Laminate with plastic lock. Locks for laminate: types of connections and their installation

IN modern world Laminate flooring is popular. A special system for laying laminated panels, which snaps them together with a lock, allows you to update the floor easily and quickly.

Life time flooring directly depends on the quality of the locks and compliance with the panel laying technology.

Peculiarities

The technology for locking laminate flooring was developed not so long ago, but has already earned the love and recognition of people involved in repairs. There are several reasons for this:

• Laminate flooring locks make the flooring installation process easier. No additional fasteners or glue are needed for installation. The latching device is already built into the panel.
• If the panel is damaged, you can easily replace the broken part. This increases the service life of the laminate.

• The locking system for fastening laminate panels allows you to lay the most accurate floor covering without protruding or depressed areas.
• The sides have a special shape, which, when snapped into place, connects the panels without gaps and does not allow moisture to pass through. This reduces the likelihood of mold growing under the flooring.

Options and description

First, let's look at the basic types of locks:

• Locke locks appeared much earlier than the other type and are considered more budget-friendly. This mechanism works on the “tenon and groove” principle, that is, on one side the laminate board is equipped with a tenon with a comb for fixation, and on the other side it is a groove. Installation of lamellas with the Lock system is carried out by driving a tenon into the groove cavity using a wooden mallet or a hammer with a rubber striker until complete connection. Unfortunately, during operation, the combs wear out due to the load on the panels, so gaps may form in the floor covering.

• Click locks, which are also used to connect lamellas, are considered more modern and produced taking into account past mistakes. Name Click locks came from a characteristic click, which is usually heard when the panels are closed. The technology for producing panels with a click-lock is similar to the previous type. However, the tenon side is made in the shape of a hook, and the groove is designed in such a way as to catch this hook. Assembly of a floor covering with such a fastening system does not require special effort and is produced quite quickly. To do this, the panel with the hook side is inserted into the other with the groove at an angle of 45°. After which the panel should be lowered. Then a click will be heard, indicating the entry of the tenon into the groove.

Unlike the lock system, click locks are not afraid of heavy loads and are also easy to disassemble.

In addition to basic locks, many companies, using their own technologies, produce laminate with patented locks. Among the existing proprietary developments are:

• Just Click from the Austrian company Egger can be called classic example locks with a click system. The panels close at an angle of 30° to 45° along the entire perimeter; due to the high tenon, tight joints are obtained, which makes the laminate resistant to heavy loads. Some Egger just-click slat models are available with a special Silenzio underlay, which helps soften the sound of steps.

• Uniclic is an achievement of the Quick Step company from Belgium. A special feature is that it can be snapped both at an angle and when placing and even tamping the slats. This variety is suitable for inexperienced users. Laminate with the Uniclique system is perfect for finishing floors in rooms with non-standard form, various obstacles and hard-to-reach places - a multi-level floor or a low-lying battery.

• ProLoc and SmartLock are developments of the Belgian company Prego. The first type is represented by a fastening system of three components, which increases the resistance of the laminate to heavy loads and allows you to repeatedly disassemble and reassemble the floor covering. The second type refers to more simple systems mounts that are easy to mount at any angle and easily carry loads.

• Another company Berry Alloc manufactures its products in Belgium and Norway, and Norwegian laminate is produced with aluminum locks. The patented names of locking connections from this company come in two types - 4G and 5G-S Aluminum Locking System. These locks successfully combine everything best qualities two main types of locks, and the metal tongue and groove system increases the strength of the fastening and makes the installation process faster.

Aluminum locks allow the use of laminate flooring in areas with high loads and high foot traffic. According to the manufacturer, the panels can be disassembled 3 times and reassembled without losing the quality of the floor covering.

• Also found 5G locks with a plastic insert that resembles a tongue. Distinctive feature This type of lock involves assembling the panels in a horizontal position, which allows even a beginner to lay the covering.

