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 joints? 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Already now we can safely say that some types of laminate locks are clearly outdated.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:
- Lock is the simplest of all.
- Click - this type of laminate lock is the most common.
- Tarkett T-Lock - this type of lock for laminate and is just the same patented.
- 5G - this system uses a metal or plastic fixation piece.
- Megalock - this type of laminate lock is distinguished by the presence of an end joint zone on the tongues.
- Click Express - in terms of prevalence, it can be compared with another Click system.
- 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 locking 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
It can be considered the most common floor covering. The ease of laying the panels allows you to do this work yourself without hiring expensive specialists. Each panel has special locks, thanks to which it is not difficult to assemble the floor covering. We will talk about what types of laminate locks are, and which ones are better to give preference to.
Many manufacturers often come up with various locking connections and claim that their system is the best and most reliable. To the question of what kind of locks there are, you can answer this way - all locks are conditionally divided into two groups (varieties):
- Locks
- Click locks
The difference between these groups is in the way the panels are joined. Locke locks have been used for a very long time and have proven to be the most economical option. Such laminate locks are produced by milling. They are a spike with a fixing comb on one side and a milled groove on the other side of the panel.
Panels with Locke locks are mounted by driving the spike into the groove until they are fully seated and eliminating the gap between adjacent panels. This is done with a wooden mallet or a metal hammer, after substituting a wooden plate or a piece of timber.
Such work requires attention and constant control of the joints from the master. Despite the fact that these are simple and reliable locking connections, they have their drawbacks. Under load, the lock comb wears out from friction, which leads to the appearance between the cracks. Panels with such locks, unfortunately, cannot be disassembled and reassembled if necessary.
It is important to know! To increase the protection of joints from water, it is recommended to treat any types of laminate locks with a sealant.
A more modern development is considered to be equipped with click-locks. Such a coating is devoid of the disadvantages of Locke locks. Locks are also made by milling, however, the panel spike looks like a flat hook. The groove on the other side has a selected platform for engagement with the hook.
Assembling the panels is very simple and does not require much effort. The panel is driven with a spike into the maz of the previous panel at an angle of 45 degrees. When the panel is lowered to the floor, the hook engages with the groove platform and a characteristic double click occurs. Hence the name Twin Click.
This laminate locking joint securely fixes the panels. Even under heavy load, the lamellas do not diverge during prolonged use. It is very important that such a coating is easy not only to assemble, but also to disassemble. Manufacturers claim that it is possible to disassemble a laminate with click-locks up to 3-4 times.
In the event that the climate is very humid, such an interlock can also be treated with a sealant. Do not be afraid that then the laminate can not be disassembled. The sealant can be easily removed from the groove of the laminate.
The latest developments in laminate flooring
On sale you can find a laminate with wax impregnation of locks. This is the so-called Lock Tec lock developed by Witex. All edges are treated with wax, which significantly increases the protection against moisture.
Due to the wax impregnation, the joints between the panels are practically invisible when laid in the correct direction. The floor looks monolithic, which guarantees the resistance of the coating to the penetration of moisture.
Laminate with an aluminum lock is able to withstand loads up to 200 kg per 1 sq. m. The metal lamella, located on the back of the panel, engages with the groove of the adjacent board. Due to the simplicity of the design, laying such a laminate is very fast. Manufacturers guarantee that this will never disperse, and some manufacturers even give a lifetime warranty (ALLOC laminate). Such a coating can be mounted and dismantled up to 6 times.
Innovative developments of Megaloc locks make it possible to speed up the process of laying laminate by 3-4 times. This is due to the location of an additional plastic lock on the end side of the plate. The assembly of the coating is carried out on the side as usual, and for docking at the end, it is enough to lay the panel and lightly press it until it clicks.
The question of which laminate locks are better can be answered unequivocally - twinclick locks. A wide variety of locks from different modern manufacturers, in fact, are just modifications of one reliable locking system.
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 is 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:
- Tongue-and-groove or Lock.
- 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. The patents for these improvements are issued in order to avoid pirated copying of products of 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 connection 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:
- availability of original coverage from well-known brands;
- professionalism of stackers;
- 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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At the turn of the 70s and 80s of the last century, laminate quickly broke into the "premier league" of floor and finishing coatings. The history of its origin, known as "Idea-77", is associated with the purchase of a plant for the production of composite coatings by a Swedish company. The Swedes experimented with everything that came to hand: they laminated wall panels, countertops, window sills. Someone during the next “brainstorming” on the topic, in order to laminate more, and the idea came up to take up the floors. A couple of years later, IKEA stores introduced the Swedes to a novelty - a laminate, which was waiting for a dizzying success, first in the Swedish, and then in the world market.
Only specialists remember the name of the company that developed the laminate, the laminate itself has changed beyond recognition, but its popularity remains huge. Affordable price, practicality, functionality, good noise and sound insulation characteristics, easy maintenance, a huge variety of patterns applied to the decorative layer of this flooring by manufacturers in the fight for the buyer - these are the components of the success of the laminate.
