Laminate, more correctly laminated flooring, relatively new finishing material and is still inferior to the prevalence of linoleum. But gradually gains momentum, and many have already appreciated the advantages of this material. Invented and began to produce laminate in Sweden a quarter century ago. The advantages of laminate in front of other flooring are high decorativeness, modern style, 100% imitation of natural wood, simplicity of laying and care, high thermal insulation, moisture resistance, strength and durability.

Floor Laminated Coating Panel

Laminate is a multi-layered sandwich:

• The base of the fiberboard with water-repellent impregnation.
• Special paper treated with resin, top and bottom of the base.
• Decorative layer of paper with a drawing "under the tree".
• Laminated layer of synthetic resins.

Quality criteria for laminate

Wear resistance

When buying a laminate, it should be borne in mind that different types of laminate differ according to the degree of strength and wear resistance. The market presents 4 main class of use of laminate:

• Grade 31 - for premises with low patency (for example, bedroom or office study);
• 32 class - withstands average permeability, any room in the apartment;
• 33 class - able to withstand high load, in the apartment will last for many years;
• Grade 34 is designed for the most intensive load, apply in public institutions, even car dealerships, and in the residential premises the service life is practically not limited.

The laminate is checked on the wear resistance of the Taper device. The Table test is to determine the number of revolutions of the abrasive circle before signs of abrasion of the upper layer of laminate. The number of revolutions when testing laminate varies from 900 to 20 thousand. By the number of revolutions, the class of laminate for abrasion is assigned.

Waterproof

An important criterion for the quality of laminate is its water-repellent properties, especially if the material is intended for the bathroom. To protect against moisture, the locks are processed with wax, and the lower part of the panel is complemented by a waterproof layer. The indicators of good quality laminate are:

• Antistaticity.
• Light resistance.
• Pollution resistance.
• Heat resistance.
• Resistance to impacts and others.

This data is indicated on the package.

Types of panel connections

Laminated coating is separate panels similar to the floorboard. There are no set standard sizes. The most common dimensions of 1380x193x8 mm are most often, but there are much less - 505x101x8mm for the "Christmas tree" laying on the type of parquet. When laying the laminate panels are bonded, as puzzles, with the help of lock connections without the use of glue. Further exploitation of flooring depends on the type of castle and its quality. There are 2 main groups of castles designs:

• CLICK Castle

The laminate panels are snapped with each other at an angle of 45 ° with spike and groove. Click is a later, improved modification. Castles of this type are considered much better, stronger. This design eliminates the discrepancy of the laminate boards and the formation of gaps. Outdoor coating is obtained monolithic. Laying the laminate with the lock Click under anything, even inexperienced, man. If necessary, the prepared canvas can be easily dismantled and gather again. Different manufacturers of CLICK locks may differ from each other with an additional profile, enhancing the connection with aluminum parts, etc.

• Lock Castle (Lock Castle)

With this form of the connection, the plate is first connected, and after the hammer is bought. Such installation is better to charge a professional, the probability of the castle breakdown is too large. The disadvantage of this connection is that with time the locking details of the lock are erased, and cracks are formed between the panels.

Laminate thickness

Laminate thickness usually ranges from 6 to 12mm. It is better to choose a thicker laminate. The thicker the board, the better noise and thermal insulation, easier and faster the coating, high quality and stronger grip between the panels.

Laminate color

Decorativeness - factor is no less significant than quality characteristics. The choice of laminate color is a matter of taste. You need to choose the color according to the principle: to like. The main thing is that the color pleased the eye, and the owners themselves felt comfortable in this color scheme, because they live here and see this floor daily, at least for several years. No need to chase in fashion, it is better to focus on your own feelings. The choice of laminate shades is so large, and much of it like it, that it is not easy to highlight one sample. Then it is better to consult with a consultant or designer. There are computer programs that allow you to simulate the interior and visualize various options. It is necessary to take into account the generally accepted design techniques: light tones expand the space, the dark is narrowed. Warm shades warmed, create a homely atmosphere of comfort, cold look cool, correspond to a strict laconic style. Laminate is one color in the entire apartment, pick up the color to the tone of the door or furniture, or, on the contradiction, in a contrasting combination. And you can make different color solutions for each room, for example: in the children's room - light beige, in the bedroom - nut, and in the living room - the chestnut floor. By purchasing laminate should check the identity of the color in different packages, otherwise even a small difference of shades will rush into the eyes at a finished assembly.

Ecology

The base of the laminate is a compressed wood fiber, which, as natural raw materials, harmless to human health. The finishing finish is performed by melamine resins, paints, antiseptic and waterproof impregnation. For their production, a dangerous substance is a formaldehyde, which can be released from laminate in the form of vapors. It is impossible to acquire the "freshly baked" laminate, it should be well seen and ventilated in a warehouse. Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely protect yourself from formaldehyde vapors. Formaldehyde is widely used in the production of furniture, plastics, lako-colorful products, building materials. Eco-friendly equivalent is not yet invented. The only output to reduce the content of formaldehyde to a minimum: selection of certified goods. When buying a laminate, you should give preference to European manufacturers and choose product class E1 and E0.

What will tell the packaging

Packaging contains a lot of valuable information about the quality of laminate. It is necessary to carefully examine the labeling of the packaging, where there should be:

• the name of the country,
• manufacturer's name
• manufacturer code,
• abrasion class
• security class
• logo Association of European Laminate Manufacturers (EPLF),
• European ISO certificate.

The presence of this data confirms the compliance of the goods to international quality standards and helps to distinguish from fake.

Companies that can be trusted

The market has developed a certain rating of laminate manufacturers. Products of the following companies are well-deserved:

• Alloc (Norway)
• Balterio and Quick Step (Belgium)
• Haro, Tarkett, Classen, Witex, Parador, Kronoflooring, Kronotec (Germany)
• EPI (France)
• Vintage (Switzerland)
• PERGO (Sweden)
• Egger (Germany / Austria)
• Kaindl (Austria)

These companies offer a large range of high-quality laminated flooring of various stylistics in a significant price range from economy-to-premium.

Came, chose and bought

The new floor in the apartment is a large-scale work that requires high costs of strength, time and money. So that there are no disappointments and regrets, to choose a material you need to come seriously and take a deliberate weighted solution. And then a reward for all the works will be a beautiful, even, warm floor, which will transform an apartment, make it stylish and comfortable.