What is the best laminate? Customer Reviews

Laminate is a modern floor covering. The widespread belief was that this artificial substitute for natural parquet is very expensive and unreliable. In addition, many believe that he is afraid of moisture, and six years after installation will require a replacement. Until recently, everything was exactly like this. However, to date, leading manufacturers of building materials offer their customers a high-quality laminate. Its service life is within twenty or more years. How can a buyer determine the best quality laminate? To do this, you need to clarify its class of wear resistance. This parameter of the floor covering is put only after the so-called tabert test. Belonging to one or another class and indicating the quality of the coating.

Composition

What is a laminate? This is a panel consisting of several layers. Let us consider them in more detail. The uppermost layer of the panel of artificial parquet is a solidified mass of acrylic or melamine resin. Which laminate is the best and less wearing? The one with the given layer has the greatest thickness.

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

The second layer of artificial parquet is considered decorative. Perform it from paper that has a certain pattern. Thanks to this layer, the floor panel acquires its appearance. Here the possibilities of producers are not limited. Laminate can have a tree structure, be similar to sand, stone, marble, etc. That is why the second, decorative layer of laminate is important in the design of the room. And this is fifty percent of the success of repair work.

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

Next, the fourth layer, the thickest. This is a stabilizing plate made of high-strength fiberboard. This layer determines the dimensions of the laminate itself, which can be 6, 8, 10 and 12 millimeters thick. The larger the values are, the better the quality, the perimeter lock.

And the last, the lowest layer is kraft paper. This is the protection of the stabilizing plate from moisture. In some grades of the laminate, the substrate is additionally adhered to the lower layer. This increases the price of artificial parquet.

Classification

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

• Moisture resistant (for rooms with high humidity);
• Usual.

Each of these types is divided into classes that indicate the density of the panel, its durability and reliability. The choice of high-quality laminate should start with a review of these characteristics. If the class of the panel you are considering is in the range from 21 to 23, then this cover is suitable for home use. It should be remembered that a larger number indicates a greater wear resistance of artificial parquet. Thus, the highest-quality laminate for an apartment corresponds to class 23. It is not worth looking for a cover with a large value for residential houses.

And for offices, shops and other premises with a large cross-country which is the best laminate? Feedback from specialists and users gives an unambiguous answer to this question. This is a laminate, which belongs to class 31-33. The production and office premises need a more solid floor, over which there are more than one thousand legs. If you use a lower class of panels in such cases, the coating will quickly fail.

But some manufacturers went further. To date, they offer laminate floor 34 class. This type of artificial parquet is available from Aloc. However, if you compare this laminate with the panels of Class 33 manufactured by Tarkett, you can see that the accompanying documentation, in both cases, guarantees up to twenty-five years of operation under the same conditions.

Method for determining the class

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

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

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

Each of the classes of artificial parquet corresponds to its own minimum wear resistance (IP) and maximum (FP). According to the parameters, what is the best laminate? The feedback from specialists indicates that these values should be approximated to the optimal ones. However, this does not mean that each of the buyers should strive to buy laminate 33 or even 34 classes. You need to buy those panels that are designed for the load that falls on the floor covering in a specific location.

Panel selection by class and purpose of premises

How to choose a quality laminate for an apartment? For this, first of all, you need to pay attention to the class of panels. An important factor will be the appointment of a particular room. As mentioned above, for apartments it is recommended to purchase laminate 21, 22 and 23 class. At the same time, the least durable is suitable for a bedroom and an office. Panels assigned to class 22, will be a good floor covering for the living room and the 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 21 to 23 class - this laminate is inexpensive, but high-quality. After all, it is used in rooms with low traffic.

Laminate, beginning with 31 and ending with a rare 34 class (it is produced in small batches because of the high cost price), is used in public places and offices. That is, where a large number of people go daily. What is the class of artificial parquet used in this or that room? So, it is recommended to apply:

• 31 class - for classrooms and rest rooms;
• 32 class - in offices, offices and reception rooms;
• 33 class - for shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, gyms, hospitals and reception rooms.

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

Panel thickness selection

There is another criterion that will help to answer the question, what is the best quality laminate. Reviews of experts advise to choose artificial parquet in its thickness. You will need to remember some basic rules directly related to this indicator. The thickness of the base layer made of fiberboard depends on the density of the panels' adhesion between themselves. The larger these dimensions, the stronger the joint.

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

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

Choice of moisture resistance

How to choose a quality laminate that would not spoil from washing with a damp cloth? To do this, you must choose the right type of floor panel. As already mentioned above, laminate is moisture resistant and ordinary. So, the second of these types of artificial water parquet is afraid. It is not intended for use in rooms with high humidity. In addition, such panels can swell with prolonged contact with water. That is why in rooms where a conventional laminate is used, it is possible to produce wet cleaning only with a slight contact of the floor surface with water.