Today, laminate is a multilayer panel, each layer of which is "responsible" for solving different problems:
The bottom one protects against deformation.
The carrier determines the noise and sound insulation qualities, moisture resistance and fastens the panels with a lock during laying between them.
Decorative is made of PVC film or special kraft paper. Drawing is applied to this layer.
A top layer of melamine or acrylate resin protects the floor from damage. Resin can be applied several times, which directly affects the service life of the coating.
The evolution of laminate flooring over the years has also affected how the panels are connected when laid in a monolithic floor structure. The glue method practically “leaves the stage”, today the lock method dominates the market. With the locking method of connection, the tongue on the edge of the laminate panel fits into the groove on the other panel. The advantages of this method in comparison with the glue method are obvious: the laying speed has increased, there is no need to prepare the adhesive composition, there are no smells from the glue in the room. The main advantage - the locking method makes it possible to disassemble the floor covering and lay it 3-4 more times (Click locks). There are several types of locks for laminate flooring.
lock
A lock for a laminate, made according to the tenon-groove principle, is called Lock. A cutter cuts a spike in one of the sides of the carrier layer, and a groove with a comb on the other side. To the panel laid on the floor, they put a piece of timber or a die, and with a wooden mallet they drive the spike into the groove with a careful blow until it is fully seated and the gap between two adjacent panels disappears. The comb in the groove will prevent the spike from coming out. Therefore, this type of castle is also called driven. The Lock lock predates other laminate locks and is considered less technically advanced today.
A relatively weak point is the comb in the groove, which begins to wear out during operation under the influence of intermittent loads. The wear of the lock will lead to the appearance of a gap in this place. Such a defect cannot be repaired. In fairness, it must be said that accelerated wear of the comb occurs when the requirements for the base on which the laminate is laid are not met. And here a paradoxical situation arises between this problem and another "disadvantage" of the Lock-lock.
This "disadvantage" lies in the certain complexity of laying the coating with this type of lock. It is recommended to entrust laying work to professionals, because you should act with a mallet very carefully, adjusting the force of impact. And at the same time constantly monitor the connection points of the panels. However, a professional before laying will inform the owner of the premises that the base for the laminate is of poor quality and problems will arise during operation. And with a properly arranged base, the service life of the interlock will approach the service life of the panels.
Castle Click
Further improvement of laminate locks was marked by the advent of the Click lock system. This lock differs from its predecessor Lock-lock in the shape of the tongue. The tongue in this case is also made by milling and has the shape of a flattened hook. The panels are applied to each other at an angle (usually the angle is 45 °, but it may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer). The panel with the tongue is lowered, the tongue engages with the groove and a characteristic sound is heard. This sound gave the name to the castle - Click.
It is not required to apply great efforts when connecting the panels; it is not required to knock out the panels with a mallet. They are securely fixed, during the laying process, the locks remain intact even if the person who works with the coating makes a mistake. Reliable connection of adjacent panels and the resulting constant voltage protect the lock from abrasion during the entire period of operation. Accordingly, gaps between the panels do not appear over time. The undoubted advantage of the Click locking system is the ability to disassemble the flooring and reassemble it. And so on up to 3-4 times.
T-LOCK and 5g locks
Manufacturers continue to improve laminate locks and develop new modifications. Thus, the Tarkett company has patented a system in which the lock is cut by a cutter in the bearing layer of the panel using the Click technology. The fundamental difference is the presence of a lock on the long and end sides. Laying repeats the steps for connecting the panels with a Click-lock - the new panel is brought to the already laid floor angle of 45 °, lowered and snapped into place.
The next upgrade for the laminate lock is the 5g system. All leading manufacturers have come up with various variants of such a lock - the goal was to further simplify the laying process without losing strength and quality of the connection. A movable tongue was installed in the end part of the panel, which ensured the simultaneous connection of the panel along the long and short sides. On the long side, the panel is brought in at an angle, and on the end side it is simply superimposed on top and lowered until the tongue clicks.
Castle Megalock
A kind of lock for 5g laminate is a system of the German company Classen. The first row of panels is laid in length, the next row is applied at an angle in order to insert the tongue into the groove of the laid panel, after which the panel is lowered and the lock in the end part snaps into place. Disassembly of the laid laminate, if necessary, is easy.
Aluminum locks
The Swedes invented laminate, their Norwegian neighbors developed an aluminum lock system for it. The traditional tongue-and-groove connection of the Lock-lock is complemented by a lock on an aluminum profile. The tongue of this lock fits into the second groove on the adjacent board. The aluminum profile can be located at the bottom of the board or located in the carrier layer. Double connection avoids deformation and appearance of joints during laying and during operation. The aluminum lock withstands a breaking force of one ton or more. In addition, these laminate locks provide additional protection for the flooring from moisture ingress.
Treatment of locks with sealant during installation
Leading manufacturers produce laminate with additional protection of seams from moisture with wax compounds. This applies to laminate 32 and 33 class. Seams should be protected when laying with sealant in cases where there is no wax coating.
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 connecting 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 dismantling 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.
- 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.
- The second row of panels is mounted offset.
- 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.
- 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.
