Which laminate is better choice of locks. Types of laminate locks: which one is better? lock system t lock what

Laminate is one of the most popular and sought-after floor coverings of our time. And this is not surprising, because its use allows you to give the room a completely different look in a short period of time. Today, there are a large number of manufacturers who make it in different colors, styles, textures, and more. Laminate is famous for being very easy to assemble. Gone are the days when everything was glued together. Now there is glueless technology. Special locks are used in the laminate. It is noteworthy that there is a wide variety of them. In this article, we will introduce you to all existing types of laminate locks. We will compare them with each other and discuss which one is better.

Why do we need different types of locks

Someone may object, but why, in fact, complicate everything and come up with a large number of castle connections? On the one hand, it may seem that it is best to rivet everything according to the standard, and then the installers will not have to bother at all. However, as practice shows, it is during installation that it often becomes necessary to have different laminate lock systems.

Already now we can safely say that some types of laminate locks are clearly outdated. They are used by the manufacturer only for the reason that he has old equipment. Some laminate locks are considered the most popular and in demand. Others belong exclusively to one of the many companies, that is, they have patented their development on the laminate lock, and no one can copy them.

So, if you look at the modern market, then you can find the following types of laminate locks:

1. Lock is the simplest of all.
2. Click - this type of laminate lock is the most common.
3. Tarkett T-Lock - this type of lock for laminate and is just the same patented.
4. 5G - this system uses a metal or plastic fixation piece.
5. Megalock - this type of laminate lock is distinguished by the presence of an end joint zone on the tongues.
6. Click Express - in terms of prevalence, it can be compared with another Click system.
7. Unicklick - this laminate lock is different in that the coating can be assembled and disassembled at least four times.

Among other things, there are locking systems with aluminum, plastic and other elements. More about all this, we will present to you in this article. However, now we will give an answer to the question, why so many varieties of castle systems. For example, locking systems with an aluminum system are designed for loads up to 1.2 tons per square meter. Plus, after installation, a seamless effect is created.

But what if you need to dismantle the floors, for example, you live in a house where flooding often occurs. And if you disassemble the laminate in time, it will not be damaged. There may be other cases. So, you can choose a system that allows you to disassemble the laminate.

Moreover, the presence of one or another lock for laminate also indicates the cost of the product. For example, the Lock system is predominantly characteristic of a budget laminate. Plus, some locks can create an original picture on the floor during installation, whether it is a beautiful seam or a complete lack of a seam. So, now we propose to directly start comparing and studying different locks for laminate.

Lock system locks

This type of laminate lock is created by milling the lock part. The thickness of the locking element is equal to the thickness of the MDF board. So, on one side of the laminate panel there is a special groove, and on the opposite side there is a spike. A latch is built into them, which holds the laminate together in the process of walking on it. This laminate lock system has the following advantages:

• Although difficult, it is possible to disassemble the laminate in order to re-lay it or replace individual strips. But without damage to the castle can not do.
• Relatively simple design, which is located directly on the panel itself.
• Laminate with this type of castle has a relatively low cost, which significantly affects the family budget.

For the sake of objectivity, we note the cons. If excessive load is applied to the floors, then friction will form at the joints. For this reason, the latches in the groove will begin to wear out, as a result, the connection will become fragile. This is one of the reasons why gaps often appear between the planks.

Click system locks

Unlike the laminate lock system described above, Click has more advantages. The assembly process of the laminate is carried out at an angle of 45 degrees. And at the same time, you should not make a titanic effort. If the previous lock can be damaged during installation, then these are not. Moreover, the docking is very tight and reliable. As a result, such a connection will cope with high loads.

Important! A number of well-known and expensive manufacturers produce such a laminate, where after installation by the Click system, the joints of the lamella joints are absolutely not visible. Of course, such laminate locks create a beautiful effect.

