classes depending on the strength of the protective layer, which provides good wear resistance. Today, the modern market offers laminate from 31 to 34 classes.

The first two are usually universal option for all residential premises, and the latter are usually intended for places that are constantly subject to heavy loads, i.e. for a number of public institutions. Therefore, which laminate to choose for an apartment, it is necessary to take into account such a factor as the area of use of the floor: it is logical that in rooms where people are constantly present, it is better to use the highest class of flooring.

The most durable laminate will last at least a quarter of a century without the need for replacement or repair.

Laminate thickness

To decide which laminate to choose, you must also take into account such a nuance as the thickness of the material. Its value can range from 5 to 12 millimeters and it is logical that the higher the value, the stronger the material. Accordingly, for rooms with low quality base coverings, a thick laminate is more suitable, but still this is not always an appropriate and competent solution. First of all, because if the living space has heated floors, the laminate, which is thinner, will heat up faster.

Therefore, to answer the question of what thickness of laminate to choose, you need to pay attention to the characteristics of the room.

Laminate and space: harmony in everything

A good floor covering should not only fit into the overall atmosphere of the room, but also become a continuation of it, acting as both a neutral background and a special, bright highlight. So which laminate is better to choose for an apartment to accentuate the floors? Choose shades of light oak; it will highlight the advantages of a small room and hide its shortcomings.

To avoid mistakes, you need to pay attention to the following design nuances:

The ratio of the color palette of the walls and the floor, they should not “merge” with each other, however, like other apartment accessories, for example, furniture;
When choosing laminate in dark shades, it is important to avoid excessive pretentiousness in the room; to prevent this from happening, you must use no more than two shades;
Doors must be in harmony with the floor covering.

Color and design - everything matters

When interested in which laminate to choose for an apartment, people most often pay attention to the color and design of the flooring, although, given their diversity due to the wide range of modern options, it is really difficult to decide.

From the point of view of artistic design, everything depends primarily on the originality of human taste. True connoisseurs of natural beauty and naturalness in everything will definitely like the shades of “alder” or classic “oak”. But “bamboo” will not leave extraordinary and creative people indifferent.

In terms of the artistic design of the floor covering, it is also necessary to pay attention to the colors in which it is decorated. general interior rooms: if it is designed in a modern style, a dark laminate of both glossy and matte structure will be suitable, and a light brown flooring or laminate with imitation parquet will fit organically into a classic-style room.

If we talk about which color to choose, then you should adhere to the following rules:

A single (if impossible, harmonious) color scheme in all rooms, this allows you to expand the space visually;
It is better to make the floor darker than the walls;
Rooms located on the north side or simply dark rooms should gain the long-awaited warmth with the help of the color of the floor covering, in other words, it is better to use golden and light shades;
Modern style will look organic with laminate in shades of “zebano” or “mahogany”;
The tone of the floor covering must approximately match the color of the interior doors;
It is necessary to maintain a harmonious combination of patterns: if the furniture and walls have “active” colors, it is better to make the floor calm.

Brand selection

How to choose a laminate for an apartment if your eyes literally run wild from the variety of brands and manufacturers, vying with each other that they are ready to offer the best products on the modern market:

Laminate of the Quick-step brand is rightfully considered one of the best today: it has high technical characteristics and is a quality standard in the European building materials market. The manufacturer guarantees a service life of 25 years, so if the premium class, which is characterized by a higher cost, is not a problem for you, the question of choosing a company disappears by itself.
In terms of price-quality ratio, the French brand EPI and the German brand Kronotex, distinguished by the European level of quality and budget price. The company Berry Alloc, which specializes in moisture-resistant products, is popular among consumers. This is the best option for the kitchen, because the material is very durable and has aluminum locks.
Austrian Kaindl flooring is almost impossible to distinguish from natural wooden parquet, both in appearance and to the touch. Among other things, the main advantage of this brand is the maximum service life on the analog market - 30 years, as well as the ability to use the branded product as a wall covering.
Which laminate company is better to choose if you want something special and extraordinary, not like everyone else? In this case, the Belgian material Balterio is exactly what is needed. The premium-class flooring will satisfy the tastes of the most demanding aesthetes, thanks to the variety of original textures that look very similar to natural materials.

