Types of laminate flooring

Nowadays there is a huge variety.floor coverings. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages, but it is the laminated board that rightfully takes its place in this niche. Laminate is chosen by those who appreciate the quality and durability of wooden coatings at an affordable cost. Moreover, the types of laminate and prices will satisfy even the most demanding customer.

What is laminate flooring?

It is a multi-layered product.mainly consisting of sawdust and shavings (on average by 90%). And no matter what types of laminate are, manufacturers mainly use four-layer production:

• The first layer (lowest) isimpregnated paper or cardboard. Moreover, the impregnation may be of resin or paraffin. This protects the board from moisture, mold and mildew, as well as from deformation.
• The second or main layer is made of sawdustor shavings by pressing under high pressure. In the process of pressing used a special adhesive High Density Flag (HDF). The result is a plate with increased density, elasticity and strength. The quality of the laminate lock directly depends on the quality of this layer, since it is cut in it.
• This is followed by a decorative layer. Made from paper or various polymers. From this layer depends only on the appearance of the board: drawing and color.
• The final layer isacrylate or melamine resin laminated film. The main function of this layer is protection from external influences. Also, the manufacturer can give relief to this layer.

Types of laminate

There are two main types of this product: household and commercial laminate. But in a broader view, this flooring is divided by:

• Thickness, shape and size.
• Type locks.
• Wear resistance class.
• Ecology class.
• The density of the product.
• Laminate surface design.

Important: regardless of the type of laminate, remain unchanged:

• Preparing the floor surface.
• The basic rules for laying laminate and care for it.

The service life of the product after its installation directly depends on these factors.

Shape and size

Many manufacturers, in order to attract as many customers as possible, produce entire collections of this laminated coating, which differ:

• According to the form.There are two main forms of laminate: classic board and laminate in the form of tiles. Moreover, the first is characterized by simpler styling, and the square shape allows you to create different compositions.

• Standard sizes for laminate in length and width of the board simply do not exist. Each manufacturer sets its own values, which may vary depending on the collection of the product.
• The thickness of the boards can vary from 6 to 12 mm. This indicator directly affects the durability, sound and thermal insulation properties. And the more the better.

Types of locks

The ancestors of the whole variety of laminate joints, which exist today, are just two systems:

• Lock-type lock systems (also calledtongue-and-groove locks). The first locking system, which was invented specifically for parquet and laminated flooring in 1994. It is a “thorn-groove” joint, that is, each board has a recess on one side, and a protuberance on the other hand, which completely repeats the shape of the recess. Installation is performed by hammering one board into another. The main disadvantages include: the requirements for the quality of the floor are increased, the assembly is more complicated, when dismantling there is a high probability of damage to the lock joint, the durability is lower.
• Click system - more modern type of lockingconnections. The same principle, but the "spike" is made in the form of a hook and snaps at an angle of 40-45 degrees. Considerably surpass in popularity the previous type of connections due to the improved assembly / disassembly of the laminate and the strength of the locks.

You can also select such lock connections as T – Lock, MegaLock, Click2Click and UniClic, which, in essence, are combined or improved versions of both systems.

When choosing a locking connection, it is important to pay attention to the length of the lock: the longer, the more reliable the grip, and hence the service life.

Wear resistance class

Types of laminate and characteristics also determinesclass, taking into account the resistance of the product to external influences in different operating conditions. Laminate is divided into classes according to the European standard, so manufacturers from other countries may have their own classes that differ from European standards. At the moment there are four classes of wear resistance:

• 31st grade.He replaced the categories from the 21st to the 23rd, which are currently not produced. It is used in places with low traffic, mainly in everyday life or in small offices. The price starts from 400 rubles. for m².
• 32nd grade.Commercial option for places with medium traffic. The service life in living conditions is 10-15 years (depends on the manufacturer), in the office - no more than five years. It is in great demand because of the price-quality ratio (average price tag: 700 - 1400 rubles per sq. M.).

• 33rd grade.Until recently, this category was the most durable to abrasion of all types of floor laminate. Suitable for rooms and places with high traffic, such as hotels, restaurants, shops and the like. The service life in living conditions is more than twenty years, in commercial life it is more than six years. A square meter of such coverage will cost at least a thousand rubles.
• 34th grade.At the moment, the most wear-resistant type of laminate for rooms with ultra-high traffic and loads. For example, in gyms, car dealerships or airports. Rarely used in everyday life, mainly because of the high cost (from 1,400 rubles), but for such premises manufacturers give a lifetime warranty.

