Which company is better to choose laminate for an apartment: consumer reviews and prices

Laminate - a modern decorative floor covering

What is laminate

Laminate flooring, which in everyday life is called "laminate", was invented about 30 years ago in Sweden by Perstorp Flooring AB. Several years later, this coating began to be used in flooring. Today laminate very popular. A variety of types and classes of laminated flooring, all kinds of design solutions in colors and styles allow it to be used as a floor covering for various types of premises (residential, office, retail, etc.).

Technical characteristics of the most popular type of laminate

For a general understanding of the structure of the laminate, let's briefly analyze its structure:

• the lower hard layer consists of waterproof melamine, which serves as a protection against deformation;
• the base follows - this is a panel from Fiberboard or chipboard that carries out the main mechanical load;
• the next layer is decorative. This is paper with drawings imitating various types of wood, leather or other material;
• from above the laminate is covered with a laminated film. For its manufacture, melamine or acrylic resin is used. The thickness of this layer and the amount of melamine in it affects the resistance of the board to wear and mechanical damage.

Laminate structure

Which company laminate is better to choose for an apartment: customer reviews. TOP 10 best manufacturers

The whole laminate almost the same in structure, but its quality depends on many indicators. First of all, it is a manufacturing company. Despite the appearance on the construction market of domestic laminate flooring, the leadership still remains with foreign companies. Using the example of TOP-10 popular manufacturers, we will consider which company laminate is better to choose for an apartment. Customer reviews will help you make the right choice.

Leading manufacturers offer a wide range of sizes, textures and colors of laminated flooring

Quick-Step (Belgium)

This company is one of the leaders in the global laminate flooring market. Its products are in demand not only in Russia and Europe, but also in the USA. Only this company has the patented Uniklic lock, which allows you to simplify laying laminate... The Quick-Step team is constantly working to improve the material and design, so the products of this brand are always in step with the times. The collections are constantly updated with new models and colors, all products are of first-class quality and are environmentally friendly.

The popularity of the company allows it to set a rather high cost for its products. In reviews of Quick-Step laminate flooring, you can see different opinions, positive regarding the quality and long service life of the coating. Negative reviews indicate instability to damage and poor quality of products manufactured at Russian factories, while buyers complain about the high cost.

Laminate with chamfer "Sawed oak nature" from the Quick-Step Eligna Wide collection, class 32, board size 1380x190x8 mm

Balterio (Belgium)

Balterio laminate flooring is in demand all over the world. It is a relatively young company, but the quality of its products has secured its place among the world leaders in the production of laminate flooring. Balterio also has its own patented Click Xpres locking system, which secures the lamellas with this locking system for a strong, seamless connection.

Laminate is made of high-strength HDF boards, which guarantee strength and durability. A special decorative layer, created by ultra-precise embossing, maximizes the structure of natural materials.

Laminate with beveled Oak Montana from the Quattro Vintage collection from Balterio, board size 1257x190.5x8 mm

The opinions of buyers about the laminate of this company are also ambiguous, but this product has a lot of positive reviews:

“A year has passed, the laminate is fine, nothing creaks, no cracks or crevices. In one corner I had to partially shift it - I did it myself, everything fits perfectly, but not right away - you need to adapt. 2 cats live in the house, their claws are not afraid of him. A piece of laminate has been in the garden for a year, i.e. snow, rain, frost, heat, the ends are like new / just sawn down - not swollen! "

Sergey Novikov, Kaluga

Other consumers note a creak during the first period of operation and the appearance of scratches.

Laminate with beveled Elm Caramel from the Xperience collection from Balterio, board size 1257x190.5x8 mm

Egger (Germany)

The design of the flooring of this company is focused on fashion trends. High-quality material, attractive appearance, hypoallergenicity of Egger laminate - this is an incomplete list of its advantages. Special attention should be paid to the aqua + marking on the products, which means the high moisture resistance of the laminate and the ability to use it as a floor covering even in the bathroom and in the kitchen. Positioned for high wear resistance and environmental safety.

Laminate with chamfer "Oak Zeus" from Egger, board size 1292x245x10 mm

In the reviews of this brand, buyers are presented with the following claims:

“We put the white Loft Oak laminate flooring, ordered it via the Internet, disappointed. It washes very badly, dust collects, does not look very nice, you need to wash it often. Bed in the bedroom, for a year it squeezed under the bed and the joints are visible, and this is the main disadvantage. We will lay another laminate, I am already worn out with this ”.

