What is the best laminate grade? The most durable laminate What is a good laminate.

Laminate Berry Alloc (Belgium-Norway)

0 (from 950 rubles/m2)

The huge transnational corporation Beaulieu International Group includes a group that is rightfully considered one of the most important areas. This is a production complex producing laminated finishing materials under the Berry Alloch brand.

The association of the Belgian plant Berry Floor and the Norwegian company Alloc combined huge production capacities, a serious research base and accumulated experience. As a result, production of parquet using the unique HPL (High Pressure laminate) technology has been launched. The principle is that the top layer is pressed first:

• Protective overlay;
• Decorative paper;
• Multiple layers of kraft paper.

It turns out a layer with characteristics significantly exceeding the parameters of conventional DPL (Direct Pressure Laminate - direct pressure laminate). Accordingly, HPL coatings are of high quality and excellent inertness to various types of surface influences.

Main advantages:

1) A huge selection of designs - one of the largest sets of collections.

BerryAlloc produces more than 18 lines of laminate 32-34 wear resistance class, and each has up to 20 different decors: classic, modern, art nouveau, eclectic, chamfered and smooth, concrete, slate, typical parquet or marble.

Laminate section - from 8 to 11 mm. The range includes interesting solutions, such as:

• Narrow herringbone parquet with Best Loc® X-Treme locking system;
• Planks with integrated sound-dissipating PVC gasket;
• Long boards with infinity effect Extra-long Planks;
• Extra-wide slats for large rooms 2410x236 mm;

2) The best performance of the laminate in terms of wear resistance.

BerryAlloc guarantees:

• 10 years for commercial coatings. Applies to indicators such as resistance to abrasion and moisture, staining, fading;
• 30 years for floors used in residential areas.

3) Reliable lock.

• Aluminum Lock System - the famous Allock aluminum lock used in the High-Tech series;
• Best Loc® X-Treme is a three way connection for the rest of the product.

4) Easy to operate.

Laminate flooring is easy to keep clean with a vacuum cleaner or damp soft cloth. Special cleaners and household chemicals are not required.

5) Security for users.

Berry Alloc laminate is certified according to:

• PEFC;
• DOP 170 DL3113 1 (Declaration of Performance).

It should be noted that according to the latest document, laminated parquet was awarded the highest classes in terms of such parameters as fire safety, anti-static, anti-slip. There are certificates confirming the low level of emission of toxic substances (formaldehyde, pentachlorophenol).

• High price;
• It is often possible to purchase a fake of an unknown production (without certificates and other documents).

When choosing a laminate as a floor covering, one should not forget that in addition to the color suitable for the interior, this material has its own purely mechanical features.

The first thing to pay attention to- this is the strength class indicated on the package. This indicator determines the time during which the coating will retain its qualities and appearance.

The systematic impact of various loads, sometimes quite sharp blows from falling objects, the constant pressure of the installed furniture, the influence of detergents and much more, gradually worsen the condition of the coating.

Coating properties

When choosing a laminate, you should familiarize yourself with its basic characteristics.

Coating strength

Manufacturers present on the market various types of laminate - for use in everyday life, for office and industrial premises.

It is logical to assume that the maximum strength indicator corresponds to a laminate that will be installed in frequently visited places. Such places include a reception room, a hospital, a lecture hall, premises at an enterprise, a market, and a host of others. Wherever thousands of feet tread every day, a floor with a margin of safety is needed.

Helpful information! According to its characteristics, the coating belonging to the strength class from 21 to 23 is intended for installation in private dwellings. Places with high load require the use of material with a class of 31 or more.

At home, the hallway and kitchen are subject to increased stress, while the bedroom and hall are moderately stressed. Nobody forbids using high-strength laminate brands for installation in an apartment, but the amount for them will need to be paid much more impressive.

Moisture resistance

Far from the last important indicator, because very often the floor surface is exposed to liquids. At home, the most vulnerable place is the hallway, which takes on wet footprints from shoes, drops from outerwear and an umbrella. Such conditions encourage the choice of a laminate that has moisture protection.

Advice! Every part of a standard laminate has a protective film coating, while the joints are not sufficiently protected. The liquid, penetrating into the smallest gaps, has a detrimental effect on the structure of the material and disrupts the shape of the entire element. Therefore, when choosing, it is better to stop at a moisture-resistant laminate that has the appropriate marking.

The device of this material is supplemented either with a polymer base, or with a special impregnation of the docking nodes.

Noise protection

To reduce noise when using a new floor, it is recommended to lay a special substrate under the laminate flooring, consisting of prepared polyethylene, padding polyester with a layer of foil or felt.

Such a tool will prevent the appearance of unwanted sounds from the contact of elements with an uneven base. In addition, the laid gasket will prevent the parts from bending, thereby increasing its resource.