There are a number of positive aspects of this system:

• Double mount at 45 degree angle.
• After the installation is completed, the flooring has sufficient strength.
• During operation, the risk of deformation is practically reduced to zero.
• If you have certain skills, you can disassemble up to six times.
• Even a non-professional in this field can handle the installation process.
• No special building material is required for installation.
• According to the information provided by the manufacturers, a floor difference along the plane of up to 3 mm per square meter is allowed.
• During installation, it is impossible to damage the laminate.

What is better Click or Lock?

So, having considered the main features of these two systems, let's compare them with each other and immediately determine which laminate locks are better. If we talk about Lock, then this lock connection has proven itself positively for many years. This castle is considered the most affordable and inexpensive. After all, the lock is formed by milling directly on the lamella itself. For installation, you need to make a lot of physical effort, as a mallet / hammer and a wooden stand are used. Otherwise, the connection will not be fixed.

Important! This installation method requires special skills of the master, since if you make a little more effort, the laminate lock can be damaged. Often there were cases when the master missed the hammer and fell right into the thorn. The consequences are not the most encouraging.

Click, on the other hand, is a more modern laminate locking system. It completely lacks the shortcomings described above. The process of making a groove occurs in the same way, by milling. But as for the shape of the spike, it looks like a flat hook. The groove, in turn, has a kind of platform where this spike enters. As practice shows, the assembly process is very fast. It is necessary to bring the bar to the groove at an angle of 45 degrees. Insert the groove into the spike. And with a smooth movement, simultaneously pressing and lowering, a strong connection is formed. As a result, you can hear a characteristic click.

So, from this description and comparison, it becomes obvious which of these two laminate lock systems is better. Although you will have to overpay for the latter, the end result will be much more effective.

Lock systems

Lock with plastic plate

After a while, the manufacturers decided to improve the lamella docking system and added plastic to the laminate locks. This technology has characteristic differences and is divided into two features:

1. Springy. The main difference is that you can literally snap it in one motion. This plate has an important advantage - the speed of installation work. However, there are often clear barriers to quick installation. This is explained by the fact that the floors are always even. As a result, the lamella begins to succumb to deformation, which leads to difficulties.
2. Rigid. The snap-in design is the same, but the panels must be inserted in a longitudinal motion to connect. All this greatly complicates and delays the installation process. Apparently, this lock system is able to withstand a large load, there is no exact information.

But it is important to understand that plastic is used as a connection. And this material tends to break at the most inopportune moment and in the most inopportune place. Therefore, this type of lock for lamianat is not very popular.

Click with aluminum plate

This method of joining the laminate has its own distinctive features and now we will present them to you:

• Easy installation of the cover.
• Due to the presence of aluminum in the grooves, a very strong connection is formed that can cope with high loads.
• This type of docking is able to survive 6 cycles of installation and dismantling of the coating for various reasons.
• Possibility to create an airtight coating. So moisture will definitely not get under the laminate.
• It is possible to carry out installation on a completely different surface, for example, a concrete screed, a wooden floor, and so on.

Important! According to the manufacturer, this coating is able to cope with a load of 850 to 1200 kg per square meter.

Tarkett T-Lock

As already mentioned, this is a lock patented by the manufacturer, developed using a special technology. This docking method can be safely attributed to the most progressive. Locks have relatively wide special elements, which, when approached, are joined without distortions and deformations. In this case, a large angle of inclination should not be given.

When docking, a characteristic click is heard, indicating reliability and complete fixation. Without deforming the lock, the laminate can be disassembled and reassembled up to four times. An important advantage is that this coating is convenient when laying in rooms with cramped dimensions.

5G

When using this technology, the docking process occurs not only from the longitudinal side of the lamella, but also from short end sections. At the same time, there are no difficulties during installation work. The slats snap on very easily. But there is one significant drawback here. In such systems, there is always a plastic or aluminum fixing tongue. If during installation it is accidentally damaged, then it can no longer be repaired, as a result, the laminate board will automatically become unusable.

