How to choose laminate: tips and mistakes. How to choose laminate flooring so that it lasts for many years? Laminate and its types

Home flooring can be made from different materials. The main requirements for it are strength, durability, appearance and cost. Natural materials are not cheap. Therefore, one of the best substitutes for natural parquet today is a beautiful and practical type of finish, which is available to almost all categories of buyers.

There are several classes of material presented. It is distinguished by the strength of the top layer. , advice from professionals will help you figure it out. Their recommendations will be discussed below.

Features of the material

To understand how to choose a good laminate for an apartment, it is necessary to consider the features of the presented material. Its board consists of several layers. Various materials are used for them.

The bottom layer prevents the board from deforming. It promotes moisture resistance and rigidity of the coating. It is created from kraft cardboard impregnated with artificial resins. On top of the bottom layer is the base of the board. This is a load-bearing material made from fiberboard. Mechanical loads are compensated by this material. It prevents heat loss in the room and serves as sound insulation. Locks are provided in this layer for the installation of all floor boards.

The top layer prevents wear and tear. Quality and laminate cost depend specifically on this coverage. The thicker and stronger it is, the more durable the material will be.

Class

May refer to different strength classes. There are several categories of finishing, which are intended for different types of premises. Previously, according to Directive EN 13329, which was approved by European manufacturers, laminate boards of class 31 to 34 were made for commercial premises. Varieties of class 21-23 were suitable for apartments.

Today, products for the home and industrial and office establishments do not differ by group number. Classes 31-34 also began to be produced for apartments. Categories 21-23 were abolished. They are not made today.

The class to which the board belongs characterizes the strength of the load-bearing layer. For the top coating, a different classification is used, characterizing resistance to mechanical damage. It is indicated by the AC indicator scale. There is laminate of categories 3-6. There are Asian products with wear resistance class AC5 for the top layer.

What does the class show?

Considering what class of laminate is better for an apartment, it is necessary to delve into the system of such markings. Before indicating this indicator, manufacturers conduct a series of tests. Based on the results obtained, the product is assigned a strength class.

The material is examined according to a number of indicators. First of all, the resistance of the laminate to load over a long period of time is determined. Its heat resistance, endurance to mechanical wear and shock are tested. The adhesion strength of the layers of boards is also controlled.

A high-class laminate should be resistant to sunlight and not lose its original qualities. It should not be stained by dirt or liquids. When exposed to water, a high-quality board does not swell. The surface cannot be slippery. A good laminate does not release formaldehyde into the surrounding space. The antistatic indicator is checked. Only having received high characteristics in the listed categories, the product can be classified as a high strength class.

Features of choice

An overview of the laminate will allow you to choose the right type of finish. It is important to understand which issues need to be addressed first. The greater the load on the floor covering, the stronger it should be.

When choosing, they take into account how many people live in the apartment and how much they weigh. They also take into account what furniture will be installed in the room, what objects will have to be moved without lifting them from the surface.

It is necessary to consider what liquids and chemicals may reach the surface. If the exposure to moisture is prolonged, you will need to purchase the most durable type of laminate. It will last a long time under heavy-duty conditions. You should also correlate the strength class of the base with the surface characteristics of the board. For example, the bottom layer may be durable, but the top coating will quickly wear out and lose its appearance due to scratches.

How to choose a class?

Today there are a number of generally accepted recommendations that allow you to choose a strength class in accordance with the needs of the room. The most inexpensive and simple laminate of class 31 is suitable for rooms such as an office and a bedroom. The floor in such rooms is less subject to stress.

Designed primarily for the living room and children's room. Here the load on the floor will be higher. Class 33 is intended for the bathroom and kitchen. Here water often comes to the surface. Also in such rooms, household appliances are installed, for example, a washing machine or dishwasher. During their operation, the floor covering is exposed to large mechanical loads and vibrations. In order not to damage the laminate, it must be very durable in such places.

There are 34 laminate classes. It is considered the most durable, but expensive. It is used in rooms with very high loads. For example, this could be a bathroom or hallway in a large family.

Features of Class 31

Should be 7-8 mm. This condition is fully met by class 31 material. It is able to provide reliable flooring both in the apartment and in the office.

