Laminate - what are these types. Types of laminate: categories, types, names, colors, famous manufacturers, photo Metal or stone

Modern technologies, often used in the process of manufacturing laminate flooring, help to create the most durable, reliable, beautiful and diverse lamellas. But, here's the main catch is which laminate to choose: cheaper or more expensive, European brands, domestic or Chinese, beveled or not? A series of articles will help you figure out what's what.

Laminate classes

It is known that all products are divided into 2 types: commercial options and household. We advise you to pay attention to commercial ones. In principle, their cost is low, but the service life exceeds household items several times:

• floors can be used in commercial premises with a characteristic light load. On average, the service life is from 2 to 3 years. In everyday life - from 10 to 12;
• fits in commercial premises with a typical medium load. Service life in the office up to 5 years, at home - up to 15 years. 32 class of wear resistance Is the best option. It is he who is chosen by the majority of buyers, both for their apartments and for shops, offices, cafes, etc.;
• suitable for commercial establishments with intensive workload. Service life at the enterprise - up to 7 years, in everyday life - up to 20 years. Many people take into account such a long service life in everyday life. A definite plus is that such floors do not lose their appearance over a long period;
• : lamellas with the highest technical performance and characteristics. They are intended for commercial premises with the maximum load. Although, today such flooring can also be found in the homes of many families;
• this is not a common laminate option. It belongs to, which is made to order.

! If you are interested in high quality products, we advise you to pay attention to. This is where quality always comes first!

Chinese laminate flooring: check and then trust

If you have already figured out the wear resistance class of the panels, and you are not afraid of moisture, you can choose moisture resistant lamellas or an option. The advantage of the latter option is visual imitation: after installation, the coating will have an excellent appearance, plus it is moisture resistant, which means it will not deteriorate over a long period of operation. What could be better?

Today there are several types of slats for the kitchen. When buying, pay special attention to:

• class: start choosing from the 32 class of wear resistance. Only such models are suitable for the kitchen;
• indicators of moisture / water resistance... Don't confuse them. Moisture-resistant are protected only from moisture, and water-resistant can even withstand a flood.

! Such material is much more expensive than usual, but it also lasts an order of magnitude longer.

Today, the most famous manufacturers of such panels are European companies, especially German and Belgian. Among the huge number of brands, the following are trustworthy: Tarkett, Pergo, Eco Flooring, Egger, Kronotex, Classen, Witex, Alloc, Kronospan and Kronostar.

• Suberic

The texture of the face layer of the lamellas is varied. It can vary from lamellar to fine-grained. More classic designs include warm shades of yellow, brown and ocher. For fans of exotic coverage, options with colored splashes are available. For more details, you can.

The advantage of such finishing bases is that they do not accumulate static electricity and do not emit harmful substances. They are also characterized by high dirt-repelling properties: no trace of oil or ink stains will remain.

! In general, the production of such material is well established. Thanks to modern technology, such flooring can last up to 30 years in the house and up to 10 years in a public place.

• Vinyl

This variety has appeared on the market quite recently. The structure of the board differs from the layers of conventional lamellas. It consists of only two layers, which are combined into a plank for arranging the subfloor:

1. The front layer is aluminum oxide or polyurethane. A pattern is applied to its surface, which imitates the natural surface of expensive wood;
2. base - vinyl, which is resistant to moisture. It is he who increases the rigidity and strength of the floor, extending the service life of the entire flooring.

! The main ones are resistance to mechanical damage, wear resistance and durability.

• Glossy

Everyone, sooner or later, thinks about buying. We are attracted by its mirror shine. Yes, such a coating has many advantages, but you should also not forget about its disadvantages.

Therefore, before you decide to buy, analyze the pros and cons. Then you will understand what is best for the house / apartment. Externally attractive material will fit into any interior and any design. The gloss will reflect light, diffuse it throughout the room, making it brighter and larger. An undoubted plus is that all dust, dirt and stains are easier to remove than from a matte structure.

