Laminate: service life and ways to extend it. Classification of laminate: where and which one is better to use How can laminate be coated for greater durability

In this article we will look at one of the most popular finished floor coverings - laminate. Here are the main characteristics of the laminate and its features. Let's compare various types laminate, load classes and laminate markings. We will also describe what the laminate consists of.

Laminate is a floor covering made from boards with a top protective layer impregnated with resins.

Main features of laminate.

Advantages:

ease of installation (assembly);
easy care of the coating;
antistatic - the laminate does not accumulate static electricity and does not conduct electric current;
this floor is quite resistant to stress;
The laminate coating is resistant to fats and alkalis (no additional means are required to protect the surface);
panels can be replaced if necessary (the covering is disassembled starting from the last panel laid).

Flaws:

not enough moisture resistant coating- it cannot be washed with large amounts of water;
requires a flat base.

Specifications:

Manufacturers indicate many characteristics with pictograms;
wear resistance class - from 21 to 43.

Classes 21, 22, 23 are intended for rooms where the movement of people is insignificant (21 - for the floor in a bedroom or office, 23 - can be placed in all rooms of a residential building, including the hallway and kitchen). Class 31 and above are intended for premises where there is active movement of people;

flammability G2;
resistant to pressure (crushing);
lightfast;
formaldehyde release coefficient. Laminate coatings contain formaldehyde materials, so when purchasing, always request a certificate of conformity and a conclusion from the sanitary and epidemiological service. The content of formaldehyde should not be more than 0.01 mg/m3, phenol should not be more than 0.003 mg/m3;
moisture resistance. In moisture-resistant laminates, the main board of the structure has a greenish color. This laminate is used for finishing rooms with high humidity. Its lining contains antiseptic substances that destroy fungi, and the base itself ( wood board) is made with additives that reduce water absorption;
service life. The service life of laminates depends on their wear resistance class. The higher the wear resistance class, the longer the service life. Laminate from class 31 is considered high class, its service life is 15-20 years. But lower classes of laminates are more often used (due to their availability).

Service life and marking of laminate.

Service life 2-3 years. Scope of application: commercial premises with light load. At home, it can last about 10 years in rooms such as a bedroom or pantry (with low load). Designation:

Designed for use in commercial premises with medium load. Service life 3-5 years. At home, such a floor can last 12-15 years, even in rooms with high operational load (dining room, corridor, living room).

Operation in commercial premises with intensive load. Service life 5-6 years. It is almost pointless to buy such a floor for use at home. Some manufacturers provide a lifetime warranty for this class, subject to use at home.

It is also worth noting that now all classes of laminate are designed specifically for use in commercial premises and the service life is also indicated by default for commercial premises. This means that if the manufacturer gives a guarantee for the floor for 10 years or more, then this guarantee only applies to the use of the floor at home. There are no guarantees for the use of floors in commercial premises for more than 6 years.

Laminate structure.

Laminating film (overlay) is a coating that makes the surface of the laminate resistant to abrasion. This highly durable melamine or acrylic resin- “lamination”, which at one time gave the name to the entire product. This coating can be single-layer or multi-layer (composite). The surface can be either smooth or textured.
The decorative layer is a processed and impregnated paper or furniture foil that imitates wood and all sorts of other textures.
The basis of the laminated panel is wood-fiber board. The base is made from chipboard material or fiberboard (from English-speaking manufacturers - HDF). The main properties of the slab are strength, rigidity, invariability of geometric parameters and the ability to withstand moisture.
Moisture resistant layer. Unrefined, resin-impregnated paper. It protects the overlying board (chipboard or fibreboard) from moisture and compensates for the surface tension that occurs after laminating the working layer of the panel.

Types of laminate.

Glueless laminate.

Glueless laminate is also called interlocking laminate. The panels are connected by snapping together due to a special form of cutting on the long edges of the panels - tongue and groove. No need for installation special tools, assembly is very easy, so you can easily do it yourself. Glueless laminate is recommended to be used in dry rooms with constant humidity and temperature, since otherwise the laminate will quickly begin to deteriorate at the junction of the panels. Easy to install, easy to dismantle for partial or complete replacement.

Adhesive laminate.

Adhesive laminate is suitable for rooms with high humidity, since the glue prevents moisture from penetrating into the seams - and this is the main advantage of adhesive laminate. The panels are connected to each other with a special water-repellent glue (not PVA). Glue is applied to the ends of the panels, after which they are joined. Excess glue is removed. Basically, the installation is very similar to the installation of glueless laminate. It is advisable to carry out work at a temperature of 10-20 degrees in a ventilated area.

Adhesive laminate, unlike non-adhesive laminate, is very difficult to dismantle for partial or complete replacement.