Megalock

In this case, docking is carried out not only on the long side, but also on the short side. The principle of connection is reduced to the use of tongue and groove technology. Due to this, the coating became possible to repair if necessary. Moreover, it can be disassembled and reassembled several times without the risk of damage to the coating.

Important! The Megalock lock system allows you to achieve complete insulation against moisture penetration. That is why these locks are used in combination with moisture resistant products.

Systems from other manufacturers

So, we have discussed with you the most common technologies that are most often found on the domestic market. Now let's pay attention to the lock systems that are patented by different manufacturers.

1. Uniclic. Laminate with uni click locks has an original latching system. Docking takes place according to the tenon-groove method, but without any additional tool. The result of joining the laminate with uni click locks is the complete absence of cracks, the divergence of the panels after a while, the absence of a visible seam.
2. ProLock and SmartLock. As for ProLoc, this locking system has found its application in rooms where laminate is being installed over a large area. Also in those places where there will be a serious load on the coating. The laying method has no problems, everything is simple. If there is high humidity in the room, then preference is given to the SafeSeal system. If we talk about SmartLock, then its joints are treated with a special moisture-proof impregnation. During installation, it is important to observe the correct angle in this case, no special problems should arise.
3. Pro click. The installation process of the laminate is carried out according to one geometry. Additionally, it is recommended to use special sealants to improve the docking properties. Even under surface tension conditions, Pro Click will not produce cracks or other defects.
4. ClickXpress, DropXpress and PressXpress. All these locks are inherent in one manufacturer - Balterio. Each of them has its own characteristics. Click Xpress allows you to achieve the effect of a seamless coating. Disassembly is allowed. DropXpress is U-shaped and resembles a 5G system. As for PressXpress, docking is done by pressing. No visible seams.
5. classen. This type of laminate lock is a representative of a German manufacturer. We can safely say that this is one of the most reliable and strong locks. The connection process is accompanied by a tongue and groove.
6. Witex. According to the manufacturer, this lock has a tensile strength of up to 1100 Nm / p.m. As a result, it is characterized as reliable and durable. However, there is an important difference and it boils down to the fact that the joint is treated with paraffin.

Conclusion

So, here we have considered all the important features and varieties of laminate locks. As you can see, they all have a variety of types and specifications. We hope that this material has given you a lot of useful food for thought. After reading this article and watching the video at the end of the article, you can arm yourself with the necessary knowledge and boldly go to the store. This will ensure that you make a quality purchase.

Laminate is one of the most popular floor coverings and it is not without reason that many prefer it when doing an apartment renovation with their own hands, since this material can be laid on its own, which minimizes the cost of repairs in general. Today we will look at such a process as with a Double clic lock, since such products are manufactured under the Kronostar brand and are quite popular in the repair of premises.

Styling tool

To carry out the work, you will need a hand saw or a jigsaw, a drill or a puncher for mounting the plinth, a tape measure, a puncher and a pencil, so prepare the tool and put it in a conspicuous place so that you don’t waste time looking for it during the work. In order to save money, you can choose a household-class electric jigsaw, because it is not burdensome for the repair budget and will completely cope with the task of cutting the flooring. Modern double clic laminate lock makes work much easier and does not require a lot of tools, however, this does not mean that the process can be approached “slipshod”, so do not lose concentration when working and mistakes will pass you by.

The floor must be level. If there are significant irregularities, then we level the floor along the guide beacons, otherwise the creak of the coating and cracks are guaranteed.

Coating laying

If the installation of the coating will be carried out on a concrete floor base, then it is necessary first of all to provide further hydro- and vapor barrier and spread an insulating film. Do not confuse it with a standard underlay - it rolls out on top of the insulation and ensures the normal operation of the floor covering (does not allow the appearance of laminate creaking, etc.).

Next, the process of self-laying the laminate begins and the first row of the coating is assembled, in which the elements are connected using end locks at an angle of 45 degrees, after which they snap into place. At the same time, do not forget that laying laminate requires a technical indent from the wall of 10 - 20 mm, which will subsequently be closed with a floor plinth - see the video below.