Evgeniya Ishchenko, Oryol

However, there is also a lot of positive feedback about high resistance to damage, ease of installation, etc. For example, laminate laying masters write on the forums that the products of this company in the 8 mm collection have almost no defects and are the best in terms of price and quality.

Laminate with a facet "Mansonia Walnut" from Egger, class 33, board size 1292x245x10 mm

Tarkett Company (Europe)

The concern's products are manufactured in Sweden, Germany and Serbia. Tarkett manufactures class 32 and 33 coatings for use in both residential and public spaces. The high-quality laminate of this company has a layer of kraft paper, a T-lock locking system, and high wear resistance. Various surface structures, a wide selection of colors and themes allow you to choose a model for any interior.

Tarkett is the only manufacturer of laminate flooring in Russia to be awarded the Leaf of Life eco-label. Opinions about this laminate are very diverse. At the same time, there are reviews of the same buyer about different Tarkett collections bought at the same time and laid in the kitchen and in the corridor. In the kitchen, the laminate has not worn out, but in the corridor has risen at the seams.

Laminate "Golden Oak" from the WOODSTOCK collection from Tarkett, class 32, board size 1292х194х8 mm

Pergo (Sweden)

The products of this company are characterized by innovative designs, exquisite decor and a variety of textures. Moreover, all collections are available in three wear resistance classes. But the main advantage is the patented TitanX ™ surface treatment technology, which provides the highest degree of wear resistance. Pergo has its own PerfectFold ™ 3.0 locking system, which facilitates the installation of laminate flooring. Laminate floors from this company are environmentally friendly.

Laminate "Midnight Oak" from the Long Plank collection by Pergo, class 34, size 2050x205x10 mm

BerryAlloc (Belgium - Norway)

The Norwegian company Alloc, with a long history and rich experience in the production of quality wood flooring and panels, in 2012 combined its resources with a company from Belgium. The result is a manufacturer that produces laminate flooring using HPL and DPL technologies, which is characterized by excellent quality.

The company has an exclusive aluminum lamellar joint and produces an environmentally friendly laminate. A wide range of models with a variety of colors and textures will satisfy the preferences of any customer. The products have high durability and moisture resistance, therefore they can be used as a floor covering in the kitchen. The high price of this laminate is fully justified by its quality.

Laminate "Basalt Oak" from the Elegance collection by BerryAlloc, board size 2033x241x9 mm

Parador (Germany)

The products of this company have excellent technical characteristics and unique design. It has high quality, original textures, repeating the pattern of natural materials: wood, stone, etc. Parador has patented two locking technologies - Automatic-Click and Safe-lock, which guarantee reliable fastening of panels under any load.

For the manufacture of the laminate, the company uses HDF boards and a special water-repellent impregnation, which increases the moisture resistance of the laminate flooring. The products have received positive reviews thanks to the ProAir system, which is designed to reduce the concentration of harmful substances in rooms. With high quality, you should not expect low prices, but they are quite affordable at Parador.

Laminate without chamfer "Versailles Nature" from the TrendTime collection from Parador, class 32, board size 1285x330x8 mm

Kronotex (Germany)

Renowned German manufacturer of laminate flooring. The collections of this company are diverse and will satisfy the taste of the most demanding customers. The laminate has a high resistance to abrasion and fading, a simple installation system using Click-locks and a guarantee of environmental safety.

For the production of laminate, HDF boards made of natural wood are used.Kronotex products manufactured at Russian factories have a lower cost, however, reviews about it are getting worse. Original German-made products have won only positive reviews.

Laminate "Blues" from the Amazone collection by Kronotex, board size 1380x157x10 mm

Haro (Germany)

A family business founded in the 19th century. Until today, it occupies a worthy place among the leaders in the production of parquet and laminate flooring. The multi-layer construction of HARO Laminate Floors is always resistant to stress and wear.

The special aquaTec system (combination of HDF core board with aquaResist® moisture-repellent treatment and a specially impregnated surface layer) ensures high wear resistance and moisture-repellent effect. This allows the coating to be used in rooms with high humidity.

