Types of laminate locks: Click, Lock, metal, plastic, aluminum, which locks are better? Types of laminate locks: which is better? Important points before installation

Laminate is one of the most popular floor coverings. Today, there are many types of similar products that are durable and beautifully designed. To facilitate the installation of the boards, they are equipped with special locking latches, which we will talk about in more detail today.

Advantages and disadvantages

Installation of laminate is a relatively simple operation, which is achieved through the use of special keyways. They allow you to quickly and efficiently join the planks. There are only two types of laminate locks, which differ in several parameters. The simplest and most economical option is the Lock system type, which has several advantages:

• Collapsible design. laminate with such a latch can be disassembled and reassembled. But the number of repetitions is limited, since the structures have little strength and may lose their original properties over time.
• Connection strength. This is achieved through special grooves that fit into each other, preventing the laminate from moving.
• Low cost. This is due to the simplicity of manufacture and uncomplicated form.

But such designs are not universal. If the locks are constantly subjected to significant loads, then this leads to an increase in friction between the boards. In this case, the lock "sways" and gradually loses its properties, and this increases the distance between the lamellas. The resulting cracks in such a laminate are technically impossible to repair or repair. The only solution is laying of new boards.

Recently, manufacturers began to equip the material with grooves of the type Click... Such mechanisms have many positive aspects, which led to such huge popularity. The advantages of such products include:

• Double mounts. Systems of connecting elements are positioned when docked to each other at an angle of 45 degrees. That is why the connection is almost invisible visually on the surface of the laminate. To find it, you need to take a good look at the drawing of the material.
• High strength. Such locks can withstand significant breaking forces, making them superior to previous models.
• Minimum chance of damage to laminate boards during assembly.

• The locks are durable, which allows you to perform the dismantling and laying cycle up to 6 times. Here they are also slightly ahead of the previously considered modifications.
• Laying laminate flooring with such locks is very simple, which does not require special skills in working with such objects.
• Products with such systems can be located on a surface that has small differences. This value can be up to 3 mm per square meter of area.
• Installation is carried out manually, which excludes the use of any auxiliary tools.

Among the negative sides of such a connection is only the complexity of their production, which affects the cost of finished goods. But this difference is almost imperceptible, since high-quality products from European manufacturers will serve for a long time, regardless of the type of lock.

What are the types of locking systems?

Laminate locking systems are constantly being improved, which leads to the emergence of many of their modifications. But technically, all locks are classified into one of 2 types:

Lock

This type of structure is the most common, since its production involves only milling the ends. This latch consists of a thorn and a groove, which repeat the structure of each other. They are equipped with several combs, which, when snapped in, do not allow them to slip out. To secure the lock, hit under one of the ends of the laminate. These operations are performed using a wooden or rubber mallet, which will not damage the structure of the lock. That's why, to lay the board on the floor, you need to have a little experience with these substances.

Lock locks are relatively simple and therefore are losing their popularity. Today many companies supplement such systems with special plastic plates. This makes installation work easier for beginners. This type of locks can be divided into 2 subtypes:

• Springy. This type of design is classic, as the lock snaps into place when connected.
• Tough. To connect such elements, you need to insert one groove and align in the longitudinal direction. But the installation of such a laminate is much more complicated, which requires studying the description of this technology.

Click

These types of locks also consist of two grooves, which are complementary. But in order to connect them, you will have to correctly insert the structures into one another at an angle of about 30-45 degrees. After that, the slabs are aligned on the floor, which leads to the click and lock of the lock. Today, they began to produce a laminate with aluminum locks of the same type, but this connection can already withstand a significantly higher load.

Click locks are more common, which has led to the emergence of many varieties. Among this variety, several classic designs should be distinguished:

• Just-Clic. Locks of this type are equipped with laminate flooring of the Austrian manufacturer Egger. These mechanisms are located on all sides, making it easier to lay the laminate flooring. A feature of such a product is the presence of a high ridge, which will provide a reliable joint and high strength of the joint.
• Uniclic. The castle is made in Belgium. It combines the technology of snapping and knocking the planks, so beginners who do not have certain skills in working with other systems use it.
• PressXpress... This group includes peculiar locks such as 3G, 4G and 5G. A feature of this system is the presence of a plastic tongue, which improves adhesion between the connecting elements. These double structures have a minimal joint and also minimize the formation of gaps between the lamellas. But if you re-assemble such a laminate, then the plastic elements can bring a little difficulty.
• 4G and 5G-S Aluminum Locking System... These systems are hybrid, as they combine both classic designs. At the same time, metal inserts provide high strength and durability of the laminate.