Video

After that, you can proceed to assemble the second row in a similar way, taking into account the fact that the last sheet of the cut cover of the first row becomes the first in the second row, and you must continue to do the same, starting a new row from the remainder of the previous one. After the second row is fully assembled, it is inserted at an angle into the technical gap of the first and also snaps into place with the Double clic lock. Thus, you have a solid surface, well balanced in color and reliable in operation.

It remains only to install the floor plinth and you can enjoy the beautiful interiors in the room, which was achieved by both modern material and its high-quality independent installation, for which, in principle, it did not take much time, but after the work done, the interior design became much more graceful.

The suitability of the floor covering for use in the target room depends on the correct choice of laminate locks. Panel joints are both a strong and weak side of this type of floor, and therefore you need to take this nuance responsibly. When choosing a floor covering, you will inevitably have to find out what kind of locks a laminate has. After studying them, many inexperienced people are perplexed: why such a large number is needed, if one can be used, but the most convenient one. From this comes the question “Which laminate lock is better than the rest?” Let's figure it out.

Some types of laminate locks have been patented by individual manufacturing companies. Among the variety, one can single out the most popular castle connections, as well as several outdated ones. There are also modern connection systems, before the use of which a special molding of the panels is performed. If you plan to use a laminate with a lock for a long time, it would be wise to provide for the possibility of dismantling.

The lock determines the quality of the flooring. It is from this component that the degree of evenness of the surface, the gap between the lamellae, the absence of creaking and minimizing the likelihood of divergence of seams over time depends. In addition, the durability of the entire structure depends on the quality of the manufacture of the interlocks and the laminate itself and compliance with the assembly technology. In order to properly lay the coating and avoid problems in the future, it is necessary to have an idea about the types of lamella coupling.

Types of laminate locks

The classification of castles begins with their division into main subspecies. Many people who are just planning to install this flooring do not know what laminate lock systems are, and therefore manufacturers like to invent their own lock schemes, and then advertise them as the most reliable on the market. All used laminate locks can be divided into two large groups: lock and click.

The most popular laminate locks

These two types of locks differ from each other in the way the panels are joined.

lock

Laminate lock systems are reputed to be the most economical option and have been used for a long time. The production of these joints is done by milling: the connecting element looks like a tongue equipped with a tongue that fits into a groove on the other side of the panel.

Today, lock is an outdated laminate lock, used only by companies that have old production lines at their disposal. It is difficult to disassemble it without damaging the protruding edges of the lock components, which, among other things, are erased over time from constant stress and friction. If you do not close the gaps with a sealing compound (glue or mastic) during installation, then even a small amount of water can ruin the floor.

Before latching a laminate with a lock, you need to make sure that the surface underneath is of good quality. Laying on an uneven floor may increase the gaps between the panels. Assembly is carried out by hammering the spike into the groove with a wooden hammer until the gap between the panels disappears. It is allowed to use an ordinary metal hammer, but then you need a wooden block or a piece of hard rubber.

Experienced specialists who have already laminated many apartments speak of the need for constant monitoring of joints during installation and the overall laboriousness of assembling these locking systems. With external simplicity and reliability, lock-locks have one main drawback: they are non-separable and wear out at the location of the fixing ridge, which causes gaps between the panels. This indicates the unsuitability of these interlocks for long-term operation.

Castle Click

Most modern laminate collections have click-locks, which are considered more modern and do not have the disadvantages of lock-locks. They are made in the same way, however, the closing spike has the shape of a flat hook, and in the grooves there are platforms for its entry. This design allows you to disassemble the floor up to 3-4 times and securely holds the panels, preventing the appearance of cracks even with heavy loads on the locking mechanism.

