Eco-friendly laminate flooring is becoming increasingly popular. Their ease of maintenance, beauty, wear resistance, environmental friendliness and relatively low cost are the main advantages of such floor coverings. Lay laminate along the room. Across or diagonally. Most good decision V long room is to lay the laminate crosswise, this will visually mask possible gaps.

What is laminate made of?

The material from which the laminate is made is fiberboard. It provides flexibility combined with strength, allowing the glue to penetrate easily and deeply into the structure of the material. The planks are connected to each other with special “quick step” latches and do not require the use of glue, thanks to this you can quickly and easily not only assemble the floors, but also, if necessary, disassemble them. Adhesive laminate has additional sites for applying glue, which will additionally provide the floor with moisture-resistant seams and greater joint strength.

Whatever the design of your interior, you can always choose an option that matches the color and type of surface.

structure modern laminate in section

Differences by surface type

Laminate flooring comes in a wide variety of patterns and shades. You can choose not only a pattern that follows the structure of wood, but also an imitation of stone or tile. There are a huge variety of shades - from very dark noble to almost white. In addition, according to the pattern, laminate flooring is classified into single-strip, two-strip and three-strip. The latter is very similar in appearance to piece parquet and looks great indoors Not large area. Two-strip laminate resembles short floorboards, like a classic plank floor. In large premises, single-strip laminate is most often used.

There are several types of laminate surfaces, differing in glossy shine or imitation of rough wood processing. The outer side can be classic natural, textured, embossed, artificially aged, glossy or oiled. Natural classic laminate completely replicates the wood pattern with small indentations. Laminate with a textured, aged and embossed surface is distinguished by deeper pores and a pronounced texture of roughly processed wood. Glossy laminate has a waxed smooth finish outside, coated with varnish or oil. The choice of surface depends on your interior design and tactile preferences.

Laminate classes

The classification of use will help you choose a laminate for a particular room. Each type of laminate is tested for sound insulation, resistance to scratches, abrasion, moisture and light.

The most durable laminated coatings of class 33 can withstand contact with water for several hours and are the most wear-resistant of all types of coatings. Laminate of this class is used in commercial premises with very high traffic, for example in shops.
Floor coverings of classes 32 and 31 are used in commercial premises with less traffic, in offices and conference rooms. They are also able to withstand prolonged contact with water and are very resistant to abrasion and scratches.
In residential buildings and apartments, laminate of classes 23, 22 and 21 is used.
Laminate of the lowest class 21 is usually used in bedrooms and other dry rooms with low traffic.

What do the pictures on the packaging mean?

On most laminate packaging, in addition to indicating the class, there are images reflecting Extra options and degrees of protection:

Video: how to choose laminate and not make a mistake?

To preserve its pristine beauty flooring It is recommended to use rubber wheels on furniture, rugs at the entrance and special compounds for cleaning. Scratches on the laminate are repaired with a simple repair pencil. And stubborn stains can be removed with acetone, gasoline or alcohol. And about how to lay laminate flooring yourself.

Laminate for construction work

For the average person, the expression “construction laminate” sounds rather strange, but it still exists. This technical laminate is used for the construction of formwork, the manufacture of temporary partitions, and sometimes for the creation of designer decorative elements in the interior.

Note: The advantages of this material include high moisture resistance, resistance to mechanical loads, lower fire hazard (compared to wood) and more low price than other materials, similar in their technical characteristics.

Usually in construction such laminate is used as slabs, unlike internal ones. finishing works where laminate boards are used.

Material for furniture production

Furniture laminate, or laminated particle board, represents chipboard sheet, covered on both sides with a special film. Its high resistance to moisture allows it to be used for making furniture not only for the office, but also for rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom.

Laminate for furniture is easy to process, so it is used not only in industrial production, but also when constructing structures at home.

Laminate flooring

This is the most popular floor covering nowadays, which is multilayer slabs of wood fibers (stabilizing, load-bearing, decorative), covered on top with a protective melamine layer, otherwise known as natural laminate.

Laminate flooring is classified according to the following criteria:

wear resistance;
thickness;
type of locks;
design.

