How to choose a laminate class?

Laminate flooring is an excellent type of flooring that can fit into almost any interior. In addition, this coating is economical, affordable and presented in a huge range. However, before any buyer sooner or later the question will arise: what class of laminate to choose?

Laminate is made of fiberboard - fibreboard. Under conditions of high pressure and a certain temperature, the plates are pressed to form dense boards. The coating itself consists of several layers: a moisture-resistant substrate, which provides sound insulation (if it is made of cork, then heat insulation), directly by the fibreboard itself,characterized by high density, decorative coating, imitating wood or other materials and a protective film that protects the laminated floor from mechanical damage.

The class that is assigned to the laminated floor allows the buyer to determine how long it will retain its appearance under loads of different types and intensities. Accordingly, this means that the higher the class and the more significant loads the laminate board can withstand, the higher the wear resistance of the product and its price.

When purchasing a laminated flooring for an apartment, you should pay attention to the properties that allow you to directly evaluate its quality. From the descriptions, which most often the manufacturers give on their official websites, it is easy to draw conclusions for which room this or that type or class is better suited.

There are several features that most manufacturers indicate in the description of their products.

The main ones are:

• Wear resistance and thickness. This parameter directly depends on what loads the laminate floor is able to withstand (which is especially important for rooms with heavy and bulky furniture), its strength and degree of abrasion, as well as sound-proofing properties. The last two properties are very important for the living room, in which, as a rule, there is a variety of furniture for the bedroom.

• Lightfastness. The higher this characteristic, the less the coating will fade under direct sunlight.
• Resistance to chemical dyes and products. Chemical cleaning products or paint can harm the floor, so it is best to make sure that the use of chemicals that make up detergents will not damage the surface. In addition, this feature is very important if in the future the tenants decide to repaint the floor in a different color or to re-coat it with firming paint.
• Moisture resistance. Wood products have the unpleasant property of absorbing moisture, and laminate is no exception. If it was decided to purchase this type for a house with high humidity, then you need to look for a special material made from whole wood fibers and treated with resin or wax.

Usually laminate is divided into several main classes with markings consisting of two numbers. Its decoding is extremely simple: the first number indicates the type of room for which the laminate floor is intended (2 - living rooms, 3 - commercial premises (cafes, offices), 4 - industrial); the second shows the degree of wear resistance (1 - low load, 2 - medium, 3 - high). Thus, it is unlikely that there will be products on the market, for example, class 44. If it still happened, then, most likely, on the counter in front of the buyer is a fake.

However, some manufacturers offer to buy laminates of the 35th, 36th and 37th grades from them. Despite the fact that there are no such figures in the official classification, such a type of wear-resistant flooring with a large margin of durability really exists. The production technology is different in that several layers of resin (acrylic or melamine) are applied to the wooden base.It is best to use laminate of this type in shopping centers with a large flow of visitors.

The 40th grades (42, 43, and 44) ​​began to be distinguished from the general number relatively recently. This high-strength floor covering is made only on individual special orders and is very expensive for customers.

In addition to the standard separation of strength and use in a particular type of premises, laminate is divided into types, depending on its degree of flammability. The KM-3 and KM-4 floor coverings are freely available and are poorly flammable, giving off a lot of smoke and are difficult to extinguish with open fire. When choosing a laminated floor, it is necessary that it meets the fire safety rules.

The general differences of various types are clear: the class displays where the coating can be used and what is its strength.However, before buying it is useful to conduct a detailed study of the differences between different types of laminate flooring. For example, "30s". According to its classification, these products should be installed in commercial premises such as offices, cafes and restaurants. However, as practice shows, their use is more than possible and beneficial in residential premises.

Varieties of classes 21-23 in recent years, all the more difficult to find on sale. They are significantly inferior in their characteristics "30-kam", while their cost, due to the complexity of the production process, is kept at about the same level. Therefore, consumers are increasingly making a choice in favor of the "30-ok", and the "20-ki" are gradually disappearing from the stores.

Laminate floor at number 21 was originally intended for installation in residential areas, not designed for frequent visitors and high loads. This type has a low price and very low wear resistance. The service life is only about 2 years, and the colors of the boards quickly lose their colors.

Laminate flooring at number 22 is a bit stronger, but still not designed to withstand intense loads.It retains a pleasant appearance a little more, living up to 3 years in some cases, and also has a low price. In addition, the life of this flooring can be extended by laying carpet over it.

The 23rd species is considered to be the strongest and most wear-resistant type among those originally intended for residential premises. Its service life, if properly handled, is about 4 years old, and by itself it is able to cope with infrequent intense loads, although it is still not intended for actively passing rooms.