When purchasing laminate, you should definitely pay attention to the manufacturer’s advice, for example required quantity glue;
laminate is stored at a distance of at least 1 m from the walls, in a dry, heated room, without drafts. Before installation, unpacked laminate plates are laid in a row in the middle of the room at a temperature of at least 18°C and humidity up to 75%. And leave it for 2-3 days. Each package is unpacked only before packing;
the base for installation must be level;
to hide the seams, it is recommended to lay the panels parallel to the incidence of light from the window;
even if the laminate is adhesive, you should not wash it with large amounts of water;
Detergents can leave whitish marks on the surface of the laminate.

In order for the service life of the laminate to correspond to the period declared by the manufacturer, when choosing a laminate you need to understand that an important condition for this is the wear resistance class of laminated panels. The performance class of the laminate complies with the requirements of the European standard EN13329 and is established based on the results of 18 tests. During testing, it is determined over what period of operation the laminate retains its original appearance and does not lose quality characteristics in different conditions.

According to the EN13329 standard, there are two types of laminate: the first type is intended for use in domestic premises, the second type is for use in commercial premises.

The higher the class of the laminate, the higher its strength, the greater its thickness and the stronger it is. lock system, which largely determines its service life. Laminate of classes 21, 22 and 23 has a thickness of 6-8 mm, the thickness of laminate of classes 31, 32, 33 and 34 varies from 8 to 12 mm. The thicker the laminate, the easier its installation and the more reliable the locking connection.

Laminate 31, 32, 33 and 34 classes are floor coverings for commercial use, therefore, their use is allowed in rooms with medium and high traffic.

Class 31 laminate is intended for use in residential and commercial premises with low traffic, where a light operational load on the floor is expected. The service life of such a laminate is 3-5 years, but in some cases, for example, it can last up to 10 years.

Class 32 laminate can be used as flooring in rooms with average traffic load. The service life of this class of material is 10 years. When used at home, it can last up to 15 years. This could be a bedroom, living room, .

Class 34 laminate is designed for installation in rooms with extremely high floor loads. These can be shopping, dance and sports halls, clubs, car showrooms, as well as other institutions and establishments with high traffic. The service life of a laminate floor of this class is 10 years, and at home its durability is practically unlimited and depends on care and respect.

In order for a laminate flooring to serve faithfully for many years, it must be properly used and properly maintained. For this it is recommended:

Do not use for cleaning.
Perform wet cleaning with a special mop with a microfiber sponge.
Carefully move furniture, placing soft cloth under the legs.
Protect the laminate surface from water and chemically active substances.

Features and technical characteristics of class 31-32 laminate

The average price for such flooring starts from 200 rubles, while the service life of class 31 laminate is on average from 2 years and up to 10, subject to careful operation. Manufacturers suggest using this material in medium-traffic areas.

From him distinctive features you can highlight a glossy surface, usually the pattern imitates wood. This option is ideal for those families who do not have a lot of money or if the house is planned to be renovated in a couple of years.

The service life of class 32 laminate increases to 15 years in residential premises and about 5 years in public buildings . This coating is great for a bedroom, hallway or kitchen. Typically, the surface of such panels is anti-slip and textured.

There are many varieties of material on sale that resembles treated wood or a cut of wood, you can also find bright designs with unusual color solutions.

No special tools are needed for installation; all installation work can be done on your own without the involvement of a specialist. It is important to remember that if you choose a glue-type laminate of class 32, it cannot be used to finish the floor in the kitchen or rooms with high humidity. Otherwise, it will quickly begin to deform at the joints.

Warranty period services – at least 20 years in rooms and about 12 for commercial premises. That is why such flooring can be called ideal for installation on the floor.

As for the price of the issue - then for square meter coverage will have to pay at least 400 rubles. But it can be safely used in the toilet, for cladding a loggia or balcony, because the moisture-resistant impregnation will prevent water from absorbing deep into the panels. Thanks to the use HDF boards During the manufacturing process, the material becomes frost-resistant.

Models of this class have reinforced locking connections, so that the panels will not begin to loosen at the fastening points. The manufacturer itself provides a guarantee for its products that the laminate will not change its color when exposed to ultraviolet rays and that slight exposure to temperature will not harm it.

How to increase the service life of laminate flooring?

Regardless of the class of laminate, its service life will depend on proper preparation base before laying and strict adherence

When choosing the type of floor covering, in addition to the external advantages, you also evaluate the performance properties, as well as the period that this coating should last, or at least how long it is stated by the manufacturer. The service life of the laminate, which is what we will now talk about, is one of the most important issues that arouses keen interest among almost every potential buyer.

When does laminate flooring really need to be replaced? It is obvious when the floor loses its original appearance - the surface is wiped, gloss and color disappear, and obvious traces of external influence are visible. Equally important is the condition interpanel seams. If the boards begin to diverge, then noticeable gaps appear between them, which means that the coating has served its purpose and must be replaced.

Laminate flooring is famous for its durability and strength. Naturally, a solid wood board will last longer in comparison, but it also costs an order of magnitude more. Considering options from more or less budget floor coverings, laminate remains the most durable and inexpensive product.

