The best laminate

Want to know which company produces the best laminate? To date, companies that produce this product, there are more than a dozen. And all of them have certain secrets of manufacture and different quality of their goods. In order not to make a mistake in buying and not getting lost among the variety of laminate, we suggest you familiarize yourself with the criteria for choosing a laminate coating.

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Advantages of laminate

Begin the repair in the room should be with the finish of the floor. The laminate flooring has many advantages, all at a relatively inexpensive price:

• attractive appearance and variety of design;
• the floor surface looks perfectly even;
• is an extremely simple care.

Due to its qualities, laminate is very popular among customers and is a worthy competition to natural parquet and tiles. A variety of color solutions, structure and high technical characteristics make it possible to use it not only for finishing the floor of apartments. Certain models can also be used for office or retail space.

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How is the laminated panel arranged?

If you have never encountered a laminate, then before you begin to choose the right product, you should familiarize yourself with the structure of this floor covering:

1. The lower layer of the lamella is made from a rigid waterproof melamine. Thanks to him, the board does not deform when the laminate is loaded.
2. The basis for laminate production is a panel of fiberboard or chipboard, which accounted for the main load from heavy furniture and other interior items.
3. Next comes the paper layer, which repeats the structure of wood or other material.
4. The top of the lamellae is covered with a glossy or matte film of melamine or acrylic resin.

Important! The more the coating contains melamine, the stronger the laminate and is resistant to wear and mechanical damage.

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Characteristics of laminate

It's quite difficult to stop your choice, based only on the name of the company. Each manufacturer has its own advantages and disadvantages in production. Proceeding from this, there are criteria on which it is necessary to pay attention, choosing the best laminate:

• Class of durability;
• Size and shape of the lamella;
• Types of locking connection;
• Environmental friendliness of raw materials;
• Colors;
• Method of surface finishing.

Let's consider in more detail each criterion for better understanding it.

laminate floor wear resistance class In order for the new laminate to retain its color and appearance for the longest time, it is necessary to correctly determine which type of flooring for which room is more suitable.

There are classes of wear resistance of the surface. Thanks to this classification, you can choose a floor covering, based on the intensity of its use.

The Association of Manufacturers of Floor Laminated Panels has approved the following standards for wear resistance of laminate:

• Class 21. The laminate has low resistance to loads. Laying of lamellas is recommended for rooms with small traffic( bedrooms, offices or libraries).
• Class 22. It is better to use such a laminate for medium traffic areas, such as nurseries or living rooms. The surface has a moderate level of abrasion resistance.
• Class 23. Products withstand high loads. Suitable for rooms with high traffic( kitchens, hallways).The coating has a high resistance to abrasion.
• Class 31. It is advisable to use this laminate for small offices or conference rooms. The coating has a high degree of resistance to abrasion.
• Class 32. Class 32 laminate is used for laying in public places( for example, school classes, boutiques, offices).Surface lamellas have a high level of wear resistance.
• Class 33. This coating can be used for rooms with intensive loads( restaurants, gyms, shopping halls).It has the highest degree of abrasion resistance.

The most popular among consumers are the laminate grades 31, 32 and 33, which is explained by the high wear resistance of the coating. It is used for finishing the floor in apartments and premises with high traffic. Due to the increased demand for such products, manufacturers are constantly expanding the range of colors and ways of laying for these types of material.

Important! Despite the increased cost of laminate, its service life is several times higher, compared with laminate for domestic use.

The size and shape of the

lamellas Criteria are important enough to choose the best laminate for the apartment:

• The basic form of the panels is a rectangle. It is very rare to find a laminate of a square shape.

Important! Laminate square shape is easier to lay, with its installation does not require a substrate. But its cost is an order of magnitude higher than the price of a rectangular one. In addition, the repair of square laminate in comparison with rectangular, more labor-consuming and takes more time.

• As such, there is no standard for the manufacture of laminate. The most popular are panels with a length of 1260 to 1380 mm and a width of 185-195 mm. Optimum stability to the loads are products with a thickness of 8 mm.

Important! Short straps are installed much easier. When installing long slats, it is very important to consider their geometry - this will prevent deformation of the floor.

• The width of the laminate depends on the area of ​​the room and the desired result( imitation of a wooden floor, parquet and the like).