Thanks to their increased stability, the 30s have almost pushed the 20s out of the market, so the main focus should be on them.

The 31st type of laminate floor differs from others in the following properties:

• The thickness of its boards can reach 8 mm.
• It has a barely noticeable gloss.
• Pretty low price.
• Resistance to chemicals.

• Heat resistance.
• Fuzzy drawing.
• Short resistance to moisture.
• Deafness and, as a consequence, the need for additional noise insulation.

The 32nd type has a number of differences:

• The thickness of the dies can be from 7 to 12 mm, which makes it particularly durable and provides good sound insulation.
• Glueless connection details.
• Very resistant to abrasion.
• An impressive choice of design, a variety of options for reliefs, patterns and ornaments; Some types imitate wood, stone and other popular textures.

• The surface is non-slip due to its relief.
• The loudness, makes loud sounds when walking in shoes with hard soles or heels.
• Medium resistance to high humidity.

Such material can be seen, including in apartments and private houses, through which tenants and visitors most often pass.

Features of the material:

• Thickness of a die can reach 12 mm.
• This is one of the most expensive laminated coatings, distinguished by its quality.
• Excellent resistance to mechanical damage.
• The combination of individual boards in the locking method provides strength and prevents the penetration of moisture.

• A variety of textures and reliefs that mimic a variety of materials for decoration.
• Due to its relief, it is characterized by low glide.
• Lifetime with proper handling - more than 15 years.

Despite the improved resistance to ingress of moisture, for rooms with high humidity, you still need to look for waterproof material, otherwise the coating will serve many times less than it could.

Finally, the class 34 is usually produced by pressing under high pressure. Its basis is characterized by a higher density, since manufacturers use special impregnation in the production.

Specifications:

• Extremely resistant to the formation of mechanical damage.
• Wear resistant
• It has a glue-free connection of boards, which, due to the modified structure of fastening, increases the strength of locking joints and greatly simplifies the process of laying.
• Really water resistant.
• It is quite expensive.

Despite the conditional division into types intended for commercial and residential premises, it becomes clear that the choice of a particular class depends primarily on how often the owner is willing to make repairs in the room. Therefore, choosing a laminated floor, you should pay attention not so much to its “purpose” as to the manufacturer and the country,in which laminated boards are made, their degree of wear resistance and moisture resistance, resistance to mechanical damage (both impact and scratches), design and price.

It has already been said above that at the moment it is quite difficult to find varieties numbered 21, 22 or 23, since they have practically been supplanted by more wear-resistant and slightly more expensive classes 31, 32, 33 and 34.

But not every one of these types of flooring is ideal for apartment conditions.

For example, the number 31 is used quite rarely. Firstly, it is the most fragile in its lineup, and, although it is sometimes bought because of its low cost, this choice turns out to be unjustified. Secondly, the service life of this flooring is relatively short compared to its “elder brothers” - about 6 years, and then only under conditions of low loads. Considering that already class 32 will serve almost twice as much, you need to choose this option, only having thought it over well.

The 34th type as opposed to class 31, on the contrary, is too strong. It is usually laid in places with truly extreme conditions: on dance floors or in gyms, in the most walk-through corridors in commercial buildings with many employees and visitors.This type of laminated floor can be called unkillable.

It resists abrasion perfectly, resists mechanical damage and is honored to undergo frequent wet cleaning with chemical agents. Although everything sounds just fine, the main reason why you should not lay 34-type products in residential premises is its very high price.

Ultimately, you can safely determine that the best option for apartments will be laminate at number 32. This is not the cheapest option available, however, it is quite durable, characterized by sufficient durability to guarantee a long and faithful service to a family living in an apartment.

33rd class is also suitable for residential premises. He, like the laminate floor at number 32, can withstand approximately the same load, both types of flooring are suitable for apartments with a warm floor, but at the same time, with a similar level of durability and a somewhat poorer choice of colors in the design, it is more expensive.

Laminate can be considered an environmentally friendly material.Unfortunately, any modern building materials include a certain amount of harmful impurities, which inevitably fall into them in the production process. With regard to laminated flooring, these are the three main substances that raise doubts among environmentalists: phenol, formaldehyde and phthalate (sometimes also formaldehyde melamine).

This is what gives some the right to argue that this material is harmful. But as a rule, such components are used only in low-quality fakes, but even there they are in low concentration, not dangerous to humans.

Most manufacturers, whose products are sold in stores and are available to the general consumer, are trying to ensure that their product meets basic norms and standards and remains environmentally friendly.

