Laminate is one of the most popular types of flooring for residential and office premises today. With its help, designers create unique interiors filled with colors, an atmosphere of comfort and warmth. But if you dig deeper, it becomes clear: there are a great many varieties of such material on the domestic market. Next, we’ll look at which laminate is best to choose for your home and why different types of material are preferable for a particular room.

Laminate flooring is loved by owners of country cottages and city apartments for the optimal price-quality ratio for which it is famous. Indeed, the price that is being asked today for laminated panels in the domestic market finishing materials, is fully consistent with the high performance parameters of such finishing.

However, this is far from the only advantage of laminate that is worth mentioning. A good laminate has the following advantages:

high environmental friendliness, naturalness. The material is created using modern technologies, therefore it does not contain toxic components that can harm human health;
a wide variety of designs, refined external aesthetics, a high level of attractiveness. Laminate flooring looks incredibly stylish and expensive. It can have different textures, surface effects, and colors, so it provides residential interior designers with flights of imagination that are practically unlimited by any limits;
long service life without loss of original characteristics. If the installation of the material is carried out in accordance with all norms and rules, the coating is resistant to impact and lasts up to 20 years;
high levels of antistatic properties, resistance to moisture, ultraviolet radiation, and scratches from pets’ claws;
no need for careful care or treatment with protective agents. The coating can be washed with a damp cloth, which is extremely important for families with children.

In other words, high-quality laminate brands, skillfully selected for a specific room with its characteristic conditions, are optimal for residential premises. This is a reliable, durable floor covering that will certainly help fill your home with comfort and warmth.

But such materials have their disadvantages. Among the disadvantages of laminate, it is worth mentioning the following qualities:

has poor thermal conductivity, so its installation must be carried out on a special substrate. And if the home owner absolutely wants to have heated floors in his home, he will need to organize a floor heating system under the laminate. Its acquisition and organization can often cost quite a decent amount of money, which increases repair costs;
Laminate flooring must be installed on level base without significant deviations from the horizontal. A minimum level difference is allowed, which is smoothed out due to the presence of a special substrate between the base and the coating. Otherwise, the reliability of the panel connections will be compromised, the locks will become loose, and the floor itself will inevitably begin to creak over time.

We’ll talk further about how to choose laminate flooring for your home as successfully as possible.

Types of laminate for home

Before answering the question about which laminate is best to choose for residential buildings, you need to figure it out species diversity such finishing for the floor. Modern manufacturers provide the market with a large selection of laminated panels of different quality, design, shape and installation method.

Regarding the design of modern laminate, its diversity will surprise even sophisticated connoisseurs of beauty. Manufacturers provide customers wide choose original patterns and designs, color shades and texture of laminated panels. So pick up good option Can be used for any wall decoration and interior items present in the room.

Based on the material of manufacture, laminated boards are distinguished:

classic based on HDF boards - characterized by high performance parameters, very common in the domestic market;
cork based on natural cork, cork veneer, fiberboard and MDF boards. High strength, natural, flexible;
vinyl made of polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride. Very durable and resistant to moisture, so even suitable for outdoor use. But it is extremely rare in our country.

Vinyl

Based on HDF boards

Suberic

Laminated panels differ in the specific surface, so they can imitate:

a wooden surface of a smooth type with barely noticeable lines and pits on the top layer, a natural type with pores and patterns of a specific species, a waxed type with a refined shine;
an aged wooden surface with noticeable smoothed irregularities;
glossy finish;
matte surfaces.

Glossy

Matte

Under the tree

Aged wood

The shape of the laminate panels is:

rectangular;
square.

Square

Rectangular

According to the type of locking connection, the laminated finish can be:

with a Lock type lock - the panel is inserted into the groove of the previous panel and hammered in to secure the connection;
with a Click type lock - a more modern option when the panels are simply inserted into one another and snap into place.

Types of locking connection

According to the degree of resistance to moisture, the following types of laminate are distinguished:

non-moisture resistant - intended for living rooms, bedrooms, children's rooms;
moisture resistant - additionally treated with protective compounds that prevent the destructive effects of moisture, suitable for the kitchen;
waterproof - intended for the bathroom, as it is not at all afraid of water.

Moisture resistance characteristics

The most popular options are:

classic wood effect - panels completely copy the appearance of natural wood with its characteristic pattern of a particular species;
leather avant-garde - many lovers of sophistication and non-standard interiors will be interested in a floor with a crocodile skin design. This interesting option for offices or a spacious living room;
metal shine - such panels are actively used when creating high-tech interiors. This style implies a predominance of glass and metal parts in the room, therefore in this case It is very appropriate to use laminated metal panels;
laconicism of the stone - a stone-look laminate coating provides a feeling of reliability and eternity. It looks very unusual and original, but in comparison with natural material, a laminated floor with a similar design is very comfortable even for bare feet in terms of its warmth;
panels with children's designs are also very popular today and are used to decorate children's rooms. They can have different designs and be decorated with custom-designed skirting boards, so they look very funny and interesting.

Children's

Under the tree

Under the stone

Under the skin

Metal look

Division into classes

Based on quality outer covering, laminated boards are divided into several classes, which indicate the level of their resistance to wear.

On the domestic market today, laminate panels of the following classes are presented in a wide variety:

21, 22, 23 - initially created exclusively for residential premises where there is no high traffic: 21 and 22 for bedrooms and living rooms, 23 for kitchens. But practice has shown that they have too small a margin of safety if they are created from cheap, low-grade materials. And if they are of high quality, then the cost is too high, so over time the use of such classes of material in residential buildings was abandoned;
31 and 32 are optimal for almost every living space: bedroom, living room, corridor, children's room, kitchen. So for the first three options, class 31 will do, but for the second and third it is better to choose class 32;
33 and 34 classes - relevant for use in rooms with increased level cross-country ability. That is, this is a more durable and wear-resistant option. It costs more, but lasts longer;
41, 42, 43 class - is not part of the official laminate classification, as it is not provided with an international standard. It is often produced in small batches to order, as it is suitable only for industrial use and can withstand high loads.