Click-click laminate is practical and versatile, as it implies the possibility of repeated disassembly. It is also called "just click". At its core, it is a modernized version of the lock-lock. Since the grooves follow the shape of the fixing hooks, the click-lock laminate can be assembled even by a non-professional - it is enough to follow the assembly technology to avoid damage and divergence of the panels.

Before assembling a laminate with a click lock, you need to understand the mechanics of the action. During installation, the panel is inserted into the groove at an angle of 45 degrees, after which the panel should be moved to a horizontal position with swinging movements. When the closing elements are coupled, a click is heard, thanks to which this locking mechanism got its name.

In addition to those described above, there are other types of laminate locks on the market:

• uniclic;
• aluminum locks;
• megaloc;
• t-lock.

UniClic lock

The uniclic laminate lock differs from others in its special profiles of tongues and grooves. You can assemble it both by knocking it down, and by simply snapping it at an angle. Thanks to the lower wedge-shaped edge of the groove, the load is distributed evenly throughout the structure. All lock components are made from the same material as the panels. This approach to manufacturing avoids deformation of the panels during installation.

Opinions differ on how to properly latch uniclic locks. Practice shows that installation at an angle is optimal. By docking the panels in this way, you can do without a special tool, and also make installation faster. It is necessary to fix the short sides of the lamella first, and only then the long ones. To lay the last row, as well as to assemble in a hard-to-reach place, you need to have a hammer and a wooden lining.

This lock was invented and patented by the manufacturer Quick Step. Other manufacturers of a similar type of lock may be called differently. For example TwinClick, ProLock or SmartLock. However, the general principle of installing and fixing the panels remains the same.

Laminate, equipped with metal locks, is rightfully the most reliable. The coupling mechanism can withstand loads up to 1200 kilograms per square meter. Laminate with aluminum locks can be laid without thresholds and disassembled up to 5 times without any damage or abrasion of the protrusions in the grooves and on the studs. Also, laminate with aluminum locks does not deform over time and is distinguished by the smallest gaps between the panels. An additional aluminum plate increases the strength of the connection and increases protection against moisture ingress under the coating. Such a lock is used in its products by the Norwegian manufacturer Alloc, giving a lifetime guarantee with proper laying of the laminate.

lock 5g

The design of this coupling mechanism includes an iron or plastic insert - tongue. This element ensures the tightness of the joints in the 5g laminate and the reliability of fixing the panels to each other. Like many other lock systems, the 5G lock snaps into place by inserting a panel vertically. When fixing, the insert is removed, after which a click is heard, notifying that the tongue has taken the right place and the panel is fixed. This lock allows you to simultaneously connect panels on the long and short sides with a simple push from above.

This type of connection has another name - 2-Lock, which is found in the manufacturer Tarkett.

Megaloc lock

This system is developed by Classen based on the 5g lock. Reliability of fixation is achieved through the use of a special insert at the end of the laminate. When connected, the insert bends and then snaps into place with a characteristic click, fixing the panel. The megaloc laminate lock implies assembly from the front side. Upon completion of the assembly, the second strip is attached to the first strip with an offset. If we compare the assembly time with other types of locks, then megaloc is mounted as quickly as possible. It is possible to dismantle and reinstall the cover with these locks up to 4 times.

A distinctive feature is the best tightness of the finished coating. Another advantage of this type of locks is that there is no need to use any tool when laying.

T-lock

Created by Tarkett based on the positive aspects of the lock and click locking systems. Today, this type of connection can be found in the assortment of dozens of companies. The T-lock can be disassembled four times without damaging the components. The panels are connected at a very small angle and guarantee the strength of contact without distortion of the lamellas and excessively large gaps. The disadvantage of the lock is the visibility of the joints, especially in dark colors. Subsequently, the design of the castle was improved: the lower part of the castle became more concave, and at the junction, the side with the decorative layer became more massive. This is how the TC-Lock was born.

Which castle is better?

A good locking system is the key to a long service life of a laminate floor. When choosing, you should know in advance the conditions in which it will be operated. There are many opinions, but which locks are better - only practice always shows, because each type of connection has its own advantages that others do not have. Recently there is a laminate with wax-impregnated lock systems, developed by Witex.