• Under parquet

Lamellas are a completely new trend. Special innovative technologies used in the production process make it possible to give the panels any appearance, including the appearance of a parquet board. So, you pay less, but you get almost the same floor.

! You can also buy any option with or without it. As a rule, the panel thickness option is especially popular.

The difference between these two lamellae options is particularly acute. So what's the difference?

It perfectly tolerates the increased level of humidity in the room. Such boards are not afraid of short-term contact with water, so they are ideal for those who are thinking about renovating the kitchen.

It can withstand even prolonged contact with water, so it is even suitable for bathrooms and saunas.

What is the main difference? As you probably already understood, the difference is in the ability of these two types of coatings to withstand the effects of moisture, moisture and water. Water-resistant panels obtained their advantageous properties due to the use of a special production technology: high-pressure devices act on the plate at high temperatures. So, it is compressed and becomes especially strong. All cracks that remain after pressing are filled with heated wax. The best quality products today are German-made Witex laminate.

! Based on this, you can decide which version of the lamellas is suitable for your particular case.

Although, at first glance, everything seems simple enough, the choice of laminate flooring for many of us was and remains a real problem. We have tried to help you find the right solution among the many brands, classes and options on the market today.

No matter what they say to you, no matter how they convince, no matter what they prove, and no matter what they persuade - now you have a reliable source of all the necessary information. Use it to transform your home into a fusion of a wide variety of design trends and trendy interiors at a reasonable price and in no time. Go for it!

Laminate is a relatively cheap imitation of parquet. It is made from pressed wood fiber and is gaining more and more popularity from year to year. This inexpensive modern material allows you to decorate the floor in a room in a short time. On the market, you can find various types of laminate that will satisfy the needs of the most capricious buyer.

It is difficult to choose the right product among the huge assortment if you have a poor idea of ​​it. Therefore, it is necessary to know what a laminate is and what it is.

What is laminate flooring

The English word "laminate" means a multi-layer material. The structure of such a floor covering is similar to a puff, where the functions of the layers are performed by kraft paper, fiberboard, patterned paper and a layer of resin.

The basis of the laminated plate is high density fiberboard (MDF). It is also the main component of the coating. The thicker and denser it is, the stronger the flooring itself will be.

Special kraft paper prevents moisture from entering the bottom.

A decorative layer is applied over the base, which is a specially processed paper with a pattern or pattern drawn on it.

The top is covered with a thin, but strong enough polymer film, which protects the plate from abrasion and other external influences.

This "layered" manufacturing technology allows you to produce laminate in a huge variety.

Material classification

Laminate flooring can be divided into several classes. There are seven of them - 21,22,23 and 31,32,33,34 grades. Each of them has its own strength characteristics. Laminate of classes 21-23 is no longer produced, since it does not withstand the test of time and stress, and the material of 31-34 classes has been launched into mass production.

Load classes

Another classification is designated by the letters AC and the numbers 1 - 6. This designation shows the strength of the uppermost, transparent coating of the lamellas. АС1 and АС2 were discontinued because their coating turned out to be weak to abrasion.

The combination of strength classes and resistance to mechanical stress is as follows:

• class 31 AC3;
• class 32 AC4;
• class 33 AC5-AC6;
• class 34 AC6.

The higher the class, the stronger the material, the higher the number of AC, the more resistant the coating to external influences.

Another class of coating is 43. It is not easy to find it in hardware stores, it is easier to order from the manufacturer directly. It is a vinyl laminate that can support the weight of a passenger car. Its main advantage is perfect water resistance, because vinyl is not afraid of water.

The manufacturer gives a guarantee for vinyl laminate of the 43rd class for 25 - 50 years.(depending on the method of installation - floating or glued) for commercial use. In a house or apartment, its service life can be called infinite. Therefore, its high price is fully justified. In addition, the coating can withstand 3 disassembly / assembly cycles, which cannot be said about collections based on fiberboard.