Which one is better to choose depending on the room?

Which laminate to choose and what should the buyer pay attention to? The main factor determining the choice is the purpose of the room in which the renovation is planned. It is necessary to analyze the conditions that are characteristic of it in order to understand what operational parameters the laminate is needed for finishing the floor here.

Kitchen

The kitchen space is complex in terms of the specific selection of laminated floor boards. And if everything is simple with the design of the coating (focus on your own taste and fashion trends of recent years), then you will have to think about the wear resistance class.

The kitchen is characterized by high humidity, food odors, splashes of grease and boiling oil from the stove. Therefore, for finishing floors here, it is better to choose a laminate with an increased degree of resistance to these aggressive factors (class 33 or 34).

Experts also recommend preferring slabs with a chamfer, which will act as an additional protective mechanism to protect panel joints from moisture. A strictly rectangular finish without recesses on the sides can be completely ruined by moisture, leading to deformation of the slabs. And due to the chamfer, the floor will retain its beauty and tightness of the joints. But to be sure, it is better to saturate the joints of the slabs after installation with a special mastic. Then neither water nor steam will spoil the beauty of the repair.

Bathroom

And if you still want to use laminate in the bathroom, you will have to choose a waterproof laminate; moisture, condensation, and steam are not a problem for it. Its performance parameters are similar to regular tiles, but it is much warmer. Although we won’t hide the fact that this type of laminate is quite expensive. Experienced designers advise choosing a material with a textured surface that will not be slippery. This will increase the level of safety in the bathroom.

Living room, bedroom, children's room

For rooms such as a spacious hall, cozy bedroom or a colorful children's room are important not only good design floor coverings or current level of resistance to impact. But a number of other laminate characteristics must be taken into account for such a space. For example, the noise absorption level for a bedroom is one of the most important parameters in matters of comfort and coziness of this room. Therefore, the laminate, as well as the substrate for it, must be of high quality, which will reduce the likelihood of echoes while walking. This will also protect household members from the risk of annoying squeaking of panels, which can occur over time due to poor-quality floor finishing. You can choose laminate brands with a special soundproofing layer, but this is an additional expense.

Regarding the class of coverage for living rooms of this type, class 31 or 32 is quite sufficient.

If we're talking about O color scheme, then you should select it taking into account the size of the room. Laminate flooring of all colors and shades is suitable for bright and spacious living rooms. But for narrow bedrooms with poor natural light, it is better not to purchase dark colors. Here it is important to lay light colors and place the panels across the room, which will visually expand it.

If we talk about a children's room, then such properties of the laminate as hypoallergenicity, safety, and warmth are important here. It is good to organize a system of heated floors in such a room in combination with a laminated floor. Avoid smooth panels in favor of roughness. This is a safer option for children's games.

Hallway

A hallway or corridor is characterized by a high level of traffic, contact with dirty shoes at the entrance to a house or apartment, and frequent cleaning of the floor in this regard. For these reasons, a moisture-resistant laminate of a high wear resistance class is needed here. If the budget for repairs is limited, then take class 33. And if you have enough money, it is better to choose resistance class 34.

Types of substrates

The selection of a substrate for the laminate is also important, and it can be different:

cork is a natural material with high environmental friendliness, pleasant to the touch, does not rot, provides the floor with high shock absorption, and correctly redistributes the load on the floor when walking. This option is optimal for the bedroom and nursery. But the main rule in this type of substrate is high quality, since low-quality cork will crumble;
foamed polypropylene - it is not afraid of moisture, as it allows air to pass through itself, providing the finish with excellent ventilation. It is capable of successfully concealing any unevenness in floors, but it cannot be used under high static loads;
expanded polystyrene - used in case of severe loads on the floor covering. Possesses for a long time service, provides excellent thermal insulation. But polystyrene foam is flammable and can release toxins when burned, so it is better to avoid it in a child’s room or bedroom;
coniferous underlay - provides sufficient ventilation to the floors, but is not very flexible;
foil backing - capable of creating the effect of a thermos, but quite expensive to sell.

Polypropylene

Foil

Polystyrene

Cork

Coniferous

Manufacturers

As practice shows, products from more well-known manufacturers are of higher quality, original design. This rule also applies to laminate; many try to choose it according to this principle. The following describes the most popular brands whose laminated panels are worth the attention of buyers in the domestic market.

Manufacturer name	Localization of production	Product advantages	Product Disadvantages
Quick-Step	Production is established in the Russian Federation and Belgium	Artfully imitates the aesthetics of natural wood, it is an extremely durable and wear-resistant option (class 32 is even more durable than class 33 from other manufacturers), is distinguished by a wide variety of textures and a long service life.	High cost, limited colors in resistance class 33.
Kaindl	Austria	Highly environmentally friendly, highly similar to wooden parquet in terms of external aesthetics, a thirty-year quality guarantee from the manufacturer. The FloorUp wall system is available and is intended for wall mounting.	The higher the load level, the shorter the laminate lasts: from 30 to 5 years.
Berry Alloc	Belgium and Norway	It is a leader in global quality: it is extremely resistant to moisture, highly durable, and lasts for more than 30 years.	Very expensive for its price.
Parador	Germany	Very original in design: wide range of colors, variety of textures, originality of effects.	Average in quality and service life, expensive in cost.
Balterio	Belgium	Has high technical parameters, various designs.	High cost, low scratch resistance.

What does an ordinary person, far from construction and finishing, pay attention to when choosing a laminate? Primarily on design and cost. But these criteria alone cannot be used - it is also necessary to evaluate the quality of the material so that the floor covering does not lose its appearance after just a few months. We’ll talk about which laminate flooring is best to choose for an apartment in this article.

