What is the difference between laminate grades? We choose the best. How to choose a laminate, selection criteria - the pros and cons of different types. Interview with the master We list the tests that are carried out

Thanks to modern technologies, it has become a wonderful opportunity to replace an expensive parquet board with an analog material, the price of which is lower, but visually it looks the same. Laminate has confidently won a high position in the global construction market and, thanks to its properties, does not lose its relevance.

The operational classification of the laminate allows you to determine the period during which it will not lose its properties and will not change outwardly.

The main classes of laminate

Today, active work is underway to improve the top layer of laminate flooring, and various types of decor are being developed. Outwardly, many types of laminate have long been difficult to distinguish from natural wooden boards and parquet.

There are two main groups of laminate flooring:

1. Home Use Laminate. The service life of this coating is no more than 5-6 years. The cost of laminate for the home is lower.
2. Laminate for commercial use. The service life of this coating is 3-6 years in commercial premises.
   Such a coating can also be used at home, in which case its service life can increase to 10 years or more. The price of commercial laminate is higher.

According to European standards, these two large groups also include several. If you use a floor covering in accordance with its class, then it will last a long time.

Home laminate

• 21 class. This floor covering has the shortest service life, about 1-2 years. Cheaper materials are used for its production.
  mainly in areas with low loads - pantries, bedrooms, etc.
• 22 class. Laminate with a service life of not more than 2-4 years. For production, more durable and high-quality materials are taken.
  Therefore, it is preferable to use such a laminate in rooms with a small load on the floor, such as a dressing room, pantry, bedroom, nursery, etc.
• 23 class. Such a floor will last about 4-6 years. It is very popular, mainly used in kitchens, dining rooms, corridors, guest rooms and other rooms where the operation of the floor is higher.

commercial laminate

• 31 class. It is used in rooms with low load on the floor. It fits mainly in meeting rooms, reception rooms, small offices and so on.
  This coating lasts about 2-3 years. However, if you use this laminate at home, then its service life increases to 10-12 years.
• 32 class. Suitable for use in rooms with an average load on the floor. Most often it is always laid in office premises, where they serve perfectly for about 3-5 years.
  However, this type of laminate is often used at home. Where its service life is at least 12-15 years.
• 33 class. Ideal for rooms where there is constantly an intense load on the floor. Such coating serves in commercial premises for about 5-6 years.
  If at home, then it will lie for at least 15, or even 20 years. Manufacturers, without exaggerating, give such a coating a lifetime warranty.
  The main advantage of class 33 laminate, in addition to excellent performance, is the appearance, which remains unchanged for a very long time.

Advice!
When buying, check the accompanying documentation. It must contain images corresponding to the class.
Laminate, which is intended for residential sectors, is indicated by a house. The little people with numbers below them indicate the intensity of the load that the laminate can withstand.

Pros and cons of laminate flooring

The main advantages are the following

• Laminate is a great alternative to parquet.
• Laminate flooring is easy to care for. It is easy enough to wash it in time, it does not require polishing or sanding.
• Laying laminate is not difficult, you can do it yourself. When selling a laminate, a special instruction is attached, which will help in the matter of laying. When assembled, such a floor looks like parquet, but it costs an order of magnitude cheaper.
• Laminate flooring is environmentally friendly and therefore suitable for people with allergies.
• Laminate is lighter than board and much stronger than it. Any stains can be easily removed from the laminate. Having spilled paint or nail polish on it, the stain is easily removed with ordinary acetone, without causing any harm to the coating.
• Laminate flooring can be laid on any surface, be it tile, linoleum of any hardness, wood flooring or short haired flooring.
• It is wear-resistant and durable material. The floor is covered with a special film that can withstand any load for 15-20 years. The coating is not scratched, there are no dents from studs or furniture on the laminate. If something heavy falls on the floor, there will be no trace left on it. The coating is resistant to high temperatures, cigarette butts or ashes from the fireplace will not cause any harm to the floor. You can even roller skate or draw on laminate flooring.
• The wood fiber base provides the laminate with high strength and good rigidity. The top layer imitates precious wood, outwardly it looks very high quality, so it is quite difficult to distinguish a laminate from a natural floor. In addition to wood species, granite, marble, tiles and even carpeting are successfully imitated.

Of the shortcomings, the following qualities of a laminate are distinguished

• Laminate coating is relatively short-lived. With active use, the laminate will last no more than 4-5 years, despite the fact that manufacturers promise excellent service for at least 15-20 years.
• Laminate flooring is ideal for those who like to experiment and often change the interior design of their home.
• It is impossible to recycle and then cover the laminated floor with a new layer of varnish; after the expiration of its service life, it has to be completely replaced with a new coating.
• And no less important minus is that no matter how high-quality the laminate is, it only imitates natural parquet.

