Laminate flooring is modern flooring. It is widely believed that this artificial substitute for natural parquet is very expensive and unreliable. In addition, many believe that it is afraid of moisture, and six years after installation will require replacement. Until recently, everything was just that. However, today the leading manufacturers of building materials offer their customers high quality laminate. Its service life is within twenty or more years. How can the buyer determine the highest quality laminate? To do this, you need to clarify its wear resistance class. This parameter of the flooring is affixed only after the so-called taber test. Belonging to one or another class will indicate the quality of the coating.
Composition
What is a laminate? This is a panel consisting of several layers. Let's consider them in more detail. The topmost layer of artificial parquet panels is the hardened mass of acrylic or melamine resin. Which laminate is the highest quality and least worn? One for which this layer has the largest thickness.
In the production of glossy laminate, this coating is made of acrylic with corundum. Such a surface not only shines, but also has little wear. Corundum gives this ability to a laminate, which in its hardness does not lag behind diamond.
The second layer of artificial parquet is considered decorative. Perform it from paper having a specific pattern. Thanks to this layer, the floor panel acquires its appearance. Here the possibilities of manufacturers are not limited. Laminate can have a wood structure, look like sand, stone, marble, etc. That is why the second, decorative layer of the laminate is important when designing a room. And this is fifty percent of the success of the repair work.
As for the third, next layer, this is nothing more than a waterproofing stabilizer. It is a waterproof film. Thanks to this layer, artificial parquet does not swell when water gets on it. Some varieties of laminate are able to hold the puddle formed on its surface even for three days without harm to the panel.
The next, fourth layer, the thickest. This is a stabilizing plate made of fiberboard of increased strength. This layer determines the dimensions of the laminate itself, which is 6, 8, 10 and 12 millimeters thick. The larger the data dimensions are, the better the quality of the lock, cut along the perimeter.
And the last, the bottommost layer is kraft paper. This is the protection of the stabilizing plate from moisture. In some grades of laminate, a substrate is still glued to the lower layer. This increases the price of artificial parquet.
Classification
Laminate, like all types of building materials, is divided into certain types. According to this classification, artificial parquet happens:
- moisture resistant (for rooms with high humidity);
- ordinary.
Each of these types is divided into classes that indicate the density of the panel, its wear resistance and reliability. Choosing a quality laminate should begin by considering these characteristics. If the class of the panel you are considering is in the range from 21 to 23, then this coating is suitable for home use. It should be remembered that a larger number indicates a greater wear resistance of artificial parquet. Thus, the highest quality laminate for the apartment corresponds to class 23. Covering with great importance for residential buildings is not worth looking for.
And for offices, shops and other areas with high traffic, which laminate is the highest quality? The reviews of specialists and users give an unambiguous answer to this question. This is a laminate classified in grades 31-33. Production and office premises need a more durable floor, along which more than one thousand legs pass. If a lower class of panels is used in such cases, the coating will quickly fail.
But some manufacturers went further. Today they offer a class 34 laminate. This type of artificial flooring is available from Aloc. However, if you compare this laminate with class 33 panels manufactured by Tarkett, you can see that the supporting documentation in this and in the other case guarantees up to twenty-five years of operation under the same conditions.
The way to determine the class
How does a manufacturer determine a high-quality, good laminate? For this, the panels undergo a taber test for wear resistance. It consists in checking the laminate using a rotating abrasive wheel. One or another number of revolutions will indicate the class of material and the degree of its wear resistance. The disk is rotated until the upper transparent layer of the panel is completely erased. For a commercial line, which laminate is the highest quality? Reviews of experts indicate that these are panels that have passed the number of revolutions from 6 to 20 thousand (depending on their class).
The parameters of such testing are indicated in the accompanying documents of each batch. Their designation is as follows:
- IP - gives an indication of the number of revolutions that the abrasive wheel made before any visible damage appeared on the panel.
- FP - indicates the phase in which ninety-five percent of the abrasion of the upper layer occurs;
- AT is average.
