Which grade of laminate is best?

Laminate is a modern flooring. It is widely believed that this artificial substitute for natural parquet is very expensive and unreliable. In addition, many believe that it is afraid of moisture, and will require replacement within six years after installation. Until recently, it was like that. However, today the leading manufacturers of building materials offer their customers high quality laminate flooring. Its service life is within twenty years or more. How can a buyer determine the best quality laminate flooring? To do this, you will need to clarify its wear resistance class. This parameter of the flooring is affixed only after the so-called taber test. Belonging to one class or another will indicate the quality of the coating.

Compound

What is laminate flooring? It is a panel made up of several layers. Let's consider them in more detail. The uppermost layer of the artificial parquet panel is a solidified mass of acrylic or melamine resin. What is the best quality and least wear-resistant laminate? The one with this layer has the greatest thickness.

In the production of glossy laminates, this coating is made of acrylic with corundum. Such a surface not only shines, but also little abrades. This ability is given to the laminate by corundum, which in its hardness does not lag behind diamond.

The second layer of artificial parquet is considered decorative. It is carried out from paper that has a certain pattern. This layer gives the floor panel its own appearance. Here, the possibilities of manufacturers are not limited. Laminate can have the structure of wood, be similar to sand, stone, marble, etc. That is why the second, decorative layer of the laminate is important when developing the design of the room. And this is fifty percent of the success of the renovation work.

As for the third, next layer, this is nothing more than a waterproofing stabilizer. It is a moisture-proof film. Thanks to this layer, the artificial parquet does not swell when water gets on it. Some varieties of laminate are able to keep the formed puddle on their surface even for three days without harm to the panel.

The next, fourth layer, is the thickest. This is a stabilizing board made of high strength fiberboard. This layer determines the dimensions of the laminate itself, which is 6, 8, 10 and 12 millimeters thick. The larger these dimensions are, the better the quality of the lock, which is cut along the perimeter.

And the last, very bottom layer is kraft paper. This is to protect the stabilizing board from moisture. In some brands of laminate, a backing is additionally glued to the bottom layer. This increases the price of artificial parquet.

Classification

Laminate, like all types of building materials, is divided into certain types. According to this classification, artificial parquet is:

moisture resistant (for rooms with high humidity);
ordinary.

Each of the listed types is subdivided into classes that indicate the density of the panel, its durability and reliability. The choice of a quality laminate should begin by considering these characteristics.If the class of the panel you are considering is in the range from 21 to 23, then this coating is suitable for home use. It should be remembered that a higher number indicates a greater wear resistance of the artificial parquet. Thus, the highest quality laminate flooring for an apartment corresponds to class 23. There is no need to look for a coating with a high value for residential buildings.

And for offices, shops and other premises with high traffic, which laminate is the best quality? Feedback from experts and users give an unambiguous answer to this question. This is a laminate belonging to the 31-33 class. Industrial and office spaces need a more durable floor that can be traversed by thousands of feet. When used in such cases, a lower grade of panels, the coating will quickly fail.

But some manufacturers have gone further. Today they offer 34 class laminate flooring. This type of artificial parquet is available from Aloc. However, if we compare this laminate with the 33 class panels produced by Tarkett, you will notice that the accompanying documentation in either case guarantees up to twenty-five years of operation under the same conditions.

Method for determining class

How does a manufacturer define a quality, good laminate? For this, the panels undergo a taber test for durability. It consists in checking the laminate with a rotating abrasive wheel. This or that number of revolutions will indicate the class of material and the degree of its wear resistance. The disk is rotated until the top transparent layer of the panel is completely erased. Which is the best quality laminate for the commercial line? Experts' reviews indicate that these are panels that have passed the number of revolutions from 6 to 20 thousand (depending on their class).

The parameters of such testing are indicated in the accompanying documents for each batch. Their designation is as follows:

IP - gives an indication of the number of revolutions that the abrasive wheel made before any visible damage appeared on the panel.
FP - denotes the phase in which ninety-five percent abrasion of the top layer occurs;
AT is the average.