As you can see, the variety of locking systems is very wide, therefore, before laying the laminate, it is important to determine the type of joint of the lock in order to choose the optimal laying algorithm.

Which one is better to choose?

Locking systems of the types considered have unique properties, but at the same time they can radically differ in technical parameters. Many experts claim that the Click system is the most practical lock design. The advantage of this system is its durability. During installation, click locks form a kind of monolith that is difficult to destroy or loosen.

In turn The lock system is somewhat simpler and cheaper. If the quality of the surface on which the laminate is laid meets all the manufacturer's requirements, then the type of connection practically does not matter.

It is important to take into account their manufacturer when choosing lamellas, since the quality of the final surface and the duration of its operation depend on him.

How to treat moisture?

Laminate is a material based on wood fibers and piece polymers. Therefore, many types of boards absorb moisture very well, which negatively affects its structure. To exclude such an effect, it is necessary to prevent the ingress of water into the lower layers of the lamellas, where the wood is located. The solution to this problem is additional processing of the seams after laying the laminate.

Today, several types of substances are used for such purposes:

• Sealant. The best option would be a silicone-based mixture. Such substances do not allow moisture to pass through. Before applying this mixture to the joints, the surface must be leveled, therefore the laying of the lamellas must be constantly monitored.
• Wax. This substance is very popular, since the material qualitatively protects the joints from moisture and is easy to apply. However, the mixture wears off over time, so you need to cover the laminate periodically with it.
• Polish. Compositions of this type are specially produced for laminate flooring. The products are marketed in both solid and liquid state (spray). The use of polishes significantly increases the service life of the top layer, as well as gives it an attractive gloss.

Why does laminate flooring diverge?

The quality of operation of laminate locks depends on many factors. There are times when the joints begin to diverge, which leads to the formation of small gaps. There are several reasons for this phenomenon:

• Low humidity... Dry air causes the woody substrate of the material to begin to shrink. This phenomenon can be eliminated by creating optimal air humidity inside the room. The simplest option is to periodically ventilate the room. If this does not help, you can install a humidifier and control the indicators piece by piece.
• Uneven floor... Differences in the surface lead to the fact that the lamellas do not fit smoothly, and this leads to a difference in height at the junction. Please note that in some cases they can diverge, and sometimes, on the contrary, shrink (especially under pressure). The only solution to this problem is to re-install the lamellas. However, it is important to carefully level the floor beforehand in order to adhere the laminate to the surface without any drops.

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

Why do we need different types of locks

Someone may object, but why, in fact, complicate everything and come up with a large number of lock connections? On the one hand, it may seem that it is best to rivet everything according to the standard and then the installers do not have to bother at all. However, as practice shows, it is during installation that it is often necessary to have different laminate lock systems.

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 demanded. Others belong exclusively to one of the many companies, that is, they put a patent on their development on the laminate lock, and no one can copy them.

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

1. Lock is the simplest of all.
2. Click - this type of laminate lock is the most common.
3. Tarkett T-Lock is a patented type of lock for laminate flooring.
4. 5G - This system uses a metal or plastic fixation piece.
5. Megalock - this type of laminate lock is distinguished by the presence of a butt joint on the tongue and groove.
6. Click Express - in terms of prevalence it can be compared to another Click system.
7. Unicklick - This laminate lock features the ability to reassemble and disassemble at least four times.

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

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

Moreover, the presence of one or another lock for the laminate also means the cost of the product. For example, the Lock system is characteristic mainly of budget laminate. Plus, some locks can create an original picture on the floor during installation, whether it is a beautiful seam or a complete absence of a seam. So, now we propose to directly start comparing and studying different locks for the 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 spike. A retainer is built into them, which holds the laminate together while walking on it. This laminate lock system has the following advantages:

• Although difficult, it is possible to disassemble the laminate in order to re-lay it or replace individual strips. But damage to the castle is indispensable.
• A relatively simple design, which is located directly on the panel itself.
• Laminate with this type of castle has a relatively low cost, which significantly affects the family budget.

