Which laminate to choose for an apartment

Laminate is quite popular finishing material. This is due primarily to its affordable cost and excellent operational characteristics. There are several varieties of laminate, some of which is recommended to install in a private house, while others are in the apartment. As a laminate is better to choose for the apartment, reviews about different types of laminate, we will consider further.

Table of contents:

1. Which laminate is better to choose for the apartment: the advantages and disadvantages of the material
2. Which laminate to choose for an apartment - reviews and varieties of material
3. Which company is better to choose for an apartment
4. Which laminate is better to choose for the apartment reviews and recommendations for choice

Which laminate is better to choose for the apartment: the advantages and disadvantages of the material

Laminate is a great imitation of parquet. However, unlike him, he does not need constant care and has no difficulties in the installation process. For its manufacture, a tree is used, pressed under the influence of high temperature. A film that has a polymer base is applied to the surface of the plate. They are characterized by high wear resistance and good performance.

The appearance of the laminate practically does not differ from the material that it imitates, whether it is parquet or marble. We offer to get acquainted with the main structural layers of the laminate:

• The most upper layer is the protective film, for the manufacture of which Melamic tar is used, it allows the material to withstand prolonged mechanical loads and mechanical stresses;
• As a decorative layer, a paper -based coating is used, it is an imitation of any of the flooring;
• A plastic coating on which a drawing is applied is glued on a cardboard base;
• The basis of the laminate are slabs that are highly density and moisture resistance, in addition, the most effective in the operation of the slabs, which are interconnected using a lock connection;
• To stabilize the shape of the laminate, the last of the layers is used.

Among the main advantages of the laminate should be highlighted:

• high strength before abrasion, loads and increased pressure, however, keep in mind that there are several laminate classes in relation to this parameter, there are no traces, dents, scratches or scuffs on the highest strength material;
• Resistance before exposure to high temperatures allows the use of the material without subjecting it to repeated grinding and polishing, which simplifies the process of its operation;
• Environmental safety allows you to use coating in children's rooms, medical and sanatorium-resort institutions, bacteria do not accumulate on the surface of the laminate, it does not contain harmful substances that cause allergies;
• The ease of installation - for installing the laminate, it is enough to prepare the coating and lay a special protective film on it, the material is installed on various kinds of finished surfaces that practically do not need preparation;
• The duration of operation is another important advantage of the laminate, if you observe the technology of laying the laminate, then the minimum service life will be ten years;
• The affordable cost compared to parquet and other types of flooring, however, the price of the laminate depends on its class, in relation to strength.

Among the shortcomings of the material should be noted:

• The distribution of several categories in the ratio with the load, the cost of the laminate directly depends on the quality of the product, in addition, choosing a laminate for a certain room should be taken into account by its operational characteristics;
• instability before a high level of humidity - if moisture nevertheless falls into the laminate, then there is a risk of deformation and swelling, therefore, in the process of installing the material, it is recommended to carry out its processing using moisture -proof solutions, the adhesive version of the laminate is the most stable before moisture;
• In the process of improper installation of the laminate using a floating method, it is possible to bloom and bubbles;
• If you lay the material on a previously not aligned surface, then there is a risk of an unpleasant creak while walking.

Which laminate to choose for an apartment - reviews and varieties of material

In the ratio with the target purpose, the laminate is divided into two types:

• for use in residential premises;
• For use in public places.

The first option is characterized by less high performance. Laminet coating for public institutions can withstand the highest operational burden. In relation to this factor, the laminate is divided into several categories.

1. The cover of the thirty -third class is particularly strong. A few watch flood is not terrible for him. This laminate option is suitable for public places, such as shops.

2. Coating related to thirty -second and thirty -first class, recommended for use in office organizations. This material is characterized by the same high performance.

3. For the arrangement of residential buildings and apartments, it is recommended to use a laminate having a twenty -third, twenty -second and twenty -first class of strength.

4. Less strong laminate can only be used in the bedroom.

In the ratio with the protective film, the laminate is divided into:

1. Traditional - it is a common imitation of a tree, its surface is flat and smooth. In addition, there are sometimes small pores on the laminate, making the texture more similar to wood.

2. Natural laminate is practically no different from the traditional one. However, its texture is better. A silky shine is present on the surface, and the texture practically does not differ from the parquet.

3. glossy or silky glossy version of the laminate - similar to a tree treated with varnish. It differs in the presence of a characteristic shine and lack of pores.

4. The waxed version of the laminate in appearance is similar to a previously treated wax tree. It differs in the presence of a small shine, smooth and flat texture.

5. Textory laminate - is characterized by the presence of irregularities that make it more similar to the tree. This version of the laminate, in appearance, is practically no different from the parquet.

6. The oil texture imitates wood processed using oil, this laminate practically does not glisten.

7. A fairly popular laminate version used in the design of premises in a rustic style is country laminate. It includes a laminate with the effect of agility. The appearance of the coating resembles an old tree that has served its owners for more than a dozen years.