Wear resistance class

The main thing that distinguishes laminate from each other is its wear resistance. The following classes are distinguished:

21, 22 and 23 are types of household laminate. This coating has low wear resistance (serves in residential premises from 2 to 6 years) and is currently practically not produced;
31 – refers to semi-commercial. In a small office or meeting room it can last up to 3 years; when used in a residential area, the service life is 9-10 years;
32 – commercial laminate, designed for rooms with medium load flooring(boutiques, reception areas, offices with low traffic). The service life is up to 5 years, and when used in living conditions- 12 years old;
33 - this coating can withstand heavy loads of restaurants and large stores. Manufacturers claim that when used at full strength, this coating will last up to 6-7 years, and at home the period increases to 20 years;
Class 34 is quite controversial. It is not officially approved, but some manufacturers label their products this way, which means the laminated panels are extremely durable and can withstand enormous loads, for example, in bars, airports, etc.

In addition to wear resistance, there is such a thing as abrasion resistance, denoted by the letters AC. It is checked using the “taber test”, in which the laminate is sanded with special paper. From the number of revolutions made grinding wheels until scratches appear on the top protective layer panels until its destruction by 95% and the resistance of the coating to abrasion depends.

As a rule, the abrasion resistance of the top coating and the load resistance of the base of the laminated panel itself are the same: class 31 – AC3, 32 – AC4, 33 – AC5 and AC6. However, there are cases when a laminate of a lower class has greater abrasion resistance, for example class 32 (AC5).

When choosing a floor covering, laminate markings can help, from which you can find out not only the class, but also resistance to various influences (for example, moisture, ultraviolet or household chemicals) or care recommendations (for example, using soft furniture legs).

The marking is usually indicated on the packaging of the material; an example can be seen in the photo.

Panel thickness

The thickness of laminated boards varies from 6 to 12 mm in 1 mm increments. Moreover, this indicator affects not only the wear resistance class, but also such characteristics as sound insulation and thermal insulation. This is also reflected in the assembly of the laminate: the thicker the material, the easier it is to install.

Panel size

There is no single standard for laminated boards, so each manufacturer sets the dimensions independently. Moreover, they can vary from one company to another depending on the collection. There are both rectangular and square laminate options.

However, assembly of long boards is easier and faster. It should also be noted that when using square panels there are more joints, which may become visible over time. Photos of floors assembled from laminates of various configurations are presented below.

Lock type

Another important difference between laminates is the type of connection. With regard to this criterion, the following types of laminate can be distinguished:

laminate with Lock;
laminate with Click lock.

Lock lock is an earlier invention. It consists of a fixing tenon on one side of the panel and a groove for it on the opposite side. Laminate with this type of locks is more economical, but labor-intensive and requires special care in assembly. Installation must be carried out using a wooden mallet or an ordinary hammer, but using a small wooden beam as in the photo.

Click lock differs from the previous one in the form of a spike, which cross section resembles a hook. The panels are assembled quite easily: attach a second one to a board lying on the floor, inserting the hook into the groove at an angle of 45 degrees, and then lower it. A characteristic click will indicate that the docking took place correctly and the hook is hooked. Laminate flooring with a similar locking system is collapsible. That is. During its installation, the already mounted panels can be swapped, or if there is a need after the time of its use, for example, in the event of flooding.

Important! So, the main differences between laminate according to the type of locks: the possibility or lack thereof of re-installing the panel, the quality of assembly of the coating (in the second case it is better) and the need to use special tools (absent for Click-locks).

Cover design

According to the surface structure, laminate can be:

Glossy. Often such surfaces are slippery, which is not advisable for families with elderly people and small children, as the risk of falling increases. Also, marks from children's feet and hands are very visible on it;
Matte.
They gained their popularity, firstly, due to their practicality (footprints and stains from a rag are not visible). And secondly, they look more natural, natural and do not slip;

With texture.

A very interesting coating that imitates natural brushed wood. Based on color they are distinguished: Laminate imitating natural boards. Standard colors: oak,
bleached oak , walnut, alder, beech, cherry, rosewood, etc.;. Laminate imitating
ceramic tiles Almost every manufacturer has collections of this type (mostly 32 and 33 classes). They are usually used for domestic purposes in the kitchen and living room;

Laminate imitating leather.

Original, extravagant, but not suitable for every room. All listed types can be either with or without a chamfer. Beveled panels have a rounded or straight bevel along the edge. When you walk barefoot on a floor made of such material, you get the feeling of joints between each board. Our article will be incomplete if we do not mention this type of self-adhesive laminate. This

Laminate is one of the most popular floor covering materials. The fact is that it has an acceptable cost and looks very similar to natural wood. But before carrying out repairs, you need to consider the types of laminate. This will help you decide what kind of cladding is needed for your home.

Laminate consists of several layers:

The basis. The rigidity of the tiles depends on it. The base is usually made of fiberboard or chipboard. The thicker this layer, the stronger the material will be.
Kraft paper. It serves to protect the lower surface of the base from moisture penetration.
Decorative layer. Here we use special paper on which the design is applied. It is glued to the upper surface of the base.
Polymer film. It protects the decorative layer from abrasion.

