Many people who decided to replace the old flooring with a more modern one, are asked the important question: "What is the size of the laminate?" Unfortunately, an unequivocal answer to it can not even be given by sales managers of finishing materials.
Production of laminate
Not so long ago (about 20 years ago) a fundamentally new and very promising material appeared on the market for flooring: laminate. Its standard dimensions have not yet been established, as different manufacturers of different countries of the world produce their products according to their own standards. And this applies not only to its length and width. Different manufacturers and the thickness of this material can vary significantly. Most laminates have a four-layer structure. Its basis is a load-bearing fibreboard HDF. As a rule, its thickness varies in the range of 6-10 mm. Its density is 800-1100 kg / m 3 . It depends on the size of the expected loads. To create a picture, a separate fragment of the selected tree species is photographed first, and then this image is transferred to a special paper impregnated with melamine resin. It is placed above the plate and covered with an overlay (a protective film of cellulose non-woven fabric of high strength). It is also impregnated with melamine resin. To make the overlay even stronger and more resistant to abrasion, aluminum oxide is sprayed onto it . Under the HDF plate, a stabilizing substrate is applied, compensating for the stress created by the upper layers. After compacting under pressure on short-stroke machines at high temperature, the final product is obtained. This composite material is called laminate.
Laminate size
Finished sheets after aging are cut into panels. The size of the laminate can be different. Its width can vary between 185-300 mm, and the length - 1180-2000 mm. Most manufacturers chose the most convenient options. The most common size of laminate is as follows: width - 185-195 mm, length - 1260-1380 mm. At the same time, the quality material has a greater thickness. The most reliable and wear-resistant floor covering of this type can reach 14 mm. Such a laminate is not afraid of any floods and dancing on his heels. Unfair producers produce panels, which sometimes have a thickness of about 5 mm. Despite the fact that the price of such a laminate will not be high, its durability is out of the question.
Laminate flooring
Laminate, the size and price of which are set by its manufacturer, is divided into several classes. It is from them that the value of this material depends. This does not even take into account the size of the laminate. The higher the class of products, the more expensive it will be. The most famous companies for the production of laminate (Witex, Tarkett, Balterio, Parador, Barry Flor) produce products that will be 4-5 dollars. The US is 1 m more expensive than the products of domestic or Chinese manufacturers.
Laminate 31 class (household) suitable for ordinary living quarters. Materials of improved strength (32 and 33 class) are suitable for commercial and domestic premises. There are different types of laminate (from glossy to matte). Their price depends on the size of the panels and their quality. It can be calculated per piece or sq.m. So, on average, the price of 1 laminate panel ranges from 360 to 800 rubles.