Each room has its own laminate

One of the most important aspects choice is the scope of application. In the concept of a living space, such an area is one or another room. Let's look at how to choose a laminate for them:

For kitchen

Of course, such a room does not require too much maintenance.

First of all, he must:

Have a moisture-resistant base, representing a kind of “pie” of several layers;
Withstand the effects of friction without compromising the appearance and underlying texture;
Be simple and quick to install;
Combine with modern systems such as “warm floor”;
Have a respectable appearance that matches the design of the kitchen.

Laminate class - waterproof

For the bedroom

For a bedroom, class 31 flooring is suitable, ideally class 32. It is thick enough to provide thermal insulation for the floor. If we talk about the rest room, then such a component as the absence of synthetic substances is also important here. In addition, laminate flooring for a bedroom is, first of all, the creation of not only a special background, but also a certain style: from ethnic and exotic style to fantasy or anime. In order for the relaxation corner to truly become cozy, radiating harmony and warmth, the use of oak-colored flooring will come in handy.

For children's

Of course, wear-resistant, with characteristics such as hypoallergenicity, good heat transfer and fire resistance. Ideally, the material should be antistatic, with a surface that is pleasant to the touch for delicate baby skin. An important selection factor in this case is decoration floor, the little owner of the room should like it.

To the hallway

The corridor and hallway are a living space that carries a large functional load: the flow of people here is enormous, in addition, this place is the first thing that everyone who enters the house sees, regardless of its size.

It is logical that in such a room it is better to avoid light-colored coatings, giving preference to darker ones. The best options in this case would be dark beige and light gray shades. An excellent solution to the problem of excess moisture in these rooms would be a combined flooring: parallel laying of tiles and laminate, which are organically combined with each other, having an aesthetic appearance and an excellent degree of reliability under any operating conditions.

Cleaning such a floor will not be difficult, but the use of metal or hard brushes and abrasives must be avoided. If you prefer powerful modern household appliances, then all you need to do is decide which vacuum cleaner to choose for laminate flooring; fortunately, modern types of floor coverings have long made it possible to use wet cleaning without fear of spoiling expensive material. In addition, technical innovations that have proven themselves on the market cope well with even the most capricious surfaces.

To the living room

The living room can rightfully be called the heart of every home, so the issue of choosing laminate flooring for the living room must be approached with particular scrupulousness and scrupulousness. After all, here the flooring should not only be beautiful from an aesthetic point of view, but also harmoniously complete the overall design of the house.

The ideal option for this case is class 32 flooring with the E1 symbol, which means environmental safety. The thickness of the material should not be less than 8 mm. It is also necessary to pay attention to such parameters as heat and sound insulation, as well as increased strength. As for moisture resistance, this is not important for the hall, although such functional characteristic will never be redundant.

One of the most important criteria for choosing building materials, regardless of purpose, is price. Of course, its level depends on the functional and quality characteristics of the product, as well as on its manufacturer (brand). If your budget does not allow you to make your dreams come true to the maximum, then for relatively little money you can purchase a high-quality “economy” class coating for a laminate floor.

It is worth saying that there cannot be a definite answer to the question of which laminate is better to choose; every nuance is important here, taking into account that you need to think through everything, from the operational characteristics of the material itself to the layout of the room for which it is intended.

Laminate – great choice for any apartment

Why is laminate so popular? From a design point of view, it has no equal in imitating natural patterns and reliefs or stone. And many are familiar with the consumer qualities of this flooring first-hand. It can be found in most new buildings with finished finishing. And the old housing stock is actively being replaced piece parquet and modular parquet boards into a more durable and practical material. However, in trading floor among huge amount collections, choosing several samples and determining which one is better is not easy. We tell you which laminate to choose for your apartment and what to pay attention to.

Choosing a laminate floor for an apartment

What is laminate?