Additional layers can be added during production: substrate, natural wood veneer, moisture-proof shell, protective corundum coating.

Despite the fact that the laminate pattern is not natural, expensive types This material is printed very realistically.

Product types by class

Before purchasing such cladding, you should consider its types according to. This parameter determines where you can lay the laminate:

21, 22 and 23 grades. This material is distinguished by the fact that it has the lowest level of wear resistance. That is, it cannot be used where there is constant high traffic of people, and in conditions high humidity. Most often it is spread in bedrooms and is also used as temporary flooring. Although class 23 has almost all the necessary technical characteristics to use it in residential areas with light loads.
31-33 grade. This material is installed in rooms where floors are subject to intense loads. It can be used in corridors and hallways.

Laminate classes according to wear resistance

. It is the most durable and can even withstand contact with water for several hours. This lining is extremely resistant to wear. Typically, this material is used in restaurants, dance floors, and public institutions (schools, hospitals).
42, 43 - a special premium class, which is made to order. It is used in airports and train stations, as well as in those rooms where the floor is subject to the heaviest load. It is not advisable to use such material in a residential setting, since you simply cannot create heavy load on him at home. In addition, cladding of this class is very expensive.

Classification of material according to the degree of resistance to moisture

In this case, we can distinguish the following types of laminate flooring:

. It can be used in the bathroom or. This material is not afraid of moisture, as it is additionally treated with protective resins or wax.
Water resistant. It can withstand direct contact with liquid for several hours. At the same time, additionally waxed locks do not allow water to pass under the floor covering.

Types of products by decorative qualities

The following types of material can be distinguished:

Glossy. It has a special shine. The surface of the laminate is polished. The disadvantage of the presented floor covering is that it is slippery. In addition, it leaves footprints on it.
Natural. This does not mean the present wood covering. It’s just that the product is very similar to a natural board. All pores and knots are drawn very realistically. This floor covering also has a shine, but it is not bright, but more silky.
Waxed. By appearance This laminate flooring is very similar to wood, well impregnated with wax. The coating has a slight shine, which indicates the high quality of the material.

Relief (texture). This laminate resembles natural wood. The texture of the picture is drawn so well that at first glance the coating can be mistaken for floorboards.
Matte. The presented material does not have a bright shine. It is most often used in children's rooms and in the kitchen, as it is considered non-slip. In addition, there are practically no footprints left on it. And you don’t need to polish it as often as glossy.
Country laminate. In appearance, this product resembles embossed aged material.

Matte, country and waxed laminate

Before choosing a floor covering, you need to take into account its technical parameters, as well as the features of subsequent operation.

Types of product according to installation method

This factor is one of the main ones when choosing a material. There are several ways to fix tiles:

Glue. This method ensures the most reliable fixation of products on the base surface. However, installation in this case is labor-intensive and also takes a lot of time. And you cannot remove the floor covering and move it from one room to another. Repairing laminate flooring after gluing the tiles is also very difficult.
Castle. It provides for fixing tiles without the use of glue and is additionally divided into two types.

Lock system

This type of lock is characterized by the presence of a latch, which is a tongue on one side of the tile and a groove on the other. In order to connect the elements, you must use a rubber hammer and wooden block. Please note that you cannot hit the tiles directly with the hammer. It is advisable that the floor assembly be carried out experienced craftsman. The fact is that the thorns are very delicate, and if used improperly they can be damaged. In the event of a breakdown, the damaged element will be difficult to replace.

Click system

The laminate in this case differs more complex design. However, assembling the coating is very simple, so even a person who has never held a hammer can do it. The peculiarity of the planks is that they are connected at a certain angle - 45 degrees. There is no need to put in any effort. The presented connection method makes it possible to disassemble the covering and move it to another room. Another advantage of such a system is that it does not deform over time.

If you use the adhesive installation method, then in this case it is better to additionally seal the joints between the planks.

That's all the types of laminate. Naturally, when choosing, you should pay attention to the manufacturer. The material must be certified and have no claims from other buyers. Leave comments on the article - express your opinion or share your experience!

At the end, a series of 6 video instructions on choosing various types laminate:

We understand the variety of types and categories of laminate from famous manufacturers

Selecting a coating is quite difficult. It's connected with wide range finishing material and a significant number of its manufacturers not only in our country, but also abroad.

