Twin click locking connection. Uniclic multifit: innovative interlocking connection

Can be considered the most common floor covering. The simplicity of laying the panels allows you to do this work yourself without hiring expensive specialists. Each panel has special locks, thanks to which it is not difficult to assemble the flooring. We will tell you what types of laminate locks there are, and which ones are best to give preference to.

Many manufacturers often come up with various locking connections and claim that their system is the best and most reliable. To the question of what kind of locks there are, you can answer this way - all locks are conditionally divided into two groups (varieties):

 Locke locks
 Click locks

The difference between these groups is the way the panels are joined. Lock locks have been used for a very long time and have proven themselves to be the most economical option. Such laminate locks are produced using the milling method. They are a tenon with a locking comb on one side and a milled groove on the other side of the panel.

Panels with Lock locks are mounted by driving a tenon into the groove until it is completely seated and eliminating the gap between adjacent panels. This is done with a wooden mallet or a metal hammer, after first placing a wooden block or a piece of timber.

This kind of work requires attention from the master and constant monitoring of the joints. Despite the fact that these are simple and reliable locking connections, they have their disadvantages. Under load, the lock comb wears out from friction, which leads to the appearance of cracks between the cracks. Unfortunately, panels with such locks cannot be disassembled and reassembled if necessary.

It is important to know! To increase the protection of joints from water, it is recommended to treat any type of laminate joint with a sealant.

A more modern development is considered to be one equipped with click locks. This coating does not have the disadvantages of Locke locks. Locks are also made using the milling method, but the panel tenon has the appearance of a flat hook. The groove on the other side has a selected area for engagement with the hook.

Assembling the panels is very simple and does not require much effort. The panel is inserted with a tenon into the groove of the previous panel at an angle of 45 degrees. When the panel is lowered to the floor, the hook engages with the groove area and a characteristic double click occurs. This is where the name Twin Click comes from.

This interlocking connection of the laminate securely fixes the panels. Even under heavy load, the lamellas do not diverge during long-term use. It is very important that such a coating is easy not only to assemble, but also to disassemble. Manufacturers claim that laminate flooring with click locks can be disassembled up to 3-4 times.

If the climate is very humid, such a joint can also be treated with sealant. There is no need to be afraid that the laminate may not be disassembled later. The sealant is easily removed from the groove of the laminate flooring.

The latest developments in laminate flooring

On sale you can find laminate with wax impregnation of locks. This is the so-called Lock Tec lock developed by Witex. All edges are treated with wax, which significantly increases protection against moisture.

Thanks to wax impregnation The joints between the panels are practically invisible when laid in the correct direction. The floor looks monolithic, which guarantees the coating's resistance to moisture penetration.

Laminate with an aluminum lock can withstand loads of up to 200 kg per 1 square meter. The metal lamella located on the back side of the panel engages with the groove of the adjacent board. Due to the simplicity of the design, laying this laminate is very quick. Manufacturers guarantee that this will never come apart, and some manufacturers even give a lifetime guarantee (laminate from ALLOC). This coating can be installed and dismantled up to 6 times.

Innovative developments of Megaloc type locks make it possible to speed up the process of laying laminate flooring by 3-4 times. This is due to the location of the additional plastic lock on the end side plates. The covering is assembled along the side as usual, and to join at the end, just lay the panel and lightly press on it until it clicks.

The question of which laminate locks are better can be answered unambiguously – twinclick locks. A wide variety of locks from different modern manufacturers are essentially just modifications of one reliable locking system.

One of the most popular and sought after floor coverings modernity 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 are 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:

Lock is the simplest of all existing ones.
Click - this type of lock for laminate flooring is the most common.
Tarkett T-Lock - this type of lock for laminate flooring is patented.
5G - this system uses metal or plastic part fixation.
Megalock - this type of lock for laminate flooring is distinguished by the presence of an end joining zone on tongues.
Click Express - in terms of prevalence, it can be compared with another Click system.
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, whether it’s a beautiful seam or no seam at all. So, now we propose to begin directly comparing and studying different locks for laminate flooring.

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 MDF boards. 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.

