IN modern world Laminate flooring is popular. A special system for laying laminated panels, which snaps them together with a lock, allows you to update the floor easily and quickly.
The service life of the flooring directly depends on the quality of the locks and compliance with the technology of laying the panels.
Peculiarities
The technology for locking laminate flooring was developed not so long ago, but has already earned the love and recognition of people involved in repairs. There are several reasons for this:
- Laminate flooring locks make the flooring installation process easier. No additional fasteners or glue are needed for installation. The latching device is already built into the panel.
- If the panel is damaged, you can easily replace the broken part. This increases the service life of the laminate.
- The locking system for fastening laminate panels allows you to lay the most accurate floor covering without protruding or depressed areas.
- The sides have a special shape, which, when clicked, connects the panels without gaps and does not allow moisture to pass through. This reduces the likelihood of mold growing under the flooring.
Options and description
First, let's look at basic types locks:
- Locke locks appeared much earlier than the other type and are considered more budget-friendly. This mechanism works on the “tenon and groove” principle, that is, on one side the laminate board is equipped with a tenon with a comb for fixation, and on the other side it is a groove. Installation of lamellas with Lock system is carried out by driving the tenon into the groove cavity using a wooden mallet or a hammer with a rubber striker until the connection is complete. Unfortunately, during operation, the combs wear out due to the load on the panels, so gaps may form in the floor covering.
- Click locks, which are also used to connect lamellas, are considered more modern and produced taking into account past mistakes. Name Click locks came from a characteristic click, which is usually heard when the panels are closed. The technology for producing panels with a click-lock is similar to the previous type. However, the tenon side is made in the shape of a hook, and the groove is designed in such a way as to catch this hook. Assembling a floor covering with such a fastening system does not require much effort and is done quite quickly. To do this, the panel with the hook side is inserted into the other with the groove at an angle of 45°. After which the panel should be lowered. Then a click will be heard, indicating the entry of the tenon into the groove.
Unlike the lock system, click locks are not afraid of heavy loads and are also easy to disassemble.
In addition to basic locks, many companies, using own technologies, produce laminate flooring with patented locks. Among the existing proprietary developments are:
- Just Click from the Austrian company Egger can be called classic example locks with a click system. The panels close at an angle of 30° to 45° around the entire perimeter; due to the high tenon, tight joints are obtained, which makes the laminate resistant to heavy loads. Some Egger just-click slat models come with a special Silenzio underlay that helps soften the sound of footsteps.
- Uniclic is an achievement of the Quick Step company from Belgium. A special feature is that it can be snapped both at an angle and when attaching and even tamping the slats. This variety is suitable for inexperienced users. Laminate with the Uniclique system is perfect for finishing floors in rooms with non-standard form, various obstacles and hard to reach places– multi-level floor or low-mounted battery.
- ProLoc and SmartLock are developments of the Belgian company Prego. The first type is represented by a fastening system of three components, which increases the resistance of the laminate to heavy loads and allows you to repeatedly disassemble and reassemble the floor covering. The second type refers to more simple systems mounts that are easy to mount at any angle and easily carry loads.
- Another company Berry Alloc manufactures its products in Belgium and Norway, and Norwegian laminate is produced with aluminum locks. The patented names of locking connections from this company come in two types - 4G and 5G-S Aluminum Locking System. These locks successfully combine everything best qualities two main types of locks, and metal system tenon and groove increases the strength of the fastening and makes the installation process faster.
Aluminum locks allow the use of laminate flooring in areas with increased load and high foot traffic. According to the manufacturer, the panels can be disassembled 3 times and reassembled without losing the quality of the floor covering.
- Also found 5G locks with a plastic insert that resembles a tongue. Distinctive feature This type of lock involves assembling the panels in a horizontal position, which allows even a beginner to lay the covering.
- Snap system for laminated panels T-Lock is a development of the Tarkett company. This type of lock allows you to snap a tenon into the groove of another panel at an angle of 45°, not only along the length of the laminate, but also from its end side. This system is distinguished by its reliability and strength of connection. Dual grip laminate can withstand heavy loads and last a long time. During operation, T-Lock does not wear out, does not break or come apart.
