So, you have come to the decision to replace the flooring, and as a replacement, you have chosen a laminate. Where to begin?

By following the sections of our site, you will find all the information you need, from choosing the right class of laminate flooring to preparing and installing it properly in your space.

Let's get started!

1. Classes

   First, let's figure out what a laminate is. To do this, let's get acquainted with the existing classes of laminate.

2. Purpose

   Where do you want to replace the laminate? In the kitchen, in the corridor, in the whole apartment or house, in the office? Read thematic materials.

3. Manufacturers, brands

   See an overview of the best laminate flooring manufacturers by country and brand.

4. Choice of laminate

   Choose the right decor, chamfer and shade.

5. Calculation

   The correct calculation of the amount of laminate is synonymous with savings. What do you need to do to avoid wasting money?

6. Training

   Preparing the floor for laying laminate flooring will increase the level of thermal and sound insulation in your apartment.

7. Technology

   Existing laying techniques are easy to learn with our step-by-step instructions.

8. Accessories

   What tools will be needed for convenient laying of the laminate flooring and leave it after.

9. Laying

   Full instructions, nuances and tricks that speed up the work - everything to do the laying of the laminate yourself.

Which laminate to choose for the main room in the house - the living room

The living room occupies a special place in the house. Its decoration is usually thought out especially carefully. All elements of the interior should be in it in harmonious unity. And, accordingly, a special role is given to flooring.

The surface of the floor is designed to create a winning backdrop for the pieces of furniture in the room. A modern promising material - laminate - is currently recognized as a worthy option for decorating a living room. Laying laminate in the living room is a great solution for creating any interior.

Characteristics of the flooring for the living room

When choosing a type of laminate, you should take into account the specifics of the living room. We must remember that the living room is one of the most visited rooms in the house. Therefore, one of the important requirements for flooring is increased material strength and abrasion resistance of the surface layer.

Laminate in any room is primarily selected according to the load class. At the very beginning, when the production of laminated flooring material was just starting, class 23 was considered suitable for the living room.

However, in our time, its consumer properties do not suit anyone, and it has been discontinued. To finish the floor in the living room, a laminate is selected, starting with class 31 of abrasion resistance.

The indicators that determine the appropriate laminate for the living room are the thickness of the surface layer, and the total thickness of the board. Class 32 is recognized as optimal for the living room: the thickness of the film that creates a durable surface reaches 0.2 - 0.4 mm. It will last up to 11 years.

If the floor of the living room is not planned to be carpeted, and extremely active children and large dogs will intensively move around it, you should opt for class 33. Here, the thickness of the upper layer already reaches 0.4 - 0.9 millimeters, which prolongs its operation up to 14 years.

As the class level increases, the thickness of the laminate board increases. The floor in the living room should be thick enough - this provides the coating with strength, the necessary level of thermal insulation. To mitigate the specific sound that accompanies steps on a laminated floor, a thick elastic substrate is certainly laid under it.

Creating a Style

For floors in the living room, the design of the surface layer of the laminate is extremely important. Leading manufacturers have launched the production of a wide variety of types of material, differing in texture and color.

The living room can have the most exclusive design overall, a bold mix of styles and colors. However, it is recommended to choose a laminate in the interior of the living room closer to the classic version, that is, imitating the pattern of a wooden board, planks, parquet plates.

This approach can be explained by the following consideration: the task of the floor is not to distract from the main design, but to provide a background for it. A wooden surface is a versatile option for an ideal floor.

In extreme cases, you can lay a smooth plain board that does not have a texture. Floors with imitation stone, ceramic tiles or jute cloth in the living room are unacceptable.

Regarding color shades, there are no restrictions when decorating the floor in the living room. Light floors are acceptable, even very light, dark, golden brown - any shades of wood. Floors can match the overall tone of the interior in color, but should be slightly different from the furniture.

The color of the floor can also be a contrasting background for other design elements. Take the choice of laminate as responsibly and thoughtfully as possible: then the floor in the living room will last a long time, and provide the room with the necessary style and level of status.

Laminate in the living room is the most popular flooring. Among the wide variety of materials for finishing the floor, it is he who is found. This is a multi-layer panel, which is obtained by pressing several layers of paper and fibreboard. The paper is located on the front of the laminate board. A pattern imitating natural wood is applied to it. In order for the laminate to serve for more than one year, the upper part is treated with a special protective layer. It can be acrylic or melamine resin. Due to their protective properties, the laminate becomes:

• durable;
• water repellent;
• capable of withstanding mechanical damage.