Look at the plank diagram:

1 - transparent wear-resistant layer for protection;

2 - decorative layer, reproduces the pattern of natural wood, stone or ceramic tiles;

3 - the base made of high-density fiberboard (HDF) is responsible for the stability of the plank and stability;

4 - stabilizing layer, prevents deformation of the strip.

Where can I lay it?

This is a truly versatile material. It can be installed in bedrooms, living rooms, children's rooms, hallways and kitchens.

They also began to actively lay in, including seasonal residence. But this is risky, since the guarantee only applies to finishing in residential premises with constant temperature and slight fluctuations in humidity: from 30% in winter to 60% in summer.

Seasonal Vacation home Most of the cold season is not heated, and, naturally, the floors in it either heat up or cool down. Such climatic disasters are not useful for finishing.

Today, the material can also serve as an original wall design. The planks are fixed directly to the base using silicone glue and pins (nails without a head) or wooden sheathing. Of course, such lining should not be used near water sources, as kitchen apron or wall decoration in the bathroom.

What laminate thickness should I choose for my apartment? If heavy furniture and equipment will be installed in the room, it is better not to use a coating thinner than 10 mm, otherwise it will not withstand long-term static loads. However, if you plan to install slats on a heated floor, choose thinner boards as they will transmit heat better.

3. Inappropriate shade

In order for the room to look harmonious and not visually “break up” into separate parts, all finishing materials must be in the same color scheme - warm or cold, even if they are in contrasting shades, for example, a dark floor and light doors.

If you want to visually expand small room, use light, cold tones in the decoration, and if you want to make it more cozy large space, choose warm colors.

4. Moisture-resistant laminate is confused with water-resistant

Humidity is one of the main enemies of this material: if water gets into a joint, the boards easily absorb it and swell, causing unevenness to appear and the decorative coating to come off. Manufacturers have taken this feature into account and offer waterproof options that can be installed in rooms such as the kitchen and even the bathroom. If you decide to do such an experiment, the main thing is not to confuse moisture- and water-resistant laminate.

What's the difference? The moisture-resistant board is based on high-strength fiberboard; it is treated with paraffin and other compounds that can protect the board from moisture only temporarily. This coating will withstand various pollution and wet cleaning, and fungus. But if you do not immediately wipe the water from the surface, it will penetrate into the joint, the finish will begin to deform and lift, as a result, the floor will become uneven. Moisture-resistant laminate changes volume with temperature changes, therefore. But it is no longer suitable for a bathroom, sauna, balcony or veranda.

Only the waterproof type can survive direct contact with water. It is able to withstand prolonged exposure to water, does not deform due to temperature changes and practically does not wear out. All joints of a waterproof floor are treated with heated wax, and the surface is made non-slippery and given antistatic properties so that dust does not settle on it.

5. Ill-considered savings on the substrate

Another typical situation is when, when drawing up estimates for repairs, they forget to include the substrate. As a result, you have to waste time on additional trips to the store. Or they take the cheapest one if the entire budget has been spent, and then they greatly regret it. After all, a high-quality substrate not only levels concrete surface, but also provides additional noise and heat insulation, softens impact loads and extends the service life of the floor covering up to 5 years.

A cheap substrate has a big, but not obvious, disadvantage - the smell. Of course, the unpleasant aroma will disappear, but this will not stop the substrate from releasing chemicals that can be toxic and cause allergies. Therefore, we recommend not to save money and choose options from natural materials, for example, cork or pine substrate.

Technical equipment is not electrified, which means it does not attract dust, does not absorb foreign odors, is hypoallergenic and contributes to the natural regulation of the internal climate in the room. The coniferous substrate is made from 100% natural materials - wood coniferous species tree. It significantly reduces “impact” noise, and the room will become noticeably warmer due to the low thermal conductivity of the material. The density of the coniferous underlay is selected in such a way as to smooth out small unevenness of the “sub-floor” and protect the locks from excessive pressure.

The finishing elements include various heights, widths, configurations, as well as linings on the inlet openings of the elements heating system and thresholds.

