In order to objectively judge which laminate is best to choose for an apartment, it is important to understand the structural features and characteristics of this flooring, as well as in its classification. The reason for complaints regarding the durability and reliability of this material is often the wrong choice, as a result of which the laminate wears out and loses its attractive appearance faster. Another important point One factor that affects the functionality of the laminate flooring is the quality of installation, so it should also be given due attention.
The choice of laminate for an apartment as a floor covering is often due to the fact that while it is visually similar (good quality boards from well-known manufacturers have virtually no external differences) with parquet, this coating costs significantly less and does not require as complex maintenance as is necessary wooden floor elite class.
The advantages of laminate include:
- ease of installation,
- ease of repair of damage from mechanical impact (dents, etc.),
- duration of operation,
- environmental friendliness (E1 marking must be present),
- hygiene (the material does not allow bacteria to accumulate and actively multiply on the surface),
- hypoallergenic,
- wide scope of application.
Important: Only with the correct choice of coating, taking into account all the nuances of operation, can you expect it to comply with the declared qualities.
Disadvantages of laminate:
- susceptibility to humidity, ability to deform when water gets inside the coating,
- swelling and blistering of the surface due to improper installation,
- the appearance of squeaking when laying boards on an uneven surface.
A significant part of the shortcomings is a consequence of violations of installation technology. Some disadvantages can be made less noticeable by selecting the appropriate type of material and providing it with proper care. For example, adhesive laminate is more resistant to moisture, and you can reduce the susceptibility of any type of flooring of this type to its effects by using special impregnations and mastics.
Material structure
Which laminate to choose for an apartment is determined by many factors. The structure of the material of all classes is almost the same.
- The basis of each board is a wood-fiber board, during the production of which wood-based materials are mixed with a binding composite and pressed with simultaneous heating. The result is high density and strength of laminate boards.
- A decorative layer is applied on top of the base - film or special moisture-resistant paper with an image imitating the texture of wood, marble, other natural materials, or with a fantasy pattern. Thanks to this layer, the laminate (photos of apartment interiors are easy to find on specialized websites) can be anything, which makes it possible to accurately select the color and pattern of the floor covering in accordance with the overall design.
- Most upper layer– protective laminated coating that increases resistance to wear and other external influences.
- On the other side of the base, the lowest stabilizing layer is placed to protect against moisture that may appear from the floor slabs. This layer also protects the laminate from deformation and increases its rigidity.
Panel thickness
The thickness of commercially available laminate boards is 6-12 mm. Deciding how to choose quality laminate for an apartment, take into account that the cost of boards with greater thickness is higher, all other characteristics being equal. At the same time, thick laminate boards have more reliable locks, and their installation is more convenient and easier. The insulating properties of the coating also increase in proportion to the increase in the thickness of the panels.
Classification
Each laminate class corresponds to certain technical characteristics and is assigned after tests consisting of 18 stages. The class designation may be numeric or alphanumeric.
- Until recently, coatings of classes 21, 22 and 23 were popular. They were the most affordable and were produced for rooms with low traffic (minimal load on laminate boards). Now such laminate is not produced due to low strength and wear resistance.
- Today, when discussing which laminate to choose for an apartment, reviews note the affordable cost combined with sufficient good quality for coatings of class 31 (or AC3). It is only important to remember that such boards are not suitable for offices and other premises with high traffic. In order for boards of this type to serve for a long time (up to 12 years), they require proper care.
- A coating of class 32 (AC4) can be considered universal, which can be used indoors for various purposes. Service life at different conditions The service life of such a laminate differs significantly: in living rooms - up to 15 years, in offices - up to 5 years.
- For the renovation of commercial premises, class 33 (AC5-AC6), recognized as heavy-duty, is often chosen. If you are considering class 33 as an option for deciding which laminate would be better to choose for an apartment, you should know that in residential premises its service life reaches 20 years.