• Snap system for laminated panels T-Lock is a development of the Tarkett company. This type of lock allows you to snap a tenon into the groove of another panel at an angle of 45°, not only along the length of the laminate, but also from its end side. This system is distinguished by its reliability and strength of connection. Dual grip laminate can withstand heavy loads and last a long time. During operation, T-Lock does not wear out, does not break or come apart.

• Another popular slat lock ClickXpress equipped with a rounded bottom from the tongue and groove side, plastic parts not included in the model. The possibility of assembling and disassembling such a coating reaches 4 times.

Which is better?

For a person who is not involved professionally repair work, quite difficult to choose suitable laminate among the variety of lock connections.

According to most experts, the most practical design is flooring with Click locks. And although Lock locks are less susceptible to stretching over time and are easier to disassemble when necessary, and the price of such a laminate is more affordable, they are still a more outdated modification. Over time and under heavy loads the connections at the joints wear out, creating gaps between the panels.

The Click system, in turn, guarantees maximum strength of connections during repeated assembly and disassembly without damaging the locking system. Laying such a coating is very simple and quick, even on floors with minor unevenness.

And although you will have to pay for such a laminate more money, but the quality of the coating will remain at its best for many years.

How to connect correctly?

The method of laying laminated panels and connecting them to each other depends on the type of laminate. Before laying the slats in any case it is necessary to eliminate differences and unevenness of the floor using a screed, and then lay the underlay.

There are two options for connecting panels when installing laminate. The adhesive method, thanks to a special technology, protects the joints between the panels from moisture penetration. Therefore, the lifespan of the flooring is significantly increased. But this method also has many negative points. For example, spending additional money on purchasing a special anhydrous adhesive composition, besides, gluing laminate is always more difficult and takes longer. Warm floors are absolutely incompatible with the adhesive method of laying laminate flooring.

In order to lay laminate flooring in this way, you need to apply glue to the groove part of the panel and insert a tenon into it. Then, using a hammer with a wooden head, you need to press the lamellas together as tightly as possible. Surplus adhesive solution must be cleaned with a cloth. First you need to lay out three rows of slats and wait a few hours for the glue to set. Then you can fill the rest of the room with slats.

It should take at least half a day for the flooring to dry completely.

​However, due to the ease of installation, hardware stores are increasingly offering laminated panels with different locks. Assembly of laminate with Lock-locks occurs by hammering one panel into another. Most Click mechanisms are connected at an angle, and when the panel is lowered to the floor, the lock closes. If necessary, the panels can also be knocked down using a hammer.

Laminate with a locking connection has approximately the same assembly algorithm. Before laying, you need to measure the width of the room so that at least 5 cm in length remains for the last row. If necessary, you need to shorten the slats of the first row. In addition, you need to leave gaps for thermal expansion.

When laying panels using the adhesive method or using Lock-locks, the panels must be joined first along the length and then along the end side. Click-locks are characterized by gathering the entire row of lamellas at once and attaching it as a whole to the previous row.

Therefore, for a large area of ​​​​the room it is better to enlist the help of an assistant.

Why does it diverge?

Sometimes even such a flawless floor covering as laminate can come apart. Then it is necessary to determine the cause of the damage to the coating and, if possible, eliminate it.

The cause of failure of the laminate may be dry air, due to which the panels shrink and crack. To avoid this, you need to constantly ventilate the room, or install a humidifier.

Neglecting the screed before laying the laminate leads to the fact that the laminate on an uneven floor diverges, creaks or sways when walking on it, and the locks become unusable.

If the panel lock breaks very quickly, it may be due to Low quality goods. There is no need to chase cheapness and choose models from unknown manufacturers.

Failure to comply with installation technology laminate also often leads to problems with the coating. Often during installation they forget to leave gaps, and when the boards swell, the laminate cracks. Do not forget to remove construction debris from the floor, since even a small stone can disrupt the operation of the best quality lock.

The service life of the coating directly depends on the locks used. This connection method prevents the appearance of cracks. Leading laminate manufacturers use existing locking systems or create new designs.

Glueless laminate system

Modern models of laminated flooring are installed without glue. In other words, the cladding strips are connected using latches. Laminate flooring equipped with a locking system has many advantages.

