Laminate is very popular in the building materials market. Thanks to its low cost, beauty and practicality, this coating confidently replaces parquet and wood and successfully competes with conventional linoleum. What is laminate, is it hazardous to health?
Laminate is considered by many to be an artificial imitation of wood; it is sometimes called laminated parquet. In fact, this is a completely unique, original material, different from all the usual floor coverings. It consists of 90% or more ground into dust wood waste- bark, chips, shavings, sawdust. Thanks to the special multi-layer structure and features technological process pressing, laminate has unique properties.
What's good about laminate?
The material has many advantages and useful properties.
- Strength and durability. Durable and reliable, elastic and resistant to mechanical, chemical and thermal influences, the material will last for many years. It is suitable for almost any room.
- Decorative. A large selection of color shades and textures allows you to realize any designer’s fantasies. The material can follow the structure wooden planks, typesetting parquet, natural stone, ceramic tiles. It can be matte or have a glossy sheen.
- Easy to install. Thanks to unique system locks, laminate boards are simply inserted into one another and securely connected into a continuous covering without gaps.
But such a popular floor covering today still raises doubts among some skeptics about the harmlessness of use in residential premises, in particular in the bedroom and children's room. To understand this issue and make the right choice, it is useful to know what components the laminate consists of and what substances in its composition are potentially dangerous.
What does laminate consist of?
Laminate is a multilayer material. All its layers are pressed together. To find out whether a material is dangerous in everyday life, it is necessary to study its composition and analyze the degree of toxicity of each component.
- The surface coating of the laminate serves to protect the material from various types of damage. This layer is formed by melamine or acrylic resins. This process is called "lamination". To increase the viscosity of melamine, a formaldehyde component is added to it. And, as you know, formaldehyde is a very toxic substance.
- The decorative layer usually consists of paper or polymer with a pattern imitating wood, stone or other texture.
- The basis of the laminate is durable chipboard (HDF), consisting entirely of wood components. Gluing of crushed wood waste is done using natural or artificial resins. High pressure during pressing reduces their number to a minimum. This board is stronger than natural wood
- The bottom layer of the coating is moisture-resistant paper. It is necessary given the properties of wood to absorb various types moisture in huge quantities. This layer is impregnated with resins and is intended primarily to protect the HDF board from moisture penetrating from below.
- Many manufacturers also add a special film under the decorative layer, which is designed to provide additional protection from moisture for both the HDF board and the top two layers.
Why is laminate flooring dangerous?
When discussing the harmfulness of laminate flooring, formaldehyde is most often mentioned. Formaldehyde itself is a dangerous and harmful substance. But it is harmful only at high concentrations, and is released at temperatures significantly higher than normal - room temperature.
Normal everyday practicality suggests: if laminate flooring in European countries is allowed to be used in residential premises, then it is quite safe. Why then is there so much talk about harmfulness?
According to European standards, laminate flooring is divided into several emission classes; the class is determined by the amount of formaldehyde released into the air. Class for residential premises – E1. It is this material that is absolutely harmless to human health, since the proportion of formaldehyde in its composition is extremely small.
Some manufacturers produce laminate with E0 marking, calling it formaldehyde-free. There is practically no formaldehyde in it, but its price is above average.
It's no secret that the favorite pastime of many of our compatriots is to choose the cheapest material and save money. In fact, this is saving on your health. Cheapness is achieved by saving on high-quality components and by violating production technology. If high-quality pressing is impossible, strength is achieved by adding more resins. Such materials emit harmful substances in uncontrolled quantities.
Laminate flooring is also dangerous when it burns. It is a low-flammable material; an accidentally falling coal from the fireplace will not ignite. But if a fire starts, do not try to extinguish it yourself - when burning, the adhesive components release many substances that can cause serious harm to the body.
How to choose a laminate
When choosing flooring for your home, choose a proven and certified product from a well-known manufacturer. You can find out about prices on any construction Internet portal, http://www.hata-laminatu.ua/laminat/, for example. If the material offered to you is much cheaper than average, if there is no marking on the packaging and on each board, look for another option.
