Laminate for the kitchen and hallway - what are the features of the coating?
Many owners, when thinking about repairs, decide for themselves whether the laminate is suitable for the kitchen and hallway. In these rooms, the flooring has a special load. Therefore, it is important that the floors are strong and durable.
What distinguishes laminated coatings from analogues?
In order to determine whether the laminate is suitable as a coating for the kitchen and hallway, you should find out what it is. The laminated coating consists of several layers: the main one, which acts as a carrier, decorative, protective, lower reinforcing. The basis of the coating is chipboard or MDF. They can have different strength and rigidity, which affects the class of the future product. The presence of voids and, accordingly, the density depends on the amount of wood in the material. The denser the material, the less voids in it and the lower the ability to accumulate moisture.
The decorative layer is a thick paper that determines the color, texture and pattern of the material. The top layer is protective - it is impregnated with an insoluble chemical that increases strength. For the kitchen, it is important that the floor is not only durable, but also resistant to impact, as heavy objects cannot be dropped. To increase the strength, manufacturers add fillers to the protective layer, which increase the strength characteristics. If you do not know how to choose a laminate for the kitchen and hallway, pay attention to the following factors:
- 1. Wear class;
- 2. Color and pattern;
- 3. Moisture resistant.
We will discuss each of these factors that affect the choice of coverage for the kitchen and hallway.
Coating selection based on wear resistance class
Laminated coatings are divided into 6 resistance classes and are marked with two numbers. The first means for which rooms the coating is intended, and the second - the degree of load: the larger the number, the greater the load the laminate can withstand. The following classes are intended for residential premises:
- 21 - for the bedroom and office;
- 22 - for the nursery and living room;
- 23 - for the kitchen, corridor, hallway.
The higher the class, the more cross-country ability it is designed for. For commercial premises, classes starting with 3 are intended:
- 31 - conference room, small office;
- 32 - office, boutique;
- 33 - gym, warehouse, restaurant.
For the kitchen and hallway, you can choose class 23 or 31. These coatings are designed for heavy loads, resistant to abrasion, mechanical damage, and withstand impact.
Moisture resistance - which will be better for the kitchen?
According to the impact of moisture, the laminate is divided into moisture-resistant and water-resistant. Both types are coated with special chemicals that do not allow moisture to pass through and do not allow the material to swell. Between themselves, the coatings have some differences that you need to know when choosing a laminate for a kitchen or hallway. The surface and ends of the moisture-resistant laminate panels are treated with special compounds. The cover is easy to care for. It can be washed using household detergents. But it is necessary to ensure that puddles do not remain on the floor for a long time.
Water penetrates between the panels, they gain moisture over time and swell, which leads to deformation of the top layer. The coating loses its attractive appearance. To improve the hermetic properties, we recommend treating the joints of a moisture-resistant laminate with special water-repellent wax-based compounds. It is the places where the panels are connected that are most vulnerable. These compounds can mask scratches and remove stains, giving the coating an attractive appearance. If you constantly process the seams with mastics, then a moisture-resistant laminate can be used for the hallway and kitchen.
The waterproof version of the coating is not afraid of puddles, even if the neighbors flood or break the pipe, the floor will not be damaged after that. In its manufacture, the latest developments are used. It was possible to create a laminate that is 100% immune to moisture. For its basis, not wood material is used, but a plastic plate. A panel made of this material does not absorb moisture, so it does not swell, does not lose its beautiful appearance, even if it is placed in water for a day. Therefore, floors made of such panels can be used in rooms with high humidity: bathrooms, kitchens, etc.
A waterproof adhesive is applied to the surface of the plastic plate, on top of which a decorative layer is glued. A high-strength water-repellent polymer is applied on top. Thus, a coating is obtained that is not afraid of water and is resistant to mechanical damage. Waterproof laminate costs twice as much as waterproof laminate, but you won't have to change your flooring in the event of a flood.
How to decide on a pattern and color?