The presence of wax in the locking mechanism several times increases the protection against moisture getting under the coating. In addition, wax-impregnated laminate locks make the coating more aesthetic due to the visual solidity of the floor. Also, the wax coating simplifies the assembly process and increases the resistance of the locking mechanism to external loads, increasing its durability.

Comparing lock and click locks, one can argue about the technological superiority of the latter. The duration of their service depends on many factors, so the best laminate is the one that has the minimum thickness of the seams and high-strength connecting systems. Which manufacturer is better to choose is everyone's business, but experts are confident in the undisputed leadership of German firms.

Sometimes it happens that the lock on the laminate floor does not latch or spontaneously opens. In this case, it is necessary first of all to determine which of the factors does not correspond to the recommendations for the installation and operation of floors. This will allow you to quickly determine what caused the divergence of the panels and understand what should be done if the lock has opened on the laminate.

conclusions

The choice of locks for a laminate floor is a responsible matter that needs to be given due attention. In case of incorrect selection of locking systems, you can only get disappointed in your decision to change the appearance of the home. To make the right choice, you need to clearly understand whether the laminate will lie for a long time or whether it will need to be dismantled, what loads it will experience and in what conditions it will be used.

We should pay tribute to modern manufacturers, they do not leave buyers to their own devices, indicating on a pack of laminate what locks are used and how the panels should be fastened together.

Which laminate lock is better. All about laminate locks.

With the development of technology, the adhesive laying of the laminate has long gone into oblivion. Replaced by reliable and simple locks, glueless laying of laminate in a floating way rules the ball. Therefore, the question arises, which laminate lock is the best, which laminate manufacturer has the most reliable locks? We'll figure out.

Previously, it was necessary to distinguish between types - Click lock, and Lock lock.

Are locks obsolete?

Yes, and it is unrealistic to meet them in a modern laminate. The reason is banal, this castle connection is outdated morally and technically.

The hammer lock had a number of disadvantages:

• Over time, the connection loosened up, gaps appeared between the lamellas.
• It is simply impossible to disassemble such a laminate without problems.
• Difficulty of installation.
• On uneven grounds, such a laminate did not live for a long time, and manufacturers found a way out.

Click-locks laminate - fast, reliable, high quality.

Unlike the previous connection, Click had a number of advantages.

• Simple installation, which even a non-specialist can handle.
• The laminate can be disassembled and reassembled without any problems without damaging the lamella.
• Reliability - the boards do not diverge even after years of operation.

With the development of new technologies, the emergence of new laminate manufacturers, the castle began to improve. Each brand tried to surprise. Now, almost every manufacturer has its own locking system.

Modern laminate locks.

On the long side of the laminate board, practically nothing has changed. There is a groove and a ridge.

Of course, the side length lock profile will differ from brand to brand. Everyone is trying to make the connection stronger, more reliable. On the short side, there have been significant changes.

I'll explain a little. Laminate installation is divided into two types:

• Row styling.

It's simple - the boards are connected in one line, which is then inserted into another line, snapped into place, and knocked out.

• One board laying.

This installation is made even easier thanks to the 5G snap locks. Installation can be carried out by one person without problems. The first row of your future floor is assembled, then the first board of the second row is mounted, the next lamella is inserted and snapped into place.

Everything is simple and fast. The disadvantages of such a system are that some wide laminate collections diverge at the ends, especially on uneven grounds. In general, this "click" system has proven itself very well, and many brands have improved it.

Very often, installers kill laminate with a banal lack of knowledge. With click-lock laminate on the short side, they lay the floor in rows. Such a mistake leads to disastrous results - the appearance of cracks. Then, everything is written off to the “defective laminate”. To avoid such problems is simple - read the instructions.

Which laminate lock is better.