The service life of a laminate floor directly depends on its class. And the manufacturer's warranty is based specifically on the class of coating.

Today the market offers us materials of strength classes 31, 32 and 33, they are also called commercial. The name indicates suitability for use in commercial premises. But now these classes are also used when laying in apartments, houses and cottages for a more gentle household use.

If the laminate is installed in rooms with high traffic, the service life will not be unlimited, but quite decent. The approximate operating guarantee for class 31 is from 3 years, 32 from 5 and 33 from 6 years. In fact, the operating time of the coating will be even 2-3 times longer.

Regarding home use: Please note that for domestic use, the warranty for commercial sectors of coverage will be many times longer. In other words, laminate flooring at home can last much longer than in commercial establishments.

Class 31 coating, laid in a room with light loads, where the abrasive effect is minimal, will serve well for 7 years or more, without losing its original appearance.

Class 32 coating used at home will last at least 10-15 years. At the same time, the floor will not lose its color, it will not fade under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the quality of the upper protective layer and the strength of the panels will be preserved.

The 33rd class coating of a house will last indefinitely, in the literal sense. Choose a truly worthy manufacturer, properly prepare the base on which the floor will be installed, and in the future you may not need to replace the laminate at all. It’s not for nothing that serious brands can give a lifetime guarantee on their products under strength class 33.

What else needs to be taken into account when choosing a laminate class is the reputation of the manufacturer and the country of origin. It often happens that class 31 laminates made in Poland can have a 5-year warranty and will last about 5-7 years; as for German ones, it will be 10-15 years. But the price will be much more expensive. Everyone is free to find the balance between service life and cost.

The word “laminate” refers to a specific floor covering that consists of a high-density wood-fiber platform.

The top layer of the laminate is a decorative wear-resistant protective film.

Each laminate board is made up of four horizontal ny layers:

The bottommost layer is the stabilizing substrate. It has a protective function against board deformation, and sometimes provides sound insulation.
The main part or load-bearing layer. It is this element of the laminate that consists of a heavy-duty wood fiber platform. This layer performs the most important functions: fastening, noise and heat insulation.
Decorative. This layer, visible to the eye, performs an aesthetic function.
A layer of melamine or acrylic resin. This is the topmost element. Its functions are to protect the laminate from destruction and impact. What is the service life of this material? Let's figure out what it depends on.

Classes wear resistance

The division of laminate into wear resistance classes is quite arbitrary, since in different countries these categories correspond to completely different indicators. However, it is from the correctness of the chosen class laminate board will depend on the service life of the coating.

Main classes laminate according to EN13329 (European scale):

31 or AC3 – laminate coating for applicationat home;
32 or AC4 - for home with increased load or commercial premises with low load;
33 or AC5-AC6 - durable coating for commercial premises with increased load levels;
34 – laminate coating for industrial or sports complexes. A very durable coating, but this class is not officially registered.

The wear resistance index of laminate on the AC scale or the so-called “laminate revolutions” is determined by a special Taber test. Its essence is that the abrasive head rotates on the surface of the laminate, thereby deforming it. But the result for the same type of laminate coating may be different, depending on the grain size of the abrasive head.

Estimated service life of laminate:

AC3 – from 3 years;
AC4 – from 5 years;
AC5-AC6 – from 6 years.

With proper care and correctly calculated load, these periods can be safely multiplied by 2-3 times. For example, AC5-AC6 laminate laid at home under light loads will last almost forever. The only disadvantage when choosing this category will be its cost.

In addition to wear resistance, you need to make sure that the selected laminate will have all the moisture-resistant characteristics for a particular room.

Good to know: The country of manufacture and manufacturer play an important role in the service life of the laminate.

Before purchasing coverage, you should inquire about the supplier’s reputation and consumer reviews. This will help save time and money.

By giving preference to German or Swedish production, you can count on 10-15 years of coating service, with a stated warranty of 5 years. If you choose Polish or French laminate, the service life will be about 5-7 years with a 5-year warranty.

Categories of guarantees

Categories of guarantees from manufacturers for laminate flooring:

in terms of wear resistance (how many years you can expect no abrasions on the surface);
exposure to sunlight (how long will the pattern on the surface of the laminate last without changing its color);
chemical and thermal effects (the period for which its strength is designed).

Things to remember: warranty periods operation laminate boards are calculated in accordance with its correct installation and subject to all technological nuances declared by the manufacturer.

Laminate flooring must be laid only on a previously prepared and leveled base. The maximum permissible difference is 2 linear meters laminate board is 1 mm.

Over time, at the joints of the laminate board plates, abrasions will be noticeable, small cracks may appear and the fastening locks will wear out.

Please note: The laminate becomes noticeably less resistant to deformation over time - this means that 5-7 years after its installation under the same loads it will deteriorate much faster.

The period is noticeably reduced operation laminate boards under regular impact loads (heels, hard soles, sharp corners of various objects).

Watch the video in which experts advise which is better to lay laminate flooring at home:

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