- Class 34 materials are expensive and designed for intensive use. Such coverings can be installed in dance and sports halls.
Which class of laminate to choose for an apartment is chosen individually, taking into account the nuances (the purpose of a specific room, the number of people living, the presence of pets, whose claws can damage low-class coatings).
Laminate base
For those who do not know how to choose laminate for an apartment, it will be interesting to know that performance characteristics coatings depend not only on the class of the selected board, but also on the installation method, including the presence of a shelf and its type.
The underlay is designed to level the floor in the presence of minor surface defects and provides additional sound insulation. When laying laminate, all types of underlayment are laid end-to-end over the entire floor surface of the room, excluding gaps at the edges (a width of 1 cm is sufficient). Fixing the substrate can be done using construction staples, but their use in most cases is not justified; using special adhesive tape is sufficient.
There are substrates made from different materials:
- The most expensive option is sheets made from natural cork. They are environmentally friendly and have the best sound and noise insulation properties.
- The budget type of substrate is polyethylene foam, the advantages of which are biological resistance (mold does not appear, does not contribute to the growth of bacteria) and moisture resistance. The insulating qualities of polyethylene foam also meet the requirements. Thanks to this combination of qualities, polyethylene foam substrates are popular, but their disadvantage is that they crumple when used. mechanical impact, and such deformed and compacted polyethylene foam partially loses its advantages.
- Composite substrates are made in combination, combining natural cork with bitumen or rubber. This improvement made it possible to obtain middle-class material, which applies to both its qualities and cost.
Connection methods
Based on the connection method, there are two types of laminate panels.
Adhesive coating
For the installation of such boards, special adhesive compositions with a short drying time. Glue is applied around the perimeter of each panel. This laminate is cheaper, which, however, in most cases does not imply a reduction in the overall cost of installation. Installing adhesive laminate requires skills, so to avoid the risk of reducing the quality of the coating due to installation errors, it is advisable to use the services of professionals. In addition, you will need to purchase glue. All this leads to increased costs, negating savings when purchasing material.
At the same time, adhesive panels have certain advantages. If you are deciding how to choose the right laminate for an apartment without gaps, this is the kind of coating that will become the best option. The disadvantage of adhesive panels is the impossibility of dismantling. With such a floor covering, it is difficult to repair underfloor heating systems; it is almost impossible to replace a damaged section of the laminate.
Glueless laminate
Panels of such a covering are connected to each other without the help of glue, due to the special design of the boards, depending on the type of which they are divided into two types:
- Lock type panels have locks, the elements of which are driven into each other during installation. This coating is recommended for installation on perfectly level surfaces.
- Click panels allow minor unevenness of the base and are connected using snap locks. Click panels are more expensive, but they are easier to install and much more convenient.
All glueless laminate flooring can be dismantled if it is necessary to move the flooring to another room, repair underfloor heating systems, or replace damaged boards. The disadvantage of laminates with interlocking joints is their higher sensitivity to moisture due to the permeability of the joints. When moistened and then dried, the boards change in size, causing the size of the cracks to increase. As a result, the performance qualities of the coating are reduced and its appearance.
Thus, the best laminate for an apartment can be either glued or glueless - each type has its own advantages. It is important that the quality of the materials best meet the requirements in a particular case.
Manufacturers and brands
Among the reliable but affordable laminate coverings, note the following brands:
- Kronostar,
- Cool,
- Kronospan,
- Kronotex.
When determining which laminate company is best to choose for an apartment, you should know that the products of many well-known manufacturers have their own characteristics:
- The Egger brand (Germany) uses an improved click lock system, ensuring maximum ease of installation. The plates from this manufacturer are highly durable.
- Thanks to improved production technology, the Tarkett manufacturer has achieved a laminate service life of 15 years or more.
- Has maximum durability under moderate use conditions Quick laminate Step (Belgium). The Pergo company (Sweden) has developed and introduced into production special convenient smart-lock type locks for connecting laminate panels.