Each of the classes of artificial parquet has its own minimum wear resistance (IP) and maximum (FP) value. According to the parameters, which laminate is the highest quality? Reviews of experts indicate that these values should be close to optimal. However, this does not mean at all that each of the buyers should strive to buy laminate 33 or even 34 class. You need to purchase those panels that are designed for the load attributable to the floor covering in the room for a specific purpose.
Panel selection by class and purpose of premises
How to choose a quality laminate for an apartment? For this, first of all, you need to pay attention to the class of panels. An important factor will be the purpose of a room. As mentioned above, it is recommended to purchase a laminate of class 21, 22 and 23 for apartments. At the same time, the least wear-resistant is suitable for a bedroom and an office. Panels belonging to the 22nd class will be a good floor covering for the living room and the nursery. A higher category of material is recommended for hallways, loggias and kitchens. It should be borne in mind that for apartments and private houses, panels from grade 21 to 23 are a laminate of inexpensive, but high-quality. After all, it is used in rooms with low traffic.
Laminate, starting from 31 and ending with a rare 34 class (it is produced in small batches due to the high cost), is used in public places and offices. That is, where a large number of people go daily. What class of artificial parquet is used in this or that room? So, it is recommended to apply:
- Grade 31 - for classrooms and lounges;
- 32nd class - in offices, offices and receptions;
- 33rd class - for shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, gyms, medical institutions and receptions.
It is worth saying that some owners, when deciding on how to choose a high-quality laminate for an apartment, are buying commercial-style panels. Of course, in the presence of the necessary financial resources, this can be quite advisable. It will be possible to walk on such a laminate in high heels, moreover, it will not be damaged if a heavy object falls on it, nor will it be sold under a load of heavy furniture. Yes, and the life of commercial artificial parquet 31-34 class will be approximately two decades, while the period of use of cheaper coating will not exceed 5-10 years.
Panel selection by thickness
There is another criterion that will help answer the question of which laminate is the highest quality. Reviews of experts advise choosing artificial parquet by its thickness. In this case, you will need to remember some basic rules that are directly related to this indicator. The density of the adherence of the panels to each other depends on the thickness of the main layer made of fiberboard. The larger these dimensions, the stronger the joint.
In addition, to the surface on which a thin laminate is applied, the requirements are more stringent. It should be perfectly smooth and perfectly smooth, and this complicates the construction work.
The thickness of the laminate directly affects its sound-absorbing properties. The price of artificial parquet also depends on this parameter. How to choose a quality laminate for this characteristic? Here, again, the room where it will be located should be taken into account. So, panels from 21 to 23 class are produced with a thickness of 6-8 mm, and the values of this indicator for panels with greater wear resistance are in the range of 10-12 mm.
Moisture resistance selection
How to choose a quality laminate that would not deteriorate from washing with a damp cloth? To do this, choose the type of floor panel correctly. As already mentioned above, a laminate is moisture resistant and ordinary. So, the second of these types of artificial wood flooring is afraid. It is not intended for use in rooms with high humidity. In addition, such panels can swell during prolonged contact with water. That is why in rooms where a conventional laminate is used, it is possible to produce wet cleaning with only a slight contact of the floor surface with water.
Another thing is moisture resistant panels. They are not afraid of wet daily cleaning. Moreover, they will not deteriorate even if someone spills something on the floor. That is why this material can be safely laid in the kitchen or in the hallway.
Visual assessment
How to choose a quality laminate? The panels offered in the store are worth sniffing. A pungent smell will indicate a bad product. What is a quality laminate? One that has no smell.
Experts also recommend comparing the proposed panel instances by weight. What is the highest quality laminate flooring? Reviews of professionals recommend purchasing panels of greater weight. Without a doubt, the lightweight laminate is made from low density and thickness boards. And this is a confirmation of its worst quality.
Also, in order to determine which laminate is the highest quality, it is necessary to consider it from the side of the long end. The product should be perfectly straight. The presence of any bends on it is evidence of improper or very long storage. It is especially harmful to overexert ordinary panels in a warehouse. But for a moisture-resistant laminate, a long shelf life is not a cause of deterioration.