A good floor covering must meet many requirements. These include wear resistance, durability, low maintenance, moisture resistance, beauty, environmental friendliness, etc. Therefore, it is advisable to choose a laminate according to the parameters that are most important to you.

And so that you can more easily navigate the huge number of offers and be able to distinguish high-quality material from obvious hack work, carefully read the information below and watch the video.

How to determine the quality of laminate

Everyone knows that laminate flooring is divided into classes based on its wear resistance. If the laminate brand starts with the number 2 (21, 22, 23), it is considered suitable for domestic use, and if it starts with the number 3 (31, 32, 33, 34), then for commercial use.

However, almost no one today buys household laminate flooring for their home, preferring to pay more but not replace the flooring in a couple of years. And the stores offer products mainly for commercial purposes, which are in great demand.

But should you rely only on the labeling indicated on the packaging, or should you pay attention to other criteria? Of course it is necessary. In addition to high wear resistance, the laminate must be scratch-resistant, durable, and moisture-resistant.

Wear resistance

To determine the class of the laminate, its top layer is subjected to a special test: it is abraded sandpaper until it collapses. The more revolutions required for this, the higher the class of the protective layer is considered.

When deciding which class to choose, preference should, of course, be given to the higher one, especially if the laminate will be installed in high-traffic areas. But for a bedroom or living room you can choose a laminate of 31-32 classes.

However, when you come to the store, you will find that laminate of the same class produced by the same manufacturer may cost differently. What's the catch?

It's all about the composition of the protective film.

With all this, a higher price also cannot be a guarantee of good quality, but we will talk about this a little later.

Note.
When deciding which class of laminate to choose, you should focus on the load the coating will experience.
Laminate of 33 and 34 classes is intended for rooms with very high traffic, and in residential buildings it is enough to lay a coating of 31 or 32 classes.

Scratch resistance

This indicator does not depend on the class of the laminate, but on the presence of corundum in the protective film. For example, class 32 laminate has a less thick protective layer than class 33 laminate.

But if it is reinforced with corundum, then there will be significantly fewer scratches on it. Accordingly, the cost of a laminate of a lower class may be higher.

Conclusion. If you need a laminate with a durable surface that can withstand children's scooter racing and dancing in heels, look for a flooring with a more durable protective layer for your apartment.

Strength

This is about mechanical strength the laminate panel itself.

As you know, it consists of several layers:

Upper – protective film, which we talked about above.
A piece of paper with an image printed on it is placed underneath it.. This layer is responsible for the design of the laminate.
Simply put, it is a photographic image or design that gives the flooring the appearance of natural boards, marble, ceramic tiles and so on.
The lowest layer is called stabilizing. It is paper impregnated with a water-repellent composition.
Between them is the base of the laminate: MDF or HDF board. It is responsible for strength, which depends on two parameters - density and thickness of the slab.

When deciding what thickness of laminate to choose, you should not skimp on it: a few millimeters will not affect the height of the room, but the coating will withstand any load.

As for density, this indicator is even more important. The higher it is, the stronger the interlocking connection between the panels will be, and the lower the risk of gaps appearing between them.

For reference. A high-quality laminate must have a density of at least 900 kg/cub.m.

Moisture resistance

You are mistaken if you think that moisture resistance is important only for those coatings that are used in rooms with high humidity. serve concrete floors or cement screed.

Condensation forms on these surfaces in humid weather or when there is a sudden change in temperature, which has a detrimental effect on any floor coverings containing wood.

If you choose a laminate for a summer house that is not heated in winter, or for a bathroom, then it should no longer be moisture-resistant, but water-resistant, and withstand exposure to water for 3-6 hours.

What makes laminate flooring moisture resistant?

First of all, the composition of the slab is the basis of the laminate. It contains less wood and more binder resin, which is not susceptible to moisture.
Increased panel density– they are made by pressing under high pressure to remove the smallest air bubbles from them.
Treating locks with wax or other moisture-repellent compound.

Important!
Unscrupulous manufacturers sometimes apply wax to the ends of the laminate only to mask the errors in the locking joints.
This type of laminate is difficult to install, and over time it can begin to creak.

Geometric parameters

What else should you pay attention to?

Pattern repeatability. If you decide to buy a laminate that imitates a natural board, then the greatest reliability is given to the coating by panels in which the pattern is rarely repeated.
After all, not a single board is similar to another, either in color, number of rings or size of knots. Of course, everyone has their own preferences: some people like the frequent repeatability of the pattern, but it immediately indicates that the coating is not natural, but artificially created.
If it is important for you to create a natural look, then the photo decor should be repeated as rarely as possible.

For reference.
The laminated coating from European manufacturers looks the most believable: their minimum pattern repeatability is 1/7.
While Chinese laminate may have no differences at all between different panels or have a repeatability of 1/3.

Decorative relief. To make the laminate even more similar to natural materials, manufacturers use a technological technique such as embossing the top layer.
As a result, the surface acquires a convex relief that repeats the structure natural wood, stone or tiles.

Note.
Which laminate to choose - glossy and smooth or with decorative embossing - is a matter of your taste.
But the latter is more practical, since foot marks and water stains are not so noticeable, and the textured surface has an anti-slip effect.

Presence of chamfer. Today, laminate with bevels on the edges is very popular, as it looks the most believable, one hundred percent imitating a plank covering.
But chamfers play not only a decorative role; they significantly extend the service life of the coating. If laminate without a chamfer can swell at the joints when exposed to moisture, then a groove along the edge significantly reduces this likelihood.
In addition, the instructions for laying chamfered laminate allow for less thorough preparation of the base surface than for conventional laminate. The difference in the floor surface may not be 2 mm, as usual, but 5-6 mm for every 2 meters of surface.

For reference.
The chamfer can be located only along the long sides or along the entire perimeter of the panel and have different depths and widths.
But even the deepest grooves do not make cleaning difficult - dirt and dust can be removed from them without problems.

Laminate brand

We have an opinion that the products of popular brands are not much different from similar products from little-known manufacturers, but at the same time they are unreasonably expensive.