Laminate classes

Laminate flooring can be divided into commercial and residential. The cost of the commercial option is quite affordable, and the service life exceeds its household counterparts:

31st grade. Used in commercial premises with light loads. Average term service in offices - three years, with household use may exceed ten years.
32nd grade. Used in commercial premises with medium load levels. The average service life in offices does not exceed five years; when used at home, the service life reaches fifteen years.
33rd grade. Used in commercial premises with intense loads. Average service life in office premises reach seven years of age. When used in domestic conditions, the coating can last twenty years.
34th grade. The lamellas have the highest technical parameters and quality characteristics. This allows the material to be used in commercial premises with maximum loads.
43rd grade. This less common type of laminate material falls into the "premium" category. Produced by manufacturers to order.

Laminate design

Laminated boards can have various types surfaces:

Smooth slats. The surface has a smoother finish, including a glossy one. This laminate is quite slippery, and almost any traces from hands or feet are visible on it.
Matte elements. They are more popular because they have significant naturalness, low slip and no marks.
Laminate with texture. This is a modern development with a brushing effect or artificial irregularities. It gives the coating the most natural look.
Laminate with chamfers. They have bevels or roundings at the edges of the boards. This gives a natural appearance and increases practicality in use.

Variety in thickness

Modern laminates can have different thicknesses. The most common sizes include:

laminates with a thickness of 7 mm;
laminates with a thickness of 8 mm;
laminates with a thickness of 9 mm;
laminates with a thickness of 10 mm;
laminates with a thickness of 12 mm.

The thickness of the laminate has a positive effect on the strength lock system and reduces negative impact from external loads. Thick ones have less sonority.

Types of lock connections

The principle of connecting laminated boards allows us to divide them into the following types of systems:

Lock-lock system involves assembling the coating in horizontal planes.
Click-lock system involves performing both horizontal and corner assembly.

A significant part of laminate locks currently belong to the “click” category. They are distinguished by their reliability and assembly efficiency.

Review of laminate locks (video)

Household laminate options

For flooring in residential premises, the following types of household laminate flooring can be used.

Cork laminate

The slats have different texture facial layer, which varies from lamellar to fine-grained type. Classic options designs are presented in warm shades of yellow, brown colors and ocher-type staining. Exotic lovers choose the option with a splash of color. The material is harmless and has high dirt-repellent properties.

Vinyl laminate

It is a relatively new variety on the construction and construction market. finishing materials. It has structural features and consists of two layers combined into strips. Front part represented by aluminum oxide or polyurethane with a pattern imitating natural surfaces expensive breeds wood. The basis is vinyl, which increases the rigidity and strength of floors, as well as extends the service life.

Glossy laminate

Characterized by attractive mirror shine And big amount advantages, including durability, aesthetics and reliability. Gloss helps to reflect light and disperse it throughout the room. This visually expands the space.

Types of pictograms

Particularly noteworthy are the so-called pictograms, which can indicate the material’s compliance with international standards and clarify its advantages:

icons EN 13893 And EN 14041 characterize the slipperiness classes of the laminate surface;
icon DIN EN 12664 characterizes the thermal stability of laminates and their ability to be combined with heated floors;
icon DIN EN 14041 characterizes the emission of formaldehyde in laminated boards;
icons DN 4102 T1 And EN 13501-1 characterize the relationship of the laminated coating to the fire safety class;
icon EN 438-2 characterizes the resistance of laminates and other types to the effects of unextinguished cigarettes;
icons EN ISO 105 – B02, EN 20105 – A02 characterize the resistance of laminated boards to fading from sunlight;
icon EN 438-2 characterizes the resistance of laminates to the formation of stains on the surface;
icon DIN EN 1815 characterizes the antistatic parameters of laminated boards;
icon EN 13329 with Appendix F characterizes the impact resistance of laminates and the absence of deformation as a result of mechanical stress.

You should definitely use the information content of the above icons or pictograms when choosing a floor covering.

Famous manufacturers

The selection of laminate coating must be made taking into account the well-known manufacturers of this material. A well-established brand often becomes a guarantee of quality and durability. Here are some examples:

The absolute world leader is represented by a Belgian company Quick-Step. The design features and quality characteristics of this laminate suggest installation in a residential area. Conditional high quality The popularity of the material has made the laminate of this company quite expensive.
Laminate from the most famous and popular in Russia European manufacturer flooring brand Tarkett. Mid-price class laminate has standard set quality characteristics and reasonable cost.
Prestigious coating of a European brand Berry Alloc. It has enhanced qualities in terms of moisture and wear resistance. This allows the material to be used as flooring in the kitchen and bathroom. The high cost fully corresponds to the quality characteristics.
Laminate from a German manufacturer that produces products under the brand Parador. The material has best characteristics, and also absolutely unique design, which is developed individually by the company.

