The Choice And Laying Laminate

Trim a laminate floor is no longer considered a sign of luxury, it is a reasonable solution to make their homes more comfortable. Laminate flooring has ceased to be a novelty but its popularity is not lost, but is steadily increasing due to safety, practicality, aesthetics and low cost (especially in comparison with natural materials). 

Structurally, the laminate can be compared to a layer cake, as it is a multi-layer coating, where each layer performs its specific functions:

1. Laminated Bottom protects the Board from mechanical damage and adds rigidity to the entire structure.
2. Carries (mid or basic) perform basic functions: acoustic insulation, resistance to changing temperature regimes, strength.
3. The Decorative layer is responsible for the appearance. It is applied to drawing, simulating various natural or artificial materials.
4. Protective layer largely depends on the quality of the product. It protects from stress and mechanical damage. In the latest developments in the protective layer also began to carry the picture. 

For laminate floors need special care. It is important to keep it dry and in contact with the surface of the moisture it should be removed by wiping the slats with a dry cloth. Otherwise, deformation of the product (if it is not moisture-proof laminate).

How to choose a laminate: a classification depending on the intended use of the premises

Rated after testing the class means for the laminate, in which group areas, it is recommended to rationally use the cover – commercial or domestic. When Choosing laminate on the classification need to pay close attention. 

1. Laminate 31 class. The floor covering in this class used in commercial premises where there is a large flow of people (for example, in small firms and offices). In home group limited in application no.
2. 32 class. The installation of the laminate of this class is also used in both groups. It is designed for average load and – in the home and commercial with a small percentage of people.
3. 33 class. Can withstand heavy loads. Used in areas with heavy traffic (such as conference rooms and museums).
4. 23 class. Heavy loads does not stand up. A limited lifespan. Used only in home group rooms.

Not so long ago in the sale you can meet a laminate 21 and 22 of the class of so-called household. But over time, it was withdrawn from production due to the short term eksplatatsii.

To assess the quality of selected products when choosing laminated boards are of a particular class, you must pay attention to the guaranteed lifetime. The manufacturer specifies how long the coating in certain conditions.

Laying laminate flooring: step by step instructions

Tools and materials

If the choice is made and meets the requirements of laminate is acquired, it is possible to prepare and tools needed:

1. Roulette – for the measurement of the lamellae and areas of the premises in which it is planned to replace the flooring.
2. Pencil or chalk – need to fix the size and make the layout.
3. Jigsaw & nbsp; – require, if necessary, cut the slats.
4. Wedges – used to fix the gap along the wall.
5. Hammer and rubber block – with their help it is quilting laminate for proper fit in the grooves.

After the delivery of the laminate from the store requires its adaptation in the conditions of the room where the coating is to be laid. For a few days until the laminated Board get used to the room humidity, it is possible to prepare the area of coverage.

How to prepare the surface before starting work

For maintenance of colonized space, you must:

1. Fully clear the room of furniture and household utensils.
2. Get Rid of the old flooring.
3. Check the condition of the floor on the subject of horizontal flatness and to produce work that addresses all the shortcomings of the surface (to align it). On the concrete floor doing the screed, if the coating is wood-stacked plywood.
4. Smooth surface will always be flaws in the form of grooves, holes or cracks. They also need to get rid of. Concrete coating is processed with a solution, hardwood rectified by driving wedges or replacement of worn boards.

Before laying the laminate floor surface is covered with a special substrate.

In the new house at the start of work from scratch:

1. Pour the screed. It is desirable that it was done by professionals since the process requires special skills and knowledge.
2. The Surface should level and dry before complete solidification of the treated areas.
3. Cover with plastic wrap – it will serve as a waterproofing.

On the finished subfloor substrate stack.

Methods of laying laminate

The installation of the laminate is feasible, one of two techniques: floating and glue.

1). Locking (glueless) installation.

First, choose a styling direction – along the sunlight falling from the window. The slats cut out in accordance with the size of the room. Laying is carried out from the far left corner. If after cutting there are not a whole element of the slats, it is possible to begin to "illiquid" of the piece didn't ruin the whole cover. 
cylinder and wedge lockthe clearance from the side walls-it should be one centimeter.
For high-quality laying of laminated Board chisel with a rubber mallet or a block (not allowing attacks on the castle connection). The panel is inserted into the groove at an angle of twenty degrees. The competent docked joints, without cracks – the main condition for high-quality coating. Moving on the floor when laying laminate flooring a locking means is allowed immediately after completion of the work.

2). Adhesive mounting.

This installation method is considered better, as the service life of floor coverings mounted by this technology, much longer. Special waterproof glue is applied to the ends of the panels. The instructions on the adhesive amount can always be found on the packaging laminate. The movement after the installation is permitted only after complete drying of the glue (it is given not less than 24 hours).

Laying laminate flooring in the premises for different purposes has its own advantages and disadvantages, so the decision is always individual and is adopted as a production Manager or landlord. Advice on the care and Assembly get to the place of purchase laminate.