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

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

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 has characteristic differences and is divided into two features:

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.
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 system The lock can withstand heavy loads, 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.
You can install it on completely different surfaces, 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. In this case, there are no difficulties in installation work. The slats snap together very easily. But there is one significant drawback here. In such systems there is always a plastic or aluminum fixing tab. If it is accidentally damaged during installation, it can no longer be repaired, and as a result, the laminate board will automatically become unusable.

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.

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.
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.
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.
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 has U-shape and resembles a 5G system. As for PressXpress, docking is done by pressing. No visible seams.
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.
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 will be able to arm yourself necessary knowledge and feel free to go to the store. This will guarantee that you will make a quality purchase.

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 final result - appearance, comfort, 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 helps or hinders the assembly of laminate flooring with various types of locks. And difficulty in execution can lead to damage to the coating and disappointment from the results of the 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.

Connecting Valinge and Unilin laminate locks - from Lock to Click, a little history

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.

Laminate lock 3G-Click

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.

There is a debate in narrow circles 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 will say - in my opinion and others, the Uniclic locking connection is the best, at least of those known to me.

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 inventions various systems Locking is used not only for the convenience of consumers, but to fight competitors and extract 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.

Laminate locks 5G Click

All over the world in various fields From international politics to the provision of small household services, competition is fierce. Opponents are trying in various ways leave in the train, using for these purposes various methods. 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 creak, despite the protests of his wife, he acquired a large size industrial vacuum cleaner. Even earlier, the idea of using an MFP for trimming door frames was spotted. These are useful devices that make the work process easier and make the result neater.

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, explanatory work. 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 launched in big 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 complicated simple products 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.

Types of laminate locks – 3G and 5G pros and cons

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.

Classic lock – 3G. Floor coverings with this type of joint are assembled in rows.
New lock - 5G. This type of laminate is assembled one plank at a time. Now I will explain in more detail.

3G Click lock – description and features with examples

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, tapping with a special tool along the entire length.

U different manufacturers its 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

Laminate lock T-Lock (Tarkett)

An average lock in terms of installation complexity from a well-known 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 for self-installation in a simple-shaped room.

Twin Clic laminate lock (Kronospan)

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 laminate lock (Quick Step)

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 lower part of the arrow-shaped ridge lubricated with wax. 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 function is described rather as an 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.

One of the disadvantages of the Uniclic key connection is the high difficulty of inserting 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.

Laminate lock Just Clic (Egger)

Egger is a leading manufacturer of laminated flooring. Previously and currently it is equipped with a Just Clic lock. But is there a transition period happening now? to the UniFit locking connection. Apparently, UniClic integration is happening everywhere. I wonder if the weak are to blame economic indicators Egger companies, forcing the company to look for new impulses for drive? Or European calculation for the future?

Dear readers! On this 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.

5G laminate plastic lock. Advantages and disadvantages

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.

Pros of the 5G Click lock

Laminate flooring with a 5G plastic lock is more convenient to assemble in long rooms due to the absence of the need to lift and insert the entire row, as with a coating with a classic connection. Laminate 3G with a small lock, if the base is uneven, with large size rooms can be difficult to insert into the groove of the previous row. And by the time you reach the end, the beginning may simply fall out of the groove. Let me remind you that a row of laminate is achieved with a tool when it is completely inserted at an angle into the previous one.

When laying laminate flooring without gaps between rooms, you regularly have to install the panels with the back of the lock. Laminate flooring with a plastic tongue is much easier to insert in this way, installing only one board. Whereas the classics need to be linked together in a whole series.
A 5G keystone connection is faster to assemble if you work together. Since you can lay 2 or 3 rows at the same time.

Cons of the 5G Click Lock

Slightly more expensive price. Rubles for 50-100 per m2.
Sometimes after installation, plastic locks may click into place. When connecting a laminate with a classic coupling, the tongue is immediately inserted into the groove and remains in the recess, even if it diverges a little. And the plastic tongue, due to the curvature of the base or a violation of the geometry of the bar, simply will not reach the groove and may creak or click.