Laminate with beveled "Eiche Altholz" from the TRITTY collection from Haro, board size 1282x135x10 mm

Wineo (Germany)

Laminate flooring from this company combines such criteria as ease of installation and quality. The boards are made from compressed wood fibers. The products are positioned as wear-resistant, not afraid of moisture and ultraviolet rays. The convenient LocTec® patented locking system allows panels to be easily secured together. Laminate from Wineo has a different surface structure (glossy, matte, embossed), as well as a variety of colors.

Laminate with chamfer "Virginia Oak" from the Wineo 500 medium V2 collection from Wineo, class 32, board size 1288x195 mm

Determining with the help of forums which laminate is better to choose for an apartment can be quite difficult, since there are absolutely opposite opinions and each of the above companies has both positive and negative reviews.

Varieties of laminate: what you need to know for the right purchase

Due to its presentable appearance, main characteristics and affordable cost, laminate flooring is an excellent alternative to expensive parquet flooring and is most often used for flooring in apartments and private houses.

When choosing a laminate, you must focus on the following characteristics:

• laminate class;
• shape and size;
• types of connection locks;
• environmental Safety;
• design solution;
• surface texture.

Creative retro laminate design

Laminate class: which is better to choose for an apartment

In order for a laminated floor covering to last a long time, it is necessary to select it correctly in accordance with the wear resistance class. These technical characteristics determine the ability to resist mechanical and chemical damage, moisture resistance, sound insulation, reaction to light, etc.

Which class of laminate is best suited for a particular room is determined depending on the intensity of its use.

If there are pets in the apartment, you must choose a laminate with the highest wear resistance class

The European Association of Manufacturers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) has approved standards for laminate flooring. According to these standards, six classes of laminate are defined:

1. Class 21. Designed for residential premises with a low degree of stress: bedrooms, libraries, offices. Has a low abrasion resistance.
2. Class 22. Suitable for rooms with medium load: children's, living rooms. Moderate abrasion resistance.
3. Class 23. Used in living quarters with a high degree of stress: entrance hall, kitchen. Has the highest abrasion resistance.
4. Class 31. It is used in public premises with a light degree of stress: small offices and conference rooms, has a high abrasion resistance.
5. Class 32. Designed for public premises with an average degree of exploitation: classrooms, offices, reception rooms, boutiques. Very high abrasion resistance.
6. Class 33. The most durable laminate with the highest abrasion resistance.It can be used for flooring in high-traffic public places: shops, gyms, restaurants.

Correspondence table for wear class, room type and laminate life

Today, the greatest demand is for laminate of 31, 32 and 33 classes and is widely used for flooring in apartments and residential buildings. Modern manufacturers, taking into account the preferences of consumers, are increasingly limited to the release of laminate flooring for these particular classes. It is more expensive than household laminate, but its quality and service life are many times higher.

There is another class of laminate - 34, which has super abrasion resistance. It is rarely used in apartments due to its high cost. Laminate of this class is recommended to be laid in rooms with a very intensive load.

Size and shape

Laminate flooring is produced mainly in the form of rectangular panels that imitate wooden surfaces. There are no standard laminate sizes, so we will focus only on the limit indicators, as well as on the most demanded sizes. The minimum parameters of a laminate board are: length 300-400 mm, width - 90 mm, thickness - 6 mm. Maximum parameters, respectively: 1845x 330x12 mm. The most popular is considered to be a laminate with average parameters: a length from 1260 to 1380 mm, a width of 185-195 mm and a thickness of 8 mm.

Dimensions of laminate panels manufactured by Haro (Germany)

It is worth noting that shorter boards are easier to fit. When using long panels, it is important to maintain the geometry of each plank so that the laminate does not deform during use. The width is selected based on the geometry of the room, as well as the desired appearance (imitation of a wooden floor, parquet, tiles, leather). It should be noted that a thick coating is more durable in terms of loads and has a low thermal conductivity, but such a coating is more expensive. These criteria will help you decide which laminate thickness is best.

There is also a laminate and a square shape. Most often, his drawing imitates ceramic tiles. The width of such a panel is 330 mm. The square flooring is easier to install and does not require a backing, unlike the rectangular version. But its cost is more expensive, and it is more difficult to repair damaged tiles than a classic laminate.