Which company is better to choose for an apartment

We offer to get acquainted with the main manufacturers of the laminate, the quality of the products of which makes them the most popular finishing flooring materials in the market:

1. Quick Step - laminate, which is produced in Belgium and in Russia. Its main advantage is a complete imitation of the wood structure. In addition, this coating is characterized by increased wear resistance and strength.

Among the advantages of the laminate, it should be noted:

• European quality and compliance with all safety standards;
• Great appearance - good transmission of wood texture;
• High level of strength.

Disadvantages of this material:

• high cost, almost the same as that of the parquet;
• More suitable for apartments and small offices, due to a small number of color solutions in the most durable class.

The duration of the operation of this laminate is at least twenty -five years, without loss of attractiveness of appearance.

2. KAINDL - Austrian laminate. This material is highly popular because of its such features:

• High environmental safety of the material is determined by the presence of chipboard with the zero class of the content of environmentally harmful substances;
• Both in external and textile characteristics, the material is almost impossible to distinguish from natural wood;
• Laminate is used not only for floor decoration, but also for wall decoration;
• The duration of the operation of the laminate in the apartment is more than thirty flax, and about fifteen in the office.

3. Berry alloc - laminate is produced in two countries in Belgium and Norway. Among the advantages of this material, it is noted primarily by its moisture resistance. In addition, to connect the plates, aluminum locks are used, which make the material more durable.

However, this laminate is also characterized by high cost and the presence of a small color palette. The duration of the operation of the coating without changing the appearance is about fifteen years.

4. Parador - German production laminate. It differs primarily a rich and diverse color palette. In terms of technical characteristics, it refers to the middle class of materials.

Advantages:

• the uniqueness and originality of the drawings;
• The duration of operation is about ten years.

Flaws:

• Despite the low operational properties, a fairly high cost.

5. Balterio - laminate produced in Belgium, in quality, is comparable to the first two laminate options, but in terms of price characteristic much higher. It is distinguished by amazing design, high technical characteristics and good imitation of wood. Among the shortcomings, the highest cost and instability in front of scratches are distinguished.

6. Haro - a German version of the laminate. It has a combination of excellent quality and good performance. In some collections of laminate, the length of one board is more than two meters. Among the advantages, special sizes of boards in one of the collections are distinguished. However, the disadvantage is the high cost.

7. BEPI - laminate of the middle price category. It is made in France and is distinguished primarily by an exquisite appearance. It tolerates moisture well, is not afraid of scratches and mechanical damage.

8. Kronotex - a budget class laminate produced in Germany, this condition is its main advantage. It differs in the presence of medium protection against moisture, lack of lamination on chamfers, low CDF density.

By studying the question of which company to choose a laminate for an apartment, we recommend that you dwell on the following options:

1. Egger is a German laminate that combines affordable cost and good operational indicators. It differs in the presence of simple design and a variety of colors.

2. Tarket - produced in Russia and is highly popular. It differs in the presence of simple and original textures. In relation to the cost is the same level as its European competitors.

Which laminate is better to choose for the apartment reviews and recommendations for choice

First of all, when choosing a laminate into an apartment, one should proceed from the type and purpose of the room in which it will be laid. Some rooms need additional stability of the material before moisture, while others in the strength and variety of colors. Some designers suggest laying two or even three laminate options in one room. However, in this case, it is necessary to take into account the fact that different manufacturers have a certain thickness of the vinyl coating, which is not always combined with each other. Therefore, we recommend that for an apartment, stop on a laminate from one manufacturer.

Laminate - is a great option for flooring for the kitchen, primarily because of its practicality and ease of care. Since there is slight humidity in the kitchen, and the floors are washed there quite often, we recommend that you stop on a material with increased moisture -resistant characteristics. In addition, in order to increase the reliability of the laminate, we recommend that in the process of laying it, apply special mastic to the surface. For the kitchen, the laminate of the 31st, 32nd and 33rd grades is suitable.

It is possible to use the laminate in the bathroom, however, for such purposes, we recommend buying the most expensive and high -quality material. The laminate with moisture -resistant characteristics is not inclined to deform even under the long effect of moisture. For its manufacture, special PVC plates are used that are not able to absorb moisture.

For residential premises such as the living room, the bedroom or children's rooms recommends giving preference to the material that has amazing design and attractive appearance. In addition, the coating should differ in excellent soundproofing characteristics. To prevent the creak while walking on the floor, we recommend installing special sound -absorbing materials in the form of a substrate. In these rooms there will be enough laminate with average or low strength.

In the corridor or hallway, it is necessary to install a laminate of the 31st class, since these premises have a high operational load. In addition, the floor in such rooms must be washed constantly, so the laminate should have good protection against moisture and mechanical damage.

In addition, when choosing a laminate, focus on such an indicator as its thickness. Most often, this value is in the range of 5-13 mm. The speed and lightness of its laying depend on the thickness of the laminate, as well as the strength of the resulting coating. In addition, a thicker coating has high sound and heat-insulating characteristics.