Main, of which the installation process is greatly simplified. In this case, the damaged area can be removed during the repair process.

Locking systems are varied. Today there are two main types:

• The Losk system has latches;
• The “Click” system means a collapsible covering.

Laminate flooring equipped with the Losk system

When thinking about which system is better, it is necessary to take into account that such locks are the most economical. The lock is made by milling from thick HDF or MDF boards.

There is a spike on one side of the bar. The other side is equipped with a groove that has a locking ridge.

With the help of these two elements the connection is made. In order for the panels to connect more tightly to each other, during installation you need to use rubber or wooden mallet.

Advantages and disadvantages of the system

Laying a flooring with such locks is complicated by the need to hammer it with a mallet, but there is no need to use laminate glue.

Laminate with locks Lock type, has a number of advantages.

1. The floor covering installed with such locks can be disassembled and re-installed.
2. Easy to connect planks.
3. Optimal cost of material.

There are also disadvantages.

Attention! High loads on the coating create friction at the joints of the planks. Over time, the combs wear out, causing the contacts between the strips to deteriorate. As a result, cracks form that cannot be eliminated.

Lock systems with plastic base

Planks with plastic locks were invented to mitigate the shortcomings of this connection system. Locks secure the material immediately after installation.

There are two types of plastic plates.

1. Springy analogues snap the connection in one motion. The main advantage of this lock is the ability to quickly install the covering. But the planks are not always perfectly straight, which can create difficulties when snapping into place - the material is subject to deformation. The planks must be tapped in reverse side.
2. Hard platinum almost identical in design. To connect the covering, the strip must be inserted with a longitudinal movement. The main disadvantage of such a lock is the difficulty of installation.

Click lock material

This system began to be produced relatively recently. It does not have the disadvantages that its predecessors had. Laying laminate flooring with the click system does not require much effort. The connection is made at an angle of 45 degrees.

System advantages

The main advantage of such locks is the long-term protection of fasteners. There is virtually no damage during the installation process. By connecting tightly, the planks are able to withstand high loads, even with a long service life.

Leading manufacturers, for example, the Tarkett company, produce systems of improved quality. For example, the t lock completely hides the joints between the slats.

Advantages of Click connections:

1. Double fastenings located at an angle of 45 degrees.
2. Durable fabric.
3. It is almost impossible to damage such a mount during installation.
4. Possibility to disassemble and reassemble the coating up to 6 times.
5. Ease and simplicity of installation of laminated coating.
6. The permissible curvature of the base is up to 0.3 cm per square meter.

Aluminum click mount

Attention! Aluminum fasteners can withstand very high loads, and its design makes it possible to quickly install the covering. If any area of ​​the coating is damaged, it can always be replaced.

1. The covering with an aluminum lock is mounted using a special groove, which is available on the panels.
2. Laminate with an aluminum lock can withstand tearing loads of 850-1200 kg/m2. This factor will make it possible to install/dismantle the laminated coating repeatedly without damaging the planks.
3. Specifically, you can do this up to 6 times. At the same time, installation is as easy and quick as possible. The connection of the planks occurs with one light pressure.
4. When talking about the advantage of a particular lock, you need to take into account that the tightness of such a coating guarantees its 100% protection from moisture entering the installed floor.
5. Modern system connections allows installation on any base, be it screed, boards, monolithic concrete, plywood and so on.

Conclusion

Considering all of the above, we can conclude which locking system is better. Experts consider the Click system to be the best.

You can install such a laminated coating with my own hands, and can be disassembled and reassembled up to several times.

Even high loads are not able to loosen the connected planks. Products equipped with Lock-type fastenings are more affordable, however, the installation process is complex, and the resulting coating is less durable and inferior in quality. The video will give you even more useful information.

When choosing a laminate, you need to pay attention not only to color scheme and the quality of the boards themselves. An important selection criterion is the type of connection of the boards. Let's look at the types of laminate locks most used in modern models this floor covering.