This is not entirely true. These brands become popular for a reason, but because they easily withstand competition, producing only high-quality products that are safe for human health. And it’s not a pity to pay for it.

Priority – environmentally friendly coatings

If you are thinking about which brand of laminate flooring is best to choose, then first of all, ask about the country of origin and whether the manufacturer is a member of EPLF - the European Association of Laminate Flooring Manufacturers.

The fact is that Europe has stricter standards regarding environmental friendliness and safety floor coverings, the use of phenol-formaldehyde resins that are harmful to health in their production. These substances are used to reduce the cost of production not only of laminate, but also of furniture, chipboards, various plastics and other products.

In countries with less stringent requirements, manufacturers take advantage of this opportunity, so their products are affordable. Often the quality of such laminate is at a very decent level.

The same cannot be said about its safety, since the release of formaldehyde gas into the environment causes various diseases, including cancer.

Important!
A laminate that has class E1 according to European standards is considered safe. The formaldehyde content in it is no higher than in high-quality parquet boards.

The most popular laminate brands

You can't go wrong if you choose a laminate based on the manufacturer.

Quality and safety are guaranteed by the following companies:

Quick Step
BerryAlloc,
Pergo,
Tarkett,
LaminatPark,
Balterio,
Kronotex,
Vario Clic,
Parador,
Skema,
Haro,
Polyface,
Faus,
Parkelam,
Wineo,
MeisterWerke,
Kaindl.

How to spot a fake

But even this approach to choosing flooring can let you down.

Firstly, on construction markets Counterfeits are often found, and secondly, even manufacturers of the listed brands of laminate can produce products that contain a higher formaldehyde content.

This laminate is not sold in European countries, but sells well in Russia and other less developed countries with low requirements for the composition of floor coverings. It is produced at joint production plants and must have appropriate markings indicating the possibility of sale only in these countries.

How can you determine that a laminate does not meet the safety requirements listed above?

Low cost– the first and most obvious indicator of poor product quality. Even if you have been presented with all the necessary certificates, and they seem to inspire confidence in you, it is better not to purchase cheap laminate.
Open the laminate packaging. If you smell a strong, unpleasant chemical odor, do not purchase it. The only thing high-quality laminate can smell like is sawdust.

If you have already purchased flooring or even laid it on the floor, then now you can find out how safe it is.
Just put a piece of the panel in water, and if after 15-20 minutes you feel the same Strong smell, it is better to get rid of such an acquisition.

Conclusion

We hope that our tips for choosing laminate flooring will be useful to you now or in the future when you want to renovate your apartment. After all, comfort in a home depends not only on the positive visual perception of the interior, but also on how safe it is to be in and how easy it is to maintain it in its original form.

Laminate is a type of flooring that is used as an alternative to parquet boards.

It is strong, durable, weakly conducts sound and is not picky in care. In addition, slats laid on the floor look beautiful and sophisticated. Using laminate, you can decorate a dining room, bedroom, hall, cafe, shop and any other room.

Features of the laminate:
- ease of installation;
- wear resistance;
- ease of care;
- low cost (laminate is relatively inexpensive material for the floor);
- imitation parquet, which is many times more expensive;
- good thermal insulation.

It is more pleasant to walk on a laminate heated floor than on tiles. The material is practical, and new technologies make it possible to cope with laying laminate flooring yourself. As a result of laying laminate sheets, a monolithic surface without seams is obtained, and protective covering perfectly repels dust. Constant maintenance of laminate flooring is not required; it is enough to wipe it with a damp cloth or vacuum it during cleaning. To choose a high-quality laminate, you need to pay attention not only to the brand, but also to the class of the product, the protective coating and its thickness.

Structure of laminated floor panel

Laminate consists of several layers:

Chipboard or fibreboard;
- a couple of layers of paper with a decorative pattern;
- a special protective coating – a film made of melamine or acrylic resin, which provides protection from dust and mechanical damage;
- the basis for stabilization.

How to choose a laminate? Secrets from the professionals

Which laminate class should I choose?

Laminate flooring is selected taking into account the room in which it will be installed. There are several types of this flooring:

1. Moisture-resistant (used in conditions of high humidity - kitchen, bathroom, terrace, poolside).
2. Normal (for standard conditions).

Laminate can also be classified according to wear resistance: the higher the class of the material, the stronger it is:
- if the first digit in the class is “2”, then the laminate is intended for residential premises; - the initial number of the class is “3”, - laminate is used for flooring in commercial buildings. For example, for an apartment or private house, purchase class 21-23, and if the premises have high traffic (say, an office, cafe, store), then you need to purchase class 31-33.

How to choose laminate and how to combine colors in the interior

Is laminate thickness important?

When you select a lamella, you need to focus not only on its class, but also on the thickness of the board. You should not buy laminate for one room from different manufacturers; they may differ in color, texture, thickness and type of connection. It is known that the thickness of the laminate ranges from 6-12 mm. Of course, it affects the floor temperature, sound insulation and strength. If you have already bought a thin laminate, it doesn’t matter; a warm floor will help correct the situation.

What type of laminate panel joint is best?

There are two types of lamella connections:

1. Glue.
This type of laminate is cheap. Here the panels are laid at their ends and connected using glue. This method minimizes gaps and significantly increases moisture resistance.
2. Castle.
When connecting laminate flooring, no glue is used. But the joints of the panels are more vulnerable to moist air and liquid spills, but the floor can always be replaced or repaired locally. It should be noted that repairing parquet is much more difficult than laminate.

Don’t forget to buy a special underlay for the laminate, which will provide good shock absorption, heat and sound insulation. It can be cork or polyethylene foam. The first option provides a good level of insulation, but condensation can collect on the substrate, which can ruin the floor covering. But the polyethylene foam backing holds its shape worse, but it is cheaper and does not accumulate moisture.