Comparing laminate locks from different manufacturers, based on experience, we can say with confidence that there are no bad lock connections. The production technology of modern laminated parquet has stepped far ahead. Thanks to new features, every well-known laminate manufacturer develops a strong, reliable connection.

A breakthrough in laminate locks was made by Unilin back in 1997, which introduced the Uniclic glueless system in Quick-Step laminate. It is thanks to the Unilin patents that we can observe the development of the locking system in various laminate manufacturers.

laminate locksEgger.

laminate locksKronotex.

He did not reinvent the wheel, and uses the proven Clic locking system. All collections of the manufacturer are produced with this lock on the short side of the board. The most interesting thing is that Kronotex allows you to glue the laminate to the base, with the exception of underfloor heating.

Quick-Step laminate locks.

It is clear that there will be a Uniclic lock - reliable, proven, simple. Thanks to patented technology, the Uniclic locking system is used on laminate flooring from various manufacturers.

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Laminate floors are currently one of the most popular types of flooring not only in our country, but throughout the world. Laminate manufacturing plants are located in many countries of the world, so in stores you can find a model suitable for a particular room and design without much effort.

Choosing a laminate is not difficult. Certain problems arise during its installation. It cannot be said that laying a laminate equipped with a locking system is extremely difficult, but for this you need to know some of the nuances and features of the work.

It is worth noting that it is better not to lay a laminate without locks, which must be glued to a rough base using special adhesives, but to invite craftsmen for this work. Adhesive models of laminate floors are gradually becoming a thing of the past, so they are rarely found on the modern market.

Before laying laminate flooring, you need to properly prepare the base. Features of the preparation of the rough surface will depend on what material it is made of:

• Wooden floor (boards). The first step is to make sure that the surface is flat and does not have serious deviations. An acceptable indicator of deviation from the ideal evenness of the floor is considered to be no more than 2.5-3.5 mm per 2 sq.m. surfaces. If there are serious differences in height, it is imperative to level the base. To do this, you can use a unit for grinding a wooden floor (it is not necessary to buy, but take it for a day from companies that rent construction equipment), or use chipboard sheets that are tightly attracted to the base from wood with self-tapping screws and perfectly prepare the surface for mounting the laminate (many experts note that laying laminate on chipboard is the best option). In the event that the floor is frankly old, it is strongly recommended to replace broken and unreliable-looking boards with new ones. This is due to the fact that the service life of the laminate is more than 10-15 years in a residential area (even for models of class 31), therefore, in the future, in order to repair the subfloor, it will be necessary to disassemble the floor covering.

• Concrete floor. In the case of a concrete floor, the first step is to level the surface. If the concrete screed was poured not so long ago, then most likely there will be no irregularities, but in old houses and apartments the concrete base almost always needs to be leveled. The easiest leveling option in this case is to use special self-leveling compounds (the so-called "self-leveling screed ), which are presented in a variety of hardware stores. Other leveling methods, in principle, can not be considered (unless you make a screed in the traditional way, if there is excess cement).

Additional work

1. Before carrying out any work, it is recommended to keep the purchased laminate panels that are planned to be laid in the room in which the installation will take place. This is necessary in order for the panels to acclimatize, “get used” to the room, and gain the necessary humidity.
2. After all the preparation and leveling of the base are completed, it will be correct to additionally lay a waterproofing layer that will protect the laminate from moisture penetration from the side of the subfloor. To do this, you can use a regular plastic film. The laying of the film must be carried out perpendicular to the planned direction of installation of the laminate panels. The film is laid with an overlap of about 15-20 cm.
3. In addition, you need to decide in advance on the direction of installation of the laminate. In situations where the windows in the room are located only on one wall, the installation of the laminate must be carried out in the direction of the light. When laying the laminate perpendicularly, it will turn out that at the entrance to the room the joints between the boards will be very clearly visible, which will worsen the appearance of the floor covering.
4. During the installation of a laminated floor, it is impossible to allow any debris to remain under the laid panels - all waste and broken parts of the laminate must be promptly removed, preventing them from penetrating under the installed floor. If something remains under the laminate, this can lead to some floor defects in the future.