The presented type of board is resistant to various adverse influences. It is not subject to temperature changes. A dropped cigarette will not leave a mark on the surface. Average susceptibility to abrasion allows this laminate to be used in a bedroom or office. However, there should be no furniture on wheels in the room.

The presented type of laminate will last about 10-12 years if used correctly. This category of finishes has low resistance to high humidity. Therefore, it can only be installed in dry rooms with low traffic. It is not recommended to wipe it frequently with a damp cloth during the day. The cost of this material will be the most acceptable for all categories of buyers.

Features of Class 32

Suitable for medium-duty rooms, such as a children's room or living room. In such conditions it has been in operation for about 15 years. The thickness of such a board is 7.5-9 mm.

There are a large number of textures and shades in this category. This is due to the high demand for this category of laminate. It perfectly combines price and quality. This material repels water well. You can carry out wet cleaning several times a day.

The laminate of this class does not fade, does not quickly become covered with scratches or abrasions. You can walk on this surface in heels. The surface is resistant to household chemicals. Good antistatic properties prevent dust from settling on the surface. This laminate has high-quality sound insulation. At the same time, a special comfort is created in the room.

Advantages of class 33

High laminate quality Class 33 allows it to be installed in rooms with high loads. This could be a kitchen or a hallway, a bathroom. Under such conditions, the coating will last about 15 years. If a similar laminate is used for other premises, in unloaded conditions it can be used for about 30 years.

This board can be chosen even for gyms, restaurants, and shops. The cost of this material is higher than that of the two previous classes. However, the service life of this laminate will be longer.

The thickness of the presented product is about 12 mm. This is a durable, quiet and comfortable floor. It is not afraid of prolonged exposure to moisture. Even if a large amount of water gets on it, cracks and swelling will not appear. The locks are impregnated with special compounds. This prevents dirt and liquids from penetrating between the seams.

Characteristics of class 34

When considering, you need to pay attention to the elite variety. This is class 34 coverage. This laminate appeared later than the others. It is able to withstand the heaviest loads. Most often it is used in commercial organizations where heavy equipment, machines are installed in the premises, there are large vibrations and other adverse effects.

In an apartment, this laminate guarantees that the coating will withstand even the highest loads. In this case, the service life is 50 years. This is the most expensive material. It is installed extremely rarely in apartments. This coating can withstand the traffic of 1000 people per day. This indicator corresponds to a cinema, airport, train station or shopping center.

Class 33 flooring is produced by many companies. The market leaders today are products jointly produced by Russia and Germany under the brands Tarkett and Ritter. Domestic manufacturer Sinteros also demonstrate high quality products. We can highlight the products of the Belgian company Berry Allok and the German-Norwegian brand Maestro Club.

Class 34 products are now supplied to the domestic market by the Swedish company Pergo and the Norwegian manufacturer Maestro Club.

Having considered what class of laminate is better for an apartment, as well as the features of this material, everyone can choose the best option for themselves.

What is laminate made of?

The material from which the laminate is made is fiberboard. It provides flexibility combined with strength, allowing the glue to penetrate easily and deeply into the structure of the material. The planks are connected to each other with special “quick step” latches and do not require the use of glue, thanks to this you can quickly and easily not only assemble the floors, but also, if necessary, disassemble them. The adhesive laminate has additional areas for applying glue, which will additionally provide the floor with moisture-resistant seams and greater joint strength.

Whatever the design of your interior, you can always choose an option that matches the color and type of surface.

cross-sectional structure of a modern laminate

Differences by surface type

Laminate flooring comes in a wide variety of patterns and shades. You can choose not only a pattern that follows the structure of wood, but also an imitation of stone or tile. There are a huge variety of shades - from very dark noble to almost white. In addition, according to the pattern, laminate flooring is classified into single-strip, two-strip and three-strip. The latter is very similar in appearance to block parquet and looks great in small rooms. Two-strip laminate resembles short floorboards, like a classic plank floor. In large premises, single-strip laminate is most often used.

