How to lay laminate with different types of locks. Types of laminate locks: Click, Lock, metal, plastic, aluminum, which locks are better? Laminate with plastic locks

I am rarely asked “what kind of laminate lock is better, more convenient or stronger” and it is clear why such a question is not relevant. The buyer considers the product as a whole, focusing on the final result - appearance, comfort, service life of the coating. And how the process of performance of work by hired workers will take place is not important to many. However, lately, people have become more picky, which is right. Therefore, this article will be of interest to many readers who are going to lay the laminate on their own. Or those who have read a lot of information, but have not figured out which laminate to buy, with Lock or Click 3G, 5G locks, and what is the difference between them?

Dear readers! Below in the text will be published links to the largest stores where you can see products with specific key connections.

The type of key connection, it would seem, does not directly affect the operation process. This is partly true, but much depends on the conditions in which the installation is carried out.

The evenness of the floor and walls, the presence of door blocks, the method of flooring, the experience of the master - all this contributes or hinders the assembly of laminate with various types of locks. And the difficulty in execution can lead to damage to the coating and disappointment from the results of apartment renovation.

List of articles you need to read before buying laminate flooring.

The brief background written below is important for understanding the whole process of creating and improving key connections. And you can read the conclusions below or draw them yourself.

Joining Valinge and Unilin laminate locks – from Lock to Click a bit of history

In 1977-1979 the Swedish company Perstorp AB (later Pergo) puts on sale laminated parquet with a glue locking system. The development of the laminate was made with the participation of Darko Pervan, who later founded the company Valinge in 1993. In 1994-1996, the Valinge bureau designs and licenses the world's first 2G lock for the mechanical connection of laminate locks. Offering to use the invention on Pergo laminate, but the company refuses a former employee's generous offer.

The lock joint with the name Lock is the prototype of the further development of the lock with the name Click - which can be attributed to the name of the 3G laminate or parquet board joint.

Many Chinese laminate manufacturers on the Russian market use light modificationLock-lock without brand name fromValinge. Which no longer needs to deduct bonuses, due to the expired invention.

Lock - the lock is driven. He gathers one board at a time with a hammer and finishing bar with significant effort. At the moment, the Lock system is outdated morally and physically, but most importantly, it is really inconvenient to assemble. IT IS NOT VERY USED NOW.

Lock for laminate 3G-Click

In 1994, the company enters into a licensing agreement for the use of its lock with the parquet board manufacturer Kahrs (Chers) - a 2G locking system and the Norwegian licensee Alloc AS - a 1G lock connection. But the launch of production will take place in 1996. From 1996 to 2001, under the leadership of Darko Pervan, a number of modifications of the key connection were made to 3G Click and put into operation.

In narrow circles there are disputes about who is the ancestor of the laminate:Pergo oralloc.

In the 1990s, Unilin and Quick-Step join forces and launch their own branded laminate flooring for the first time in Belgium.

In 1997, the concern presents a new development - the Uniclic lock, which subsequently collected many awards. The key connection belongs to the 3G class. Unilin credits them with being the first to put the 3G floor locking system into operation. Looking ahead, I’ll say - in my opinion and not only, the Uniclic key connection is the best, at least from those known to me.

From then until 2007, there were disputes between Valinge and Unilin over the legality of activities related to the issuance of a patent to licensees. For example, a similar dispute was waged by Apple and Samsung over the invention of an idea and its implementation for controlling the smartphone screen with the touch of your fingers.

In 2007, Unilin (patent BE 9600527, BE 9700344) and Valinge (patent WO 94/26999) reached a preliminary agreement on a legal framework in which a third party undertakes to obtain a license from one of the right holders to use glueless floor panel assembly systems.

In other words, they divided the market. In the context of the foregoing, we take into account that the inventions of various locking systems are used not only for the convenience of consumers, but to fight competitors and extract financial benefits. Then marketing work is carried out, as a result of which the buyer, with the help of advertising, gets the idea that the new key connection is more effective than the previous one. Although it may not be.

Laminate locks 5G Click

All over the world, there is fierce competition in areas ranging from international politics to the provision of small household services. They try to leave opponents in the train in various ways, using various methods for these purposes. Of course, the surest way is to improve your products and service quality.

For example, at one time I also thought about equipment modifications that can be brought in to get ahead of competitors in my field. With a creak, despite the protests of his wife, he acquired a large industrial vacuum cleaner. Even earlier, an idea was peeped with the use of an MFP for trimming door frames. These are useful devices that facilitate the work process and make the result more neat.