How to choose a quality laminate

Choose manufacturer's products with a guarantee.
Don’t go after cheap prices, as there are no products that are too cheap and of high quality.
Pay attention to the type of connection. There is a distinction between the so-called “click”, when the slats are connected using locks, and “lock” - when the elements seem to be driven into each other. The first one is, of course, more convenient.
Don't buy a product with a strong smell.
Manufacturers offer the most different colors and relief. There are also types with a pattern, when on upper layer apply a pattern or marks. The choice is yours, but a universal solution is an imitation of a wooden surface.

Price

As for the price range, it is very wide: from 288 rubles/m² to 2940 rubles/m². And the buyer’s natural desire to minimize material costs is understandable. Some manufacturers attract attention precisely because of this. They save on the quality of the top protective coating or HDF base. But all this negatively affects the consumer qualities of the floor and, accordingly, its service life.

How to care

In order for the floor to look the same after several years as it did on the first day after installation, it needs to be properly cared for. We hope everyone already knows about rugs in the hallway and felt pads on furniture legs. It is advisable for owners of mobile chairs to replace hard casters with soft rubber ones.

The floor of laminate planks with chamfers is first cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, then wet cleaned, and then wiped with microfiber.

Ordinary slightly damp cloth. Make sure that the fabric is damp, not wet.

Specialized cleaning products are usually added to a bucket of clean water in the amount indicated on the package. Then wipe the floor with a cloth soaked in this solution and well wrung out. To remove stubborn stains, use a small amount of undiluted cleaner or leave it on heavily soiled areas for a few minutes. After finishing cleaning, it is important to check whether there are any traces or stains left, since poorly removed cleaners attract dirt. Cleaning compositions based on . They cannot penetrate deep into the coating and form a film on the surface. They do not need to be used for cleaning.

Water protection

The weak point of the laminate is the moisture-sensitive end joints of the planks. If water often gets on the floor and, even worse, stagnates, then, gradually penetrating through the ends into the main slab, it can cause deformation. Because of this, it is recommended to coat the upper parts of the lock joint with a sealing agent. For example, compositions made from polyurethane or silicone resins in an organic solvent or more environmentally friendly wax ones. All of them effectively protect the floor covering from negative impact water, but they neutralize the important technological quality of the material - quick and easy installation.

Moisture-resistant laminate differs from ordinary laminate only in the rate of moisture absorption due to the presence of water-repellent impregnations in the base, so puddles should not be left on its surface either.

To overcome hydrophobia, some manufacturers increase the density of the base and reduce its absorbency, others add water-repellent impregnations to the load-bearing slab, and all of them treat the ends of the planks protective composition. Among these collections: Classic Aqua+ (Egger), Sensation (Pergo), Impressive Ultra (Quick-Step).

Do not allow large amounts of water to appear or accumulate on the floor near window sills with flower pots and water taps.

Mistakes that will shorten the life of the laminate

It is important to strictly follow the installation technology. We pay attention to typical situations. They can significantly reduce the service life of the floor and do not apply to warranty cases:

laying the material without acclimatization indoors for 48 hours;
laying on a screed with a moisture content of more than 2.5%;
laying on an uneven base with height differences of more than 2 mm over a length of 1 m;
lack of waterproofing film and substrate;
absence of small gaps around the perimeter of the room (8-10 mm) and along the line of the doorway;
use of film electric heated floors (infrared heating mats). If the laminate is laid on, then a vapor barrier must be used. It is placed under a substrate. During operation of the heating system, the temperature on the surface of the floor covering should not be higher than 27–28 ˚C.

By the way, when moving, a characteristic clicking sound is often heard. This is evidence that there is a small gap between the finish coat and the base. It works as a kind of resonator, amplifying the sounds of heels and causing irritation among the inhabitants of the apartment, and especially among the neighbors below.

It is not difficult to neutralize the unwanted effect. Place a substrate between the decorative coating and the base, which will act as a shock absorber and effectively dampen impact noise. Moreover, the underlay will increase the “thermal comfort” on the floor surface and smooth out minor unevenness of the base if they do not exceed 2 mm over a 2 m long section. Otherwise, the base of the floor must first be leveled.