Types of material for decorative qualities

Decorative laminated panels are divided into:

• glossy / silky glossy;
• natural;
• waxed;
• textured / embossed;
• matte;
• country;
• "A tree painted with oil paint".

The name of each group speaks for itself.

Natural oak

The high gloss / silky gloss laminate has a polished high gloss finish. Its significant drawback is that it is quite slippery, and bare foot prints always remain on it. This is the traditional kind of material.

Natural laminate floorboards are more similar to wood floorboards. All knots and wood pores are well-drawn. There is a silky sheen.

Waxed lamellas resemble wood well-impregnated with wax. A slight sheen is a sign of high quality.

Texture boards imitate natural wood well. The unevenness of the coating coincides with the unevenness of the pattern, which makes the material similarity with the parquet board to the maximum. In relief laminate, the irregularities are symmetrical and do not match the pattern. Another variety is chamfered lamellas. The floor laid by them imitates wide wooden planks well.

No footprints remain on the matte finish, so it is preferable to glossy.

Country oak

Country laminate can be attributed to embossed coatings. Each plank resembles a hand-crafted piece of wood. One of the varieties of style is aged laminate. On it are visible bulges and chips, skillfully sanded and hidden with varnish.

Wood painted with oil paint is an imitation of natural wood, covered with ordinary varnish-based oil enamel. The surface of the lamellas does not have a gloss, it looks natural.

Types of floorboards joints

According to the method of fixing the plates, the laminate can be adhesive or "lock". Glue laying is a time consuming process. It takes a long time. The finished coating is difficult to repair, since if one of the floorboards is damaged, it will be quite difficult to replace it.

Nowadays, laminate manufacturers have abandoned the use of glue, preferring "locks" as a faster and more economical method of installation. "Castle" structures are assembled using a special fastener located along the edge of each plate.

Types of locks

By design, all types of laminate locks are divided into two main groups:

• Lock-lock;
• Click-lock.

A lock or latch lock is a fairly simple design. On one side of the panel, a special-shaped "thorn" is cut, and on the other side of the panel there is a "groove" for it. In the process of assembling the laminate, the “thorn” from one plate is hammered into the “groove” of the other with a rubber hammer and snaps into place.

It is forbidden to knock on the lamella itself with a hammer. To use it, attach a wooden block to the end of the board and do not hit it hard with a hammer. This will help prevent damage to the material.

It is better to entrust the assembly of such a coating to knowledgeable specialists, because:

• not knowing the peculiarities of connecting locks of this type, it is very easy to damage them;
• it is impossible to transfer the coating to another place or replace the damaged fragment on your own.

Styling options

Click-lock or collapsible connection refers to later developments in the field of laminate flooring. Having a more complex design, such a lock is devoid of all the disadvantages of Lock-locks. Even a layman can assemble the coating with such fastening of the panels. The boards are joined at a 45 degree angle without any additional effort.

This method of installation allows you to disassemble the cover without damage and lay it in another place. Another advantage is that, due to its construction, the laminate floor does not deform over time, thereby preventing the formation of gaps between the panels.

If you do not use glue when laying the laminate, treat the locks and joints with a special sealant. This will protect the boards from moisture penetration and dry indoor air.

Conclusion

Different types of laminate locks allow you to choose the material that suits you. The variety of patterns and textures makes it possible to decorate the room in accordance with your understanding of style. Before buying, it is better to consult a specialist in order to select the material with the best price / quality ratio.

Related publications

Laminate flooring can be so attractive that people who want to install new flooring on an old floor always see this material as one of the main contenders. True, few can tell what a laminate flooring is. Therefore, this article is devoted to this material and its types.

This floor covering is a chipboard board that manufacturers cover with special materials. The uppermost layer of the boards is represented by a transparent protective film, for the creation of which enterprises use melamine or acrylate resin. The main function of such a film is to protect and preserve the texture of the decorating layer. It also prevents the material from deforming when placed along or across the floor with small differences.

