If a person decided to use a laminate as a floor, this may mean that he is trying to make his house warmer and more comfortable. Although, this does not mean at all that the laminate can be bought "indiscriminately," indiscriminately. Before you go to the store you need to find out which laminate is better to choose. Therefore, we will talk about this, relatively new material, as much as possible and determine the main criteria for its selection.
Content:
So, choosing a laminate, we pay attention to such criteria as:
- Manufacturer
- Wear resistance
- Exterior design
- Price
- Scratch resistant
- Moisture resistant
- Ecological quality of a laminate
Laminate selection criteria
We consider each such criterion individually, in order to know exactly which laminate is better to choose for an apartment.
Laminate Manufacturers
It is no secret that the more serious the manufacturer, the more laminate it produces. But it is precisely with the definition of “seriousness” of the manufacturer that some “friction” is obtained. Although, there is nothing complicated here. The main thing to know is that if a laminate manufacturer is part of the EPLF association, then its products can be considered 100% quality.
So which firm laminate is better to choose? So, to these manufacturers today are many well-known Western European companies and firms. In principle, it makes no sense to list them, because they are present in special product catalogs. It is also recommended to pay attention to the companies producing the production of laminate in Russia, these are Krontex, Tarkett, which have proven themselves well in the laminate market. The production of Russian laminate is carried out on modern equipment using modern technologies.
- See the material >> Laminate which company is better to choose and buy - the advantages and disadvantages of manufacturers
Laminate design can be different
The most common design is "under wooden floors" or parquet. However, in order for the laminate to resemble a parquet or floor board, the repeatability of the pattern should be minimal. Such a laminate is produced by Western European manufacturers.
However, some Russians, for some reason, do not want to see “knotted” boards on the floor of their houses. Therefore, they try to choose the color of the laminate so that it is beige or brown. Just such a laminate is produced by Chinese manufacturers.
It is useful to pay attention to the external embossing of the laminate, which is also a design refinement. Embossing is a relief pattern of the outer layer, as a result of which the laminate turns out to be as convex, which is very similar to a natural tree. Embossed laminate is very practical, because it does not leave traces of stains after washing. At the moment, a smooth surface is available only in cheap grades of laminate.
Under the concept of a bevel of a laminate, a groove made in the form of the letter “V”, which is formed between adjacent boards (lamellas), falls. If there is a chamfer, the general impression is that this flooring is not a laminate, but a natural wood. In addition, using the chamfer, you can easily hide the joints between the lamellas.
Wear class
When choosing a laminate, it is important to consider the wear resistance class. In some cases, this parameter can be considered one of the most basic. As a rule, the wear resistance class can be determined using simple tests.But we must remember that when choosing a class of laminate flooring, it is worth considering the specifics of the room where it will lie.
The class of the laminate is very easy to determine. To do this, you need to know its resistance to abrasion: take sandpaper and just rub the top layer of the laminate. The longer you rub until the layer is completely abraded, the higher the class of the laminate. True, there are some nuances here, and manufacturers are very familiar with them, so they try to upgrade the class by any means. Because, the higher the class of the laminate, the less it wears out, which means that it can last longer.
However, it is advisable to choose a class of operational load with a certain margin, which, in fact, is able to increase the service life.
- See the material >> Classification of laminate according to classes and wear resistance
Laminate 21-23 class is focused on the use in an apartment.
Class Laminate 31-33 is designed for offices and similar public areas.
Scratch resistant
Scratch resistant is the parameter that directly affects the preservation of a more attractive appearance of the laminate. This is achieved by using special protective layers. Regardless of the class of laminate, this parameter has the designation AC and is marked in the range 1-5. The higher the number, the higher the abrasion resistance.
Moisture resistant
For the laminate to be moisture resistant, it must have a quality base. In most cases, an HDF plate is used as it, on the quality of which the moisture resistance of the laminate depends. Those. the higher the density of the plate, the less moisture is applied to such a board.
By the way, it is foolish to think that if the locks of the laminate are waxed, then in general it can be considered moisture resistant. In fact, moisture on a wax-impregnated laminate acts in exactly the same way as on a laminate without impregnation. True, this process takes a little longer in time.
In fact, the best indicator of the water resistance of a laminate is the increased density of the HDF plate and the presence of a special moisture-repellent composition on such a plate. The density of laminate boards should be between 850 kg / m3 and more. Types of laminate with a total of 900 kg / m3 can withstand the effects of water for up to 3 hours and do not change their structure.
