Types of laminate - overview of the main characteristics: classes, connection locks and markings. Types of laminate: categories, types, names, colors, famous manufacturers, photos What do the images on the packaging mean?

In this article you will learn rules for choosing laminate and what are his varieties presented on the market today.

The flooring in any room can be figuratively compared to the foundation of a house. First of all, it must be durable and reliable, that is, it must have long term operation. Besides flooring should look attractive, consist of materials that are safe for human health and be affordable. Such flooring materials as laminate satisfy many criteria. Let's consider its varieties and the basic rules for choosing for a particular type of premises. It is important to remember that any high-quality material can become unusable only due to its use in unsuitable conditions.

Types of laminate

Dividing laminate by appearance

The simplest and most basic division of laminate into types occurs depending on its appearance. It, in turn, depends on the color of the surface and on the layer of protection applied to it (protects it from external influences - moisture, abrasion, fading, impacts, etc.).

• Regular laminate, as a rule, is externally stylized as wood and is one of the cheapest. Often not much different good characteristics and short-lived.
• The glossy look is more expensive, but its characteristics are better and its appearance is more respectable - a beautiful imitation of a varnish surface.
• The matte surface looks like oiled wood and creates the effect of a “warm” floor. It is pleasant to walk on such a surface and there are no visible marks left on it afterwards.
• Textured laminate is the most attractive in appearance. Gives the impression of an expensive wood, ceramic tile or natural stone(granite, marble), etc.

The appearance of this flooring is very diverse. That is why laminate is the No. 1 floor covering for creating bold and impressive interiors.

Separation of laminate according to installation method

• Glue look. In this case, the components are fastened by gluing their end parts to each other. This laminate tolerates excess moisture well. This is a solid mount.
• Castle view. Fastening is carried out without glue, joining the laminate board together - a “floating” fastening (does not connect to the floor). Very popular and convenient.

Division of laminate according to loads and wear resistance

The loads can be insignificant, as, for example, in the bedroom - a minimum of movement. Or the loads are significant - in rooms where heavy furniture and equipment are installed. Flooring is divided into types intended for small, medium and heavy loads.

Also, the conditions of use require different degrees of exposure to moisture, so laminate can be regular or moisture-resistant.

According to the area of ​​use, laminate is divided into household - used in residential premises and industrial. Accordingly, all qualities industrial look an order of magnitude higher than that of household laminate.

Laminate classes

For ease of orientation in the variety of laminates presented to the consumer, they are usually divided into classes. They show the scope of application of a certain type based on its wear resistance. Each type of laminate undergoes a special Taber test. It is very simple and is carried out using a Taber device. The top layer of the laminate is exposed to the abrasive wheel. Then experts calculate how many revolutions of the circle were made before the protective layer of the coating was completely abraded. Based on a special table, they assign a certain class to a given laminate sample, and this is where its wear resistance identification ends.

Understanding the classes is very easy. They are indicated by two numbers, the first one can be represented as “2” or “3”:

• “2” is a laminate intended for home use.
• “3” is a laminate for other needs, that is, stronger and more durable.

The second number indicates the level of resistance to external influences (mechanical damage): “1” - low, “2” - medium, “3” - high. Thus, looking at the class indicated on the packaging, you can “read” the area of ​​​​use of this laminate

• “21”, “22”, “23” - classes of laminate for home use, the service life of which is up to 4 years. Today, such laminate is not available for sale; most factories have discontinued it.
• “31”, “32”, “33” - classes of so-called commercial use. Despite the historically established name, they are intended for use both in office premises so at home. Most types of laminate flooring on sale today have a class of 31 to 33. When used at home, these types of laminate flooring last more than 10 years. The differences between these types are as follows: 31 class is intended for floors with low intensity of walking on them, 32 - medium intensity, 33 - high intensity.

Also on sale are classes marked with numbers 34 or more. They have not been tested by time and generally accepted standards have not been developed for them, so it is difficult to judge their characteristics.

Laminate of different classes differs from each other in the top layer - namely in its thickness; the thicker the layer, the better the protection. So, let's take, for example, 33rd grade. This is a material designed for floors in busy public areas. This laminate can last up to 8 years, and if you use it at home, this period will double!

Rules for choosing a laminate

In this section we will not touch upon the rules for choosing laminate according to appearance- This is the field of interior and design. We will turn to the technical side of the matter.

It has already been mentioned that the flooring will last a long time, provided that it is designed for use in the chosen room.

Choosing between adhesive and interlocking laminate The following features should be taken into account.

