The most durable laminate Which company's laminate is better to choose - the advantages and disadvantages of manufacturers. Types of connection of laminate panels

Laminate is one of the most popular flooring materials today. High-quality laminate flooring is distinguished by a noble woody look and durability. It is produced by many leading and little-known companies.

We propose to understand and find out who are the best laminate manufacturers - a rating based on consumer opinions and technical properties covered domestic manufacturers and production facilities jointly with Russian ones. After all, the quality of the coating, to a greater extent, depends on the manufacturer.

Laminate Quick-Step (Quick Step)

The appearance of laminate under the Quick-Step brand dates back to 1990. Seven years later, the unique adhesive-free system for connecting UNICLIC panels was invented, and four years later the company surprised the construction market with the appearance of a collection of laminate floors with a triangular chamfer formed between the panels after snapping.

The company has become a leader not only in the invention of the chamfer, but also in the structure of the laminate, as close as possible to the natural structure of wood. The opening of the first plant in Russia took place in 2011 in Dzerzhinsk.

Production facilities allow us to produce unique Quick-Step laminate in accordance with the formed demand. After the opening of the plant, the products became much more affordable in terms of price.

Today, Quick-Step laminate is available in over 20 different collections in standard, long and short plank sizes.

Coverage benefits include:

• A wide range of geometric sizes and various decors;
• Unique locking connections Uniclic and Uniclic Multifiti, allowing to form a strong and reliable connection both by snapping and by horizontal or vertical shifting of the panels;
• HedroSeal water-repellent coating guaranteeing 100% water resistance of the panels, making them suitable for installation in bathrooms and other wet areas. Two collections are available with this coating: Impressive and Impressive Ultra.
• Antistatic;
• Color and light fastness;
• A wide range of related products (profiles, substrates, corner covers, plugs, etc.);
• Guaranteed certification of products according to the requirements: CE, EPLF and PEFC;
• Long service life (at least 25 years).

Despite the many advantages, Quick-Step products also have several significant drawbacks:

• Somewhat reduced quality of laminate flooring produced in the Russian Federation. Most often, consumers are faced with a weak overlay, a mismatch in the geometric dimensions of the planks, as well as a quick washout of paint from chamfered elements.
• Probability of buying a defective batch;
• The presence of a chemical odor.

https://youtu.be/_iwFpfAuIuE

Laminate Tarkett (Tarkett)

The title of "the best laminate" can rightfully be borne by one of the leaders in the domestic market of floor products - the Tarkett enterprise (a joint Russian-German production), founded back in 1880 under the name Sommer Allibert group.

The first mention of the now famous brand Tarkett occurred in 1886. After 100 years, the company becomes the leading manufacturer of flooring in Northern Europe, and 1987 was a landmark year for the plant.

1995 was a landmark year for the enterprise. The second production line under the Sinteros brand (Sinteros) was established, and in 2010 a plant was opened, focused on the production of laminate under the Tarkett and Sinteros brands. Later, a third production line appeared under the name Sommer.

Tarkett laminate with Sinteros and Sommer brands are represented by more than 30 extraordinarily attractive and realistic collections. Super wear-resistant and exquisite panels are gaining more and more consumer preferences.

Laminate - became a universal floor covering, so it is used in completely different conditions. It is well suited for both home and commercial use. And all due to the fact that its varieties, although not a great many, but they have different characteristics. Therefore, this flooring has become universal.

It differs not only in the manufacturer, color and size of the board, but also in the classes that contain the characteristics of abrasion, moisture resistance, shock resistance and others. Now let's find out how to chooselaminate wear resistance class and which one is better to use in which rooms.

Knowing the main features of these characteristics, you can easily select a floor covering that will meet your requirements and significantly save on unnecessary properties that are not essential for use in this type of premises. If all the conditions are chosen correctly, the flooring will delight you with its chic look for many years.

Why are they divided into classes?

Ever since laminate flooring has taken root in the sex scene, the companies that make it and the people who buy it have grown exponentially. Therefore, a controlling organization was created, which prevented the flooding of the market with products of inadequate quality. And with the introduction of certain standards and norms, it has become much easier for the consumer to navigate when choosing this product. In the distant 1999 Western The laminate flooring manufacturers have formed an association (EPLF). In turn, this membership in this association is an indicator of the quality of this company. In our homeland, of course, quality control is not as good as in the West, and therefore the products of domestic manufacturers are classified according to abrasion tests.

Why Choose Laminate?

Very easy to install. The boards are simply connected to each other using locking joints: click( that snap), this type of connection is considered to be more reliable and lock( who are driven in).

Does not require special attention in cleaning. Generally enough once a week to pass the vacuum cleaner.

Very durable (depending on the class). Hairpins from ladies' heels, claws of pets, cigarette burns, furniture wheels - all this is a laminate to sneeze at!

A wide selection of styles and colors. You can easily choose exactly the pattern and size that suits your design solution.

Environmentally friendly (only high-quality models). Will never cause allergies or other skin and asthmatic diseases.

Not hot. Easily tolerates high temperatures and does not support combustion.

Starts at a low price. Due to the low pricing policy (again, dependence on the class and manufacturer) is in good demand.

Therefore, having weighed all the advantages of the laminate, some people use it not only as a floor covering, but also for finishing walls, and sometimes ceilings.