Ways of fastening elements to each other

There are lock and glue. Locking systems in premium materials ensure comfortable and fast assembly. The device of such a coating makes it possible to independently install and disassemble the entire surface.

The availability of repeated assembly and dismantling operations is indicated on the packaging as an image of white and black boards. High-end sets are often equipped with reliable metal latches.

Adhesive-type kits do not allow disassembly, but instead offer more reliable protection against moisture ingress, provided that a waterproof adhesive is used.

Which class to choose

Laminate grades 21, 22, 23 is used for laying the floor at home. It is not designed for significant loads and will remain in working condition for five years. No need to step on it with your heels, move cabinets or sofas, or allow heavy objects to fall.

Helpful information! In the Russian Federation, it is rarely produced, because sufficient parameters are achieved only with a thickness of 6 mm, and this does not attract the consumer at all.

They continue the series of laminate strength classes numbers 31, 32, 33. They belong to a higher commercial category, are characterized by a longer service life under fairly high loads. An increase in the numerical value corresponds to an increase in quality.

• Class 31 is more often used in conference rooms, office spaces. The next level of strength takes place in medical institutions, classrooms. A fairly solid cost is offset by no less decent quality. Proper care will allow the use of such a coating up to 10/20 years.
• Class 33 allows you to equip industrial premises, retail outlets, catering establishments, in other words, places with a high level of wear.
• Class 34 deservedly occupies the top step in the hierarchy of similar materials. Dance floors, art galleries, large shops, train stations - this is an incomplete list of places where you can see it. Showing the level of quality of their products, many manufacturers guarantee an almost unlimited service life.

Advice! In most cases, moisture-resistant laminate has the highest quality. The description for it says that it is completely immune to water. This can be trusted, as it includes the latest components.

About the meaning of thickness

Considering the gradation of the thickness of the parts, it is enough to note that it is indicated by numbers, respectively, in millimeters.

6 millimeters in height refer the plate to the household level, each of the sizes 7, 8, 10 and 12 mm, respectively, to the commercial level.

The strength of products is directly proportional to the value of the indicator.

For comparison, when using laminate class 33 with a height of 8 or 12 mm, you can not be afraid of strong impacts and walking in heels.

To select a laminate with maximum strength, it is enough to determine the brand with the highest numerical indicators. You can not regret paying for a quality product once and forget about the problem of replacing the floor for a long time.

In Odessa, when they want to wish something bad, they can say: “What would you have been building all your life”, and indeed, building and repairing your own home gives little pleasure. Therefore, the strength of the laminate for an apartment is far from the last importance, because the better it is, the less often you will have to start another repair.

Laminated panels

Laminated panels are packaged in packs, each of which contains instructions for installation and operation, which indicates the strength class and operational life of the product. The upper, transparent layer is responsible for the abrasion of the material, but the HDF layer is responsible for the overall strength.

Laminate device

The laminated panel consists of four main layers, each of which has its own purpose and classification depends on the combination of their qualities. It is thanks to this that you can determine which laminate is the most durable.

In addition, classiness indicates whether the product belongs to a household or commercial group.

1. The bottom layer is waterproofing for the panel and is made from either tarred or unrefined paper.
   In some collections, there is an additional layer in the form of a substrate for heat and sound insulation.
2. The second layer is made of high strength fibreboard (HDF). It is, in fact, the main one, because the lock is embedded in it and it is the thickest of all parts of the panel.
   The thickness of this layer directly affects the build quality of laminate floors, because the thicker the fiberboard, the better the lock.
3. The third layer is made of paper on which the pattern is applied.. This does not affect the quality of the panels, but the decorative possibilities of the laminate are very high, because you can imitate any finishing material, moreover, giving it a variety of shades.
4. And, finally, the fourth layer, on which abrasion depends, and hence the strength classes of the laminate.
   This is an acrylic or melamine resin that is applied to the decorative third layer and its thickness allows the panel to last more or less years.

Recommendation.
The service life of the laminate in the table is determined by the degree of wear of the top layer, although after that it can serve for more than one year.
As for the commercial group (classes: 32, 32, 33), in domestic use, laminated panels can last 20-25 years, but the price of a commercial laminate, of course, differs significantly from that of a domestic one.

• If you decide to lay laminate flooring with your own hands, then you should remember that the strength, and hence the life of the laminate, will directly depend on the flat plane of the base.
  The panel is not capable of withstanding fracture loads, so it must fit snugly against the subfloor.
• The basis for boarded or covered with panels of chipboard, OSB (OSB), fiberboard. But the best basis for the panels is a cement-sand lighthouse screed.
  But in any case, any base must be dry and even (no more than 1-2 mm of difference is allowed per 1 running meter).

• it can be from polyethylene foam, as in the photo, from extruded polystyrene foam or from cork.
  The thickness of such material is from 2 to 20 mm. It is noteworthy that penofol can be overlapped, but other types of insulation are laid joint to joint.