Consumers should be wary of laminate flooring from Chinese manufacturers.

Widely represented in our country such flooring material not only belongs to the budget category, but also does not have sufficient quality. Problems often accompany this laminate already at the installation stage.

How to choose a quality laminate (video)

Despite the commitment of a large number of buyers to natural materials, many are gradually leaning in favor of laminate flooring - a practical, not so expensive, easy-to-install covering. Laminate properties and characteristics have optimal properties that meet the basic requirements of buyers, which is why it has earned considerable popularity.

Advantages of laminate

The choice of floor coverings is a serious matter, if only because the lining of the walls and ceiling can be renewed or completely replaced in a year or two, but the floor is rarely repaired and any reconstruction of it is planned, if not forever, then for a long time. And I really want the floor finish to be wear-resistant, environmentally friendly, safe for health, creating a feeling of warmth and comfort in the house.

Laminate boards are inert to high temperature. Of course, you shouldn’t put a hot frying pan on it, but if small sparks or hot ashes fall on the floor, they won’t even leave a trace. The same property allows the coating to be used in underfloor heating systems.
Thanks to the top protective layer, laminate does not allow dyes to pass through easily; it will not be difficult to wash off a stain from coffee, tea, or even a drop of nail polish.
Laminate floors practically do not change color in areas that are constantly exposed to direct sunlight.
You don’t have to worry about marks left after installing heavy furniture; laminate flooring is highly durable.
Aesthetics, variety of textures and decor. IN living rooms We most often encounter wood or parquet floor decor. But there is a laminate for stone, marble, ceramic tiles and exotic options for leather and metal.
Installing laminate flooring is quite simple. Installation takes place in a glue-free manner; the canvas can be disassembled and laid in another place.

Which laminate flooring to choose

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

Household laminate – 21, 22, 23 – the first number “2” indicates that the laminate is recommended for installation in living rooms;

The second number characterizes the wear resistance indicator:

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

Lifespan of laminate floors

To create a safety margin, experienced users advise studying the classification of laminate and choosing a higher class. And the use of classes 31, 32, 33 in residential buildings guarantees a significant increase in service life. For example:

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

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

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

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

Laminate properties, characteristics, structure

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

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

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

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

Eco-friendly wood coatings (without the use of additional impregnations) have an E1 value, and coatings made from chipboard and MDF are no different from laminate in terms of formaldehyde content.

There are attempts to produce completely environmentally friendly laminate - without formaldehyde. For example, such material was developed by ELESGO. According to the test results, the presence of harmful components was not detected (or their content was less than 0.005!).

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

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

The third, which makes up the main thickness of the entire coating, is also called the load-bearing base. Made from fiberboard, chipboard, MDF boards, varying in density. Provides heat, sound insulation, and fracture toughness.

Fasteners are also located here to simplify docking. individual elements. Locking joints are cut directly from the base (fiber) or manufactured separately.

The strength of the fiber connection depends on:

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

What to look for when choosing

Impregnation can be external and internal (deep). Joints with internal processing are slippery and give the impression of a wet edge. Scratch the lock, and if the surface remains smooth and no wax has accumulated under the nail, you are lucky, you are dealing with laminate specimens whose locks have undergone high-quality deep processing.

If the wax is removed, it is an external impregnation that can rub off after some time, and the entry of foreign inclusions into the grooves will reduce the strength and water resistance of the joint. This laminate has not the best properties and characteristics, if not “low quality”.

It is a mistaken belief that impregnation provides water resistance. Its main function is the ease of connecting grooves. Wax hides shortcomings in the tightness of the lock for some time, softens creaking due to the mismatch of the geometry of the connection parts. But if there are shortcomings, they will appear after the impregnation wears off.

IN Lately began to be used for the base polymer materials. Their main advantage is water resistance.

Waterproof laminates include:

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

The laminate, whose wood-chip base was replaced with a plastic one, is absolutely protected from deformation during prolonged contact with water (6-hour guarantee). This type of coating can be safely used not only in wet rooms, but also where direct contact with water is possible on the floor (bathroom, toilet, kitchen).

Advertising or materials from the future? Some manufacturers have already started selling class 34 laminate, which they claim is super-strength and super-water-resistant. However, this is rather an advertising campaign for the product. Since this type of laminate is not registered in the official classification.

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

Laminate: properties, characteristics - video