Do not use substrates that are too thick: 4–5 mm. Then, when walking on the floor or installing heavy furniture, the planks will sag greatly and create additional load on the locking connection. As a result, in the worst case, the locks may be damaged. Substrates that are too thin (less than 2 mm) will not provide acoustic comfort. Experts believe optimal thickness from 2 to 3 mm.

Laminate flooring is always laid floating on the floor so that it can expand freely and return to its original state with changes in temperature and humidity. Small gaps (5–8 mm) are left around the perimeter of the room near walls, steps, pipes, etc., as well as along the line of the doorway. They are necessary for the natural movement of the coating. You cannot attach the planks to the base with nails, screws, or glue. This can cause creaking, cracks between individual elements, or, conversely, their warping.

Laminate is a modern floor covering. It is widely believed that this artificial substitute natural parquet very expensive and unreliable. In addition, many believe that it is afraid of moisture and will require replacement within six years after installation. Until recently, everything was exactly like this. However, today leading manufacturers of building materials offer their consumers laminate High Quality. Its service life is within twenty years or more. How can a buyer determine the highest quality laminate? To do this, you will need to clarify its wear resistance class. This flooring parameter is set only after the so-called Taber test. Belonging to one class or another will indicate the quality of the coating.

Compound

What is laminate? This is a panel consisting of several layers. Let's take a closer look at them. The topmost layer of an artificial parquet panel is a hardened mass of acrylic or melamine resin. Which laminate is the highest quality and least wearable? The one in which this layer has the greatest thickness.

During production, this coating is made of acrylic with corundum. Such a surface not only shines, but also wears out little. This ability is imparted to the laminate by corundum, which in its hardness is not inferior to diamond.

The second layer of artificial parquet is considered decorative. It is made from paper with a specific design. Thanks to this layer, the floor panel acquires its appearance. Here the possibilities of manufacturers are not limited. Laminate can have a wood structure, look like sand, stone, marble, etc. That is why the second, decorative layer of laminate is important when developing the design of a room. And this is fifty percent of the success of repair work.

As for the third, next layer, this is nothing more than waterproofing of the stabilizer. It is a moisture-proof film. Thanks to this layer, artificial parquet does not swell when water gets on it. Some types of laminate are capable of holding the resulting puddle on their surface even for three days without harm to the panel.

The next, fourth layer is the thickest. This is a stabilizing board made of high-strength fiberboard. This layer determines the dimensions of the laminate itself, which comes in thicknesses of 6, 8, 10 and 12 millimeters. The larger these dimensions are, the best quality there will be a lock embedded around the perimeter.

And the last, bottom layer is craft paper. This protects the stabilizing plate from moisture. In some brands of laminate, an additional backing is glued to the bottom layer. This increases the price of artificial parquet.

Classification

Laminate, like all types of building materials, is divided into certain types. According to this classification, artificial parquet can be:

moisture resistant (for rooms with high humidity);
ordinary.

Each of the listed types is divided into classes, which indicate the density of the panel, its wear resistance and reliability. Choosing a quality laminate should begin by considering these characteristics. If the class of the panel you are considering is in the range from 21 to 23, then this coating is suitable for home use. At the same time, it is worth remembering that larger number indicates greater wear resistance of artificial parquet. Thus, the highest quality laminate for an apartment corresponds to class 23. You should not look for a coating with greater value for residential buildings.

And for offices, shops and other premises with high traffic, what is the best quality laminate? Reviews from specialists and users give a clear answer to this question. attributed to class 31-33. Production and office rooms need a more durable floor that can be walked on by thousands of feet. If lower class panels are used in such cases, the coating will quickly fail.

But some manufacturers have gone further. Today they offer 34 classes of laminate. This type of artificial parquet is available from Aloc. However, if you compare this laminate with class 33 panels produced by Tarkett, you will notice that the accompanying documentation in both cases guarantees up to twenty-five years of operation under the same conditions.

