Technical characteristics of the laminate of various wear resistance classes

Many, intending to change the flooring, stop on the laminate - it does not cost very much, and looks no worse than parquet, and has been functioning properly for many years. But there is one important point - it is necessary to choose a laminate, the characteristics of which correspond to the conditions of use. Just about the technical characteristics of the laminate and will be discussed in this material.

What is a laminate and what is its structure

This flooring can often be very similar to parquet, solid wood board, ceramic tile. Some manufacturers produce laminate "under the skin", "under the stone", "under the metal." Over time, probably more interesting varieties will appear.

There is an erroneous opinion that the floor of an inexpensive laminate in all quality parameters is significantly inferior to the parquet floor. But the opinion is wrong. After all, the creators of the laminated floor just wanted to save him from some of the shortcomings that are inherent in parquet. By the way, they did it quite well, only the HPL technology used at the beginning turned out to be expensive. Therefore, at first, the prices for laminate were high - only at the end of the last century, thanks to the advent of DPL technology, did its production become more budgetary.

Laminate board arrangement

This material is multilayer - more precisely, four-layer. If you take a cross section of the board, you can see the following components:

1. The lowest layer is called stabilizing, because it increases rigidity and protects the board from damage, preventing it from deforming. Sometimes under this layer there is another one - soundproof, but a laminate with such a substrate is available only in a number of collections.

2. The middle layer is called the carrier - it is he who is the main part of the structure. The heat-insulating and sound-insulating properties of the laminate, as well as its ability to not pass water, depend on its quality. The carrier layer is made of HDF - dense fiberboard. A distinctive feature of this part of the board is that there is a lock on it for connecting with other boards.

3. Further, moving higher, we will see a decorative paper layer. His drawing determines what the flooring will look like - wood, parquet, stone or ceramic tile.

4. The topmost layer is called protective - it does not allow the laminate to quickly wear out and deteriorate from bumps. This coating consists of acrylic or melamine based resin. The thicker it is, the higher the class of the laminate, showing its resistance to wear. Modern developments of manufacturers have made adjustments to this layer. Now it can be not only protective, but also decorative. For example, bumps can be applied to maximize wood imitation.

Locks for Click and Lock Laminate: Comparison and Features

Now laminate is practically not laid on glue - after all, locks are much more convenient. Using them, you can not only quickly assemble the flooring, but also disassemble it without much difficulty. And such a need can sometimes arise - for example, you will need to change the floor when moving. At the same time, dismantling the laminated coating will not cause problems, and all boards will remain intact.

Laminate is produced by a large number of manufacturers, and each of them has its own system of locking joints. But you should not be afraid of this - because by the principle of work, they are all divided into only two groups: Click locks and Lock locks. And now let's talk more about each of the two types.

This castle is called hammered due to the fact that when laying the laminate, the boards are hammered into each other, tapping them with a wooden or rubber mallet. But it’s better if the master does it - a professionally laid laminate will last longer. However, consumers usually do not complain about this connection - it is quite reliable and long-lived. Although the drawbacks of the latch locks are also not without.

Most of all, she doesn’t like a lock like lock of constant loads on the floor. Indeed, at the same time, both the spike and the groove included in the joint rub against each other, gradually rubbing and thinning. Inevitably, gaps arise, after which the castle can no longer be restored. But laminate manufacturers are trying to correct this shortcoming - each uses its own technique for this.

A click-type lock works as follows: after joining two laminate boards at an angle of 45 degrees, you need to quietly click on the lock connection. It will snap into place without much effort. It is very convenient that you do not need to tap the lock with a mallet or use any other tools. Everything is done manually, and easily and quickly. And the disadvantages of the previous lock are eliminated here - under friction load is not observed, since the connection is under compression. Accordingly, it becomes even stronger.

