Laminate class how to choose

Laminate flooring in the apartment is becoming more popular every year, and many owners of the housing during the repair give preference to him. With relatively low cost and ease of installation, which can be done by yourself, it is possible to obtain a floor surface that is small in than inferior to natural wood - and according to decorative design, and performance characteristics.

However, when you go to the store to purchase the desired cover, is often faced with with unsophisticated buyers - what would be the best for flooring in this or that room? If everything is more or less clear with decorative qualities - each apartment owner has its own preferences and own vision of the future premises design, then in the operational classification of the material it is quite possible to get confused because of the abundance of icons and pictograms on the package. However, everything is not so difficult - the laminate class will be told a lot about how to choose which one for specific conditions and will be outlined in this publication

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What is laminate, its advantages and lacks

Under the term "laminate" is most often meant prefabricated panels determinednnogo size based wood composite for laying floor coverings. They can be decorated differently - the vast majority of them are made with imitation of natural wood texture( floorboards, massive boards, parquet or cork), although there are collections in which the exterior design is made for natural stone or ceramic tiles or even for a more original texture, for example, a rusty metal. The thickness of laminated panels can vary from 4 to 12 mm.

The basic structure of the laminate is the four-layer structure, each layer of which performs its defined functions:

1 - external protective coating( overlay) - in fact, this is the laminating layer of the panel. It is a transparent polymer high-strength film based on acrylic or melamine resins. The quality and thickness of this layer largely determine the wear resistance of the material, its ability to withstand abrasive and impact loads. It performs the most important function of protecting all underlying layers of from penetration of moisture, dirt, from aggressive chemical attack and ultraviolet rays. The qualitative state of this coating determines the hygienic quality of the floor, , the ease with which is maintained, and the ecological purity of the material.

2 - decorative layer. On a paper or foil basis, there is a pattern that shines through the upper transparent overlay. In fact, these two upper layers create an incomplete covering of the required textural decorativeness.

3 - is the base layer on which the overall strength of the laminated panels depends. This is the thickest layer of a common "pie".It is made from a wood composite, close to what we are accustomed to calling Fiberboard .However, the differences from conventional wood fiber boards are very significant.

If MDF sheets are used more often in furniture production( Medium Deinsity Fibrboard ), the practice of using a laminate flooring showed that the strength of such a material is clearly insufficient for such operating conditions. Therefore, at the present time from the application of MDF all respectable firms declined in favor of NDF ( Nigh Density Fibrboard - high density).The specific gravity of such a composite can reach 850 - 900 kg / m³.This material differs excellent rigidity , strength, perfectly holds the specified shape, low hygroscopicity.

By the way, if the store consultant tries to sell the panel to MDF-based at the choice of laminate, assuring in their high quality and deciphering the Russian abbreviation MDF , as " finely dispersed fraction", it is not even worth continuing the conversation. This indicates the low competence of the seller, who did not even bother to get deeper into the accepted terminology, and even more so - it is impossible to wait from him for a competent board on the performance of the coating. More times emphasize - quality laminated panels based on MDF can not be by definition!

4 - protective stabilizing coating of panels. This layer tarred paper or polymer substrate, which should prevent moisture from penetrating from below and stabilize the geometric shape of the panel, warning its warping or bending.

5 - the lock part of the laminated panels, which is always located on the level of the base of the NDF layer .The types of locks will be described below.

• Similar four-layer laminate models are usually produced using direct compression technology( Dirеct Pressure Lаminate ).After assembly, all layers are sent to press of low pressure .Proce ss pr goes in one stage with defined temperature mode. The protective layer together with the decorative layer in this case reach a thickness of no more than 0.2 ÷ 0.4 mm. As the bottom stabilizing substrate for this technology, the layer of plastic is most often used.

After pressing the slab, after 4 ÷ 5 days, enter section into the desired size on separate boards. After another of one two-day holding of the workpiece is transferred to the laser cutting machines of the lock part. Then follows a cycle of technical control, packaging and dispatch to consumers.

The similar to the technology has a number of drawbacks, the main one being the internal stresses remaining in the material thickness. With sudden changes in temperature or humidity conditions, can manifest itself as deformation, warping of panels, the formation of gaps on the joints between them.