The advantages of the adhesive type are a hard, solid, moisture-resistant coating. But if such a coating is damaged, then repairing it becomes much more difficult. The interlocking type is more convenient and quicker to install - there is no cost for glue. And in case of damage, you can quickly dismantle the damaged board and replace it with a new one. If necessary, it also happens that the laid floor covering can be disassembled and used for its intended purpose in another room.

Turning to the reviews of people who have used both types of laminate, you can see that the adhesive type is no longer in demand and it’s clear why.

Moisture resistant laminate is better

Even if you intend to use your flooring in the most gentle way, it is best to choose moisture resistant appearance laminate Constant wet cleaning and various unforeseen events can negatively affect your floor. It’s better to play it safe in advance and, as they say, sleep well.

No moisture-resistant laminate of the highest strength class is designed for constant contact with moisture. So for the bathroom it is preferable to use tiles– it’s more reliable.

Choosing a laminate manufacturer

We decide on the manufacturer and price. Based on consumer reviews, it is best to choose products from European manufacturers, regardless of the type of laminate. Chinese laminate is often found very good quality and by affordable price, but there is a possibility of buying flooring with a high content of substances harmful to human health. In order to exclude such a situation, it is necessary to immediately familiarize yourself with the certificates of quality and conformity on the spot, if, of course, such are available.

What to do with classes

Let's start with the fact that the important point is that the laminate is designed to different types loads The more weight it can support without damage to itself (including sagging), the better. This option will cost more than the usual one.

You should not always choose class 33 laminate for your living room. Why? Yes, because consumer reviews say that buying and using laminate, whose service life of 20 years with an excellent appearance, may be excessive. This period may be significantly longer than it will take until the next repair.

Simple advice. If people wear shoes at home, then it makes sense to choose a higher class of laminate. If you go without shoes, then you can safely take class 31.

And finally.

If all the stages of choosing a laminate have been completed, then all that remains is to inspect the components for consistency in color and size. You can try the assembly right on the spot - errors in the joining of parts will be immediately visible.

There is one more point that you may encounter in the store. There is an opinion that the base of laminate tiles is green, and not Brown– this is guaranteed high quality. This is wrong. Quality must be determined based on the characteristics stated in the attached documentation.

What is laminate made of?

The material from which the laminate is made is fiberboard. It provides flexibility combined with strength, allowing the glue to penetrate easily and deeply into the structure of the material. The planks are connected to each other with special “quick step” latches and do not require the use of glue, thanks to this you can quickly and easily not only assemble the floors, but also, if necessary, disassemble them. The adhesive laminate has additional areas for applying glue, which will additionally provide the floor with moisture-resistant seams and greater joint strength.

Whatever the design of your interior, you can always choose an option that matches the color and type of surface.

cross-sectional structure of a modern laminate

Differences by surface type

Laminate flooring comes in a wide variety of patterns and shades. You can choose not only a pattern that follows the structure of wood, but also an imitation of stone or tile. There are a huge variety of shades - from very dark noble to almost white. In addition, according to the pattern, laminate flooring is classified into single-strip, two-strip and three-strip. The latter looks very similar to piece parquet and looks great in small spaces. Two-strip laminate resembles short floorboards, like a classic plank floor. In large premises, single-strip laminate is most often used.

There are several types of laminate surfaces, differing in glossy shine or imitation of rough wood processing. The outer side can be classic natural, textured, embossed, artificially aged, glossy or oiled. Natural classic laminate completely repeats the wood pattern with small recesses. Laminate with a textured, aged and embossed surface is distinguished by deeper pores and a pronounced texture of roughly processed wood. Gloss laminate has a waxed, smooth exterior that is coated with varnish or oil. The choice of surface depends on your interior design and tactile preferences.

Laminate classes

The classification of use will help you choose a laminate for a particular room. Each type of laminate is tested for sound insulation, resistance to scratches, abrasion, moisture and light.

• The most durable laminated coatings of class 33 can withstand contact with water for several hours and are the most wear-resistant of all types of coatings. Laminate of this class is used in commercial premises with very high traffic, for example in shops.
• Floor coverings of classes 32 and 31 are used in commercial premises with less traffic, in offices and conference rooms. They are also able to withstand prolonged contact with water and are very resistant to abrasion and scratches.
• IN residential buildings and apartments use laminate of classes 23, 22 and 21.
• Laminate of the lowest class 21 is usually used in bedrooms and other dry rooms with low traffic.

What do the pictures on the packaging mean?

On most laminate packaging, in addition to indicating the class, there are images reflecting Extra options and degrees of protection:

Video: how to choose laminate and not make a mistake?

To preserve the pristine beauty of the flooring, it is recommended to use rubber wheels on furniture, rugs at the entrance and special cleaning compounds. Scratches on the laminate are repaired with a simple repair pencil. And stubborn stains can be removed with acetone, gasoline or alcohol. And about how to lay laminate flooring yourself.