Rules for choosing a laminate

1. When you come to the store, ask the seller not “what do you recommend?”, but “what do you have?” You must understand that the seller will always advise what is beneficial to him, and not what is beneficial to you.

2. There is no need to buy B-brands, that is, auxiliary collections that are specially created in order to reduce the cost of goods due to inferior quality.

3. When calculating the floor covering, always take it with a margin (+15-20%).

4. Be sure to find out more about delivery. And if it is included in the price of the product, do not immediately settle on the offer of this store - perhaps competitors will be cheaper, and you will somehow organize transportation yourself.

5. Find out if it is possible to return unpacked packs that you don’t need.

6. Immediately buy a backing, corners, additional inserts, and baseboards for the laminate.

7. Ask how the seller will act in the event of a warranty claim. Be sure to keep receipts and invoices for the laminate.

Choose a laminate with a chamfer (imitation wood), which looks natural and visually eliminates the joints between the panels. Don’t go for cheap laminate; most likely it will be of unsatisfactory quality.

Russian laminate: anti-crisis review

The editors of the site believe that laminate is a floor covering with a lot of advantages that you will definitely appreciate. For those who are hesitant to buy laminate or parquet boards, we recommend that you read our next article.
Subscribe to our channel in Yandex.Zen

If you decide to decorate your home with laminate floors, then the first thing you need to do is choose the right laminate. To do this you need to know what you should pay attention to so as not to become a victim of low-quality products.

Read also:

Which laminate class to choose

Which laminate to choose? First of all, you need to know What kind of room will the laminate be intended for?. The loads on it can be radically different if, for example, laminate is used at home or in the office. That is why laminate is divided for commercial and household.

The main parameter determining wear resistance is laminate class, which in turn is determined using special tests. The following classes are distinguished: 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 33. There is also a class with index 34, which can last 25 years. The higher the class, the more laminate Resistant to wear.

Laminate flooring classes are designed for one purpose only: saving.

Commercial laminate is mainly used where there is a large gathering of people: these are shops, various public spaces, enterprises and others. Although, of course, no one will forbid you to install such a floor in your apartment.

It should be noted that some brands laminated floors not moisture resistant. High laminate classes (23, 31, 32 and 33) can withstand exposure to water, but only for several hours.

How to choose laminate for certain rooms

For certain premises it is required certain laminate. There are rooms in the apartment for which the main criterion is moisture resistance, and there are those in which the main criterion is strength. Somewhere you need a light tone, in other places you need a dark tone.

You can even lay different types of laminate in one room, but in this case you need to remember board thickness, since it may vary among different manufacturing companies.

Even a difference of a few millimeters can cause big problems with installation, so it is recommended to purchase such products from the same manufacturer.

The following are distinguished: parameters for laminate:

Indentation resistance
Wear resistance
Fire resistance
Stain resistance
Resistance to mechanical stress
Moisture resistance
Water resistance
Impact resistance
Lightfastness
Noise absorption.

Laminate for the kitchen

Laminate is preferable for the kitchen due to its simple and practical care. However, a lot of moisture can get on the floor of such a room. That is why it is recommended to choose for the kitchen moisture resistant laminate, it is recommended to cover the joints special mastic.

It's also better to choose textured laminate, so that its surface, firstly, is not slippery, and secondly, hides various stains.

In view of the constant load on the kitchen floor, choose 33 laminate class.

Laminate for bathroom

For the bathroom use waterproof laminate(not to be confused with moisture-resistant), which can withstand exposure to moisture for a long time without warping or losing its appearance. High-quality waterproof laminate has the same characteristics as ceramic tiles.

Laminate for residential premises

Sound absorption of laminate – This is the main characteristic that is important for a children's room, living room, bedroom. Responsible for this characteristic resin quality, with which the laminate is impregnated, as well as the quality substrates, which is used as an additional layer of sound insulation.

There are manufacturers that produce a soundproofing layer on laminated boards. However, even in this case, it is recommended to lay a substrate under the laminate.

Ideal for indoors 31 or 32 laminate classes, because these rooms are used sparingly.

Laminate flooring for the hallway

The hallway is a room with high traffic, in which the floor is often washed due to dust and dirt. This is why laminate flooring is necessary for the hallway moisture resistant with wear resistance class 33 or 34.

For your information! I would like to note an important thing. Currently, almost all cheap laminate is produced in China, and such products are usually of extremely low quality and have questionable safety. In addition, often this product does not have any quality certificates.

Concerning premium class, Here Belgian and Swiss laminate manufacturers hold a confident lead. By the way, premium laminate manufacturers often give lifetime warranty for your products.

What about places of production, then this is a criterion that significantly affects pricing. The price of such a laminate includes transportation (including various import duties), as well as compliance with strict international standards.

The price may also include the popularity of some expensive item. brand. However, you should have a good understanding of laminate flooring to know that some little-known manufacturers are in no way inferior in quality to expensive brands.

Also design is of no small importance, being for someone the determining criterion for choosing a laminate.

Regarding color choice, then you need to take into account your own preferences and general color scheme the entire apartment.

What thickness of laminate is better to choose?

It is worth paying attention to board thickness. Standard laminate thicknesses are 12, 10, 8, 7 and 6 mm. Depends on the thickness of the laminate impact strength and sound absorption.

For a house (apartment), it is better to choose a thickness of 6.7 mm. However, if under certain conditions you need a very durable laminate, then you can choose thicker boards. The thicker the laminate floor, the easier it is to install.

To choose the right laminate, you need to consider the ratio of its thickness to the area of the room. If the laminate is not thick enough, a clicking sound will occur. There will be no sound if you walk on such a floor in soft slippers or barefoot.

By maintaining the correct ratio between the thickness of the laminate and the area of the room, the sound will be significantly less.

You should also be aware that the thicker the laminated board, the slower it will heat up (if electric floor heating is planned). In this case, you should not buy laminate with a large thickness.