• The technological process of manufacturing a high quality laminate is slightly more complicated, which is reinforced with additional layers.

As can be seen from the figure, there are some differences from the basic scheme. So, under the decorative layer( 2) there are several layers of high-strength kraft-cardboard( 2a) , impregnated melamine resins. This gives the of the front surface special strength properties, which dramatically improves the performance of the floor covering.

The substrate( 4) is not plastic, but resin-impregnated kraft paperboard. In addition, there may be an additional composite layer( 4a), the main purpose of which is sound attenuation .

In the production of such a laminate, the material passes through ssp in two stages. Initially, apply high pressure technology NPL ( Nigh Pressure Laminate ) with high temperature exposure - so connect several transparent laminate layers ( in this case behavior p mp enochnogo coatings are deposited layers of aluminum oxide or corundum), decorative substrate and layers kraft-cardboard .As a result, a practically monolithic structure is obtained, with a protective layer of up to 0.5 ÷ 0.9 mm.

Then the process of conventional DPL-pressing is carried out, in which, in fact, the entire laminated panel with the base layer and the substrate is assembled. The subsequent processes do not differ from those described above by .

These types of laminate are among the most wear-resistant class and have the longest warranty periods.

What are the main advantages of a quality laminate flooring:

• High decorative - the variety of collections presented in the sale will satisfy any, even the most demanding, taste.
• Relatively light weight and, , however, , high strength coating, which for a number of parameters is superior to natural wood. On the surface is not remains scratches, dents, absolutely eliminated cracks.
• Extremely convenient in the care of the floor - cleaning the laminate surface will not amount to x x lopot, as it does not absorb dirt and it does not form spots.
• Laminated surface not rot , is not a nutrient medium for fungus or mold, has high water-repellent properties.
• Good laminate does not fade even in sun-drenched rooms.
• The life of such a coating, without loss of decorativeness, is estimated in tens of years.
• The average Russian owner can arrange the laminate flooring by himself.

The disadvantages are not so significant:

• Certainly, laminate seriously loses to natural wood in thermal insulation qualities - it is more "cold".
• Some types of coating may have the property of accumulating a static charge. It is necessary to choose a material with anstystatic properties or to carry out regular treatment with appropriate formulations.
• The laminate may not be suitable for the system of the warm floor. Be sure to specify when buying to clarify the possibility of such use - the should be marked with the corresponding icon.

Video: a visual lesson on the types of laminate, its advantages and disadvantages

Existing

laminate classes Depending on the type of raw materials used in production, thickness of layers, manufacturing techniques, different types of laminated boards can differ significantly from one another by their technical and operationalcharacteristics. Of course, this directly affects the possible areas of their practical application. To facilitate the selection of the desired coating, a special classification of has been developed.

Class separation is predetermined by the results of special test tests .There is a common methodology( EN 13329) for laminate testing for several key indicators( the whole test can include about 18 evaluation criteria).

• To check the resistance of the material to abrasion( abrasion) is carried out, the so-called , Taber test.

coating

Samples of the coating are placed in a special diagnostic apparatus where they are acted upon by the rotating abrasive wheel of a certain grain under the established pressure. The equipment tracks the number of revolutions before visible damage to the laminate surface and until the protective and decorative layer is completely blown. These indicators are summarized, an average value is output, which becomes decisive when exhibiting a class of resistance to abrasive exposure.

Current abrasion resistance standard( EN 13 329)	Revolutions of the test abrasive disc
Abrasion class 1( AC 1)	900 - 1500
Abrasion class 2( AC 2)	1500 - 2000
Abrasion class 3( AC 3)	2000- 4000
Abrasion class 4( AC 4)	4000 - 6000
Abrasion class 5( AC 5)	over 6000

• To test the impact strength of the coating, tests are carried out with with a freely falling steel ball with a diameter of 40 mm, and with a "shot" ballsmall diameter. This determines the force or the height of the fall, at which visible dents remain on the surface.