In 2003-2004, the guys from the marketing company Valinge, led by Darko Pervan, sat down, thought about what could be done to bypass the European neighbors and capture the flooring market. Deciding that it was necessary to work in the field of improving the convenience of locking locks, they implemented the idea of ​​introducing a plastic tongue as a latch. It became possible to assemble laminated panels not in order, but piece by piece, focusing attention on one board, and not on the whole row.

Thus, the 5G Click laminate lock was born. A powerful advertising campaign and explanatory work was carried out. The financial parties were agreed with the licensees, an appropriate allowance was made to the final cost of the product, and everyone was satisfied.

Why this preface? It shows the commercial component of the projects. First of all, everyone wants to derive financial benefits, while showing concern for customers. Even if the real result of an innovative idea turned out to be not as successful in practice as advertised. But launched into a large project and serious money spent, this is not an indicator of its quality. Is it possible to keep silent about the negative aspects of the product?

Personally, my opinion ... When technically simple products are complicated to more complex ones, the latter have a higher chance of failing. What happens periodically under certain conditions of laying flooring. Examples will be given below.

TOTAL:

It can definitely be argued that a more modern castleClick aka 3G and 5G, more durable in locking, more convenient in the installation of a completely obsolete lock connectionlock.

Types of laminate locks - 3G and 5G pros and cons

Modern types of laminate brands can be divided, by and large, into two types of locking performance, which have their own pluses and minuses. Let me remind you that both refer to the Click connection and the laying method between them is different.

1. Classic lock - 3G. Floor covering with this type of docking is assembled in rows.
2. New castle - 5G. This type of laminate is assembled one by one. Now I will explain in more detail.

3G Click lock - description and features with examples

The 3G Click lock has in its design - a thorn on one long and one short side. When assembling, the comb is inserted into the groove of the previous board. The last piece is cut to size, completing the assembly of the first row of laminate.

Next, spacer wedges are installed between the wall and the lamellas, and in the same way as the first, the second row is assembled along the short part. And then the connected line is evenly inserted into the first row with a spike into the groove with tapping with a special tool along the entire length.

Different manufacturers have their own peculiarities in the design of locks. Between themselves, they differ in the angle at which the bar enters, the long ridge, the thickness of the base of the lock connection. These features complicate or simplify the installation process.

Below are a few examples of a similar type of lock used by leading laminate flooring manufacturers.

Laminate lock T-Lock (Tarkett)

An average lock from a well-known manufacturer in terms of laying complexity. The connection is richly waxed to protect it from moisture, but because of the excess, the paraffin composition periodically rolls off and the strips go tight into the grooves.

The comb is short, with a large length of the room and floor differences, it can be difficult to evenly insert into the groove of the previous row. The design feature of the interlock connection is in the presence of a microstep. Most often, due to its presence, you have to tap a row in two stages for a complete fit.

Tarkett is very difficult to assemble without thresholds between rooms if you want to assemble the rows in the opposite direction. The angle of insertion of the slats is average (about 30 degrees) - because of which it is not possible, without cutting off the lock, to get a laminate under the door frame. Despite this, I like Tarkett himself, but more on that in another article. I recommend for self-laying in a room of a simple form.

Lock laminate Twin Clic (Kronospan)

Pretty good locking. For the first self-assembly, I would recommend the Twin Clic lock of all possible ones. Laminated boards are inserted very easily and effortlessly. The angle at which they start is low, about 15 degrees, which is convenient in the presence of low-cost heating radiators. The relatively thick lip at the base of the lock suggests greater tear resistance.

As with all 3G lock covers, reassembly requires considerable effort. This type of locking model appeals to me. Although there are questions about the geometry of the slats.

Laminate Lock Uniclic (Quick Step)

Uniclic is the best lock connection in my opinion. I will try to express my conclusions in simple words.

The Uniclic lock from the side looks like an arrowhead - long, about 4 mm, and sharp. The recess where the comb is inserted completely repeats its contour. In such a connection there is no backlash, like most other types of joints.

Due to tight lockUniclic, large contact area and lack of backlash, the connection firmly holds the breaking load. For the same reason, sealing Uniklik is not recommended. The sealant has nowhere to go.

I should note that the Quick-Step 12mm has a more recessed groove profile. But the panels can also sit at a zero angle, although more tightly.

Due to the low partition in the counterpart, the Quick-Step lock can be connected to each other at a zero angle, although its natural operating mode is about 10-15 degrees. This feature is necessary when installing non-threshold laminate with door blocks already installed, when it is necessary to bring panels under the door frame to avoid gaps.

When installing Quick Step laminate planks, parallel to the floor, the lock does not break, including due to the lower part of the arrow-shaped comb lubricated with wax. Roughly speaking, it's like sticking your hand into a jar - it goes deep into it easily, but you can't pull it out.