We understand the technical intricacies of the laminate

This material is tested and tested in various ways. So, in Europe, it is customary to follow the standards of EN 13329 - Laminate floor coverings - Specifications, requirements and test methods (Multilayer floor coverings. Technical conditions, requirements and test methods). In accordance with these standards, it is supposed to check the following characteristics of the laminate:

• Abrasion resistance (otherwise, abrasion resistance);
• ability to bear long loads and strong blows;
• resistance to temperature increase (the coating should not deteriorate when in contact with hot objects - for example, a lit cigarette);
• resistance to delamination and protection against slipping;
• color fastness;
• the absence of stains in contact with chemicals used in everyday life;
• antistatic properties;
• formaldehyde emission level;
• speed and magnitude of swelling when wet.

After successfully passing all the tests, a laminate that is fully compliant with EN 13329 must be marked. The following basic parameters are indicated:

• The number of the standard by which the material was tested;
• manufacturer;
• the product's name;
• color number or name of drawing;
• batch number;
• laminate class (from 21 to 33);
• dimensions of one board in millimeters;
• the number of boards in one pack;
• coverage area.

What are laminate classes and EPLF

For the classification of laminated coatings, the same European norm EN 13329 is used.

She identifies the following classes of laminate flooring:

Classes 21 to 23 Only suitable for use in an apartment or house. Now they are no longer produced due to low strength.

Grade 31 also intended for domestic use.

Class 32 can be used in those rooms of the apartment where there is an increased load (entrance hall, kitchen, corridor). This laminate is also suitable for office rooms with low traffic.

Class 33 Suitable for public, office, industrial premises. Able to withstand heavy loads.

Class 34 - Extra strong coating (sports), has great resistance to abrasion.

Products belonging to EPLF - European Producers of Laminate Flooring - are granted the right to belong to a particular class. In Russian, this abbreviation is written as follows: AEPLNP (Association of European manufacturers of laminated coatings). And if the manufacturer is not included in this organization, then the class indicated on the package often does not correspond to the technical characteristics of the laminate. After all, testing was not conducted properly (in accordance with European standards). So it turns out sometimes that class 32 or even 33 is indicated, but in reality this coverage does not reach class 22.

Not only many Chinese manufacturers, but also some Russian ones sin such dishonesty. If you go into a huge construction hypermarket, you can probably see a laminate with class 33 and a thickness of 7 millimeters on its windows. It would seem - nothing special, but this fact indicates a clear non-compliance with standards. According to European standards, this class of laminate should be at least a millimeter thicker, i.e. 8 mm.

And to avoid such incidents and not to be deceived even in the details, check out the list of manufacturers-members of the EPLF association. Detailed information is here: www.eplf.com/en/members/list/ordinary.html. This is the site of this organization.

And here is the list:

But it should be noted that the division of the laminate into classes is a relative matter. For example, in Austria, Germany and Belgium, the wear resistance is determined by the AC index, which demonstrates the strength of the protective layer of the laminate. The laminate classes themselves demonstrate the density of the HDF fiberboard and its resistance to stress. Therefore, on the marking, the value of the AC is necessarily added to the class value (from 31 to 34). If you see a class 32 laminated flooring with an AC5 rating in the store, you must understand that this material is intended for residential buildings with a high load.

Manufacturers from China are trying to wrap this ambiguity in their favor - they indicate only the class, and nothing more. But after all, class 33 may have a different protective coating - from AC3 to AC5, and this is far from the same with regard to wear resistance. From the outside it seems that the laminate with different AC indicators is absolutely identical, but in reality it turns out that their service life is different.

Next, we’ll talk about the three main characteristics that should be given priority when choosing a laminate for the home.

These are the three whales:

Laminate Wear Resistance

As already mentioned, now the laminate is produced in four main classes: 31, 32, 33 and 34. It is generally accepted that class 31 is suitable for a bedroom, class 32 is for those rooms of the apartment where the floor load is greater, and classes 33 and 34 are used in commercial type premises. However, this separation is still somewhat superficial - you need to look more deeply. For clarity, let us consider how the laminate is tested, checking it for wear.

A sample of the laminated coating is fixed in a special device, and then exposed to it with a rotating abrasive disk. First measure the speed at which the coating will be scratched. After some time, the protective coating will be completely erased, and the number of revolutions is measured again. Adding the two measured values, they find the average value - this is the wear resistance, which is indicated in revolutions. We give specific examples.