For the sake of objectivity, we also note the disadvantages. If the floors are overloaded, friction will form at the joints. For this reason, the latches in the groove will begin to wear off, as a result, the connection will become fragile. This is one of the reasons why gaps often appear between the planks.

Click system locks

Unlike the laminate lock 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, one should not make titanic efforts. If the previous lock can be damaged during installation, then these are not. Moreover, the docking is very tight and reliable. As a result, such a connection will cope with high loads.

Important! A number of well-known and expensive manufacturers produce such a laminate, where, after installation with the Click system, the joints of the lamellas are absolutely not visible. Certainly such laminate locks create a beautiful effect.

There are a number of positive aspects of this system:

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

Which is better Click or Lock?

So, having considered the main features of these two systems, let's compare them with each other and immediately determine which laminate locks are better. If we speak for Lock, then this lock connection has proved itself positively over the years. This castle is considered the most affordable and inexpensive. After all, the lock is formed by milling directly on the lamella itself. For installation, a lot of physical effort is required, since a mallet / hammer and a wooden stand are used. Otherwise, the connection will not be committed.

Important! This installation method requires special skills of the master, since if you apply a little more effort, the laminate lock can be damaged. Often there were cases when the master missed the hammer and hit the thorn directly. The consequences are not very bright.

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 is the same, by milling. But as for the shape of the thorn, it looks like a flat hook. The groove, in turn, has a kind of platform where this spike enters. 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 becomes obvious which of these two laminate lock systems is better. Although you will have to overpay for the latter, the end result will be much more effective.

Castle systems

Lock with plastic plate

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

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

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

Click with aluminum plate

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

• Easy installation of the cover.
• 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 is able to survive 6 cycles of installation and dismantling of the coating for various reasons.
• The ability to create an airtight coating. So moisture will definitely not get under the laminate.
• Installation can be carried out on completely different surfaces, for example, concrete screed, wooden floor, etc.

Important! According to the manufacturer, this coating is capable of handling 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 a special technology. This docking method can be safely attributed to the most progressive. The locks have relatively wide special elements, which, when approached, are joined without distortions and 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. An important advantage is that this coating is convenient when laying in rooms with confined dimensions.

5G

When using this technology, the joining process takes place not only from the longitudinal side of the lamella, but also from the short end sections. At the same time, there are no difficulties during installation work. The lamellae snap on very easily. But there is one significant drawback here. In such systems, there is always a plastic or aluminum locking tab. If it is accidentally damaged during installation, then it cannot be repaired, 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 principle of connection is reduced to the use of tongue-and-groove technology. Due to this, it became 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 lock system achieves complete isolation from moisture penetration. That is why these locks are used in combination with moisture resistant products.

Systems from other manufacturers

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

1. Uniclic. Laminate with uni click locks has an original click system. Docking takes place according to the tenon-groove method, but without any additional tools. The result of joining the laminate with uni-click locks is the complete absence of cracks, the divergence of the panels after a while, 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 those places where there will be a serious load on the coating. The styling method does not have any problems, everything is simple. If there is high humidity in the room, the SafeSeal system is preferred. If we talk about SmartLock, then its joints are treated with a special moisture-proof impregnation. It is important to observe the correct angle during installation, in which 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 joint properties. Even under surface tension conditions, Pro Click will not create crevices or other imperfections.
4. Click Xpress, DropXpress and PressXpress. All these locks are inherent in one manufacturer - Balterio. Each of them has its own characteristics. Click Xpress allows you to achieve a seamless finish. Disassembly is allowed. DropXpress is U-shaped and resembles a 5G system. For PressXpress, docking is done by pressing. Visible seams are excluded.
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 / r.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, here we have considered all the important features and types of laminate locks. As you can see, they all have a variety of types and technical characteristics. We hope that this material has provided you with 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 boldly go to the store. This will ensure that you make a quality purchase.

The correct choice of laminate locks determines the suitability of this flooring for use in the target area. The joints of the panels are both the strong and the weak side of this type of floor, and therefore you need to take this nuance responsibly. When choosing a floor covering, you will inevitably have to find out what kind of locks the laminate has. Having studied them, many inexperienced people are perplexed: why do you need such a large amount, if you can apply one, but the most convenient one. From this emerges the question "Which laminate lock is better than the rest?" Let's figure it out.

