Laminate is a modern floor covering that has replaced expensive parquet and wood floors. Initially, he was afraid of moisture, at the wrong time, a puddle from spilled water could ruin the coating forever. The solution to this problem was a waterproof laminate of 12 mm class 33, Germany and manufacturers from other European countries offer coatings that can be laid even in swimming pools. This versatile finishing material, despite its rather high price, has become popular among consumers, because German quality has always been in price.
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German-made laminate: quality and reliability
With the growing popularity of waterproof laminate, many manufacturers of laminate flooring began to produce it: in Belgium, France, China and Russia. The leading market leader is products made in Germany.
Waterproof collections with all kinds of prints and a wide choice of textures are offered by such German companies as Egger, Zigart, Krono Original, Westerhof, Aberhof, Hessen Floor, Floorwood, Classen, Ecoflooring, Maxwood, Proteco, Vega, Kronotex, etc. Their products have the best customer reviews. because the “Made in Germany” label has already become synonymous with the quality mark.
Difference between moisture resistant and waterproof laminate 33 grade 12mm Germany
In the characteristics of the laminate of 31-34 classes, you can find indicators such as moisture resistance and water resistance. Both of these concepts mean that this floor covering is not afraid of contact with water and can be used in rooms with high humidity, such as a bathroom, kitchen, swimming pools, etc. fungus), and the joints between the lamellas and the joint locks are treated with special wax.
The difference between these concepts in the material from which the lamella is made:
- basis moisture resistant laminate is a high-strength HDF plate. It is made from wood fiber impregnated with resin and is able to withstand prolonged contact with water and non-critical temperature changes. However, as a natural material, it is characterized by deformations under strong temperature changes and intense humidity (for example, when flooded by neighbors from above);
- for class 33 waterproof laminate (12 mm thick), a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) board is used as the base. It does not react to changes in temperature, humidity and other atmospheric and natural phenomena, and can stay in water for several weeks without harm to its physical properties. Inside this PVC board there are heat and sound insulating air chambers.
Both of these options are suitable for flooring in residential buildings. Waterproof laminate, according to many experts, is more appropriate in bathrooms, on cold balconies and heated floors, as well as in holiday homes, swimming pools and saunas. It is recommended to lay a moisture-resistant coating in the kitchen, children's room, living room, corridor.
Useful advice! For the bathroom and kitchen, it is better to choose a laminate without bevel. The lamellas will fit more tightly, which will reduce the likelihood of water and dirt getting into the joints.
Moisture-resistant laminate 12 mm, 33 class, Germany: characteristics and properties
According to the standards approved by the European Association of Manufacturers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF), there are six classes of laminate. The class determines the degree of wear resistance. The higher the class, the less the laminated coating is susceptible to damage and wear. Today the most popular is laminate of 31-34 grades.
Laminate class 33 and 34 have the highest abrasion resistance and are recommended for flooring in public areas with intensive use: shops, gyms, restaurants. Nowadays, it is increasingly bought for apartments and houses. The service life of such a laminate significantly exceeds that for residential premises. With proper care, manufacturers give a 25-year warranty.
It should be said that the durability of the 33 grade laminate will depend on the quality and thickness of the panel. The choice takes into account the intensity and degree of stress in the room. The maximum thickness, and accordingly the strength, has a lamella of 12 mm. The average service life of a 33 class laminate with a panel thickness of 8 mm in residential premises is 20-25 years, and a thickness of 12 mm is 30 years. There are no traces of furniture and scratches on such floors. In addition, strong connection locks are installed in lamellas with such a thickness.
Important! When finishing the floor with laminate flooring, it is necessary to calculate how much the floor height will increase (based on the thickness of the lamellas and substrates) and make sure that in the future it will not interfere with opening / closing the doors. The height at the junction with the covering of the adjacent room must be the same.
Average price of laminate for 1 sq. meter
Waterproof laminate is quite expensive, but it will last for many years. Each company has collections in various price ranges. This makes coverage affordable for families of all incomes.
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German manufacturers offer waterproof laminate 33 class 8 mm thick at the following prices (in ascending order):
Manufacturer | Collection | Average price for 1 m², rubles |
Krono original | Natural forte | 600-700 |
Westerhof | Mario loretto | |
Aberhof | Shtorm | |
Hessen Floor | Albero | |
Westerhof | Innovation | 700 — 800 |
Floorwood | Prestige | |
Hessen Floor | Bavaria | |
Hessen Floor | Madeira 8/33 | |
Floorwood | Brilliance | 900-950 |
Classen | Futuro Expert, Force | |
Floorwood | Shine | |
Aberhof | Legend 33 | |
Classen | Extravagant Dinamic Pol | 1000 — 1200 |
Ecoflooring | Castle, Elegance | |
Maxwood | Colambus, Titanium | |
Floorwood | Benelux 33/8 4V | |
Egger | Aqua, Aqua Tile | |
Zigart | WaterProof | from 1400 |
Average prices for waterproof laminate (Germany) 33 class 12 mm thick (in ascending order):
Manufacturer | Collection | Average price for 1 m², rubles |
Unistep | Gloss | 750 — 850 |
Proteco | Array | |
Fussboden | Concept | |
Vega | Maxi 33 | |
Floorwood | Arte | 900 — 1000 |
Proteco | Shato | |
Imagine | Impressive | |
Krono original | Floordreams Natural | |
Hessen | Floor Arabica, Floor Grand | |
Westerhof | Maestro Vintage, Aristocrat | 1100 — 1200 |
Unistep | Real | |
Zigart | Super Star, Hardwood | |
Classen | Extreme | |
Proteco | Grace | |
Kronotex | Solid plus | |
Praktik | Ultimate | 1300 — 1400 |
Evig | Elegant, Luxury | |
Kronotex | Atlantice, Robusto | |
Zigart | Art castle | 1400 — 1500 |
Ecoflooring | Country | |
Praktik | Royal lack | |
Ecoflooring | Art Wood, Villa, Brush Wood, Shato | 1500 — 1600 |
Proteco | Advantage | |
Kronotex | Mammut 33 | |
My floor | Villa | 1800 — 2000 |
Rooms | Penthouse |
The most expensive is the coating with a thickness of 12 mm class 34. Waterproof laminate (Germany) with such characteristics is in the following price range (in ascending order):
Manufacturer | Collection | Average price for 1 m², rubles |
Hessen Floor | Torres | from 1000 |
Floorwood | Maxima 34 | |
Vega | Style, Mega, Dreams | |
Floorwood | Serious, Sunrise | |
Ecoflooring | Palace, Cottage, Real Wood, Land | from 1500 |
As you can see, it is quite possible to purchase a decent laminated flooring at an affordable price. Remember that finishing your floor is a long-term investment. Moisture-resistant laminate will save you from worrying about spilled liquid on the floor, as well as from the need to renew it every 5-6 years of service.