The second layer is paper with a pattern or pattern. Under the paper is the chipboard itself. It has a very high density, because its task is to ensure the strength of the lamella. During its manufacture, companies use formaldehyde or acrylic resins. It is not always recommended to lay material with the first resins along or across the room, since formaldehyde is a hazardous substance. True, it is released when the die heats up to a temperature greater than 26 degrees Celsius. Particleboard with acrylic resins is environmentally friendly.

In the chipboard, grooves and ridges are also made for fastening.

A stabilizing layer is placed under this layer by the manufacturer. It is a moisture resistant paper that is designed to eliminate the possibility of material deformation.

Thanks to this, the sound, having overcome the old floor, does not reach the ears of the owners of the house.

The structure of the lamellae may have other layers.

There are two main types of laminate:

• domestic;

• commercial.

The first one is intended for use in residential buildings. The second one needs to be installed in the premises of companies. The commercial form has the best performance characteristics. Therefore, it is often used by homeowners who, during installation, put boards across or along the premises. Despite the differences, builders for both types use the same methods of laying the laminate, which partly affect the calculation of the need for material.

Placed along or across the room, as well as in the doorway, household slats are divided into three classes: 21, 22, 23. The first is the most delicate, and it is advised to put it on the old floor of the room in which people sleep or which they use very rarely. Practice shows that the coating of this class serves for several years. Therefore, they rarely take it into account.

The 22nd grade is recommended for the living room. It is often placed in a doorway. As the calculation shows, it serves for 4 years. The material of the 23rd class is more durable. Experts who have calculated the period of operation of this floor covering, note that it can last 4-6 years. Although manufacturers prescribe it for the hallway, it can be laid across or along the floors of quieter rooms.

The commercial type grades are 31-33. The first one was created based on the calculation for use in small offices. He serves there for two or three years. In any doorway of the house - ten years.

The 32nd class is designed taking into account the calculation of the normal industrial environment (for example, hotels). The shelf life is 5-6 years. The 33rd class has been designed for highly frequented business spaces, where people walk up and down the halls, and often stop in the doorway.

Manufacturers also designate their products with classes AC1-AC5.

They testify to the ability of the protective layer to withstand wear. Experts recommend taking this into account when calculating the amount of money needed to replace the old floor with a laminated one. In addition, there is.

This characteristic is one of the important parameters that different types of laminate have. It depends on it what the overall strength of the covering placed on the floor of the room and in the doorway will be, as well as how much it can stretch under the weight of a person. It should be added that in addition to thickness, the lifespan of the material largely determines.

Thickness can range from 6 to 12 millimeters.

The larger it is, the more reliable the floor replacement material is. But, here the calculation is still the following: increasing the thickness makes the boards more expensive.

Laminated strips can be connected with different types of locks. Depending on this feature, different methods of laying the laminate are used. The most common types are Click and Lock.

Installation of boards with the first type involves inserting the ridge into the groove at a certain angle and lowering the lamella down. During lowering, the lock clicks into place. A very convenient type of lock, since at the end of the installation, all that is needed to lay the laminate is only the hands of a person. The staple is practically unnecessary.

The second type of castle is the oldest. It is such that the tongue can only enter the groove when the boards are in the same plane. Of course, this plane is the old underlayment floor. To close the lock, you need to hit with a hammer on the bar attached to the lamella.

A special bracket is used to hammer in the boards of the last row. It gives extra space for the hammer to move. It should be added that during installation, not only a bracket and a hammer are used, but also wedges. They fix the coating. The wedges also create additional space for its possible expansion.

Wedges are used for mounting material with any type of lock, regardless of what the laminate flooring scheme is, as well as whether the dies will be placed along, across or diagonally of the room.

There are types of laminate with other types of locks. They depend on the specific manufacturer and have different features. However, they are all improved forms of the above two.

The surface of the laminate can imitate any pattern.

Manufacturers make it both smooth and textured.

Of course, these features also affect the way the laminate is laid.