Several types of laminate locks have been patented by individual manufacturers. Among all the variety, one can single out the most popular lock connections, as well as several outdated ones. There are also modern connection systems, before using which a special molding of the panels is performed. If you plan to operate the laminate with a lock for a long time, it would be wise to provide for the possibility of dismantling.

The lock determines the quality of the flooring. It is on this component that the degree of surface flatness, the gap between the lamellae, the absence of squeak and the minimization of the likelihood of seams diverging over time depend. In addition, the durability of the entire structure depends on the quality of the manufacture of the locking joints and the laminate itself and the observance of the assembly technology. In order to properly lay the coating and avoid problems in the future, it is necessary to have an idea of ​​the types of lamella coupling.

Types of laminate locks

The classification of locks begins with their division into main subspecies. Many people who are just planning to install this coating do not know what kind of locking systems are in laminate flooring, and therefore manufacturers like to invent their own lock schemes, and then present them as the most reliable on the market. All used laminate locks can be roughly divided into two large groups: lock and click.

Most Popular Laminate Locks

These two types of locks differ in the way the panels are joined.

Lock Lock

Laminate lock systems are renowned as the most economical option and have been used for a long time. The production of these joints is done by milling: the connecting piece looks like a tongue equipped with a tongue that fits into a groove on the other side of the panel.

Today lock is an obsolete laminate lock used only by companies that have old production lines at their disposal. It is difficult to disassemble it without damaging the protruding edges of the lock components, which, among other things, wear off over time from constant stress and friction. If you do not seal the gaps with a sealing compound (glue or mastic) during installation, then even a small amount of water can ruin the floor.

Ensure that the surface underneath is of good quality before snapping into a laminate with a lock. Laying on uneven floors may cause increased gaps between panels. Assembly is carried out by driving the spike into the groove with a wooden hammer until the gap disappears between the panels. You can use a regular metal hammer, but then you need a block of wood or a piece of hard rubber.

Experienced specialists, who have already laminated many apartments, talk about the need for constant control of the joints during installation and the overall laboriousness of assembling these locking systems. With external simplicity and reliability, lock-locks have one main drawback: they are non-separable and wear out at the location of the fixing ridge, which causes gaps between the panels. This indicates the unsuitability of these tool joints for many years of operation.

Click lock

Most modern laminate flooring collections have click locks, which are considered more modern and do not have the disadvantages of lock locks. They are made in the same way, however, the closing spike has the shape of a flat hook, and there are platforms for its entry in the grooves. This design allows the floor to be disassembled up to 3-4 times and reliably holds the panels, preventing the appearance of cracks even with heavy loads on the locking mechanism.

Click-click laminate is practical and versatile, as it implies the possibility of repeated disassembly. It is also called "just click". At its core, it is a modernized version of the lock-lock. Since the grooves follow the shape of the fastening hooks, a laminate with a click lock can be assembled even by a non-professional - it is enough just to follow the assembly technology in order to avoid damage and divergence of the panels.

Before assembling a laminate with a click lock, you need to understand the mechanics of the action. During installation, the panel is inserted into the groove at an angle of 45 degrees, after which the panel should be moved to a horizontal position with swinging movements. When the locking elements are coupled, a click is heard, thanks to which this locking mechanism got its name.

In addition to those described above, there are other types of laminate locks on the market:

• uniclic;
• aluminum locks;
• megaloc;
• t-lock.

UniClic lock

The uniclic laminate lock differs from others in the special profiles of the tenons and grooves. It can be assembled both by knocking down and by simple snapping at an angle. Due to the lower wedge-shaped edge of the groove, the load is distributed evenly throughout the structure. All components of the lock are made from the same material as the panels. This approach to manufacturing allows you to avoid deformation of the panels during installation.

Opinions differ as to how to properly latch uniclic locks. Practice shows that the optimal installation is at an angle. By joining the panels in this way, it is possible to do without a special tool, and also to complete the installation faster. It is necessary to fasten the short sides of the lamella first, and only then the long ones. To lay the last row, as well as to perform assembly in a hard-to-reach place, you need to have a hammer and a wooden pad.

