Laminate locks: which type is better. Types of laminate locks: what are they? Types of locks on laminate which one to choose

At the turn of the 70-80s of the last century, laminate quickly broke into the “premier league” of flooring and finishing coverings. The history of its origin, known as “Idea 77”, is associated with the purchase of one Swedish company plant for the production of composite coatings. The Swedes experimented with everything they could get their hands on: they laminated wall panels, countertops, window sills. During another brainstorming session on how to laminate more, someone came up with the idea to take on the floors. A couple of years later, IKEA stores introduced the Swedes to a new product - laminate, which was a dizzying success, first in the Swedish and then in the world market.

The name of the company that developed the laminate is remembered only by specialists; the laminate itself has changed beyond recognition, but its popularity remains enormous. Affordable price, practicality, functionality, good noise and sound insulation characteristics, easy maintenance, a huge variety of patterns applied to the decorative layer of this flooring by manufacturers in the fight for the buyer - these are the components of the success of the laminate.

Today, laminate is a multilayer panel, each layer of which is “responsible” for solving different problems:

The lower one protects against deformation.

The carrier determines the noise and sound insulation qualities, moisture resistance and fastens the panels together with a lock during installation.

Decorative is made of PVC film or special kraft paper. A drawing is applied to this layer.

A top layer of melamine or acrylate resin protects the flooring from damage. The resin can be applied several times, which directly affects the service life of the coating.

The evolution of laminate over the years has also affected the methods of joining panels when laying them into a monolithic floor structure. Glue method is practically disappearing from the scene; today the lock method dominates the market. With the locking method, a tenon on the edge of a laminate panel fits into a groove on another panel. The advantages of this method in comparison with the adhesive method are obvious: the installation speed has increased, the need to prepare has disappeared adhesive composition, there are no glue odors in the room. The main advantage is that the locking method makes it possible to disassemble the floor covering and lay it another 3-4 times (Click locks). There are several types of locks for laminate flooring.

Lock Lock

A lock for laminate flooring made using the tongue-and-groove principle is called Lock. A tenon is cut out with a milling cutter in one of the sides of the load-bearing layer, and a groove with a comb is cut out on the other side. Place a piece of timber or a die against the panel laid on the floor, and with a wooden mallet, carefully drive the tenon into the groove until it is completely seated and the gap between the two adjacent panels disappears. The comb in the groove will prevent the tenon from coming out. This is why this type of lock is also called a hammer lock. The Lock appeared earlier than other locking connections for laminate flooring and today is considered a less technically advanced solution.

Relatively weakness- a comb in a groove, which begins to wear out during operation under the influence of periodically occurring loads. Wear on the lock will cause a gap to appear in this area. Such a defect cannot be repaired. To be fair, it must be said that accelerated wear of the comb occurs when the requirements for the base on which the laminate is laid are not met. And here a paradoxical situation arises between this problem and another “disadvantage” of the Lock-lock.

This “disadvantage” lies in the certain complexity of laying the covering with a lock of this type. It is recommended to entrust the laying work to professionals, because you should use the mallet very carefully, adjusting the force of impact. And at the same time constantly monitor the joints of the panels. However, before installation begins, a professional will inform the owner of the premises that the base for the laminate is of poor quality and problems will arise during operation. And with a properly constructed base, the service life of the locking connection will be close to the service life of the panels.

Click Lock

Further improvement of laminate locks was marked by the appearance of the Click locking system. This lock differs from its predecessor Lock-lock in the shape of the tongue. The tongue in this case is also made by milling and has the shape of a flattened hook. The panels are applied to each other at an angle (usually the angle is 45°, but different manufacturers it may differ). The panel with the tongue is lowered, the tongue engages with the groove and a characteristic sound is heard. This sound gave the castle its name - Click.

