34 laminate flooring: what does it mean?

Laminate is one of the most popular flooring in our country. In the short term, this material has become competitive in the market. Coatings differ in many parameters, one of which is the class of laminate. From the class depend on strength and durability. This article will be considered laminate class 34, which meets the highest standards.

Laminate - a plate of hardboard or chipboard, pressed under pressure. Other materials are added to the slab during the manufacturing process. For example, a special water-repellent layer is applied to the laminate of class 34, and sound insulation is added next. Therefore, such a laminate is very suitable for use in high-rise residential buildings.

Over these layers lay a layer of decor.It is a decorated film or paper with patterns that determines the color of the laminate. Now you can choose a floor covering of any color. It can also imitate natural wood, stone, aged floor or ceramics. There may also be decorative stripes.

Regardless of the decor, the topmost layer is protective. It is based on natural resins. They protect the surface from extremes of temperature and sunlight.

This flooring has a lot of advantages:

• Durability. Such a laminate at home can last half a century, and cheap material during this time will be replaced 5-6 times.
• Wear resistance.
• Moisture resistance. It is achieved at the expense of wax treated fiberboard.
• Almost all manufacturers give a guarantee of 20-25 years for laminate 34 classes.
• Resistance to fading due to a very dense top layer.
• Not exacting to the floor.

• Easy installation.
• Environmental Safety.The level of formaldehyde emissions is the safest among similar products.
• No smoldering matches or cigarettes remain.
• Low burning support.
• Easy to clean.
• Hypoallergenic.
• Does not accumulate static electricity.

However, even this coating has disadvantages:

• The inability to use moisture-resistant material in the bathroom or in the sauna. In such rooms suitable only waterproof laminate.
• High price. But for it, you get a durable material.

Special attention should be paid to the characteristics that make the 34 class laminate so popular:

• AC / 6 class increased wear resistance. This means that the material is able to withstand the maximum load.
• Not less than 5000 rolled heavy rollers.

• In apartments the minimum term of operation is a quarter of a century.
• Different thickness (8, 12, 14 mm) allows you to choose the right one for different rooms.

• Middle category of fire safety. Mild inflammation, high smoke levels and toxicity.
• Moisture or water resistance.
• On such a coating does not leave marks from the claws and teeth of animals,therefore suitable for use with pets.

Before you determine many of the parameters of the material, conduct special tests. One of them is aimed at determining the erasability of the coating.

Also determine the hardness: compress the ball with a diameter of 1 cm into the coating with a certain force, then measure the depth of penetration and impact. And according to this parameter, 34 class showed the highest results among other types of laminate.

Also a popular option is a matte finish. Less common is semi-matte art version.

Also the color gamut of such laminate is very rich. The most popular is the option of imitation wooden floor. For example: bleached oak, sonoma oak, ship board. Also popular are light and brown tones. For vintage and exotic styles, some manufacturers create a special design.

In today's market, a huge number of manufacturers of various goods, and the construction industry, the market also did not leave without attention.Many countries produce flooring, so you should trust the reputable companies that have long been engaged in such products.

First we will look at the laminate of Russia's geographical neighbors - China. Chinese industry is developing in all areas, and in the production of building materials, too. A prime example of a typical Chinese company is Texfloor. Laminate is produced in China, but under the control of German specialists and according to German technology.

This fact often pleases potential buyers. The same system produces floor coverings in Korea.

Most countries that produce such coverage are in Europe. For example, Norwegian brand alloc It is famous for its laminate flooring, and its special feature is the aluminum joint of parts, which creates the feeling of a solid web, without joints.

Therefore, in Europe, such coverage is in demand.

Swedish manufacturer pergo made to cover a special protective layer, which increases the service life. Swedish laminate has a high impact resistance.

One of the most famous laminate manufacturer from Germany is Parador company. For 40 years on the world market, the company has been awarded a large number of international awards. In quality, it is not inferior to the Scandinavian. For the price - much cheaper than the Norwegian, but more expensive than the Chinese.

Also high-strength floor coverings are made in Belgium, Austria and Russia.

When you choose such an expensive type of flooring, you always want to choose the best among the variety.

There is no uniform algorithm of choice, but there are several criteria that can help you:

• Price. Although the coverage of class 34 is expensive, but depending on the country in which it was made, the price may vary. The cheapest laminate is Chinese and Korean. Slightly higher prices from Russian, German, Austrian and Belgian coverage. The biggest price is from the Norwegian and Swedish pavement.
• Design. Often, buyers select a laminate for the finished interior, so other criteria fade into the background.
• Water resistance.Not every coating has this property. If you want to put it in the bathroom, in the bath or in the sauna, then you should choose waterproof.
• Exploitation. For residential premises, you can choose a material with a thickness of 8 mm or 12 mm. For public places, only a thicker coating is suitable.

Most often, such a laminate is used in places where there is a large crowd of people: in gyms, in restaurants, in shops and shopping centers, in warehouses and commercial halls. In such rooms, a material 12 mm thick is used. To use a durable floor option in such places is economically profitable, because the activity of any company is suspended during the replacement of floors.

In residential premises to use such a laminate of steel not so long ago, it is only gaining popularity. Often choose a coating thickness of 8 mm.

When cleaning the room, it must be remembered that such a floor is covered with a water-repellent cloth, therefore it does not require waxing.In contrast, wax or other polishes are forbidden to use to interact with the laminate. This is explained by the fact that they are not absorbed into the material, but only leave stains and inconspicuous spots on the surface of the floor. The use of paints is also prohibited.

If cleaning is done almost every day to maintain cleanliness in the room, it is sufficient to collect dust and small debris with a vacuum cleaner. When wet cleaning is necessary to work carefully wrung cloth. After wet cleaning, be sure to wipe the floor with a dry cloth. When wet cleaning use special means to care for the floor.

If a lot of liquid has suddenly spilled onto the coating, then the first thing to do is to remove this liquid in order to avoid disturbing the structure and integrity of the laminate. Also, do not allow the ingress of fluid into the joints of elements.

To remove complex stains from the coating, you should use special formulations. Often the producers of laminate themselves produce related products. Most often, such compositions are produced in the form of concentrates and diluted in water, if necessary, to remove stains from shoes, glue or wax.

Paraffin or chewing gum is best removed with a plastic scraper. Deep tracks can leave the wheels of chairs, so in rooms with laminate it is better to either refrain from using such chairs, or to purchase special covers for wheels. Also a lot of pressure exerted furniture legs. For them, create a special substrate.

Therefore, care for the laminate is obligatory, because it takes much less time than replacing the entire floor covering.

For how to choose the right laminate, see this video.