Choosing a square laminate

Everyone has seen and knows what classic parquet panels and planks from the array look like; however, not everyone can imagine what a square laminate is, what its structure is, what the advantages and disadvantages are, the installation technology.

Laminate in the form of a square is an artistic form of rectangular slats, which have a special pattern for styling. A wide range of models allows you to choose a pattern for any style of interior - classic, palace, Renaissance, Baroque, country, modern, minimalism. This coating can be laid and combined with other types of floor furniture in a different way. Attract the attention of the surrounding combination of squares with rectangular shapes in the form of a frame around the perimeter of the room.

The square laminate has a large selection of colors, and its shades are much brighter than those of ceramics. The matte texture of the upper layer is more practical than gloss. Finished products are coated with a moisture-resistant wax compound to prevent moisture from getting inside and not damaging the panels.

Most of the products in the form of square laminate, produced by eminent European manufacturers, have dimensions of 60x60 cm or 62x62 cm. These are standard numbers that many companies are trying to adhere to. Of course, the market can meet square laminate and other dimensions, but this is likely to be the decor of Chinese craftsmen, who always differed unconventional approach to the production of laminated floors.

The method of manufacturing a square laminate allows you to create products that mimic any decorating material: ceramic tiles, natural stone, wood and so on. A geometrically regular shape allows the ability to mount panels in a different way.

There are practically no particular differences between a square laminate and a typical laminate; a significant difference concerns only the shape. But it is precisely this factor that makes this coating so popular, because many people choose a square laminate, because of its physical properties, it resembles ceramic tiles, and visually imitates wood. Like any other building flooring, square-shaped laminate has its advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages include:

• antistatic surface due to which dust and dirt do not accumulate on the product;
• durable manufacturing materials. Square laminate flooring suitable for residential, office, commercial and public spaces;
• ease of care;
• shades retain their depth and do not fade for a long time due to the resistance of the laminate to ultraviolet radiation;
• drawing on square panels is not erased even after many years of service;

• high thermal and sound insulation properties make the coating popular among buyers: it is pleasant to walk on such a floor due to the accumulation of heat and minimizing noise;
• complete environmental friendliness of the floor decormore than 90% of the square laminate consists of natural wood;
• locking system allows users to install without laying experience;
• fire resistance;
• A wide range of finishing materials from different manufacturers and resistance classes allows you to choose the best option for laying in the selected room.

The disadvantages include the synthetic nature of the raw materials used and the relative insecurity of moisture. The last nuance concerns not the upper layer, but the joints of the plates, which remain vulnerable throughout the operation period. It is for this reason that the wet coating may begin to exfoliate.

The impossibility of repair. This moment also cannot be called the dignity of the floor decor, if the panel is damaged, it must be completely replaced.

To choose the right floor covering, you need to start to learn what it consists of.

This type of laminate is a combination of four layers of different value:

• The first is a film of melamine and acrylic resin, which protects the panels from disturbing the integrity of the cover and the effects of chemical compositions of cleaning products.The thicker it is, the longer the coating will not lose its excellent performance characteristics.

• The second layer is decorative. This is ordinary paper on which a certain image is applied.

• The third layer - the base, consists of fiberboard or particleboard. Layer creates support and strength of the panels.

• The fourth layer is a stabilizer. It has water repellency.

For example, if you want to put floor decor in sales areas, choose class 33. When the laminate is purchased for laying in the bedroom, living room, choose the 31st, and for office space - 32 class.

When buying, you should also pay attention to the density, resistance to UV radiation, learn about the antistatic properties, heat resistance and how the laminate behaves under the influence of aggressive substances. Usually all these features are indicated on the packaging.

Having defined the class, laminate squares need to be considered from the side of other characteristics:

• Manufacturer. Famous brands always monitor the quality of products,therefore, preference should be given to the square laminate of leading brands. This is a guarantee of quality and a guarantee of good purchase.

• Certificate. A document confirming or disproving information about product safety announced by the seller.

• Type of lock connection. There are two common types: Lock and Click. The first reduces the cost of the finished product; the second is a better connection, which determines the long service life of the floor covering and the possibility of dismantling / installing one damaged tile without disrupting nearby.

• The presence of wax lock protection. Ensures the tightness of the webs and protects the joints from moisture.

• Pattern repeatability. If the imitation is created under a parquet or an array of wood, then the less repetition of the pattern occurs, the more natural the decorative element will look.

• The size. The optimum panel thickness is considered to be 7–8 mm. This feature will provide the necessary level of strength laminate and heat insulation.

The most popular manufacturers, under the name of which a square laminate is produced, are the following:

• Floor step - Chinese trademark.A series of décor panels called Art has become a worldwide sales leader. This company produces non-standard laminate, able to set off with a hint of antiquity any interior models, even modern ones;

• Belgian company Quick step with the Arte collection won the love of buyers, thanks to the high quality and affordable price of lamels for a wide range of buyers. Arte plates are wide format, products are 9 mm thick and have a narrow bevel;

• Unik Step - German quality, style and beauty. The Imrerial collection has become the most famous in the line of the brand;

• Chinese enterprise Zigart tried to realize all the most important qualities of the laminate in a collection called Palace.

Square laminate, on the basis of the above, this beautiful and comfortable flooring, which for many years will please its owners with aesthetic appeal, durability and reliability.

See how to lay square laminate flooring in the next video.