Wear resistance class 31 or 32 is suitable for residential premises; these are the products offered by most well-known manufacturers. There is no point in choosing a more durable coating if manufacturers provide a guarantee for several decades.
The main criterion for making a reasonable choice should be common sense. Laminate flooring is not laid for one year, it lasts 10 or 20 years, with a light load this time increases significantly. Why save money by choosing dubious quality and harming your health?
As a floor covering it has become popular due to its low cost and beautiful appearance.
This is the best option for flooring, as it can be laid on any surface.
In order for the coating to be durable and safe for the health of those living in the house, you should carefully study what the laminate consists of.
Laminate is a multilayer material, the strength of which directly depends on the quality of the main layers included in its composition. To produce this finishing flooring use sawdust.
In most cases, laminate consists of four main layers:
- Protective layer. The top layer, which is a laminating film. It protects the material from mechanical damage, heat and contamination. Consists of acrylic resin. Includes microparticles of minerals, such as corundum. Thanks to this, the material wears out more slowly. At the final stage of production, the top layer is varnished to make the surface glossy.
- Decorative layer. This thick paper, impregnated with special resin compounds. The desired design or pattern is applied to it, imitating different breeds wood, stone or tile. There are many shades. Therefore, this flooring fits perfectly into any interior. When planning repairs and laying laminate flooring on the floor, you need to buy it in reserve and at one time. So that the shade of the batch is the same.
- A layer of wood fiber or particle board. This is the main part of the laminate, which makes up 90% of its composition. Produced by pressing sawdust and glue under high pressure. The result is a slab that gives the laminate elasticity and density and is responsible for noise and heat insulation. It is lightweight and easy to machine. The interlocking joints are cut into this layer, so it must be strong. The service life of the coating depends on this.
- Bottom protective layer. Protects products from fungal infections, moisture and mold. Gives the laminated board stability. The material is cardboard impregnated with paraffin resins or.
Advantages of laminate flooring
This material has a number of advantages:
- Durability and strength. Laminate flooring is resistant to mechanical stress, chemicals and heat.
- The minimum service life is 7 years. Although it can last for decades depending on the manufacturer and operating conditions.
- Decorative qualities. Laminate flooring is similar in appearance to parquet boards made from valuable wood. It looks beautiful on the floor, and the cost is much lower than wood products. For much less money you can create a beautiful home.
- Low cost. Due to its composition, laminate is cheaper than parquet. Its installation is simple and does not require additional costs.
- Easy installation. Mounted using locking connections. Therefore, there is no need to spend extra money on glue, nails or other materials. Even less experienced workers can do the job.
- Easy to maintain. Laminate flooring is easy and pleasant to care for. To keep it clean, simply wipe it with a cloth and soapy water.
Is laminate flooring harmful?
From the description of the composition of the laminate it follows that it consists of 90 percent wood sawdust and shavings. They are used to make a lot of other finishing materials and furniture. Therefore, there should be no questions regarding environmental performance and safety. But it's not that simple. Concerns arise from the adhesive and protective resins that bind the layers together.
The main layer of the laminated board consists of chipboard, or fibreboard, in the production of which they use safe and good quality glue. This layer meets all security parameters.
IN chemical composition The laminate, namely its top layer, contains melamine or acrylic resin, which contains formaldehyde. Because of this substance, there is an opinion that laminate flooring is harmful. This component is toxic and harmful, but acts as a connecting element between the layers.
On main question There is no clear answer as to whether laminate flooring is harmful during long-term use. It all depends on a combination of several factors:
- Concentration of formaldehyde resins. This substance is used to make almost all types and finishing materials. With high-quality production, its concentration is minimal. This characteristic is indicated in the laminate classification.
- Formaldehyde begins to be actively released into environment when heated. If you plan to install heated floors in your home, you should weigh the pros and cons of this material.
- If there is laminated furniture in the house or apartment, on the walls vinyl wallpaper, the floor is covered with laminate, there is a possibility of exceeding the safe level of formaldehyde.
- It is worth comprehensively assessing the composition of the materials that you plan to use to cover the surfaces of walls, floors and ceilings.