- When choosing, experts recommend paying attention to Balterio brand products from a manufacturer from Belgium. The brand is not very well known, so the materials are affordable (there is no markup for the brand), but they are of high quality and reliability.
Taking into account all the above information, information about the structure, classification, pros and cons of floor coverings, you can understand how to choose the right laminate floor for an apartment, which factors are considered decisive and which are secondary.
Featured on modern market Laminate flooring can be used both in residential premises and in offices, boutiques, and public places. When choosing laminate flooring for an apartment, you need to take into account its purpose and class.
It makes no sense to overpay for a wear-resistant commercial coating, the benefits of which will be imperceptible in conditions of low load on the floor. But other factors: moisture resistance, compatibility with floor heating systems, design - are more important for a living space, and they are worth paying attention to.
Laminate from famous manufacturers and little-known brands differs significantly in price. What does the consumer pay for when purchasing products from a well-known brand - for the name or for the quality?
It is not necessary to buy the most expensive laminate of the most famous brand for your apartment.. But it is very desirable that the manufacturer be a member of the European association EPFL (the packaging of the laminate should have the appropriate marking). The list of association members is quite extensive and can be found on its website www.eplf.com.
All products bearing the EPFL mark undergo a series of tests, based on the results of which a class is assigned. It is not known exactly on what basis other manufacturers classify their products into one class or another. So, in fact, a class 33 laminate made in China may, in fact, be inferior in a number of performance characteristics to a class 31 product produced by an EPFL member.
It is also worth paying attention to the warranty period. A manufacturer that is confident in the quality of its products gives it a longer warranty.
Laminate classes
As a rule, the main technical characteristic of a laminate, which is taken into account when choosing, is the load and wear resistance class. When laminate production technology was not very advanced, it was divided into 6 classes:
- 21-23 - household
- 31-33 - commercial
Today this classification is outdated; laminate classes are divided into 31, 32 and 33, and some manufacturers assign class 34 to their products. This means that the results obtained during testing significantly exceed the characteristics corresponding to class 33.
The optimal solution for an apartment is class 31 laminate; it is considered transitional between domestic and commercial. This coating can be used in offices and other non-residential premises with low traffic and moderate floor load. It is guaranteed to last 8-10 years in an apartment.
It is also necessary to take into account the quantitative composition of the family and the purpose of the premises where the laminate will be installed.
For an apartment where a large family lives and the load on the floor increases, you should choose class 32 laminate, which is more durable (10-12 years).
Its use is especially justified in rooms with the highest traffic - the corridor, the kitchen. You can purchase products of 32 classes for them, and 31 for the bedroom, office, living room.
Studying numbers and markings
In description, technical specifications laminates are usually indicated:
- brand and country of origin;
- collection, color, design;
- dimensions, thickness of the panel, their quantity in the package and total area, sometimes weight. For an apartment, a thickness of 8-9 mm is quite sufficient. Thicker laminate can be made from boards of lower density, which reduces its quality;
- wear resistance class.
The following characteristics may also be present:
- abrasion class - for an apartment, class AC3 (W3) is sufficient; for rooms with low load and traffic, this figure may be lower;
- Impact resistance - IC1 is sufficient;
- density - must be at least 850 kg/m3;
- emission class - E1 is recommended for residential premises, E0 is the ideal solution.
But usually all the characteristics are not described in detail. The numbers in the list of technical characteristics may be uninformative for the average buyer, since it is quite difficult to keep in mind the many parameters that a high-quality laminate must meet. The markings are more clear and understandable.
What else to pay attention to
Moisture resistance. , with additional impregnation with resins and processing of locking joints. Information about moisture resistance may be available in the technical specifications of the laminate, simply indicating yes or no.
Commercial laminate produced by EPFL members is generally moisture resistant. For rooms with high level humidity ideal solution There will be vinyl laminate.