If you find unpleasant creaking when walking on the laminate, this means that you have installed it incorrectly, or the panels themselves have incorrect geometry.

Which laminate to choose for an apartment, taking into account the level of formaldehyde

Pay attention to the quantity formaldehyde(toxic gas) contained in the laminate for the apartment. Its quantity is indicated on the packaging. The amount of formaldehyde should not exceed the established norm, otherwise this toxin can significantly harm your health.

The fact is that this harmful substance is contained in ordinary wood, and when it is compressed, it can result in high concentration of formaldehyde, which is what happens when laminate is made.

The “E1” sign indicated on the packaging indicates normal formaldehyde content. You can also see the “EN 13329” symbol on the box, which means that the laminate meets the European standard for formaldehyde content.

How to choose laminate for an apartment. Guarantee

It is important to pay attention to guarantee the laminate you like. The average warranty period is 3-6 years.

Typically, the laminate manufacturer provides the following: Warranty obligations:

Replacement of damaged laminate floor elements.
It is believed that the annual price reduction for laminate flooring is 10%, so when replacing it under warranty, the client pays the difference during its operation.

However, it should be taken into account Conditions under which the guarantee will be valid:

It is necessary to check the laminate for visible defects. If you lay the floor despite such defects, the manufacturer will refuse the warranty for your laminate.
The floor must be laid in a completely dry room.
The erased decorative layer on the laminate should be on a minimum area of 1 square meter. cm.
Laminate flooring should be maintained regularly in accordance with the instructions.
Warranty claims must be submitted no later than 30 days after discovery of a warranty claim.

Laminate floor care

We can immediately say that laminate floor care It’s not very complicated, but it’s necessary. Laminate flooring is wood, so excess moisture can cause damage to it. catastrophe.

This type of floor must be cleaned using damp cloth and a vacuum cleaner. However, under no circumstances should excess moisture be allowed to come into contact with the laminate. You should also avoid leaving water containers on the floor for long periods of time.

Wet cleaning It is recommended to do this with plain water, liquid laundry soap or special products that are recommended for caring for laminate flooring. Such products can be found in the line of laminate flooring manufacturers themselves.

Prohibited! Use alkali-containing solutions, various cleaning powders, silicone or wax-based compounds.

How to choose laminate (video)

How to choose the right laminate: basic criteria

Recently, it has been gaining increasing popularity all over the world.

First of all, due to its quality characteristics. If a dozen more people bought it mainly for the sake of saving money, today this is one of the secondary conditions. Previously, laminate was easily wiped and was not very reliable; today only stone or ceramic tiles can compete with it in terms of wear resistance.

How to choose laminate for an apartment

- not an easy task. There are many points to consider. For example, various designations and classifications that at the very least need to be understood.

Laminate is a laminated floor covering, at a price much lower than parquet, but very successfully imitating it. This material consists of several layers: chipboard or fiberboard, several layers of paper, laminated film made of melamine or acrylic resin. It is the latter that protects the drawing from mechanical damage, dust and dirt.

Which laminate is better from an environmental point of view?

Phenol-formaldehyde resin is used for chipboard production, fiberboard, HDF, MDF, plastics and other products. Thanks to this, the product becomes several times cheaper, but it emits harmful substances. pungent odor– formaldehyde. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has proven that there is a direct connection between the increased risk of the occurrence and development of cancer and formaldehyde.

According to the EN 14041:2004 standard, the formaldehyde content of laminate floors is monitored very closely in Europe. If, for example, we compare a standard parquet board and a European laminate of class E1, no difference in the content of harmful substances will be found.

Therefore, when choosing a laminate, pay attention to its smell. If it is quite sharp when opening the package, then it is better to abandon this option. A subtle smell of sawdust is allowed, but not the aroma of glue, paint, etc.

Another way to check the quality of the laminate is to put it in water for twenty minutes. If after the specified time a sharp bad smell, which means that non-harmful substances were used to make the material.

It happens that the characteristics of the laminate you like turn out to be significantly lower than the minimum requirements. There is an opinion that construction hypermarkets do not sell such products. You shouldn't hope for it. Often stores take laminate for sale and stipulate in the contract that it is the supplier who bears full responsibility for the quality of the product to the end buyer. Hypermarkets are not legally required to verify the authenticity of the certificates provided to them.

Even goods under famous brands are high in formaldehyde. These counterfeits are produced in third world countries. In Russian markets, such goods appear from factories with joint production and with conditions only for sale in Russia. So check the quality of the material yourself.

Wear resistance of laminate

You can find the following classes of laminate, which differ in their level of wear resistance: 31, 32, 33, 34. 31 - used in rooms with very low traffic. Class 32 is suitable in rooms with slightly higher traffic levels. The remaining two classes will become more relevant in the office. This approach is one of the most common and not entirely correct, since the concept of the class of lamella is much deeper.

How is the laminate class determined?

The test sample is fixed in special device, where, having turned on the abrasive disk, they calculate how many revolutions are needed for the first, albeit barely noticeable, scratches to appear on the lamellas.

The obtained values are summed up and the arithmetic average is displayed - an indicator of the wear resistance of the material, measured in revolutions. So scratches can form as early as the three hundredth revolution, and the top layer can be overcome at the 5000th. In this case, the average will be 2,650 rpm. It may also happen that the first scratches form only after one and a half thousand revolutions of the disk, and the protective layer is cut at 3,800 revolutions. And in this case, the arithmetic average will be 2,650. Consequently, both options have the same wear resistance class. At the same time, the second subject will be more resistant to scratches than the first. Why is this so? You should know that scratch resistance is achieved by proportions of adding corundum, and increased abrasion by increasing the thickness of the melamine layer. However, the addition of corundum to the composition greatly increases the cost of the laminate. As a result, even material of a solid 33 class in the first year of operation risks being covered with potholes and scratches, but since its top layer has not been worn out, it is considered that it can be used.

Therefore, for residential premises, class 32 laminate will be quite sufficient. It is almost impossible to wipe it at home. At the very least, this will take at least 15-20 years.