- If the product catches fire, a very toxic gas is released into the air, which can lead to poisoning. Therefore, you should immediately leave the place where there is smoke and call the fire brigade.
In terms of safety, laminate flooring is divided into several emission classes. This is the name given to the degree of formaldehyde release. Almost all well-known manufacturers produce products with emission classes E0, E1. The proportion of hazardous substances in the composition of such material is negligible and does not pose a health hazard. And vinyl material of emission class E2, E3 is generally not recommended for use in the bedroom and nursery.
From the above material it follows that safety depends on the binder layers, which make up only 10% of its composition. And the main raw materials from which it consists are natural shavings and sawdust.
In order for the finishing floor covering in the form of a laminate to last a long time and be safe, several parameters should be taken into account when choosing it. For example, strength class. For long-term use of the floor, it is better to choose a commercial type of laminate with indicators of 34 units or more.
It is preferable to buy products from well-known brands with existing certificates.
When purchasing, you should pay attention to the type of locking connection and the presence of wax impregnation. The tightness of the panels to each other depends on these characteristics. When choosing a texture, try to choose a material that does not repeat the pattern frequently.
The video shows the types of laminate:
Laminate is perhaps the most popular type of flooring today. It comes from Sweden, where it was invented at the end of the last century. Due to its attractive appearance, relatively low price and ease of installation, it quickly spread throughout the world and gained popularity.
Laminate is the younger brother of parquet boards?
When faced with renovation for the first time, you can easily consider laminate a type of wooden covering. And all because of the aesthetic surface, which usually imitates Many of those who are just going to put laminate on the floor of their home consider it something like thin, and therefore cheaper parquet board. However, if they can be called relatives, then only very distant ones.
Parquet boards are made from solid wood. It has a layered structure: the lower layers are made of cheaper coniferous varieties, and the surface is made of noble and expensive wood. Laminate also consists of several layers, which explains its name, since “laminated” means “layered” in Latin. However solid wood It doesn't even smell here. In essence, laminate is thick paper with a texture reproduced on it glued onto it. That is why there is a noticeable difference in price between laminated flooring and not to mention block parquet or solid wood.
Material structure
However, due to the absence of solid wood in its composition, laminate does not cease to be a high-quality and beautiful coating, which, when making the right choice and installation will last for many years. This is due to its multilayer structure, where each layer plays a specific role.
The lowest layer that makes up the laminate is thick paper impregnated with resin or paraffin. It serves to protect the structure from distortion and moisture. The main layer of the “pie” is the most durable type of fiberboard, called HDF. It provides the main characteristics of the slab - strength, rigidity, moisture resistance, and constant geometry. The next layer is film or paper with a pattern applied to the surface. Its only, however very important, function is decorative. A resin film, melamine or acrylate, is applied on top, which protects the laminate from external influence and emphasizes the depth of texture.
The total thickness of the coating depends on the base layer and varies between 6-12 mm. The thicker the laminate, the higher its strength.
Strengths
Before you finally decide whether to lay laminate flooring on the floor of your apartment, you should familiarize yourself with the features of the material. There are many advantages among them:
- worthy appearance, slightly inferior to more expensive ones;
- large selection decor - you can implement any design idea;
- prevalence and affordability;
- ease of installation, no need for additional processing (scraping, varnish impregnation);
- good performance characteristics - strength, abrasion resistance, mechanical damage, burnout, temperature changes and fire;
- long service life with proper selection, installation and care.
Are there any disadvantages?
Laminate flooring also has its disadvantages. First of all, there is a fear of moisture, especially at the joints of slabs. Therefore, laminate flooring is not very suitable for installation in damp areas.
You also need to take into account that the base for laminate requires careful preparation, which is often considered one of the disadvantages of the coating. In order for it to serve for a long time and be pleasing to the eye, the differences in the subfloor should not be more than 2 mm per square meter. Otherwise, the locking fastening of the boards may break, and soon a gap will form in this place.
In addition, the material reflects and resonates sound well. This is partly compensated for by the underlay, but even when choosing the best of them, the laminate still remains quite noisy. For example, falling cutlery will be accompanied by a ringing metallic clang.