There are several types of laminate surfaces, differing in glossy shine or imitation of rough wood processing. The outer side can be classic natural, textured, embossed, artificially aged, glossy or oiled. Natural classic laminate completely replicates the wood pattern with small indentations. Laminate with a textured, aged and embossed surface is distinguished by deeper pores and a pronounced texture of roughly processed wood. Gloss laminate has a waxed, smooth exterior that is coated with varnish or oil. The choice of surface depends on your interior design and tactile preferences.

Laminate classes

The classification of use will help you choose a laminate for a particular room. Each type of laminate is tested for sound insulation, resistance to scratches, abrasion, moisture and light.

• The most durable laminated coatings of class 33 can withstand contact with water for several hours and are the most wear-resistant of all types of coatings. Laminate of this class is used in commercial premises with very high traffic, for example in shops.
• Floor coverings of classes 32 and 31 are used in commercial premises with less traffic, in offices and conference rooms. They are also able to withstand prolonged contact with water and are very resistant to abrasion and scratches.
• In residential buildings and apartments, laminate of classes 23, 22 and 21 is used.
• Laminate of the lowest class 21 is usually used in bedrooms and other dry rooms with low traffic.

What do the pictures on the packaging mean?

On most laminate packaging, in addition to indicating the class, there are images reflecting additional parameters and degrees of protection:

Video: how to choose laminate and not make a mistake?

To preserve the pristine beauty of the flooring, it is recommended to use rubber wheels on furniture, rugs at the entrance and special cleaning compounds. Scratches on the laminate are repaired with a simple repair pencil. And stubborn stains can be removed with acetone, gasoline or alcohol. And about how to lay laminate flooring yourself.

Despite the commitment of a large number of buyers to natural materials, many are gradually leaning in favor of laminate flooring - a practical, not so expensive, easy-to-install coating. Laminate properties and characteristics have optimal properties that meet the basic requirements of buyers, which is why it has earned considerable popularity.

Advantages of laminate

The choice of floor coverings is a serious matter, if only because the lining of the walls and ceiling can be renewed or completely replaced in a year or two, but the floor is rarely repaired and any reconstruction of it is planned, if not forever, then for a long time. And I really want the floor finish to be wear-resistant, environmentally friendly, safe for health, creating a feeling of warmth and comfort in the house.

• Laminate boards are inert to high temperatures. Of course, you shouldn’t put a hot frying pan on it, but if small sparks or hot ashes fall on the floor, they won’t even leave a trace. The same property allows the coating to be used in underfloor heating systems.
• Thanks to the top protective layer, laminate does not allow dyes to pass through easily; it will not be difficult to wash off a stain from coffee, tea, or even a drop of nail polish.
• Laminate floors practically do not change color in areas that are constantly exposed to direct sunlight.
• You don’t have to worry about marks left after installing heavy furniture; laminate flooring is highly durable.
• Aesthetics, variety of textures and decor. In living rooms, we most often encounter wood or parquet floor decor. But there is a laminate for stone, marble, ceramic tiles and exotic options for leather and metal.
• Installing laminate flooring is quite simple. Installation takes place in a glue-free manner; the canvas can be disassembled and laid in another place.

Which laminate flooring to choose

When choosing a floor covering, pay attention to the classification. Depending on the expected load on the floor, laminate is divided into 6 classes:

• Household laminate – 21, 22, 23 – the first number “2” indicates that the laminate is recommended for installation in living rooms;
commercial – 31, 32, 33 – intended for service, office, retail, and industrial premises.

The second number characterizes the wear resistance indicator:

• 21, 31 is intended for floors in rooms with low traffic, where there is no frequent movement of furniture and equipment, that is, the risk of rapid abrasion of the top layer (bedrooms, dressing rooms, guest rooms, storage rooms or conference rooms, meeting rooms in the office);
• 22, 32 is designed for rooms with an average rate of traffic (children's rooms, living rooms, in offices - workrooms);
• 23, 33 class laminate is used for high traffic (floors in the corridor, reception area, in the halls of cafes, bars, hotel lobbies). Including those intended for household purposes, where there is a risk of falling sharp or heavy objects (glass, knives, etc.), in rooms with vibrating mechanisms (washing machine, dishwasher) or “roller” furniture.

