How to choose the best laminate flooring for your home: expert advice. How to choose the right laminate: basic criteria How to choose a durable laminate

Why is laminate so popular? From a design point of view, it has no equal in imitating natural patterns and reliefs or stone. And many are familiar with the consumer qualities of this flooring first-hand. It can be found in most new buildings with finished finishing. And in the old housing stock, block parquet and modular parquet boards are being actively replaced with more durable and practical materials. However, on the sales floor, among a huge number of collections, choosing several samples and determining which one is better is not easy. We tell you which laminate to choose for your apartment and what to pay attention to.

Choosing a laminate floor for an apartment

What is laminate?

Look at the plank diagram:

1 - transparent wear-resistant layer for protection;

2 - decorative layer, reproduces the pattern natural wood, stone or ceramic tiles;

3 - the base made of high-density fiberboard (HDF) is responsible for the stability of the plank and stability;

4 - stabilizing layer, prevents deformation of the strip.

Where can I lay it?

This is a truly versatile material. It can be installed in bedrooms, living rooms, children's rooms, hallways and kitchens.

They also began to actively lay in, including seasonal residence. But this is risky, since the guarantee only applies to finishing in residential areas with a constant temperature and slight fluctuations in humidity: from 30% in winter to 60% in summer.

A seasonal country house is not heated for most of the cold season, and, naturally, the floors in it either heat up or cool down. Such climatic disasters are not useful for finishing.

Today the material can also serve original design walls The planks are fixed directly to the base using silicone glue and pins (nails without heads) or to a wooden sheathing. Of course, such lining should not be used near water sources, as kitchen apron or wall decoration in the bathroom.

What laminate thickness should I choose for my apartment? If heavy furniture and equipment will be installed in the room, it is better not to use a coating thinner than 10 mm, otherwise it will not withstand long-term static loads. However, if you plan to install slats on a heated floor, choose thinner boards as they will transmit heat better.

3. Inappropriate shade

In order for the room to look harmonious and not visually “break up” into separate parts, everything Decoration Materials must be kept in one color scheme- warm or cold, even if they are in contrasting shades, for example a dark floor and light doors.

If you want to visually expand small room, use light, cool colors in the decoration, and if you want to make a very large space more cozy, choose a warm color scheme.

4. Moisture-resistant laminate is confused with water-resistant

Humidity is one of the main enemies of this material: if water gets into a joint, the boards easily absorb it and swell, causing unevenness to appear and the decorative coating to come off. Manufacturers have taken this feature into account and offer waterproof options that can be installed in rooms such as the kitchen and even the bathroom. If you decide on such an experiment, the main thing is not to confuse moisture and waterproof laminate.

What's the difference? The moisture-resistant board is based on high-strength fiberboard; it is treated with paraffin and other compounds that can protect the board from moisture only temporarily. This coating will withstand various stains, wet cleaning, and fungus. But if you do not immediately wipe the water from the surface, it will penetrate into the joint, the finish will begin to deform and lift, as a result, the floor will become uneven. Moisture-resistant laminate changes volume with temperature changes, therefore. But it is no longer suitable for a bathroom, sauna, balcony or veranda.

Only the waterproof type can survive direct contact with water. It is able to withstand prolonged exposure to water, does not deform due to temperature changes and practically does not wear out. All joints of a waterproof floor are treated with heated wax, and the surface is made non-slippery and given antistatic properties so that dust does not settle on it.

5. Ill-considered savings on the substrate

Another typical situation is when, when drawing up an estimate for repairs, they forget to include the substrate. As a result, you have to waste time on additional trips to the store. Or they take the cheapest one if the entire budget has been spent, and then they greatly regret it. After all, a high-quality underlay not only levels the concrete surface, but also provides additional noise and heat insulation, softens impact loads and extends the service life of the floor covering up to 5 years.

A cheap substrate has a big, but not obvious, disadvantage - the smell. Of course, the unpleasant aroma will disappear, but this will not stop the substrate from emitting chemical substances, which can be toxic and cause allergies. Therefore, we recommend not to save money and choose options made from natural materials, for example, cork or pine substrate.

Technical equipment is not electrified, which means it does not attract dust, does not absorb foreign odors, is hypoallergenic and contributes to the natural regulation of the internal climate in the room. The coniferous substrate is made from 100% natural materials - wood coniferous species tree. It significantly reduces “impact” noise, and the room will become noticeably warmer due to the low thermal conductivity of the material. Density coniferous substrate selected in such a way as to smooth out small unevenness of the “sub-floor” and protect the locks from excessive pressure.

