How to choose a laminate

If you look closely at the statistics of users' queries to the search engines of the global network, it becomes clear that at present the topics that are somehow connected with construction and repair are incredibly in demand. In this there is nothing surprising: we live in a time when old houses and apartments, inherited from grandparents, require at best a cosmetic, and more often - major repairs. One of the most important tasks is choosing a floor covering. Hence the questions like: "How to choose a laminate?".

The industry offers variants of floor coverings for every taste and purse: linoleum, parquet and its varieties, laminate, carpet, tile, etc. Today we will talk about how to choose a laminate. This coverage is most often obtained by the optimum in terms of the characteristic / cost parameter, although in each case there are specific features.

If you take a plate of pressed sawdust or a fiber of a certain thickness, cut it into standard panel stripes, several layers of special paper are impregnated with resin composition and bound to panels, then a laminate can be obtained. Of course, this is a very simplified description, but it gives a general idea of the nature of the material. In large stores, consultants always tell you how to choose a laminate floor, we, in turn, point out some of the main points. This will help to quickly understand what exactly the consultant wants to say.

When you come to the store, you should study the proposed laminate. How to choose a cover, we will now tell. Perhaps there is no need to study in detail all the proposals. First you need to determine the price: what exactly is the cost per square meter of coverage is acceptable for your family budget. Many sources simply ignore this point, giving priority to quality. In fact, in the question of how to choose a laminate, the cost is more important. Because, having determined the price, you can immediately drop cheap and more expensive options, simplifying the selection process. It is not recommended without good reason to choose the cheapest name: despite the declared characteristics, this laminate is suitable only for rooms with a minimum load. Of course, it will not crumble into dust in a year, but you need to be mentally prepared for the appearance of small cracks in locks or scuffs. The optimal choice is the average price category: you need to add another 50-100% to the cost of the cheapest cover. Currently (2013) is a laminate with a price of 12-15 $ per sq.m.

There are several basic parameters that determine the quality of the laminate. It:

- manufacturer;

- class;

- locks;

- resistance to moisture.

Telling how to choose a laminate, it is often recommended to purchase products of only well-known manufacturers. Indeed, in this case as one can not doubt. The disadvantage is the overpayment for the brand. In addition, even the most eminent companies once were themselves little-known.

The laminate class indicates the level of its wear resistance. The lowest (21) is suitable for very low loads, and the highest (33 and 34) - for rooms with a large flow of people (restaurants, clubs, shops). For a house it is better to buy a laminate of grade 31 and higher.

The laminate panels are connected to one another in a monolithic coating by means of special end-to-side projections-locks. Their two kinds are Click and Lock. The first is more simple and reliable. Laying a laminate with a Lock-system, you will have to contact specialists, since this requires an appropriate experience. There is another kind of connection - with the help of glue. This is the best option, if the cover is mounted "once and for all" - no spot repair is possible in this case.

Moisture resistance determines how badly the coating deteriorates when moisture gets on it. If a glass of water is poured on a cheap laminate and wiped off after 5 minutes, a swelling will occur at the place where the material touches the water. But moisture-resistant models can be safely placed even in the kitchen, although they are not recommended for washing in the old manner - pouring a bucket of water and "dispersing" it with a rag.

So, the main thing that you should pay attention to when buying a laminate is its manufacturer, as well as the class and water resistance of the material.