Another advantage of the Uniclic locking connection is the almost complete absence of the need to tamp the laminate boards with a finishing beam. The design of the arrow-shaped comb has a peculiar relief. The recess completely repeats it, and until the contours match, the planks will not sit in their place.

With an even connection of the dies at the ends and evenly inserting a row of laminate into the previous one, it is enough to press on the edge of the board and sit in its place. However, we still use the finishing tool. This feature is described more as an amazing mechanical development and serves as an example.

LockUniclic from the floor manufacturerUnilin has the ability to pull locks together. And even on uneven ground it can be assembled with virtually no gaps.

In the opposite direction, the Uniclick lock connection is worse than 5G locks, but better than most 3G connections due to the long and sharp comb.

Of the minuses of the Uniclic key connection, it is very difficult to insert the last row of laminate if it is narrow. This feature is especially evident in the strips with a thickness of 12 mm.

I recommend the Uniclic locking connection when laying a laminate with your own hands. However, it may be difficult to arrange the second row if the collection has a small board width.

Laminate Lock Just Clic (Egger)

Egger is a leading manufacturer of laminate flooring. Previously and currently equipped with a Just Clic lock. But now there is a transitional period? on the UniFit locking connection. Apparently, UniClic integration is happening everywhere. Interestingly, the weak economic performance of the Egger company is to blame, forcing the company to look for new impulses for the drive? Or a European calculation for the future?

Dear readers! At the moment, the Just Clic lock connection occurs irregularly. In Egger there is a substitution for another compound. Periodically, this lock is used in the Artens laminate.

Just Clic - This type of 3G lock is similar to Tarkett's T-Lock. The same short front spike with one advantage over UniClic - it does not need to be cut down when laying. Whereas with Quick-Step it is desirable to cut it off, otherwise, with a significant size of the premises, it may rest against the wall. It happens that the extra 2.5 mm can play a role when setting the gap from the wall.

Just Click from the bottom has a rounded shape and enters the recess at a high angle, about 40 degrees, which makes it not very convenient for flooring with low-standing heating radiators, especially with installed door frames. If you want to culturally bring the panel under the jamb, you need to cut off the lock with a knife and put the winding and adjacent panel between them on the glue.

Just Clic is a fairly strong fixative. On the reciprocal part of the lock, the base has a rounded shape with a thickening. It turns out the move is such a "semi-bearing". Thanks to this design solution, the breaking connection is quite strong.

During installation, be careful with the edge of the counter part of the lock. Although it is thick, it is pointed at the top and it is easy to break it. This will not particularly affect the strength of the lock, but if the broken piece remains in the groove recess, a step may form at the junction of the panels, which you may not immediately notice.

In reverse, laminate with this type of 3G lock is very difficult to assemble. Therefore, for technically difficult non-threshold laying, I do not recommend using Egger laminate with Just Clic lock.

5G laminate plastic lock. Advantages and disadvantages

In 2004, the laboratory office Valinge released a relatively new 5G floor locking principle. Structurally, the difference from its predecessor consisted in the end joint. The connection and snapping of the lock along the short part was carried out using a plastic tongue.

Such a system worked as follows: the board to be laid was inserted along the long part into the groove of the previous row, closely adjoining the end of the previous plank and smoothly lowered. The plastic tongue has a bracket-like shape and, when pressed, goes into the groove. And when the panel is completely laid down, it clicks into the recess of the laid laminated panel, closing it.

Thus, it became possible to install by inserting and assembling the laminate one by one board. This method generally speeds up the installation process, but not always. It all depends on the design of the lock, each manufacturer has its own, other features, for example, thickness.

There are two types 5G locks laminate with plastic

Few people paid attention in the articles, because it is not mentioned, and copywriters do not know this. But there is a laminate with 5G plastic locks on different sides of the laminated panel.

When I receive a phone call from a customer, the first thing I ask is which company's laminate is to be laid. If "Classen" sounds, I'm generally calm. Although it is not the most convenient to install, and here's why.

The end lock has a long platform with a thick partition, so it is nominally tear-resistant. But the partition is designed at a right angle and if you have to disassemble the laminate to trim the first row, this part is easy to break even for me, with my experience.

The groove has a rounded shape along the long part with a high side. Therefore, the lamellas are inserted at a high angle, which in some cases is inconvenient, but strong.

It is easy to wind up laminated panels in the opposite direction, this is the advantage of 5G lock types over 3G.

In general, the lock is not bad, but difficulties may arise when assembling / disassembling the first row of laminate.