Suppose that the abrasive can scratch the protective coating after 200 revolutions, and for its complete destruction the grinding wheel will have to rotate longer - about 4000 revolutions. We get an average value equal to 2100 rpm.And another brand of laminate may have different meanings: scratches appear after 1200 revolutions, and complete erasure after 3000 revolutions. The average value is again the same - 2100 rpm. It turns out that both floor coverings belong to the same class in terms of wear resistance. However, in the first case, the laminate is scratched faster - because it does not have a protective layer of corundum to prevent scratches. And increasing the thickness of melamine reduces abrasion.

But adding corundum is quite expensive, and therefore you can find class 32 laminate, which is more expensive than class 33 material. And if, flattered at a low price, the landlord will choose a budget option of class 33, then he may soon regret it. The floor will be scratched too quickly, losing its presentation. But it will be a pity to remove the floor covering - because its top layer will not be rubbed for a long time. It happens that another 10 years people use this floor - durable, but having a completely unpresentable appearance.

One can also imagine another development of events - the purchase of a laminate of class 32, a more expensive laminate with corundum. Such a floor will not lose its appearance for a long time, but it must be remembered that it is inferior to class 33 material in terms of abrasion. In the apartment, such a laminate will have to "the yard", having served from 15 to 20 years, and for a long time remaining attractive. But in a hotel or shop where a lot of people go, he will quickly fail - he will wipe himself.

Practice shows that in residential premises 32 and 33, laminate classes show approximately the same durability. Indeed, in all respects, except for wear resistance, they are very close. In particular, the HDF cooker has similar characteristics in both classes. And she, by the way, wears out faster than a durable protective coating (which in the apartment will begin to wear off no earlier than in 15 years).

Note that the characteristics of the laminate in the classes, according to the norm of EN 13329, include several more important parameters. This, in particular, heat resistance, moisture resistance, impact resistance, which we will talk about later. We only note that the standards of laminate produced in China and in Russia do not have such severe restrictions. After all, these two countries are not members of the EPLF association.

The strength and moisture resistance of the laminate - what they depend on

An HDF plate with a cut out lock connection is the main element of a laminate board. It makes up a large fraction of the cost of the laminate. The denser the HDF board, the less the laminate gets wet, the longer they serve and hold the lock joints stronger, preventing the appearance of cracks between the boards. It is also important that the plate is so precisely made, whether it has deviations from the geometry. If all sizes are met “top to top”, then laying the laminate will not be particularly difficult, and subsequently cracks do not form.

For excellent quality, of course, you have to pay. Therefore, often in construction stores you can see several brands of laminate flooring of the same class, but at different prices. Moreover, these prices may differ even several times.

Many people believe that the wax coating on the locks is all that a laminate needs to protect it from moisture. But this is not so - in this case, the material can not be moisture resistant. And although wax impregnation benefits, it is not worth hoping for it. It only pushes back the moment when water penetrates into the material. And if you take an ordinary (not moisture resistant) laminate and leave it in a humid room, then the coating with wax will protect it from water for only a few minutes. And sawing off pieces of boards during installation, we leave them completely unprotected.

The true reason for soaking the ends of the boards with wax is the ease of laying the laminate. In addition, this can mask some of the shortcomings of the locks. If the material is of poor quality, then without wax, it usually creaks after laying. But after all, the impregnation is gradually wiped away, and then the cleverly hidden creak still appears. Dense and high-quality HDF board gives water resistance to the laminated coating, and not wax impregnation at all.For reliability, this plate is coated with a special composition having moisture repellent properties.

It will not be amiss to recall that a good laminate that is not afraid of moisture can only be bought from the manufacturer that is part of the EPLF association. After all, the European standards and requirements for water resistance to HDF boards are very strict.