Method for determining class

How does the manufacturer determine the quality, good laminate? For this purpose, the panels undergo a Taber test for wear resistance. It involves checking the laminate using a rotating abrasive wheel. This or that number of revolutions will indicate the class of the material and the degree of its wear resistance. The disk is rotated until the top transparent layer of the panel is completely erased. For a commercial line, which laminate is the best quality? Reviews from experts indicate that these are panels that have undergone a number of revolutions from 6 to 20 thousand (depending on their class).

The parameters of such testing are indicated in the accompanying documents of each batch. Their designation is as follows:

IP - gives an indication of the number of revolutions that the abrasive wheel disk made before any visible damage appeared on the panel.
FP - denotes the phase in which ninety-five percent of the abrasion of the top layer occurs;
AT is an average value.

Each class of artificial parquet has its own minimum wear resistance value (IP) and maximum wear resistance value (FP). Based on these parameters, which laminate is of the highest quality? Feedback from experts indicates that these values should be close to optimal. However, this does not mean that each buyer should strive to buy laminate of 33 or even 34 classes. It is necessary to purchase those panels that are designed for the load on the floor covering in a room for a specific purpose.

Selecting a panel according to the class and purpose of the premises

How to choose high-quality laminate for an apartment? To do this, first of all, you need to pay attention to the class of panels. The purpose of a particular room will also be an important factor. As mentioned above, for apartments it is recommended to purchase laminate of classes 21, 22 and 23. At the same time, the least wear-resistant one is suitable for the bedroom and office. Panels classified as class 22 will be a good flooring for the living room and children's room. A higher category of material is recommended for hallways, loggias and kitchens. It is worth keeping in mind that for apartments and private houses, panels from class 21 to 23 are inexpensive but high-quality laminate. After all, it is used in rooms with low traffic.

Laminate, starting from 31 and ending with the rare 34 class (it is produced in small batches due to high costs), is used in public places and offices. That is, where a large number of people pass every day. What class of artificial parquet is used in a particular room? So, it is recommended to use:

31 class - for offices and rest rooms;
Grade 32 - in offices, classrooms and reception areas;
Class 33 - for shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, gyms, medical institutions and reception areas.

It is also worth mentioning that some owners, when deciding how to choose a high-quality laminate for an apartment, buy commercial-type panels. Of course, if you have the necessary financial resources, this may be quite advisable. You can walk on this laminate in heels, and it will not be damaged if a heavy object falls on it, nor will it be crushed under the load of heavy furniture. And the service life of commercial artificial parquet of class 31-34 will be approximately two decades, while the period of use of cheaper coating will not exceed 5-10 years.

Selecting panel thickness

There is one more criterion that will help answer the question of which laminate is of the highest quality. Reviews from experts advise choosing artificial parquet according to its thickness. In this case, you will need to remember some basic rules directly related to this indicator. The thickness of the base layer made of fiberboard determines the tightness of the panels between each other. The larger these dimensions, the stronger the joint.

In addition, the requirements for the surface on which a thin laminate is applied are more stringent. It must be perfectly smooth and perfectly level, and this complicates construction work.

It also directly affects its sound-absorbing properties. The price of artificial parquet also depends on this parameter. How to choose a high-quality laminate according to this characteristic? Here again, you should take into account the room where it will be placed. Thus, panels from classes 21 to 23 are produced with a thickness of 6-8 mm, and the values of this indicator for panels with greater wear resistance are within 10-12 millimeters.

Selection by moisture resistance

How to choose a high-quality laminate that will not deteriorate when washed with a damp cloth? To do this, you need to choose the right type of floor panel. As mentioned above, laminate can be moisture-resistant and ordinary. So, the second of these types of artificial parquet is afraid of water. It is not intended for use in areas with high humidity. In addition, such panels can swell during prolonged contact with water. That is why in rooms where conventional laminate is used, wet cleaning can be done with only minor contact of the floor surface with water.

Another thing is moisture-resistant panels. They are not afraid of wet daily cleaning. In addition, they will not deteriorate even if someone spills something on the floor. That is why this material can be safely installed in the kitchen or hallway.

Visual assessment

How to choose a quality laminate? The panels offered in the store are worth a sniff. A strong smell will indicate a bad product. What is the quality laminate? One that has no smell.