Laminate is one of the most popular floor covering materials. The fact is that it has an acceptable cost and looks very similar to natural wood. But before carrying out repairs, you need to consider the types of laminate. This will help you decide what kind of cladding is needed for your home.

Laminate consists of several layers:

1. The basis. The rigidity of the tiles depends on it. The base is usually made of fiberboard or chipboard. The thicker this layer, the stronger the material will be.
2. Kraft paper. It serves to protect the lower surface of the base from moisture penetration.
3. Decorative layer. Here we use special paper on which the design is applied. It is glued to the upper surface of the base.
4. Polymer film. It protects the decorative layer from abrasion.

Additional layers can be added during production: substrate, natural wood veneer, moisture-proof shell, protective corundum coating.

Despite the fact that the laminate pattern is not natural, in expensive types of this material it is printed very realistically.

Product types by class

Before purchasing such cladding, you should consider its types according to. This parameter determines where you can lay the laminate:

• 21, 22 and 23 grades. This material is distinguished by the fact that it has the lowest level of wear resistance. That is, it cannot be used where there is constant high traffic of people, and in conditions of high humidity. Most often it is spread in bedrooms and is also used as temporary flooring. Although class 23 has almost all the necessary technical characteristics to use it in residential areas with light loads.
• 31-33 grade. This material is installed in rooms where floors are subject to intense loads. It can be used in corridors and hallways.

• . It is the most durable and can even withstand contact with water for several hours. This lining is extremely resistant to wear. Typically, this material is used in restaurants, dance floors, public institutions(schools, hospitals).
• 42, 43 - a special premium class, which is made to order. It is used in airports and train stations, as well as in those rooms where the floor is subject to the heaviest load. Such material in conditions residential premises It is not advisable to use it, since you simply cannot create a strong load on it at home. In addition, cladding of this class is very expensive.

Classification of material according to the degree of resistance to moisture

In this case, we can distinguish the following types of laminate flooring:

1. . It can be used in the bathroom or. This material is not afraid of moisture, as it is additionally treated with protective resins or wax.
2. Water resistant. It can withstand direct contact with liquid for several hours. At the same time, additionally waxed locks do not allow water to pass under the floor covering.

Types of products by decorative qualities

The following types of material can be distinguished:

• Glossy. It has a special shine. The surface of the laminate is polished. The disadvantage of the presented floor covering is that it is slippery. In addition, it leaves footprints on it.
• Natural. This does not mean real wood flooring. It’s just that the product is very similar to a natural board. All pores and knots are drawn very realistically. This floor covering also has a shine, but it is not bright, but more silky.
• Waxed. In appearance, this laminate flooring is very similar to wood, well impregnated with wax. The coating has a slight shine, which indicates the high quality of the material.

• Relief (texture). This laminate resembles natural wood. The texture of the picture is drawn so well that at first glance the coating can be mistaken for floorboards.
• Matte. The presented material does not have a bright shine. It is most often used in children's rooms and in the kitchen, as it is considered non-slip. In addition, there are practically no footprints left on it. And you don’t need to polish it as often as glossy.
• Country laminate. In appearance, this product resembles embossed aged material.

Before choosing a floor covering, you need to consider it technical specifications, as well as features of subsequent operation.

Types of product according to installation method

This factor is one of the main ones when choosing a material. There are several ways to fix tiles:

1. Glue. This method ensures the most reliable fixation of products on the base surface. However, installation in this case is labor-intensive and also takes a lot of time. And you cannot remove the floor covering and move it from one room to another. Repairing laminate flooring after gluing the tiles is also very difficult.
2. Castle. It provides for fixing tiles without the use of glue and is additionally divided into two types.

Lock system

This type of lock is characterized by the presence of a latch, which is a tongue on one side of the tile and a groove on the other. In order to connect the elements, you must use a rubber hammer and wooden block. Please note that you cannot hit the tiles directly with the hammer. It is advisable that the floor assembly be carried out experienced craftsman. The fact is that the thorns are very delicate, and if used improperly they can be damaged. In the event of a breakdown, the damaged element will be difficult to replace.

Click system

Laminate in this case has a more complex design. However, assembling the coating is very simple, so even a person who has never held a hammer can do it. The peculiarity of the planks is that they are connected at a certain angle - 45 degrees. There is no need to put in any effort. The presented connection method makes it possible to disassemble the covering and move it to another room. Another advantage of such a system is that it does not deform over time.

If you use the adhesive installation method, then in this case it is better to additionally seal the joints between the planks.

That's all the types of laminate. Naturally, when choosing, you should pay attention to the manufacturer. The material must be certified and have no claims from other buyers. Leave comments on the article - express your opinion or share your experience!