There is no need to apply much effort when connecting the panels; there is no need to hit the panels with a mallet. They are securely fixed; during installation, the locks remain intact even if the person working with the coating makes a mistake. Reliable connection of adjacent panels and the resulting constant pressure, protect the lock from abrasion throughout its entire service life. Accordingly, gaps between the panels do not appear over time. The undoubted advantage of the Click locking system is the ability to disassemble the floor covering and reassemble it. And so on up to 3-4 times.

T-LOCK and 5g locks

Manufacturers continue to improve laminate locks and develop new modifications. Thus, the Tarkett company has patented a system in which the lock is cut with a milling cutter in the load-bearing layer of the panel using Click technology. The fundamental difference is the presence of a lock on the long and end sides. Laying repeats the steps for connecting the panels with a Click-lock - new panel is brought to the already laid floor at an angle of 45°, lowered and snapped into place.

The next improvement to the laminate lock is the 5g system. TO various options All leading manufacturers came up with such a lock - the goal was to further simplify the installation process without losing the strength and quality of the connection. A movable tongue was installed at the end of the panel, which ensured simultaneous connection of the panel along the long and short sides. On the long side the panel is brought in at an angle, and on the end it is simply placed on top and lowered until the tongue clicks.

Megalock lock

A type of lock for 5g laminate is a system from the German company Classen. The first row of panels is laid lengthwise, the next row is applied at an angle in order to insert the tongue into the groove of the laid panel, after which the panel is lowered and the lock is latched in the end part. Dismantling the laid laminate, if necessary, is easy to do.

Aluminum locks

The Swedes invented laminate; their Norwegian neighbors developed an aluminum locking system for it. The traditional tongue-and-groove connection of the Lock-lock is complemented by a lock on an aluminum profile. The tongue of this lock fits into a second groove in the adjacent board. Aluminum profile can be located at the bottom of the board or located in the supporting layer. The double connection avoids deformation and the appearance of joints during installation and during operation. An aluminum lock can withstand a breaking force of one ton or more. In addition, such laminate locks provide additional protection for the floor covering from moisture.

Treating locks with sealant during installation

Leading manufacturers produce laminates with additional protection of seams from moisture using wax compounds. This applies to laminate class 32 and 33. Seams should be protected when laying with sealant in cases where they are not covered with wax.

One of the most popular and in demand floor coverings of our time is laminate. And this is not surprising, because its use allows you to give the room a completely different look in a short period of time. Today there is a large number of manufacturers who produce it in different colors, styles, textures and more. Laminate flooring is famous for being very easy to assemble. Gone are the days when everything was held together with glue. Now there is glue-free technology. Laminate flooring uses special locks. It is noteworthy that there is a wide variety of them. In this article we will introduce you to all existing species laminate locks. We will compare them with each other and discuss which one is better.

Why are different types of locks needed?

Someone may object, why, strictly speaking, complicate everything and come up with a large number of locking connections? On the one hand, it may seem that it is best to rivet everything according to the standard and then the installers will not have to bother at all. However, as practice shows, it is during installation that the need for different laminate locking systems often arises.

Already now we can safely say that some types of laminate locks are clearly outdated. They are used by the manufacturer only because he has old equipment. Some laminate locks are considered the most popular and in demand. Others belong exclusively to one of the many companies, that is, they have imposed a patent on their development of the laminate lock, and no one can copy them.

So, if you look at modern market, then you can find the following types of locks for laminate flooring:

1. Lock is the simplest of all existing ones.
2. Click - this type of lock for laminate flooring is the most common.
3. Tarkett T-Lock - this type lock for laminate and is patented.
4. 5G - this system uses metal or plastic part fixation.
5. Megalock - this type of lock for laminate flooring is distinguished by the presence of an end joining zone on tongues.
6. Click Express - in terms of prevalence, it can be compared with another Click system.
7. Unicklick - this lock for laminate flooring is distinguished by the fact that the covering can be assembled and disassembled at least four times.