Each of the classes of artificial parquet has its own minimum wear resistance (IP) and maximum (FP). According to these parameters, which laminate is the best quality? Experts' comments indicate that these values should be close to optimal. However, this does not mean at all that each of the buyers should strive to buy a 33 or even 34 class laminate. It is necessary to purchase those panels that are designed for the load on the floor covering in the room for a specific purpose.

Panel selection by class and purpose of rooms

How to choose a quality laminate for an apartment? To do this, first of all, you need to pay attention to the class of panels. An important factor will be the purpose of this or that room. As mentioned above, it is recommended to purchase class 21, 22 and 23 laminate for apartments. At the same time, the least wear-resistant is suitable for a bedroom and an office. Panels belonging to the 22nd class will be a good floor covering for the living room and nursery. A higher category of material is recommended for hallways, loggias and kitchens. It should be borne in mind that for apartments and private houses, panels from class 21 to 23 are inexpensive, but high-quality laminate. After all, it is used in rooms with low traffic.

Laminate, from 31 to the rare 34 class (it is produced in small batches due to its high cost), is used in public places and offices. That is, where a large number of people pass every day. What class of artificial parquet is used in a particular room? So, it is recommended to apply:

Class 31 - for offices and lounges;
Class 32 - in offices, offices and reception rooms;
Grade 33 - for shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, gyms, hospitals and reception rooms.

It is worth mentioning that some owners, when deciding how to choose a high-quality laminate for an apartment, buy panels of a commercial type. Of course, given the necessary financial resources, this can be quite expedient. It will be possible to walk on such a laminate in heels, moreover, it will not be damaged if a heavy object falls on it, and it will not be sold under the load of heavy furniture. And the service life of a commercial artificial parquet of 31-34 class will be approximately two decades, while the period of using a cheaper coating will not exceed 5-10 years.

Panel selection by thickness

There is one more criterion that will help answer the question of which laminate is the best quality. Reviews of experts are advised to choose artificial parquet according to its thickness. In this case, you will need to remember some basic rules that are directly related to this indicator. The density of adhesion of the panels to each other depends on the thickness of the main layer made of fiberboard. The larger these dimensions, the stronger the joint is.

In addition, more stringent requirements are imposed on the surface on which the thin laminate is applied. It must be perfectly smooth and perfectly flat, and this complicates construction work.

The thickness of the laminate directly affects its sound absorption properties. The price of artificial parquet also depends on this parameter. How to choose a quality laminate for this characteristic? Here, again, you should take into account the room where it will be located. So, panels from 21 to 23 classes are produced with a thickness of 6-8 mm, and the values of this indicator for panels with greater wear resistance are in the range of 10-12 millimeters.

Selection by moisture resistance

How to choose a quality laminate that will not deteriorate from washing with a damp cloth? To do this, choose the right type of floor panel. As mentioned above, the laminate is moisture resistant and ordinary. So, the second of these types of artificial parquet is afraid of water. It is not intended for use in high humidity areas. In addition, such panels are capable of swelling upon prolonged contact with water. That is why in rooms where ordinary laminate is used, it is possible to perform wet cleaning with only a slight contact of the floor surface with water.

Another thing is moisture resistant panels. They are not afraid of wet daily cleaning. In addition, they will not deteriorate even if someone spills something on the floor. That is why this material can be safely laid in the kitchen or in the hallway.

Visual assessment

How to choose a quality laminate flooring? The panels on offer in the store are well worth a sniff. A strong smell will indicate a bad product. What quality laminate flooring? One that has no smell.

Experts also recommend comparing the proposed samples of panels by weight. What's the best quality laminate flooring? Reviews of professionals recommend purchasing panels of greater weight. Without a doubt, lightweight laminate is made from a board of low density and thickness. And this is a confirmation of its worst quality.

Also, in order to determine which laminate is of the highest quality, it is necessary to consider it from the side of the long end. The product must be perfectly straight. The presence of any bends on it is evidence of improper or very long storage. It is especially harmful to overexpose conventional panels in a warehouse. But for a moisture-resistant laminate, a long shelf life is not a reason for a deterioration in quality.

If, as a result of a long stay in the warehouse, an ordinary laminate has absorbed moisture, then after laying such boards will dry out.Their surface swells and becomes covered with ugly spots, and cracks appear at the joints.