Testing

European classification The EN 13329 laminate standard includes 18 different tasks. The laminate is marked at the exit depending on the result of this testing.

The results of studies of different types of the same class may vary, since each manufacturer himself tests the products.

The following are the tests that are carried out:

• Abrasion resistance.
• Resistance to
• impact resistance.
• High temperature tolerance.
• Stratification test.
• Fade resistance .
• Testing resistance to household chemicals.
• Slip resistance.
• Absorbed water swelling test.
• Emission test.

In fact, there are a lot of tests, this is only a part of the most basic ones.

In order to test manufactured products, the following actions are carried out in the laboratory: a special device is attached to the front side(Taber abrameter) with a grinding wheel, as a result, for how many revolutions the protective coating will be erased will be the determining factorwear resistance class of laminate.

I would like to note that according to the new method, the measurement standards have changed. According to the old tradition of measurement, the abrasive paper of a special circle was changed every 500 circles, and according to the new technology it is necessary to change it every 200 circles, this leads to more intensive abrasion with each new plate of the laminate. And due to these innovations, manufacturers often indicate both parameters at once, both according to the old scheme and according to the new one.

table of correspondence

Classification

An important criterion when choosing any floor finishes is to understand what functions it will perform. After that, it will become clear which laminate is better for a particular room. It would seem yes? - take the most durable and sculpt it everywhere. But no, the prices for different types of laminate differ significantly. And sometimes it does not make sense to overpay for the most wear-resistant laminate, laying it, for example, in the bedroom, where in fact there is no particular load.

The entire laminate is divided into 6 classes according to wear resistance. Half are residential and half are commercial.

Surely you are not going to live your whole life without repairs. If we take the average calculation, the replacement of the flooring occurs every five years, for one reason or another. Someone gets tired of the color, someone wears out from careless use. Yes, lots of options. If a if you do not plan to use this coating for a long time, then the models will surely suit you 21st, 22nd or 23rd grade. They are are endowed with medium technical characteristics and are perfect for flooring in the hallway and in the bedroom. On the other hand, if according to the design project it is planned to use laminate in the kitchen or in the bathroom, then you should pay attention to a laminate of at least class 31. Which will last longer in such conditions.

If you are purchasing a flooring for use in an office or a small shop, for example, the laminate should also have enhanced performance. In this case, choosing which laminate is better directly depends on the wear resistance class. The best solution would be a laminate with the number 33.

Due to the reorientation of potential buyers to laminated coatings of increased strength, in the production of laminate, a coating of the 31st class or 33rd class has become increasingly used. Today, in the production of wood panels, a protective coating of class 31 or more is increasingly used. Therefore, the most common type of laminate wear resistance has become the 32nd class. With proper operation, the service life reaches about 20 years.

Both commercial and domestic laminate should always have a pictogram on the box that shows a picture that defines the class of this laminate. (see figure below). By memorizing these drawings, you will easily understand.

Household laminate

Laminate with wear resistance classes 21, 22, 23 falls into this category. The price category is average. Towhich class of laminate is the best from this category is up to you, do not forget just dLongevity with proper care of two years.

21 class

Term wear resistance, subject to the rules of operation, fluctuates around 2 years old. The main reason for this was the lack of quality protective layer. Recommended for use in utility rooms or closets.

22 class

It has a slightly more reliable protective layer. Recommended for use in areas with low traffic (bedroom, toilet). The service life, subject to the rules of operation, does not exceed 2-3 years.

Cunning!

To extend the life of this class of laminate, you can go for a trick! Laying a carpet or original carpet on top of it in the middle of the room.

23 class

It is a modernized version of the previous class. Wear resistance is slightly increased. Focused on medium traffic. Service life does not exceed 4 years. So it turns out that there are differentlaminate classes and which one is better to choose is up to you.

commercial laminate

31 class

Is the cheapest in this category. It is mainly used in commercial premises with low traffic. In commercial operation, it will last no more than 3-4 years, and if in domestic use, sometimes the service life reaches 10 years. The initial price of a square meter of the 31st class of laminate is 200 rubles.

32 class

The most popular class of laminate in Russia. It will go as the best solution in terms of price-quality ratio. In the office, this coating will stand in its original state, subject to the rules of operation, no more than 5 years, and when used in domestic conditions, the service life reaches 12-15 years. For this type of laminate, prices start at 700 rubles per square meter.

33 class

Proven due to its excellent durability. Unless, of course, we take into account class 34, which is not officially available. This coating is suitable for hotels, dance floors, or restaurants where traffic is very high.

It owes its durability to a thickened lamella (10-12mm), despite the fact that it is designed for commercial use, the service life of this coating will be more than 6 years. And if you decide to lay such a coating at home, then it will serve you for more than 20 years, and some manufacturers even give a lifetime warranty. Accordingly, if it is properly looked after. The cost per square meter of such a laminate is around 1500 rubles.

Cunning!

Laminate class 33 with parquet texture in appearance is sometimes confused with real parquet.

Class 34

Recognized in the world as the most durable and wear-resistant type of laminate. Able to take on the load of a gym, car dealership or airport waiting room. At home, rarely does anyone acquire this type, in view of its high cost, which starts from 1800 rubles. The most wear-resistant class. Withstands the loads typical for gyms, car dealerships, airport halls. Few decide to buy a 34-class laminate for a home, since its price starts at 1,800 rubles per square meter. m. But when using it at home, manufacturers Alloc and Pergo give a lifetime warranty. By the way, they are manopolists in the market for the production of this class of laminate flooring.

