How to choose a square laminate?
To properly choose this flooring, it is necessary, first of all, to know its structure. This laminate consists of 4 layers. The first is a protective film, which is made of melamine and acrylic resin. The thicker it is, the higher the performance characteristics of the coating.
The second layer is decorative and represents the usual paper on which the image is applied. The third is the core, consisting of fiberboard or chipboard. Its function is to create support and strength. Well, the last, the fourth - a stabilizing layer with water-repellent properties.
In the process of buying it is necessary to know the class of the laminate, which is determined depending on the results of the "Taber test".For example, if you plan to cover the flooring in shopping malls, then choose 33 class.
When you need to lay the laminate in the bedroom, living room, get the 31st. And for office premises 32 class is perfect. Also, when buying, it is important to pay attention to the density, antistatic properties, resistance to UV radiation and exposure to aggressive substances, heat resistance. Usually these characteristics are written on the package.
Advantages of laminate
In fact, this material differs from the typical only in form. And, by the way, many people choose laminate with squares, because it is very similar to tile, but at the same time imitates a tree( according to the texture of the surface).Like any other building material, it has its advantages and disadvantages. So, the pluses are:
- It is easy to clean and has resistance to various cleaning agents.
- Does not absorb all kinds of contaminants( dust, dirt, grease stains).
- Equipped with an antistatic surface.
- Differs by its abrasive resistance, that is, it does not wear out with time.
- Simply mounted and dismantled.
- Possesses high thermal and fire resistance.
- A wide range of colors allows you to use it in any interiors.
From the minuses, you can identify the relative vulnerability from moisture and the synthetics of the materials used. How so, it would seem, the top layer should be perfectly protected against water. .. In fact, so it is, the joints of the laminate panels are vulnerable. It is because of flooding that the coating can begin to separate.
Laying a square laminate
The difference between installing a square laminate and laying a typical one is that it does not require a substrate. It can be laid directly on a concrete screed or any other coating( massive board, linoleum).However, the rest of the process is absolutely identical. First the material is taken out of the package for several days. He must "get used" to the existing humidity and temperature. Then proceed to the installation itself, gently laying out the first row.
The direction of the masonry should be "on itself".In this case, the connection method is "Click" or "Lock" . The first assumes a collapsible fastening, the second - a latch method. The best is the "Click" , since then it can also be easily dismantled. After you have laid the first row, proceed to the second and third.
In the process of flooring, it is important to observe the symmetry of the pattern and make sure that there are gaps of 2 mm per square meter.
It's also important to leave gaps near stairs, pipes, walls, thresholds. Between the last row and the wall is left as much as 10 mm. This is necessary because the coating itself is capable of narrowing and widening over time. At the finish stage, skirting boards are fixed, which must match the texture and color of the coating.