What about eco-friendliness?
There is an opinion that laminate is not a very healthy material. Indeed, its base contains formaldehyde, which belongs to toxic substances. Its release into the air can cause respiratory diseases and other disastrous consequences - it has been established that this toxin has a carcinogenic and mutagenic effect on our body. However, according to European standards, formaldehyde in laminate is contained in acceptable concentrations and does not cause harm to health. By the way, it is also in solid wood, and in an amount comparable to that of laminate.
Depending on the formaldehyde content, the laminate is assigned a so-called emission class - E1, E2 or E3. There is also a laminate of emission class E0, which contains almost no toxin, but it is much more expensive than its counterparts. Content harmful substance in a product of class E1 is minimal. In classes E2 and E3 it is 3 and 6 times greater, respectively, so they are not recommended for use in residential premises. However, almost all laminated coating from well-known manufacturers belongs to the E1 category, so there is no need to worry. Modern laminate flooring is absolutely suitable for use in residential areas, even in children's rooms.
But it is important to know that when the coating is heated to a temperature of more than 27 ° C, formaldehyde begins to be released into the air! True, to such a state, heat the laminate in normal conditions unrealistic. But if you want to use it in conjunction with underfloor heating systems, you need to be vigilant!
Laminate classes and area of application
Laminate is a material that is used everywhere: from living rooms to industrial premises and sports facilities. It's obvious that different conditions operation imply different requirements for its characteristics. According to the European standard EN 13329, laminate flooring is divided into classes.
The lowest performance indicators are in classes 21-23. Currently, such a coating is no longer produced, as it is recognized as not durable enough. It was replaced by class 31, intended for light domestic use, for example, in the bedroom or living room.
Classes 32 and 33 have approximately the same characteristics, except that the latter has slightly higher abrasion resistance and impact resistance. Both of these classes are suitable for installation in residential areas that are subject to increased traffic, for example, in hallways and corridors, not to mention other rooms.
In offices, shops, hotels and other public places with high traffic, it is recommended to install the most durable and abrasion-resistant laminate (class 33, 12 mm thick). Today, class 34 is also on the market - this is the most wear-resistant coating, ready for extreme loads. However, such a laminate has appeared quite recently, and not all manufacturers have yet mastered its production, so the choice is limited.
Decorative variety
Since wood is considered the traditional floor covering, it is the “wooden” laminate that is popular with buyers: oak, ash, maple, walnut, birch, bamboo, wenge (yes, it’s a wood, not a color). The texture of oak is especially popular today, and all its shades: from milky white to black-brown. But the choice is not limited to this: there are coatings on sale that imitate ceramic tiles, marble, granite, quartz, graphite, sand, as well as the skin of exotic animals.
The most common laminate format is a board 125-140 cm long and 18-19 cm wide. These sizes are optimal in terms of appearance and ease of working with the material. In addition, you can find narrow and wide boards of standard length, as well as elongated ones - more than 180 cm. A special group is laminate tiles that imitate tiles, porcelain stoneware or marble. Its elements have a square or rectangular shape and correspond to popular floor tile sizes (one or more units).
Connection types
Initially, there was an adhesive laminate, but today you can no longer find it. The slats of modern laminated flooring are attached to each other using locking connections, of which there are many. Today, most of them are based on click technology, but you can also find the lock type. In both cases, there is a tenon at the end of one plank, and a groove at the end of the other, and the difference between them lies in the method of snapping the lock.
With a lock-type connection, the tenon fits directly into the groove, and to close it, you need to hit it with a mallet from the end of the bar being installed. Click technology is considered more modern and allows, if necessary, to disassemble the laid laminate. A tile with a tongue does not fit into the groove directly, but at an angle to the horizontal floor. When you press it from above, it snaps into place and the lock closes.
An improved version of the click-type locking connection is the 5G fastening, which allows, due to a special tongue, to fix the bar simultaneously in length and width. There are other modifications of this technology that differ slightly from each other. Each manufacturer is trying to improve the type of connection of laminate panels and patent their own development.
Laminate and heated floors - is it worth it?