Pros of 5G Click Lock

• Laminate with a 5G plastic lock is more convenient to assemble in long rooms due to the absence of the need to lift and insert the entire row, as with a floor with a classic connection. Laminate 3G with a small lock, if the base is uneven, with a large room size, it can be difficult to insert into the groove of the previous row. And by the time you get to the end, the beginning may just fall out of the groove. Let me remind you that a row of laminate is achieved with a tool when it is fully inserted at an angle into the previous one.

• When laying laminate flooring without gaps between rooms, you regularly have to mount the panels with the back of the lock. Laminate flooring with a plastic tongue is much easier to insert in this way, with only one board running. Whereas the classics must be linked with a whole row.
• The 5G lock connection is faster to assemble if you work together. Since you can lay 2 or 3 rows at the same time.

Cons of 5G Click Lock

• Slightly more expensive price. Rubles for 50-100 per / m2.
• Sometimes, after installation, plastic locks can click, falling into place. When connecting a laminate with a classic grip, the comb is immediately inserted into the groove and is in the recess, even if it diverges a little. And the plastic tongue, due to the curvature of the base or the violation of the geometry of the bar, simply does not reach the groove and may creak or click.

By the way, I guess for this reason, most laminate with 5G locks are chamfered. The gaps are not so noticeable on it. read

• When the laminated panels are skewed to the other side during installation, the locks overlap. And on a laying board it can form a crease in the edge. This usually happens on an 8 mm thick laminate, for example,
• The difficulty in assembling the first row is with most types of 5G lock, but not all. So I didn’t fully figure out why for some brands the installation process takes place in a normal way - the plastic insert springs and then snaps into place. And for some, serious difficulties are created when assembling the first row. You have to pump in the bar or lay it flat on the lock and hit it with your hand at an angle of 45 degrees in the right direction.
• It is difficult to describe the technical details that are repeated again ... Another minus is the difficulty of disassembly. Often there is a need to remove the first row to trim the panels along the contour of the wall irregularities. This is done to close the gap with the plinth between the laminate and the wall. With significant curvature, a plastic or MDF plinth will not be able to close the gap. If the panels are dismantled in the simplest way, by lifting the panel 45 degrees and pulling it out of the groove, as is done in the classic 3G, then most 5G connections will simply fly off part of the lock. If the protrusion on the end lock is located at a right angle.

UniFit Laminate Lock (Egger)

I will describe the last lock in this article from Egger. The UniFit connection appeared recently, according to the sensations from the beginning of the installations, about a year ago, but I could be wrong. The clutch design along the long part is derived from Unilin with all the ensuing pluses. And the end part is equipped with a plastic insert. Thus, Egger Pro and Egger Home are 5G lock carriers. But Egger's new collections also remained with a 3G latch.

The comb along the long part of the board resembles an arrow-shaped shape. For this reason, it starts easily into the groove of the previous bar and, importantly, at a slight angle. In principle, it can be hammered, like the Quick Step, parallel to the floor. However, the spike is flat on the underside. It seems to me that with uneven bases, this design is easier to jump out of the groove.

The end lock consists of a groove and a plastic insert located in it. When the panel snaps in, the insert, resting against the edge of the previous board, enters and then clicks out. Thus, standing in its place and locking the connected panels. This design does not look very impressive, but it does its job.

In principle, such a connection is convenient, although I like the location of the plastic insert in the form of an “S” in place of the spike less.

Unfortunately, in my collected collection of scraps there was no 5G Kronotex lock - I liked it. There are also no cuts from the leading manufacturers Berry-Alloc and Pergo. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that Pergo has a connection like Quick Step and a 5G plastic lock.

Alloc laminate lock - review of the master

While writing the article, I almost forgot about the laminated coating of the Norwegian manufacturer, about which the story would be incomplete and shamed by critics. Alloc is the most expensive laminate I know in Russia.

The high cost of this brand is explained by a specialized aluminum lock that can withstand heavy loads and the place of origin: Norway is an expensive country.

The locking device of the Alloc lock is based on the connection of the strips by means of a metal plate embedded in each panel from the bottom side along the long and short parts. Accordingly, the entire tensile load is carried by the aluminum flange of the part - stronger than any HDF.

The width of the plate allows you to mount the panels at almost zero angle.

Alloc's advantages are obvious. Why not include it in the best locking lock?

• The cost of the product. Whose value exceeds the price of the nearest premium competitors by an average of 1000 rubles.
• Low feasibility of use in the apartment. Despite the impressive density and, accordingly, the strength of the coating, as well as the impregnation with moisture-resistant compositions of the panels, the laminate is afraid of moisture, like other brands. This is evidenced by a trip to one order, where the old laminated floor, which was Allok, was dismantled. It seems that it was watered from a basin, although the service life of the laminate at that time was about 7 years. What the customers kindly reported, after my question about the service life.