In lab tests, this 34 laminate performs even better than the EPLF rating and is therefore considered a premium laminate.

So the answer to the questionwhich laminate is better to lay in the apartment will be class 33, again depending on how long you plan not to make another repair and what is the budget of the current one.

Conclusion

It is not always necessary to purchase top-class laminate flooring. An important criterion for making such a decision will be taking into account the patency of the covered area. In an apartment, it is better to lay a laminate at numbers 31 and 32, due to a moderate load and low traffic, this will be enough. In this case, it is worth considering the parameters of moisture resistance (if you plan to cover the bathroom or kitchen). Laminated dies of the 33rd class Perfect for both home and commercial use. And if the planned loads on the floor are very high, they recommend a laminate with the number 34.

Moisture resistant laminate 33 class

Video instruction

Which brand of laminate flooring is better to choose? We will look at this in today's review. The first in our ranking will be the brands that are members of the pan-European association EPLF, which in itself is a guarantee of quality.

The criteria and requirements for technology and materials are very high there, therefore, if any service life is declared there, then this is exactly true and such a floor will last even longer than the manufacturer guarantees.

In this article, you will find out who is the leader in this segment, as well as what quality standards for laminate a European manufacturer has, and what Russian and Chinese ones have.

So let's get started.

Rating of expensive laminate brands

In this block, we present only expensive brands for the production of laminate. Of course, they are the highest quality of all, but there is a big difference between them, which you will learn about by studying this top 2018.

The price fork of all these manufacturers is from 2000 to 3000 rubles per square.

Pergo

Manufacturer: Sweden

Warranty: Lifetime

The company was founded in 1974 and has been manufacturing premium laminate flooring ever since. This brand is the first in the ranking of expensive coatings, as it is really the best. Its quality is simply "indestructible", which is confirmed by a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.

In addition, it is environmentally friendly and has 84 interesting designs. And this is a rarity among representatives of such elite classes. Usually the company is limited to simple and discreet drawings, compensating for this with quality.

Pros:

• The collection has all wear resistance classes, including 34
• It has a unique clutch mechanism that guarantees easy and quick installation.

Minuses:

• There are no cons, it's a very good choice.

Customer Feedback:

Alloc Original

Producer - Norway

EPLF Association Membership: Yes

Warranty: Lifetime

This company is the progenitor of BerryAlloc, better known in our market, the plant has been operating since 1952 and produces premium products. The products of this brand decorate the airport at Heathrow, the worldwide network of Novotel hotels, all Volkswagen salons.

Pros:

• Laminate for any and various wear classes
• Over a hundred designs
• Unique aluminum lock that can be dismantled and re-laid up to five times
• Incredible impact resistance. The flooring can withstand weight from 550 kilograms per square meter to a ton

Minuses:

• Although there are many designs, there is nothing original

Customer Feedback:

BerryAlloc

Manufacturer - Belgium

EPLF Association Membership: Yes

Warranty: Lifetime

Belgian subsidiary of Alloc. Their products are only premium.

Pros:

• Very strong locks
• Many natural colors and designs (concrete, stone, slate)
• There is a thirty-fourth, the highest class
• There is a new generation laminate, made using high pressure technology. Considered the strongest laminate in the world
• Waterproof, quiet
• Original fiber-aluminum clutches that provide easy and reliable installation, with the possibility of subsequent dismantling and transfer to another location

Minuses:

• no thick board

Customer Feedback:

Haro

Manufacturer - Germany

EPLF Membership: Yes

Warranty: 25 years

The oldest brand in the laminate market. The activity began in 1866, however, as an ordinary woodworking company.

Pros:

• It is considered the most environmentally friendly laminate in the world, as well as the quietest. Its noise level is sixty percent less than other brands
• 4-sided chamfer
• Not afraid of heat, which means that you can put it on a heated floor
• Spring laying system, which is carried out with a slight pressure

Minuses:

• Very poor collection of colors, in which there are only wood motifs

Customer Feedback:

HDM

Manufacturer - Germany

EPLF Association Membership: Yes

Warranty: 30 years

The brand has been on the market for almost 60 years. It is famous for producing an unusual, glossy laminate, which is created using acrylic resin, which is cured by an electron beam.

Pros:

• The lowest content of formaldehyde
• Variety of designs and textures
• Silent
• moisture resistant
• Very strong locks
• Covered with antistatic film

Minuses:

• No 12mm thick boards
• Gloss gets dirty quickly

Customer Feedback:

Kindl

Manufacturer - Austria

EPLF Association Membership: Yes

Warranty: 30 years

It is the Austrian market leader in the production of laminate.

Pros:

• It has a special system with which it can be mounted not only on the floor, but also on the wall
• Very natural wood motif
• Boards of various and non-standard formats (width, length)

Minuses:

• There are no designs other than wood motifs
• No 12mm thick board

Customer Feedback:

Parador

Manufacturer - Germany, Austria

EPLF Association Membership: Yes

Warranty: 25 years

A relatively young European brand that has existed since 1977. Their main strong point is an unusual and original design. No other company has such a variety of colors as this one.