Among other things, there are locking systems with aluminum, plastic and other elements. We will present you with more details about all this in this article. However, now we will answer the question: why are there so many varieties of locking systems? For example, locking systems with an aluminum system are designed for loads of up to 1.2 tons per square meter. Plus, after installation a seamless effect is created.

What if you need to dismantle the floors, for example, you live in a house where flooding occurs frequently. And if you disassemble the laminate in time, it will not be damaged. There may be other cases. So, you can choose a system that allows you to disassemble the laminate.

Moreover, the presence of one or another lock for laminate flooring also determines the cost of the product. For example, the Lock system is characteristic primarily of budget laminate. Plus, some locks can create an original picture on the floor when installed, or beautiful seam or complete absence of a seam. So, now we propose to begin directly comparing and studying different castles for laminate.

Lock system locks

This type of laminate lock is created by milling the lock part. The thickness of the locking element is equal to the thickness of the MDF board. So, on one side of the laminate panel there is a special groove, and on the opposite side there is a tenon. A retainer is built into them, which holds the laminate together while walking on it. This laminate locking system has the following advantages:

• Although it is difficult, it is possible to disassemble the laminate in order to relay it or replace individual strips. But there is no way to avoid damage to the castle.
• A relatively simple design, which is located directly on the panel itself.
• Laminate flooring with this type of lock has a relatively low cost, which significantly affects the family budget.

For the sake of objectivity, we also note the disadvantages. If excessive load is placed on the floors, friction will form at the joints. For this reason, the fasteners in the groove will begin to wear off, and as a result, the connection will become fragile. This is one of the reasons why gaps often appear between the slats.

Click system locks

Unlike the laminate locking system described above, Click has more advantages. The laminate assembly process is carried out at an angle of 45 degrees. And at the same time you should not make titanic efforts. If the previous lock could be damaged during installation, this one cannot. Moreover, the docking is very tight and reliable. As a result, such a connection can cope with high loads.

Important! A number of well-known and expensive manufacturers produce such laminate, where after installation with the Click system the joints of the lamellas are absolutely invisible. Of course, such laminate locks create a beautiful effect.

There are a number of positive aspects of this system:

• Double fastening at an angle of 45 degrees.
• After installation, the flooring has sufficient strength.
• During operation, the risk of deformation is practically reduced to zero.
• If you have certain skills, you can disassemble it up to six times.
• Even a non-professional in this field can handle the installation process.
• No special building material is required for installation.
• According to the information provided by the manufacturers, a floor difference across the plane of up to 3 mm per square meter is allowed.
• It is impossible to damage the laminate during installation.

Which is better Click or Lock?

So, having looked at the main features of these two systems, let's compare them with each other and immediately determine which laminate locks are better. If we talk about Lock, then this is lock connection for for long years has proven itself positively. This castle is considered the most accessible and inexpensive. After all, the lock is formed by milling directly on the lamella itself. Installation requires a lot of physical effort, as a mallet/hammer is used and wooden stand. Otherwise the connection will not be fixed.

Important! This method installation requires special skills of a craftsman, since if you apply a little more effort, the lock for the laminate can be damaged. There were often cases when the master missed the hammer and fell straight into a tenon. The consequences are not the most rosy.

Click, in turn, is a more modern locking system for laminate flooring. It completely lacks the disadvantages described above. The process of making a groove occurs in the same way, by milling. But as for the shape of the spike, it looks like a flat hook. The groove, in turn, has a kind of platform into which this tenon fits. As practice shows, the assembly process is very fast. It is necessary to bring the bar to the groove at an angle of 45 degrees. Insert the groove into the tenon. And with a smooth movement, simultaneously pressing and lowering, a strong connection is formed. As a result, you can hear a characteristic click.

So, from this description and comparison, it is clear which of these two laminate locking systems is better. Although you will have to overpay for the latter, the end result will be much more effective.