Ecological purity of a laminate
Ecological quality of a laminate directly related to the presence of formaldehyde in its composition. It is known that since formaldehyde is part of the plates from which the laminate is made, therefore, it will also be present in the laminate. However, to make sure that the laminate is of good quality or not, you need to pay attention to the presence of the marking "E1". If such a marking is present, then this means that the laminate is environmentally safe and can be considered high-quality.
Laminate thickness
The optimal thickness of the laminate should be in the region of 0.7 to 0.8 cm. Thicker, as a rule, is not needed. The thing is that such a panel thickness is enough for the necessary rigidity. And an attempt to sell you a thicker, and therefore more expensive laminate flooring can be nothing more than seller speculation.
- See the material >> Laminate sizes of various brands and collections
Laminate base
A quality laminate is made on the basis of HDF (HDF) plate. Some manufacturers use MDF or hardboard as the basis for reducing production costs, which reduces the life of the laminate. It is better to refuse to buy such a laminate.
Laminate cost
Laminate cost entirely depends on all of the above, as well as on the class of the laminate. Those. the higher the class, the laminate will cost more. In addition, the cost may depend on the popularity of the manufacturer’s brand, on its pricing policy, panel sizes, etc.
Table of the main criteria for choosing a laminate
| Options | Parameter Values |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | 1. The manufacturer must be a member of the EPLF. 2. It is best to choose European manufacturers 3. Of the manufacturers in the Russian Federation, you can rely on: Krontex, Tarkett. |
| Laminate Design | It is best to stay on a laminate with imitation under parquet or wooden floors with minimal repetition of the picture. |
| Wear class | 1. Laminate 21-23 class is oriented to use in an apartment. 2. Laminate 31-33 class is designed for offices and similar public premises. |
| Scratch resistant | See the AC parameter and the number from 1 to 5 next to it, the larger the number the more stable. |
| Moisture resistance | For the most moisture-resistant laminate, the density of the plates should be 900 kg / m3, as well as the presence of a special water-repellent composition. |
| Environmental friendliness | Pay attention to the marking "E1" |
| Laminate thickness | Not more than 0.7 - 0.8 cm. |
| Laminate base | Best HDF board |
| Cost | The cost will depend on the quality of the above parameters. |
Features of choosing a laminate for different rooms
Which laminate is best for the kitchen
The kitchen is one of the difficult rooms of the house in terms of the correct choice of finishing materials. The laminate is no exception in this regard. Before choosing a laminate for the kitchen, you should determine its type, the most suitable for the kitchen. Due to the complexity of the room, it is better to choose a laminate with an increased wear resistance class. Of course, not forgetting to choose the laminate and taking into account its moisture resistance. Laminate for kitchen floors must have a chamfer that hides joints. For if water gets between the lamellas, then it can cause deformation of the laminate panels. Moreover, it will not work to fix it. Therefore, after laying the laminate, the joints between the lamellas are recommended to be additionally saturated with special mastic.
Laminate in the kitchen. Photo - www.ideasforinterior.com
Which laminate is suitable for a bedroom
Depending on the existing bedroom interior, a laminate should be selected for it. Of course, it will be much better if the room is bright and well lit by the sun. In such a bedroom you can even lay a dark laminate so that you can clearly see the contrasts of colors and their shades.
But which laminate is better, light or dark in this case? If the room is bright, but very small, then laying a dark laminate in it is not recommended. For all this can only lead to the fact that such a dark floor will significantly reduce the space of an already small bedroom. And vice versa - if you want to visually increase the room, then you need to choose a laminate with a pattern in the form of longitudinal stripes.
True, the laying of the laminate in this case is made across the room. To visually make the bedroom longer, a laminate with such a pattern should be laid along the room. True, in this case, the room will also narrow. Moreover, this condition directly relates to the hallway, especially if it is in a standard apartment.
Laminate in the bedroom. Photo - popularflooring.com
Which laminate is suitable for children?
The floor laminate for the nursery should have hypoallergenic properties, fire-safe, warm and environmentally friendly. In any case, the laminate for the child should like the child. Therefore, it should be beautiful and pleasant to the touch. Due to the fact that the nursery, in some respects, is a playroom, the floors in it should have a long service life.
If the nursery already has warm floors, then the laminate in them will be very useful. Only in this case, it is necessary to purchase such a laminate, which has a special marking, indicating that it can be used in conjunction with underfloor heating.
Video: How to choose the right laminate
