Which is better, laminate or parquet board: reviews and features

The composition of the laminate

• in the middle, as a filling, use strand wood or wood-fiber board which is sturdy frame panel. Furthermore, it provides moisture resistance and elasticity, so that the floor covering is needed for durability under intense walking;
• upper, visible layer of panels, can mimic almost any surface. Pleasantly surprising variety of colors, and the protective film allows drawing and does not burn remain intact. So laminated surface can long maintain its original appearance.

The multilayer structure allows the laminated coating throughout. However, most boards continue to deteriorate from prolonged exposure to moisture, but, nevertheless, has already appeared on sale waterproof laminate, Installation is even in the bathroom allowed.

Laminate dark colors effectively stand out against the white walls

Advantages and disadvantages of the laminate

manufacturers have awarded laminate many useful qualities, which expanded its wide application possibilities:

• the most easy way to paving, accessible even for self-assembly;
• material, though hardly a completely eco-friendly, however, it does not represent any danger to human health;
• laminate fireproof. Even when exposed to high-temperature ignition does not occur;
• topsheet panels resistant to ultraviolet rays, so over time it does not burn and does not lose its appearance;
• contemporary models are equipped with special laminate protective film which makes contact with the water is completely safe for the coating;
• leave scratches on the laminate is difficult. He is not afraid of heavy furniture, permanent loads and the sharp claws of animals.

water-resistant laminated in the bathroom

However, there is this coating and limitations:

• walking some noise issued by the laminate. To resolve this problem, additional costs for the purchase of acoustic material to the substrate;
• restore damaged areas of the coating is not possible. The only solution - a complete replacement of the constituent elements.

Useful advice!Buying materials in the store, pay attention to the integrity of all the packages. Otherwise, you risk to face the elements of damage to the coating.

Classes laminate: what is better for an apartment with a "warm floor" system

Which laminate class to choose for an apartment - quite a controversial issue. Many manufacturers claim that virtually any of their coverage will be perfectly combined with a heating system. In fact, much better than the laminate 32 or 33 classes. Which brand do you prefer - is another question. The main thing is that the strength and rigidity of the structure is sufficient to withstand severe stress on the surface without damage to the floor heating system.

Laminate flooring in the interior porch

In addition, there is a great option - laminate "two in one", which has been specially produced for underfloor heating. The system is designed so that the heating elements are arranged between two layers - the outside, by which you will walk, and internal - backing. Thus you do not have to select a suitable coating and flooring beneath it. The manufacturer has taken care of everything.

During the laying of the coating, wire heating elements are interconnected to form a complete system. It is very comfortable, although more expensive way compared to the traditional system of floor heating.

Useful advice!Before you start to lay laminate flooring, it is necessary to allow him to stay in this room, at least two days. So he will be able to adapt to the level of humidity in the room.

Laminate floor in the bedroom

How to care for laminate

Laminate - a very sensitive material, and its maintenance is also required special. Consider some basic guidelines on how to properly care for your flooring and thus prolong its service life:

• perfect for laminate - dry cleaning. Best vacuum cleaner with a soft brush;
• Yet if it became necessary to wash the floor with water, use well-wrung mop dipped in warm water;
• with respect to the laminate panels work out mop only longitudinal movement, to eliminate the risk of water ingress in the joints;
• do not use any chemically active agents;
• after you have washed a certain section of the floor, carefully wipe it with a dry cloth;
• you can buy specially designed for this product for cleaning laminate flooring.

For the laminated coating is very easily maintained

How does the flooring: its pros and cons

Parquet board - this is carefully glued with one another panel of wood. As a lower layer performing a basis function used fir or pine plywood about 1-2 mm thick.

The second layer - a lamella - narrow wooden panels often also made of spruce or pine, which extends across the base to make the design more robust. The third front layer. The most suitable and common timbers for him - oak, ash or beech. Thus the top layer thickness of about 3-4 mm.

The strength and such a construction resistance to mechanical loads provide panels which are arranged crosswise. So rule out the possibility of fracture of the board or the appearance of cracks as a result of distance or location of heavy furniture on the surface. Protective coating for application over the panel itself, prevents the occurrence of scratches on the surface and in the case of the figure, does not allow it to be wiped.