• Not detected

Customer Feedback:

Witex/Wineо

Manufacturer - Germany

EPLF Association Membership: Yes

Warranty: Five times lifetime

This brand gives not just a lifetime warranty, but a fivefold one. What this means is not very clear. Is it really that your great-great-great-grandchildren will be able to contact the company in 150 years and demand a replacement?

Pros:

• Silent
• moisture resistant
• Incredibly durable
• There are very long boards

Minuses:

• Design is boring

Customer Feedback:

Rating of inexpensive brands for the production of laminate

This block contains brands whose price range is from 350 to 1000 rubles per square. This rating is based on an analysis of about 100 reviews from 2016-2017 on specialized forums.

Quick Step

Producer: Germany, Belgium, Russia

EPLF Association Membership: Yes

Warranty: 25 years

The manufacturer is famous for the fact that the glueless arrangement (lock) is his invention, which he introduced in 1997.

Pros:

• Very scratch resistant
• There are thick boards 14 mm
• Variety of board formats
• Wonderful selection of designs (marble, slate, leather)

Minuses:

• Produced in Russia using European technologies

Customer Feedback:

Tarkett

EPLF Association Membership: Yes

Warranty: 25 years

A very old manufacturer that started in France. Then he opened branches in the USA and Sweden. Then they united in Germany.

And today there are factories in Russia, namely in Otradnoye and Mytishchi, where they produce inexpensive laminate for our market.

Pros:

• Despite the fact that the price is affordable, the choice of colors is very large: 15 collections with a wide variety of designs in each
• There are thick boards 12 mm

Minuses:

• There are many designs, but they are all on a woody theme.
• Production in Russia

Customer Feedback:

Egger

Producer - Germany, Russia

EPLF Association Membership: Yes

Warranty: 20 years

The brand has been operating since 1961, relatively recently on the Russian market, but has already gained popularity due to its quality and reasonable price.

Pros:

• Anti-slip surface
• moisture resistant
• Boards in five formats

Minuses:

• Very dull design and insufficiently realistic textures
• Production in Russia

Customer Feedback:

Lebenholz

Manufacturer - China

Warranty: 15 years

The name of this brand sounds like German, therefore, many people get confused and take it for Germany. But, this is just a marketing ploy.

The quality here is primordially Chinese, but we included it in the rating, as the company is quite popular because of the price.

Pros:

• Several board formats, including extra long boards
• 4-sided chamfer
• There is a thick board

Minuses:

• Very implausible design of wood textures
• Loses its original appearance quickly

Customer Feedback:

Sinteros

Manufacturer - Russia

EPLF Association Membership: No

Warranty: 15 years

This company is part of the Tarkett group, but it is Russian, it used to be called Roofing and Polymers. Produces a laminate inexpensive, but enough quality for their money.

Pros:

• Environmental friendliness
• Good price
• Has a waterproof board

Minuses:

• It has only 2 collections, and even in those the design is absolutely rustic and uninteresting. Wood motifs are unrealistic
• Boards do not have bevels
• Only thin boards with a thickness of 8 mm

Laminate cannot be called a “folk flooring” - it is a premium flooring material, the installation of which is suitable for almost all rooms within an apartment or private house. In addition to performing the function of a simple covering, laminate is an important element of decor, giving the room a richer look. It is not afraid of scratches, but it is weakly resistant to water, which clearly indicates its delicacy.

A large assortment of laminate from leading manufacturers in Russia, Europe and Asia puts the domestic consumer in a difficult position. A huge selection, the number of brands and colors can confuse anyone, even the most experienced buyer. In this regard, we have selected for you the 15 best laminate manufacturers in four main categories. Each applicant was selected based on the following criteria:

• brand popularity among consumers;
• recommendations of experts and professionals;
• range size;
• conformity of the product price to the original quality.

All products from manufacturers included in the final rating are worthy of your priority attention.

The best European laminate manufacturers

4 HDM ELESGO

Unique production technology
Country: Germany
Rating (2019): 4.8

The CDM concern is a German company with a half-century history of development. In the range of its products, the Elesgo laminate collection stands out. It is produced using a patented technology that has a number of advantages. The material is based on high-density (900 kg / m 3) fiberboard, environmentally friendly (formaldehyde in it is no more than in natural wood) and resistant to mechanical stress. The characteristics of the carrier plate, together with the innovative Unilin locking system, provide quick installation, rigid coupling of the planks and the possibility of multiple reinstallation.

However, the main difference between the technology lies in the application of a protective coating in the form of acrylate resin to the decorative layer, while other manufacturers use melamine for this purpose. The difference between them is very significant: the risk of release of harmful substances into the atmosphere decreases, the surface acquires antistatic properties, becomes more resistant to household chemicals and UV radiation. The excellent quality of the Elesgo laminate is also confirmed by the reviews.

Advantages:

• magnificent appearance of a "mirror" covering;
• original lock connection with wax moisture-proof impregnation;
• high mechanical strength, scratch resistance.

Flaws:

• like any glossy surface needs some care.

3 Kaindl

Best Operating Ability
Country: Austria
Rating (2019): 4.9

A giant from the family of German woodworking companies, which has been operating for more than 120 years. Kaindl Flooring GmbH is a full-cycle manufacturer: the company independently grows wood, processes the material, manufactures and sells products around the globe.