Experts also recommend comparing the proposed panels by weight. What is the highest quality professionals recommend purchasing panels of greater weight. lightweight laminate is made from boards of low density and thickness. And this is confirmation of its worst quality.

Also, in order to determine which laminate is of the highest quality, it is necessary to examine it from the long end. The product must be perfectly straight. The presence of any bends on it is evidence of an incorrect or very long-term storage. It is especially harmful to keep ordinary panels in storage. But for moisture-resistant laminate, a long shelf life is not a reason for deterioration in quality.

If, as a result of being in a warehouse for a long time, a regular laminate has absorbed moisture, then after installation such boards dry out. Their surface swells and becomes covered with unsightly spots, and cracks appear at the joints.

Selection of country of origin

Which laminate is the best quality? When purchasing artificial parquet, it is recommended to inquire about the country where this building material was produced. And here it is worth keeping in mind that almost all brands of high-quality laminate are produced in Europe. Domestic materials, as a rule, please buyers only with prices. As for their quality, it disappoints most of our compatriots.

Unfortunately, the third part Russian market laminate is occupied by cheap Chinese goods. Moreover, the problem here lies not in the producing country, but in the importers. There are a large number of factories in China that produce laminate flooring of the highest quality. However, in order to obtain maximum profits, our customers bring artificial parquet produced in factories engaged in handicraft production. Of course, the price of such panels is low, which allows sellers to earn large sums. But it is worth keeping in mind that such panels can be made of MDF, and not of high density. In addition, they do not correspond to the class stated in the accompanying documents. To attract buyers, such a product is placed in beautiful packaging, on which high indicators that do not correspond to these slabs are placed.

How to avoid being deceived?

How to buy the highest quality laminate? Manufacturer building material must be large and already established in the consumer market. The flooring can be produced by a little-known brand, but it must be produced at a factory with a good reputation. Only in this case you will definitely buy high-quality laminate.

Laminate flooring in apartments is becoming more and more popular every year, and many homeowners prefer it when carrying out renovations. At relatively low cost and ease of installation, which you can do yourself, you can get a floor surface that is not much inferior natural wood– both in terms of decorative design and performance.

However, when going to the store to purchase the necessary covering, inexperienced buyers are often faced with a problem - which will be optimal for flooring in a particular room? If everything is more or less clear with decorative qualities, everyone has landlord your preferences and your own vision of the design of the future room, then you can easily get confused in the operational classification of the material due to the abundance of icons and pictograms on the packaging. However, everything is not so complicated - the class of laminate will tell you a lot about how to choose which one for specific conditions and will be outlined in this publication.

What is laminate, its advantages and disadvantages

The term “laminate” most often refers to prefabricated panels of a certain size based on a wood composite for laying flooring. They can be decorated in different ways - the vast majority of them are made with imitation of natural wood texture (floorboards, solid board, parquet or cork), although there are collections in which the external design is made to resemble natural stone or ceramic tiles, or even a more original texture, for example, rusty metal. The thickness of laminated panels can vary from 4 to 12 mm.

The basic structure of the laminate is a four-layer structure, each layer of which performs its own specific functions:

1 – external protective covering(overlay) - in fact, this is the laminating layer of the panel. It is a transparent polymer high-strength film based on acrylic or melamine resins. The quality and thickness of this layer largely determine the wear resistance of the material and its ability to withstand abrasive and impact loads. It performs the most important function of protecting all underlying layers from penetration of moisture, dirt, aggressive chemicals and ultraviolet rays. The quality of this coating also determines the hygiene of the floor, ease of care, and environmental friendliness of the material.

2 – decorative layer. A design is applied to a paper or foil base, which shines through the top transparent overlay. In fact, these two top layers give the incomplete coating the necessary textured decorative effect.

3 – the base layer on which the overall strength of laminated panels depends. This is the thickest layer of the overall “pie”. It is made from a wood composite, close to what we commonly call fiberboard. However, the differences from conventional fiberboards are quite significant.

