Which class of laminate is better?

Laminate flooring has several wear resistance classes. The choice is made depending on the finishing of which rooms the material is used. Only if all factors are taken into account will the floor covering please its owners for a long time - both in appearance and technical characteristics.

About the main criteria for choosing a laminate

It is worth considering each of the significant parameters. Then the choice becomes simpler.

Manufacturer of building materials

The larger the company, the higher the quality of the products. It can be confusing to see the number of options available in today's market. But there is one simple rule that makes any choice easier. Products can be considered 100% high quality if it is known that the company is a member of the EPLF association. This information must be indicated either on the product itself or in the accompanying documentation.

Attention! The company that operates in Russia is the most famous “Tarkett”.

Different types of laminate designs

Most often there are products whose surface imitates parquet or other types of natural wood floors. Western European manufacturers specialize in this direction.

Embossing of laminate can also be different, depending on the imagination of the creators.This is a relief pattern on the outer layer, making the structure somewhat convex. Thanks to this design, the flooring really resembles natural wood. Laminate with embossing is a practical product - cleaning is simplified and there are no streaks left on the surface after cleaning. Nowadays, only the cheapest types of laminate are produced with a smooth surface.

A chamfer for this material is a special groove. It has the shape of the letter V and is formed between boards or lamellas located side by side. Thanks to the chamfer, the product also takes on the appearance of natural wood. The same element allows you to hide the joints when the need arises.

Wear resistance: what classes are there?

When choosing a class, it is important to pay attention to the specific room in which the flooring will be located.

It’s easy to determine the wear resistance class of a product. Simply rub the surface with sandpaper. The longer it takes for any traces to appear, the higher the class.

What is the difference between the classes

There are several important points that will also help with your choice.

• 31st grade. Suitable for finishing floors in rooms with low load levels. This usually applies to work rooms and bedrooms.
• Class 32 panels. Designed for conditions with increased load. They can be placed inside living rooms and children's rooms.
• Class 33 – for maximum load. Including for dining rooms and kitchens.
• 34th grade. The most durable and expensive products. Technical and operational characteristics are the highest.

Characteristics of class 31

Such products are not intended for long-term intensive loads from the very beginning.That’s why they are placed in rooms where traffic is low. Then the coating can last up to 10 years or more.

Here are just some of the parameters that such material must meet:

1. Water absorption within 18%.
2. IC-1 – impact resistance group.
3. 2500 – Taber test indicator.
4. AC-3 – designation of wear resistance class.
5. The top layer is 0.2 millimeters.
6. Lamels with a standard thickness of 6-8 millimeters.

The surface of the board retains its properties even when exposed to moisture in large quantities. But this effect lasts for a short time. The ends and locking joints remain the weakest points in such structures. They are least protected from large quantities of liquid. The faster it can be removed from the surface, the better. Otherwise, the coating will begin to swell.

The positive aspects of laminate are:

• Easy installation.
• A wide selection of textures and colors.
• Resistance to heat treatment.
• Resistance to aggressive substances, including chemically active ones.
• Low price level.

Attention! When walking in shoes with hard soles, the coating makes characteristic sounds, which not everyone likes. Among the disadvantages, the lack of additional protection from moisture is also noted.

What features does class 32 have?

Among ordinary consumers, such products are among the most popular. This class accounts for about 2/3 of all sales. The material belongs to the average price range and is intended for rooms with average traffic. In this case, the standard service life reaches 15 years.

Here is a list of the main parameters that the laminate must meet:

1. Up to 18% water absorption.
2. IC2 – level of resistance to impacts.
3. 4000 is the result of the Taber test.
4. AC-4 – designation of wear resistance class.
5. From 0.2 to 0.4 millimeters - the total thickness of the outer layer.
6. The total thickness of the entire board is 7-12 millimeters.

Among the advantages, the following properties are highlighted:

• Reasonable price for a coating that can last up to 15 years or more.
• Increased level of wear resistance.
• The thickness of the board is within 12 mm. This increases strength and sound insulation.
• Huge selection of design options for covering. Most of the products have a relief coating that creates an imitation of other materials, including those of natural origin.

Reference! Among the disadvantages are the same booming sounds if you walk on the surface in shoes with a fairly hard sole. Again, there is a lack of protection from moisture.

Class 33 parameters

The material gains additional strength and wear resistance thanks to special additives used during production. In the case of home conditions, it is better to lay such a laminate where traffic is always high. And even with such operation, the service life of the coating reaches 20 years. If there are no serious loads, then this figure increases to 20 years.

The material requirements are as follows:

1. Standard water absorption is 18%.
2. IC-3 – level of resistance to impacts.
3. 6500 according to the Taber test.
4. AC-5 – wear resistance class.
5. 0.4 millimeters is the minimum thickness of the top layer.
6. 8-12 mm – total thickness for the entire board.

The main advantages include a long service life, along with a textured surface of an attractive appearance, and a high degree of abrasion resistance.But for rooms where there is always a lot of moisture, you need to choose special types of laminate with moisture absorption at least at the level of 8%.

What to do in the case of class 34

When producing laminates of this class, technology designated HPL is often used. This means that pressing is used while maintaining high pressure. The use of special impregnations allows you to achieve a high level of strength at the base. Different impregnations are added to different layers to achieve optimal results.

Class 34 laminate is rarely used for home flooring. The material is more relevant for objects where a large number of people constantly accumulate. Usually these are shops and airports, even car dealerships. If you use such structures in an apartment, you can forget about repairs almost until the end of your life.

In this case, the main parameters and requirements are as follows:

• The volume of water absorption is 8%.
• IC-4 – shock resistance parameter.
• 6500 according to the Taber test.
• AC-6 – wear resistance class.
• 0.6 millimeters is the thickness of the protective layer.
• 10-12 millimeters is the total thickness of the board.

These are waterproof products that are suitable even for rooms with high humidity levels. The fastening design has been improved, making the locking connections more reliable. This makes any installation work easier. The only disadvantage noted is the high price, but the characteristics cover this flaw.

If you study information about the features of each class in advance, it will be easier to choose the material. Bedroom, kitchen, hallway - each room has its own purpose and individual characteristics. Depending on this, materials for flooring are chosen.It must be taken into account that laminate has been used for many years. Therefore, it is important to wisely approach the choice not only in appearance, but also in other characteristics.