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Laminate floors - imitation of parquet board
According to statistics, every second homeowner, and he is used to counting money, will give preference to laminate or parquet laminated. In this article we will explain why.
Content
- What is laminate flooring?
- Modern laminate flooring
- How to choose a laminate? video
- What is the difference between laminate flooring?
- Laminate base
- Laying principle video
- How to protect the laminate from moisture? video
- What laminate is in fashion today?
What is laminate flooring?
Imagine a sectional layer cake, laminate in a section it is very similar to it, since it consists of four or five layers.
All layers under high pressure and high temperature are pressed into a monolith at the same time, each layer performs its function.
The lowest layer is made of resin-impregnated paper, this layer is stabilizing, protects the material from moisture, temperature changes, and deformation.
The next layer consists of a high-density fiberboard, this load-bearing layer is shockproof, moisture resistant, able to dampen sound.
The next layer is decorative or just paper on which the image is printed.
Sometimes, to strengthen the strength, several more paper layers are laid, all these layers are impregnated with synthetic resins - kraft cardboard.
The last layer is a protective layer - a film of melamine or acrylic.
Such a film is able to protect against abrasion, makes the laminate heat-resistant, light-resistant and moisture-resistant.
Modern manufacturers, often in the composition of the upper layer, to give greater wear resistance, add microparticles of corundum or aluminum dioxide.
Such modern flooring is not injured by heels, smoldering cigarettes, etc.
Modern laminate flooring
The modern laminate is very different from the laminate of the 90s.
In those years, such a flooring was a novelty; consumers did not know how to choose it and lay it right.
Therefore, the flooring of that generation left a bad impression on consumers - that laminate quickly wore out, the edges crumbled, the floor swelled.
Modern laminate has long removed all these problems.
All large modern companies, in the production of laminate, do not use particleboard and MDF.
Currently, only the high density NDF board is used.
Each manufacturer seeks to reduce the thickness of the coating; a modern laminate has high sound-absorbing properties.
How to choose a laminate?
How correctly you choose the laminate, how long it will last.
Durability directly depends on the thickness of the laminate.
The highest strength of the laminate is 9-12 mm thick. - This laminate can be laid on top of a heating cable.
If you lay the laminate in the bedroom, where the load is small - a thickness of 6-7 mm is enough.
The best option in rooms with a high load is a laminate with a thickness of 8-10 mm.
What is the difference between laminate flooring?
A modern manufacturer carefully checks its products on 18 indicators.
Laminate is checked for abrasion, impact resistance, light resistance, fire protection, moisture protection, resistance to pollution.
According to these tests, a laminate of class 21-23 is suitable for home use, and a laminate of class 31-34 is intended for commercial use.
However, Russians are accustomed to doing everything with a margin of safety, therefore, laminate of grade 21-23 is practically not produced in our country; a higher grade has become widespread in Russia.
Laminate base
Laminate can be mounted on any flooring: wooden, on linoleum and even ceramic tiles.
The main requirement is that the base must be perfectly smooth, otherwise the connecting laminate locks will break.
For a laminate 6-7 mm thick. possible height difference - 2 mm. per square meter.
If the laminate is 8-10 mm. - difference of 3 mm. If the laminate is 12 mm thick. - difference of 5 mm.
Never lay laminate on a damp surface.
Only 14 days after concrete pouring, it is possible to lay the laminate by pre-laying a plastic film on concrete, and on top of the film lay a soundproofing substrate made of cork or foamed polyethylene.
Laying principle
In no case can laminate be rigidly fixed, since 90% of it consists of wood.
As you know, wood is sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity and can change its linear dimensions.
Therefore, if you firmly fix the planks, they can begin to warp, swell, or vice versa to cringe or form cracks.
Therefore, the laminate is mounted only in a floating manner, at all joints with a wall, pipe or other floor covering, it is necessary to leave a gap of 8-10 mm. - compensation gap.
How to protect the laminate from moisture?
The modern laminate is laid with a special lock.
There are two types of locks - Lock (the spike is hammered into the groove) and Click (the strips simply snap into place).
The second installation option is very easy, any home master can handle it.
The acrylic coating itself protects the laminate from moisture, but it is very important that moisture does not get into the joint (panel lock).
To prevent moisture from entering the locks, when laying the laminate in the hallway and kitchen, it is necessary to lubricate the joints with special sealants.
It is very good to lay a moisture-resistant laminate in these places.
All the ends of the moisture-resistant laminate and all the castle joints, are already processed by special compounds, which are the guarantor of absolute tightness.
This laminate can withstand leaks for 2 hours.
Advanced manufacturers have launched a completely invulnerable coating for water and steam.
The basis of this coating is a plate made of plastic, which allows you to maintain the properties of the laminate even for prolonged periods under water.
Such a laminate perfectly proved itself in bathrooms, baths and even pools.
What laminate is in fashion today?
Currently, a laminate with a high decorative layer of photo printing, sometimes with a 3d effect, is in great demand.
High-quality photo printing reproduces the pattern of each individual board, all directions of fibers, annual rings are visible.
Moreover, each board has its own non-repeating pattern, a complete illusion of a wooden massif is created, and even to the touch.
Laminate is produced with imitation of aged floor - stained, patinated, etc.