Lock connection type. The laminate connection can be glued or glueless; the first is used quite rarely these days. The process of assembling such a coating is more labor-intensive, and it is impossible to dismantle it if necessary. Glueless connection is more convenient and popular. There are 2 main types of locks:
Additional "chips". There is an expensive laminate with an integrated backing; it has better noise-absorbing and heat-insulating characteristics. Its purchase will allow you to do without a substrate. Even more interesting option- laminate with a built-in heating system, for example, Alloc Heating System. The product is rare and expensive, but the owner of such a floor covering will be spared the hassle of installing a heated floor.
Design
The appearance of the laminate does not affect its performance characteristics (except for signs of obvious defects - stains, uneven painting, peeling lamination).
But this is what the buyer usually pays attention to first. When choosing a pattern and color, you need to focus on your own preferences, but There are a number of other factors worth taking into account.
- Interior design in general. The laminate should be in harmony with other interior elements, for example, with doors, furniture, or set them off based on the principle of contrast;
- Style. For classic style The ideal solution would be a laminate that imitates valuable types of wood or natural stone. For ethnic, rustic, and retro styles, lamellas with an aged surface effect are suitable. The minimalism of the interior can be emphasized with the help of a plain laminate, black or white.
- Lighting. How brighter room, the darker the laminate can be laid in it.
- Room dimensions. Dark laminate can be used in spacious rooms, and a light floor covering will help to visually enlarge a small room. IN small rooms A motley pattern and a combination of several colors are inappropriate.
Bottom line
The range of laminate flooring that can be used as flooring in residential premises is very wide and varied. It makes no sense to purchase the most expensive commercial laminate for an apartment, but it is worth correlating its class with the purpose of the room where it will be installed.
It is necessary to take into account the degree of load on the floor, traffic, the risk of scratches on the surface, the level of humidity in the room and choose a laminate that, under appropriate conditions, will last as long as possible without damage. Design is of no small importance; the largest number of collections are created in the category of semi-commercial laminate used in residential buildings and apartments.
There are constant debates around laminate about how durable it is, what its quality is, and how long it lasts. And the big difference in opinions is easily explained by the fact that laminate comes in different varieties. It cannot be assumed that this coating, produced by various manufacturers, always has certain characteristics. And, based on the fact that one store can sell materials of completely different quality, the question arises - how to choose the right laminate? And the point here is not only in the color scheme, but in a large number of characteristics.
Laminate is a long laminated board (hence the name laminate), which consists of four layers firmly connected to each other, each of which has a specific function.
- The lowest layer is called balancing or compensating. Due to it, the lamella receives a certain strength and rigidity, as well as a certain level of moisture resistance.
- Then comes the so-called load-bearing layer, which is most often made from fiberboard or HDF, a material that is a high-density fiberboard. It is this layer that is able to cope with the main mechanical loads experienced by the coating. The very locks that connect several lamellas into one sheet are located on this layer.
- Decorative layer is responsible for the attractive appearance of the laminate. It is plain paper with a pattern printed on it. Thanks to this method of decoration, the laminate can have any color or imitate stone, wood and other materials.
On a note! Paper is typically impregnated with melamine to enhance its performance.
- Upper layer each lamella is protective film, made from melamine or acrylate resin. It protects the remaining layers of the laminate from moisture and negative impact others external factors. The layer is responsible for the wear resistance of the coating.
Laminate is one of the best options among all types of flooring, guaranteeing optimal price-quality ratio. It is valued and used in buildings for various purposes and, of course, is most often installed in apartments and private houses.
Pros and cons of laminate flooring
It is not surprising that the material is very popular. It has many advantages over other types of coatings. Positive features laminate:
- large selection of colors. Laminate flooring is easy to match to any type of interior;
- installation is simple and done quite quickly. The coating is easy to lay even alone;
- for its price (and depending on the class) the material copes quite well with external influences;
- the coating is easy to clean and does not require additional processing after installation. Depending on the type of installation, you can start using the floor almost immediately.