• Pretty complicated installation of Alloc. This concerns not so much inserting one board into another, but the complexity of sawing. If the laminate board is not positioned correctly during cutting, it is easy to break the metal lock integrated into the HDF panel. As a result, the laid laminate clicks.

The best laminate lock - summary, review

As you may have guessed from the text, the best laminate lock for me is the Uniclic 3G-Click connection. It is easy to insert, which minimizes the possibility of edge crease. With Uniclic it is fast to work, strong connection on a gap. Possibility to install laminate under the door frames without cutting off part of the lock. What is important when deciding to replace the flooring when there is no desire to update the doors.

It is also not the most difficult of the 3G latch types when laying the floor in the opposite direction.

Laminate locks 5G are modern, which is positioned by advertising brochures as an easier option. The principles of this type of docking are assembly speed, simplicity, accessibility.

But this is not entirely true. A technically more complex product is more susceptible to the risk of marriage due to uneven floors, violations of the geometry of the planks, especially for 8mm thick laminate. Installation speed drops, since most brands of laminate still need to be knocked out with a finishing beam.

However, the 5G Click connection is more convenient when installing the laminate in the opposite direction. This type of laying is required for a non-breaking flooring method.

This article expresses my personal opinion based on the installation of many thousands of meters of laminate flooring. As a craftsman, I don't care what type of 3G or 5G lock to lay laminate flooring with, except in cases of seamless laying.

I focus buyers not only on the type of key connection, but also on the manufacturer, which has a more reliable geometry and quality in general (film strength, wear resistance class).

• The weakest lock is laminateKronostar,kronopol,Oktoberfest (SwissKrono) and many Chinese
• The most difficult lock to assemble is many Chinese,Ritter, Lamineli
• The most durable - laminateAlloc with metal lock
• The most convenient lock -?
• The best laminate lock -uniclic,Quick-Step (author's choice)

In the article I express my personal opinion based on re-read articles and personal observations.

Successful choice! You can ask - as I read it, I will definitely answer.

In modern realities, the most popular flooring is laminate, which has replaced expensive parquet. It has a presentable expensive look, the inexpensive price of the materials themselves (its price is approximately equal to the cost of linoleum), cleanliness and ease of installation without noise and dirt, which can be compared with ordinary linoleum flooring.

Even the most inexperienced owner will be able to install laminate flooring in his own home in just a few days, without staining or damaging the existing repair. The ease of work is ensured by a well-thought-out system of special “locks” created for ease of use and reliable long-term operation of this coating.

Previously, there was no talk of any locks, only screws and glue were used. The “floating” method appeared thanks to the castle joints, which began to be developed thanks to the rapidly gaining popularity of the laminate coating.

Types of laminate locks

There are several types of them, but each manufacturer is trying to innovate in their products by adding something of their own to the locking system. Instead of MDF boards, HDF boards began to be used, thanks to which, with the help of milling machines, it became possible to obtain locks of fairly complex shapes and excellent adhesion of lamellas during installation. The most common are Lock, Click and 5G, but there are many more subspecies on the market and over time this number is only growing.

When buying a laminate, it is important to pay attention not only to the quality of the material of the lamellas themselves, but also to the locking system. It is she who will help maintain the coating, preventing the divergence of the plates and the formation of cracks.

Click lock system

It is the most common among consumers because of the many positive qualities. When laying the panels, a 45-degree slope of the next board is used, which fits into the lock of the previous one and snaps into place. Installation takes a little time and effort, and the performer does not need to deal with the system for a long time. Such a floor can be disassembled and assembled several times without losing the quality of the lamellas themselves, they are preserved and do not diverge.

Based on the click system, more than a dozen of their subspecies have been developed, one of which includes aluminum plates that securely fix the panels from below. Laminate with metal locks is an order of magnitude more difficult to install than usual, since the plate is wound under the board and there is a chance of damaging the soft substrate. When working, you can cut yourself on an aluminum plate, so be careful.

Lock-system of locks

It has another name “driving”, as the next plate is driven into the previous one at an angle of 90 degrees with a rubberized hammer or wooden mallet. This tongue-and-groove connection has two significant drawbacks: it cannot be dismantled without consequences for the lamellas with subsequent re-laying, and even during the initial laying, gaps appear between the lamellas over time. Therefore, the production of such locks is gradually disappearing.

Manufacturers have tried to preserve this castle-like look by incorporating a plastic element into it, which in turn can be rigid or springy. Neither type of plastic lock is perfect: firstly, hard is hard to use in work, and secondly, both of them are difficult to cut and crack.