At the end, a series of 6 video instructions on choosing various types laminate:

The popularity of laminate is due to its high aesthetic properties and wear resistance. Some of its types can be installed even in high-traffic areas: retail establishments, offices and even industrial workshops.

A laminate board is a decorative floor covering that imitates parquet, stone or ceramic tiles. This is a special layered material, the lower part of which consists of a fiberboard or chipboard board of special density. To protect against deformation from below, it is additionally reinforced with a stabilizing layer. The top of the laminate is glued with paper, finished in a special way, with a pattern.

The quality and wear resistance of this material largely depends on the strength of the topmost layer - a melamine or acrylic resin. At the bottom of some types of laminate there may be a soundproofing substrate that provides additional sound dampening.

Division into classes

According to the degree of wear resistance, laminate boards are divided into the following classes:

The thickness of the laminate can vary from 6 to 12 mm. You should not purchase lamellas that are too thin for high-traffic areas - they will quickly fail.

Laminate joints

Based on connection methods, laminate boards are divided into several types:

• adhesive: connected using “liquid nails” type glue; can be combined with click or tongue and groove.

Click connections are in turn divided into locks of the following types:

• click: the most advanced system that ensures a reliable connection and does not form gaps; in some cases, the lock is reinforced with a metal profile; the grooves and ridges have a special shape; when connected, the board is brought under the second one at a slight angle, then lowered down until it clicks;
• lock: more cheap option, are less reliable, unlike tongue-and-groove boards, the grooves and ridges have a curved shape; to connect the boards, you need to carefully hammer them together.

The adhesive installation method is used mainly to protect seams from moisture. However, in this case, if one single board is damaged, it will not be so easy to replace it - the entire covering will have to be re-laid.

Types of coatings

According to the type of cladding, laminated boards are divided into:

• imitates floorboards painted with oil paint; for decorating a room in an antique style.

If you are in doubt about choosing the type and class of laminate, we suggest you watch a video that describes in detail the main characteristics of this material.

Advantages and disadvantages of each type

High-quality laminate is a fairly expensive material. In order not to overpay, you should select coverage of a certain class for each room. So, in rooms with the lowest traffic (for example, bedrooms) there is no point in using extra-strong laminate - it is enough to lay material of 31-32 classes there.

Most types of laminate have the following characteristics:

• resistance to high temperatures: even a small candle or match that accidentally falls does not leave marks on it; unlike linoleum, it can also be used in the “warm floors” system;
• sufficient mechanical strength and wear resistance, naturally, than better quality laminate and the higher the class, the stronger it is, material of classes 33-34 can be laid even on dance floors - it is not afraid of heels and scratches;
• unlike parquet, it does not require varnishing or sanding;
• antistatic;
• environmental friendliness: laminate does not emit harmful substances;
• this material does not fade in the sun;
• a wide variety of different textures and shades;
• ease of installation: you can assemble a “floating” floor using lamellas with locking connections in a couple of evenings;
• maintainability: in the absence adhesive connection You can quickly replace one or two strips without damaging the others.

Laminate flooring has several disadvantages. Unfortunately he afraid of water , so you shouldn’t wash it - after abundant wetting, the boards will immediately warp. However, manufacturers have already begun producing a special moisture-resistant laminate.

Its second significant drawback is the need to perfectly prepare the subfloor - laminate only requires flat surface . Otherwise, it will creak, make cracking noises, or even swell. In case of damage lock connections and subsequent violation of the integrity of the floors, the manufacturer may refuse a warranty due to non-compliance with the installation technology. Laminate flooring should not be laid in private homes without additional thermal insulation, since the lamellas have high thermal conductivity .

Before laying the laminate, be sure to keep it indoors for at least a day so that it adapts to its microclimate (temperature and humidity). In this case, the board will lie perfectly flat and will not warp.

Application of laminate

Since laminate does not like water very much, it is not advisable to lay it in bathrooms, baths and saunas. In other rooms, if the installation rules are followed, it can last from 10 to 15 years (and some manufacturers give a longer warranty period) without replacement.

In conclusion, I would like to give some brief tips on choosing a laminate:

• select the class of laminate boards in accordance with the intensity of use of the flooring;
• To prevent the floor from sagging over time, for rooms with heavy furniture you should purchase the thickest and most durable laminate;
• In design, an immutable rule has been adopted: the color of the floors should not merge with the color of the furniture and doorways, the flooring is selected a couple of tones lighter, or, on the contrary, darker;
• By laying laminate diagonally, you can visually expand the space, but the material consumption will increase.

Laminate can be used for more than just flooring. Walls decorated with this material look very unusual and stylish.