The use of laminate as a floor covering is very popular because of its low price. Usually laminate imitates parquet, but you can also find other patterns. Laminate can have different durability, that’s why it suits for flats, as well as for offices, shops and other premises.
What’s laminate?
Laminate is based on the particle board or fiberboard, which is covered with paper of necessary pattern and with special layer of acrylic. The pattern on the paper can vary from imitation of the parquet to abstract images in any color. On the other side of the laminate panel there is water-repellent paper. The pattern that imitates wood is often used for laminate, that’s why it is often called laminated parquet.
Exploitation characteristics are affected by the quality of upper protective layer. It also affects the cost of laminate covering. There can be one or several layers of acrylic. The number of layers will influence the weariness stability, protection from sun beams, moisture penetration, mechanical and chemical injuries. The thickness of the layer can be from 0,2mm to 1cm.
The advantage of the laminate is, first of all, its low price, while the look is the same as of block parquet or parquet board. Besides, you can easily remove all the dust and mud, even the spilled paint is not a problem. The fastening of laminate panels is very easy and won’t take a lot of time. There are two ways of laminate joining: with a help of glue and with a help of latches.
But laminate has its disadvantages too. For example, its water resistance is much lower then of wooden floor coverings. Moisture resistance and other exploitation characteristics strongly depend on the laminate class.
Laminate classes
The production of laminate is standardized and divided by the level of weariness stability to classes of use. Laminate class is indicated by two-digit number, there are six (21-23 and 31-33). First number indicates the type of premises, where laminate can be used. Number 2 – laminate for living quarters, number 3 – for commercial (offices, shops, etc). Second number indicates allowed exploitation intensiveness, from 1 to 3 in increasing order.
Laminate classes 21 and 22 are intended for laying in living quarters with small and average exploitation level. Usually this laminate is made for glue laying and will last for at least 2-4 years. These classes can be used only in bedrooms and basements. As for the price, you can buy laminate of 21 and 22 class for 8 dollars for square meter.
Laminate of 23 and 31 class is on the second stage of durability. The first one is intended for living quarters with big amount of people, second is recommended for small offices. Laminate of 31 class can be used in flat, but 23 class is not appropriate for offices. The term of life of 23 class laminate can reach 6 years with proper care. The same time will last the 31 class laminate in the office, but if it is used in the flat, it can last 2 times longer, though the difference in price is scarce (about 2-3 dollars for 1 square meter). The cost of this laminate begins from 14 dollars.
As for the laminate of 32 and 33 classes, their main destination is laying in the shops, cafes and other premises with many people. These laminate classes have the thickest protective layer, they often have a special moisture-repelling impregnation and additional layer for sound isolation, which replaces the substrate during the laying. Of course these two classes have the corresponding price – from 20 dollars for square meter. The term of life in public places is up to 6 years. If you can afford buying the laminate of 32 or 33 class for home, the necessity to change it may arise only in 15-20 years.
Which laminate to buy
Selecting a laminate, we can give few general recommendations. First of all, decide where you are going to use it. Second, if it is possible, use higher laminate class.
Besides, the same laminate class has differences. Laminate panels can have different thickness, which of course will influence the price. Second, consider the period of guarantee. Producer may manage to fulfill all the requirements, but with minimal necessary characteristics. That’s why the guarantee period can be a criterion of laminate choice.
Another criterion in the choice of laminate to define its durability is the number of polishing machine turns, which it endures. Such check is called Taber-test. The test measures the number of turns, till there are first visible damages, then the number of turns till 95% wear. As a result, common number is calculated. But unfortunately, this number is not always indicated. That’s why it is better to ask a shop assistant about it. Characteristic numbers for 21 and 22 laminate classes are up to 11 thousand turns; 23 and 31 class can endure up to 15 thousand turns of polishing machine. The highest results have 32 and 33 laminate classes – up to 20 thousands.
The choice of the type of laminate panel joining is also very important. Glue joining is quite strong. Glue is put on laminate sides, so it creates protection from moisture penetration. But still it is a question of time: in some time glue looses its characteristics, and the joints of the laminate can become visible. But laminate on glue joining is cheaper then on latches.
If laminate is fastened on latches, it is a durable construction joining. But this floor covering can also diverge in the end of exploitation term due to the latches weariness. The advantage is that laminate on the latches can be disassembled, if necessary. For example, if you are moving out or during the repair, when you have to change only one panel. As for the sides, in laminate with latch joining (or as they are also called, locks), the sides and sometimes even the whole panel are covered with water-repelling substance. Another plus of such joining is that laminate floor covering is ready for use just after the laying, you don’t have to wait till the glue dries up.
Laminate laying
The surface should be necessarily prepared for the laminate laying beforehand. It can be evened with a help of covering, as in the case of block parquet or parquet board laying. The basis for laminate can be linoleum, ceramic tile, wooden floor. It is important to remove all the unevenness, so that there won’t be any visible deformations of floor covering.
When the floor is evened, the water-resistant material is additionally laid. It is necessary when the laminate is laid on the cement floor or tile. Most often for isolation from moisture polyethylene film is laid. The presence of sound isolation layer is necessary for every type of laminate. This layer allows to compensate the disadvantages of the surface and makes floor covering more elastic. Usually, foam plastic, corkwood or corrugated board is used as a sound isolation layer.
So-called floating method is used for laminate laying. It means that laminate panels are joined without fastening to the basis. First row of laminate panels is laid with a tenon (or lock) to the wall. Following rows are fastened with scarce displacement for better durability. Considering season changes of humidity and temperature in the premise, between the walls and laminate covering small distance of 8-10 mm is always left. Otherwise, temperature and humidity drops will lead to laminate deformations.
Knowing all the necessary information about laminate, you can bravely go to the shop. Now you won’t be surprised, that almost the same laminate differs by price. Because it is divided to classes and is aimed for different premises. Another important constituent of the laminate price is the presence of additional protective layer, water-repelling substances and other factors, invisible for us.
And the last well-known advice: buying such not expensive covering as laminate, don’t try to save money on it.