5G system

For even easier, more precise and stronger assembly of laminate flooring, a separate type of 5G laminate locks has been released - the board is in place with one click (automatic connection along the length occurs simultaneously with the click on the width). This was facilitated by the appearance of a special “tongue” at the end of the lamella, due to which a kind of “fastening” of the boards to each other occurs. A good half of experienced builders prefer this particular method of attaching laminate lamellas because of its simplicity and speed of laying.

What else do laminate manufacturers offer?

• Locks smart lock and ProLock available with Pergo laminate. ProLock is recommended to be installed in rooms with a large floor area and significant loads on the base. ProLock differs from other types with a triple fastening system and excellent moisture resistance, since the joints of each board are impregnated with a waterproofing compound. If you need to install floors in a very damp, large area, use SafeSeal. It is possible to install / dismantle the laminate, the locks are not damaged. As for the SmartLock system, it is simpler, but also impregnated with a moisture-resistant composition and easy to fit. Such a floor is able to withstand loads, during operation it is not subjected to deformations and the formation of cracks between the lamellas.
• Locks Uniclick, manufactured by Quick-Step, have an original tongue and groove design. Its installation is easy, fast, without tools - only by hand. The slats do not diverge over time, they firmly adhere to one another without the appearance of cracks, which is covered by a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer. Such a floor looks very high quality, smooth, without longitudinal gaps and irregularities. This design is reliable and durable, as the locks are located around the entire perimeter of each panel. There are two ways of installation: at an angle of 30 degrees or horizontally. In both cases, you can not put the lamella with one touch or blow, this is done with small taps along the entire length of the board until you hear a click. Assembly/disassembly is possible up to four times.
• ProClick Egger laminate locks are designed for laying on one side, they are reliable, stable and durable under any surface tension. Installation / dismantling is possible, since the locking system is strong and does not lose its properties when restyled.
• Balterio laminate available with locks ClickXpress, DropXpress, PressXpress.
• Megalock- a very strong lock (from the end of the board), offered by the German brand Classen. To ensure the best moisture resistance, it is recommended to impregnate the locks with Isowaxx. The possibility of installation / dismantling is present.
• LocTec- locks are offered by the manufacturer Witex, such a laminate can withstand significant loads, and is also impregnated with paraffin from moisture penetration. The coating with such locks is easy to install and dismantle more than once.
• T-Lock- locks from Tarkett are a very successful development, it has a lot of positive characteristics. One of the most important is the maximum ease and speed of work. Mounting / dismantling is allowed up to 4 times.

There are a large number of types of laminate locks, and if you have not yet fully decided which one is best for you, ask the seller in the building materials store for advice. Specialists will find out the issues of further use of the laminate, and offer the best option specifically for your case.

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 rocking 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.

findings

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.

Laminate is a modern, durable, wear-resistant and comfortable floor covering. Installation of the flooring can be performed without special skills. The amount of effort will depend on what types of laminate locks are used by the manufacturer on the product used in the design of the apartment. Some of them do not provide for disassembly and reassembly of the coating. Others speed things up. The third ones are most convenient if you need to minimize the displacement of the lamellas.

Why do we need different types of locks

Looking at prices and analyzing laminate offers, it is not clear to the average user why there are different types of castle zones. It would seem that it is more rational to use only one, the most convenient one. In practice, things are different.

Some laminate locks are outdated and only used by manufacturers with older production lines. Others appear to be the most common. Still others are patented by individual companies. Some belong to the latest technological solutions, such laminate locks require a special approach to lamella molding.

The following types of docking mechanics systems are found on the modern market:

• the easiest option is Lock;
• widespread Click;
• patented by the Tarkett T-Lock brand;
• 5G using a plastic or metal fixation part;
• Megalock, such locks on a laminate have an end docking area on tongues;
• ClickExpress, this system is slightly better than the common Click;
• the Unicklick locking system, which not only provides convenient assembly of the coating and maximum adhesion strength of the lamellas, but also guarantees assembly and disassembly of the flooring up to 4 times without damaging the laying elements.

The list is closed by a special class of laminated docking areas where aluminum parts are used. Such interlocking systems of the laminate guarantee the resistance to the separation force of the lamellas up to 1200 kg per sq.m, as well as the invisibility of the joining lines between the laying elements.

When choosing a specific type of laminate lamellas for home decoration, it is useful to immediately assess whether or not disassembly and subsequent assembly of the coating is necessary. If you purchase a budget segment product that wears out between repairs, you can save money by choosing a product with a Lock lock.

For a pavement designed to last decades, it is useful to provide for the disassembly and assembly of the deck. For such a case, manufacturers will offer different types of laminate locks.