Laminate on a heated floor - is it possible? Modern manufacturers say yes. Moreover, they began to mark with special symbols those models of laminated coating that, according to the coefficient thermal resistance, resistance to overheating and other indicators are suitable for laying on top of heating systems. The best option for use in conjunction with a laminate, it is considered to be made in the form of a film. It is laid directly under the laminated coating, does not require any additional layers, heats quickly and evenly, does not overheat and is economical in energy consumption.
However, the above is only true if correct operation warm floor. It is worth considering that laminate can withstand heating up to 28 °C without consequences, but when it reaches 30 °C, it may become deformed. In addition, let's remember about formaldehyde and its ability to be released during heating! So we recommend that you think again about whether it’s worth warm laminate possible negative consequences? As a last resort, you should adjust the thermostat so that the coating temperature does not rise above 27 °C.
Installation of laminated covering
First of all, it is necessary to qualitatively prepare the base on which you plan to lay the laminate. This issue deserves separate consideration outside the scope of this article. You should not neglect the preparation of the subfloor, because the result of the work and the durability of the coating depend on it.
The technology for laying modern laminate flooring on a flat base is quite simple. First, a substrate is laid under the laminate - polyethylene foam film, sheets of polystyrene foam or rolled cork. The role of the substrate is load absorption, sound and heat insulation of the coating.
The laminate is laid away from the window, starting from the most visible corner in the room. The boards should be placed perpendicular to the plane of the wall on which the window is located. The coating is laid in a floating manner, that is, without contact with the walls. Using special wedges, deformation gaps 0.8-1 cm wide are left around the perimeter of the room. If you lay the laminate close to the wall, there is a high chance that it will expand and swell in the corners due to heat.
The first row is laid starting with a whole plank, the last board is adjusted in length. The second row begins with a board cut to half, then the overall floor pattern will develop according to the type brickwork. This laminate layout is basic, but not the only possible one. The planks are connected to each other row by row, forming a beautiful covering. The last row of boards can be adjusted in width if necessary. Once the laminate flooring is laid, you can walk on it immediately. In the future, it is enough just to maintain the beauty of the floor with proper care.
Laminate is a good compromise coating that will provide the room with modern look and won’t put too much of a dent in the owner’s pocket. At the same time, it is comfortable and easy to use, as well as strong and durable. Coupled with the ease of installation and variety of models, laminate rightfully occupies a leading position among floor finishing materials.
Entering the market as an inexpensive alternative to replace parquet boards, after several years it has firmly established itself in the top positions of the flooring niche. Often large number classes completely confuse the buyer when choosing this coating, and unscrupulous sellers are not very willing to talk about the advantages and disadvantages certain types laminate Therefore, so that everyone knows, we will tell you how to choose the right laminate for an apartment, what it consists of and what are its differences.
A number of characteristics which the laminated coating has determines the conditions in which the use of this type of board is possible or recommended. But the most important thing is still the wear resistance class. This class directly determines how long it can be used, what loads it can withstand, in which rooms it is best to use it, etc.
Laminated board from different manufacturing companies differs not only in its beautiful and varied pattern and thickness, width of the die, but also in the combination of certain characteristics. By understanding them, you can easily save money by turning off unnecessary options that don’t matter to you.
Properties of DPL and HPL laminate
The composition of laminate flooring in most cases affects the quality. High-quality laminate consists of four layers:
- Protective;
- Decorative;
- Carrier;
- Stabilizing.
The decorative layer alone does not affect the quality of the laminated die, since its function is only to provide a beautiful appearance. The remaining three layers play a significant role in its operation. The stabilizing layer ensures rigidity of the panel over the entire area, prevents moisture from penetrating underneath and thereby helps avoid deformation.
Resistance to impacts and increased loads is provided by the load-bearing layer of the laminate; a number of other important characteristics also depend on the density of the board used in production: strength, how resistant it is to moisture and temperature fluctuations.
The structure of the entire laminate resembles a layer cake made of four layers of different fillings. The technology of combining these layers with each other affects all the characteristics listed above. And at the same time, each layer plays its own important role.
