Floor coverings have a wide range. But they are given special attention when choosing, because the products lend themselves to rapid wear. Laminate is one of the most sought-after finishing materials for today. Therefore, manufacturers are trying to create material that is different in external data and structure. It turns out that the choice is built not just by color, but also by surface type (glossy or matte look). Which is better and why? Each option has its pros and cons. We will consider all the nuances in our article today.
Characteristic
The main difference from matte can be considered the presence of an interesting gloss, which is achieved using a special coating of the upper layer. Therefore, a glossy laminate (a photo of it is in our article) is suitable for small rooms and huge halls. Each finishing material has positive and negative sides. This information is useful to everyone who is going to go to the store for a purchase.
Types
There are two main types for sale:
- Brilliant. Its main advantage is the ability to reflect the rays of sunlight. If we talk about visual differences, then this is a surface polished with a certain tool.
- Mirror surface. Even without light exposure, objects are reflected. This is a very interesting property of glossy laminate in the interior is often used.
If the apartment or house does not have enough sunlight, such a flooring is the best solution. You can find a whole palette of paints on sale. But the choice needs to be made, given the design decisions.
pros
Glossy laminate is chosen for its advantages. They are enough to take a leading position in sales:
- Regardless of the chosen interior, such decoration visually increases the area of the room, gives it a touch of sophistication and sophistication. Everyone who wants to transform a room should make a choice in this direction.
- Resistance to the sun. In addition, natural light transforms it and makes it brighter and more saturated. And the room gives notes of uniqueness.
- In addition, the glossy 12 mm laminate is an excellent soundproofing material. It is water resistant and antistatic, reviews say. For these qualities it is used not only in the bedroom, hall, but also in the kitchen.
- For the manufacture of such a flooring, an environmentally friendly antibacterial material that does not cause allergies is used.
- A large assortment. Regardless of the room and the available furniture, everyone will choose the appropriate option.
Minuses
Cons are not excluded, one of which is vulnerability to damage. Reviews say that on such a surface any scratches and abrasions are noticeable. So, care will have to be in a special way. Dirt and dust are also enemies of a glossy laminate. Cleaning should be done carefully and often to eliminate visible imperfections. Experts say that there is a developed cleaning technique. So, never apply too wet cloth. The rag should be soft and well wrung out from water. Only after this is wet cleaning performed.
When dry cleaning is required, a vacuum cleaner with a nozzle for carpets is used. To completely eliminate scratches on the surface of this material, it is worth making gaskets on the legs of furniture. Some consider this coating as slippery as possible and do not recommend using it if the house is small children or old people. But this is not all the disadvantages inherent in the finishing material. Another disadvantage is the high cost.
Manufacturers
There are recommendations for manufacturers who are not one year on the market and have only positive reviews:
- Falquon / Falcon. Manufacturer Germany.
- Westerhof / Westerhof. Supplier and Manufacturer - China.
- Glossfloor. China.
- Floor Step / "Flor". Coating is also made in China.
What you need to know about the species?
As noted earlier, there are various models on sale. They have their own differences in shades, texture and patterns. All of them mainly imitate wood, although there are drawings of stone or tile. It looks original and much cheaper in terms of price. Glossy laminate, according to experienced craftsmen, is a unique finishing material.
The difference may be the stripes on the surface, namely their number. If the room is small, a three-way laminate will be suitable. It looks like a parquet board. But of the two, as a simple floor, it only fits with its color scheme. If the room is large, then a single-lane view is more convenient to lay and it looks original.
What you need to know about the surface of the finishing material? It is glossy, although sometimes imitation wood-like becomes appropriate in some rooms. When determining the service life, it is worth paying attention to wear resistance. Marking is available on all models. It should be guided by it:
- The most reliable will be a glossy laminate of class 33. It is rarely lined in residential premises, because it is suitable for retail space, namely, places with a constant crowd of people.
- For offices, you can choose a slightly lower indicator - 32, although a glossy laminate 33 is also used. It responds well to water and does not lend itself to getting wet, this is true.
- For a house or apartment there is no need to select such a floor finish. In the kitchen there can be a waterproof glossy laminate from 23 to 21 classes. The latter should not be used in rooms with high humidity.
So, before buying, an accurate calculation of the material and determination of the suitable type is performed.
How to stack?
First, the surface is prepared - the old coating is removed (sometimes all dust must be removed to the base). Further, depending on the coverage, the main work is carried out. If it is a tree, then it must be completely repaired. Remove old heat insulation and soundproofing gasket. If the lags are damaged, then they are completely changed. A full check is made, and you can not refuse this stage.
If a concrete floor is involved, then small errors are erased. A full screed is made from concrete mixture. To completely level the surface, the construction level is used in the work. After the work is completed, sand-concrete mixtures should dry. With a tree a little easier - as soon as all applied substances (soil or protective components) are dry, the laying of the material begins.
There are no distinctive features for laying a glossy laminate. Depending on the castle, the calculation begins from the most prominent corner. It’s better to pre-make the circuit. No one will be mistaken on it. If there is no experience in working with such building material, you do not need to create serious structures. The purchase is made with a margin, because even experienced craftsmen can make mistakes.
Before choosing, many turn to the advice of people who have already worked with such material. The easiest way is feedback. Judging by the comments, a glossy laminate has many advantages and is often chosen for this. Even those disadvantages that make the material impractical go by the wayside. The room gets its color, and a small room visually expands.
Glossy white laminate looks good in the bedroom. So, the room becomes wide and as bright as possible. The choice of colors is large - this allows not only to create an interesting interior, but also to choose any imitation: wood, stone, etc. Although, due to the high cost, many refuse it.
How to care?
There are peculiar care moments. It is worth doing the following:
- Remove dust on time. In order to avoid noticeable scratches in the future, it is removed with a vacuum cleaner with a nozzle for carpets. There are special nozzles for such glossy surfaces. Do not give up on this, otherwise the external data will not be the best.
- For wet cleaning, wipe the entire area with a dry, soft cloth. Microfiber or natural cotton is better.
- No need to add too powerful chemicals to the water. Enough of a small amount of soap. You can purchase special products for washing glossy laminate.
Furniture is definitely not worth moving on such a surface. Protective rubber or felt devices are put on the legs. If the room is often walked (for example, in the kitchen), you can drop the rug or lay a carpet. This will extend the life of the material. For non-residential premises use a special laminate. The gloss on it is durable, but the cost is high. For the house there is no need to purchase it. After installing the floor, you must follow the rules of care. Then the coating will last longer and will delight the owner.
Glossy laminate on the market not so long ago. During operation, he shows himself from the best side. There are many pluses, so some disadvantages go by the wayside. When you want to change the interior of a house, a laminate with a glossy finish is the best solution.
Is it erased?
The opinion that the glossy surface is erased has a place to be. Therefore, it is better to give preference to those manufacturers who have proven themselves from the best side, since unknown suppliers do not pass testing of their goods. Glossy laminate can be laid on a warm floor, as it is resistant to temperature effects. Even hot water does not adversely affect the surface.
Resource
How many years can a glossy finish in a house last? Masters believe that with proper operation, nothing will happen to him for ten years. Therefore, the high cost is justified. If there are children or animals, then material with a high level of class (up to 34) is acquired. Before purchasing, you should immediately decide which type is suitable (mirror or glossy), because the recommendations of sellers are not always considered objective. It is necessary to make the calculation with accuracy so as not to overpay for excess material. Not everyone can understand which manufacturer to trust. It is necessary to take into account not only the positive, but also the negative sides of each type. This information is beneficial to the potential buyer.