Wide laminate panels visually resemble a massive plank floor

Important! When calculating the required amount of laminate, be sure to consider the cost of trimming. With direct laying, this is 7% of the area of ​​the room, with diagonal laying - from 10 to 15%.

Before purchasing, make sure that the chosen shape and size of the laminate will be in harmony with the geometry of the room. For large rooms, longer and wider planks are suitable, and in small rooms it is more appropriate to use narrower panels.

Related article:

Do-it-yourself step-by-step instructions for laying laminate flooring. Tips for laying a new floor in an apartment for a beginner. Materials, foundation preparation, laying rules: step-by-step photos of work, video.

Connection locks: Click or Lock

Bonding laminate planks can be done in one of two ways: Click or Lock. Let's try to figure out which laminate lock is better.

The principle of the lock-type lock is to connect the laminate boards to each other by hammering a curly ledge on one strip into the groove of the other. Accordingly, each plank has both a groove and a ledge with combs that prevent the boards from separating.

Snapping principle of Click and Lock locks

The advantage of such a laminate is its low price. Lock type locks are not suitable for areas with heavy traffic, because constant load leads to their abrasion and, as a result, breakage. Laminate with Lock locks must be laid on a perfectly flat base so that there is no "sagging". The installation should be done by a specialist, an inexperienced master can break the bar when tapped.

The Click type lock is easy to install. Even a beginner will be able to install the click-lock laminate flooring. It is necessary to put one board to another at an angle of 45º and press until you hear a click.Laminate with this type of lock is not afraid of loads and is quite simple to repair, it can be disassembled and laid in another place in the event of a move. Obviously, you will have to pay more for such comfort and reliability, but the result is worth it.

Laying laminate flooring with Click

Environmental Safety

Environmental safety is the main criterion for the quality of any finishing material for residential premises. According to EPLF standards, E1 laminate flooring is considered safe. It contains an acceptable amount of formaldehyde, which is not hazardous to human health. When choosing a laminate with appropriate marking, it is worth remembering the existing fakes. In this case, you should pay attention to the price: the laminate of a well-known brand cannot be unreasonably cheap.

You should also pay attention to information about the possibility of selling laminate flooring only in certain regions (as a rule, these are non-European countries with low requirements for the composition of floor coverings). It is better not to purchase such a coating, since it can be manufactured by joint ventures for which there is no need to comply with European requirements for environmental safety.

For children's room it is better to choose a laminate with E1 safety class marking

Helpful advice! Buy laminate flooring from reputable specialist stores. Open one package at the time of purchase: if there is a strong chemical smell, discard such a coating and look for laminate that smells like sawdust.

Laminate design: photo of the interior in the apartment

Looking at the collection of modern laminate flooring, we can say about the high professionalism and inexhaustible creative inspiration of its manufacturers. To give originality, all kinds of patterns are applied to it, they create the effect of imitation of natural materials (wood, leather, stone, metal), experiment with the texture of the surface.

Caramel-colored laminate with imitation of a wooden board

What design options for laminate flooring do modern manufacturers offer?

Wood-like laminate is a classic floor design option that successfully replaces the expensive parquet board... There are panels with imitation of the pattern of oak, maple, birch, etc. The maximum effect of naturalness is created using a variety of textures of laminated planks, which will be discussed below.

For those who prefer luxury, an interior with a laminated leather-like finish will suit. This is far from a budget option and it will cost a lot, but the result is worth it. Walking on the crocodile skin floor will please everyone.

Laminate flooring in the living room

In such design directions as hi-tech, minimalism or loft, the floor finish with a metal laminate imitating raw steel, zinc, chrome, etc. will look bright.

Laminate flooring "like a stone" will be more to the liking of supporters of classic design. It will look good laminate in the "stone" style in the living room (especially with a fireplace), corridor, dining room, bathroom and kitchen. The variety of collections imitates such types of stones as agate, onyx, slate, volcanic stone, etc.

The interior of the room is designed in a monochromatic light range.

The most original and multifaceted are the laminate design collections, offering exclusive patterns, unpredictable textures and absolute uniqueness. For example, the German manufacturer Parador presented variations on the theme of paintings by Leonardo da Vinci in the Edition and TrendTime collections; animal print imitating animal skins; abstraction in the form of drawings in ultra bright colors.

