Laminate and natural parquet are very similar in appearance, but still they are completely different in their properties materials. For the first time artificial parquet was made in Sweden, and it happened in 1977 year. But only after a good ten years, the inventors managed to improve its quality, and make production so cheap that the products turned out to be quite affordable for the ordinary buyer.
Technical characteristics of laminated parquet
Modern laminate consists of several (most often of 4) layers. The first layer is a special strong film that protects it from mechanical damage, temperature drops, direct sunlight. It happens to be of different thickness, which affects the cost of the parquet. To our floor was beautiful, the second layer is made of decorative paper, painted for various types of wood, stone or other material. The third layer is a strongly pressed plate from fiberboard or chipboard. The higher its quality, the better the laminate resists moisture. The latter layer serves to impart rigidity and stabilization to the coating. It is not as dense, but is made from the materials that the previous one.
Quality laminated parquet is quite resistant to various loads. It will not ignite from the thrown cigarette butt, well withstanding the high temperatures. Such flooring can easily be washed, removing various stains from varnish, paint or felt-tip pen, using ordinary household chemicals. The laminate is well resistant to the sun's rays, and it is sufficiently moisture-resistant material. But if you are looking for a bathroom coating, then buy products marked "Aqua".
Laying of laminated parquet
Locks securely hold the slats between each other, which provides the floor surface with sufficient strength. On a dry and even basis, the installation takes place quickly and without major problems. It can be concrete, wood, tile or linoleum. Depending on this material, the preparation for operation may be slightly different:
- On concrete it is necessary to put a vapor barrier from the film, giving an allowance for walls of about 15 mm, and fixing the joints securely with a film.
- If you have a wooden floor, you need to check how securely all the boards are fixed, so that there are no flops, a fungus or pests. If the surface quality is very poor, then it can be leveled with sheets of particleboard or plywood. The same option is suitable for concrete floors.
- Laminate or tile can be a good base if they are flat enough and in a normal state.
Lay laminated parquet almost always parallel to the direction of light, but sometimes designers choose other options. The laying scheme can be chess (brick), classical or diagonal. It is necessary to move about 15-20 cm about the panel of the next row relative to the panel located on the next row. The use of different schemes allows you to expand or narrow visually the area of your floor.
Fasten panels to the lock, using the system "Click" or "Lok", but sometimes apply glue. The latter method is the most time-consuming, and the design is not only indiscriminate, but also not so long-lasting. Use it only where it is necessary to provide additional protection of the coating from moisture and get a very strong seam.
How to choose laminated parquet?
If the coating has an assigned class of 21, 22 or 23, then it is suitable for light or medium loads. It is suitable for an ordinary apartment. The laminate of class 31-33 is considered to be more serious. He will withstand the influx of people, even in the trading area or in the conference hall and a fairly significant workload. As everywhere, here the quality depends on the price, and a good manufacturer of parquet will be more expensive.
If you like intricate patterns and have money for an expensive purchase, then it's worth buying a laminated art parquet. From such a parquet you can create an intricate pattern that mimics a mosaic, an abstract combination or a geometric figure. Such a floor is very original and attracts attention. The most expensive "palace parquet" perfectly suits the classic interior or baroque. The quality of this floor is not inferior to the usual laminated parquet for oak or other wood species. Now a large selection of laminate, and every consumer can find good products for themselves, according to their needs and capabilities.
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