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

When laminated panels are skewed in the other direction during installation, the locks overlap. And on the board being laid it can form a crease in the edges. This usually occurs on 8mm thick laminate, e.g.
Most types of 5G lock have difficulty in assembling the first row, but not all. I still haven’t fully figured out why for some brands the installation process occurs normally - the plastic insert springs and then snaps into place. And for some, serious difficulties arise when assembling the first row. You have to pump the bar in or lay it flat on the lock and hit it with your hand at an angle of 45 degrees in the desired direction.
It is difficult to describe the technical details that are repeated again... Another disadvantage is the difficulty of disassembling. It often becomes necessary to remove the first row to trim panels along the contour of wall irregularities. This is done to close the gap with a skirting board between the laminate and the wall. For significant curvature, plastic or MDF plinth will not be able to close the gap. If dismantling the panels is done by yourself in a simple way, lifting the panel 45 degrees and pulling it out of the groove, as is done in classic 3G, then for most 5G connections part of the lock will simply fly off. If the protrusion on the end lock is located at a right angle.

UniFit laminate lock (Egger)

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. 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.

Alloc laminate lock – expert review

While I was writing the article, I almost forgot about the laminated coating from the Norwegian manufacturer, about which the story would have been 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?

Expensiveness of the product. Whose cost exceeds the price of the closest premium competitors by an average of 1000 rubles.
Low feasibility of use in an apartment. Despite the impressive density and, accordingly, durability of the coating, as well as the impregnation of panels with moisture-resistant compounds, laminate is afraid of moisture, like other brands. This is evidenced by a visit to one order, where the old laminated floor, which was Allok, was dismantled. It feels like it was watered from a basin, although the service life of the laminate at that time was about 7 years. What the customers kindly informed me about after my question about the service life.

Quite a complicated installation of Alloc. This concerns not so much the insertion of one board into another, but the complexity of sawing. If the laminate board is positioned incorrectly during cutting, it is easy to tear off the metal lock integrated into the HDF panel. As a result, the laid laminate clicks.

The best laminate lock - summary, review

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. The ability to insert laminate under door frames without cutting off part of the lock. 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).

The weakest lock is laminateKronostar,Kronopol,Oktoberfest (SwissKrono) and many Chinese
The most difficult lock to assemble is many Chinese ones,Ritter, Lamineli
The most durable - laminateAlloc with metal lock
The most convenient lock -?
The best laminate lock -Uniclic,Quick-Step (author's choice)

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.

Currently, adhesive laminate has practically disappeared from construction stores and markets. , laid in a floating manner, is represented by a huge number of options. When you are trying to navigate this abundance, do not forget that you need to pay close attention to the quality of the locking system. After all, it determines how your floor will withstand constant loads, how long it will retain the appearance it had the first time after installation. Let's list the most outstanding locking systems - developments of leading manufacturers of laminate flooring.

The Uniclic lock is the most advanced patented locking system created by the developers of the world-famous Quick-Step concern. The lock is latched. When laying laminate flooring there is no need to use any tools. The tongue and groove design located on the sides of the panel allows for two installation methods. Two adjacent panels can be connected at a slight angle - even less than the standard 45 degrees. Or with its almost complete absence - that is, one panel seems to slide into another. This ensures the simplicity of assembling the laminated covering - you choose how it is more convenient for you to connect the panels in this particular case. Laying can start from any place and be carried out in any convenient direction. The Uniclic lock is located on all four sides of the panel, so that the joining force of the panels will be the same both along their longitudinal sides and at the end. The connection appears virtually seamless. There is no gap between the panels, since there is simply no room for them to move. Only for this one locking system The manufacturer provides a lifetime warranty (during initial installation, the quality of the connection of the lamellas and the absence of cracks and divergences of the panels are guaranteed). T-Lock (Tarkett Lock) is an exclusive development of the TARKETT company, for which a patent has been received. This type locks belong to the category of Click-connections, the most progressive today. In general, it has a well-deserved reputation for not too expensive, but exceptionally high-quality products. In Europe this is the most popular laminate - in average price category. This popularity is largely due to the quality of the locking system. Wide locking elements are connected when approaching at a slight angle, without deformation or distortion. When the panels are connected, a characteristic click is heard. Reliable fixation occurs. In this case, if desired, the connection can be disassembled - without deforming the lock, and reassembled (up to 3-4 times). The small connection angle is convenient because the laminate is very easy to fit into hard to reach places(under radiators, doors, etc.) Once latched, a constant voltage level is created, preventing the panels from moving apart even under significant and irregular load. The quality of the lock is ensured by ultra-precise milling. The tensile strength of the T-Lock (Tarkett Lock) is normatively determined in European standards ISO/DIS 24334 and is 800 kg/meter.