- Another popular slat lock ClickXpress equipped with a rounded lower part on the tongue and groove side; there are no plastic parts in the model. The possibility of assembling and disassembling such a coating reaches 4 times.
Which one is better?
For a person who is not involved professionally repair work, it is quite difficult to choose a suitable laminate among the variety of lock joints.
According to most experts, the most practical design Flooring with Click-locks is considered. And although Lock locks are less susceptible to stretching over time and are easier to disassemble when necessary, and the price of such a laminate is more affordable, they are still a more outdated modification. Over time and under heavy loads the connections at the joints wear out, creating gaps between the panels.
The Click system, in turn, guarantees maximum strength of connections during repeated assembly and disassembly without damaging the locking system. Laying such a coating is very simple and quick, even on floors with minor unevenness.
And although you will have to pay more money for such a laminate, the quality of the coating will remain at its best for many years.
How to connect correctly?
The method of laying laminated panels and connecting them to each other depends on the type of laminate. Before laying the slats in any case it is necessary to eliminate differences and unevenness of the floor using a screed, and then lay the underlay.
There are two options for connecting panels when installing laminate. The adhesive method, thanks to a special technology, protects the joints between the panels from moisture penetration. Therefore, the lifespan of the flooring is significantly increased. But this method also has many negative aspects. For example, spending additional money on purchasing a special anhydrous adhesive composition, besides, gluing laminate is always more difficult and takes longer. Warm floors are absolutely incompatible with glue method laying laminate.
In order to lay laminate flooring in this way, you need to apply glue to the groove part of the panel and insert a tenon into it. Then, using a hammer with a wooden head, you need to press the lamellas together as tightly as possible. Excess adhesive solution must be removed using a cloth rag. First you need to lay out three rows of slats and wait a few hours for the glue to set. Then you can fill the rest of the room with slats.
It should take at least half a day for the flooring to dry completely.
However, due to the ease of installation, construction stores are increasingly offering laminated panels with different locks. Assembly of laminate with Lock-locks occurs by hammering one panel into another. Most Click mechanisms are connected at an angle, and when the panel is lowered to the floor, the lock closes. If necessary, the panels can also be knocked out with a hammer.
Laminate with a locking connection has approximately the same assembly algorithm. Before laying, you need to measure the width of the room so that at least 5 cm in length remains for the last row. If necessary, you need to shorten the slats of the first row. In addition, you need to leave gaps for thermal expansion.
When laying panels using the adhesive method or using Lock-locks, the panels must be joined first along the length and then along the end side. Click-locks are characterized by gathering the entire row of lamellas at once and attaching it as a whole to the previous row.
Therefore, for a large area of the room it is better to enlist the help of an assistant.
Why does it diverge?
Sometimes even such a flawless floor covering as laminate can come apart. Then it is necessary to determine the cause of the damage to the coating and, if possible, eliminate it.
The cause of failure of the laminate may be dry air, due to which the panels shrink and crack. To avoid this, you need to constantly ventilate the room, or install a humidifier.
Neglecting the screed before laying the laminate leads to the fact that the laminate uneven floor it comes apart, creaks or sways when you walk on it, and the locks become unusable.
If the panel lock breaks very quickly, it may be due to low quality goods. There is no need to chase cheapness and choose models from unknown manufacturers.
Failure to comply with installation technology laminate also often leads to problems with the coating. Often during installation they forget to leave gaps, and when the boards swell, the laminate cracks. Don't forget to clean up construction waste from the floor, since even a small stone can disrupt the operation of the best quality lock.
Currently, adhesive laminate has practically disappeared from construction stores and markets. , laid in a floating manner, is represented by a huge number of options. When you are trying to navigate this abundance, do not forget that you need to pay close attention to the quality of the locking system. After all, it depends on how your floor will withstand permanent loads how long will it retain the appearance it had the first time after installation. We list the most outstanding locking systems - developments from leading manufacturers of laminated floor coverings.