For reference: the class of laminate is determined not only by the degree of wear resistance. Criteria such as impact resistance, heat resistance, moisture resistance, etc. are also important here. However, European rules do not apply to Russia and China. These countries do not have such strict standards, so the indication of the class of products is entirely at the discretion of the manufacturer.


Service class
Wear resistance
Impact resistance
Susceptibility to household chemicals		5 (groups 1 and 2); 4 (group 3)	5 (groups 1 and 2); 4 (group 3)
Heat resistance
Scratch resistance	at the discretion of the manufacturer	at the discretion of the manufacturer	at the discretion of the manufacturer
Water resistance

Companies leading in wear resistance

The leaders in this category are considered to be individual collections of the following brands: Faus, Wineo, Pergo, Norwegian BerryAlloc. Their main drawback is that such material is intended for commercial use. It is manufactured using complex and expensive technology. In this case, the high price per square meter is quite understandable.

Laminate structure

The laminate consists of four layers:

a durable transparent layer that protects the photograph from abrasion;
A picture/“photograph” that imitates any surface;
HDF board;
Stabilizing layer.

Undoubtedly, one of the most important layers in a laminate is its base, i.e. HDF board.

It is on this that a pattern with a melamine protective layer is applied, and it is on this that the locks are installed. The higher the density of such a board, the less the board is afraid of moisture, the more durable and stronger its locks.

Nothing more than an HDF board makes up the lion's share of the cost of laminate flooring.

The geometry of the slab is also an important indicator. The more accurate it is, the easier it will be to lay the boards, the longer cracks will not appear on the floor. This also significantly affects the price. Often in a store you can identify a huge difference in cost between different brands, despite the same class.

Moisture-resistant laminate

It is quite widely believed that if the lamella locking system is treated with wax, the moisture resistance of the floor increases significantly. Unfortunately this is not true. Yes, additional impregnation actually benefits. And yet, they only increase the time it takes for moisture to penetrate inside, and do not completely save from it. We should also not forget that quite often laminate flooring is sawed during installation, and the cut areas are not protected from moisture.

In fact, wax should be applied to the ends of the boards to hide lock imperfections and make installation easier. Without it, the floorboards will creak.

Now, as for the moisture-resistant laminate. This is the same HDW board with a special moisture-repellent composition and increased density. If you are seriously thinking about purchasing this type of flooring, then first of all you need to see whether the manufacturer you are interested in is a member of the EPLF association, because it is the association that puts forward the most stringent requirements for the moisture resistance of slabs. The members of this association are: Yildiz Sunta, Kronotex, LaminatPark, Parador, Pergo, MeisterWerke, BerryAlloc, Balterio, Quick Step, Alsapan Parkelam, Haro, Faus, HDM, Kaindl, Vario Clic, Wineo, Tarkett.

Laminate is the best in design

Laminate can be a copy of a natural board. Drawing natural material easy to copy. But, as you know, not a single parquet floor is similar to another. Therefore, in order for the laminate to look like its more noble prototype after installation, it is necessary that the pattern minimally repeats the sample.

European manufacturers are best suited in this regard. Their minimum is 1:6.

However, some of our compatriots are put off by the presence of knots and the natural diversity of natural floorboards. A stereotype has long been developed that the board should be beige or brown, that is, “gender”. In this case, there should be no knots, and the pattern should be as even as possible.

Products from Chinese manufacturers meet these demands. For a number of reasons, in particular due to the lack of necessary technologies, they cannot ensure that the repeatability of the picture is more than 1:3. In addition, because It’s quite difficult to take a photo of a real floorboard; manufacturers simply “draw” it. All over the world, this is considered a big disadvantage, and only in Russia is it in enviable demand. Although recently interest in products with maximum imitation of natural materials has increased sharply.

Decorative embossing is another design delight. What is embossing anyway? This is giving the top layer of the lamella some convexity, relief, due to which the structure of tiles, wood or any other material can be more plausibly copied. Such embossing has not only aesthetic merit, but also practicality - it is difficult to slip on a textured floor. There are also no streaks left on its surface after washing or traces of bare feet.

Currently, most options have relief. Only the cheapest models leave the surface smooth. The only exception is glossy laminate, since a smooth surface is its main advantage.

The chamfer increases the service life of the laminate

A chamfer is a bevel end edge boards. Afterwards, small grooves form at the junctions. Bevels were conceived for both practical and decorative purposes.

A laminate chamfer is a bevel of the end edge of a laminate board, thus, after laying it, small grooves are formed at the junction of the boards. Bevels are created for both decorative and practical purposes. Its depth varies: from slightly small to 3-4 millimeters.

Most often, chamfers are located on each of the four sides of the board (i.e., along the entire perimeter), but there are also lamellas on which chamfers are placed only on two sides, which creates a deck effect - the effect of the longest board.

Because in addition to the pattern, laminate also imitates the surface texture of almost any solid board has a chamfer. The chamfer neatly hides the fact that the wood is subject to shrinkage and expansion. Moreover, a floor with a chamfer retains its original attractive appearance three times longer than without it.

Laminate tolerates moisture well, but with very wet cleaning or sudden changes in humidity, the material without chamfers develops “bulges” at the joints. Floors with chamfers are protected from this. Even after the flood, the chamfered laminate regained its original shape. The latter is possible if the HDF board has a high density.

Another important advantage of chamfered laminate is the ability to prepare a base for installation at a relatively low cost. According to the instructions, it is recommended that installation be done on a smooth surface - a difference of two millimeters is allowed on two meters of the floor. It will be difficult for a non-specialist to prepare the surface at this level. But thanks to a special leveling substrate and a laminate with chamfers, their difficulties can be overcome. The thing is that the lamellas take the shape of the floor over time, and if they do not have a chamfer, then after some period microcracks do not form.

But the chamfering technique will only work if the difference on one square meter of the base does not exceed four millimeters. Otherwise, the floor must be leveled.