Lifespan of laminate floors

To create a safety margin, experienced users advise studying the classification of laminate and choosing a higher class. And the use of classes 31, 32, 33 in residential buildings guarantees a significant increase in service life. For example:

31, 32 class laminate will “live” on the floors of commercial premises from 2-3 to 5 years, in residential ones - 10-12;

Class 33 laminate will not lose its performance characteristics in industrial and commercial buildings for up to 6 years, and in residential buildings for up to 20.

European manufacturers currently do not produce laminate of classes 21, 22, 23. If you come across such markings, then these are the remains of a large batch or an ordinary fake.

The strength of the coating also depends on the thickness. For residential premises, 6-8 mm is enough, commercial laminate should be at least 8 mm, and more often a 10-12 mm coating is used.

Laminate properties, characteristics, structure

The coating consists of 3-4 layers, pressed under strong pressure and at high temperature:

Protective layer (acrylic or melamine film). Acrylic or melamine are almost harmless components, but the problem is that formaldehyde is used to thicken the resins, the release of vapors of which is dangerous for humans. The manufacturer reports its contents with special markings E0, E1, E2, etc.

If the purchased product is marked E0, E1, you have a copy in which the presence of formaldehyde could not be detected or its content does not exceed the norm (10 mg per 100g). The E2 sign indicates a content of 10-30 mg (which is not scary, but not good).

Coatings marked E3 are not recommended for residential premises, and especially for poorly ventilated ones. The formaldehyde content in it reaches from 30 to 60 mg per 100 grams of dry matter. Which is not harmful in a normal state, but in the event of a fire, the concentration of its vapors in the air is extremely dangerous.

Eco-friendly wood coatings (without the use of additional impregnations) have an E1 value, and coatings made from chipboard and MDF are no different from laminate in terms of formaldehyde content.

There are attempts to produce completely environmentally friendly laminate - without formaldehyde. For example, such material was developed by ELESGO. According to the test results, the presence of harmful components was not detected (or their content was less than 0.005!).

Another important characteristic of the protective layer is the presence of corundum. The presence of aluminum oxide gives strength to the coating, but, unfortunately, increases the cost.

Second layer – decorative, made of paper with a permanent printed design applied to it.

The third, which makes up the main thickness of the entire coating, is also called the load-bearing base. It is made of fiberboard, chipboard, MDF boards, varying in density. Provides heat, sound insulation, and fracture toughness.

Fastenings are also located here, simplifying the joining of individual elements. Locking joints are cut directly from the base (fiber) or manufactured separately.

The strength of the fiber connection depends on:

• From the thickness of the base (more durable fastening is provided by locks on a thick panel);
• The depth of the groove and its shape;
• Impregnation quality of panel edges and fastenings.

What to look for when choosing

Impregnation can be external and internal (deep). Joints with internal processing are slippery and give the impression of a wet edge. Scratch the lock, and if the surface remains smooth and no wax has collected under the nail, you are lucky, you are dealing with laminate specimens whose locks have undergone high-quality deep processing.

If the wax is removed, it is an external impregnation that can rub off after some time, and the entry of foreign inclusions into the grooves will reduce the strength and water resistance of the joint. This laminate has not the best properties and characteristics, if not “low quality”.

It is a mistaken belief that impregnation provides water resistance. Its main function is the ease of connecting grooves. Wax hides shortcomings in the tightness of the lock for some time, softens creaking due to the mismatch of the geometry of the connection parts. But if there are shortcomings, they will appear after the impregnation wears off.

Recently, polymer materials have begun to be used for the base. Their main advantage is water resistance.

Waterproof laminates include:

• products with reinforced impregnation of HDF panels (allows two to three hours of contact with water),
• elements based on a plastic panel.

The laminate, whose wood-chip base was replaced with a plastic one, is absolutely protected from deformation during prolonged contact with water (6-hour guarantee). This type of coating can be safely used not only in wet rooms, but also where direct contact with water is possible on the floor (bathroom, toilet, kitchen).

Advertising or materials from the future? Some manufacturers have already started selling class 34 laminate, which they claim is super-strength and super-water-resistant. However, this is rather an advertising campaign for the product. Since this type of laminate is not registered in the official classification.

But: with this marking, large European companies Praktik, Parafloor, Alloc produce 12 mm laminate of the Brilliant, Glossfloor, AMOAGE, MATflooring collections. The special strength of the coatings of these collections is marked with class 34.