Lock systems

Lock with plastic plate

After a while, manufacturers decided to improve the slat joining system and added plastic to the laminate locks. This technology It has characteristic differences and is divided into two features:

1. Springy. The main difference is that you can snap it literally in one movement. This plate has an important advantage - speed of installation work. However, there are often clear obstacles to quick installation. This is explained by the fact that the floors are always level. As a result, the lamella begins to succumb to deformation, which leads to difficulties.
2. Tough. The snap-in design is the same, but to connect the panels, they must be inserted in a longitudinal motion. All this significantly complicates and delays the installation process. Apparently, this locking system can withstand heavy loads, but there is no exact information.

But it is important to understand that plastic is used as a connection. And this material tends to break at the most inopportune moment and in the most inopportune place. Therefore, this type of lock for laminate flooring is not very popular.

Click with aluminum plate

This method of joining laminate has its own distinctive features and now we will present them to you:

• Simple installation of the covering.
• Due to the presence of aluminum in the grooves, a very strong connection is formed that can cope with high loads.
• This type of joining can survive 6 cycles of installation and dismantling of the coating for various reasons.
• Possibility to create an airtight coating. So moisture will definitely not get under the laminate.
• Can be installed completely different coating, for example, concrete screed, wooden floor And so on.

Important! According to the manufacturer, this coating can cope with loads from 850 to 1200 kg per square meter.

Tarkett T-Lock

As already mentioned, this is a lock patented by the manufacturer, developed using special technology. This docking method can easily be considered the most progressive. The locks have relatively wide special elements, which, when brought together, fit together without distortions or deformations. In this case, you should not give a large slope angle.

When docking, a characteristic click is heard, indicating reliability and complete fixation. Without deforming the lock, the laminate can be disassembled and reassembled up to four times. Important advantage the fact that this coating is convenient when laying in rooms with cramped dimensions.

5G

When using this technology, the joining process occurs not only from the longitudinal side of the lamella, but also from the short end sections. There are no difficulties during installation work. The slats snap together very easily. But there is one significant drawback here. In such systems there is always a plastic or aluminum fixing tab. If it is accidentally damaged during installation, it can no longer be repaired, and as a result, the laminate board will automatically become unusable.

Megalock

In this case, the docking is carried out not only along the long side, but also on the short side. The connection principle boils down to the use of tongue and groove technology. This made it possible to repair the coating if necessary. Moreover, it can be disassembled and reassembled several times without the risk of damaging the coating.

Important! The Megalock locking system allows for complete isolation from moisture penetration. That is why these locks are used in combination with moisture-resistant products.

Systems from other manufacturers

So, we have discussed with you the most common technologies that are most often found on the domestic market. Now let's turn our attention to lock systems that are patented by different manufacturers.

1. Uniclic. Laminate flooring with uni click locks has an original latching system. Docking occurs using the tongue-and-groove method, but without any additional tools. The result of joining the laminate with Uni Click locks is the complete absence of cracks, the panels coming apart after a while, and the absence of a visible seam.
2. ProLoc and SmartLock. As for ProLoc, this locking system has found its application in rooms where laminate flooring is installed over a large area. Also in places where there will be a serious load on the coating. The installation method has no problems, everything is simple. If the room is high humidity, then the SafeSeal system is preferred. Speaking of SmartLock, its joints are treated with a special moisture-proof impregnation. During installation, it is important to observe correct angle in this case, no special problems should arise.
3. Pro Click. The laminate installation process is carried out according to one geometry. Additionally, it is recommended to use special sealants to improve the joining properties. Even under surface tension conditions, Pro Click will not produce cracks or other defects.
4. Click Xpress, DropXpress and PressXpress. All these locks are from the same manufacturer - Balterio. Each of them has its own characteristics. Click Xpress allows you to achieve a seamless coating effect. Disassembly allowed. DropXpress is U-shaped and resembles a 5G system. As for PressXpress, docking is done by pressing. No visible seams.
5. Classen. This type of laminate lock is a representative of a German manufacturer. We can safely say that this is one of the most reliable and strong locks. The joining process is accompanied by a tongue and groove.
6. Witex. According to the manufacturer, this lock has a tensile strength of up to 1100 Nm/l.m. As a result, it is characterized as reliable and durable. However, there is an important difference and it boils down to the fact that the joint is treated with paraffin.