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

Visual assessment

How to choose a quality laminate? The panels offered in the store are worth sniffing. A sharp smell will indicate a bad product. What is the quality laminate? The one that has no smell.

Specialists also recommend comparing the proposed copies of panels to the weight. What is the best laminate? The opinions of professionals recommend buying panels of a higher weight. No doubt, light laminate is produced from a board of low density and thickness. And this is confirmation of its inferior 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 incorrect or very long storage. It is especially harmful to overstrain the usual panels in the warehouse. But for a moisture-resistant laminate, a long shelf life is not a cause of deterioration in quality.

If, as a result of a long time in the warehouse, the usual laminate absorbed moisture, then after laying such boards dry out. Their surface is swollen and covered with ugly spots, and at the junctions appear crevices.

Select country of origin

What is the best laminate? When purchasing an artificial parquet, it is recommended to ask the country where this building material was released. And here it is worth bearing in mind that almost all brands of high-quality laminate are produced in Europe. Domestic materials, as a rule, please buyers only with prices. As for their quality, it disappoints most of our compatriots.

Unfortunately, the third part of the Russian laminate market is occupied by cheap Chinese goods. And the problem here lies not in the country-producer, but in the importers. On the territory of China, there are a large number of factories producing laminate of the highest quality. However, our customers to bring maximum profit bring artificial parquet, released in factories engaged in artisanal production. Of course, the price of such panels is small, which allows you to earn large amounts of money from sellers. But it should be borne in mind that such panels can be made from MDF, and not from high density fibreboard . 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, which is placed not corresponding to these plates high performance.

How not to let yourself be deceived?

How to purchase the best quality laminate? The manufacturer of building materials should be large and have already managed to prove themselves in the consumer market. The floor covering can also be produced by a little-known brand, but it is necessary at a factory with a good reputation. Only in this case you necessarily buy a quality laminate.

Reviews of those who have already purchased and uses laminate, recommend not to rush when buying. It is better to learn more about the merits and demerits of the brand you like, and also to ask the opinion of other people. It is advisable to go to the site of the manufacturer. If the company is engaged in the production of laminate, starting with the manufacture of slabs, then this option will be the best.

If the purchase is made by you in the store, then pay attention to the packaging. It can also tell about the quality of the goods. A good product is packaged on conscience. And here there is no pretentious design and catchy colors. This package is designed only to protect the laminate when it is transported.

Select a manufacturer

In order to know for sure that the laminate you bought is of high quality, get the goods only from the best producer of this material. But in this case it is worth remembering that such companies issue subbrands. These are cheaper panels, which have external signs of quality. In order to choose a really good laminate, you should study the price range of the goods of your chosen company before buying. This will help distinguish the original panel from a cheap analog.

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

On the laminate of what manufacturer recommend to pay attention to specialists? Many professionals prefer the products of the company "Tarkett". The quality of the floor covering it produces is at the highest level. In addition, a well-known European company offers its customers a variety of collections, consisting of panels of any colors and with different technical characteristics. All parties of artificial parquet of this company in the process of creation are processed. Due to this, they become immune to moisture and chemicals.

For more than a century, the German company Aberhof has been producing. Today, in its arsenal is modern equipment. Due to this laminate is produced using the most modern technologies. The products of the German company are thoroughly controlled, which is carried out at all stages of the technological process. This allows you to produce a very strong panel, which has an optimal ratio of quality and price.

Slip resistance is different laminate of another German manufacturer - the company Eurofloor. These quality panels are optimal for covering floors in shops, kitchens and in bathrooms.

There is a company that gives a lifetime warranty on its laminate. This is the Norwegian company Alloc, whose products differ not only in excellent quality or reasonable prices. The panels are equipped with a system of aluminum locks, allowing to withstand significant loads on the coating (up to 1,220 kilograms per square meter).

Laminate, the surface of which most qualitatively imitates a natural tree, is produced under the Maestro Club brand (Belgian or German version). This is a very hard and high-strength material, made for cherry, oak, boxwood, beech and sandalwood.

Conclusion

Of course, there is no one recipe that allows you to get a really high-quality laminate. When choosing, use only those recommendations that are obtained from reliable sources. Do not expect that the seller in the store will give you truthful, exhaustive and useful advice. When making a decision, you need to take full responsibility for yourself. And in order not to make a mistake and to get a really high-quality product, it is necessary to analyze the available information and compare it with those conditions in which the floor covering will be further used. Only in this case it will be possible to find a product with an optimal combination of quality and price that will last you for many years.