Parquet in the kitchen-dining room

How to properly care for floorboard

Here are some tips that will help you properly care for hardwood floors:

• wash the parquet can only with a damp cloth. Strongly smoking poured to cover even a small amount of water;
• try to do without washing vacuum cleaner. No positive effect on the parquet, he will not;
• small fresh scratches on the floor can be made invisible, this place is jammed with a sponge soaked in sunflower oil.

Related article:

Vinyl flooring: the pros and cons, structural features, tips for installation and maintenance.The structure and production technology, the main types. Features of laying flooring. Subtleties of care vinyl flooring.

Comparative characteristics of the laminate floorboard and

As seen from the characteristics, the two materials have their pros and cons with respect to each other. So what the variant to choose? What coverage can be considered the best? Let's try to compare and look into the matter.

Table Comparative characteristics of the laminate and parquet board:

Laminate or parquet board: which is better? Expert opinion on laying flooring

Styling and wood flooring and laminate flooring panel requires some training. However, for ease and simplicity of installation experts to cast their vote in favor of the latter. Consider the characteristics and differences training base in both cases.

The process of preparing the ground for laying floor coverings:

• existing floor to pour screed previously exposed lighthouses fill in the zero level;
• when coupler is completely dry, to pour over mixture is self-leveling, which will minimize even slight variations, which will remain after the first step;
• followed by the step of laying substrate. In the case of wood flooring is most often used sheets of plywood, or even do without it. And here laminate put directly on the concrete will not be possible, there needs high-quality flooring.

Parquet in the nursery

Experts in one voice insist on placing high-quality substrate for laminate. They vary widely, and their choice is largely due to the fact some characteristics of the material are decisive for you. If you have to face every day with the problem of sound insulation, the cork underlay easy to solve this issue. If there is a question as relevant decrease in thermal conductivity, the polyethylene foam backing - what you need.

If we talk about the device "warm floor" system, according to experts, it can be done, but considering some of the nuances. It only refutes the myth that the underfloor heating can be only in case if they are laid tile.

Which is better, or laminate flooring: consumer reviews

Here are some reviews of the owners of laminate and parquet flooring.

"In the second year after laying laminate accidentally spilled on the floor with a little wax candle. We tried to wipe it right away, but while looking for anything - he had stood. We worried that we can not eliminate the consequences of unnoticed. But nothing, it gently cleaned off with a knife, and the remaining trail slipped special pencil for laminate. It's been a year, and everything remained unnoticed. In general, very satisfied coating ".

Mikhail Novikov, Samara

Kitchen is best to choose water-resistant grade laminate

"We've been chosen to cover the living room, as it is communicating room, and there is always a lot of people. As a result, we decided to take the parquet. Coating, we were more than satisfied. In the care of any difficulties there. I use grandmother's way: breed 1 tbsp. vinegar in half a bucket of water and mop my floor usual. All pollution perfectly laundered. "

Irina Semakova, city Naberezhnye Chelny

What is better for apartments: laminate flooring or

Whichever of these options nor declared the best among consumers, there will always be those who will disagree. And rightly so, because, depending on personal preference or that the quality of each material may be suitable or not in specific conditions. Speaking generally, both the cover quite easily mounted using the castle stacking system. However, when it comes to the room, where a very high permeability, for example, in the corridor, it is better to give preference to the laminate. It is less susceptible to abrasion and scratches, plus the level of its impact is several times higher than the parquet.

Useful advice!Increased ability of the laminate to resist abrasion and scratching will fall very handy for those who have pets. On the floor, over time, begin to appear the marks of their claws.

Parquet floor in the living room

But all other criteria for the design of floors in the apartment is better to choose parquet. It is easy to restore after a certain period, ottsiklevav and covered with a new layer of varnish. Thus you can easily get rid of all formed during the operation of scratches and return the original appearance of the coating. Further, flooring looks externally richer and more solid laminate. Exquisite appearance of the wood is it can be used even in the most demanding and exacting interiors.