Advice!
When choosing a laminate, start from its characteristics. It is not enough just to look at a photo of the finished floor or a video of how the laminate is laid and how it looks good.
The classification of the laminate into classes allows you to determine how durable the laminate is and how long it will last. When buying, be sure to check which class the laminate you have chosen belongs to.

Choosing a floor covering, experts strongly recommend starting with such a parameter as the wear resistance class of the laminate. Let's see what it is and how it affects the characteristics of the finishing material.

Laminated parquet is a multi-layer decorative finishing coating obtained by pressing under high pressure. Consists of (top to bottom):

1. Overlay

This is a transparent layer of high-strength polymer resins (melamine, acrylic, etc.). The quality, thickness, hardness and impact resistance of the film determine such parameters of the laminate as hygiene, resistance to moisture, abrasion and impact loads, as well as the service life of the floor material. Depending on the design of the collection, the overlay can be:

• smooth (satin matte, semi-gloss, mirror-gloss);
• structural (embossing imitating the texture of natural wood processed by brushing, etc.).

It is a special paper with a pattern applied to it by high-precision printing. Decors can be very diverse: imitation of parquet, solid board, palatial array, ceramic tiles, natural stone, fabric and much more.

European premium laminate manufacturers add another layer to this layer - kraft paper, which is pressed with a decorative layer and an overlay. This technology significantly increases the strength characteristics of finished lamellas. The technique is called HPL (High Pressure Laminate - high pressure laminated coating).

3. Carrier board

This is the basis of any laminated parquet. Standard thickness - from 6 to 14 mm. It consists of the plate itself and the tongue-and-groove locking kit of the Click or Lock type. Thanks to this, the laminate is quickly and easily assembled into a single, monolithic-smooth canvas without drops and cracks.

To increase the moisture and water resistance of joints, manufacturers treat locks with special polymer (AquaStop, AquaResist) or paraffin (Wax) compounds.

Such characteristics as the level of resistance to compressive, bending, and tension loads depend on the density and cross section of this layer. Simply put, this means how much weight is allowed for the coating, how long the laminate can withstand intensive foot traffic, etc.

It is produced from two types of fiberboard:

4. Base or stabilization layer

Formed from paper impregnated with synthetic thermosetting resins. Designed to protect the lower part from moisture and prevent deformation of the slats. In addition to the tread, it also has an informational function, since the base layer often indicates the production date and batch number, as well as the brand name and registered trademark.

According to the European standard DIN EN 13329, the laminate has a three-layer structure:

1. Decorative paper and overlay pressed into a single component;
2. Carrier bar;
3. base layer.

For the average person, this information is irrelevant. However, professionals understand that this is a DPL (Direct Pressure Laminate) series laminate. The difference from HPL is that the top and bottom layers are immediately and directly pressed onto the carrier base. Most of the factories work on this technology, including Chinese, Russian and inexpensive European brands.

For those who want to mount parquet in rooms with a high level of humidity (bathrooms, dining rooms, laundries, etc.), a waterproof PVC laminate is produced. The difference with the traditional one is that a plate made of composite super-hard plastic acts as a carrier board. The cost of such a coating is high, but they can replace porcelain stoneware or floor ceramics and decorate the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe house or cafe in the same style.

Waterproof laminate based on PVC composite.

Classification of laminate by class

Laminate flooring differs in two main parameters:

1. Production method (HPL or DPL);
2. Load class or wear resistance.

Let's take a closer look at the last criterion. Laminate abrasion class is a quality category that determines the suitability of a finishing material for commercial and domestic applications, as well as its service life.

The European standard EN 13329 "Elements with a surface layer based on aminoplast thermosetting resins - characteristics, requirements and test methods" contains complete information on how to determine and calculate the load class. This document almost corresponds to the Russian analogue of GOST 32304-2013 “Laminated floor coverings based on dry-process fibreboard. Specifications".

The European regulation includes the following list of tests for samples:

• Abrasion resistance or overlay strength (Taber test);
• Impact resistance (test with a small ball “shooting” into the sample and a test with a large falling ball);
• Indentation resistance (metal ball test under pressure);
• Resistance to the impact of the legs of movable furniture;
• Resistance to chairs on rollers;
• Inertness to a burning cigarette;
• Resistance to pollution (fruits, juices, wine and other aggressive chemicals);
• Moisture resistance - swelling of the plate in 24 hours when completely immersed in water as a percentage of the volume of the sample. A quality product should have a water absorption coefficient of no more than 18%.

Taber test device.