Laminate: properties, characteristics - video

Modern technologies, often used in the manufacturing process of laminate flooring, help create the most durable, reliable, beautiful and varied slats. But here's the main catch: which laminate to choose: cheaper or more expensive, European brands, domestic or Chinese, with or without chamfer? A series of articles will help you figure out what's what.

Laminate classes

It is known that all products are divided into 2 types: commercial options and household. We advise you to pay attention to commercial ones. In principle, their cost is low, but their service life exceeds household copies several times:

• floors can be used in commercial premises with a characteristic light load. On average, the service life is from 2 to 3 years. In everyday life - from 10 to 12;
• fits in commercial premises with a typical average load level. Service life in the office is up to 5 years, at home - up to 15 years. 32 wear resistance class- the best option. This is what most buyers choose, both for their apartments and for shops, offices, cafes, etc.;
• Suitable for commercial establishments with intensive load. Service life in an enterprise is up to 7 years, in everyday life – up to 20 years. Many take into account such a long service life in everyday life. The undoubted advantage is that such floors do not lose their appearance over a long period;
• : slats with the highest technical performance and characteristics. They are designed for commercial premises with maximum load. Although, today such flooring can also be found in the homes of many families;
• This is not a common laminate flooring option. It is classified as one that is produced to order.

! If you are interested in high-quality products, we recommend that you pay attention to. This is where quality always comes first!

Chinese laminate: check, and then trust

If you have already figured out the wear resistance class of the panels, and you are not afraid of moisture, you can choose moisture-resistant slats or the option. The advantage of the latter option is visual imitation: after installation, the coating will have an excellent appearance, plus it is moisture resistant, which means it will not deteriorate over a long period of operation. Could there be anything better?

Today there are several types of slats for the kitchen. When purchasing, pay special attention to:

• class: start choosing from wear resistance class 32. Only such models are suitable for the kitchen;
• moisture/water resistance indicators. Don't confuse them. Moisture-resistant ones are protected only from moisture, while water-resistant ones can even withstand a flood.

! This material costs much more than usual, but it also lasts an order of magnitude longer.

Today, the most famous manufacturers of such panels are European companies, especially German and Belgian. Among the huge number of brands, the following deserve trust: Tarkett, Pergo, Eco Flooring, Egger, Kronotex, Classen, Witex, Alloc, Kronospan and Kronostar.

• Suberic

The texture of the front layer of the lamellas is varied. It can vary from lamellar to fine-grained. More classic designs include warm shades of yellow, brown and ochre. For lovers of exotic coatings, options with colored splashes are available. You can find out more details.

The advantage of such finishing bases is that they do not accumulate static electricity and do not emit harmful substances. They are also characterized by high dirt-repellent properties: no trace of oil or ink stains will remain.

! In general, the production of such material is well established. Thanks to modern technologies, such flooring can last up to 30 years in a home and up to 10 years in a public place.

• Vinyl

This variety appeared on the market quite recently. The structure of the board differs from the layers of ordinary lamella. It consists of only two layers, which are combined together into a plank for arranging the subfloor:

1. The front layer is aluminum oxide or polyurethane. A pattern is applied to its surface that imitates the natural surface of expensive wood;
2. The base is vinyl, which is resistant to moisture. It is this that increases the rigidity and strength of the floor, extending the service life of the entire flooring.

! The main ones are resistance to mechanical damage, wear resistance and durability.

• Glossy

Everyone, sooner or later, thinks about buying. We are attracted by its mirror shine. Yes, such a coating has many advantages, but we should also not forget about its disadvantages.

Therefore, before you decide to purchase, analyze all the pros and cons. Then you will understand what will be best for your house/apartment. Externally attractive material will fit into any interior and any design. The gloss will reflect light, scattering it throughout the room, making it lighter and larger. An undoubted advantage is that all dust, dirt and stains are removed more easily than with a matte structure.

• Under parquet

Slats are a completely new trend. Special innovative technologies used in the production process make it possible to give the panel any appearance, including the appearance of a parquet board. So, you pay less, but get almost the same floor.

! You can also buy any option or without it. As a rule, the thick panel option is especially popular.