Conclusion

So, we've covered everything important features and types of locks for laminate flooring. As you can see, they all have very different types and specifications. We hope that this material has given you a lot of useful food for thought. After reading this article and watching the video at the end of the article, you can arm yourself with the necessary knowledge and confidently go to the store. This will guarantee that you will make a quality purchase.

Which laminate lock is better? All about laminate locks.

With the development of technology adhesive installation laminate has long gone into oblivion. Reliable and simple locks have replaced it, and glue-free floating laminate installation rules the roost. Therefore, the question arises, which laminate lock is the best, which laminate manufacturer has the best secure locks? We'll figure out.

Previously, it was necessary to distinguish between the types - Click lock and Lock lock.

Are locks obsolete?

Yes, and it’s unrealistic to find them in modern laminate flooring. The reason is banal, this locking connection is outdated morally and technically.

The drive-in Lock had a number of disadvantages:

• Over time, the connection became loose and gaps appeared between the lamellas.
• It is simply impossible to disassemble such a laminate without problems.
• Difficult to install.
• This type of laminate did not last long on uneven surfaces, and manufacturers found a way out.

Click-locks for laminate flooring - fast, reliable, high quality.

Unlike the previous connection, Click had a number of advantages.

• Simple installation that even a non-specialist can handle.
• Laminate can be disassembled and assembled without problems, without damaging the lamella.
• Reliability – the boards do not come apart even after years of use.

With the development of new technologies and the emergence of new laminate manufacturers, the lock began to improve. Each brand tried to surprise. Now, almost every manufacturer has its own locking system.

Modern laminate locks.

On the long side of the laminate board, practically nothing has changed. There is a groove and a ridge.

Of course, the side length of the lock will vary between brands. Everyone is trying to make the connection stronger and more reliable. On the short side, significant changes have occurred.

Let me explain a little. Laminate installation is divided into two types:

• Row laying.

It's simple - the boards are connected into one line, which is then inserted into another line, snapped into place, and tapped.

• Laying one board at a time.

This installation has become even easier thanks to the end locks with a latch (5G). Installation can be carried out by one person without problems. The first row of your future floor is assembled, then the first board of the second row is mounted, the next lamella is inserted and snapped into place.

Everything is simple and fast. The disadvantages of such a system are that some wide collections of laminate diverge at the ends, especially on uneven bases. Overall, this “click” system has worked very well and many brands have improved upon it.

Very often, installers kill laminate flooring with a simple lack of knowledge. When laminate flooring is click-locked on the short side, they lay the flooring in rows. Such a mistake leads to disastrous results - the appearance of cracks. Then, everything is written off as “defective laminate.” It’s easy to avoid such problems - read the instructions.

Which laminate lock is better?

Comparing laminate locks from different manufacturers, based on experience, we can say with confidence that there are no bad lock connections. The production technology of modern laminated parquet has stepped far forward. Thanks to new capabilities, every well-known laminate manufacturer is developing a strong and reliable connection.

A breakthrough in laminate locks was made by Unilin back in 1997, which introduced the Uniclic glue-free system in Quick-Step laminate. It is thanks to Unilin patents that we can observe the development of the locking system among various laminate manufacturers.

Laminate locksEgger.

Laminate locksKronotex.

He didn’t reinvent the wheel and uses the proven Clic locking system. All collections of the manufacturer are produced with this lock on the short side of the board. The most interesting thing is that Kronotex allows laminate flooring to be glued to the base, with the exception of heated floors.

Quick-Step laminate locks.