Installation of laminate (in in this case- diagonally)
However, laminate is not an ideal coating; it has its drawbacks:
- the material does not like water. It is not recommended to install it in a room where the air humidity level is quite high;
On a note! There are certain classes of laminate, and lamellas belonging to them can also be used in damp rooms.
- laminate in general is not dangerous to health, but still it is not environmentally friendly coating;
- compared to linoleum, carpet, laminate has low noise insulation.
Types of laminate
Depending on the manufacturing technology and the type of top protective layer, two types of laminate can be distinguished.
- Laminate made using direct pressing technology, is created immediately along with the top layer. Most often, this material is made for domestic use.
- Laminate made using technology high pressure or HPL, has a top layer consisting of kraft cardboard and a protective coating. During pressing, the top part of the coatings is exposed to high temperature(+140 degrees) and a pressure of 2.5 million kg. The connection with the base occurs only at the second stage of production. This coating has high strength, is not prone to abrasion, and can withstand strong mechanical stress.
On a note! High pressure laminate is produced by only two companies - Alloc and Pergo.
In general, there are two types of laminate - commercial (or industrial) and household.
Household classes - main differences
Laminate classified as household grade has lower performance characteristics than industrial material. Average term service (warranty) is about 5 years. That is why such coating is not in demand in Russia, because its wear resistance is low, as a result of which the service life of the coating is reduced. Basically, these are classes 21, 22, 23.
Household laminate does not have high degree protection from moisture. Or rather, he almost never has it. This fact narrows the possibilities of its use in certain types of premises.
Industrial laminate grades
The service life of this material is much longer than that of household materials. It is 8 years or more. The category is represented by classes 31, 32, 33, 34. Despite the fact that this laminate is recommended for use in offices and conference rooms, it is also quite often purchased for laying flooring in houses and apartments. The explanation for this phenomenon is simple - more long term service and the desire to reduce the cost of floor repairs in the future.
Commercial laminate is much more reliable and durable than household laminate. Despite the higher price, its characteristics fully justify all investments.
Basic information about the laminate use class
Above we talked about laminate classes. This flooring has a lot of them. The class is indicated on the packaging with lamellas and is represented by two numbers, where the first indicates the type of room in which the coating can be installed, and the second indicates wear resistance. Thus, the first number 2 indicates that the material can only be used in residential premises, and the number 3 states that the material is suitable for public premises. Depending on the degree of stability, there are three categories of material, designated by numbers 1, 2, 3.
On a note! The higher the number indicating the class, the stronger the laminate. Based on this, you can choose the most durable coating from those offered.
Table. Main classes of laminate.
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| 21 | Material with the lowest wear resistance. The service life is only 2-4 years. Typically not used in residential areas, used only where the load on the floor is minimal. The maximum it is suitable for is decorating the floor in a pantry or home library. |
| 22 | The material is sometimes used to cover residential floors. But it is important to remember that the floors should not experience heavy loads. This is a good option for the bedroom. Service life – no more than 4 years. |
| 23 | Among household laminates, this is the most durable option. Suitable for creating flooring in the bedroom, living room, and less often in the hallway. The service life is also short - only 4-5 years. |
| 31 | Among commercial species This laminate has the lowest strength, but is the most affordable in this category. The material is suitable for creating flooring in the bedroom, hallway, conference room, etc. The service life, depending on the intensity of use, ranges from 4 to 9 years. The thickness of the top protective layer of the coating is about 0.1-0.2 mm. The material can also be marked AC3. |
| 32 | The most commonly purchased type of laminate in Russia. The price-quality ratio is optimal for home use. The material is able to withstand intense household loads. Sometimes fits into shopping centers. The service life starts from 11 years. Also designated as AC4 material. |
| 33 | A very reliable and durable type of laminate, suitable for installation in rooms where floors are subject to significant load. Suitable for floors in banks, cafes, dance floors. The thickness of the top layer is about 0.4-0.9 mm. Service life is about 15 years. Additional designation – AC5. |
| 34 | The class has no official confirmation, but nevertheless exists and periodically goes on sale. Very durable and strong material with high wear resistance. The thickness of the protective top layer is about 0.9-1.2 mm. The service life is record-breaking – up to 20 years. Additional view markings – AC6. Can be used at home for decades. |
Table: laminate wear resistance classes according to GOST and EN
Laminate is classified according to European system EN13329. And in Europe, only laminates are now produced commercially, that is, those belonging to classes 31-34. But from manufacturers from Asia you can find more budget options coverings. It is also worth remembering that laminate classes are a relative concept, since regardless of the marking, there may be lamellas that are too thin protective covering. As a result, the coatings will serve differently. That is why you should make your choice only in favor of products from trusted manufacturers.