This lock was invented and patented by the manufacturer Quick Step. Other manufacturers may have a different name for a similar type of lock. For example TwinClick, ProLock or SmartLock. However, the general principle of installing and fixing the panels remains the same.

Laminate, equipped with metal locks, is rightfully the most reliable. The clutch mechanism can withstand loads of up to 1200 kilograms per square meter. Laminate with aluminum locks can be installed without thresholds and disassembled up to 5 times without any damage or erasure of the protrusions in the grooves and on the spikes. Also, a laminate with aluminum locks does not deform over time and has the smallest gaps between the panels. An additional aluminum plate increases the strength of the joint and increases the protection against moisture penetration under the coating. Such a lock is used in its products by the Norwegian manufacturer Alloc, giving a lifetime warranty if the laminate is installed correctly.

5g lock

The design of this coupling mechanism includes an iron or plastic insert - a tongue. This element ensures tightness of joints in 5g laminate and reliable fixing of panels to each other. Like many other locking systems, the 5g lock snaps into place by inserting the panel vertically. When fixing, the insert is removed, after which a click is heard, notifying that the tongue has taken the right place and the panel is fixed. This lock allows the panels to be joined at the same time on the long and short side by simply pressing from above.

This type of connection has another name - 2-Lock, which is found at the manufacturer Tarkett.

MegaLoc lock

This system was developed by Classen based on a 5g lock. Reliability of fixation is achieved through the use of a special insert at the end of the laminate. When connected, the insert is folded back and then, with a characteristic click, snaps into place, fixing the panel. Laminate lock megaloc implies assembly from the front side. Upon completion of the assembly, the second is attached to the first strip with an offset. If we compare the assembly time with other types of locks, the megaloc is assembled as quickly as possible. It is possible to dismantle and re-install the covering with these locks up to 4 times.

A distinctive feature is the best tightness of the finished coating. Another advantage of this type of locks is that there is no need to use any tools when laying.

T-Lock

Created by Tarkett based on the positive aspects of the lock and click systems. Today this type of connection can be found in the assortment of dozens of companies. The T-lock can be disassembled four times without damaging components. The panels are joined at a very low angle and guarantee a firm contact without distortions of the lamellas and excessively large gaps. The disadvantage of the lock is that the joints are quite visible, especially on dark colors. Subsequently, the design of the castle was improved: the lower part of the castle became more concave, and at the junction, the side with the decorative layer became more massive. This is how the TC-Lock was born.

Which lock is better?

A good locking system is the key to a long service life of your laminate floor. When choosing, you should know in advance the conditions in which it will be operated. There are many opinions, but which locks are better - only practice always shows, because each type of connection has its own advantages that others do not have. Recently, there is a laminate with wax-impregnated locking systems, developed by Witex.

The presence of wax in the locking mechanism increases the protection against moisture penetration under the coating several times. In addition, wax-impregnated laminate locks make the floor more aesthetically pleasing due to the visual solidity of the floor. Also, the wax coating simplifies the assembly process and increases the resistance of the locking mechanism to external loads, increasing its durability.

Comparing lock- and click-locks, one can argue about the technological superiority of the latter. The length of their service life depends on many factors, so the best laminate is the one that has the minimum thickness of the seams and high-strength joint systems. Which manufacturer is better to choose is everyone's business, but experts are confident in the undisputed leadership of German firms.

Sometimes it happens that the lock on the laminate floor does not snap into place or opens spontaneously. In this case, it is necessary first of all to determine which of the factors does not correspond to the recommendations for the installation and use of floors. This will allow you to quickly determine what caused the discrepancy of the panels and understand what to do if the lock on the laminate is opened.

conclusions

The choice of locks for laminate flooring is a responsible business that needs to be given due attention. In the case of the wrong selection of locking systems, you can only get disappointment in your decision to change the look of your home. To make the right choice, you need to clearly understand whether the laminate will lie for a long time or whether it will need to be dismantled, what loads it will experience and under what conditions it will be used.

We should pay tribute to modern manufacturers, they do not leave buyers to their fate, indicating on the stack of laminate which locks are used and how the panels should be fastened together.