After carrying out all the tests, the main characteristics of the laminate are determined and a load class is assigned to it. Moreover, preference is given to the smallest results, even if the difference is tenths. This means that if, according to the results of one check, the coverage corresponds to category 31, and according to the rest - 32, then it is assigned a lower class.

The first test is the taber-test or determination of the degree of abrasion of the overlay. For its implementation, a special unit with a grinding wheel or friction rollers with a glued ring of high-density rubber is used.

The results are determined by the number of revolutions and are divided into 7 groups or classes of abrasion:

• for home use 21, 22, 23;
• for commercial premises 31, 32, 33 and 34.

Table 1. Abrasion class of laminate flooring according to GOST 32304-2013.

The abrasion class determines exactly where the laminate can be used. More detailed information is given in the table below.

table 2. Spheres of use of laminated coatings by class.

Load class	Pictogram	Room type	Application intensity	Examples	Life time
21		Residential	Moderate (occasionally)	Bedrooms, guest rooms	10 years
22		Residential		Living rooms, dining rooms	10 years
23		Residential	intensive	Stairs, corridors, kitchens	10-12 years old
31		Commercial	Moderate (occasionally)	Hotel rooms, offices	10-15 years old
32		Commercial	Normal (for frequent use)	Receptions, shops	15-20 years old
33		Commercial	intensive	Shopping malls, schools	20-30 years old
34		Commercial	Reinforced (especially difficult conditions)	Industrial facilities	Up to 40 years old

Let us explain why the criterion of abrasion is most important for buyers. The flooring must withstand not only foot traffic (including walking barefoot, in slippers, street shoes with heels), but also abrasive: dust, fine debris (sand, earth particles), animal claws, etc. Over time, under the influence of these factors, the overlay becomes thinner and the laminate becomes unusable. There is no need to be afraid - the service life varies from 10 to 30 years and depends, of course, on many other parameters. For example, a dirt-protective mat of the “grass” series laid in front of the front door, as well as the presence of tread pads on furniture legs, increases this period for a class 31 or 32 laminate by one and a half times. And chairs with iron legs without protective rims, on the contrary, accelerate abrasion and reduce the service life by almost half.

We will pay special attention to the second series of tests - for impact resistance. Specialists from ANO CSL Lessertika (Kronoshpan LLC and Kronostar LLC) participated in the development of the Russian standard for laminated coatings GOST 32304-2013. Unfortunately, they didn't include the two critical tests required to qualify a laminate as a 34 class. This is:

1. impact test;
2. surface resistance to chair wheels.

According to EN 13329, a wear class 34 laminate floor must have the following characteristics:

• water absorption coefficient - up to 8%;
• wear resistance class for abrasion - AC6;
• impact resistance - IC4 (≤1600 mm and 20 N).

The first two indicators coincide with the Russian standard, the latter is not provided at all. Due to this slight difference, a 33 class laminate from any manufacturer (including Asian ones) can be certified as 34 in Russia. European standards are more demanding on the characteristics of the coating.

All other types of tests are carried out in a standard manner. The results are processed and the overall wear resistance class is assigned to the laminate floor.

Table 3. General load class according to EN 13329.

Table 4. General load class according to GOST 32304-2013.

Recommendations for choosing a laminate by load class

Since in the last 5-7 years there is practically no laminated coating of classes 21-23 on the market, the priorities have shifted. Now both manufacturers and sellers offer:

All the necessary information is on the box and on the insert, so when buying it will not be difficult for you to determine the class, service life and scope of the flooring you like.

Advice! If you need repairmen, there is a very convenient service for their selection. Just send in the form below a detailed description of the work to be done and you will receive offers with prices from construction teams and firms by mail. You can see reviews of each of them and photos with examples of work. It's FREE and there's no obligation.

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

Laminate is a commonly used floor covering in various types of premises. Its popularity is associated with a large number of its advantages, including:

• environmental friendliness;
• a large selection of colors and textures;
• simplicity and ease of installation (convenient locking connections, the ability to lay a new coating without dismantling the old one);
• high speed of laying the coating and the ability to immediately move along it;
• good indicators of heat and sound insulation.

Compound

Laminate is a kind of layer cake, where each part performs its function.

At the bottom there is a compressed paper impregnated with resins, which protects the wood from moisture and compensates for small height differences. The thickest part consists of wood boards, which give the flooring strength and rigidity. Lock connections are also located in this layer. The plates are covered with moisture-resistant decorative films with various patterns that determine the appearance of the laminate. Finishing coating - laminated film of acrylic or melamine resins. The wear resistance of the flooring mainly depends on the thickness and quality of this layer.