Stability of the laminate to impact load	Free ball drop test from a certain height( mm)
to 800	to 1000	to 1200	to 1400	to 1600
Small ball test with adjusted impact force( N)	to 8N	No	IC 1	IC 1	IC 1	IC 1
up to 10 N	IC 1	IC 1	IC 1	IC 1	IC 1
to 12 N	IC 1	IC 1	IC 1	IC 2	IC 2
to 15 N	IC 1	IC 2	IC 2	IC 2	IC 3
to 20 N	IC 1	IC 2	IC 3	IC 3	IC 3

• To test the surface resistance to chemical attack, tests are performed using reagents divided by into several groups according to the degree of their aggressiveness.
• The water resistance of the material is checked - it is immersed in water for a day at a temperature of 20 ° With , and then the water absorption coefficient is measured. It is considered the norm water absorption to 18%, but some manufacturers have managed to achieve and much higher rates - the laminate can absorb up to 8% moisture. Of course, the lower this figure, the better.
• Tests are carried out with a static load - so the ability of the laminate to withstand the pressure of furniture legs and rollers of seats is checked.
• There are special methods for determining lightfastness, antistatic coating properties, resistance to thermal stress( test with the fallen lighted cigarette) and other tests.

As a result of , the tests performed by are processed accordingly, and the laminate, in accordance with the European standard, is assigned a common class. With some simplifications, the results are shown in the table:

operational indicators	destination load intensity and class laminate	testing technology
accommodation	public premises
low	average	high	low	average	high
21	22	23	31	32	33
abrasion resistance	AS 1	AS 2	AU 3	AU 3	AC4	AS 5	Annex E
impact resistance	IC 1	IC 1	IC 1	IC 1	IC 2	IC 3	Annex F
resistance to staining	4( g.1 & 2), 3( g3)	5( g.1 & 2), 4( g3)	EN 438
thermal resistance	-	4	4	4	4	4	EN 438
resistance to the impact of furniture legs	-	-	without visible damage	EN 424
resistance roller wheels furniture	-	-	without visible damage	EN 425
swelling ratio	least 20%	least 20%	least 18%	least 18%	least 18%	less than 18%	Annex G

The laminate flooring class and predetermine where it can be used in practice. The corresponding pictogram must be clearly shown on the packaging, which clearly shows the scope of application of the coating:

Classes 21 to 23 were originally intended for use exclusively in living quarters:

• 21 class - the most unstable, and is intendedFor rooms with a minimum abrasive load on the surface. The lifetime of such a coating is small - only a few years, even when used in rooms with low traffic, such as in bedrooms or home offices.
• 22 class has a more durable surface, and can be used in children's rooms, living rooms.
• 23 class was developed for living quarters with intensive dynamic loads - hallways, kitchens, passage rooms.

All classes beginning with the number "3" were intended for commercial use :

• 31 class - public premises with minimum traffic - offices, conference rooms and .
• 32 class is used in educational institutions( in classrooms), in reception offices , offices with a large number of employees, small retail outlets and other similar institutions.
• 33 class can be laid in large stores, catering establishments, in corridors and halls of institutions and .
• 34 class appeared not so long ago, but immediately found application in supermarkets, sports halls, nightclubs, concert and dance floors - in a word, where the coating experiences extreme loads from the movement of a very large number of people.

Why about 21 ÷ 23 class was said in the past tense? The fact is that in connection with the lack of a steady demand for these permanently fragile types of laminate, many manufacturers simply removed them from production, switching to the release of the "troika".

There are more one nuance. Previously, the strength of commercial laminate was achieved, is mainly , an increase in the content of formaldehyde resins, which pose a significant threat to human health. Certainly, these types of coatings are not recommended for use in living quarters.

. According to the existing classification, the material is divided into 3 classes by formaldehyde emission, from E1 to E3.Safe for use in living quarters is E1.Modern types of commercial laminate, thanks to new production technologies, fully met these requirements. Thus, this indicator was completely leveled , which opened the possibility of wide application of more resistant varieties of coating in residential buildings.

By the way, even technical documentation has become the possibility of their universal use:

Moreover, not so long ago appeared types of laminate 31 - 33 class, whose formaldehyde emission index - more below, and they are given the highest environmental class - E0.