All types of laminate are installed using the glueless method; the slats are held in place only with latches. This method is faster and more convenient to install, and if necessary, it is easy to replace the damaged part of the floor covering.

It should be noted right away that many laminate manufacturers develop their own unique and patented types of connections. We will look at what kind of locks there are on laminate flooring and general principle such connections.

Lock Lock

This connection is considered more economical, although somewhat outdated. The principle of such a lock is a tongue-and-groove type, also called a driven connection, according to the installation principle:

• During installation, the end parts of the lamellas are brought together.
• Then, using a mallet, they are knocked together through a wooden lining.

The disadvantage of such a fastening system:

• Over time, friction causes the grooves to wear out and become loose, forming cracks that can no longer be sealed.
• It is better to entrust the installation of lamellas with such grooves to a person with experience, since the locks of such a laminate are quite easily damaged during installation.

Lock with plastic plate

This type of fastener was developed specifically to combat these shortcomings. These plastic-coated laminate locks make installation somewhat easier and make the connection more secure.

Click-locks

Click locks - were developed relatively recently, but have already been found wide application. Most modern lamellas are produced with this type of connection, with various combinations. New technologies have made it possible to get rid of the disadvantages inherent in the previous type of connection.

All flooring elements with click locks are connected to each other at an angle of 45°. No additional actions or tools are required. Even a beginner can handle this simple installation of laminate flooring.

Advice! The higher the quality of the lamellas with click locks, the less noticeable the joint between the boards. From reputable manufacturers, the butt seam is completely invisible. This is what explains the popularity of this connection.

Advantages of a click lock

• Double fastenings located at an angle of 45°.
• Durable connecting fabric.

• High safety of the click fastening system during installation: the percentage of damage is incredibly low.
• A small (up to 3 mm) deviation in the level of the subfloor is allowed.
• These types of laminate locks last a very long time without creaking or loosening.
• The ability to easily disassemble and reassemble the cover with click fasteners up to six times without damaging the fastening system.

5g system

For even easier and quick installation laminate, a 5g fastening system was developed. This type of lock allows you to connect boards with just one click. The 5g system has a movable tongue that allows you to connect simultaneously along the long and short sides of the board.

Thanks to the 5g system, the panels snap together simply and securely. Many manufacturers have improved the 5g fastening and patented it under their own name, but the principle of operation of laminate locks remains the same.

Impregnation of laminate locks

Laminate boards are quite durable and strong, but have a weak point - the locking joint. This is why all types of laminate locks need additional protection. To protect against moisture, the fastening system is treated with a special wax impregnation.

This treatment prevents damage to the fasteners from dampness and moisture. In addition, wax impregnation treatment allows you to:

• Eliminate squeaking of the floor covering over time.
• Significantly simplify DIY installation.
• Increase the strength and resistance to mechanical deformation of fasteners under the influence of gravity.

The method of treating locks with wax impregnation depends on the form of its release:

1. Liquid compounds are applied with a brush before laying the laminate. After laying the lamellas, the seams are wiped with a dry cloth.
2. Paste wax sealants are applied in a continuous layer to one of the panels before joining them. Any excess that appears is removed after it dries.

Advice! It is not necessary to cover the entire surface of the board with wax impregnation. In addition, this is impractical; wax can damage the water-repellent layer, which will lead to further complete unsuitability of the laminate.

So, we can say with confidence which locks are best for your home and office. All experts recommend laminate flooring with click fasteners as the most reliable and modern. And the possibility of easily laying the flooring with your own hands only confirms the correctness of the choice.

