Westerhof laminate: an example of European quality

Laminated floors, produced by the Westerhof brand, captivate with their unique style and realistic execution of the natural structure of panels, ease and reliability of assembly thanks to the glue-free Click-to-Click locking system.

Laminate Westerhof is a joint development of leading European masters and designers of floor coverings, but most of the production capacity of the company is concentrated in China. In 2010, the Westerhof trademark expanded the geography of its presence to Russia.

Regardless of partially Asian origin, Westerhof laminate is not inferior to the products of well-known world brands, using the trust of Russian buyers. Its popularity is due to excellent quality and technical characteristics, fashionable design and affordable price.

Many eminent flooring manufacturers place their factories in China. Such a decision is dictated by the possibility of cheaper own production by reducing the cost of electricity and wages of workers. The Westerhof brand is no exception.

Key success factors for the Westerhof brand:

1. The use of modernized profiling equipment, pressing machines and test equipment for the manufacture of laminated floors has led to almost complete automation of all processes and, as a result, to improve the quality of the final product.
2. Constant monitoring of the flooring market and evaluation of products according to the main criteria - design, size range, thickness parameters, price indicators. Tracking demand in different countries and market segments, competent resource planning and distribution of finished products.
3. Uncompromising quality control of the entire panel production cycle. Regardless of the fact that the products of the Westerhof brand are focused mainly on an average-income audience, they voluntarily pass environmental safety certification - Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).

The brand management policy has been recognized by the International Organization for Standardization ISO (ISO) as effective. Therefore, the brand Westerhof can be put on a par with the leading European manufacturers of laminate.

Laminated Westerhof floors with a four-layer structure demonstrate the optimal combination:

• Strength and reliability, which ensures the use of high-density moisture-resistant plate HDF, it consists of composite materials compressed under the influence of high pressure. Due to the rigid monolithic frame in the form of the main layer of the panel, they are durable, withstanding the conditions of active operation.
• Excellent decorative qualities at the expense of a layer of decor paper with an imitation of the texture of expensive types of wood or a cut of stone and a transparent protective layer applied using synchronized embossing for the most realistic transfer of wood texture.
• Wear resistance, which guarantees a working surface protected by a mechanically resistant laminated film, which contains stabilizing additives and melamine.

The thickness of the panels is affected by the operational load of the coating.Depending on this, this parameter can be 6.2-12 mm.

Laminate Westerhof has all the advantages of flooring from other manufacturers, while it compares favorably with other analogues of the economy segment:

• Excellent wear resistance due to a sufficient upper protective layer and a high abrasion coefficient corresponding to the 33 and 34 classes of wear resistance.
• The ability to withstand long loads in compression, created by furniture or studs on women's shoes, as well as the ability to withstand the impact of fallen things.

• Immunity to household pollution of various origin and good tolerance of the active components of any detergent, which greatly facilitates the maintenance of floors.
• Resistance to discoloration under the action of UV rays. Many budget coverages tend to fade due to prolonged sun exposure. Such a defect is strongly noticeable in rooms with carpets, where the burnt-out boards ugly contrast with the general background. There are no such problems with Westerhof laminate: the panels retain the brightness of the colors throughout the entire period of operation.
• Thermal stability of coatingsmaking flooring available in kitchen spaces.

• Increased moisture resistance: contact with moisture eliminates deformation of butt joints, swelling of the working surface and violation of the coating geometry.
• Excellent heat transfer It provides the ability to install coatings on the “Warm Floor” system of any type and high sound insulation properties that increase the comfort of use.

The guarantee of fast installation is practical end fastening on panels, which allows laying “floating” floors without attaching boards to the base.

The Westerhof range of flooring includes a diverse collection of coatings formed by the criteria:

• Class abrasion of the working surface of the board - from 32 to 34.
• Panel dimensions (width * length * thickness).
• Presence / absence of a figured edge.
• View of the castle.
• Type of pattern that mimics the texture of a natural coating.