The smooth surface is divided into:

• matte;

• semi-matte;

• glossy.

Any of these surfaces can have a different pattern, which can partially affect the options for laying the laminate (for example, if you need to assemble some kind of composition).

The textured surface repeats the texture of various materials: wood, tiles, marble and so on.

Because companies make laminate flooring for different environments and want to stand out from the competition, they endow the product with special properties, which are communicated through the labeling. She can talk about hygiene, the ability to install on a warm floor, resistance to water, sunlight, exposure to solid objects, fire. All markings are collected in the photo below.

As you can see, today you can choose a laminate for any aesthetic requirements and operational conditions. There are a huge number of varieties, and each of the options is created for easy installation throughout the room, near pipes, thresholds and in the doorway.

Video

Today you will learn what to look for when buying a laminate, what are its main characteristics and styling features.
This material, perfectly, will help you understand how attractive laminate is.

Photo source: remontnikdoma.ru, prorabam.ru

Despite the adherence of a large number of buyers to natural materials, many are gradually leaning towards laminate flooring - a practical, less expensive, easy-to-install floor covering. Laminate properties and characteristics are optimal, meeting the basic requirements of buyers, and this has earned considerable popularity.

Advantages of laminate

The choice of floor coverings is a serious matter, if only because the wall and ceiling cladding can be renewed or completely changed in a year or two, but the floor is rarely repaired and any reconstruction is planned, if not forever, then for a long time. And so I want the floor finish to be durable, environmentally friendly, safe for health, creating a feeling of warmth and comfort in the house.

• Laminate board is inert to high temperatures. Of course, you shouldn't put a hot pan on it, but small sparks and hot ash falling on the floor will not even leave a trace. The same property allows the use of the coating in the system of underfloor heating.
• Thanks to the upper protective layer, the laminate does not allow dyes to pass through well, it will not be difficult to wash off a stain from coffee, tea or even a drop of nail polish.
• Laminate floors practically do not change color in areas that are constantly exposed to direct sunlight.
• There is no need to be afraid about the marks left after the installation of heavy furniture, the laminate is highly durable.
• Aesthetics, a variety of textures and decor. In living rooms, we are most often faced with wood or parquet flooring. But there is a laminate for stone, marble, ceramic tiles and exotic options for leather and metal.
• Laying laminate flooring is straightforward. Installation takes place in a glueless way, the canvas can be disassembled and laid in another place.

Which laminate floor to choose

When choosing a floor covering, pay attention to the classification. Depending on the expected load on the floor, the laminate is divided into 6 classes:

• Household laminate flooring - 21, 22, 23 - the first digit "2" indicates that the laminate is recommended for installation in living rooms;
commercial - 31, 32, 33 - designed for office, office, retail, industrial premises.

The second figure characterizes the wear resistance indicator:

• 21, 31 is intended for floors in rooms with low traffic, where there is no frequent movement of furniture and equipment, that is, the risk of rapid abrasion of the top layer (bedrooms, dressing rooms, guest rooms, storerooms or conference rooms, meeting rooms in the office);
• 22, 32 is designed for rooms with an average traffic ratio (children's rooms, living rooms, in offices - study rooms);
• 23, 33 class laminate is used with increased traffic (floor in the corridor, reception, in the halls of cafes, bars, hotel halls). Including those intended for household purposes, where there is a risk of falling sharp or heavy objects (glass, knives, etc.), in rooms with vibrating mechanisms (washing machine, dishwasher) or "roller" furniture.

Service life of laminated floors

To create a margin of safety, experienced users are advised to study the classification of the laminate and take it to a higher class. And the use of 31, 32, 33 classes in residential buildings guarantees an increase in the term of use at times. For example:

31, 32 class laminate "will live" on the floors of commercial premises from 2-3 to 5 years, in residential - 10-12;

Class 33 laminate will not lose performance in industrial, commercial buildings up to 6 years, in residential - up to 20.