If MDF sheets are more often used in furniture production ( Medium Density Fiberboard– literally from English “medium density fiber board”), then the practice of using laminated flooring has shown that the strength of such a material is clearly not enough for such operating conditions. Therefore, at present, all reputable companies have abandoned the use of MDF in favor of HDF (High Density Fiberboard - high density). Specific gravity such a composite can reach 850 – 900 kg/m³. This material is characterized by excellent rigidity, strength, excellent retention of a given shape, and low hygroscopicity.

The adhesive laminate is equipped with conventional tongue-and-groove locks without latches. Installation is carried out by gluing the ends of the panels using a special glue.

At correct assembly the result is a continuous monolithic surface, which, in principle, is very good for use in rooms with high humidity levels (for example, in the kitchen). However, laying this requires advanced qualifications, and it is unlikely that it can be done independently. In addition, the coating is non-removable and cannot be dismantled or repaired.

Currently, the production of this type of laminate has practically ceased, and it is not easy to find it, even if desired.

Laminated panels with “Lock” type locks are also becoming less and less common these days - manufacturers are abandoning them due to low connection reliability.

Diagram of the design and operation of a “Lock” type lock

The assembly of such a laminate requires the mandatory application of a translational impact force so that the figured tenon enters the groove and is fixed in it. This causes certain difficulties during installation, and during operation, when the temperature or humidity conditions change, the appearance of cracks at the joints cannot be ruled out. Dismantling the coating without damaging it is also very problematic, since the tenon most often breaks off.

The most advanced is the “Click” lock system. The complex shaped design of grooves and tenons allows the connection to be made only at a certain angle. Then, when the panels are rotated in one plane, complete reliable closure occurs, accompanied by a characteristic sound - a click, which, in essence, gave the name to the lock.

The most reliable are “Click” type locking connections.

The figure shows one of the configuration options for such a lock, but there are many various types different levels of difficulty. In a high-quality laminate, the locking part is treated with hot wax at the production stage, which gives it strength and the elasticity necessary for connection.

Such a lock ensures reliable mating of the panels, without the risk of cracks. Another advantage is that, if necessary, such a covering can be disassembled in order, for example, to replace one of the boards.

Some laminate models high class have a “Click” locking part, additionally reinforced with a metal profile.

Video: types of locking connections of laminated panels

A lot of information about the quality and operational features of the laminate can be gleaned from the pictograms printed on its packaging. Some of them are presented in the diagram:

a) This icon indicates that the coating has pronounced antistatic properties.

b) Laminate is easy to clean and does not require special care care

c) A pictogram indicating the resistance of the laminate to abrasion and point loads.

d) Degree of fire hazard. Class B 1 will be optimal for a home - such a laminate is classified as a low-flammable material.

e) A lit cigarette falling on the floor should not cause damage to the laminate surface.

e) Laminate flooring is highly hygienic.

g) Icon indicating the resistance of the coating to ultraviolet rays, in particular – to fading in the sun.

h) Spilled on the floor food products and household chemicals will not leave stains on it.

j) Such a laminate can be safely used for the system. This icon may vary slightly, for example, indicating the type of floor heating system - electric or water.

There is also an icon indicating the presence of a V-shaped chamfer on laminated panels. This improvement has a number of advantages:

The chamfer gives a special look floor covering, an almost complete imitation of natural boards.
Possible defects in connections at the joints are hidden and become invisible.
A compensating gap is formed that will smooth out the expansion of the material due to temperature changes.
This laminate has the highest moisture resistance. Even though it would seem catastrophic flooding the floor can be disassembled, dried and reassembled without losing the quality of the coating.

When choosing a laminate for own apartment to waste time on trifles and skimp on quality is by no means the most correct approach. A penny win can result in the need to replace the coating after just a few years. A solid, high-quality laminated floor of the appropriate class should last at least 15 - 20 years. And some manufacturers are not afraid to give their models even a lifetime, unlimited warranty.

But in order not to run into a fake, you should not show unnecessary modesty and be embarrassed to ask the seller for a certificate for the laminate you are purchasing. According to federal law, this document must be presented upon the consumer's first request.