The company enjoys special love in the USA, Canada, South America and Europe. In Russia, up to a certain point, it was treated neutrally, but the "boom" of the laminate brought Kaindl to the top manufacturers here too. The only complaint about the products is the cost: the entire line of laminate has a high price, which is far from affordable for all consumers.

Advantages:

• a large selection of laminate flooring for any interior;
• use of the densest carrier board for laminate boards (950 kg/m3);
• warranty period of laminate flooring up to 30 years.

Flaws:

• high price.

2 Balterio

Best product quality
Country: Belgium
Rating (2019): 4.9

The year 2001 was crowned for the Belgian industrial corporation Spanolux SA with the opening of a new division responsible for the production of advanced developments of laminate flooring under the well-known Balterio brand. The company's business immediately went well - the systematic development of infrastructure helped, from the actual cultivation of wood to logistics operations. Balterio is focused on the production of high quality laminates from 32 to 34 wear resistance classes in the thickness range from 7 to 12 millimeters. The cost of the entire line is quite high, but the price is fully consistent with the reliability and durability of the finishing material.

Advantages:

• an extensive range of products;
• large size range (length from 1192 to 2039 mm, width from 134 to 392.5 mm);
• several connection systems under the assembler level.

Flaws:

• high price;
• products are often counterfeited by small Eastern companies.

Many users are wondering which flooring to prefer: laminate, parquet, tile or linoleum. What are their main advantages and what are the main disadvantages - we learn from the comparison table.

1 Pergo

First laminate flooring company
Country: Sweden
Rating (2019): 5.0

A premium manufacturer of laminate, in fact, is its ancestor. The first batches of laminate boards rolled off the assembly line back in 1979, and even then consumers were delighted with the overall quality. Almost 40 years later, their products are still a world-class standard, to which only a few managed to grow. Pergo's production is distinguished by the strictest quality control of products at each stage of processing, which allows us to supply consumers with the best flooring elements.

Another positive difference lies in the centralization and versatility of production: the laminate produced by the Belgian company is no different from what comes off the Swedish (original) conveyor.

Advantages:

• TitanX top layer protection system (effective protection against impact, wear, abrasion and fading);
• high level of environmental friendliness;
• guaranteed service life is 25 years.

Flaws:

• a large number of fakes on the market;
• all collections (12 lines) are very expensive.

The best Russian laminate manufacturers

4 Kronospan

Extensive range. Economy option
Country Russia
Rating (2019): 4.2

Kronospan, one of the largest wood processing plants in Russia, produces not only MDF and chipboard, but also laminated flooring under the same brand. Reviews on it are quite contradictory, but in most cases they agree on one thing: for an economical solution, for example, finishing a rented apartment or a summer house, you can’t find better material.

As for reliability, it strongly depends on the thickness (ranging from 7 to 14 mm) and density (800 – 860 kg/m 3 and above) of the carrier plate. For some collections (“Titan Prestige”, “Vintage Classic”, etc.), the manufacturer is ready to provide a guarantee of 25–30 years when used in an apartment or private house and 5 years in the industrial sector.

Advantages:

• smooth geometry of the slats and a clear docking of the joints;
• a rich selection of textures, gloss levels and shades for the implementation of any design project;
• availability of special solutions with antibacterial coating, protection against micro-scratches and built-in sound insulation - Krono Xprotect, Krono Xonic;
• VOC Emissions hygienic certification with an A+ label (low emission of harmful volatile substances).

Flaws:

• due to the spectacular design in stores, you can buy at an inflated cost;
• budget lines are not recommended for high traffic areas (office, hallway, corridor, kitchen);
• before laying, careful preparation of the base is required.

3 Tarkett

High quality combined with reasonable price
Country:
Rating (2019): 4.7

The company in which the share of the Russian is viewed the least. Tarkett was born back in 1987 as a manufacturer of carpet and vinyl flooring and wall coverings. Now it is one of the largest laminate manufacturers, the main division of which, as well as the head office, are located in Germany, while only manufacturing plants are located in Russia (place of production: Mytishchi). Let out production differs in high quality and reasonable price which is completely compensated by reliability and durability of production. The market is flooded with 30 collections of 32 and 33 wear resistance classes, which are very popular with users.

Advantages:

• service life varies from 15 to 25 years;
• overall quality and reliability of products;
• free access to the Russian market;
• acceptable price.

Flaws:

• there are boards with a marriage of the upper and lower layers;
• some series are characterized by poor ergonomics (slippery top layer).

2 Kronostar

Best price
Country: Germany (produced in Russia)
Rating (2019): 4.7

One of the three companies (along with the Russian Kronospan and the German Kronoteks), which is part of the Swiss Krono Group. It specializes in the production of a wide range of wood products for floors, walls and ceilings: from chipboard to laminate and parquet. The first batch of laminate rolled off the assembly line in 2002 at the company's Russian plant located in the Kostroma region. The manufactured laminate flooring of 31-33 wear resistance classes is in stable demand, largely due to its low cost and acceptable reliability indicators.

Advantages:

• low cost;
• products strictly comply with all known parameters;
• The laminate line features a classic soft design and a range of shades without aggressive and non-trivial solutions.