It is clear that the lock will be Uniclic - reliable, proven, simple. Thanks to patented technology, the Uniclic locking system is used on laminate flooring from various manufacturers.

The article is protected. Reprint - only with reference to the source.

The laminate lock is the most important indicator quality depends largely on its execution general form coverings. Having a good lock will allow you to get closer to the answer to the question: “which laminate is better.”

Patented by the Quick-Step concern. Lock system very convenient when laying laminate flooring doorways, corners and confined spaces. The board can be snapped using the standard method, at an angle of 25-30 degrees, or by laying the board completely on the floor, using the tamping method.

Another undeniable advantage is the ability to lay and snap boards both on the left and on the right, which is important in complex room configurations. The boards click into place very easily, with a characteristic clear click. Treatment against moisture penetration is present.

According to the manufacturer, the system allows you to repeatedly disassemble the boards without damaging them. In my fifteen years of practice, the only time I encountered a customer’s desire to remove old laminate and move it to the dacha. In any case, the laminate is deformed during use and takes on unevenness in the floor; assembly in a new place is possible, but it will no longer be of such high quality, even if the boards are numbered. The declared function is useful primarily during normal installation by a novice master, when repeated separation of the boards during the fitting process is inevitable.

After assembly, the surface is perfectly smooth without the slightest difference in height or gaps. A small disadvantage of this type of lock is the ability to diverge along the short side of the boards. Connected with a very small protrusion of the latch at the bottom, visible in the photo.

LockT-Lock and 2-Lock

It was produced and is still on sale by the Tarkett concern (it is being replaced by a new lock). Feature— a large angle of elevation of the board during installation is not required; an angle of 20-25 degrees is sufficient. T-Lock is well-known, but at the same time quite old, requiring assembly of the entire series. For one person, this is a time-consuming task, and sometimes impossible. With a typical room being six meters long, the slightest shift of any panel at the end joint, left or right, will require dismantling the entire row. Also, transverse joints are often visible,

Moreover, this feature is observed in different collections. This defect is most noticeable in collections of dark tones. During installation, you can feel the moment when the board has settled into place, although not as clearly as with Quick-Step. In our work, in the vast majority of cases, we use a laminate with a thickness of 8 millimeters for longitudinal locks, the protrusion is rather weak - often, when snapping it again, it breaks off. Moisture protection is proprietary - Tech3s.

The 2-Lock lock has a plastic insert, provides high assembly performance, plus the ability to work alone.

Lock - TC'Lock

Lock from TARKETT, which replaced the T-Lock. As sales progress, all laminate collections are transferred to the new lock, and without any increase in price. The old and new lock are not compatible; there will be a difference in height of about 0.4 mm.

The manufacturer claims a tighter connection of the boards, which significantly increases protection from moisture. The tensile test showed a result eight times higher than the specified parameters, according to the EN13329 standard, which can significantly reduce the number of chips and divergence of boards. Boxes with a new lock are marked accordingly. From personal experience, laminate with such locks assembles perfectly. Fixation - without any effort, the installation speed significantly increases. Assembly can be done by one person.

Lock -

From the manufacturer Classen. A plastic insert is installed at the end of the board, which allows you to snap the board into place by simply pressing on the board from above. Provides a very strong mechanical connection. Work with a vacuum cleaner! The main advantage is the speed of installation; unlike standard methods, there is no need to assemble one long strip, which allows one person to work comfortably, without outside help. Very high quality factory moisture protection.

Pergo PerfectFold 3.0 locking system

A type of lock with a plastic insert. Very easy assembly process. Assembly can be done without a partner. No additional tool required. Convenience and speed of installation, but has a downside - repeated disassembly leads to breakage of the lock ridges. It must be collected immediately, without errors. One should be wary of “confident masters.” The lock is similar in appearance to the Uniclik system, which entails the temptation to knock something, knock on it, and so on. The result is inevitably damaged locks.