The Uniclic lock is the most advanced patented locking system created by the developers of the world-famous Quick-Step concern. The lock is latched. When laying laminate flooring there is no need to use any tools. The tongue and groove design located on the sides of the panel allows for two installation methods. Two adjacent panels can be connected at a slight angle - even less than the standard 45 degrees. Or with its almost complete absence - that is, one panel seems to slide into another. This ensures the simplicity of assembling the laminated covering - you choose how it is more convenient for you to connect the panels in this particular case. Laying can start from any place and be carried out in any convenient direction. The Uniclic lock is located on all four sides of the panel, so that the joining force of the panels will be the same both along their longitudinal sides and at the end. The connection appears virtually seamless. There is no gap between the panels, since there is simply no room for them to move. Only for this locking system the manufacturer gives a lifetime guarantee (during initial installation, the quality of the connection of the lamellas is guaranteed to be intact and there are no cracks or divergence of the panels). 
T-Lock (Tarkett Lock) is an exclusive development of the TARKETT company, for which a patent has been received. This type locks belong to the category of Click-connections, the most progressive today. In general, it has a well-deserved reputation for not too expensive, but exceptionally high-quality products. In Europe this is the most popular laminate - in average price category. This popularity is largely due to the quality of the locking system. Wide locking elements are connected when approaching at a slight angle, without deformation or distortion. When the panels are connected, a characteristic click is heard. Happening reliable fixation. In this case, if desired, the connection can be disassembled - without deforming the lock, and reassembled (up to 3-4 times). The small connection angle is convenient because the laminate is very easy to install in hard-to-reach places (under radiators, doors, etc.) After snapping, a constant level of tension is created, which prevents the panels from moving apart even under significant and irregular load. The quality of the lock is ensured by ultra-precise milling. The tensile strength of the T-Lock (Tarkett Lock) is normatively defined in European standards ISO/DIS 24334 and is 800 kg/meter.
The LOC-TEC lock is a proprietary “accessory”. The required force to cause rupture of the assembled Loc-Tec locking system must be greater than 1100 N/m. Thus, Vitex laminate will be good in rooms with the most intense traffic. The lock ensures maximum stability of the laid laminate for decades, the absence of distortions and deformations of the seams.
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Uniclic Multifit® is a revolutionary styling system. The boards can be easily joined together thanks to the ingenious shape of its lock. The Uniclic Multifit® system is unique because you can lay the board in three in various ways. This is a 3 in 1 locking system.
The first method is known as "drop" or "click" (1), and the second is known as "angle installation" (2). When connecting two boards, both methods provide a simple and quick installation method that avoids damaging the boards. Nevertheless, unique feature The Uniclic® Multifit system is that parquet boards can also be joined on the same level (3). This is convenient if the parquet board cannot be tilted, for example, under doorways and heating radiators.
The Uniclic® Multifit locking system can be used when laying Universal parquet boards, either using the floating method or when rigidly gluing them to the base. In case underfloor heating, we recommend using rigid bonding to the substrate.
No other locking system provides such connection strength. What's more, Universal provides a lifetime warranty on the Uniclic® Multifit locking system. The system can withstand pressures of more than 1200 kg/m 3 - this means that the boards will always remain in place and no gaps will form. In addition, dirt cannot penetrate into the cracks.
And so let’s summarize the advantages of the system Uniclic locks Multifit®
Thanks to the patented Uniclic Multifit locking system, Universal parquet floors can be installed quickly using one of three methods, including vertical installation.
SPEED: Installing long planks has never been faster or easier. Professional installers state that the installation wooden floor Universal takes 30% less time than traditional wood flooring installation methods.
CONVENIENCE: Simply click the planks together using the method that works best for you. Damage to the planks is excluded. Even if you need to reinstall the slats, the Uniclic Multifit system makes it easy to lift and replace the required slats.
NO JOINTS: With the Uniclic Multifit system, there are virtually no gaps at the joints. Due to this, the floor remains clean, since virtually no dirt gets between the joints.
PERFECTLY FLAT FLOOR: the panels do not move anywhere, since the ridge fits exactly into the groove. This eliminates differences in height when laying the floor, as well as wear and tear along the edges.