The presence of formaldehyde in the composition
Despite the fact that laminate is always and everywhere presented as an environmentally friendly material, it is not 100% environmentally friendly. This is especially true for cheap types of coating. They contain a fairly large amount of formaldehyde, a substance hazardous to human health. When the floor is installed and in use, the slats begin to release formaldehyde into the air. And a high concentration of this substance negatively affects the human condition.
Laminate, which does not pose a health hazard, always has the appropriate marking - E1. This designation tells the buyer that the coating complies with European standards regarding the content of carcinogens.
In general, the components of the laminate are chemically quite harmless. Chipboard as the base of the coating consists of wood waste. It turns out that the “naturalness” of the laminate is more than 90%.
On a note! Laminate marked E2 and E3 has a higher formaldehyde content - 3 and 6 times more than E1, respectively. The most environmentally friendly type of laminate is labeled E0. But its cost is quite high.
Laminate of categories E2 and E3 can be used in apartments and houses, but on the condition that there are no more products in the room that could emit formaldehyde. Unfortunately, both furniture and some types of wallpaper contain this substance.
Types of connection of laminate panels
Each lamella has its own type of connection with another lamella, this allows you to create a durable and reliable coating on the floor that will not move apart and “walk.”
There are two types of connections.
Special glue can also be used to connect the lamellas. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to disassemble such a floor without problems.
Leading brands in laminate production
Since demand creates supply, there are now a great many laminate manufacturers on the market for this material. The undisputed leaders are Quick-Step, Haro, Tarkett, Kaindl, Pergo. The products of these brands are not cheap, but they are of high quality and reliability. Be afraid to overpay for famous name when choosing a laminate it is not worth it. This will save the buyer from the problems associated with the need for early repairs.
Prices for Quick-Step brand laminate
Quick-Step laminate
In general, by country of origin, the best laminate is made in Belgium and Sweden. But you can buy economy coating made in Russia or Germany.
Prices for Tarkett laminate flooring
Tarquette laminate
When choosing a laminate, you should always pay attention to a number of characteristics - mechanical and chemical resistance, resistance to change temperature regime. Also, the material should be non-slip, not fade in the sun, and easy to install. And, of course, match the color and class to a specific interior design or style.
In a bedroom or children's room, where the load on the floor is small, a low class coating can be used - 21 or 22. In the corridor, you should not lay a coating lower than class 23. To ensure the longest service life of the floor, it is worth choosing a material of at least 31 classes.
Only materials that are protected from moisture can be installed in the kitchen. The same applies to the bathroom. These rooms have high humidity, and cheap laminate flooring here will simply bulge and deteriorate. The ideal option is class 33.
How to choose laminate for your home?
Step 1. First of all, it is important to decide on the color of the material and select those options that are ideal for a particular interior style. This takes into account the geometric features of the rooms and the level of illumination.