Flaws:

• unity of sizes in the entire line of laminate;
• defective boards come across (knocked down pattern, surface defect, unusable locks);
• poor design choices.

1 Ritter

The choice of professionals
Country Russia
Rating (2019): 4.9

A fresh trend in the manufacture of laminate flooring came from where it was not expected at all. The large Russian concern RBC decided to launch the production of wood finishing materials, as a result of which the Ritter brand was founded.

Its main difference from others lies in the style of its products. Ordinary "wooden motifs" faded into the background - the company is engaged in the production of laminate with embossed leather. Originally, however, at first, the manufacturers faced the question of the relevance of their development. Six years have passed, but the original laminate is still in stable demand among domestic consumers.

Advantages:

• an atypical approach to development - stylization of the surface of the laminate under the skin;
• relative cheapness of products;
• the service life is 30 years;
• exceptionally high-quality laminate 33 and 34 wear resistance class.

Flaws:

• lack of models with a smooth finish or embossed wood.

The best Chinese laminate manufacturers

3 Practicing

High-quality processing of locks with paraffin
Country:
Rating (2019): 4.1

Since the production facilities of Praktik are concentrated in China, it will not be correct to compare its laminate with the products of German giants like HDM or Classen. But among compatriots, this brand looks worthy. Initially, the attention of consumers is attracted by the price of flooring: you can buy a laminate with a thickness of 12 mm for about 900 rubles. At the same time, it is made of HDF boards with a density of 900 kg / m 3, treated with a water-repellent compound using Aquastop technology.

Additional prevention of moisture ingress is provided by impregnation of key joints with synthetic wax. One of the buyers (by the way, a professional installer) reported on the tightness in real conditions based on his experience: after 2 hours of soaking the sample in water, the maximum change in thickness in several places barely reached 0.1 mm. Against this background, reviews that the material can withstand long-term use in kitchens and loggias look quite plausible.

Advantages:

• low price when using a high-quality carrier base;
• availability of domestic and foreign certificates (PEFC, ISO, EPD, Blue Angel);
• the ability to pick up all the necessary components (substrate, skirting boards, thresholds) from one brand.

Flaws:

• difficulty with styling due to abundant lubrication of locks with wax;
• real wear resistance is lower than the declared class.

2 Goodways

original design
Country: China
Rating (2019): 4.5

The case when originality fully compensates for the mediocrity of quality. The Goodway laminate line came to the world market as an innovator - at that time (and the case was unfolding in 2006), the solution proposed by the company looked like a very interesting and bold step. Creative genius was expressed in the creation of collections for each country separately. So, for England, a laminate in soft colors with light embossing was proposed, and for the Arab countries, an abundance of small elements with intricate styling came to the fore.

In the past few years, the concept of production has changed: in order to make products more popular and affordable, China has given some orders (for the production of collections for Russia and Norway) to the Russian branch of the company.

Advantages:

• at the moment, seven collections of laminate are produced, each with 5-12 design options;
• service guarantee - 30 years;
• compliance with product quality standards.

Flaws:

• cutting locks sometimes leaves much to be desired;
• there are some problems with the geometry of the slats.

1 Floorwood

Extensive laminate collection
Country: Germany (made in China)
Rating (2019): 4.7

Nominally a Chinese company, in which the forces of the Belarusian, Russian and even Belgian side are involved. It was the interest of a large circle of owners in mutual success that contributed to the output of products to a good (competitive) zonal level, including the domestic domestic market.

Initially, the company was represented by only two factories located in Germany and Belgium. Further, geography prescribed to place factories in Belarus and Russia, after which almost the entire load was transferred to Chinese production facilities. Laminate still goes through strict quality control, but products often have complaints from customers.

Advantages:

• an abundance of model ranges and their constant updating;
• compliance of products with European and Russian certifications;
• service guarantee up to 25 years.

Flaws:

• a large number of marriages in Chinese divisions;
• the cost exceeds consumer expectations.

Top laminate manufacturers: group companies

4 Kastamonu

A small percentage of marriage. Great service
Country: Turkey/Russia
Rating (2019): 4.3

Since 1999 Kastamonu has been producing laminate flooring under the Floorpan trademark. During this time, the products have become so popular that 10 new factories were built for its production in different countries of the world, including Russia. The secret of success was initially laid down by a unique combination of affordability, a wide range (about 70 different decor options) and ease of installation. Among other advantages mentioned by the owners of houses and apartments where the material was used are the minimum percentage of defective slats and the manufacturer's willingness to help in solving difficulties, for example, adding the missing quantity from a scarce collection.

The company pays special attention to the quality of the laminate: it uses high-quality fibreboard, provided for a protective layer of 31-33 abrasion class and the presence of 4-sided chamfers. The beveled edges give the finished floor an expressiveness and similarity to parquet. In addition, a laminate with chamfers around the entire perimeter is considered more resistant to mechanical stress, masks gaps that occur during temperature changes, and even helps to visually adjust the shape of the room.

Advantages:

• big choice;
• no unpleasant surprises in the form of defective parts;
• ease of installation.

Flaws:

• the effect of "dustiness" on matte coatings;
• weakness of the connecting locks.