Dark furniture in the living room against a light laminate background

As for the underside, it has a stabilizing bar that gives the board its shape and support, and also protects against moisture penetration between the sheets. Laminate in color and texture can completely repeat expensive parquet, only at the same time with a low price and good quality. Consider how to choose the right laminate for the interior of the living room, so as not to regret your choice later.

Laminate imitating natural wood

Benefits of laminate flooring

Laminate has recently become the most popular flooring material. This happens due to the fact that, at its affordable cost, it has a beautiful appearance, a choice of colors and textures, and you should not forget about its good performance.

Light laminate harmoniously coexists with light walls and furniture in the living room

Among the main advantages are the following:

• a wide range of colors;
• harmoniously and easily fits into any stylistic interior;
• high resistance to ignition, even a smoldering cigarette butt will not leave more than one trace on the coating;
• does not deteriorate from exposure to bright sunlight;
• high strength, it does not leave traces of heels or claws of pets;
• simplicity and ease of care;
• durability;
• quick and easy installation.

What is laminate and how is it made?

As mentioned above, laminate is a multilayer panel for flooring. It is made on the basis of pressed wood, which is first ground into dust. And then brought to a crystalline state.

Light brown laminate in the interior of the living room

The laminated board consists of four main layers:

First layer- moisture resistant. It contains a special film. This is the main protection of the laminate from moisture.

Second layer- plate. It is made from wood fibres. MDF or chipboard can be used.

third layer- decor. The main color and texture are applied to this layer, which imitate natural wood.

fourth layer- laminating film. At the final stage, a special protective coating is applied. It is because of this that the laminate becomes more resistant to mechanical stress. Also, the laminate becomes smoother and more resistant to various aggressive environments.

How to choose the right laminate flooring for your living room

There are a number of traditional mistakes that almost all buyers make. To avoid them, it is worth studying some recommendations:

1. For a sunny living room, you should not choose a laminate in wenge shades, American walnut, Asian walnut, rosewood. Dust is very noticeable on dark shades. Most often, rooms with such a floor look untidy.
2. If the room is not saturated with sunlight, then do not choose a laminate that matches the tone of the walls. You run the risk of getting a room in which everything will merge. For such premises, choose a laminate in shades of white oak, beech, birch. With such a floor, wallpaper 3-4 tones darker than the floor will look appropriate.
3. To finish a small apartment, the laminate should be chosen the same everywhere.
4. The interior door in the living room should be combined with the shade of the floor. Black-brown laminate does not go well with red and dark red shades of doors. Doors should be darker than the floor, but at the same time repeat the texture and texture of the flooring. It is not recommended to choose laminate and interior doors in the same color. Otherwise, both of these elements will be lost in the living room.
5. If you want to make the floor white or milky, then do not overdo it with light shades in other decor elements.

Before going to the store to buy a laminate, you should think more judiciously about its shade - dark or light, with or without a pattern. Here, preferably, the choice is based on what mood the room should acquire.

Laminate for the living room hi-tech in metallic color

Depending on the color of the laminate, the room can become:

• spacious and bright;
• warm and cozy;
• energetic and playful;
• formal and elegant.

Laminate under natural wood in the interior of the living room of a country house

If it is difficult for you to decide on the color, then in extreme cases you can pick up a laminate to match the door, but only if it is wooden. Also, the flooring can repeat the color and texture of any wooden elements that are available in the design of the living room.

Laminate for the living room with a matte surface

Advice! Very dark or vice versa the lightest shade needs daily washing. Since any dirt, smudges and dust are noticeable on it.

Light laminate in the interior of a bright living room

The drawing on the laminate has some optical possibilities. For example, if you choose a coating in a long and narrow strip, then the room will immediately begin to resemble a bowling alley. A square room with such a laminate will resemble an elongated rectangle.

Light beige laminate with chocolate walls and white furniture

The laminate will help to visually expand the room in width, on which the stripes are placed along the width of the board. When choosing a patterned laminate, keep in mind that this flooring lasts a long time, so choose it more carefully and consciously.

Milk laminate in a modern living room

Take with you a room plan with dimensions when you buy laminate flooring. This will help to correctly determine the number of boards. Also, sales consultants will inform you about different manufacturers, service life, cost and other important technical characteristics.