• Laying laminate flooring should begin with the first row of panels, assembling them in length, lock in lock.
  Then it is necessary to make gaskets between the panels and the wall to make a gap of 1-1.5 cm, but not more than 2 cm, so that the gap is covered with a plinth.
  This measure is necessary so that the laminate can “move”, because when the air humidity changes, it will change its shape and this gap compensates for swelling.

Advice. If the laminate is poorly laid into the lock (the lock is clean), then it must be hammered, but in no case should you hit the lock with any objects - you will break it.
To do this, you can use unnecessary pieces of panels, inserting them into the lock or attach a rail to the lock, but to its shorter part and hit them.
You will be able to avoid clogging the panels if the laminate is of good quality (thicker) and dry.
Remember that hammering the panels with a hammer is not an installation method, but an extreme measure - with the correct assembly of a good laminate, it is enough to tap the gap with a rubber hammer, and even then not at every connection.

Conclusion

Now we can summarize and say that the most durable laminate is a commercial grade laminate (31, 32, 33), but laid on a flat base. If the subfloor is uneven, then even the best and most expensive panels will disperse in locks, and in some cases may even crack.

Laminate is one of the most popular flooring materials today. High-quality laminate flooring is distinguished by a noble woody look and durability. It is produced by many leading and little-known companies.

We propose to understand and find out who are the best laminate manufacturers - a rating based on consumer opinions and technical properties covered domestic manufacturers and production facilities jointly with Russian ones. After all, the quality of the coating, to a greater extent, depends on the manufacturer.

Laminate Quick-Step (Quick Step)

The appearance of laminate under the Quick-Step brand dates back to 1990. Seven years later, the unique adhesive-free system for connecting UNICLIC panels was invented, and four years later the company surprised the construction market with the appearance of a collection of laminate floors with a triangular chamfer formed between the panels after snapping.

The company has become a leader not only in the invention of the chamfer, but also in the structure of the laminate, as close as possible to the natural structure of wood. The opening of the first plant in Russia took place in 2011 in Dzerzhinsk.

Production facilities allow us to produce unique Quick-Step laminate in accordance with the formed demand. After the opening of the plant, the products became much more affordable in terms of price.

Today, Quick-Step laminate is available in over 20 different collections in standard, long and short plank sizes.

Coverage benefits include:

• A wide range of geometric sizes and various decors;
• Unique locking connections Uniclic and Uniclic Multifiti, allowing to form a strong and reliable connection both by snapping and by horizontal or vertical shifting of the panels;
• HedroSeal water-repellent coating guaranteeing 100% water resistance of the panels, making them suitable for installation in bathrooms and other wet areas. Two collections are available with this coating: Impressive and Impressive Ultra.
• Antistatic;
• Color and light fastness;
• A wide range of related products (profiles, substrates, corner covers, plugs, etc.);
• Guaranteed certification of products according to the requirements: CE, EPLF and PEFC;
• Long service life (at least 25 years).

Despite the many advantages, Quick-Step products also have several significant disadvantages:

• Somewhat reduced quality of laminate flooring produced in the Russian Federation. Most often, consumers are faced with a weak overlay, a mismatch in the geometric dimensions of the planks, as well as a quick washout of paint from chamfered elements.
• Probability of buying a defective batch;
• The presence of a chemical odor.

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Laminate Tarkett (Tarkett)

The title of "the best laminate" can rightfully be borne by one of the leaders in the domestic market of floor products - the Tarkett enterprise (a joint Russian-German production), founded back in 1880 under the name Sommer Allibert group.

The first mention of the now famous brand Tarkett occurred in 1886. After 100 years, the company becomes the leading manufacturer of flooring in Northern Europe, and 1987 was a landmark year for the plant.

1995 was a landmark year for the enterprise. The second production line under the Sinteros brand (Sinteros) was established, and in 2010 a plant was opened, focused on the production of laminate under the Tarkett and Sinteros brands. Later, a third production line appeared under the name Sommer.

Tarkett laminate with Sinteros and Sommer brands are represented by more than 30 extraordinarily attractive and realistic collections. Super wear-resistant and exquisite panels are gaining more and more consumer preferences.

Laminate is a modern floor covering. It is widely believed 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, he will need to be replaced. Until recently, this was the case. However, today the leading manufacturers of building materials offer their customers high quality laminate. Its service life is within twenty years or more. How can a buyer determine the best quality laminate? To do this, you 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 a laminate? This is a panel consisting of several layers. Let's consider them in more detail. The topmost layer of an artificial parquet panel is a hardened mass of acrylic or melamine resin. Which laminate is the highest quality and least wear-resistant? The one in which this layer has the greatest thickness.