If the question arises, what color to choose a laminate for the kitchen, and which one for the hallway, then the variety of types of coating gives room for imagination. There are a large number of options that imitate natural materials: natural stone (granite, marble), wood (oak, alder, wenge). Also available for ceramic tiles.
Choosing a laminate that imitates natural wood, you can play with the texture of the material.
There are several types of texture:
- with simple embossing;
- with register embossing;
- brushing;
- with Chrome Zone effect.
With simple embossing, grooves are pressed through on the top layer, which imitate various types of wood. On such a coating, pollution is not so noticeable, so it does not require frequent washing. The grooves on the register embossing match the pattern of the wood carved into the surface of the panel. This cover has a stylish look. When brushing, embossing is combined with staining, after which a second protective layer is applied. This technology increases the resistance of the coating to abrasion.
Chrome-zone is a method in which the grooves are decorated with a chromium alloy. The panels acquire a matte-gloss surface and additional strength. This laminate floor looks very impressive.
Pros and cons of lamella flooring
To choose the right laminate flooring for the kitchen and hallway, you need to know its pros and cons. Some of the benefits of laminate flooring include:
- beautiful appearance;
- a wide selection of colors and patterns;
- abrasion resistance;
- strength;
- resistance to mechanical damage;
- hygiene;
- ease of care;
- affordable price;
- the possibility of using it as a floor covering when installing a "warm floor";
- simplicity and ease of installation.
Despite a number of advantages, the laminate has disadvantages that, if desired, can be made less noticeable:
- susceptibility to moisture;
- poor sound insulation;
- formaldehyde resins included.
Waterproof laminate does not need additional moisture protection. The weak point of its other types is the joints, because with prolonged exposure to moisture, swelling of the material is possible. If you properly care for the coating and apply protective compounds, it will last a long time. When heavily wet, the laminate floor cannot be restored. In this case, it will have to be completely changed. The laminated coating has low sound insulation, which manifests itself in too sonorous steps. To slightly reduce audibility, you should use soft slippers.
Laminate, in addition to being waterproof, like many finishing materials, may contain formaldehyde resins, which are unsafe for human health. When buying a coating, pay special attention to the labeling . The E-1 icon indicates the minimum content of formaldehyde resins. If it is present, then you can safely acquire the material, since in this case nothing threatens health.
Which lamellas to choose and how to lay them?
When asked whether it is possible to lay a laminate in the kitchen, the answer will be positive, given the characteristics inherent in the laminate and select the coating, which should be:
waterproof, with a high strength class, environmentally friendly, easy to install and maintain, with an antistatic coating.
When choosing a pattern, consider the size of the room. You should not choose a large pattern for a small kitchen or hallway, as the depth of the pattern will be lost. Also, dark colors are not suitable for small rooms, as they will visually make the kitchen smaller. The nuances of laying panels:
- 1. The most economical option is to lay the panels along the longest wall. In this case, the consumption is less, and the laying is faster.
- 2. In a narrow room, laying is best done perpendicular to a long wall, this will visually expand the room.
- 3. The most spectacular and beautiful is the diagonal styling. In this case, the dimensions of the coating do not matter, since it will look harmoniously on the floor of any area. The disadvantage of this method is the high consumption of material.
Two types of fastening are possible: lock and glue. The advantage of the castle is the ease of installation and the possibility of dismantling. The coating laid in the locking way can be disassembled and installed in another room. The adhesive version is more airtight. Laminate in the kitchen can be laid on any flat surface, including linoleum, hardwood floors, and low-pile carpeting.
The laminated coating is antistatic, so it does not attract dust. To maintain daily cleanliness, it is enough to wipe the floor with a well-wrung cloth. Stubborn stains can be washed with plenty of water, after which the floor must be wiped dry. To increase the moisture resistance of the laminate floor, the joints should be regularly treated with special waterproof compounds. Special mastics can mask scratches and update the appearance of the floor. If you do not save and buy a waterproof laminate with a high strength class, properly lay it and carefully operate it, then it will last for many years.