The finishing elements include various heights, widths, configurations, as well as linings on the inlet openings of the elements heating system and thresholds.

How to choose a quality laminate

• Choose manufacturer's products with a guarantee.
• Don’t go after cheap prices, as there are no products that are too cheap and of high quality.
• Pay attention to the type of connection. There is a distinction between the so-called “click”, when the slats are connected using locks, and “lock” - when the elements seem to be driven into each other. The first one is, of course, more convenient.
• Don't buy a product with a strong smell.
• Manufacturers offer the most different colors and relief. There are also types with a pattern, when a pattern or marks are applied to the top layer. It's your choice, but universal solution- This is an imitation of a wooden surface.

Price

As for the price range, it is very wide: from 288 rubles/m² to 2940 rubles/m². And the buyer’s natural desire to minimize material costs is understandable. Some manufacturers attract attention precisely because of this. They save on the quality of the top protective coating or HDF bases. But all this negatively affects the consumer qualities of the floor and, accordingly, its service life.

How to care

In order for the floor to look the same after several years as it did on the first day after installation, it needs to be properly cared for. We hope everyone already knows about rugs in the hallway and felt pads on furniture legs. It is advisable for owners of mobile chairs to replace hard casters with soft rubber ones.

The floor of laminate planks with chamfers is first cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, then wet cleaned, and then wiped with microfiber.

Regular slightly damp cloth. Make sure that the fabric is damp, not wet.

Specialized cleaning products are usually added to a bucket of clean water in the quantity indicated on the package. Then wipe the floor with a cloth soaked in this solution and well wrung out. To remove stubborn stains, use a small amount of undiluted cleaner or leave it on heavily soiled areas for a few minutes. After finishing cleaning, it is important to check whether there are any traces or stains left, since poorly removed cleaners attract dirt. Cleaning compositions based on . They cannot penetrate deep into the coating and form a film on the surface. They do not need to be used for cleaning.

Water protection

The weak point of the laminate is the moisture-sensitive end joints of the planks. If water often gets on the floor and, even worse, stagnates, then, gradually penetrating through the ends into the main slab, it can cause deformation. Because of this, it is recommended to coat the upper parts of the lock joint with a sealing agent. For example, compositions made from polyurethane or silicone resins in an organic solvent or more environmentally friendly wax ones. All of them effectively protect flooring from negative impact water, but they neutralize the important technological quality of the material - quick and easy installation.

Moisture-resistant laminate differs from ordinary laminate only in the rate of moisture absorption due to the presence of water-repellent impregnations in the base, so puddles should not be left on its surface either.

To overcome hydrophobia, some manufacturers increase the density of the base and reduce its absorbency, others add it to the load-bearing slab water-repellent impregnations, and they all process the ends of the planks protective composition. Among these collections: Classic Aqua+ (Egger), Sensation (Pergo), Impressive Ultra (Quick-Step).

Avoid the appearance and accumulation large quantity water on the floor near window sills with flower pots and water taps.

Mistakes that will shorten the life of the laminate

It is important to strictly follow the installation technology. We pay attention to typical situations. They can significantly reduce the service life of the floor and do not apply to warranty cases:

• laying the material without acclimatization indoors for 48 hours;
• laying on a screed with a moisture content of more than 2.5%;
• laying on an uneven base with height differences of more than 2 mm over a length of 1 m;
• lack of waterproofing film and substrate;
• absence of small gaps around the perimeter of the room (8-10 mm) and along the line doorway;
• use of film electric heated floors (infrared heating mats). If the laminate is laid on, then a vapor barrier must be used. It is placed under a substrate. During operation of the heating system, the temperature on the surface of the floor covering should not be higher than 27–28 ˚C.

By the way, when moving, a characteristic clicking sound is often heard. This is evidence that between finishing coat and there is a small gap at the base. It works as a kind of resonator, amplifying the sounds of heels and causing irritation among the inhabitants of the apartment, and especially among the neighbors below.

It is not difficult to neutralize the unwanted effect. Place a substrate between the decorative coating and the base, which will act as a shock absorber and effectively dampen impact noise. Moreover, the underlay will increase the “thermal comfort” on the floor surface and smooth out minor unevenness of the base if they do not exceed 2 mm over a 2 m long section. Otherwise, the base of the floor must first be leveled.