In order to understand exactly which locks on the laying elements will be most convenient in a particular apartment, we will consider in detail the properties of each of them. Laminate from different manufacturers, of the same strength class and thickness, may have different connection systems from each other. The final price of the products will depend on their complexity, so you should carefully choose a specific product when buying.

lock

The lock zone type Lock is deprecated. Her thesis description looks like this:

• on one side of the lamella there is a groove along the length, on the other - a spike;
• the spike has a toothed shape;
• Laminate is laid with hammering one lamella into another with a rubber or wooden hammer.

It is easy to obtain a durable coating with the help of locking connections of the Lock class. It can be sealed with a wide range of adhesives and mixtures. But the Lock class laminate does not provide for the dismantling and reassembly of the coating. To do this without damaging the styling elements is almost impossible. In addition, if even a small amount of water gets into the joining line that is not protected by glue, the deformation of the base of the laminate board will quickly ruin the flooring.

There is also the problem of long-term use of flooring, created from elements with Lock locks. Over time, due to mechanical deformation of the lamellas under load, the connecting line loses its strength. The material simply wears out, the spike of the castle is depleted. In order to minimize the destruction process, the surface under the deck must meet the strict requirements of 2 mm height difference per square meter. Actually, the industry standard was developed specifically for laminate with Lock locks.

Click

The most common, fairly simple and durable lock. It uses the same tenon-and-groove technology as the Lock connection. However, clogging is not required. You can describe the work with the Click lock like this:

• the spike of the lamella has a hook-shaped bend at the end and a protrusion on the reverse side;
• groove profiling corresponds to the tenon configuration;
• Laying laminate flooring with the Click system occurs by inserting the tenon of one lamella into the groove of the other and light pressure with a rocking motion.

When the lock is fixed, a characteristic click sounds, which gave the common name to the class of docking zones. The Click system is convenient, simple, durable. Can be disassembled and reassembled up to 4 times. However, one of the shortcomings of the Locks remained. The tenon groove wears out over time and the connection weakens.

T-Lock

Tarkett has carefully taken into account the merits of the outdated Lock and the widespread Click system. The patented design of T-Lock implements the most notable advantages of the two systems. The slats are connected at a small angle, almost horizontally (unlike Click, where the initial parking angle can be 40 degrees), fixed with a guarantee of a strong connection. At the same time, laying is quickly done without distortions and cracks (which is what makes the Lock system attractive).

Today, Tarkett is not a monopoly and T-Lock locks offer dozens of brands in their products. Laminate flooring from lamellas equipped with such a system allows disassembly and re-laying of the flooring without damaging the joint area up to 4 times.

5G

In a laminate equipped with a 5G locking scheme, the lamellas are connected not only along the length, but also in the area of ​​​​the end part. When laying the board, it is fixed easily, literally with one click. There is a small drawback of this connection system. It necessarily uses an aluminum or plastic fixing tongue that cannot be repaired. Its failure means that the laying board will have to be replaced.

The 5G system is not widespread. The development company patented its invention, so other brands were forced to follow their own path.

Megalock

The very own way that companies have gone, trying to offer customers the functionality of a patented 5G system. Megalock provides fixation of the board from the end and along the length, but provides for a special procedure for assembling the coating.

1. The first row of lamellas is laid with the ends joined. It passes by inserting special tongues into the grooves of the laying elements, which can be purchased as ordinary consumable hardware.
2. The second row of panels is mounted offset.
3. The connection along the length is carried out in the usual way, each of the stacked lamellas is fixed in its place with a light touch of the hand.
4. In each row, the boards are connected by end zones using tongues.

The tongue-and-groove connection of the lamellas made it possible to achieve high maintainability of the coating, to provide many cycles of assembly and disassembly of the flooring, while treating the joining zones with special impregnations, it is possible to achieve complete protection of the interlock from moisture.

The advantages of various castle connections can be listed for a long time. The list contains many names and subspecies, most of which belong only to individual brands. The listed types of connection are enough to understand how one or another laminate on locks works. This is an excellent floor covering, characterized by durability, excellent aesthetics and a solid service life. And lock connections, which simultaneously speed up assembly and improve the quality of the flooring, will allow you to do all the work on decorating a house or apartment yourself.

The joints of laminated parquet are both the weakest and strongest part of the coating. A carefully thought-out locking system ensures a tight connection of the lamellas, easy assembly and, of course, obtaining a smooth, durable floor covering.

In 1979, the Swedish company Perstorp AB (in the future Pergo) introduced a new flooring to customers through the IKEA chain of stores - laminate. Since the technology was just being developed, the novelty did not yet have interlocks and even tongue-and-groove edges. The breakthrough came in 1994 when Välinges took out a patent for a unique development, the world's first mechanical joint for parquet, parquet and laminate flooring.

