What is laminated flooring

Since the 90s of the last century, laminate flooring has become widespread, in the common people simply referred to as a laminate. Its popularity is due to its comparative cheapness, ease of installation and unpretentiousness. It has become a good substitute for linoleum, natural parquet floors, carpets and wooden floors. The main material for the laminate is pressed paper, or woodworking waste, and synthetic resins. Externally, the pattern on the surface of the parquet accurately enough imitates the texture of valuable wood species.

Laminated flooring is made in several layers, usually four:

  • The top layer plays the role of a protective coating and is made from melamine with the addition of rosin, antiseptics and paraffin. Depending on the strength category the product belongs to, additives in the resin may contain corundum or aluminum powder. This composition gives the flooring strength and abrasion resistance.
  • A decorative layer consisting of a thin paper sheet with a quality image of the wood texture applied to it or some other picture, for example, imitation of marble or granite. Laminate of good quality, in addition to mechanical strength, is also resistant to ultraviolet radiation and chemical compositions.
  • Base - a layer of pressed paper or wood processing waste impregnated with synthetic resins. Due to this layer, the product acquires volume, since it is the thickest. The base has mechanical strength, but without the upper protective layer is unstable to moisture and environmental influences. A joint lock for joining panels is carried out in this layer. When choosing parquet, you should pay attention to what the base is made of - pressed cardboard is less resistant to mechanical damage and moisture than woodworking waste.
  • The stabilizing layer is a moisture-resistant elastic substrate designed to soundproof and prevent moisture from entering the laminate from the concrete floor, especially on the ground floors. It also performs depreciation functions, mitigating the mechanical impact on the parquet during its operation.

Coating advantages

This type of material has proven itself, and has the following advantages:

  1. It has a relatively good abrasion and scratch resistance. When compared with pine lacquered floors, scratching a laminate or making a dent on it is more difficult than on a pine board.
  2. Resistance to ultraviolet radiation and household chemicals - even relatively caustic compounds, including alcohol or solvent, will not “eat” the coating.
  3. Resistance to temperature changes, as well as to ignition due to the use of synthetic resins in the composition of the material.
  4. The relative environmental friendliness of the product, since about 80% of the composition of the base of the panel is wood or pressed cardboard.
  5. Low, in comparison with analogues from pure wood or ceramic tiles, the cost of the laminate.
  6. Unpretentiousness and lack of need for special leaving.
  7. Ease of installation and replacement of worn-out panels.
  8. A wide selection of different decorative textures and laminate brands.

What are the cons

Any medal has two sides. There are also disadvantages to this type of material:

  • In case of serious flooding of the floor, no substrates will save the panel from deformation.
  • The inability to cycle, grind and varnish scratched panels - in fact, they cannot be restored.
  • Weak heat and sound insulating properties.

Summary: to summarize, we can say - with all the advantages of the material, it is an imitation, and not a replacement for real wood, or stone. In quality, it cannot compete with the original, and the use of the laminate is justified by its low cost, ease of installation and replacement.

Watch the video: Laminate vs Vinyl Flooring (March 2024).

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