The question of the difference between these two lamella options is particularly acute. So what's the difference?

Tolerates high levels of indoor humidity very well. Such boards are not afraid of short-term contact with water, so they are ideal for those who are thinking about renovating their kitchen.

Able to withstand even prolonged contact with water, so it is suitable even for bathrooms and saunas.

What is the main difference? As you probably already understood, the difference is in the ability of these two types of coating to withstand the effects of dampness, moisture and water. Waterproof panels obtained their advantageous properties through the use of a special production technology: high-pressure apparatuses are applied to the slab at high temperatures. So, it is compressed and becomes especially strong. All cracks that remain after pressing are filled with heated wax. Witex laminate made in Germany is considered the highest quality product today.

! Based on this, you can decide which version of lamellas is suitable in your individual case.

Although, at first glance, everything seems quite simple, choosing a laminate flooring has been and remains a real problem for many of us. We tried to help you find the right solution among the many brands, classes and options presented on the modern market.

No matter what they tell you, no matter how they convince you, no matter what they prove, and no matter what they persuade you to do - now you have a reliable source of all the necessary information. Use it to transform your home into a combination of a variety of design trends and fashionable interiors at a reasonable price and in a short time. Go for it!

Choosing a floor covering is an important component of any major renovation, but deciding on a purchase is often more difficult than it seems at first glance. More and more people are abandoning linoleum, which was boring back in Soviet times; all floors cannot be covered with carpet, and noble parquet is too expensive.

And here a fashionable and affordable laminate comes to the rescue - comfortable, effective and quite durable. To understand all the intricacies of choosing the best laminate, we invited an expert, a master with 12 years of experience, Alexander Eremeev, to answer our questions.

This comfortable, beautiful and durable material is now available in a wide range

• Alexander, first of all, tell us what criteria should be followed when choosing a laminate flooring? What to look for: price, manufacturer, board thickness or design?

Buying laminate flooring is a responsible matter, because floorboards are not bought for one year or even five. To choose the best coating, be sure to consider several factors: brand and country of origin, price, wear resistance, moisture and impact resistance, scratch resistance. And, of course, design.

• Let's start with durability. Laminate has several classes, but how to understand them?

Today, laminate flooring is usually divided into 7 main classes: 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 33 and 34. The first number 2 in the marking indicates use in residential premises, number 3 - in public and commercial areas.

• Class 21 boards are laid in rooms with the least traffic - bedrooms, living rooms,
• 22 is suitable for children's rooms where there is constant play,
• 23 - for the kitchen and corridor.

However, these types of coatings are no longer popular, and the manufacturer gives them a minimum warranty of 6 years. Today the most popular types on the market are “30s”. They are used for both residential and non-residential premises:

• 31 - in conference rooms,
• 32 - in offices,
• 33 - in shops and sports clubs,
• 34 is a laminate “for centuries”, for places with the largest flow of people.

The guarantee for high-class laminate boards is from 10 to 20 years, but they can last much longer.

• And yet, what class of laminate should I buy for an ordinary city apartment?

From my professional experience I can say: the optimal choice in terms of price and quality ratio for apartments is class 32 laminate, for the noisiest and most active families - class 33. But here you need to take into account some subtleties.

Wear resistance is determined by both the speed at which the top layer of the board is destroyed and how easy it is to scratch the surface. To determine the class of the laminate, the following test is carried out in production: the board is fixed in a special device under an abrasive disk and the number of revolutions required to destroy the top layer and leave noticeable scratches is calculated. Often these figures differ significantly between different brands, but in total they give the same figure. For example, on some boards scratches may occur as early as 300 revolutions, and destruction of the protective layer may occur at 5000 revolutions, the average number being 2650 revolutions. In another laminate class, scratches are visible after the 1500th revolution, and the protection is damaged at the 3800th. The average is the same as the previous sample, but the scratch resistance is 5 times higher.

Therefore, it happens that a person buys an expensive class 33 product, but the coating quickly gets scratched and loses its shine, although the top layer is still intact. It’s the same with a good laminate of a lower class: it happens that the 32nd has practically no scratches, but the boards are noticeably worn out.

• Moisture resistance is also an important property of laminate, especially in an apartment where there are children. How to choose a coating that practically does not allow water to pass through, is durable, and does not create cracks during installation?