The joints of laminated parquet are both the weakest and strongest parts of the coating. A carefully thought-out locking system ensures a tight connection of the slats, easy assembly and, of course, a smooth, durable floor covering.
In 1979, the Swedish company Perstorp AB (future Pergo) introduced a new floor covering through the IKEA chain of stores - laminate. Since the technology was just being developed, the new product did not yet have locking joints or even tongue-and-groove edges. The breakthrough came in 1994, when the Välinges company took out a patent for a unique development - the first in the world mechanical connection for parquet, parquet boards and laminated flooring.
The actively developing giants of the woodworking industry became interested in innovative technology. The laminate manufacturer Alloc was the first to buy the license, introducing the so-called 1G aluminum lock. The following year, 1995, the management of the Kahrs company became interested in the invention. This is the largest manufacturer of parquet boards, which to this day holds a leading position in the market. The modified connection system is called the “2G lock”. In fact, this is a prototype of a coupling kit under the modern name Lock. That is, a connection based on the tongue-and-groove principle, but with a carefully designed compacted profile. When assembling the floor covering with the Lock system, a special elastic adhesive was used.
Diagram of the first locking connections for laminate flooring.
Subsequently, the structure of the connecting elements continues to be refined and at the end of 2001 a patent was published for a locking system in which two adjacent plates are closed at an angle of 45°, and after pressing (snapping) a mechanically tight bond is obtained. It is thanks to this development that the laminate with Click lock, so well known today, is produced. This marks the beginning of the era of glueless joining of floor slabs.
Similar connection kits are intended for implementation in multi-layer thin floor coverings: parquet board, engineered wood, laminated HDF or PVC flooring and others. For traditional parquet, vinyl or LVT tiles, solid board simple tongue and groove joints are used.
Manufacturers of laminated flooring in advertising especially emphasize the glueless locking system, which allows you to quickly, easily and without problems assemble or disassemble the floor. Another advantage is that special profile shapes form waterproof joints without the slightest gaps. But, in fact, there are the following basic types of laminate locks:
- Tongue-and-groove or Lock.
- Snap or Click.
All the common names like T-Lock, Megalock, Click2Click, Uniclick and others are just replications of the main types with their own modifications. Nothing fundamentally new or unique has been developed yet. Patents for these improvements have been issued in order to avoid pirated copying of products from well-known European factories by unscrupulous Asian compilers.
Laminate with an adhesive joining system is no longer produced, although you can occasionally find crafts from Chinese “masters” on sale. Let's consider the most interesting options from such giants as Egger, Quick Step, Balterio, Alloc.
Just Click by Egger
Laminate locks from an Austrian manufacturer are a classic click system. The panels snap into place at an angle of 30-45° on four sides, and a fairly high ridge tenon ensures the joint is tight and the connection is resistant to tensile and bending loads. The coating is available in standard form and complete with Silenzio sound-diffusing underlay. The shape of the tongue and groove remains unchanged.
Uniclic by Quick Step
The development of the Belgian plant is no less interesting. The engineering profile provides the possibility of both classic snapping at an angle and the method of attaching or knocking out planks. This best solution for beginners.
The lock complex from Unilin is convenient for rooms with a complex perimeter, the presence of hard-to-reach places or various “obstacles” - pipes, podiums, low installed radiators etc.
To understand the essence of the three-variant assembly system, watch the video from the manufacturer Quick Step.
PressXpress by Balterio
Such laminate interlocking connections are called 3G, 4G or 5G. That is, an element is added to the structure of the Click-joint - a plastic “tongue”, aluminum grips or protrusions, which provide improved adhesion and prevent the planks from diverging over time (the formation of longitudinal and transverse cracks). One of the brightest representatives of this group is PressExpress from the Belgian plant Balterio. A well-designed “additive” to the main coupling eliminates even a hint of the appearance of gaps between the lamellas and significantly strengthens the joint area. Thanks to this solution, the finished floor covering will withstand significant weight without the slightest damage.