Country of origin selection

What is the best quality laminate flooring? When buying an artificial parquet, it is recommended to inquire about the country where this building material was produced. And here it should be borne in mind that almost all brands of high-quality laminate are produced in Europe. Domestic materials, as a rule, delight buyers only with prices. As for their quality, it disappoints most of our compatriots.

Unfortunately, one third of the Russian laminate flooring market is occupied by cheap Chinese goods. Moreover, the problem here lies not at all in the producing country, but in the importers. There are a large number of factories in China that produce the highest quality laminate flooring. However, our customers bring in artificial parquet from handicraft factories for maximum profit. Of course, the price of such panels is low, which allows sellers to earn large sums. But it should be borne in mind that such panels can be made from MDF, and not from high density fiberboards. In addition, they do not correspond to the class declared in the accompanying documents. To attract buyers, such a product is placed in a beautiful package, on which high indicators are placed that do not correspond to these plates.

How not to be deceived?

How to get the best quality laminate flooring? The manufacturer of building materials must be large and have already established themselves in the consumer market. The floor covering can be produced by a little-known brand, but always at a factory with a good reputation. Only in this case, you will definitely buy a high-quality laminate.

Reviews of those who have already purchased and use laminate flooring recommend not to rush to purchase. It is better to find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of the brand you like, as well as ask the opinion of other people. It is advisable to go to the manufacturer's website. If an enterprise is engaged in the production of laminate, starting with the manufacture of plates, then this option will be the best.

If the purchase is carried out by you in a store, then pay attention to the packaging. She can also tell about the quality of the product. A good product is packaged conscientiously. Moreover, there is no pretentious design and catchy colors. Such packaging is intended only to protect the laminate during its transportation.

Manufacturer's choice

In order to know for sure that the laminate you bought is of high quality, purchase goods only from the best manufacturer of this material. But in this case, it is worth remembering that such companies produce sub-brands. These are cheaper panels, which retain the external signs of quality. In order to choose a really good laminate, you should study the price range of the product of your chosen company before buying. This will help distinguish the original panels from the cheaper counterparts.

When choosing a laminate, you should also remember that there are a number of companies included in the register formed by the Association of European Manufacturers. This list will allow you to make the right choice. So, officially registered trade brands include: Tarkett and Quick Step, Aqua Step and Pergo, Egger and some others.

Which manufacturer's laminate flooring do experts recommend paying attention to? Many professionals prefer Tarkett products. The quality of the flooring produced by it is at the highest level. In addition, the well-known European company offers its customers diverse collections, consisting of panels of any color and with various technical characteristics. All parties of the artificial parquet of this company undergo technological processing in the process of creation.This makes them impervious to moisture and chemicals.

For more than a century, the German company Aberhof has been producing its products. Today, it has modern equipment in its arsenal. Thanks to this, the laminate is produced using the most modern technologies. The products of the German company undergo thorough control, which is carried out at all stages of the technological process. This makes it possible to produce a very durable panel with an optimal quality / price ratio.

Slip-resistant laminate from another German manufacturer - Eurofloor. These quality panels are ideal for covering floors in shops, kitchens and bathrooms.

There is a company that gives a lifetime warranty on their laminate flooring. This is the Norwegian company Alloc, whose products are distinguished not only by excellent quality or reasonable prices. The panels are equipped with a system of aluminum locks that can withstand significant loads on the coating (up to 1220 kilograms per square meter).

Laminate, the surface of which imitates natural wood in the best quality, is produced under the Maestro Club brand (Belgian or German version). It is a very hard and highly durable material, made in cherry, oak, boxwood, beech and sandalwood.

Conclusion

Of course, there is no single recipe for purchasing a really high-quality laminate flooring. When choosing, use only those recommendations that are obtained from reliable sources. Don't rely on the store clerk to give you truthful, comprehensive, and helpful advice. When making a decision, you need to take full responsibility for yourself. And in order not to make a mistake and purchase a really high-quality product, it is necessary to analyze the available information and compare it with the conditions in which the floor covering will be used in the future. Only in this case it will be possible to find for yourself a product that has an optimal combination of quality and price, which will serve you for many years.