Sustainability is important

When various fiberboards and chipboards (MDF, HDF, chipboard, fiberboard), as well as plastic products are made, phenol-formaldehyde resins are used as a binder. As a result, products become cheaper, but also less safe for humans. Formaldehyde is a harmful gas (chemical formula CH₂= O) - stands out from the finished product.

This substance is a sharp-smelling gas that has no color. After research by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, it turned out that inhaling formaldehyde in humans increases the risk of acquiring cancer. But this gas is used everywhere: it is used to make resins added to paints, floor coverings, fabrics, and plastic products. In addition, formaldehyde is used as a preservative and disinfectant.

European manufacturers of laminated coatings must strictly control the formaldehyde content of their products. For this, the norm EN 14041: 2004 exists. For example, you can compare high-quality laminate made in Europe (designated by class E1) and parquet. We get approximately the same percentage of formaldehyde, which is also added to a modern parquet board. Much softer formaldehyde requirements for Chinese laminate.

Studying the advertising booklet of some brand of European laminated flooring, you can often see the alphanumeric designation in the name: "E1". This is good - it means that this material emits formaldehyde in an amount not exceeding 0.12 milligrams per cubic meter. And it is checked by the relevant European standards.

Remember: if after you have opened the packaging with the laminate, there is a strong unpleasant odor, carry the purchased goods back. It is dangerous to health! According to the norms, a slight smell of sawdust is permissible, nothing more. No paint and varnish “aromas”, as well as smells of gouache, Christmas tree, glue, are allowed. And for a deeper check, you can take a laminated board and put it in water. After 20 minutes we sniff - if a pungent smell has appeared, then this material is clearly harmful to health.

However, European manufacturers, even famous ones, today produce not only safe laminate. After all, if the goods are exported to third world countries, then you can not worry so much about the formaldehyde content. They will not be fined for this, as in Europe, and moreover they will not be deprived of a license. It is only necessary to write on a batch of laminated flooring that it is intended only for sale in Russia. This is often done in joint ventures.

Emission class	Formaldehyde emission
	Chamber method, mg / m3 air.	Gas analysis method, mg / m.sq.
E 1	Up to 0.124	Up to and including 3.5
E 2	Up to 0.124	3.5 to 8 inclusive

Fire resistance

In order for nothing to happen to the laminate when it comes into contact with a smoking cigarette, it must comply with EN 438. The fourth degree according to this standard indicates that the surface of the laminated coating has not suffered at all and has not changed.

The behavior of the material when exposed to an open flame is determined according to other standards: DIN 5510 and DIN 4102. After testing, the laminate is usually assigned category B1 - a flame-resistant material.

Light resistance

This laminate quality is tested according to EN 20105 - otherwise, the Blue Wool Standard. According to this norm, there is a scale of eight positions. As a rule, laminated coatings occupy position 6 on this scale.

What is remarkable for a laminate with a bevel

Cutting off the end edge of the laminated board at an angle, a bevel is obtained. When laying such material where the boards are connected, small grooves form.Chamfering has two goals: decorative and utilitarian. And in size it can be a fairly deep groove (with a width of 3 or 4 millimeters), and a tiny chamfer. Basically, the edge is cut along the entire perimeter of the board, but sometimes chamfers are made only from the long sides of the tile. So you can get the "deck effect" - the feeling that the floor is made of very long boards.

The appearance of the laminate is beveled.

The main advantages of a laminate with a bevel:

• Often a laminate imitates a wooden surface, repeating its texture and pattern. And massive boards basically all have chamfers that successfully mask defects arising from the expansion and shrinkage of a tree. Therefore, a laminated board with a chamfer more successfully copies a wooden surface.
• The chamfer doubles or triple extends the life of the coating, in which it does not lose its appearance.
• Despite the resistance to water, the laminate does not like very wet cleaning. And if the edges are not chamfered, then the joints of the boards may then swell. Chamfers on the edges of the laminated boards to avoid this trouble. There were even cases when the floor completely flooded with water (during the flood from the neighbors) did not lose its appearance. Naturally, it was a quality European laminate with a bevel, based on a dense HDF board.
• The use of laminate with chamfers can reduce the cost of leveling the base of the floor. The installation instructions for the laminated coating state that the surface must be flat before laying. The height difference for every 2 m should be no more than 2 mm. You have to spend a lot of time and money. Thanks to the chamfered laminate and the leveling backing, this procedure can be simplified. An ordinary laminate gradually takes the form of a floor, forming microcracks between the tiles. Chamfered material is lacking. Do not level the floor with a height difference of up to 4 mm.
• Opponents of chamfers believe that dust and dirt accumulate in them, which is difficult to remove. Not true - the millimeter groove is easily cleaned during cleaning.