By production, this coating is made of acrylic with corundum. Such a surface not only shines, but also wears out a little. 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 made from paper with a specific pattern. Thanks to this layer, the floor panel acquires its appearance. Here, the possibilities of manufacturers are not limited. The laminate can have a wood structure, look like 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 repair work.

As for the third, next layer, this is nothing more than a stabilizer waterproofing. It is a waterproof film. Thanks to this layer, the artificial parquet does not swell when water gets on it. Some varieties of laminate can even hold a puddle on their surface for three days without harming 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 the values ​​\u200b\u200bof these dimensions, the better the quality of the lock that is cut around the perimeter will be.

And the last, the bottom layer is kraft paper. This is the protection of the stabilizing plate from moisture. In some brands of laminate, a substrate 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 divided into classes that indicate the density of the panel, its wear resistance and reliability. Choosing a quality laminate should begin by looking at 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. At the same time, it is worth remembering that a larger number indicates a greater wear resistance of artificial parquet. Thus, the highest quality laminate for an apartment corresponds to class 23. A coating with a high value for residential buildings is not worth looking for.

And for offices, shops and other premises with high traffic, which laminate is of the highest quality? Reviews of experts and users give an unequivocal answer to this question. related to 31-33 class. Industrial and office spaces need a more durable floor that can carry more than one thousand feet. When using in such cases a lower class of panels, the coating will quickly fail.

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

Method for determining classiness

How does a manufacturer determine a high-quality, good laminate? To do this, the panels undergo a taber test for wear resistance. It consists in checking the laminate with a rotating abrasive wheel. This or that number of revolutions will indicate the class of the material and the degree of its wear resistance. The disk is rotated until the top transparent layer of the panel is completely erased. For a commercial line, which laminate is the best quality? Reviews of experts 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 of each batch. Their designation is as follows:

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

Each class of artificial parquet has its own minimum wear resistance (IP) and maximum wear resistance (FP). According to the parameters, what is the best quality laminate? Reviews of experts indicate that these values ​​\u200b\u200bshould be close to optimal. However, this does not mean at all that each of the buyers should strive to buy a laminate of 33 or even 34 classes. It is necessary to purchase those panels that are designed for the load falling on the floor covering in the room for a specific purpose.

Panel selection by class and purpose of premises

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 appointment of a particular room. As mentioned above, for apartments it is recommended to purchase a laminate of 21, 22 and 23 classes. At the same time, the least wear-resistant is suitable for a bedroom and an office. Panels assigned to class 22 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, starting from 31 and ending with a rare 34 class (it is produced in small batches due to the 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:

• 31 class - for offices and rest rooms;
• Grade 32 - in offices, classrooms and reception rooms;
• Class 33 - for shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, gyms, medical institutions and receptions.

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, if the necessary financial resources are available, this can be quite expedient. It will be possible to walk on such a laminate in heels, besides, it will not be damaged if a heavy object falls on it, and it will not sag under the load of heavy furniture. And the service life of commercial artificial parquet of class 31-34 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 answer the question of which laminate is of the highest quality. Reviews of experts advise choosing 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 thickness of the main layer made of fiberboard determines the tightness of the panels to each other. The larger these dimensions, the stronger the joint.

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

Directly affects its sound-absorbing properties. The price of artificial parquet also depends on this parameter. How to choose a quality laminate according to this characteristic? Here again, one should take into account the room where it will be placed. Thus, panels from classes 21 to 23 are produced with a thickness of 6-8 mm, and the values ​​\u200b\u200bof this indicator for panels with greater wear resistance are in the range of 10-12 millimeters.

Moisture resistance selection

How to choose a high-quality laminate that would 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 areas with high humidity. In addition, such panels are able to swell with prolonged contact with water. That is why in rooms where a conventional laminate is used, it is possible to carry out 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? The panels offered in the store are worth smelling. A strong smell indicates a bad product. What is the quality laminate? One that has no odor.

Experts also recommend comparing the proposed instances of panels by weight. What is the highest quality professionals recommend purchasing panels of greater weight. lightweight laminate is made from boards of low density and thickness. And this is 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 keep ordinary panels in stock. But for a moisture-resistant laminate, a long shelf life is not a reason for deterioration in quality.

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

Select country of origin

What is the best quality laminate? When buying artificial parquet, it is recommended to ask about the country where this building material was produced. 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, delight buyers only with prices. As for their quality, it disappoints most of our compatriots.

Unfortunately, a third of the Russian laminate market is occupied by cheap Chinese goods. Moreover, the problem here lies not at all in the producing country, but in the importers. In China, there are a large number of factories producing the highest quality laminate. However, our customers, in order to maximize profits, bring artificial parquet produced in factories engaged in handicraft production. Of course, the price of such panels is low, which allows sellers to earn large sums. But it is worth bearing in mind that such panels can be made from MDF, and not from high density. 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 that do not correspond to these plates are placed.

How not to let yourself be deceived?

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