In order to objectively judge which laminate is better to choose for an apartment, it is important to understand the features of the structure and characteristics of this floor covering, as well as its classification. The reason for complaints about the durability and reliability of this material is often the wrong choice, as a result of which the laminate wears out and loses its attractive appearance faster. Another important point affecting the functionality of the laminate flooring is the quality of the installation, so it should also be given due attention.

Pros and cons

The choice of a laminate for an apartment as a floor covering is often due to the fact that while visually similar (there are virtually no external differences between good quality boards from well-known manufacturers) with parquet, this covering costs much less and does not require as much maintenance as is necessary for an elite wooden floor. class.

The advantages of laminate flooring include:

ease of installation,
ease of repairing damage from mechanical impact (scratches, dents, etc.),
duration of operation,
environmental friendliness (E1 marking must be present),
hygiene (the material does not allow bacteria to accumulate and actively multiply on the surface),
hypoallergenic,
a wide range of applications.

Laminate in the kitchen

Important: Only with the right choice of coating, taking into account all the nuances of operation, can we expect it to meet the declared qualities.

Cons of laminate:

susceptibility to moisture, the ability to deform when water enters the coating,
swelling and blistering of the surface due to improper installation,
the appearance of a squeak when laying boards on an uneven surface.

It is recommended to wipe up liquid spilled on the laminate immediately, although now there is an assortment of moisture-resistant coating of this type

A significant part of the shortcomings is the result of violations of the laying technology. Some disadvantages can be made less noticeable by choosing the appropriate type of material and providing it with the right care. For example, adhesive laminate is more resistant to moisture, and it is possible to reduce the susceptibility to moisture of any kind of floor covering of this type by using special impregnations and mastics.

Material structure

Which laminate to choose for an apartment is determined by many factors. The structure of the material of all classes is practically the same.

The basis of each board is a fibreboard, in the production of which wood-based materials are mixed with a bonding composite and pressed with simultaneous heating. The result is a high density and durability of laminate boards.
A decorative layer is applied on top of the base - a film or special moisture-resistant paper with an image imitating the texture of wood, marble, other natural materials, or with a fantasy pattern. Thanks to this layer, the laminate (photos in the interior of the apartment can be easily found on specialized sites) can be anything, which makes it possible to accurately select the color and pattern of the floor covering in accordance with the overall design.
The topmost layer is a protective laminated coating that increases resistance to wear and other external influences.
On the other side of the base, the lowest stabilizing layer is placed to protect against moisture that may emerge from the floor slabs. This layer also protects the laminate from deformation and increases its rigidity.

Laminate structure

Panel thickness

The commercially available laminate boards are 6-12 mm thick. When deciding how to choose a high-quality laminate for an apartment, take into account that the cost of boards with a greater thickness is higher, all other things being equal. At the same time, thick laminate boards have more reliable locks, and their installation is more convenient and easier. The insulating properties of the coating also increase in proportion to the increase in panel thickness.

Classification

Each class of laminate meets certain technical characteristics and is assigned after an 18-step test. The class designation can be numerical or alphanumeric.

Until recently, class 21, 22 and 23 coverings were popular. They were the most affordable and were produced for rooms with low traffic (minimum load on laminate boards). Now such a laminate is not produced due to its low strength and wear resistance.
Today, when discussing which laminate to choose for an apartment, reviews note an affordable cost, combined with a fairly good quality for class 31 (or AC3) coatings. It is only important to remember that such boards are not suitable for offices and other premises with high traffic. For boards of this type to serve for a long time (up to 12 years), they need proper care.
The coating of class 32 (AC4) can be considered universal, which can be used in premises for various purposes. The service life of such a laminate under different operating conditions differs significantly: in living rooms - up to 15 years, in offices - up to 5 years.
For the repair of commercial premises, class 33 (AC5-AC6), recognized as extra durable, is often chosen. If you are considering class 33 as a solution to the question of which laminate would be better to choose for an apartment, you should know that in residential premises its service life reaches 20 years.
Class 34 materials are expensive and built to withstand heavy use. Such coatings can be installed in dance and sports halls.

Dark laminate flooring in stone

What class of laminate to choose for an apartment is chosen individually, taking into account the nuances (the purpose of a particular room, the number of people living, the presence of pets, whose claws can damage the coatings of a low class).