Laminate classes: properties, characteristics, application

Specifications laminate 31 class

Without a substrate, this coating is usually not used - it is too hollow. When choosing a soundproofing material, it is best to dwell on a cork backing sold in rolls. The thickness of the board is 8 mm.

The lock connection is of type click (it is collapsible, not requiring the use of glue). The warranty period when used in an apartment is from 10 to 12 years. It is used in living rooms, bedrooms, nurseries - wherever the cross-country ability is not very high. Ideal for children's rooms, if you plan to subsequently replace the floor. As a rule, the surface is slightly glossy, the pattern of the tree is blurry, the board has no relief.

Technical characteristics of a class 32 laminate

The board has a thickness of 7 to 12 mm. Click lock. Warranty period: for apartments - 15 years, for public buildings - up to 5 years (depending on the intensity of use). Recommended for any living room, including the entrance hall and kitchen. Regarding commercial premises: it is better to use where traffic is average. It can be a hall, office, shop, office building.

In appearance, it can imitate the tones of natural wood, and can also be made in bright colors to create modern interiors. As a rule, it has a relief coating that prevents slipping. There are brands that very skillfully repeat the texture of a tree or its saw.

Class 33 laminate specifications

The board has a thickness of 8 to 12 mm. Lack of deafness (thanks to a thick board), additional protection against noise and heat preservation, high frost resistance. Clickless glueless lock with moisture resistant impregnation and reinforced construction. The apartment can be used for 20 years, in commercial premises - at least 12 years.

It can be used in any premises of both residential and commercial type. Thanks to the waterproof impregnation of the whole plate, it is possible to use where it is very humid. For example, in the relaxation room in the bath. Colors can repeat the structure of the tree, as well as be bright and avant-garde.The surface is anti-slip, embossed, completely imitates a wood surface or tile seams (if the laminate is decorated like stone).

Technical characteristics of a class 34 laminate

Note that in European standards 13329: 2006 + A1: 2008 (E) this class of laminate is not reflected. This material is produced by high-pressure pressing, which makes it possible to obtain HDF tiles with a density of 950 kg per cubic meter. This plate is impregnated with a special composition and covered with several layers, each of which has its own function. So that the plate does not deform, it is glued to it with durable kaffer paper with a moisture-resistant treatment. There is also a noise absorbing substrate. And the upper decorative layer imitates the texture of wood.

The melamine resin that makes up the protective coating provides mechanical strength. Since this coating is multilayered, the laminate does not scratch, does not fade and is not afraid of household chemicals. Patency of this gender - more than 1000 people per day. Therefore, it can be used in restaurants, entertainment and sports complexes, public buildings. There he will serve from 7 to 15 years, and in the apartment - 30 years.

Table: Laminate class characteristics

Operation class	31		32	33
Abrasion resistance EN 13329	AC 3		AC 4	AC 5
Abrasion Ratio IP, EN 13329	>2500		>4000	>6500
Impact Resistance EN 13329			IC2	IC3
Susceptibility to household chemicals			5 (groups 1 and 2); 4 (group 3)	5 (groups 1 and 2); 4 (group 3)
Heat resistance			4	4
Scratch resistant	At the discretion of the manufacturer.
Water resistance	<20%		<18%	<18%
Graphic designation EN 685
Scope of application of EN 685	It is applied in drawing rooms, bedrooms, nurseries.		Living quarters, hallways and kitchens.	Public and residential premises, shop, gym, restaurant.
Other designations used on laminate packaging.

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