First of all, you need to have a good idea of ​​what a laminate board consists of. This is a stabilizing layer, then an HDF board, then a decorative layer (photo) and transparent protection. The most important part is the HDF board; the higher its density, the less the laminate is afraid of water and the stronger its locks.

The board of this modern covering consists of several layers

Moisture resistance also depends on the type of laminate - adhesive or interlocking. If the slabs are laid with glue, then there are no gaps between them, which means that moisture will not penetrate inside. But such a coating has a significant disadvantage - it will be impossible to replace 1-2 damaged tiles, unlike those boards on which the side locks are simply snapped into place during installation. There is a worthy alternative - waterproof interlocking laminate on a standard basis.

For a good laminate, the moisture resistance indicator should be no more than 18%. To check this, you need to saw off a small piece of the board and lower it into water at home for 8 hours. A branded board will swell by 15-18%, but for a low-quality board this percentage can reach 40.

The thickness of the laminate board is also important - the more millimeters it has, the stronger it is, and the easier it is to lay. In addition, such a coating perfectly absorbs sounds, so in apartments where there are children, I always recommend buying laminate no thinner than 8-12 millimeters.

• What is a laminate underlay?

The underlay is a very important material for floor repairs; the material insulates the laminate boards from the floor and provides heat and sound insulation. High-quality laminates of class 32 and higher usually already have a backing; when purchasing cheaper classes, you need to purchase it separately.

There are three types of substrate, the most affordable and popular is polyethylene foam. It is resistant to moisture and is easy to install, but over time this layer sags. Cork is a little more expensive - it holds heat well, but can produce condensation. The solution is very simple - buy a cork substrate with the addition of bitumen or rubber. There is also a so-called special substrate, it is the most expensive, but it perfectly absorbs sound, retains heat, and condensation never appears on it.

The substrate can be made on the basis of cork material

• What can you say about environmental friendliness? How important is this quality for apartment laminate?

The environmental friendliness of building materials has long been a priority, and in my work I always take this factor into account. In the production of flooring boards, phenol-formaldehyde resin is used, which reduces production costs and the price of the final product, but emits formaldehyde, which is hazardous to health. Therefore, when purchasing laminate flooring, you need to look at the level of hazardous resins in the tiles.

Thus, in Europe, the formaldehyde content in laminate flooring is strictly regulated, and both expensive parquet and standard laminate are equally harmless to health. Another thing is China; according to the laws of this country, the requirements for the content of phenol-formaldehyde resin in wood-look boards are much lower!

When choosing a laminate in a store, trust only yourself and your powers of observation - when opened, the package should only emit a faint aroma of sawdust. Any foreign smell - glue, paint, etc. - should alert you. Also look at the price tag: laminate that is too cheap is dangerous to health in almost 100% of cases. And it makes no difference where you buy building materials - even in a large hypermarket there may be a dangerous product. I know that large stores often write in contracts that the supplier bears all responsibility for the quality of the laminate; in addition, hypermarkets are not even legally obligated to check product certificates - this is the concern of special organizations.

• Let's talk about cover design. What colors are in fashion today, wood, stone or plain? Is it possible to choose high-quality laminate by color?

The situation with the design of laminate tiles has developed quite interesting. Classic laminate is an imitation of parquet, and real wooden floor boards are unique - you won’t find two identical ones. Therefore, the best laminate can boast of minimal repeatability of the pattern, the presence of knots and natural variegation of the wood. The repeatability of the image 1:6 will tell about European production - this means that in 4 packs there must be at least 6 color options “under the tree”. By the way, in the most expensive collections of premium manufacturers, for example, Quick Step, this ratio reaches 1:60.

Quick Step brand material has beautiful and virtually non-repeating patterns

But the Russian consumer has his own quirks - we are accustomed to a monochromatic color of floors, so we believe that the correct laminate should be either a single color, reminiscent of floor paint, or an even shade “like wood”, identical, symmetrical and without any knots. Typically, inexpensive Chinese laminates have this coloring - they use the simplest imitation pattern, and the repeatability is 1:3.

This is how it turns out that the whole world is chasing exclusive parquet laminate, but give us something simpler.