The LOC-TEC lock is a proprietary “accessory”. The required force to cause rupture of the assembled Loc-Tec locking system must be greater than 1100 N/m. Thus, Vitex laminate will be good in rooms with the most intense traffic. The lock ensures maximum stability of the laid laminate for decades, the absence of distortions and deformations of the seams.

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When you are planning renovations at your home, you want to do it in such a way as to provide the maximum level of comfort for yourself and your loved ones. And what could be more comfortable than being able to walk barefoot at home - and have the floor under your feet always be warm? If you choose laminate flooring, then this problem can be solved quite simply. You just need to worry about installing a floor heating system. Of all types of flooring, laminate is most often installed in conjunction with underfloor heating systems.

Perhaps one of the main advantages of laminated parquet over natural is its resistance to moisture. Natural wood they are frankly “afraid” of contact with water, and owners of luxury parquet or affordable parquet boards have to make constant efforts to prevent prolonged exposure to moisture on the floor covering.

The topic of this article is clearly stated in its title. Renovating a city apartment or a country house, and purchasing building materials as one of the stages of the process, is an extremely troublesome business. We offer you the opportunity to ease these worries. And also minimize your costs. Isn't this an attractive opportunity?

Before purchasing plumbing equipment for a new or renovated apartment, it is worth taking a closer look at the topic. Of course, to study the range of plumbing fixtures from A to Z, you need to spend a lot of time. But you can glean some useful information from our article.

According to experts, the plumbing market in Russia is more than 80% imported. And plumbing fixtures from China are presented in the widest range. Precisely China.

If you are faced with the task of choosing plumbing fixtures that you will install in your home for many years to come, we recommend that you first of all pay attention to plumbing fixtures from Germany.

Uniclic Multifit® is a revolutionary styling system. The boards can be easily joined together thanks to the ingenious shape of its lock. The Uniclic Multifit® system is unique because you can lay the board in three different ways. This is a 3 in 1 locking system.

The first method is known as "drop" or "click" (1), and the second is known as "angle installation" (2). When connecting two boards, both methods provide a simple and quick installation method that avoids damaging the boards. Nevertheless, unique feature The Uniclic® Multifit system is that parquet boards can also be joined on the same level (3). This is convenient if the parquet board cannot be tilted, for example, under doorways and heating radiators.

The Uniclic® Multifit locking system can be used when laying Universal parquet boards, either using the floating method or when rigidly gluing them to the base. In the case of underfloor heating, we recommend using rigid bonding to the base.

No other locking system provides such connection strength. What's more, Universal provides a lifetime warranty on the Uniclic® Multifit locking system. The system can withstand pressures of more than 1200 kg/m 3 - this means that the boards will always remain in place and no gaps will form. In addition, dirt cannot penetrate into the cracks.

So let’s summarize the advantages of the Uniclic Multifit® locking system

Thanks to the patented Uniclic Multifit locking system, Universal parquet floors can be installed quickly using one of three methods, including vertical installation.

SPEED: Installing long planks has never been faster or easier. Professional installers claim that installation wooden floor Universal takes 30% less time compared to traditional methods installation of wooden coverings.

CONVENIENCE: Simply click the planks together using the method that works best for you. Damage to the planks is excluded. Even if you need to reinstall the slats, the Uniclic Multifit system makes it easy to lift and replace the required slats.

NO JOINTS: With the Uniclic Multifit system, there are virtually no gaps at the joints. Due to this, the floor remains clean, since virtually no dirt gets between the joints.

PERFECTLY FLAT FLOOR: the panels do not move anywhere, since the ridge fits exactly into the groove. This eliminates differences in height when laying the floor, as well as wear and tear along the edges.