Designer laminate can be found at Kronotex, Classen and other companies. Children's collections of laminated coverings are especially popular with these manufacturers.

On the floor kitchen-living room laid moisture resistant laminate

Texture: touch effect

The texture of the laminate flooring is important for the overall look and feeling of comfort in the room.It can be very diverse:

• classic wooden surface imitates the relief of natural wood;
• the aged wood effect is achieved by imitating the noticeable irregularities inherent in “worn out” wood. Perfect for Provence style interiors;
• the glossy surface will give the impression of covering the floor with wooden lacquered boards;
• a laminate with a natural surface looks like wood with a natural pattern typical for this species;
• shea tree. Typical for a laminate with such a surface is the matt finish and the effect of well oiled wood;
• waxed laminate creates the effect of waxed wood and gives the panels a massive look;
• the country flooring has a large relief and imitates the look of fresh wooden planks slightly sanded with a plane.

Various surface textures offered by the manufacturer Wineo (Germany)

As you can see, the assortment is large enough and allows you to use laminate flooring in the most unexpected variations. Therefore, when deciding which laminate is better to choose for the house, proceed from the general interior of the home and your own preferences.

Laminate support: which one to choose

Even a high-quality laminate flooring may not last long if it does not take care of the quality of the base on which it is laid. To laminate does not sag, it is necessary to lay between the base and the laminate backingwhich acts as a shock absorber and reduces noise. There are several types of backing:

• cork underlay for laminate. Pros and cons: natural material with a long service life, has good sound absorption and thermal insulation, perfectly levels the base. The disadvantages are the high cost and the risk of crumbling in high humidity conditions;

Cork backing has high sound and heat insulation performance

• extruded polystyrene foam. The substrate made of this material is moisture resistant, does not lend itself to decay, has a sound-absorbing effect;
• "Tuplex" is a durable three-layer substrate. The bottom layer of polyethylene is perforated for ventilation. The middle layer is expanded polystyrene granules, the upper layer is polyethylene;
• polyethylene foam backing - a budget option. It has a noise-absorbing effect and is not afraid of moisture, but it can crumple under high loads.

Laying the laminate on a polyethylene foam backing

Helpful advice! Do not overlap the backing sheets. To avoid the formation of bumps and unevenness, you can fasten the seams at the junction of the backing sheets with tape.

Any of these underlays will extend the life of your flooring, so you shouldn't skimp on it. What is the best thickness of the substrate for the laminate depends on the class of the selected coating, the type of lock and the material of the subfloor.

Three-layer Tuplex underlay with expanded polystyrene beads

Laminate with or without bevel: which is better

Depending on how the edges of the lamellas are processed, the laminate can be:

• no chamfer. The lamella edges are cut at right angles;
• with a chamfer. The edge is cut at an acute angle. A groove with a depth of 2-3 mm is formed between the lamellas during installation;
• with micro bevel. It differs from the previous version only in the depth of the groove, in this case it is 0.5 - 1 mm.

The chamfer is two-sided (applied only along the long edges of the lamella) and four-sided. Bevels can be V- or U-shaped.

Various types of bevels on laminate edges

The presence or absence of a chamfer will not in any way affect the technical characteristics of the laminate, but will only affect the appearance and price of the product. A non-beveled floor is less expensive and will look like a smooth, solid surface on the floor.Beveled laminate is more expensive, it looks more voluminous and visually resembles a natural wood floor.

Quality and price of laminate for 1 sq. meter

The cost of laminate flooring depends on the manufacturer, the wear resistance class, the relevance of the collection, the surface structure, the locking system of the connection, environmental safety, etc.

A square meter of premium laminate will cost 1,300 rubles and more. The cost of a laminate in the middle price category starts from 600 rubles / m². At a very reasonable price, you can buy laminate flooring from Russian and Chinese manufacturers. The average price for an economy-class laminate is 250 rubles / m², however, one should not expect durability and high strength from it.

Laminate flooring in the bedroom

Remember that buying a floor covering is a long-term investment, so remember the saying "the cheapskate pays twice." With high-quality, durable and safe for health laminated flooring, your apartment will become more comfortable and cozy, and will acquire a presentable look.