You can create a floor in a room extremely quickly and easily using laminate. The shape and configuration of the floor elements (lamellas) have been thought out for a long time and with high quality. So even an untrained person can install it. The ease of cutting and combining the material allows you to quickly and efficiently install flooring in rooms with complex layouts. You just have to strictly follow simple rules, and laying laminate flooring with your own hands will not take much time and effort. Laminate flooring should be laid in heated rooms without sudden temperature fluctuations, high humidity. For long-term operation, the room temperature must be maintained within 15-30 degrees, humidity from 40 to 70%. The basis for the laminate can be a flat wooden floor or concrete base with maximum differences in height not exceeding 2 mm per meter, as well as strong slopes of more than 4 mm for every two meters. If there are significant unevennesses, then it is necessary to level the floor under the laminate by forming a floor screed, or a self-leveling floor system, thereby eliminating the problem, because laying laminate flooring on an uneven floor is unacceptable. This will lead to its rapid deterioration. It is strictly forbidden to install laminate flooring on top of an electric heated floor. If they are combined, the laminate elements will dry out and become deformed. Moreover, it is unacceptable to heat the laminate from below above 27 degrees. Can be used as a heated floor hydraulic systems. They allow heat to be distributed evenly and do not overheat the laminate. The distance between the elements of the heated floor and the bottom edge of the laminate must be at least 3 cm. The installation technology is the same: there are only some features when connecting elements depending on the locks. The procedure will be as follows:

1. The substrate is laid on the leveled base, and its joints are taped.
2. Wedges or pieces of plywood 10-15 mm thick are installed around the perimeter of the room. The laminate boards will rest against them. In this way, a compensation gap is created around the entire perimeter of the room. It is needed to prevent the coating from swelling in the heat or high humidity.
3. Along one of the walls - usually opposite from the entrance - the laying of the first row begins. The first row is placed with a spike against the wall (it can be cut off). The entire row rests on wedges that measure the gap. The outermost one also rests on the wedge with a side lock (it can also be cut off).
4. All elements in a row fit together.
5. The last board often needs to be cut: it does not fit in length. There should also be a wedge on this side, so the size is 10-15 mm smaller than the distance to the wall. We mark it for cutting as follows: turn the board “face down” so that the desired side tenon is on the right. We join this edge to the wedge and use a square to draw a line that continues the edge of the installed board. We cut off the required piece along the marked line and install it.
6. If the first row started with a whole board, then the second row starts with a half, a third, etc. This is how all the rows are assembled. In this case, the developed installation scheme serves as a guide.
7. The last row often needs to be cut to width. Nothing complicated, the main thing is not to confuse which side we cut from: leave the part with the thorn on it.

If the geometry of the room is correct, there are no difficulties. If there are distortions, you will have to trim. Questions may arise when finishing the threshold: the board near the jambs is not cut straight, but along an arc, maintaining a gap of 10-15 mm. Why in an arc? So under door casing There will be no hole of any shape.
The nuances of laying laminate Almost nowhere can you find perfectly level rooms without all sorts of protrusions or outlets for heating pipes, communications, etc. In such places it is necessary to cut out from the elements of the laminate floor curly elements. To do this, use a jigsaw, a construction knife, a construction corner and a pencil. Next, we will consider options for how to lay laminate flooring with your own hands in places with pipes coming out or the presence of protrusions on the walls. Bypassing heating pipes As in the case of trimming lamellas, we turn it over lengthwise and apply it on top of those already laid. Using a corner, we mark on the lamella the lines for the width of the pipes. Next, we place the lamella on the side of the pipes and rest it through the peg against the wall. In this position, you can mark the second mark with a building level, that is, the distance from the pipes to the wall. We end up with places where the lines intersect, which determine the position of the holes for the pipes. It's best to drill the holes first. For this, special drills called ballerinas are used. The diameter of the holes is larger than the diameter of the pipes, and there can be two options: simply insert a lamella with a gap around the pipes or use special plastic inserts, which are sold in hardware stores for laminate flooring. In the second case, the holes are made according to the size of the inserts. The next step is to cut off part of the lamella crosswise, focusing on the middle of the hole. It turns out two pieces of lamella. One piece is inserted between the rest of the floor and the pipe, and the second is applied between the wall and the pipe. To reliably fasten the elements, glue is used, which should be applied only to their ends. After which they cling to each other. You can hide unattractive cutouts with decorative pipe trims.
Walking around wall ledges To lay lamellas, the edge of which rests on an unevenness on the wall or its turn, you should cut directly along the lamella the required form. This is easy to do with a jigsaw. A certain peculiarity may be the situation when the obstacle is a column or protrusion covered with plasterboard or plastic, as well as places under radiators central heating. In this situation, it is advisable to trim the bottom of the sheathing and place a laminate board under it right up to the base of the wall, maintaining a gap.
Completing laminate installation After the entire floor space has been filled and installation has been completed in all difficult places, you can remove all the wedges around the perimeter of the floor and trim the overly protruding edges of the underlay. You should leave only 1-2 cm of overlap on the wall as a shock-absorbing belt. Next, all that remains is to hang the baseboard, and the floor in the room will be ready

