2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 22:24
- Get to know a little about the history of the origin of the laminate
- Laminated board composition
- Laminate coating classes
- Varieties of connections
- Now about the disadvantages
- What is a substrate
Let's see what a laminate is, what it consists of and where is it used? The simple answer to the question is that laminate is a modern floor covering with high wear resistance and a variety of shapes and colors.
High temperature pressure molded particle board impregnated with melamine resin is called laminate.
The amount of resin and technological parameters determine the strength of the coating and the operation of the material as a whole.
Imagine, in our time, repairing a floor without a laminate is simply not realistic! In this little storytelling, everyone who takes on the renovation will learn a lot about laminate flooring. There are many laminate manufacturers
Get to know a little about the history of the origin of the laminate
The ancestor of such a popular coating appeared in Sweden in the late seventies and last century. It was developed by the famous company * Pergo *, then part of the Pestorp group. Of course, the first laminate flooring differed from the contemporary in structure and quality.
In those years, there were various experiments to improve the finishing floor. A coating consisting of the thinnest resinous layer obtained by pressing was successful. But its production was very expensive and not profitable. Consequently, the coating was not destined to take root. His time did not come then.
After ten years, a certain company "Horniteks" launches a new technological process for the production of parquet laminate.
A glued phenolic resin film is placed in the middle of the wood-based panels. The next step is to apply a decorative print, also impregnated with resins. The top is sealed with a foil made of mineral substances. The bottom is covered with paper called - Kraft, impregnated with phenol.
It was practically the modern laminate that is on the market today.
Laminated board composition
Melamine foil is the very surface of the board that is called laminated. Its purpose is to protect the entire surface of the board from cracking, water, sunlight and dirt. Under the foil there is a veneer with a different print. The drawing often imitates sections of a tree, stone, any print is also possible.
The next layer, the basis of the entire panel, is particle board. Its goal is to provide the physical strength of the entire structure.
Technologists add various chemicals and materials between the base and the drawing. The quality, durability and price category of the laminate will depend on them. These additives are paper-based with various resin impregnations.
The bottom of the board is impregnated with a water-repellent resin solution. It serves as a stabilizer, gives rigidity to the structure. With so many layers, the laminated panel is only six millimeters thick. The thickest is twelve millimeters.
Laminate coating classes
There are four main EN13329 class laminates on the market today:
• 21 - 23 - household (not released, obsolete);
• 31 (ASZ) 1 - household;
• 32 (AC4) - for use in domestic conditions with increased load, in industrial conditions with low load;
• 33 (AC5 and AC6) - commercial reinforced;
• 34 - special. destination (in industry, sports) - is not officially registered.
Laminate classes are relative concepts.
The Germans, Belgians, Austrians have an indicator of wear resistance - AU. But it only shows the quality of the top coat. Classes 31 to 34 show the strength of the board and the ability to withstand stress. Therefore, there are budget options for laminate, such as: AC-32 class.
This only indicates that the plate is intended for domestic use, but has an increased load on the top layer. Chinese manufacturers use this with success. In view of such a difference in markings in different countries, they successfully write - 33 class, on coatings of lower quality.
Varieties of connections
There are different types of locks for joining laminate boards into a single covering. The main attractive quality of the coating
is the ease of work.
It connects in two ways:
- Click locks (they prevent the boards from breaking during assembly);
- whipped - Lock (mounted more difficult);
- Castle - UniClick.
A huge advantage when choosing a laminate is its convenience and relative cost-effectiveness. But when buying, the main thing is not to forget that cheap coverage is not always good. Therefore, it is worth dwelling on well-known manufacturers who give a product guarantee for up to 20 years.
Of course, the service life of the product will depend not only on the name of the manufacturer, but also on the operating conditions, compliance with the technology during installation. However, the leaders in the production of laminated parquet can be distinguished:
- Al.
- Loc.
- Pergo.
- Tarkett.
Now about the disadvantages
Each product has both strengths and weaknesses. The cover also has it. The following are worth highlighting:
Poor moisture retention.
Laminate - special class copes with water up to several hours, but this causes significant harm to glued wood. There is also the concept of moisture resistance. It should not be confused with water resistance. With moisture resistance, the coating can only be operated with relative humidity in the room. It is recommended to do only light wet cleaning, no more.
Second minus:
echo - hum.
It turns out that the chipboard is a wonderful resonator. Any object falling on its surface will respond with a loud rumble. You can get used to this, but it is better to lay a special noise-insulating substrate under the laminate.
You can also highlight one of the disadvantages:
not natural wood.
Indeed, the coating is not made from natural solid wood. But, it is very high quality. It is an environmentally friendly product, harmless to health, suitable even for children.
What is a substrate
It is a necessary link in laminate flooring technology. The main properties of the substrate are to absorb sound, compensate for linear expansion. Takes up most of the load, reduces friction between the floor and the laminate. Retains moisture, does not allow it to destroy the boards. Steals away the original unevenness on the subfloor. Reduces heat loss from the floor, especially on ground floors and in private houses.
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