Step 2. Among all the deferred color variations, you should choose the one that is most suitable look laminate that will have the required characteristics. First of all, you should decide on the brand. Slats from little-known and unreliable manufacturers are immediately swept aside. It is better to take more expensive material, but be confident in its quality, than to then change the coating ahead of schedule. Yes, and with the classification in this case it will be easier.
Step 3. Next, attention is drawn to the dimensions of the laminate planks. If the floor in the room experiences significant load, then thicker slats are purchased. The reliability of the floor covering and its durability will depend on this. If the floors are under heavy load, lamellas are purchased within the range of 9-12 mm in thickness; for lower loads, it is permissible to use panels 6-9 mm thick. Considerable importance is attached to the width and length of the lamellas - the speed of installation will depend on this. The optimal width is 17-20 cm to imitate a plank floor and about 9 cm to create the appearance of parquet. The largest width of an individual laminate plank is 33 cm. In terms of length, the choice is usually made in favor of boards 128-136 cm. These are the optimal dimensions.
Step 4. The type of locking connection is selected. For beginning craftsmen, it is recommended to opt for click locks. It is easier to assemble such a floor, and in case of an error or the need for rework, it is easy to disassemble.
Step 5. Moisture resistance is an important factor, especially if you plan to lay the coating in the bathroom or kitchen. Depending on the operating conditions, the appropriate class of material is selected. By the way, moisture resistance can be checked - to do this, a piece of laminate is soaked in water for 8 hours, and then its swelling is assessed. If the piece has increased in volume by a maximum of 18%, then the coating is of high quality and reliable.
On a note! When installing even moisture-resistant material, the ends of the lamellas must be coated with a special protective mastic. The fact is that these parts of each plank are usually not protected from moisture.
Step 6. The material must be environmentally friendly. Here the availability of a certificate of conformity from the seller and the marking of the coating are assessed. A laminate marked E1 or E0 is selected.
Step 7 The density of the laminate is also important. It should be within 850 kg/m3. Density is rarely indicated on packages, but you can find it out yourself from the data on the packages. To do this, the total area of all lamellas is multiplied by their thickness, after which the value is converted to Cubic Meters. Next, the total mass of the laminate is divided by the resulting value - the density is obtained.
Video - Which laminate is best to choose for your home?
Video - How to distinguish a good laminate from a Chinese one
The choice of laminate should be taken very seriously. The right choice is the key to a beautiful floor that won’t cause any trouble to the owner. However, if you listen to all the above advice, buy good laminate it won't be difficult.
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 engaged in the production of laminated finishing materials under the brand Berry Alloch.
The association of the Belgian Berry Floor plant and the Norwegian company Alloc has combined huge production capacities, a serious research base and accumulated experience. As a result, parquet production was launched according to unique technology HPL (High Pressure laminate - high pressure laminate). The principle is that the top layer is pressed first:
- Protective overlay;
- Decorative paper;
- Several layers of kraft paper.
The result is a layer whose characteristics significantly exceed those of conventional DPL (Direct Pressure Laminate). Accordingly, HPL coatings are of high quality and excellent inertness to various types impacts on the surface.
Main advantages:
1) Huge selection of designs - one of the largest sets of collections.
BerryAllok produce more than 18 lines of laminate of 32-34 wear resistance classes, each with up to 20 different decors: classic, modern, art nouveau, eclectic, chamfered and smooth, concrete, slate, standard parquet or marble.
The cross section of the laminate is from 8 to 11 mm. The assortment includes interesting solutions, such as:
- Narrow herringbone parquet with Best Loc® X-Treme locking system;
- Planks with integrated sound-diffusing PVC gasket;
- Long boards with infinity effect Extra-long Planks;
- Extra wide slats for large premises 2410x236 mm;
2) Best performance laminate for wear resistance.
BerryAlloc guarantees:
- 10 years for commercial coatings. Applies to such indicators as resistance to abrasive loads and moisture, staining, fading;
- 30 years for floors used in residential areas.
3) Reliable lock.