European manufacturers currently do not produce laminate of class 21, 22, 23. If you come across such markings, then these are the remnants of a large batch or an ordinary fake.

The strength of the coating also depends on the thickness. For residential premises, 6-8 mm is enough, commercial laminate should be at least 8 mm, and more often a 10, 12-millimeter coating is used.

Laminate properties, characteristics, structure

The coating consists of 3-4 layers, pressed under strong pressure and high temperature:

Protective layer (acrylic or melamine film). Acrylic or melamine are almost harmless components, but the problem is that formaldehyde is used to thicken the resins, the release of vapors of which is dangerous to humans. The manufacturer informs about its content with a special marking E0, E1, E2, etc.

If the purchased product has E0, E1, before you is a copy in which the presence of formaldehyde could not be detected or its content does not exceed the norm (10 mg per 100 g). The E2 sign speaks of the content of 10-30 mg (which is still not scary, but already not good).

The coating with the E3 marking is not recommended for residential premises, and even more so for poorly ventilated premises. The formaldehyde content in it reaches from 30 to 60 mg per 100 grams of dry matter. Which is not harmful in a normal state, but in the event of a fire, the concentration of its vapors in the air is extremely dangerous.

Eco-friendly wood coatings (without the use of additional impregnations) have an E1 value, and chipboard and MDF coatings do not differ from laminate in formaldehyde content.

There are attempts to produce a completely eco-friendly laminate - formaldehyde-free. For example, such a material was developed by ELESGO. According to the test results, the presence of harmful components was not detected (or their content is less than 0.005!).

Another important characteristic of the protective layer is the presence of corundum. The presence of alumina gives strength to the coating, but unfortunately increases the cost.

Second layer – decorative, made of paper with a permanent printed pattern applied to it.

The third, which makes up the main thickness of the entire coating, is also called the supporting base. It is made of fiberboard, chipboard, MDF boards, differing in density. Provides heat and sound insulation, fracture strength.

There are also fasteners that simplify the docking of individual elements. Snap joints are cut directly on the base (fiber) or manufactured separately.

The strength of the fiber joint depends on:

• From the thickness of the base (more durable fastening is provided by locks on a thick panel);
• The depth of the groove and its shape;
• The quality of the impregnation of the edge of the panel and the fastening.

What to focus on when choosing

Impregnation can be external and internal (deep). Internal machined joints are slippery and give the impression of a wet edge. Scratch the lock, and if the surface remains flat, and wax has not collected under the nail, you are in luck, you are dealing with laminate specimens, the locks of which have undergone high-quality deep processing.

If the wax is removed, this is an external impregnation that can grind after a while, and the ingress of foreign inclusions into the grooves will reduce the strength and water resistance of the joint. Such laminate properties and characteristics are not the best, if not "low quality".

It is a misconception that impregnation provides water resistance. Its main function is the ease of connecting the grooves. For some time, wax hides the imperfections of the tightness of the lock, softens the creak due to the inconsistency of the geometry of the connection parts. But if there are drawbacks, they will appear after the impregnation is abraded.

Recently, polymeric materials have been used for the base. Their main advantage is water resistance.

Waterproof laminate flooring includes:

• products with reinforced impregnation of HDF panels (allows two to three hours contact with water),
• elements based on a plastic panel.

Laminate, the chipboard base of which was replaced with a plastic one, is absolutely protected from deformation during prolonged contact with water (6 hours warranty). This type of coating can be used safely not only in damp rooms, but also where it is possible for a direct hit of water on the floor (bathroom, bathroom, kitchen).

Advertising or materials from the future? Some manufacturers have already started selling class 34 laminate, which they claim has super strength and super water resistance. However, it is rather a product promotion. Since this type of laminate is not registered in the official classification.

But: with such a marking, large European companies Praktik, Parafloor, Alloc produce 12 mm laminate from the Brilliant, Glossfloor, AMOAGE, MATflooring collections. The special durability of the coatings of these collections is marked by class 34.

Laminate: properties, characteristics - video