A characteristic, soft click will notify you of correct installation. Assembly can be done from different sides of the boards, both tongue and groove. Relevant when assembling floors without thresholds.

No complaints were identified during operation.

Lock -Proclick andJustclic

From the manufacturer Egger, good locks, Pro does not require assembling the entire row, the board is pushed down from above with a fist blow. High assembly speed.

Just-clic replaced it. Unlike the old one, it requires complete assembly of the row during installation. The profile of the lock is in the form of an oval, with minimal gaps following the contours of the tenon and groove. Very precise fitting of the lock elements, requires perfect cleanliness inside.

Purely subjectively, I liked the first option more, the fixation, without a pronounced click, although in both cases there are no complaints. The surface is perfectly flat.

Lock -Twinclick

Russian manufacturer Kronospan. Almost indistinguishable from Tarkett T-lock. Allows you to assemble laminate flooring only in the standard way, in whole rows; it’s better to work together. Average quality price category, without differences in height and gaps. When assembling, there is no feeling of a clear fixation of the lamella. Quite complex work in doorways, a method for adjusting to door frame, by cutting off the lock ridge, is relevant in inconspicuous places. With this type of lock it is difficult to achieve high-quality installation using the now widespread “entire apartment without thresholds” method. On well-lit surfaces, all the tricks, in the form of a cut lock, will be noticeable, which can lead to rapid wear of the protruding part.

Locks in inexpensive collections do not hold moisture at all; they must be treated with Click Guard sealant. Today, this is already nonsense, given the cost of the sealant and the labor intensity - it is better to choose an option with a waterproof lock.

Lock -Alloc

From a Norwegian manufacturer, very high quality, lock with aluminum insert, for ordinary apartments does not have any advantages, its main advantage is a strong mechanical connection that can manifest itself on large areas, where for a conventional laminate, the installation of dividing thresholds is required. Ease of installation and clear fixation are a plus. Price is a minus. Compared to the same Classen, given the huge selection of colors, for small apartment, the purchase can hardly be called advisable.

Conclusions:

This article describes only those locks with which our masters work constantly, there are great amount various trade names, but the essence remains the same. Padded adhesive locks are a thing of the past. Modern locks allow you to work without glue and sealants, are quite well designed and reliable, provide high quality and strength. The only difference is the ease of installation.

Contrary to manufacturers' statements about the possibility of laying coatings without the use of additional tools, settling the boards using a block or a piece of lock from another lamella is always required! Easy sampling of gaps must be carried out. .

Taking into account the permissible micron gaps, installation work, for any type of lock, should be carried out only with the use of a vacuum cleaner. Dust removal of the groove under the next row is also mandatory!

Laminate flooring that requires laying in a row, it is advisable to lay it with a partner, alone, it is easy to break the lock, this manifests itself in the form of a gap and a characteristic rise in the transverse joint.

All famous manufacturers in Russia, they produce laminate in accordance with GOST or TU, often similar to European standards. As a rule, a difference of up to 100 microns is allowed - this is the thickness of a sheet of “Snow Maiden” paper. Tactilely, such a difference will be felt when held with a fingernail, and will be visually visible, although it is considered the norm.

You should not purchase laminate without moisture protection locks, this is no longer relevant, the difference in price is negligible, and the service life differs significantly.

The craftsmen working for us note the successful design of Uniclik locks from Quick-Step, which allow laying laminate flooring in “difficult places” with minimal damage to the lock, and their experience in using coatings from the manufacturer of the same name allows them to give it an “excellent” rating. The preference is for Belgian-made laminate, compared to the Russian Quick-Step, with quality, however, not everything is so smooth yet. There is no such ease and clarity of assembly. The Uniclic lock is used by the Kastomonu concern, which produces laminate flooring in Elabuga. The new TC-Lock from TARKETT honestly deserves a “good” rating.

Laminate locks, varieties and their types and installation (disassembly) features. Click, Lock, 5G systems. Uniclic, T-Lock, LocTec locks