Self-contained décor or a budget alternative to woody floor? charm-en.decorexpro.com found the most important for the average man characteristics of the laminate.
Do you think inexpensive materials are not the best option for flooring? Do not promise! After all, there are situations when buying laminate is perhaps the most optimal solution. And this does not mean that you need to choose a cheap laminate in the nearest supermarket. Contrary to the prevailing stereotypes, today we will tell how to find the best material on the market - choose a reliable and beautiful laminate.
A few words about laminate
Laminate - a multi-layer floor covering. It is based on fiberboard and particleboard with veneer paper impregnated with synthetic resins. The layers are pressed under pressure and under high temperature.
Often laminate is chosen as an alternative to parquet. Similarly, it is an excellent analogue of stone, porcelain or tile. After all, on top of the paper layer, you can print any imitations and drawings - even parquet, even tile.
Laminate in the interior on the photo
What does laminate consist of?
When buying a laminate does not hurt to know about the functions of a particular layer, which will make the choice easier and more meaningful.
- Protective layer - acrylic or melamine film, sometimes with the addition of aluminum dioxide. Gives strength, improves antistatic characteristics.
- Damper - impregnated kraft cardboard. Intermediate layer responsible for impact resistance and sound insulation.
- The main layer - chipboard or fiberboard. It lays down the base load.
- The stabilizer - paper with paraffin impregnation. Basic protection against humidity and temperature changes.
- The decorative layer is melamine impregnated paper. Responsible for the appearance of the laminate.
The main advantages of laminate
Low price - not the main advantage of the laminate. Most of all, we appreciate him for being able to perfectly imitate expensive luxury coatings. The paper surface of the laminate allows you to print not only any drawings and patterns, but also natural textures. So, the roughness of the tile or fiber texture of the board will look very realistic.
As for the size of the dies, manufacturers, of course, took into account the features of the simulated material. For example, a laminate under a tile can be rectangular, square or in any other aspect ratio: if it is wooden, then 1: 9 or 1: 6.
Serious choice: glue or castle laminate?
Laminate is laid by the method of joining edges. The profile can be presented in the form of a tongue-groove structure, when the joints are additionally glued. And there is a lock profile and simply snaps in, in this case, the glue is not required.
Glue type is cheaper, but you have to buy more quality glue for greasing joints. Besides the fact that such an option is more difficult to install, it also has to be paid more by specialists for a square meter of work done. Plus, if the house temperature drops and dry air, cracks are formed at the joints.
The finish of the castle laminate looks little different from the sheet piling: it may have the same chamfers and the same decor. Although the material is a bit more expensive, but you will significantly save on the work of specialists and glue. Castle laminate is almost impossible to damage during installation and is easy to install by yourself.
And about the benefits: already in the process of mounting, you can immediately walk through the castle laminate. In fact, he simply understands and assembles again, and in the case of a point defect it is enough to replace only a few dies.
Laminate in the kitchen: design options
The kitchen is one of those rooms where the laminate occupies its place of honor. It is not surprising, because this practical and reliable material also fits perfectly into any design style. It is difficult to overestimate the decorative characteristics of laminate flooring. It is so universal that it can repeat any pattern and texture, and the color scheme successfully meets the most demanding taste preferences.
What about fire resistance?
Indeed, it can be argued that the laminate does not ignite in the fire. Moreover, if you throw a lit cigarette on the floor, there won't be any trace on it!
If we talk about moisture resistance, the laminated coatings are resistant to high humidity in the bathroom or in the kitchen. Just do not confuse this concept with water resistance! If you immerse the laminate in the water for a day, then, according to the norms, it will expand by no more than 20%. The figure is impressive, but if you compare the laminate and parquet, the latter in the same conditions will suffer no less. But at the same time laying the laminate is much easier and faster.
Laminate "under the tile"
Laminate "oak" in the interior
Ask any person - what is the best material for sex? Most will answer - of course the oak. Unconditionally, oak boards personify elegance, nobility and classics, give luxury to an interior, emphasize excellent taste and the status of owners of the house. But not everyone can afford to buy a natural array, while high-quality laminate will be much cheaper, and it will also look solid and expensive.
In the most interesting beautiful interiors in bright colors, a newfangled laminate is often found - bleached oak. It is used not only to finish the floor, but also for walls, ceilings and doors.
As for the color palette, bleached oak is produced in a wide range - from light gray, sandy and pinkish to artificially aged and lilac. Both warm shades for the home and colder office options are relevant.
Light laminate in the interior on the photo
From head to toe: when the laminate goes to the wall
An unusual interesting solution to the use of laminate, we see the example of the following design project. Laminated flooring here is not only on the floor, but also partially goes to the walls.
This technique is a great way to visually deceive the perception of space in a small room. It seems that one of the walls as if erased.
In the bathroom laminate used to the maximum. Here it can be seen not only on the wall, but also on the ceiling. Such a coating of the highest class is not afraid of moisture and is resistant to active use. In wet areas, laminate replaces porcelain stoneware.
So, if your choice is laminate, it remains only to determine the design and type. As you can see, there are more than enough options. And so that the laminated floor most harmoniously fit into the interior and served for more than a dozen years, we advise you to contact an experienced specialist.