If, as a result of a long stay in a warehouse, an ordinary laminate absorbs moisture, then after laying such boards dry out. Their surface swells and becomes covered with ugly spots, and cracks appear at the joints.
The choice of the country of origin
Which laminate is the highest quality? When buying artificial flooring, it is recommended to ask the country where this building material was released. And here it should be borne in mind that almost all brands of high-quality laminate are produced in Europe. Domestic materials, as a rule, please buyers only with prices. As for their quality, it disappoints most of our compatriots.
Unfortunately, a third of the Russian laminate market is occupied by cheap Chinese goods. And the problem here is not at all in the producing country, but in the importers. In China, there are a large number of factories producing laminate of the highest quality. However, in order to maximize profits, our customers bring artificial parquet produced in handicraft factories. Of course, the price of such panels is low, which allows sellers to earn large amounts. But it is worth keeping in mind that such panels can be made of MDF, and not of high-density fiberboard. In addition, they do not correspond to the class declared in the accompanying documents. To attract customers, such a product is placed in a beautiful package, which displays high rates that do not correspond to these plates.
How not to let yourself be deceived?
How to get the highest quality laminate flooring? The manufacturer of building materials should be large and have already established themselves in the consumer market. The flooring can be produced by a little-known brand, but it is mandatory in a factory that has a good reputation. Only in this case you are sure to buy a quality laminate.
Reviews of those who have already purchased and use the laminate, recommend not to rush when buying. It is better to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of the brand you like, as well as ask for the opinions of other people. It is advisable to go to the manufacturer's website. If the company produces laminate, starting with the manufacture of plates, then this option will be the best.
If the purchase is made by you in the store, then pay attention to the packaging. She can also say about the quality of the goods. A good product is packaged in good conscience. Moreover, there is no artsy design and catchy colors. Such packaging is intended only to protect the laminate during its transportation.
Manufacturer's choice
In order to know for sure that the laminate you bought is of high quality, purchase goods only from the best manufacturer of this material. But in this case, it is worth remembering that such companies produce sub-brands. These are cheaper panels that retain external quality attributes. In order to choose a really good laminate, you should study the price range of the goods of your chosen company before buying. This will help to distinguish the original panel from a cheap analogue.
When choosing a laminate, you should also remember that there are a number of enterprises included in the register, which is formed by the Association of European Manufacturers. This list will allow you to make the right choice. So, officially registered trade brands include: Tarkett and Quick Step, Aqua Step and Pergo, Egger and some others.
Which manufacturer's laminate flooring do experts recommend paying attention to? Many professionals prefer Tarkett products. The quality of its flooring is at the highest level. In addition, a well-known European company offers its customers diverse collections consisting of panels of any color and with various technical characteristics. All batches of artificial flooring of this company are being processed in the process of creation. Due to this, they become immune to moisture and chemicals.
For more than a century, the German company Aberhof has been manufacturing its products. Today in its arsenal is modern equipment. Due to this, the laminate is produced using the most modern technologies. The products of the German company undergo careful control, which is carried out at all stages of the technological process. This allows you to produce a very durable panel with an optimal ratio of quality and price.
The laminate of another German manufacturer, Eurofloor, is resistant to slipping. These high-quality panels are optimal for flooring in shops, in kitchens and in bathrooms.
There is a company that gives a lifetime guarantee on its laminate flooring. This is the Norwegian company Alloc, whose products are not only distinguished by excellent quality or reasonable prices. The panels are equipped with a system of aluminum locks that can withstand significant loads on the coating (up to 1220 kilograms per square meter).
Laminate, the surface of which imitates natural wood in the highest quality, is produced under the brand Maestro Club (Belgian or German version). This is a very solid and high-strength material made in cherry, oak, boxwood, beech and sandalwood.
Conclusion
Of course, there is no one recipe that allows you to get a really high-quality laminate. When choosing, use only those recommendations that are obtained from reliable sources. You should not hope that the seller in the store will give you truthful, comprehensive and useful advice. When making a decision, you need to take full responsibility. , , . , , .