What is laminate, and what kind of laminate is it?
A laminate covering is a multi-layered floor covering. In our country, laminated coating is performed, basically, under a tree, so it became known as laminate parquet, but this name in the roots is not true. Laminate and parquet have absolutely nothing in common. Modern laminate is easily executed for granite and marble, any colors, metal plates and even leather.
Main features:
- High abrasion resistance;
- Shock resistance;
- Resistance to high and long loads;
- Resistance to the action of household chemicals;
- Lightfastness( does not burn in the sun);
- Flameproof;
- Ease of installation;
- Easy to maintain.
The strength of the material is divided into classes. There are six such classes: 21, 22, 23 classes and more resistant to wear 31, 32, and 33 classes. The first three are used in residential premises with a weak and medium load. The second three are designed for offices with a large flow of people. They are considered commercial and have an increased degree of resistance to erasure.
Note! Recent trends have led to the fact that laminate class 32 classes are increasingly being used in residential areas.
What should I do before the installation?
Laying a laminate on a parquet board is a good option if the floor has already lost its attractive appearance, and restoration or replacement requires large investments and time. In this case, the old parquet is the basis for a new floor. But this kind of styling has features that must be taken into account.
First, it is checked whether the parquet floor is even. This is done by a special ruler-rule. Secondly, the state of each detail of the parquet is evaluated separately. If some of them cracked, began to squeak or failed, they should be dismantled and repaired. Damaged areas can be leveled with plywood sheets.
Tip! If you independently understand the quality of the parquet and whether it can serve as the basis for the laminate, does not work, it will be better to contact a specialist.
Also observe the basic requirements for styling and preparation. So that the floor surface does not warp, you should adhere to the rules for laying the laminate indoors:
- The distance from the edge of the bar to the wall should not be less than 20 millimeters. This compensates for the lengthening of the laminate due to the gap;
- The skirting board, which closes the gap, is attached only to the wall, and in no case to the floor.
How to lay a laminate?
We talked about the material, its types and properties. We understood what preparatory steps should be taken before laying. Now let's go directly to the essence of the article and figure out how to put the laminate on the floor. This process does not require any special skills and abilities. Plates are fastened by locks, creating an even, monolithic coating.
Important! To put a laminate on the old parquet, it should be kept in the room in which it will be mounted, within 48 hours. It is necessary that the material is adapted to the microclimate of the room.
How to lay a laminate on a parquet so that it looks aesthetically pleasing? For this, the laminate joints are placed parallel to the incident light from the window. This will make the joints invisible. Next, the first row of two boards is formed. The first row is settled by grooves to the wall, and the last panel is trimmed so that there is a gap between it and the wall.
The second row is assembled from the trimmed panel of the first row. The panels are inserted into the locks and snapped. Thus, the entire laminate is assembled, except for the last board, for the installation of which a clamp is used. It is obligatory to make rounds for pipes and other objects in the room. This completes the installation process.