- Aluminum Lock System - the famous aluminum Alloc lock used in the High-Tech series;
- Best Loc® X-Treme - three-way connection for other products.
4) Easy to operate.
Laminate flooring is easy to keep clean using a vacuum cleaner or a damp soft cloth. Special cleaners and products household chemicals not required.
5) Security for users.
Laminate Berry Allok is certified in accordance with:
- PEFC;
- DOP 170 DL3113 1 (Declaration of Performance).
It should be noted that according to the latest document, laminated parquet has been assigned the highest classes for such parameters as fire safety, antistatic, and anti-slip. There are certificates confirming the low level of emission of toxic substances (formaldehyde, pentachlorophenol).
- High price;
- You can often purchase a fake of unknown manufacture (without certificates and other documents).
Every apartment owner wants to have a reliable, wear-resistant floor covering that will last for many years. Fortunately, today there are a lot of options to make the appearance of the room beautiful. But ? What is so important to consider when purchasing? How do you know which laminate is best? Next, we will consider in detail the answers to these questions.
Laminate flooring in an apartment: selection criteria
Of course, in order for the laminated coating to immediately meet the wishes of the apartment owner, it is necessary to take into account some aspects before purchasing it. It’s good if you can get acquainted with the designers’ advice in advance. If you can’t do this, then the recommendations from the article will be very useful. First of all, you should pay attention to the following selection criteria when purchasing laminate flooring for an apartment on the website, namely:
Laminate flooring is reasonably priced and easy to install - Warranty period.
- Reputation of the laminate manufacturer.
- Formaldehyde class.
- Moisture resistance characteristics.
- Choice of texture.
- Product thickness.
- Wear resistance indicators.
- Choosing a substrate for laminate.
These are perhaps the key criteria for choosing laminate flooring for an apartment, which should not be ignored. It is clear that there are other points that are of interest; they also need to be taken into account.
What class of laminate should I choose for my apartment?
The class of the floor covering itself allows you to find out the wear resistance of the laminate itself. This indicator characterizes the resistance of the product to various kinds damage and stress. For the floor of an apartment, the best option is laminate, class 21-23. Designers strongly advise choosing a class with some reserve in order to increase its service life in the future. Of course, it is worth paying attention to the thickness of the product. For an ordinary room, it is not necessary to buy a coating that is too thick, because we are not talking about intensive use. 
When choosing a laminate, you first need to decide on its cost, class and color scheme
How to choose the right laminate flooring in an apartment?
Laminate currently competes with more expensive materials due to its many advantages. Reasonable price, easy to install and maintain, no defects, huge design options design, excellent impact resistance, wear resistance - these are just a few of the advantages of a laminated coating.
The production of laminate is regulated by European standards, including reliability, environmental friendliness, and safety of use. It will be possible to choose the right laminate flooring if the products match them exactly. In addition, you need to listen to the advice of experts who will recommend buying products from trusted brands.
By choosing a high-quality laminate from a trusted manufacturer, you can count on many years of service. The following laminate manufacturers are considered the most reliable and popular, namely:
- Berry Alloc;
- Kronoflooring;
- Tarkett;
- Pergo;
- Quick Step, Parador and other manufacturers.
By choosing products from one of these manufacturers, you don’t have to worry that they will lose their flawless and pristine appearance in a few years. Since these brands have proven themselves exclusively with positive side, and they assure that laminate can be used for 10 years or more. High performance indicators, product structure and variety of collections set laminate from these companies apart from competitors.
We invite you to watch a video about choosing the right laminate:
Do you want to know, ? Decide on the cost, laminate class, color scheme, texture, manufacturer commodity item and strength indicators. After which you can safely go to the store for shopping or buy laminate flooring online. For informational purposes, it is worth finding out the opinions and advice of experts, and it would also be a good idea to read reviews from other apartment owners who have already purchased this coverage. Continue reading on the website