Stabilizing layer
First of all, laminate is not subject to deformation, this gives it a head start in comparison with other types of floor coverings. This quality is endowed by the lower stabilizing layer; it is also commonly called compensating. This coating increases rigidity over the entire surface of the block. Often it is made of kraft cardboard, which is impregnated with synthetic resin. Manufacturers of premium laminate seal this layer with sound insulation.
Support layer
The main layer is usually made of fiberboard. It takes on all loads and impacts, it also provides heat and noise insulation properties, moisture resistance and strength of the laminate. The connecting grooves (locks) that connect the dies to each other are located precisely in this layer. This is considered the strongest point of the laminate.
When purchasing, be sure to check with the seller what it is made of. If it is plastic, then it is better to refrain from buying it.
Decorative coating
Laminate flooring is available in a wide range of colors and patterns; thanks to this feature, many choose it as a material for laying floors.
The laminated coating can be either plain or with the texture of any material or parquet, as well as in the form of a pattern. For the bedroom it is customary to choose soft bedding colors; in the living room it is recommended to lay something from classic style textures, a bright laminate is best suited for a nursery, but you just need to take into account that such a color does not irritate the child himself. “Clean” shades are perfect in the bathroom and kitchen.
Top layer
The wear resistance of any laminate die directly depends on the strength of the top layer.
In the example of a laminate for household use with direct pressing using DPL technology, the top layer is pressed together with the bottom layer and base. And it consists of a decorative print that imitates a variety of textures.
Laminate high pressure produced by Alloc and Pergo, which is pressed using HPLC technology, the top layer is based on 2-3 layers of special kraft cardboard and a protective layer with a decorative print. In this case, the top layer under a reinforced press is joined separately from the base when high temperature. This type laminate belongs to classes 33 and 34.
Laminate class
We will not dwell in detail on laminate classes here, since the main material was prepared literally yesterday: therefore, here I will only provide a table to refresh the knowledge gained.
Based on this picture, you can easily determine the packaging with what class of laminate you have in your hands.
Moisture resistance
Any manufacturer of laminated floor panels considers it their duty to produce a series of special, water-resistant coatings. Finding such varieties is not difficult, but it is worth paying attention to the environmental friendliness of this type of laminate. Panels from reputable manufacturers are suitable for use in any type of premises, of course, subject to compliance with flooring technologies and correct selection sealants.
In short, if everything is done according to technology, then such a floor will serve you for many years, even in rooms where humidity is often high. It is not difficult to guess that this means a bathroom, toilet or kitchen, where, in addition, qualities such as resistance to dirt and abrasion play an important role.
The basis of the moisture-resistant laminate in such cases also plays an important role. It serves as the base of the panel, which is responsible for its strength. Nowadays, manufacturers offer several types of bases to choose from: paper board, paper chips (BSP) and wood-chip boards (chipboard), plastic or similar composite substitutes.
Important!
If woody and paper base is not treated with special impregnation during production, this type of laminate can be deformed under the influence of moisture.
If the panels come into contact with water only during cleaning and tidying, then operation in such premises is also possible.
Deformation of laminated panels is also possible due to various circumstances, not counting water. This may happen due to the fault of the “warm floor” system, or a leak may occur and flood the entire bathroom, no one is immune from this.
Laminate thickness
Although these parameters when choosing a laminate seem unimportant to many people, they should not be forgotten either! First of all, the reliability of the floor covering, as well as the height of the room, directly depends on the thickness of the laminate, since the screed, the underlay and the laminate itself slightly conceal the space that everyone so lacks. I hope this article will give you an understanding of what laminate thickness is and which one is better in certain conditions.
Laminated panels are produced in thicknesses ranging from 6 to 12 mm. Most of all, the consumer is inclined to buy 8-12mm laminate. And this is not easy. Such dies are much easier to lay, and the base also gains a certain strength, do not forget about this before choosing quality laminate for an apartment or house.
Although the thickness of a laminate floor will not have such a strong impact on the height of the ceilings or on the loss of space in the room, let’s still figure out how they differ.