Even a high-quality laminated floor can last for a short time if you pick it up for an unsuitable room.After all, such parameters as humidity and dryness, the degree of sunlight fall, and the temperature in the rooms differ. In the kitchen and in the bathroom there will be high humidity, and the living room in most houses is a fairly bright place.

Therefore, before deciding on the purchase of one or another for the floor, it is necessary to deal not only with the classes, but also with the room for which it is chosen:

• For a child's room, bedroom and office it is quite possible to purchase the variety at number 31. Despite its short life span, it is quite possible to stack it in rooms in which the load on the floor is low. Children's, small inhabitants of which weigh significantly less than an adult; a bedroom where people come to relax, not to dance or walk from corner to corner; office, where it is customary to work, sitting in a chair or on a chair.

• However, if not one or two children live in the same nursery, but three or more children, then it is worth considering. During active games on the floor will have a large load. In order not to change the floor more often than it would be possible to do it, it would be better to immediately purchase a floor covering of a higher class.
• Living in any house is considered one of the most "crowded" places.Here the family gathers for home get-togethers, first of all the guests come here, celebrations and sometimes dances are held here. Therefore, for this room it is better to choose the floor of the 32nd class. In addition, it is suitable for kitchens and corridors (it is better to choose a moisture resistant option).

• In an apartment where pets live with the owners, it would be better to lay out a more expensive, but also more resistant to mechanical damage laminate at number 33. After all, if the cat's claws do not cause particular damage to the parquet (if the pet doesn’t want to sharpen its claws ), a large dog can leave long deep scratches on the laminate.
• If the owner of the apartment had the idea to lay the laminate in the bathroom, then you should not skimp and buy, despite the price, the 34th. It is waterproof and able to withstand not only high humidity, but also temperature.

Laminate is currently unanimously considered one of the best floor coverings. It is not as expensive as parquet, but it has high strength and other pleasant properties.

Buyers are very positive about class 32 laminate.They note that it is very durable, easily tolerates mechanical impact, is pleasant in appearance and rather quiet. The most positive reviews are about DM laminate.

Of the negative qualities, they note that the sound from some types of laminate (sometimes even the 32nd, it all depends on the manufacturer) is often heard even in neighboring apartments, which causes a lot of inconvenience both to the residents and their neighbors. Therefore, before buying it, you should make sure that the floor covering is capable of providing noise insulation.

Many say that even the class 31 can serve for a long time, without losing its original properties and without losing its appearance. And already the class 33 is considered by many to be redundant, since it is not much higher than the 32nd class in its characteristics, although it costs more.

Those who decide to equip the floor in their house say that the laminate is very noticeable small scratches and cracks, spots (including footprints, if residents prefer to walk around the house barefoot) because of what the owners have to clean quite often.In addition, the laminate accumulates static electricity, because of which all the dust accumulates on the floor and collects in whole dust balls.

The most popular type of laminate design can definitely be considered an imitation of a pattern on a tree, made in a wide variety of colors and shades. It can serve as a neutral background in the living room, not shading, but emphasizing the brighter furniture, walls or furnishings.

The undoubted plus of the laminated coating is that it will perfectly fit into the interior of the room in any style. It is difficult to find a design that would not look stylish and a bit minimalistic tree. Patterns and patterns on the floor can give a room a completely unexpected look, and matte or glossy surfaces will show the familiar space from a completely different side.

For example, sometimes the laminate is designed for artistic parquet. This is one of the classic imitations of the standard floor covering, which allows to save a lot on the coating itself, but at the same time giving the appearance of the room aristocratic and sophistication. Usually for such imitation used art laminate at number 33.

A floor covering resembling a leather surface will be more unusual. It costs much more, but it looks very impressive and exotic. In addition, there are a great many design options for laminate flooring that surprise the imagination with the most unpredictable ornaments and patterns. Abstraction or animal ornament, laminate, similar in appearance to the fabric, or depicting cartoon characters and fairy tales - the latter option will be an excellent solution for a child's room.

No less common floor covering with a metallic sheen. Best of all, this solution will look in the kitchen, but the colors can be very diverse - it all depends on the furniture and the color of the walls. It will be interesting to look at the floor in the form of stone or marble tiles. When the exterior is very stylish, the floors will be not cold, but warm and pleasant.

Laminate flooring can be covered with a soft carpet or a large carpet: in combination with wooden texture and decoration, this will give the room a feeling of comfort. It is useful to experiment with colors, for example, play on contrasts.A light laminated floor will look stylish with dark furniture, and a dark covering with a light one.

Do not forget that although the bright laminate and looks very impressive and impressive, but it will be visible any spots, stains and traces of bare feet. Therefore, before choosing a similar laminated floor for the kitchen, it is worth considering your readiness for daily cleaning.

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