With regard to technical characteristics, such as thermal conductivity, the parquet and there is a leader. Its ability to retain heat up, it is very important if the coating has to be laid directly on the concrete base. In the case of a laminate of heat conduction problem is also solved, but it is worth the extra effort and cost.

Among the difficulties of use of wood flooring it should be noted that it is quite sensitive to changes in humidity. In older homes, where no modern ventilation system, because humidity drops coating can swell, and then again shrivel. Already after the first cycle of the slit joints appear between boards and parquet begin to diverge.

There are two solutions to this problem: the installation of appropriate ventilation systems and control humidity or opt laminate, which is significantly less sensitive to such differences.

Visually, the colors very similar to the laminate floorboard

Parquet or laminate: it is better for a private house

Wooden private house requires use natural wood materials in interior decoration. For example, if a house built of lumber, the artificial laminate floor will look cheap and out of place. Brick or constructed from foam blocks at home are less demanding, for laying on the floor is perfect laminate, imitating oak or other wood species.

If we talk about sound insulation, there is a laminate, of course, loses the parquet. But living in their own home, you can afford to make a noise as you want. So here the problem is not urgent. But when it comes to repairs in the apartment, before laying laminate will have to acquire an additional sound insulating substrate. This additional efforts, which, however, are worth the effort.

As for the financial aspect, the laminate flooring definitely cheaper. Although we should not forget that buying panels alone you can not do. Among other things, you will need to buy quality backing and to prepare a base for paving.

Floor and steps in a room decorated floorboard

Is it possible to lay laminate flooring

Another topic that should not affect - is laying laminate flooring over existing flooring. It so happens that the parquet boards are stacked for a long time and has finally lost its appearance, or simply want to update the interior. New laminate floor can be laid directly on top of the flooring, using the latter as a base.

Before you begin laminate installation, It is necessary to prepare a base. Start with the inspection of the old coating. If found unstable place, they must be strengthened by means of additional brackets. To eliminate the gaps, use a special putty.

If individual elements pressed, makes the creaking, it is possible to solve this problem as follows:

• between two slats, which are adjacent, you need to drill a hole;
• wooden dowel is inserted inside the corresponding diameter, pre-oiled adhesive;
• the upper part of the pin is cut on the level of the finished floor.

The floor in the kitchen is decorated with the help of the floorboard

In preparing the flooring it is important how to align its (maximum allowable height of drop per meter of floor coverings - 3.2 mm). To do this, use the method coarse sanding. After completion of the alignment, flooring should be cleaned and primed. When the surface is dry, you can proceed to the laying substrate. It should be laid end to end, and glue the joints with tape to ensure tightness of the coating.

If you want to put a new cover on top of the flooring, then think over what the laminate thickness is best for this room. Do not choose too thin panels. Note the Tarkett Laminate 33 class. Reviews about it only positive, and the price range of pleasantly pleased.

How to lay laminate over the old parquet

To a combination of laminate and parquet proved to be quite strong and has withstood all the loads that were coming, it is important to stick to stacking technology and some tips.

When high wear old parquet covering must be removed completely

It is not necessary to put all the laminate flooring in the house in the same direction. That is, if you spend a cover assembly in more than one room, it is better to choose a different direction bars. joint space can be easily hidden using the decorative thresholds. Solid laying method is more complex, in addition it eliminates the possibility, if necessary, to disassemble and replace the cover only one of the rooms.

Note! If while walking the old parquet creaks, do not expect that a laminate that will not be noticeable. Be sure to solve this problem before the start of installation.

The process of stacking the laminate flooring on the substrate after fixing occurs at the standard scheme: start is from angle, positioning the panel so that they were parallel to the sun's rays and perpendicular to the window opening. You can try to put some more complex pattern, however, in most cases it is only by professionals.

Parquet in the living room

And yet, what is better: parquet or laminate? Parquet has the advantage of durability and some specifications. On the other hand, the limitations of its color and texture solutions allows the laminate to take the better of him, and yet everyone wants to create in your home a unique individual interior. In any case, why would you not have preferred, with the purchase of high-quality materials and professional packing cover, you can enjoy your chosen option for a long time.

What is different from laminate flooring (video)