There is a common misconception that debris can clog the chamfer. Dirt will constantly accumulate there. This is far from true. You shouldn't be led by prejudices.

Choosing laminate (video)

Manufacturing countries and popular brands

1) Kaindl laminate (Austria) - is very popular in the USA and Europe. The company is a member of the most respected organizations in the field of woodworking and laminated coatings.

Laminate produced by this company, It has distinctive features, due to which it is so recognizable:

Issues particle boards slabs with environmental class E0. This means that this laminate is cleaner than natural wood, since it has a much lower level of formaldehyde emissions. If we compare Kaindl products with ordinary parquet boards, the latter will have significantly higher formaldehyde emissions in the glue and varnish;
One of the disadvantages of laminate flooring is the fact that it is cold. The company solved this problem by releasing the Soft Touch collection, which means “soft to the touch” or “soft touch”. This laminate is warmer than usual and is pleasant to walk on;
The manufactured products have a very realistically designed surface thanks to synchronization technology. Moreover, the similarity is not only visual, but also tactile. Even a professional will have difficulty distinguishing a Kaindl lamella from a parquet board;
The product warranty is thirty years, which is significantly higher than many competitors;
Thanks to the carefully thought-out FloorUp system, laminate flooring is easy to lay not only on the floor, but also mounted on the wall. This practice is gaining increasing popularity in Europe;
This laminate is thicker than usual (the usual one is ten millimeters thick), so you can freely place bulky and heavy furniture on it;
Since this company values its reputation very much, it has world quality certificates;
The product remains in good condition for twenty years. The warranty for use in offices is fifteen years, in conditions of intensive use - up to five years.

2) Quick-Step laminate produced in Belgium. It is very popular not only in Europe, but also in Russia. From the company's assortment you can choose the right coating for any room or office interior. Their products will satisfy even the most sophisticated taste. Quick Step laminate perfectly imitates solid and parquet boards both in texture and color. In the production of products, the company uses only the most Hi-tech, which allows for quick and high-quality installation of the floor even by a non-professional. It is noteworthy that, for example, a scratch can only be left with a very sharp object. By purchasing a product manufactured by Quick Step, you receive very high quality products, which serve as an example for many manufacturers.

Laminate has very high technical characteristics, being a standard in Europe. One of its main advantages is its design. Quick Step has the most hits compared to its competitors. For residential premises, this brand is an ideal option.

The service life of any product from this manufacturer is at least twenty years, and the warranty is 25 years.

3) Pergo laminate – Swiss made. The company was founded in 1977 when it invented its own version of laminate flooring. As we know from history, it quickly gained popularity because it had high technical characteristics. Due to the small selection of colors and relatively high price, this laminate was more often used for commercial purposes, but later became widely used due to its simplification technological process and the appearance of locking connections. Until recently, laminate flooring was manufactured in Switzerland. However, since 2005 the main factory is located in Belgium, since mohawk industries bought out the company.

Pergo produces products in three classes: 32, 33, 34. The service life of class 33 laminate flooring in a residential area exceeds thirty years. The original appearance is preserved for twenty years.

4) Berry Alloc laminate – Belgian-Norwegian manufacturer, one of the leaders innovative technologies in the USA and Europe. For each consumer class, the company has its own group of products. There are even specialized inexpensive moisture-resistant collections Riviera 32 class and Titanium 33 class. Buyers are especially fond of the Commercial 34 class collection, made using HPL technology - the laminate is pressed under a pressure of two and a half million kilograms. This material is absolutely not afraid of moisture. Almost every Berry Alloc series is a technical breakthrough.

Advantages:

The most moisture-resistant laminate based on HDF;
High strength laminate and aluminum locks.

Flaws:

Premium class, which means high cost;
Poor selection of design solutions.

Service life: Berry Alloc products (class 32) retain their presentation for fifteen years. At the same time, any of the products comes with a lifetime warranty. Class 34 laminate, which is used in rooms with high traffic, will also delight the buyer for fifteen years. The operation warranty is five years.

The Belgian company Balterio is a member of the EPLF association and specializes in the production of premium products. In terms of its main characteristics, the manufacturer is on the same level as Kaindl and Quick-Step, but costs a little more.

Advantages:

Excellent technical characteristics;
First-class design (the models are difficult to distinguish from parquet).

Flaws:

High price;
In terms of scratch resistance, it is inferior to some popular brands.

5) “Haro” is a German manufacturer that produces premium laminate flooring. Particularly loved is the collection, the length of the boards in which exceeds two meters. For example, there is such a series as Tritty 100 Gran Via 4V. The boards (parameters: length - 2.2 m, width - 0.24 m) perfectly imitate the wood of noble floors.

6) French Alsapan laminate due to such qualities as low price, attractive design, high production characteristics, is one of the most popular among this type of flooring. The pricing policy is such that Alsapan will compete with many Russian and Chinese manufacturers. In this case you will receive beautiful material class E1. The company's assortment includes collections of 32 and 33 classes, with board thicknesses from 7 to 12 mm, with and without chamfer. And yet, with all the charms, this laminate has standard moisture protection and an average density of HDF board.

7) The Parador brand is considered very popular among designers and creative people. The company's assortment includes collections with breathtaking designs. And there are a great many of them. Uniqueness is the main advantage of the company. Famous European designers work on the development of each model. Technical characteristics allow the product of this company to maintain its presentation for ten years.

8) Kronotex (Germany) – a well-known and recognizable brand. The products of this company are available in many specialized hypermarkets. Low price, characteristics, observed with German pedantry make the laminate desirable and increase the debate on it. And this

9) Another German representative is Egger. Among all products, economy class collections are most popular.

Advantages:

Affordability;
Great for budget renovations.

Flaws:

Unoriginal design.

10) Among Russian companies, Tarkett is the most advertised. However, it is inferior to foreign competitors both in design and technical characteristics.