Do not use substrates that are too thick: 4–5 mm. Then, when walking on the floor or installing heavy furniture, the planks will sag greatly and create additional load on the locking connection. As a result, in the worst case, the locks may be damaged. Substrates that are too thin (less than 2 mm) will not provide acoustic comfort. Experts consider the optimal thickness to be 2 to 3 mm.

Laminate flooring is always laid floating on the floor so that it can expand freely and return to its original state with changes in temperature and humidity. Small gaps (5–8 mm) are left around the perimeter of the room near walls, steps, pipes, etc., as well as along the line of the doorway. They are necessary for the natural movement of the coating. You cannot attach the planks to the base with nails, screws, or glue. This can cause creaking, cracks between individual elements, or, conversely, their warping.

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 a relatively inexpensive flooring material);
- 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 the protective coating 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 panel joints are more vulnerable to moist air and spilling liquid, 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.
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The modern market offers consumers a huge selection of flooring, which differs not only in price, but in its technical characteristics. How to choose good quality laminate? To find the correct answer to this question, you first have to understand the labeling of the material and its classification.

How is class assigned?

Help: The coating class determines the level of wear resistance of the material. It is on this parameter that the service life of the floor and its intended use will depend in the future. various types premises. To objectively assess the quality of the material, back in 1999, special standards containing 18 tests were developed. Based on the results of which, the coating is assigned a certain class.

To understand how to choose the right laminate, first of all, you need to decide on the coating group: commercial or household. And only after that make your choice in favor of a certain class. Today, to assess the quality of laminate, the material is checked according to 7 main parameters:

• • moisture resistance;
  • mechanical stability;
  • heat resistance;
  • pressure resistance;

• resistance to stains;
• impact resistance;
• coating resistance to indentation.

Based on these qualities, the choice of laminate is made. More details about the classification can be found in the section below.

Classification of materials

After the laminate passes all levels of testing, it is assigned a class based on the minimum test result. For example, if according to the results of the first 5 inspections the coating corresponds to class 32, and according to the sixth – to class 22, the material will be assigned class 22.

Choosing a laminate is a very important undertaking, so before purchasing it, you should determine exactly the type of intended load. This is the only way to purchase durable coverage without overpaying.

• 21st grade. One of the most budget-friendly and short-lived flooring options. It is intended for rooms where there is no provision for a serious load on the floor board. The service life of such material is short, as a rule, it does not exceed 3-4 years. Most often it is used for installation in bedrooms or offices. However, today flooring is rarely found, because due to its low service life it is not in great demand;
• 22nd grade. Ideal for installation in residential buildings and apartments with an average level of load on the floor surface. It is often installed in living rooms or children's rooms. Used exclusively in residential premises. The service life is usually 4-5 years;
• 23rd grade. It is installed in residential buildings and apartments with a serious level of load on the coating: kitchens, corridors or rooms where heavy furniture is installed. Duration of use - up to 5 years;
• 31st grade. As a rule, this laminate is not used without a backing because it makes a lot of noise when walking on the surface. The floor is intended not for domestic use, but for commercial premises where traffic is low. Despite this, the coating has better technical characteristics than any of the above household classes. It is installed in meeting rooms or conference rooms. The thickness of the board is 7-8 mm. At the same time, the service life does not exceed 3 years, provided that it is used on commercial premises, but in a residential area it will be about 12-13 years;
• 32nd grade. This floor is suitable for use in commercial buildings with an average level of traffic: offices and reception areas, as well as office rooms. The thickness of the board does not exceed 10-11 mm. Service life is 5 years, but for residential premises it is three times longer;
• 33rd grade. The most wear-resistant laminate, which can easily be used in high-traffic areas: cafes, bars, restaurants, exhibition halls, gyms and shopping pavilions. The thickness of the board will be 8-12 mm, which will ensure at least 6 years of operation in commercial premises and about 20 in a private house or apartment.

Types of lock systems

Which laminate is better to choose after you decide on the class of coating? Next, you will need to think about the installation method, according to which you will choose a laminate with a suitable locking system. Today, boards laid with glue are practically not used, since locks are much more practical and convenient. Using such a floor, you can not only quickly assemble all its elements, but also replace some of its parts if necessary.

Note: In fact, the locking system is very convenient. For example, during a move, the floor can always be disassembled. In this case, the dismantling process will not take much time and effort. In addition, all floor elements will remain intact, without any damage.