Let us note one drawback. According to reviews from craftsmen, when reassembled, plastic inserts become more of a nuisance element than an auxiliary one, so they are most often removed with pliers. And to obtain a tight joint, sealing gels or sealing masses are used.
4G and 5G-S Aluminum Locking System from Berry Alloc
Laminate flooring with aluminum locks from Allok is unusual in itself. Being a very successful modification of two basic types connections, a metal “tenon and groove” increases the reliability of adhesion and speeds up the assembly mechanism. In addition, this scheme allows you to reduce the weight of the floor covering, which is a significant advantage for floors with reduced load-bearing capacity.
According to the manufacturer aluminum profile on both long sides of the plank, supplemented with a stiffening rib, increases the tensile strength of the connection. The limit according to test reports is 1200 kg/linear. m. That is why aluminum locks are used exclusively in floor coverings of class 33-34, intended for areas with heavy foot traffic. The floor covering can be disassembled and reassembled 3 times.
Which laminate lock is better?
Let us dispel the most widely circulated myth, which says that best sex is made from a laminated coating with a Click lock. In fact flooring material with any type of locking connection is designed in such a way as to ultimately obtain a perfectly smooth surface without protrusions, cracks and creaks. Service life and build quality depend on:
- availability of original coating from well-known brands;
- professionalism of the installers;
- strict adherence to instructions.
The Lock connection, unlike its analogue, does not stretch as much over time, so the cover with the Lock-lock is more convenient to reassemble. The click coupling is more rigid, but subject to a high density of the slab - at least 750 kg/m 3. Let’s make it easier for our readers to choose – in large shopping centers 85% of the range is laminate with the Click system.
Let's destroy another stereotype. Some craftsmen claim that the click-lock allows you to lay laminate flooring with differences exceeding the permissible 2 mm by 2 linear meters surfaces. We will disappoint such would-be specialists - not a single type of connection is designed to smooth out significant irregularities; an even, solid base is always required. Only in this case will you get a smooth, beautiful and functional floor that will last for at least two decades.
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There are several types of locks for assembling laminate flooring, differing in the design of the connecting elements. Many manufacturers themselves develop locking systems and use them in their floors, and some use previously developed and patented systems.
SmartLock
Pergo laminate's SmartLock double locking system is more simple method ProLoc systems. SmartLock has connecting joints equipped with a special moisture-proof impregnation. The use of joint joints in combination with a highly moisture resistant base gives Pergo laminate an additional level of protection for fibreboard floors. high density. The boards can withstand the strongest operational loads of any severity. The SmartLock system allows laminate flooring to be installed quickly and easily, ensuring a superior end result.
ProLoc lock
IN housing construction Pergo applies the ProLoc lock principle to meet the corresponding high demands of this sector. This is a quick and fairly easy way to install laminate panels, giving an excellent final result. ProLoс system meets high technical requirements, which are presented to commercial types floors installed on large areas and bearing intense loads. The technology is patented and is one of the most reliable floor coverings on the market. The development was created for professional market, it uses a revolutionary triple fastening system made of stronger and more safe parts. Installation remains as easy and fast as with any other system. ProLoс is equipped with connecting joints with a special moisture-proof impregnation. In combination with a base that has high moisture resistance, it turns out additional protection floor. For areas with an increased need for moisture protection, Pergo has released an improved SafeSeal sealant. Together with the ProLoc system, it provides a perfect moisture-resistant connection.
PROClic lock
Egger makes us happy new technology PRO Clic interlocking connection when laying laminate. The special geometry of the Egger profile ensures installation of one element at a time, which facilitates installation - the laminate is laid easily and quickly. The indicators of all qualities of the floor have increased - the degree of stability, high stability under large point loads, strength under surface pressure. It has become possible to lay the laminate using special sealants STRIP EX and CLIC SEALER, eliminating the use of tools. In 1996, the company used the tongue-and-groove connection type and adhesive technology. Then she successfully introduced the lock (click) method. The connection became forceful. IN present moment there was a transition to the Just Clic System (form connection). It is also possible to combine two types of Pro Clic System connection technologies.
ClickXpress lock