Base for laminate

For those who do not know how to choose a laminate for an apartment, it will be interesting to know that the operational characteristics of the coating depend not only on the class of the selected board, but also on the installation method, including the presence of the base and its type.

The underlay is intended for leveling the floor in the presence of minor surface defects and provides additional sound insulation. When laying laminate, all types of substrates are laid end-to-end over the entire surface of the floor of the room, with the exception of gaps at the edges (a width of 1 cm is sufficient). The fixing of the substrate can be performed using construction staples, but their use in most cases is not justified, it is enough to use a special adhesive tape.

Distinguish between substrates of different materials:

The most expensive option is natural cork sheets. They are environmentally friendly, have the best sound and noise insulation properties.
A budget type of substrate is polyethylene foam, the advantages of which are biological resistance (mold does not appear, does not contribute to the growth of bacteria) and moisture resistance. The insulating qualities of polyethylene foam also meet the requirements. Due to this combination of qualities, polyethylene foam substrates are popular, but their disadvantage is crushing under mechanical stress, and such a deformed and compacted polyethylene foam partially loses its advantages.
Composite substrates are made in combination, in which natural cork is combined with bitumen or rubber. Such an improvement made it possible to obtain a material of the middle class, which applies to both its qualities and cost.

Laying laminate on natural cork backing

Connection methods

There are two types of laminate panels according to the connection method.

Adhesive coating

For the installation of such boards, special adhesives with a short drying time are used. Glue is applied around the perimeter of each panel. Such a laminate is cheaper, which, however, in most cases does not imply a reduction in the total cost of installation. The installation of adhesive laminate requires skills, therefore, in order to avoid the risk of deterioration in the quality of the coating due to installation errors, it is advisable to use the services of professionals. In addition, the purchase of glue is required. All this leads to an increase in costs, negating the savings in the purchase of material.

At the same time, adhesive panels have certain advantages. If you are deciding how to choose the right laminate flooring for an apartment without gaps, this kind of coating will be the best option. The disadvantages of adhesive panels are the impossibility of dismantling. In the presence of such a floor covering, it is difficult to repair the "warm floor" systems; it is almost impossible to replace the damaged section of the laminate.

Glueless laminate

The panels of such a coating are interconnected without the help of glue, due to the special design of the boards, depending on the type of which they are divided into two types:

Lock panels have locks, the elements of which are driven into each other during installation. This coating is recommended for laying on perfectly aligned surfaces.
Click panels allow slight unevenness of the base and are connected using snap locks. Click panels are more expensive, but they are easier to install and much more convenient.

Lock laminate on a polyethylene foam backing

All glueless laminate flooring can be dismantled if it is necessary to transfer the coating to another room, repair the "warm floor" systems or replace damaged boards. The disadvantage of snap-joint laminates is the higher sensitivity to moisture due to the permeability of the joints. When moistened and then dried, the boards change in size, due to which the size of the gaps increases. As a result, the performance of the coating decreases, its appearance deteriorates.

Thus, the best laminate flooring for an apartment can be both glued and glueless - each type has its own advantages. It is important that the quality of the materials matches the requirements as much as possible in a particular case.

Manufacturers and brands

Among the reliable, but affordable laminate coverings, panels of brands are noted:

Kronostar,
Klassen,
Kronospan,
Kronotex.

When determining which laminate flooring company is better to choose for an apartment, you should know that the products of many well-known manufacturers have their own characteristics:

The Egger brand (Germany) uses an improved click-lock system, providing maximum ease of installation. Plates from this manufacturer are highly durable.
Thanks to improved production technology, the manufacturer Tarkett has achieved a laminate life of 15 years or more.
Quick Step laminate (Belgium) has maximum durability in moderate use. Pergo (Sweden) has developed and introduced into production special convenient smart-lock locks for joining laminate panels.
Experts recommend when choosing to pay attention to Balterio brand products from a manufacturer from Belgium. The brand is not very well known, so the materials are affordable (there is no “markup” for the brand), but they are of high quality and reliability.

Considering all the above information, information about the structure, classification, pros and cons of flooring, you can understand how to choose the right laminate floor for an apartment, which factors are considered decisive and which are secondary.