When choosing a laminate flooring, rarely does anyone understand that the types of laminate locks determine its quality. They are responsible for the gap between the panels, the absence or presence of creaks, the divergence of seams, and the evenness of the surface. Therefore, when purchasing a laminate, you should carefully study not only its characteristics, but also the installation method and the type of adhesion. We will consider the features of installation and fastening systems in more detail.

Almost all panel interlocking options are based on the tongue-and-groove system. The difference is the profiling of the lock system.

There are several main types:

1. Lock Lock. The simplest option. The cross-section of the spike does not have a simple straight profile, but a complex figure. The groove under it has a complex shape. The panels are laid by horizontally pressing one into the other. The moment of fixation is a click. For quality installation The outer web needs to be tapped. A wooden hammer is used. You can use a regular one, but you will need wooden block or special finishing. Laminate flooring with this type of lock is difficult to dismantle without destruction. Over time, under mechanical load, the connection wears out and the panels separate. Therefore, in addition, the locks are treated with sealant or glue. The surface under the laminate requires high quality. Otherwise, during operation, a situation may arise where the blades diverge.
2. Click lock. Modernized previous look. The tenon has a hook-shaped bend at the upper end, and a protrusion at the bottom, closer to the panel. The groove follows the shape of the protrusions. Fixation occurs when one panel is inserted into another at an angle. A rocking motion is used to lower it to a horizontal position. At this moment, a characteristic click is heard. The lock worked. The connection is strong due to additional fixing protrusions. Coverings can be dismantled and assembled up to 4 times.
3. T-LOCK locks. The option was developed by Tarkett. It combines two types of locking connections, which allows you to achieve maximum adhesion strength of the panels. When laying, technology typical of Click systems is used. Simplicity and reliability have made this type very popular among professionals. The floor covering can be removed up to several times without damaging the locks.
4. 5G. These types of locking systems have a plastic or metal insert in the middle that resembles a “tongue.” Thanks to it, a tight connection of the canvases is ensured. The installation method is not complicated. The panel is inserted into the previous one in a horizontal position. When pressed, the insert is removed, when installed in the desired position, a click is heard indicating that the “tongue” is in place and the position is fixed. Installation and dismantling will not be difficult even for a beginner.
5. Megalock lock. Advanced fixation system based on 5G. The locks on the laminate begin to be connected at the end side. Reliability of adhesion is ensured by the end insert. And already to the assembled length of the first strip, the second row is added in width with an offset. Assembly time is minimal compared to other types. Maximum strength and reliability. Installation and dismantling up to 4 times is allowed. Another advantage is increased protection against moisture.
6. ClickXpress lock. It is distinguished by the rounded lower part of the tenon and, accordingly, the groove. Doesn't have plastic inserts. The work is carried out according to the Click system principle, at an angle. Can be dismantled and installed up to four times.
7. Uniclick lock. The tenon and groove have a special profile that ensures strong adhesion of the planks. Installation can be done at an angle or by tapping. Dismantling is carried out up to 4 times.
8. Aluminum locks. The most reliable connections. Withstands separation resistance up to 1200 kg/sq.m. m. Laying without a threshold is possible. This laminate has two types of lock - tongue and groove, aluminum on the bottom. Distinctive feature– the joints between the canvases are practically invisible. Installation and dismantling is allowed up to 5 times.

