When repairs in the apartment, many owners prefer to use a material such as a laminate as a floor covering. Some are attracted by the simplicity of its installation, others are the relative cheapness of this material. It should be said that such a coating is not inferior to natural wood.
Arriving at the store, we can quickly choose a laminate according to decorative qualities. But with the operational characteristics of this material, it is very difficult to understand the ignorant person because of the large number of different badges and icons on the packaging of the goods. Let’s try to find out how to choose a laminate for an apartment in quality.
The advantages and disadvantages of the laminate
Laminet lamellas are made of wood composite. Most often they can imitate the floorboards, a massive board, parquet, cork. However, you can purchase a laminate with external design for ceramic tiles, stone, or even rusty metal. Among the whole variety of collections, you can choose the one that is suitable for your room.
The laminate has a slight weight and sufficient strength, which is sometimes even higher than that of wood. There are no dents or scratches on the surface of a high -quality laminate, there are no cracks.
The surface of the laminate floor does not absorb dirt, so caring for it is very simple. This coating does not rot, neither a fungus nor mold appears on it. A good laminate has water -repellent properties and does not fade under the rays of the sun. Without losing its decorativeness, high -quality coating can serve for decades. In addition, lay the laminate even in an inexperienced owner.
Its low thermal insulation properties are considered a disadvantage of the laminate: this coating is quite cold. Sometimes cheap material can accumulate static charge. This should be paid attention to when buying a laminate and choosing a coating with antistatic properties.
If you have a heated floor in your apartment, then when buying a laminate, it is necessary to clarify whether this type of it can be used on a underfloor system.
What quality of the laminate to choose?
In order to distinguish the laminate depending on its properties, operational and technical characteristics, a special classification has been developed. Previously, a laminate was used for residential premises from 21 to 23 classes. The commercial laminate of grades 31-34 for public premises with high cross-country ability was also produced.
The material of the 21st grade was considered the most inconsistent. It was used in rooms with the smallest abrasive load on the floor. This coating was short -lived even if it was used in the bedroom or home room – places where the intensity of movement is low.
The grade 22 was more durable than the previous one, so it was used in living rooms or children’s rooms.
The laminate coating of the 23rd class was designed for living rooms with active dynamic loads. And that means it could be used in the kitchen, in the hallway or in passage rooms.
Today, the laminate of these classes, due to insufficient strength, many manufacturers are no longer available. Therefore, in a modern apartment, you can use the laminate of grades 31-33 to decorate the floor, and the material of the 34th class due to its high cost in residential rooms is almost not used.
The coating of grade 31 laminate is suitable for bedrooms and it will last for 5-6 years. Grade 32 laminate – the best option for use in all living rooms, including the hall and the kitchen. The service life of such a coating in residential premises is up to 15 years.
The commercial material of the 33 class is more often used in public premises, although it is also used in apartments where it will not be necessary to replace it for more than 15 years.
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