Important! Planks that have a greater thickness are significantly more resistant to loads and have a low thermal conductivity.

• When choosing a floor covering, consider the dimensions and geometry of the room. Long and wide boards are perfect for large rooms. In turn, the small rooms look harmoniously with the narrow laminate.

Important! When buying a laminate, it is necessary to take into account the consumption for pruning the slats. With direct laying it is 7% of the area, with a diagonal - 10%.

Types of interlocking

The way the laminate is laid depends on the latching of the laths. There are two types of connection of laminate Click and Lock. Which laminate system is best - consider next.

Lock system

Stacking is performed by plugging the protruding part of one strip into the groove of the other:

• Each of the boards has a protrusion and groove, which prevents the formation of cracks during the operation of the coating.
• Due to the low cost laminate with the Lock system is in great demand.

Important! Floor covering with lock Lock system is not recommended to be laid in rooms with intensive traffic. Locks quickly erased, as a result of which the coating breaks.

• Before laying the laminate floor must have a perfectly smooth surface to avoid sagging.

Important! Laying the laminate is best entrusted to the master specialist, so as not to damage the bars.

System Click

Very simple installation system, which even a novice can easily handle:

• One board is attached to the other at an angle of 45 degrees. Pressing until the characteristic click, the bar is stacked one by one.
• Flooring with such a system is resistant to stress and easy to repair.

Important! Before stacking, number the panels. In the case of repair of one of the boards, this will greatly facilitate its replacement.

• Compared to the previous version, the Click system is more expensive.

Environmentally friendly raw materials

Each of us, when choosing the material for interior decoration, tries to choose one that is made from environmentally friendly raw materials. This greatly affects the state of our health. How to determine the best laminate?

• The most safe for installation in an apartment is a laminate with the E1 marking. Such products contain a permissible norm of formaldehyde and other chemical impurities.

Important! When choosing a laminate, do not forget about the existence of fakes. Therefore, open the package and make sure there is no sharp odor.

• It should also be taken into account that the price for products made of natural material will be much higher.

Color gamut

Creative departments of companies producing laminate do not cease to amaze with new sophisticated variants of color and textures of lamellas surfaces. To give the room an individuality, there are different types of textures:

• The classic finish of the floor for a tree is very similar to expensive parquet. Has a structure of different breeds: maple, alder, oak.
• Exclusive connoisseurs can create an individual design in the form of crocodile skin.
• To complement the style of Hi-tech, the technologists created a laminate with an imitation of a metal of zinc and chromium.
• For lovers of classics to complement the interior can be laminate "under the stone" type agate, slate, onyx.

Surface finishing method

Another important criterion in choosing a finish for the floor - a sense of comfort in the room. It depends to a large extent on the texture of the lamellae:

• Classic panel finishing and the most common option is the relief of natural wood.

Important! For premises in the style of Provence, an imitation of an aged board is perfect.

• The glossy finish of the laminate will create the effect of a wooden board with a varnish coating.
• The matt surface creates an oily tree effect. This option will give a semi stylish and complete look.
• The finishing in the Country style will create the effect of newly laid planed planks.

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Substrate for laminate

In order for the laminate to last a long time and not to deform, it is necessary to take care of the quality substrate initially. There are several options for the substrate.

Cork substrate:

• Made of natural material.
• Has good sound insulation.
• Hides the unevenness on the floor.
• The only drawback is the possibility of crumbling due to exposure to the surface of the floor with high humidity.

Styrofoam:

• Such a substrate has a high sound insulation.
• Resistant to moisture and does not rot.

Duplex

Three-layer polyethylene substrate with perforation. It is superimposed with a layer of expanded polystyrene pellets that serve for ventilation, and polyethylene.

Polyethylene

The cheapest variant of a substrate for a laminate is foamed polyethylene.

• Wear-resistant material, has high sound insulation.
• Among the disadvantages can be noted the possibility of crushing from the load during operation.

Important! The substrate should not be overlapped, in order to avoid the appearance of swelling and unevenness of the floor.

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Which laminate company is better to choose for an apartment?

Almost all the laminate manufacturers make one technology. The quality of the products may differ. One of the best manufacturers of flooring has long been foreign companies.