Light laminate in the living room with beige walls

The color of the laminate in the interior of the living room

Many are tormented by the question of what color should the laminate be - dark or light? Remember, light colors visually increase the space of the room, while dark ones have the opposite effect.

Chocolate shade laminate for modern living room

It is worth understanding what effect the color of the floor has in each individual case:

1. Dim colors. They are suitable for brightening a dark living room. Such floors reflect light well. You will get a feeling of cleanliness and order. If you make walls of a cold shade with such a floor, then the room will become calm.
2. Dark colors. This is the perfect tone for accents in a room. Such floors are ideally combined with light walls and ceilings. But do not abuse dark contrasts, otherwise you will get a gloomy living room.
3. The combination of color of the floor and furniture. The color of the floor should be two tones darker or lighter than the furniture. Flooring of the same color and texture with furniture is possible if a carpet is laid on the floor. Dark furniture, such as wenge or walnut, will look beautiful on a gray laminate.

Laminate in living rooms of different styles

Laminate is popular among people for its rich colors and textures. This makes it possible to design the living room in different styles and directions:

1. Country. The American ranch prefers dark-colored laminate. Its structure should exactly repeat the plank floor.
2. Swiss chalet. This modern shepherd's hut is filled with exclusively natural materials. To make the interior much closer to the chalet, choose a walnut or ash laminate.
3. Provence. Rustic simplicity loves natural materials and pastel shades in interior decoration. For the floor, a laminate with an aged and inexpressive texture, for example, bleached oak with a chamfer, is suitable.
4. Japanese style. Usually in such an interior, the floors are made of bamboo or sisal. Now it will not be difficult to find a laminate that mimics these natural materials. It can be either light or dark in color.
5. Minimalism. The feature of such a living room is restraint. The room should not have more than two or three shades. Laminate in white, black or gray is ideal here.
6. High tech. Here, most often the laminate in black or gray looks appropriate. Less often you can find a white laminate. But most often they prefer wenge-colored laminate.
7. Gothic. In such a room, the laminate should be textured deep black.
8. Pop Art. It uses a laminate of the most unexpected colors for the floor - blue or green.

Laminate in the living room - photos of the best ideas

Organization of the floor in the living room should be given special attention: it must be strong and durable, warm and comfortable, aesthetic and modern. At the same time, every inhabitant has a completely natural desire to save a little by purchasing material for floor decoration.

All of these requirements are fully consistent with the laminate - a multilayer product, each layer of which is endowed with certain functions. The basis is a strong and rigid fiberboard, a paper layer is glued on it, which is responsible for the shade and color, and the top laminating coating plays the role of protecting the material from external influences.

Laminate classes: optimal solutions for a rest room

Depending on the indicators of strength, duration of operation, abrasion and resistance to various environmental factors, the laminate is divided into classes. The higher the class, the greater the thickness and, accordingly, the strength of the material.

Which laminate to choose for the living room in terms of strength depends on the characteristics and operating conditions of the floor. Today the most demanded are products of 31 - 33 classes.

suitable for rooms with a low intensity of human traffic, as well as for interiors in which most of the floor is occupied by a textile floor covering - a carpet, a path, and the like.

is more durable and able to withstand fairly high weight and mechanical loads, so it has proven itself in busy areas.

An ideal solution for living rooms where the floor is regularly subjected to the static and dynamic stresses that are the limit of domestic objects.

For adherents and opponents: advantages and disadvantages of laminate

Like any material, laminate has its pros and cons. The former, of course, outweigh the latter, especially since the disadvantages of the coating are easily eliminated. However, you should be aware of them when buying.

• resistance to abrasion, fading, mold and mildew, aggressive chemical compounds;
• excellent resistance to high temperatures and open flame;
• resistance to scratches and chips, impact resistance;
• environmental Safety;
• high laying speed and ease of care;
• affordable cost, which makes the material the undisputed leader among floor coverings.

And now - about the shortcomings. There are only four of them:

• noise and creaking are perhaps the main claims of consumers to the laminate. This minus is easily eliminated: it is enough to lay a cork substrate under the coating during installation;
• fear of excess moisture: of course, the laminate will not lose its functional qualities after wet cleaning, but spilled water that has fallen into the gaps between the seams can cause significant harm to it. The problem is solved by treating the seams with waterproof solutions;
• bloating and blistering, usually caused by a violation of styling technology;
• the last drawback: the laminate can only be laid on a flat base floor, the level of differences of which is minimal - no more than a few millimeters.