It is extremely quick and easy to form a floor in a room using a laminate. The shape and configuration of the floor elements (lamellas) has long been well thought out with high quality. So even an unprepared person will be able to mount it. The ease of cutting and matching the material allows you to quickly and efficiently lay the flooring in rooms with complex layouts. One has only to clearly follow simple rules, and laying the laminate with your own hands does not take much time and effort. Laying of laminate flooring should be carried out in heated rooms without sudden fluctuations in temperature or high humidity. For long-term operation, the temperature in the room must be maintained within 15-30 degrees, humidity from 40 to 70%. The basis for the laminate can be a flat wooden floor or a concrete base with maximum differences in height not exceeding 2 mm per meter, as well as strong slopes of more than 4 mm for every two meters. If there are significant irregularities, then it is necessary to level the floor under the laminate by forming a floor screed, or a system of self-leveling floors, thereby eliminating the problem, because laying the laminate on an uneven floor is unacceptable. This will lead to its soon deterioration. It is strictly not allowed to install laminate flooring on top of an electric underfloor heating. If they are combined, the laminate elements will dry out and deform. Moreover, it is unacceptable to heat the laminate from below over 27 degrees. Hydraulic systems can be used as floor heating. They distribute heat evenly and do not overheat the laminate flooring. The distance between the elements of the underfloor heating and the lower edge of the laminate should be at least 3 cm. The laying technology is the same: there are only some peculiarities when connecting the elements, depending on the locks. The procedure will be as follows:

1. A substrate is laid on the leveled base, its joints are glued with tape.
2. Wedges or pieces of plywood 10-15 mm thick are installed around the perimeter of the room. Laminate boards will rest against them. In this way, an expansion gap is created around the entire perimeter of the room. It is needed so that the coating does not swell in heat or high humidity.
3. Along one of the walls - usually opposite from the entrance - the first row begins to be laid. The first row is placed with a spike against the wall (it can be cut off). The entire row rests against the wedges that measure the gap. The extreme one also rests against the wedge with a side lock (it can also be cut off).
4. All elements in a row fit together.
5. The last board often needs to be trimmed: not included in length. On this side, there should also be a wedge, because the size is 10-15 mm less than the distance to the wall. We mark it for cutting as follows: turn the board "face" down so that the desired lateral spike is on the right. We join this edge with a wedge, draw a line with a square that continues the edge of the installed board. Saw off the desired piece along the line drawn and set it.
6. If the first row starts from the whole board, then the second starts from half, third, etc. This is how all the rows gather. In this case, the developed laying scheme serves as a reference point.
7. The last row often needs to be cut to width. Nothing complicated, the main thing is not to confuse which side we cut off: we leave the part on which the thorn is.

The joints of laminated parquet are at the same time the weakest and the strongest part of the coating. A carefully thought-out locking system ensures a tight connection of the lamellas, easy assembly and, of course, obtaining an even, durable floor covering.

In 1979, the Swedish company Perstorp AB (in the future Pergo) presented a new floor covering to buyers through the IKEA chain of stores - laminate. Since the technology was only being developed, the new items did not yet have locking joints and even tongue-and-groove edges. The breakthrough came in 1994 when Välinges took out a patent for a unique development - the world's first mechanical joint for parquet, parquet board and laminate flooring.

The actively developing giants of the woodworking industry have become interested in the innovative technology. The first to buy the license was the laminate manufacturer Alloc, who introduced the so-called 1G aluminum lock. The following year, 1995, the leaders of the Kahrs company became interested in the invention. It is the largest manufacturer of parquet boards, still holding the leading position in the market. The modified system of connections was named "2G lock". In fact, this is a prototype of a coupling kit under the modern name Lock. That is, the connection is based on the “tongue-and-groove” principle, but with a carefully designed sealed profile. When assembling the floor covering with the Lock system, a special elastic adhesive was used.

Diagram of the first interlocks for laminate flooring.

In the future, the structure of the connecting elements continues to be refined and at the end of 2001 a patent for a locking system was published, in which two adjacent plates close at an angle of 45 °, and after pressing (snapping in) a mechanically tight bond is obtained. It is thanks to this development that the laminate with the Click lock, so famous today, is produced. From here begins the era of glueless joining of floor slabs.

Such connecting kits are intended for implementation in multilayer thin floor coverings: parquet board, engineering massif, laminated HDF or PVC floor and others. For traditional parquet, vinyl or LVT tiles, solid planks, simple tongue-and-groove joints are used.