Ecological compatibility

There is an opinion that laminate isnon-ecological product, since its composition (or rather, the composition of the upper and main layer) contains substances that are unsafe for humans: formaldehyde and phthalate. Indeed, this is so, and the content of these substances calls into question the use of laminate, especially in everyday life. However, substances harmful to humans are used in the production of virtually all modern building materials: dry mixes, furniture, doors, and even wallpaper. But with proper use and operation of these substances do not cause harm: for example, formaldehyde contained in the laminate, begins to stand out only when heated above 30 degrees Celsius (applies only to certified products).

Depending on the concentration of toxins, all types of laminate are assigned classes of environmental friendliness (emissions), according to European standards:

• E0 is the most environmentally safe class, containing the minimum (almost zero) amount of toxins. But because of this, it has a high cost.
• E1 is also a practically safe category of laminate. The content of formaldehyde does not exceed the concentration of this substance in natural wood (that is why the tree has its own unique smell).
• E2, E3 - the content of harmful substances is 3-6 times higher than that of the previous class. Laminate with such emission is not recommended for use in residential areas.

Product density

A very important criterion when choosing a laminate,characterizing not only the strength of the product to the loads, but also its moisture resistance and strength of the locks. And in some cases, the types of laminate surfaces depend on the gluing method. The density of the product is achieved by gluing all layers of laminate in various ways. There are several types of them, some are similar to each other, but we will focus on two of them, most often used by manufacturers:

• Технология прямого давления DPL.It is used in the production of the main amount of laminated coatings. The essence of this method lies in the fact that all the layers of the laminate are pressed in one technological process, as a result a low-density plate is obtained. This laminate is not recommended to expose to high loads, since the upper and lower layers, not withstanding this, will tear.
• HPL High Pressure Technology.Pressing is carried out in several stages: first, the top layer is pressed (decorative paper, several layers of kraft paper and a protective layer), then the resulting top coating, the base and the bottom compensating layer are glued together. The product is obtained high strength and is able to withstand heavy loads.

Design

Types of laminate flooring are so variedas far as imagination is enough for designers and artists who invent them. The surface of laminated products differs not only in color and various imitations, but it can be quite unusual: for example, a designer laminate with a 3D effect or a product with abstract drawings.

Basically, imitate:

• Wood cover.
• Ceramic tiles.
• Leather and metal.

In addition, the surface of the laminate can be:

• Artificially aged.
• With a certain relief and structure.
• With a glossy or waxed surface.
• Matte or oil.

Laminate on the wall

For a long time the laminate was exclusively outdoor.coating. But the course of design ideas does not stand still and now this product can be found not only on the wall, but also on the ceiling. This has become widespread due to the emergence of a huge variety of laminate designs. Placing laminated boards on the wall or ceiling, you can highlight or hide certain details, bring comfort and warmth to the room. The floor, smoothly turning into the wall, looks just gorgeous.

But do not look for special panels in stores, becausethere is no such thing as types of laminate for walls. Absolutely any product will do. Moreover, the selection criteria can be reduced, since the laminate in this case will not be subjected to mechanical loads.

The panels can be mounted on the wall and ceiling in two reliable ways:

• The first option - mounting to the wall with glue.This method is very easy to install, but requires careful preparation of the surface of the wall or ceiling. An even plane for this solution plays a decisive role.
• Frame method.For such fastening systems, the alignment of the surface is not required, it is enough to install the frame itself by level. Laminate sheeting is the same as sheathing with any similar materials: clapboard or MDF panels.

Substrate

This is an indispensable material when laying any material in a floating way, including for laminate. The following factors depend on the type of substrate:

• Heat and sound insulation (depending on the material of the substrate).
• Moisture insulation.
• Using the substrate, you can smooth out minor irregularities of the floor surface.

Whatever the substrate in form, roll, sheet or in the form of an accordion, the main thing in it is the performance material:

• Polyethylene foam - the cheapest version of the substrate, moreover, it is extremely short-lived. After a couple of years of operation, the material will drain, and with it all the useful qualities of the substrate will disappear.
• Bung. Happens roll and in the form of sheets. It has a number of positive qualities: non susceptibility to rotting, long service life, good performance in sound and heat insulation.
• Extruded polystyrene backingpossesses the best indicators in resistance to loadings. The material is not subject to the formation of condensate and does not lose its elasticity for a long time. A great option in terms of price - quality.
• Хвойная подложка обладает высоким показателем level of environmental friendliness, and also provides a floor natural air exchange. The conditional minus of this product is high cost and low elasticity indicator.
• Also there are combined types of substrates. They are two layers of polyethylene, between which there are balls of expanded polystyrene.

Whatever your choice, remember - lifetimelaid laminate, in addition to the quality of the board itself, also depends on the state of the surface, proper installation and the type of accompanying material (substrate). It is these three components that determine how long the laminated surface will retain its appearance and properties.