3 Eggers

User Choice
Country: Austria/Germany/Russia
Rating (2019): 4.6

Egger was founded as a small manufacturer of wood-based materials and over 50 years has grown into a real conglomerate, bringing together as many as 17 companies from all over Europe and Russia. The inexorable growth of production capacities made it possible to expand the range of manufactured products - now Egger produces not only laminate, but also everything you need for interior decoration and furniture manufacturing.

It is interesting that the German-Russian company produces products not only under its own brand, but also sells it, as they say, on the side. The corporation has a number of contracts signed with leading furniture manufacturers and small firms primarily engaged in marketing products around the world.

Advantages:

• production of accompanying products, such as decorative profiles and cleaning products (non-aggressive for the top protective layer);
• the possibility of installing a laminate on the floor and on the walls;
• the shelf life of products is from 12 to 25 years.

Flaws:

• in Russian series there are defective straps;
• quite high cost.

2 Quick steps

Best price
Country: Belgium/Russia
Rating (2019): 4.8

Contrary to common sense, many people consider Quick-Step to be exclusively Belgian. It is all the more pleasant to report that the Russian division of the company is also actively involved in the release of laminate under this brand.

The Belgians took a step towards popularizing and increasing the availability of products for Russian consumers. The only thing that can be (and quite enough) to say is that the calculation played exactly as the manufacturers expected it. The level of sales has grown, and the range of laminate, which has entered retail trade on the domestic market, has noticeably expanded.

Advantages:

• significant expansion of the model range with the transfer of production to Russia;
• a huge selection of laminate flooring for any interior;
• the presence of an antistatic coating;
• service life up to 25 years.

Flaws:

• Russian laminate is inferior in quality to Belgian;
• persistent chemical odor.

1 Berry Alloc

The best quality of manufactured products
Country: Belgium/Norway
Rating (2019): 4.9

The company is an important part of the transnational corporation Beaulieu International Group. It turned out as a result of the merger of the Belgian plant Berry Floor and the Norwegian company Alloc, which combined the already huge production capacities together. The main difference (it is also an advantage) from other companies lies in the method of manufacturing the board: instead of the standard pressing of the top layer, Berry Alloc uses HPL (High Pressure Laminate) technology. This leads to a significant increase in performance, which, judging by the feedback from users, is indeed the case. Therefore, a 30 year warranty on laminate durability easily grows into 40 - a significant increase that is important for many consumers. The company's only problem is the high cost of products. And if for Europe this is not a big problem, then in Russia things are a little different.

Advantages:

• the highest quality of production;
• practical service life reaches 40 years.

Flaws:

• high cost of all models of the manufacturer's line.

How to choose a good laminate

Choosing a good laminate for your apartment is not as easy as it might seem at first. In order not to make a mistake with the purchase, we recommend that you pay attention to the following parameters:

The presence of a bevel. A chamfer is a small indentation at the ends of laminate boards. If the floor is not perfectly even, beveled laminate should be preferred. They visually smooth the surface by drawing the boundaries of each board. In the absence of a chamfer, the floor will appear monolithic.

laminate class. Perhaps the most important indicator in this category. The lowest class of a laminate board is the 31st - such a laminate, when laid in a private house, will last no more than ten years. The highest class is the 34th - these boards are able to withstand up to 30 years of operation in a private house and up to 7-15 years in commercial and crowded premises.

Decor and structure. With the decor of the laminate, everything is simple - you should choose the color and pattern that best suits the interior. But with the structure, everything is much more interesting. There are laminate boards with a smooth surface and embossed wood and leather. We recommend paying attention to corrugated models, since a smooth laminate is less ergonomic in everyday use.

Board thickness. Budget laminate has an average thickness parameter - about 8-10 millimeters. Anything less or more costs much more. It is recommended to choose a thick laminate board if the room is supposed to have heavy furniture or household appliances.

Moisture resistance. The maximum allowable moisture permeability of the laminate is 18%, however, in premium options, this parameter is 7-12%. Accordingly, the lower the moisture permeability, the more resistant to the perception of liquids is the laminate board.

Laminate flooring, which has become popular due to its unique consumer qualities, is ideal for flooring. High strength and wear resistance, successful resistance to moisture and affordable price have become the main factors that influenced the widespread use of laminate.

Numerous reviews indicate that it is impossible to unambiguously answer the question of which laminate is the highest quality. But having opted for this type of coating, you need to have an idea of ​​​​what you need to pay attention to when buying, about the characteristic features of a quality material that can serve for a long time without losing its original qualities.

What is a good laminate?

What kind of laminate should be, so as not to get utterly disappointed after laying a beautiful coating on a shop window, so that the coating really performs the functions assigned to it for a long time?

What is laminate made of?

Laminate flooring or, as they say, laminate consists of several layers of material that perform certain functions:

• The lowest layer of melamine film, preventing the penetration of moisture penetrating through the subfloor in the form of steam or condensate;
• The main layer of the coating, made of chipboard or high density fiberboard with a large amount of adhesive;
• Moisture-resistant film that prevents the penetration of moisture to the material of the base layer;
• A layer of decorative textured paper that forms the appearance of the coating;
• Protective coating made of acrylic or melamine resin, responsible for the wear resistance of the coating and the ability to resist shock and abrasion loads.

Reference: A good laminate is made from high-quality wood material at a temperature of 180-200 ° C and a pressure of 3.5-4.5 MPa, which leads to high uniformity of the material and uniformity of the coating thickness within no more than 0.2 mm. Some reduction in pressure during pressing of the base material, which reduces the cost of production, reduces the strength characteristics of the coating and its moisture resistance.