Manufacturers of laminate flooring in their advertisements emphasize the glueless locking system, which allows you to quickly, easily and easily assemble or disassemble the floor. Another advantage is that the special profile shapes form watertight joints without the slightest gaps. But, in fact, there are the following basic types of laminate locks:

1. Tongue or Lock.
2. Snap or Click.

All common names like T-Lock, Megalock, Click2Click, Uniclick and others are just a replication of the main types with their own modifications. Nothing fundamentally new or unique has yet been developed. The patents for these improvements are issued in order to avoid pirated copying of products of famous European factories by unscrupulous Asian compilers.

Laminate with an adhesive bonding system is no longer produced, although occasionally you can find handicrafts of Chinese "masters" on sale. Consider the most interesting options from such giants as Egger, Quick Step, Balterio, Alloc.

Just Click by Egger

Laminate locks from the Austrian manufacturer are a classic click system. The panels snap into place at an angle of 30-45 ° on four sides, and a sufficiently high ridge tenon ensures a tight joint and resistance of the joint to tensile and bending loads. The cover is available as a standard and complete with a Silenzio sound-scattering underlay. The shape of the ridge and groove remains unchanged.

Uniclic by Quick Step

The development of the Belgian plant is no less interesting. The engineering profile provides the possibility of both the classic snapping at an angle, and by the method of attaching or knocking the strips. This is the best solution for beginners.

The castle complex from Unilin is convenient for rooms with a complex perimeter, hard-to-reach places or various “obstacles” - pipes, podiums, low-mounted radiators, etc.

To understand the essence of the three-way build system, watch the video from the manufacturer Quick Step.

PressXpress by Balterio

Such interlocking laminate joints are called 3G, 4G or 5G. That is, an element is added to the structure of the Click-joint - a plastic "tongue", aluminum grips or protrusions, which provide improved adhesion, prevent the strips from diverging over time (the formation of longitudinal and transverse gaps). One of the brightest representatives of this group is Press Express from the Belgian Balterio plant. A well-designed "addition" to the main hitch eliminates even a hint of gaps between the lamellas and significantly strengthens the joint area. Thanks to this solution, the finished flooring will support a significant weight without the slightest damage.

Let's note one drawback. According to the reviews of the masters, plastic inserts, when reassembled, become an interfering element rather than an auxiliary one, so they are most often removed with pliers. And to obtain a tight joint, sealing gels or sealing masses are used.

4G and 5G-S Aluminum Locking System from Berry Alloc

Laminate with aluminum locks from Allock is unusual in itself. A very successful modification of the two basic types of joints, the metal "tongue and groove" increases the reliability of the grip and speeds up the assembly mechanism. In addition, this scheme allows you to reduce the weight of the floor covering, which is a significant plus for floors with reduced load-bearing capacity.

According to the manufacturer, an aluminum profile on the two long sides of the strip, supplemented with a stiffener, increases the tensile strength of the connection. The limit value according to the test reports is 1200 kg / r. That is why aluminum locks are used exclusively in class 33-34 floor coverings designed for places with heavy foot traffic. The floor covering can be disassembled and reassembled 3 times.

Which laminate lock is better

Let's dispel the most popular myth that the best floor is made from laminate flooring with a Click lock. In fact, flooring material with any type of interlock is designed in such a way as to end up with a perfectly smooth surface without protrusions, crevices and squeaks. Service life and build quality depend on:

1. availability of original coating from well-known brands;
2. professionalism of handlers;
3. strict adherence to the instructions.

The Lock connection, in contrast to its analogue, does not stretch so much over time, therefore, the coating with a lock-lock is more convenient in re-assembly. The click-coupling is more rigid, but subject to the high density of the slab - at least 750 kg / m 3. Let's make the choice easier for our readers - in large shopping centers 85% of the assortment is laminate with the Click system.

Let's break another stereotype. Some masters claim that the click-lock allows you to lay the laminate on the floor with differences exceeding the permissible 2 mm per 2 linear meters of the surface. We will disappoint such would-be specialists - not a single type of connection is intended to smooth out significant irregularities, an even, solid foundation is always required. Only then will you get a smooth, beautiful and functional floor that will last at least two decades.

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