As for practical application, at the moment 32 class became the "sole leader" for use in apartments. Its strength characteristics are more than enough for residential premises of any type , including for the hallway and kitchen. This coating is guaranteed to last 15 years - .

You can, of course, spread a higher class, but it will be unreasonable in terms of the cost of the material - the opportunities inherent in it in the conditions of an ordinary apartment will simply not be in demand.

What still to take into account when buying laminated coating

Important for mounting the coating and for its durability and reliability has a locking system for laminated panels. There are three main varieties:

• adhesive laminate is equipped with conventional grooved locks without latches .Installation is made with gluing the ends of panels using a special glue.

glue. When assembled correctly, a solid monolithic surface is obtained, which, in principle, is very good for use in rooms with high humidity( for example, in the kitchen).However, the laying of such a laminate requires advanced training, and it is unlikely that its can be carried out independently. In addition, the coating is indivisible and not subject to dismantling or repair.

Currently, the release of this type of laminate practically is discontinued by , and it is not easy to find it, even if is desired.

• Laminated panels with " Lоck " locks are also becoming less common these days - the manufacturers are giving up on them because of the low reliability of the connection.

Assembling such a laminate requires the obligatory application of translational impact, so that the figured spike enters the in the groove and latches into the it .This causes the certain to be difficult to install, and during the operation when changing the temperature or humidity conditions does not exclude the appearance of slots at the joints. Dismantling the coating without damaging it - is also very problematic, since the spike most often breaks off.

• The most perfect is the system " Click " - locks. The complex figured design of the grooves and studs makes it possible to make a connection only under the defined by the angle. Then, when you turn the panels in the same plane, a complete takes place, a reliable closing, accompanied by a characteristic sound - a click, which, in effect, gave the name of the lock.

locking connections. The figure shows one of the options for configuring such a lock, but there are many different types of different levels of complexity. With a high-quality laminate, the lock part at the production stage is treated with hot wax, that gives the its strength and the necessary elasticity for the joint.

Similar lock provides reliable interface of panels, without the risk of gap formation. Another has one advantage - such a cover can be disassembled if necessary, in order, for example, to replace one of the boards.

Some models of high-class laminate have a lock part " Сlick ", additionally reinforced with a metal profile.

Video: types of locking joints of laminated panels

A lot of information about the quality and operational characteristics of the laminate can be gleaned from printed on the on its pictogram package. Some of them are represented on the diagram:

laminated panels. A) This icon says that the coating has pronounced antistatic properties.

b ) laminate is lightweight in cleaning, does not require particularly careful care.

c) Pictogram indicating the resistance of the laminate to abrasive and point loads. D) The degree of fire hazard. Class In 1 will be optimal for the house - such a laminate is classified as a flame retardant material. E) The fallen cigarette on the floor should not cause damage to the surface of the laminate.

e) Laminate is hygienic.

f ) Icon about the resistance of the coating to ultraviolet rays, in particular - to fading in the sun.

from ) Foods spilled on the floor and household chemicals will not leave spots on the .

i) It is recommended to use furniture with soft rubberized wheels.

k) Such a laminate can be safely used for the system " warm floor".This icon may vary slightly, for example, indicating the type of floor heating system - electric or water.

There is an still icon indicating the presence of a V-shaped chamfer on the laminated panels. Such an improvement has several advantages:

• The chamfer gives the a special kind of floor covering, the is practically a full imitation of the natural board.
• The possible defects of joints at the joints are concealed, invisible.
• A compensating gap is formed, which will smooth the expansion of the material at temperature differences.
• This laminate has the highest moisture resistance. Even with a seemingly catastrophic flooding of the floor, it can be disassembled, dried and re-mounted without loss of coverage.

Video: advice on choosing a laminate for an apartment

When choosing a laminate for your own apartment trifle , saving on quality - is by no means the most correct approach. A penny win can turn into the need for replacement coverage after a few years. A solid, quality laminate floor of the appropriate class should serve no less than 15 - 20 years. And some manufacturers are not afraid to give their models even lifetime indefinite warranty.

. But in order not to run into a fake, one should not show unnecessary modesty and hesitate to demand from the seller a certificate for the laminate to be purchased. According to the federal legislation, this document must be presented at the first request of the consumer.