Thick layer
In addition, a thick laminate with a thickness of 8 mm and a thickness of 10 mm combines noise canceling properties. This quality will pleasantly please you during use, which cannot be said about thin laminate, which everyone calls “musical” behind their backs.
This option is provided only in premium laminate models. Its noise insulation is achieved by the presence of an additional substrate to smooth out defects in the base and ultimately provides protection from sound effects, for example, when walking in stiletto heels or hitting something.
Thin layer
Thin-layer laminated panels (thickness less than 8mm) combine less positive characteristics due to this, it wears out faster. And this was done, as you probably already guessed, to reduce its cost. In addition, this type of panels must be laid on a flat screed surface or on a well-prepared substrate. Compliance with this condition will extend his life by several years.
Thin-layer laminate has few advantages, as well as characteristics. It costs a little less than its plump counterparts and, when installed, hides a little less of the usable volume of the room. Although if you compare it with a laminate with a thickness of 8 mm, then 2 millimeters will not be particularly noticeable.
Mounting methods
When installing laminate flooring, the method of fastening and chamfer play a huge role. To understand which laminate with or without a chamfer is better, one should proceed from the purpose of the coating and the requirements for it. It just so happens that the presence of a chamfer strengthens the structure of the assembled floor covering, since the processed edge of the die is securely and tightly fixed to the adjacent one.
It is worth noting that the presence of assembled slots will contribute to the accumulation of bacteria harmful to human health. And because of this, it is not recommended to use this type of laminate in rooms such as bathrooms or in the kitchen.
Another important difference between laminate fastening mechanisms is whether you use glue or not. Installing a base with glue will take a lot of your time and effort, but will ultimately give you a more durable floor covering. If you use glue when assembling laminated panels, then gaps and large seams will not form, as a result of which you will get the most even and sealed surface. Often this type of laminate will cost several times less, but if something happens, you will not be able to replace the laminate in the center of the room or in any other place and will have to change the entire floor.
The locking fastening mechanism does not imply the use of adhesives or sealants during installation, thanks to this the speed and ease of installation reaches a higher level.
The entire laminate has two types of interlocking connections. Locking mechanisms are divided into two types: Click and Lock. Option with the " Click" has a double locking system, the dies are fixed at an angle of 45. This system allows installation even if the deviations of the screed fluctuate in the range of three millimeters. Panels with lock type" Lock» are installed much faster and easier, but for installation they require a perfectly level base floor.
Since we're talking about technical features laying laminated panels, it should be added that some types of laminate, as well as parquet, get along quite well with “warm floor” systems. You probably know that wood-chip the base does not tolerate constant temperature changes, but if you search, you will find panels that conduct heat well and do not change their shape under the influence of temperatures.
It's up to you to decide which lock is best for laminate flooring. It plays the same here crucial In which room are you planning to install laminate flooring?
Laying laminate
On self-installation We will not dwell on laminate either; we will write a separate manual for you on this topic, since this topic is very extensive and cannot fit into a few sentences.
To get an idea of the process, I suggest you study the diagram:
Laminate price
The decisive factor in determining the price of laminate flooring is both the class of the product and country of origin. For example, branded laminate itself high class made in Germany will cost you a pretty penny, and using this coating at home will seem very impractical to you. Seeing such a price, the consumer believes that the product will serve him for many years. In fact, this is not always the case.
When you are standing in a store and choosing or have already chosen something suitable in color, look around and try to find similar patterns among other coatings. In most cases, after 5 rows there will be the same laminate on the display case, only with a different price tag. It can be either higher or lower! What does this depend on?
It is worth understanding that they are the same in thickness, pattern, lock connection dies produced in Russia and Italy will differ greatly in price, despite the fact that their production process is the same, and the quality is almost the same.
If you are still determined to buy imported laminate, you should take a closer look at the models produced by Tarkett, Quick Step, and Egger. Among them there are also inexpensive, high-quality and, not least important, imported representatives.
Pricing is also influenced by factors such as the presence of a chamfer, anti static, increased wear resistance and many more. I think it is useless to list them all, since in many species they are individual.
Important!
