Parquet board or laminate - which is better?

When carrying out renovation work, the owner has a wide choice of materials that will be useful when finishing the apartment. Flooring is one of the main issues. The modern market offers a wide variety of materials.

Laminate and parquet boards are considered the most popular and in demand. They differ in many parameters, including structure and wear resistance. A little review will help you determine what is best for your home.

Laminate and its features

Among flooring, the leading position belongs to this type of flooring. Laminate flooring has an attractive appearance, ease of maintenance and high quality.

Structure

Special mention should be made of the structure of the material. Laminate is a multi-layer product.

Interlayers and their purpose

• The bottom layer consists of paper, which is covered with additional impregnation of thin plastic. This layer performs a protective function.
• The middle layer is the most durable. It consists of a volumetric slab of fiberboard or chipboard material. Performs a load-bearing function.
• The front is treated with special foil or film. It is necessary for applying the image.
• The upper one performs a protective function, preserves the internal structure and reduces the risk of surface damage.Represented by melamine resin. It is distinguished by high strength indicators.

REFERENCE. Manufacturers choose imitation stone or tile as an image. The most popular is imitation wood species.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like any building or decorative material, laminate has its own positive and negative qualities. When purchasing this flooring, be sure to take both factors into account.

Key Benefits

• Multilayer structure.
• Resistance to damage;
• No gaps between coating elements.
• Moisture resistance.
• Resistant to ultraviolet rays.

REFERENCE. The advantages also include simple steps when laying and installing the coating.

This allows you to carry out installation work independently, without the involvement of specialists.

Flaws

Laminate flooring also has several disadvantages.

• Use of artificial materials in production (as opposed to parquet).
• High noise level, echo or booming may occur.
• With prolonged use, the plates begin to delaminate.
• Lack of ability to eliminate malfunctions and defects.
• Static conditions leading to large accumulations of dust.

The originality of parquet boards

Parquet flooring also occupies one of the leading positions on the market. Many users prefer parquet, as natural materials are used in its production.

The internal structure of parquet is much different from laminate.

Structure

• The bottom is represented by a layer of plywood sheet, the thickness of which does not exceed two millimeters.
• The middle consists of narrow and thin (no more than a centimeter) planks, which are made from coniferous trees.These planks are located perpendicular to the bottom layer.
• Hardwood trees are used to make the top. The top layer has a high degree of strength and wear resistance. The thickness of this does not exceed 6 millimeters.
  To provide additional protection and make it more attractive, the top is treated with several layers of varnish.

Advantages and disadvantages

Parquet flooring, like laminate, has certain positive and negative qualities.

Advantages of parquet flooring

• Using exclusively natural materials.
• If damage occurs (chips or scratches), repair and restoration work is allowed.
• Long service life (many manufacturers deservedly set a service life of 15–20 years).
• The material is antistatic and does not allow large accumulations of dust and dirt.
• Easy care and cleaning (a big plus for families with small children or animals).
• Easy installation work.

IMPORTANT! The big advantage over laminate is that there is no need for scraping or sanding after installation.

Negative qualities

• Natural material is more susceptible to surface damage.
• There is a high probability of material delamination.
• The laying base must have a completely flat surface.
• The use of chemicals is prohibited during the cleaning process.
• With prolonged use, the likelihood of gaps and cracks increases.
• The material is susceptible to high humidity and temperature changes.

Which is better: laminate or parquet board?

When choosing a type of coating, each buyer tries to purchase the highest quality and most financially advantageous material. When buying, not only appearance plays a big role. Users pay attention to the difficulties when installing and caring for the material, evaluate its wear-resistant qualities and service life.

Thus, it is impossible to obtain a definite answer to the question. This is due to the fact that laminate and parquet boards have unique features and disadvantages, which means they will find a certain category of lovers and opponents.

Appearance

Appearance is the primary factor that is paid attention to when choosing a particular material.

The outer surface of the laminate has a special foil onto which a pattern is applied. As an image, manufacturers choose imitation tiles, stone or wood.

The parquet board also has a pattern. Unlike laminate, the image on parquet is natural. On the surface there is a natural pattern of the wood from which the coating is made.

Wear resistance and durability

In this list, laminate stands out more favorably than parquet boards. The surface is practically indestructible and is suitable for moving heavy furniture. Parquet, despite the protective layer, is susceptible to the rapid appearance of cracks, chips and scratches.

REFERENCE. The appearance of unevenness on the parquet flooring can be restored.

Laying

Parquet boards are different in that they require special conditions to be met before installation. The surface must be leveled and have a strictly level area. The installation itself is characterized by simple steps, which allows you to carry out the installation yourself.Many owners glue the parquet to the base. This helps to obtain a coating without the presence of cracks or gaps.

For laying laminate or parquet, a floating method is suitable, which allows the use of a locking system. The installation work is simple, allowing you to install the coating yourself.

Care

The advantage of laminate is its resistance to moisture. This type of coating easily tolerates daily wet cleaning. The downside is its intolerance to cleaning products.

To care for parquet, it is better to use a vacuum cleaner. During the process, it is important to ensure that the brush does not scratch the surface. For wet cleaning, a soft foam sponge is suitable, which must be carefully wrung out. A big plus will be the periodic use of special products for the care of wooden surfaces.

Everyone pays special attention to the choice of flooring. The floor should not only have an attractive appearance, but also retain heat. The most popular are laminate and parquet boards. A few recommendations about the advantages and disadvantages of both types of coatings will help you decide on a purchase.