Modern laminate is equipped with a locking system, and locks can be of only two types (although there are many varieties): Lock and Click. Click locks are more technologically advanced and are usually called double locks. The main advantage of such a locking system is a high level of reliability of connecting the panels to each other, as well as the minimum likelihood of damage to the laminate boards during installation. The Lock system is considered easier to install. Besides, Laminate models with Lock locks are usually cheaper. At the same time, the level of reliability of the connection of the boards will be slightly less, in contrast to the cases with Click locks..

Laminate installation with click locks

Installing a laminate with the Click system does not cause great difficulties. First of all, you need to measure the dimensions of the room with a tape measure to determine the width of the boards against the wall. The laminate installation scheme provides that the panels that will be located near the walls should be approximately the same width, although small differences in width are allowed.

Installation of laminated boards should be started from the far left corner of the room. It will be correct to focus on the light coming from the window, as mentioned above. Before starting work, you need to lay small wedges no more than 1 cm thick along each of the 4 walls (you can buy them in a store or do it yourself). The presence of these wedges will provide a technological clearance, which is required during the operation of the laminate. Wedges are removed immediately after all installation work is completed.

The initial panel is installed in the far corner of the room. Further, the second one must be inserted into the end part of the installed laminated panel. Installation should be carried out at an angle of about 30 degrees, which will allow the boards to snap into place with each other (there will be a characteristic click - “click”). It continues in the same way until we reach the opposite wall.

The assembly of the following rows must be carried out in a checkerboard pattern. In other words, the formed joint between the panels of the top row must be displaced by about half the length of the panel of the next row. Installing laminated boards in this way will ensure even distribution of the load. With direct laying, the load will be concentrated in certain areas of the floor.

Laminate of the 2nd row does not need to be fastened to the boards of the first row. First, the second row is assembled separately, after which it must be attached to the previous one. It is difficult to do this alone, so you will need the help of a partner. To connect the rows to each other, it is necessary to join them together at the same angle as the lamellas. The assembly of subsequent rows is carried out according to the same scheme - we form a finished row and join it with the previous one. In the case of Click locks, you cannot use a mallet or block to fit the slats.

Of course, you can choose other laying methods - for example, diagonally or herringbone. When choosing these installation methods, the work will be somewhat more difficult. In addition, the consumption of laminate will increase (by about 10-15%). Sawn panels and leftovers can be used at the beginning and end of the row, reducing waste.

Laminate installation with locks

Planks equipped with the Lock locking system do not cause difficulties during installation. Before starting work, you need to prepare a bar, mallet or rubberized hammer. The connection of laminated panels of this type is carried out using the familiar tongue and groove system. In other words, the spike of one board must fit into the groove of the second, which will ensure the connection of the lamellas.

Before laying, you must also estimate the width of the lamellas for the last row. In cases where the width is too small and visually unattractive, it is recommended to cut the lamellas in both the initial and last row, making them approximately the same in width. It is also necessary to install wedges to provide a technological gap.

Laying boards is also carried out from the far left corner of the room. We take the first laminated board, put it in the corner of the room, attach the next board to the end part, insert it into the groove. There will be no click here, but to ensure that the boards are connected to each other as tightly as possible, it is necessary to hammer the boards with a little effort after they are inserted into each other. The assembly of the row is carried out according to the same scheme.

Here it is also necessary to ensure the staggered order of mounting the panels, ensuring the distance between the joints of the laminated boards is at least 35-40 cm to distribute the load.

Laying the second row is carried out as follows: a board is taken, brought to the first row, inserted into the panel, knocked out with a hammer. When connecting the second board of the second row with the first row, you should retreat slightly from the first board of the second row (approximately 20-30 mm). First we connect it with the boards of the first row, and then lightly beat it with a hammer to the first board of the second row.