Laying laminate flooring without locks is becoming less and less popular due to the use of additional chemicals for fixation and the speed of work. Modern types locks make it possible to increase the productivity and quality of the resulting surfaces several times.

Useful video: Review of laminate locks

All laminate floor locks are conventionally divided into two groups based on the operating principle of Lock and Click. The first group is relatively inexpensive, providing quite reliable grip. The second belongs to the expensive segment, but the grip and quality of the resulting surface will be high level. Each type of connection has pros and cons. For some, price is important, for others high quality, reliability.

If we compare which is better, Lock or Click, from the point of view of dismantling and installation, then the first system is more susceptible to destruction of fastening profiles.

Preparation for installation

Any floor covering requires surface preparation. The best option, if a layer is applied to the rough screed. Such a foundation will ensure the proper level of quality. After the preparatory layer has completely hardened, it is recommended to lay waterproofing. To a greater extent, this applies to the first floors of apartment complexes and private housing.

• Cork . The most expensive option, but environmentally friendly, hides minor unevenness of the rough foundation, and does not compress much under load. Disadvantages include high cost; destruction in a humid environment, with a “warm floor” system.
• Polyethylene foam. Cheap option, has reduced thermal conductivity, is resistant to moisture and the appearance of bacteria. Short-lived, pressed.
• Expanded polystyrene. Relatively inexpensive option, used when installing a “warm floor” system, provides additional sound insulation. Over time it gets pressed.

Depending on the budget it is selected best option. The substrate is covered without overlapping each other. Fixing to the floor and gluing the seams is done with masking tape.

Important points before installation

Correct installation will be ensured if several nuances are taken into account:

1. When purchasing, check with the seller whether additional protective impregnation of the laminate locks is required or not. In the second case, you should first purchase wax. Processing is carried out before installation begins.
2. The laminate must lie for at least 2 days in the room in which it is planned to be installed. This will allow the material to absorb the microclimate of the room, gain temperature regime. This will ensure minimal shrinkage in the future. A greater effect can be achieved by removing the original packaging from the material.
3. Installation is carried out from window to door. The end sides are directed towards the openings, and the long side towards the blank walls. This will reduce the visibility of seams between the canvases.
4. For Lock systems, consider purchasing a special metal pad. It will allow you to easily install floor coverings even against walls.
5. Long rows are mounted offset. The first one starts with a long floorboard, the second - with a short one. This will ensure high-quality adhesion of the slats in different directions.
6. Technical gaps near the walls should be from 5 to 10 mm. There are special clamps. At the time of installation on the floor covering, mechanical impact. As a result, it may move close to the wall if they are not secured.
7. Before work you need to prepare cutting tool– a wood saw or jigsaw. For proper cutting quality, the tool must have minimal teeth.

Having considered all the points, you can safely begin installing the panels.

Before work, read the installation instructions. Unpack the material and start laying it yourself.

Lock systems are laid with tamping along both the end and longitudinal parts. The uniformity of the seams between the canvases should be observed. Another feature is working with the last row. Often you have to trim the width of the panels. Measurements are taken taking into account the technical gap between the wall and the floor finishing, marked, and cut off. The canvas is carefully inserted at a slight angle. Using a metal filler, the seam is compacted to the required size.

Laminate with click lock. Such systems do not require additional tools. The canvases are inserted into each other at an angle of 40–45°, and with a slight oscillatory movement they are moved to a horizontal position. A click should sound.

Useful video: Laying laminate flooring with Click locks

5G systems, Megalock are distinguished by the most simple installation. The tongue and groove is inserted in a horizontal position without finishing.

Laminate manufacturers offer a wide range of locking systems, which one is best determined by the budget possibilities and the reliability of the resulting floor covering. If the locks come apart after a short period of use, this indicates several reasons: poor-quality installation or laminate lock (do not chase a low price), poorly prepared base for the finishing coating.

Conclusion

In such cases, it is necessary to find out the source of trouble and eliminate it. Sometimes this requires disassembling and re-laying panels. But if the cause is not eliminated in a timely manner, the locking connections may completely fail, and then the purchase of new material will be required.