Let's move on to the look: what kind of laminate is most appropriate in living rooms?

Currently, in designer collections you can find a laminate for every taste: plain and decorated with various artistic images, light and dark, neutral or executed in a shocking palette of bright colors.

The aesthetics of the laminate is determined by the interior of the room: for modern living rooms decorated in the style of techno, loft or kitsch, you can use any coating: white or black, red or blue, multi-colored - with soft transitions of tones or clear geometric ornaments.

But the classic style requires a more restrained approach. Here, soft shades are more appropriate - beige, golden, gray or chocolate. As for colors, in traditional environments, floor coverings with an outer layer that mimics the texture of natural materials look best. It can be piece parquet, ceramic tile, parquet board or natural stone. "Wood" material is more suitable for cool living rooms, "stone-ceramic" - for rooms with a warm microclimate.

Of course, the laminate in the living room should not look like a foreign element. However, the floor, merging in color with the walls and furniture in color, is also not the best option. It should not be forgotten that the flooring cannot act as the main interior detail: it is just a background against which all other furnishings - furniture, lighting sources, decorative elements - will look profitable and attractive.

Did you like the material? Thank you with a like.

idezz.ru

How to choose the right laminate flooring for your apartment: useful information and installation tips, various laminate options yourself

You have decided to make repairs, and the time has come to decorate the floors in your house or apartment? Nowadays, the choice of flooring is very large, you can use linoleum, and parquet, and laminate.

Why are more and more people using laminate flooring? It has a lot of advantages. In appearance, laminate flooring practically does not differ from expensive parquet.

But in terms of service life, it surpasses linoleum for many years. Laminate flooring is very harmonious fit into almost any interior. And of course you will not spend too much effort and money on styling it.

What subtleties should be taken into account when choosing such an ecological coating so that it will serve in your home for many years?

Laminate Properties

Laminate panels are a special construction consisting of several layers. Thanks to the top layer, you can choose various texture imitations for the floor surface that will competently fit into any interior you have conceived, such as wood, tile, marble, granite, metal.

Laminate panels consist of the following layers:

Coating impregnated with melamine. It is this top layer of laminate that provides the floor with:

• High abrasion resistance.
• Immunity to stains, chemicals, exposure to sunlight.
• Resistance to all kinds of mechanical damage, cracks.
• Anti-static (does not accumulate static electricity)

Decorative paper treated with melamine. During pressing, a coating impregnated with melamine, which, under pressure, is combined with decorative paper, kraft - cardboard and forms a single whole with them.

Kraft cardboard. It contains almost 80% fibers from coniferous wood, due to this, this layer is resistant to moisture

Fibreboard, high strength (HDF). It is this layer that is the basis of laminate panels, it is impact-resistant and resistant to stress.

Castle system. It is divided into two types of Click and Lock, each of them has its own characteristics during installation.

Since laminate panels are still a wooden coating, accordingly, it is afraid of water, and upon contact with it, the flooring may be deformed.

When choosing a laminate flooring, it is necessary to focus on the type of room and the patency of the place where it will be installed. According to these characteristics, the laminate is divided into several classes:

1. 22-23 class. It is the most common type of laminate, it is he who is most often used in apartments, for rooms such as the kitchen, bedroom, living room.
2. 21 class. This laminate can only be used in low traffic areas such as a bedroom or pantry as it wears out very quickly.
3. 32-33 class. The highest class of laminate, has high strength and is most often used in offices or shops. It can also be used in domestic premises, then the service life will be much higher.

Although there is such a gradation in terms of wear resistance, the quality of the laminate can be different within one of the classes. The raw materials used by the manufacturer play an important role. There are signs of poor-quality laminate flooring:

• The panels feel like plastic to the touch.
• The top layer on which the pattern is applied peels off.
• The panels have a sharp and unpleasant odor.

It’s better not to chase the price and take the cheapest materials, because, as a rule, the price corresponds to the quality and, having saved now, you can regret it very much over time.

Depending on the method of installation, laminate panels are divided into adhesive and non-adhesive methods. For bonding with the adhesive method, a special adhesive for laminate is used, it is applied to the seams that are formed when the elements are joined.

With the glueless method, the built-in locks of the panels are involved, which greatly simplifies the installation of the laminate flooring, since the elements are assembled as a constructor. If you decide to use the glueless method, then focus on the integrity of the locking system, however, such a locking system also does not preclude the use of a substrate under the laminate.