The Elbrus collection is a classic single-strip panel for 8 mm thick oak. The Dongdun green HDF-plate with a density of 880 / m2, covered with a protective mead-film, is being manufactured. The lack of shaped cut compensates for the beautiful natural colors of chocolate,sand and dark brown tones and trendy shades of gray scale. The surface of the board has a semi-gloss lacquered finish. The laminate has a 15-year warranty.

For the manufacture of coatings under marking 33 are used HDF-plates with a density of 900g / m2.

The floors of class 33 are represented by collections:

• "Aristocrat" - magnificent coverings with imitation of an art parquet. Applying a unique embossing ensures the accuracy of reproduction of the structure of the parquet floor from solid oak. Some decors are decorated with inlays that mimic the texture of leather and masonry. Board thickness 12 mm.
• "Shine" - narrow models with a small U-shaped cut in a spectacular antiqued design and two variants of color solutions: a shade of mahogany and bleached morass oak.

• "Mario Loretto" - the traditional version of the floor without beveled edges with the possibility of choosing one-, two-, three-lane design of 8-mm boards for oak, wenge, pine. Coatings have a 20 year warranty.

Laminated floors, produced under marking 34, are intended for finishing objects of household and commercial purposes and are designed for operation in places of intensive terrain.

The Maestro series includes collections of coatings:

• "Grand Style" - this is an ideal solution for creating a sophisticated and at the same time modern interior, which is best supported by the design of the floor with wide-format panels with an unusual pattern for cutting stone. The strength of the assembly is achieved through a mini-lock DoubleClick.
• "Aristocrat" - The original design of widescreen panels is able to satisfy the most demanding customers. This option of finishing the floor looks advantageous in a spacious room. The advantages of laying boards of widescreen size 12 mm thick and Big single Click-lock - the installation speed and the smallest number of butt joints.

• "Lounge" - Wide format models in modern design will suit those who have the priority in creating a stylish interior with a bright personality. Treatment of Long-V-Click locks with wax impregnation provides additional protection against water.
• "Shine" - a collection of exquisite decors with a U-shaped edge in 5 spectacular colors, which are equally suitable for decorating boutiques, showrooms, restaurants and beauty salons with high attendance. Equipping the panels with durable Long Click-locks ensures reliable flooring.
• "Super Step" - models with an increased width of the panels.Since the dies are used in smaller quantities and a minimum of joints is obtained, it is possible to achieve a solid coating. V-shaped bevel edges of the panels perfectly masks the suture. Embossing with a 3D depth effect allows you to convey the beauty of natural shades of oak wood in the most realistic way. Installation speed is provided by Special Strong Click-locks.

Two more collections of models with maximum wear resistance are coatings:

• Wood Line, in which to create a decorative layer used exclusive decor paper made in the USA with individual patterns of wood texture. The collection of decors will delight you with the unique design and richness of the natural colors of the tree.
• "Step by Step" - Massive, brushed 8-millimeter panels with a V-shaped cut are distinguished by an impressively pronounced gloss of lacquered wood.

Coatings of the two new collections have the maximum degree of resistance to abrasion, so that their service life is about 25 years.

One of the main advantages of the Westerhof floor panels is a simple assembly that does not require special skills.

It is only important to comply with the technological requirements:

• Correctly prepare the base so that the size of permissible irregularities is a maximum of 2 mm per meter segment.
• On the cement base must be laid waterproofing film.
• It is mandatory to use the substrate.
• Leave technological gaps between the wall and panels, providing free expansion of the coating in case of changes in humidity and temperature conditions.

In general, reviews of Westerhof laminate are positive. Not only ordinary users are happy with its purchase, but also master finishers.

The strengths include:

• Modern design and eye-catching colors.
• Convenient styling, which takes a maximum of a couple of days, if the room is large.
• Barely visible seams.

• Trouble-free replacement of damaged boards.
• More than acceptable cost. Prices start from 500 rubles per square.
• A variety of size range, which eliminates the problems with the choice of the desired model.
• Low maintenance.

Of the minuses often distinguish the crumbling edges of the panels - it is not difficult to guess that it is Asian manufacturers who are to blame for this defect. The advice here is one: carefully choose the manufacturer, since the quality of coatings depending on the geography of the location of the plant can significantly differ.

How to put the laminate correctly, see the next video.