It is worth noting that the class of the laminate does not affect the creaks of the finished coating, bends under weight human body and other shortcomings due to poor-quality installation. Decisive role What will play here is how well you prepared the subfloor for the laminate.
To choose the right quality laminate, you just need to carefully study all the documents attached to it and inspect the product itself. Here, perhaps, it turns out the same as when choosing any quality product.
Any type of this flooring will release harmful substances in the room where it is installed. There is no way to avoid this. To reduce such risks, it is recommended to purchase products that used acrylic resins in their production. After covering the floor with this coating, the room will smell like wood for several weeks. If you are not satisfied with this, ask the seller to bring you the stale goods from the warehouse. The longer a product sits in a warehouse, the less it smells.
Video instructions
Now you know which laminate is better and how to choose it. To reinforce what you have read, watch the video instructions prepared for you.
What kind of floor should I make? The question is relevant for anyone who is undertaking a serious renovation. Perhaps the most popular flooring these days is laminate. What are the features of this material? What is it made of? Is laminate flooring harmful to health?
What is laminate made of?
The main raw material for this material is sawdust. It consists of approximately 90% of them. The whole secret of strength and durability lies in the multilayer coating manufacturing technology.
Most manufacturers offer mass production of laminate consisting of four layers:
- The top layer is protective. It is made in the form of a laminating film that protects from mechanical stress, heat, impact sunlight, pollution. This is a composite multilayer coating consisting of melamine or acrylic resin. This laminate layer may include microscopic mineral particles such as corundum, which greatly increases the abrasion resistance. Sometimes this layer is given relief in accordance with the pattern of the second layer - decorative.
- The decorative layer is made of paper or polymer with a printed pattern. It can be anything, imitate stone, tile, wood. Color shades can satisfy even the most demanding customers. Like all facing building materials, laminate must be purchased in one batch required quantity with a small margin (trimming, transportation) so that there are no differences in shades.
- The main layer is a durable chipboard or fibreboard, which is produced by pressing under high pressure wood material with High Density Flag (HDF) adhesive. The slab is distinguished by its elasticity, increased density, and at the same time it is light and can be easily processed. It has the main function of heat and sound insulation; it also has a lock cut out for connection with other boards.
- The lowest layer is paraffin-impregnated cardboard, plastic or another denser melamine film layer. Protects the laminate from moisture, vapors, fungus, mold, protects against deformation, gives greater rigidity and stability.
Advantages of laminate
This material has many advantages:
Is laminate flooring harmful?
The laminate is made from crushed wood, a natural and environmentally friendly product. But high pressure is not enough to impart strength, so the material is impregnated with resins, and the layers are glued together using natural or artificial binders. Some of these materials contain substances hazardous to health: phenol, formaldehyde, toluene. It is believed that since they are present in the material, they must be released into the air during operation and harm health. There is just one point here - there are so few of them in a laminate board that they cannot cause any damage. The air in an ordinary city apartment contains much more of these substances even without laminate.
According to European standards, laminate flooring is divided into several emission classes (degrees of formaldehyde release). The material from most well-known manufacturers has an emission class no higher than E1. It is this material that is absolutely harmless to human health, since the proportion of harmful substances in its composition is extremely small.
Something else is important. When the laminate ignites, a highly toxic gas that is hazardous to health is released, leading to serious poisoning. If a laminate floor catches fire, do not try to extinguish it yourself and try to get away from the smoke zone.
So why are there rumors about the dangers of laminate flooring? The bottom line is that there are two categories of material - high-quality laminate from well-known brands and cheap fake laminate.
Well-known manufacturers of this flooring carefully control the composition and manufacturing technology; their products are harmless, which is confirmed by safety certificates from independent organizations and the great popularity of this material in European countries.
Counterfeit laminates are made on the basis of a cheap analogue of chipboard (chipboard). The density of such a base is low, so it is impregnated with adhesives and resins containing an unreasonably large amount of formaldehyde E240. Other parameters of such a “laminate” are also not controlled, and no one knows what such a product actually contains.
Therefore, when choosing a laminate, do not try to buy a cheaper coating, but pay attention to quality and safety certificates: health is more important than savings.