• Nowadays there is a lot of talk about beveled laminate. What is it and what are the advantages of these plates?

A chamfer is a V-shaped bevel of the end edge of a laminate board (1-2 mm deep), due to which, when laying, small grooves appear at the joints of the boards. The chamfers are found both along the entire perimeter of the board and on 2 long sides, double-sided.

As we have already said, a sign of an expensive laminate is its complete resemblance to parquet, and the chamfer only enhances this similarity, because natural wood almost always has such grooves. In addition to aesthetics, the chamfer allows you to increase the service life of the laminate by 2-3 times, and when exposed to moisture, it helps the coating not to lose its original shape.

Another plus is that if you buy a laminate flooring with a bevel, you don’t have to spend a lot of money and effort on perfectly leveling the floor. Usually, a perfectly flat surface is needed so that cracks do not appear on the boards, which eventually take on the shape of the floor. The chamfer hides these cracks - provided that the difference on the floor is no more than 4 mm per 1 meter.

• You have repeatedly mentioned the high quality of European laminate brands. So which manufacturer should you choose? Only Europe, or China and Russia also produce high-quality laminate?

I have been dealing with laying laminate flooring for many years and I can say with confidence: the best and most responsible manufacturers are Europeans. Making laminate boards is a high-tech process; it does not require cheap labor, as in China, but the most modern equipment and high responsibility of companies. Not a single world-famous European manufacturer will locate laminate production in the Middle Kingdom - this would simply be a blow to their image.

In addition, there is another indicator of quality - the construction company must be a member of the Association of European Manufacturers of Laminate Flooring (EPFL), in which case it bears full responsibility for its product and for what is written on the label. Therefore, I always advise my clients - if you need high-quality laminate, be sure to check whether the manufacturer is a member of the Association - on the company’s website on the Internet.

Russian and Chinese manufacturers who are not members of a professional union have every right to write whatever they want on the label, which is why a low-quality laminate can display a class 32 badge. In fact, the quality may correspond to class 21.

• Tell us about the most famous manufacturers. Which laminate company is better to choose, taking into account the different purchasing power of consumers?

In terms of price-quality ratio, laminate has three classes: premium, comfort and economy.

In the premium segment, the most famous companies are the Austrian Kaindl, the Belgian Quick-Step and Pergo. These companies have excellent quality, interesting collections, but the expected high price. The German HDM has interesting lines of glossy coatings, the Belgian company Balterio is famous for its unique black laminate.

The Austrian brand Kaindl is a premium flooring material

From the comfort class, I can definitely recommend the French Alsafloor - it is excellent quality, many different design lines, there are 33rd class boards with a thickness of 12 mm and high strength. The German manufacturer Kronotex operates in comfort and economy class, but it does not have the widest color palette and minimal technical characteristics. Another well-known representative of the laminate economy option is the German Egger. The price of such a coating is quite affordable, but the design also suffers - a minimum number of colors, wood imitation mainly from photographs.

• Let's summarize our conversation. Can you formulate for our readers a few rules that will make it easy to distinguish branded Western laminate from cheap and low-quality ones?

I have already mentioned several rules - this is a pleasant woody smell of laminate boards, moisture resistance is no more than 18%, pattern repeatability is at least 1:6.

Another indicator of a good floor covering is its high price: real laminate cannot cost less than 400-500 rubles per square meter. Also, always check the markings: Chinese laminate often has no identification marks or does have them, but with errors. In European, the information is always indicated in full, and the name of the country is without abbreviations. Another identifying feature can be the color of the back side of laminate tiles - a pleasant beige color, while Asian products are brown. However, recently, eastern manufacturers have also begun to supply laminate with a beige backside.

With almost 100% probability, the special size will tell about Chinese production - the length of the laminate board is 1215 mm, thickness - 12.3 mm. For Asian manufacturers, these dimensions are very convenient; the production of such slabs is the least expensive, so such parameters should also be of concern.

High-quality material will serve you for a long time and will delight you with its appearance.

There are quite a lot of rules, but remembering them is quite possible. Don’t rush into choosing a floor covering: go to several stores, look at prices, check the manufacturers you like for the “quality mark” - and you can easily buy the best laminate for your apartment.