In this article we will tell you about the advantages and disadvantages of well-known laminate brands, which will help you acquire a high-quality and wear-resistant floor covering.

Quiсk-Step( Belgium)

The leader among sales of laminate flooring is Quiсk-Step. Its products have proven themselves as one of the most high-quality and reliable coatings.

Advantages of the company's laminate:

• The company's trademark is the patented Uniklic lock, which greatly simplifies the laying process of the laminate.
• Continuous work of technologists and improved design allow you to choose flooring for any room interior.
• Quiсk-Step uses environmentally friendly and high-quality material for manufacturing products.
• Laminate is highly wear-resistant and durable.

Disadvantages:

• The high cost of products can significantly affect the purchase on the family budget.
• Instability to mechanical damage to the varnished surface.

Important! Consumers note a decrease in the quality of products of this brand manufactured at domestic plants.

Balterio( Belgium)

High quality products provided this company one of the leading places among competing companies.

Advantages of the company's laminate:

• The special feature of the production is the seamless jointing of the panels for floor installation, thanks to the patented Click-Xpres system.
• As a basis for the manufacture of laminated boards, the manufacturer uses HDF panels of high quality.
• Additional decorative finish is the same as the structure of natural materials.
• There are no crevices when laying.
• Laminate is not afraid of moisture, it has resistance to scratches.

Disadvantages:

• For all its positive qualities, Balterio laminate has a significant disadvantage - high cost.
• The first time after laying, the cover may creak slightly.

Egger( Germany)

Laminated panels Egger have a large consumer demand.

Advantages of the company's laminate:

• High quality of material, wear-resistant coatings and a variety of designs allow you to choose the flooring for the choosiest buyer.
• Special marking "aqua +" indicates the possibility to lay laminate in the bathroom and in the kitchen.
• Egger for the production of flooring uses quality and ecological raw materials.
• Simple laminate flooring system.

Disadvantages:

• According to some consumers, this is not the best laminate, as it is not easy to clean, it quickly settles the dust and scratches.
• High cost of goods.

Tarkett( Europe)

Want to know which laminate company is best to choose? The products of the well-known brand Tarkett are very popular among the countries of the near abroad. Laminated panels are produced in Sweden, Germany and other countries. Due to the high quality of products, Tarkett is a worthy competitor to a large number of enterprises.

Features laminate company:

• Laminated panels 32-33 class are excellent for installation in both residential and office buildings.
• When laying, a reliable lock system T-Lock is used, thanks to which no crevices are formed between the panels.
• High surface quality makes it resistant to mechanical damage.
• A large assortment of finishes and color solutions for flooring provides an opportunity to choose products for any interior.

Pergo( Sweden)

Pergo products have proved to be one of the most diverse and exclusive in the design of laminated panels.

Features of laminate company:

• A wide range of structures and environmentally friendly material for production make the products in demand.
• The special lock system PerfectFold greatly facilitates the laying process.
• The coating is wear-resistant, thanks to a special TitanX machining process.

BerryAlloc( Belgium-Norway)

You can not decide which laminate to choose from? One of the most famous companies for the production of this product is the Norwegian company Alloc. In 2012, combining industrial resources with the Belgian company, she began to produce a laminate with the technology of processing plates HPL and DPL, which significantly improved the quality of the flooring.

Features of the laminate company:

• High quality products, wear resistance and moisture resistance - not a complete list of positive qualities of the coating.
• For the production of floor covering, the company uses environmentally friendly raw materials of high quality.
• Exclusive aluminum lock system increases panel resistance to deformation.

Parador( Germany)

Which laminate is better to choose? Manufacturer from Germany Parador offers a choice of laminate, made with an exclusive design. The lamellas maximally repeat the structure of wood or stone.

Features of the company's laminate:

• High quality of ecological raw materials, which is used for manufacturing products, makes it possible to lay flooring in living quarters.
• The proprietary, patented locking joint guarantees durability of the panels at any load.
• Additional treatment of slabs with water-repellent impregnation increases the resistance to moisture.
• Affordable cost of products.

Repair indoors is an investment for many years. Therefore, you should not save on the quality of building materials. Implement the recommendations for choosing a laminate from this article with benefit. Thus, you can pick up a floor covering, which will not only create a cosiness in the room, but also will last for many years.