A ready-made laminate board in production is subjected to a number of tests, including checking:

• abrasion;
• moisture resistance;
• indicators of heat and sound insulation;
• invariability of color when exposed to sunlight;
• resistance to detergents;
• degree of slip;
• flammability (high-quality laminate should not catch fire from a cigarette butt or a match that has fallen to the floor);
• impact resistance.

Although laminate flooring is not designed for high humidity areas, a quality flooring can withstand not only wet cleaning, but also stronger contact with water for a short time.

What is laminate grade

Among other characteristics of a laminate floor, its class plays an important role. What does this even mean? This indicator indicates how durable and resistant the coating is, and how long it will lie on the floor, while maintaining a pleasant appearance without scuffs or fading.

The first digit in the numerical coefficient of the laminate class indicates the scope of application. Marking 2 - coating for home use, 3 - for public spaces, 4 - high-strength material. Of course, no one forbids putting a more durable class 3 laminate at home, but you should not do the opposite. In public areas, the permeability of people is much higher, which means that home laminate will quickly become completely unusable due to abrasion.

The second digit displays the degree of wear resistance of the coating, the higher it is, the more durable the laminate.

In practice, a laminate for home use is calculated for 6-7 years of service. Few people want to change the flooring so often, so in residential areas, laminate from class 31 to 33 is also mainly used.

Laminate classes

1. Coatings of 21-22 classes are designed for 5-6 years of service in a poorly passable room, for example, a bedroom. This is a good option for budget repairs, but you should not hope that such a floor will last a long time without losing its attractive appearance and performance.
2. Class 23 laminate is a little more durable, in addition, it has good moisture resistance, allowing it to survive wet cleaning or accidentally spilled water without consequences.
3. Class 31 can be used in office premises for about a year or two, and in housing this period increases to a decade.
4. Class 32 is designed for an average load in a public place for 4-5 years. At home, he will quietly serve for 15 years, without getting worn out and not really changing his appearance.
5. Class 33 is a durable floor that can withstand high loads. In a crowded office, it will serve perfectly for 10 years, and for home use, many manufacturers promise a lifetime warranty on it.
6. Class 34 and above laminate is designed for rooms with not just high, but very significant traffic - bars, restaurants, dance floors, shops.
7. Class 42 and beyond are based on natural high-strength wood and coatings that are especially resistant to abrasion and other influences. Such a laminate is suitable for places that receive a huge number of people, for example, airports or sports arenas.

The low class of the laminate does not mean its poor quality. It is impossible to judge which laminate is better and which is worse, only by class. All products pass quality control and various tests, and no self-respecting company will launch a bad product on the market. A low class only shows that the coating does not withstand a large load, which means that it cannot be used in a room with high traffic of people.

Each of the laminate classes has its own digital indicators for the main tests and characteristics of this coating. However, to an unprepared person, they will say little. So how do you choose? It is worth focusing on the laminate class itself, on the manufacturer and special characteristics (for example, compatibility with underfloor heating or increased moisture resistance).

Naturally, the cost of the material is directly dependent on its type and class. The more durable and high-quality coating, the more expensive it will cost. When choosing flooring, do not skimp. The lower quality of cheap laminate from dubious manufacturers will quickly wipe out all the savings.

Types of laminate

By design

The surface of the floor covering may be different. The degree of gloss varies from matte to glossy. It is possible to imitate wood with all its bizarre patterns and irregularities, plain surfaces or blurry shades of the same color.

A high-quality "wood-like" laminate is sometimes really difficult to distinguish from a parquet board or a natural plank floor.

In the line of expensive luxury products are very common under the skin. Mostly reptile skin designs, especially crocodile skins, are popular.

Stone floors look luxurious and attractive, but they have many drawbacks - they are very cold to the touch, expensive and weigh a lot. Laminate is devoid of these shortcomings. Outwardly, the difference will be completely invisible.

Laminate flooring can be perfectly combined with a strict and cold high-tech style. The floor covering will have the color and appearance of the metal.

The variety of types of laminate does not end there. On such a floor, absolutely any design, even the most exotic, can be realized. Here are barcodes, and rock art, and pages of printed publications, and drawings of instruments in the style of Leonardo da Vinci. There are also special children's collections with characters from fairy tales and cartoons.

Most types of laminate are available in the form of rectangular planks with a locking connection. But there are also square tiles with more intricate patterns. Working with such a tile is somewhat more difficult - you need to try to choose its size so that an integer number of elements fit along the length and width of the room, because the cut pattern looks much less beautiful.

By invoice

As for the texture of the laminated floor, it is also very diverse.

The surface under "natural wood" has notches, dashes and pits imitating a natural wooden surface. These details will be noticeable to the eye even without a magnifying glass, and also tangible to the touch.