Laminate classes

Depending on the purpose, the laminate is divided into two main groups, which include several subgroups called classes. Each class has its own technical characteristics and is designed for different operating conditions:

• Laminate "household" class. It is divided into coatings of 21, 22 and 23 classes, used in rooms with a small load and having a service life limited to five years. It can be used in the living room and bedroom of a small apartment. It is precisely because of the short service life that it has not become widespread and is rarely used when installing flooring, even in everyday life. Low demand also causes the lack of coverage in retail chains that clearly track the requirements of buyers;
• Commercial laminate. It is divided into four classes, from 31 to 34. This is the highest quality laminate, which provides high stability of the coating, and some models have excellent waterproof properties, which allows the use of such material in rooms with a sufficiently high traffic. In domestic conditions, for example, class 33 laminate can provide a coating service life of up to 20 years without losing its original appearance, and waterproof models are successfully used even when facing floors in the hallway, kitchen or bathroom. The high strength of the main plate is able to withstand significant temperature fluctuations that occur during floor heating, both electric and water.

Quality indicators

When buying a laminate in a store, it is necessary to choose a quality product from the whole variety of laminate flooring, and it is better to solve this problem yourself, not completely trusting the sellers who are interested in selling this or that product. So, what should you pay attention to when choosing:

Coating appearance

In addition to texture and color, attention should be paid to the uniformity of the top layer by viewing the surface "into the light" from various angles. If the coating does not contain a large number of irregularities, and the surface of the protective film is uniform, further attention can be paid to such patterns.

Turning the laminate over, you need to pay attention to the quality of the waterproof substrate and especially its fit to the base layer along the edge of the laminated board. It is these areas that are most susceptible to moisture and the service life of the laid floor depends on their quality workmanship.

Important! One of the important features of laminated coatings is the presence of a small, from 1 to 2 mm, chamfer along the edges of the laminated board, which plays a significant role in maintaining the appearance of the coating.

The temperature change in the linear dimensions of the laminate is quite significant, it is not in vain that when laying, a gap of at least 10 mm between the wall and the coating is required.

Such a change in size inevitably leads to the appearance of small, up to 0.5 mm gaps in the interlocks of the finished coating, which greatly spoil its appearance and are very successfully hidden by the presence of this small chamfer, which simultaneously protects the surface from possible damage.

Stove Specifications

The first thing to immediately find out what material the main coating plate is made of. It's fine if it's MDF, but the ideal laminate is HDF, which means it's high density fibreboard. A large number of resins impregnating the base, and polymerization at high pressure and temperature, make it possible to obtain a plate in terms of hardness almost as good as a tile. The only drawback of such a plate is the complexity of processing.

The second thing you need to pay attention to when choosing is the thickness of the board. A good laminate floor in an apartment rarely has a board thickness of less than 8 mm. Such dimensions allow the coating to steadfastly resist deforming influences and retain its original shape. If the laminated board is thinner, then, depending on the thickness of the substrate and the condition of the main floor, deflections and delamination of the lock sections are possible, which over time leads to a violation of the integrity of the coating and the need for repairs.

The third important characteristic of laminated coatings is the thickness of the protective film and the material from which it is made. Melamine coating, having sufficient strength, is used in the manufacture of smooth surfaces without a pronounced relief. The main disadvantage of melamine is its limited resistance to various chemicals, and if various concentrated solvents get on the floor surface, an indelible stain can be obtained that spoils the appearance of the coating.

Acrylic resins are more chemically stable and allow the formation of a textured surface of the slab, which in some cases is necessary when imitating certain types of wood. The thickness of the protective film directly affects the abrasion of the coating and, ultimately, its overall service life. The best laminate offered in retail chains has a protective layer thickness of 1mm and a service life in the domestic environment of about 25 years.

And the fourth thing that should be checked visually when choosing a laminate is the quality of the lock elements and the presence of additional impregnation of the lock in case of purchasing waterproof laminate models. A good quality laminate has a glossy surface of the plate in the area of ​​the connecting elements, an even profile of the lock with a smooth smooth surface, and a drop of water that has fallen on the surface of the lock should roll off without wetting the material of the main coating plate.

The number of laminated floors presented in the distribution network includes more than 100 items from various foreign and domestic manufacturers, and consumers determine which laminate is more suitable by creating a certain quality rating with their purchases. And not always the highest quality real laminate floor will be in demand by the consumer due to its disproportionately high cost.

1. Headed by Tarkett, Quick Step, Pergo, Balterio, Egger.
2. Next come no less eminent manufacturers that produce high-quality products, but are sold at a slightly higher price than the leaders. These are Witex, Classen, Maestro, Ritter, Alloc.
3. In the lower price category, there are domestic and joint ventures well known to consumers by the names Kronostar, Kronotex, Kronospan, which, despite the similarity of names, are independent enterprises that produce very high quality products.

For your information: Kronostar class 32 laminate has been successfully used in the hallway of a private house on a par with the much more expensive German Witex laminate for more than 10 years, so which laminate is better cannot be unambiguously answered based only on the price of coverage in the distribution network. Very often, expensive well-known brands do not differ in quality from cheaper products from less well-known manufacturers.