Laminate manufacturers produce floors with different locking connections, but according to the principle of operation they can be divided into two categories: Lock lock and Click lock:

• Click system. This type of connection is collapsible. It is considered quite reliable and of high quality. Ideal for laying floors by non-professionals due to the ease of installation of the boards. During installation, the two elements are joined at an angle of 45 degrees, and after light pressure on the board, it simply fits into the groove;
• Lock system. IN in this case A tongue and groove type lock is used. This is a hammer-in type of flooring, so simply joining the boards together will not be possible. To lay such a covering, a tenon protruding from the second is inserted into a groove located on one board. When docking two elements, you need to tap the boards with a rubber mallet.

Which laminate to choose if you have a very limited budget? In such a situation, the only way out would be to purchase flooring adhesive based. However, to install it, you will have to seek help from professionals. All panels are connected to each other using glue, which is applied to the ends. Of course, there will be much more hassle with installation than in the case of locking coating options. But this also has its advantages: the use of glue eliminates the possibility of moisture getting under the floor, so the material is more moisture resistant.

Substrate types

Which laminate to choose? In fact, the technical characteristics of the floor largely depend not only on the type of board itself, but also on the type of substrate. After all, with its help you can achieve additional heat and sound insulation.

Types of substrates:

• Cork. Has excellent thermal insulation properties. It retains its shape perfectly for many years. However, it should be taken into account that condensation may form on such material if the coating is used in rooms with high humidity levels. In such a situation, it is better to give preference to a material that includes bitumen or rubber. Such coatings last a very long time, in addition, they are excellent shock absorbers;
• Foamed propylene. This substrate is the most affordable. At the same time, it has excellent moisture resistance. But it has one significant drawback - with prolonged use it can lose its shape and sag. It also reacts poorly to exposure to sunlight and high temperatures;
• Special. Relatively the new kind substrates. It retains its shape for a long time, does not contribute to the formation of condensation and has good heat and sound insulation. Its only drawback is its high cost.

How thick should the board be?

It is also necessary to understand the thickness of the coating before choosing a laminate for a particular type of room. When choosing a coating, it is very important to consider the thickness of the board, which can vary from 6 to 12 mm. And the thicker the floor, the better its performance characteristics. To lay laminate flooring in a private house or apartment, it is enough to purchase material with a layer thickness of 7-8 mm.

If the quality of the rough base leaves much to be desired, you should take a board with a thicker thickness. Then the floor will not be damaged during operation and will last for many years. However, if it is necessary to provide additional heat and sound insulation, it is worth taking a board with a thickness of 10 mm or more. Firstly, it will last longer, and secondly, it is much easier to install.

Formaldehyde class

This parameter is one of the most important, because human health depends on the amount of formaldehyde released into the atmosphere. Of course, even wood contains volatile chemicals, but the amount of formaldehyde in laminate should not exceed permissible norm. Some consumers who purchased flooring without evaluating this parameter complained of headaches and general fatigue. This is evidenced by customer reviews.

Important! To maintain your health and the health of your household, pay attention to the labeling. If there is an “E1” mark on the package, this means that the amount of formaldehyde is normal. Also, the good quality of the coating is evidenced by the mark on passing tests according to generally accepted standards EN13329.

The choice of flooring needs to be approached comprehensively. After all, not only the service life of the laminate, but also the health of the people living in the room will depend on the quality of the material. That is why, when assessing the quality of a material, you need to pay attention to the following parameters:

• price;
• impact resistance;
• level of formaldehyde released;
• resistance to pollution;
• coating class;
• moisture resistance;
• type of substrate;
• decorative qualities of the surface.

Only with an adequate assessment of all these criteria will you be able to make your choice in favor of the desired coating that will serve you for many years.

What does he pay attention to? a common person, far from construction and finishing, when choosing a laminate? Primarily on design and cost. But these criteria alone are not enough - 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 quality material from obvious hackwork, 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, etc.
• The lowest layer is called stabilizing. It consists of 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?

1. First of all, the composition of the slab is the basis of the laminate. In it less wood and more binder resin that is not susceptible to moisture.
2. Increased panel density– they are made by pressing under high pressure to remove the smallest air bubbles from them.
3. 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 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 replicates the structure of natural wood, stone or tile.

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 laminate with a chamfer do not allow so much thorough preparation base surface, as for a 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 by 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 the environmental friendliness and safety of floor coverings and 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 high requirements Manufacturers take advantage of this opportunity, so their products are different affordable price. 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, counterfeits are often found in construction markets, 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 Bad quality products. Even if you have been presented with all the necessary certificates, and they seem credible to you, cheap laminate It's better not to buy.
• 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 still feel the same pungent odor, 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.