The actively developing giants of the woodworking industry became interested in the innovative technology. The first to buy the license was the laminate manufacturer Alloc, which introduced the so-called 1G aluminum lock. In the following 1995, the leaders of Kahrs 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 was called "lock 2G". In fact, this is a prototype of a coupling kit under the modern name Lock. That is, a connection according to the "thorn-groove" principle, but with a carefully designed compacted profile. When assembling the flooring with the Lock system, a special elastic adhesive was used.

Scheme of the first interlocks for laminate.

In the future, the structure of the connecting elements continues to be refined, and at the end of 2001 a patent for a locking system was published, in which two adjacent plates are joined at an angle of 45°, and after pressing (clicking) a mechanically tight bond is obtained. It is thanks to this development that the Click lock laminate, so famous today, is produced. From here begins the era of adhesive-free joining of floor tiles.

Such connecting kits are intended for implementation in multi-layer thin floor coverings: parquet board, engineered solid wood, laminated HDF or PVC floor, and others. For traditional parquet, vinyl or LVT tiles, solid board, simple tongue and groove joints are used.

Manufacturers of laminate flooring in advertising emphasize the adhesive-free 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:

1. Tongue-and-groove or Lock.
2. Snap or Click.

All found names like T-Lock, Megalock, Click2Click, Uniclick and others are just replication of the main types with their own modifications. Nothing fundamentally new or unique has yet been developed. 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 connection system is no longer produced, although occasionally you can find crafts by Chinese "masters" on sale. 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 classics of the click system. The panels are snapped into place at an angle of 30-45° from four sides, and a sufficiently high ridge tenon ensures the tightness of the joint and the resistance of the joint to tensile and bending loads. The coating is available in a standard form and complete with Silenzio sound-diffusing underlay. The shape of the tongue and groove remains unchanged.

Uniclic by Quick Step

No less interesting is the development of the Belgian plant. The engineering profile provides the possibility of both classic snap-in at an angle, and the method of attaching or knocking down planks. This is the best solution for beginners.

The lock complex from Unilin is convenient for premises with a complex perimeter, the presence of hard-to-reach places or various “obstacles” - pipes, podiums, low-mounted radiators, etc.

To understand the essence of the three-way assembly system, watch the video from the manufacturer Quick Step.

PressXpress by Balterio

Similar laminate interlocks are called 3G, 4G, or 5G. That is, an element is added to the Click-joint structure - a plastic “tongue”, aluminum grips or protrusions that provide improved grip and prevent the slats from separating over time (the formation of longitudinal and transverse slots). One of the brightest representatives of this group is PressExpress from the Belgian plant Balterio. A well-designed “additive” to the main hitch eliminates even a hint of the appearance of gaps between the lamellas and significantly strengthens the joint area. Thanks to this solution, the finished flooring will withstand a significant weight without the slightest damage.

Let's note one shortcoming. According to the reviews of the craftsmen, when reassembling, plastic inserts become more of an interfering 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 by Berry Alloc

Laminate with aluminum locks from Alloc itself is unusual. Being a very successful modification of the two basic types of connections, the metal "thorn-groove" increases the reliability of the clutch and speeds up the assembly mechanism. In addition, this scheme allows you to reduce the weight of the floor covering, which is a significant plus for floors with reduced bearing capacity.

According to the manufacturer, the aluminum profile on both long sides of the bar, supplemented with a stiffener, increases the tensile strength of the connection. The limit according to the test reports is 1200 kg/r.m. m. That is why aluminum locks are used exclusively in class 33-34 flooring, designed for places with heavy foot traffic. It is allowed to disassemble and reassemble the floor covering 3 times.

Which laminate lock is better

Let's dispel the most popular myth that says that the best floor is obtained from a laminate flooring with a Click lock. In fact, flooring material with any type of interlock is designed in such a way as to end up with a perfectly smooth surface without protrusions, cracks and squeaks. Service life and build quality depends on:

1. availability of original coverage from well-known brands;
2. professionalism of stackers;
3. strict adherence to instructions.

The Lock joint, unlike its analog, does not stretch so much over time, so the coating with a lock-lock is more convenient in reassembly. The click hitch is more rigid, but subject to the high density of the plate - at least 750 kg / m 3. Let's make it easier for our readers to choose - in large shopping centers, 85% of the assortment is a laminate with the Click system.

Let's break another stereotype. Some masters claim that the click-lock allows you to lay the laminate on the floor with differences exceeding the allowable 2 mm per 2 linear meters of the surface. We will disappoint such unfortunate specialists - not a single type of connection is designed to smooth out significant irregularities, an even, solid foundation is always required. Only in this case you will get a smooth, beautiful and functional floor that will last at least two decades.

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