Useful information! As a rule, manufacturers of laminate panels include instructions with photographs in their packaging, which describes in detail the method of assembling the coating.

Which laminate will look better in the living room

Usually, in all photographs with interior designs, the living room is depicted as a non-residential premises, but this is where relatives and close families gather, and of course the traffic increases due to this.

Laminate flooring is ideal for such a room, what kind of laminate panels should you choose for a crowded place?

As a rule, the owners of the apartment decorate the living room with landscape paintings, memorable photographs that help family members relax in a relaxed atmosphere.

And of course, we all want to impress our guests with a spectacular interior and a harmonious combination of different shades.

When buying a laminate for a living room, given the high traffic in this room, it is better to take a closer look at the higher classes of panels. Consider the color scheme of the room, the laminate surface should be combined not only with the color of the walls, but also with the type and color of the furniture.

A little about drawings and colors

In order for the laminate flooring to harmoniously fit into your interior, pay attention to the texture and design of the surface of the laminate board. Due to the special coating, the choice of shades of the laminate panel is very high.

For small rooms, in order to avoid too sharp contrasts between the floor and furniture, it is better to choose a light shade, imitation of maple, oak, ash.

In order to correctly emphasize the contrast in the room, a dark-colored laminate imitating walnut, rosewood, dark oak, teak is used.

Helpful information! It is best to combine these shades with light-colored furniture. Of course, there is a laminate imitating concrete or tile, but this texture is best used only after consulting with a professional design agency.

Even at the stage of creating a project, you can see how this or that laminate flooring will look in your interior.

For a private house

What kind of laminate flooring should you choose for a private house? When choosing, it is necessary to remember again the properties and parameters of laminate panels, since it is a private house that is particularly demanding on the quality of a laminate flooring.

Recall that you enter the apartment from the landing, leaving some dirt and water from the shoes outside. In a private house, there are no long corridors and landings, therefore, you enter the room almost immediately from the street, bringing all the moisture and dirt into the house on your shoes.

As a rule, the air temperature in the living room is often lower than in other rooms of a private house. Sufficient heating occurs only when there are guests in the house.

The accumulation of a large number of people leads to warming up the air, then people want to go outside for fresh air, and then the most difficult period for laminar flooring begins.

Sharp temperature fluctuations affect the internal processes of the floor surface, which can naturally affect its appearance and condition.

Often, a damaged laminate flooring will bend in different directions, and resemble a complex geometric figure. Under the influence of moisture and cold, the color of the laminate panels is also lost, it can differ significantly in different places.

When choosing a laminate flooring for any room, it is imperative to take into account many different factors that, during operation, can affect the quality and properties of the laminate you have purchased. After all, this is not only a beautiful floor that fits well into your interior, but also a warm, pleasant surface for your feet.

Therefore, when choosing, it is better not to rely not only on the design of laminate panels, but also on their quality, then they will serve you for decades.

www.laminatguru.com

How to choose a laminate for the living room

13.03.2017

Laminate is considered a versatile finishing material, so it can be used for almost any room and interior style. Most often, the presented flooring is used for arranging the living room. This is due to the fact that the finish has a lot of positive aspects: durability, reliability, practicality and attractive appearance. Please note that the floor will fit perfectly into any interior style, you can choose a shade that is ideal for the original color design. Consider the main features of choosing a laminate for the living room, the advantages and disadvantages of the option, the rules for interior design.

How to choose a laminate

In order for the living room to be attractive and the flooring to last for a long time, it is important to consider the rules for choosing it. So, it is worth basing the choice on such factors:

• surface design. It is worth noting that modern laminate has various shades that can qualitatively imitate natural wood or stone. The texture of the surface can also be varied. For a small living room, it is best to choose light shades, they will help to visually create a pleasant room that will visually look several times larger, cleaner and lighter. The pattern of the laminate can also be different. It depends on the special paper that is used for manufacturing. There is a floor designed to look like larch, oak, ash and other types of wood;
• Material class. Experts say that for the living room it is best to choose a floor with class 32. It has an acceptable cost, while it can withstand almost all loads. This is the best solution for the level of traffic in this room. You can also choose a technical grade laminate, its cost is several times higher, while the coating has an increased level of sound and thermal insulation;
• Strength. The thicker the laminate layers, the stronger the coating will be. Please note that this factor also depends on the wear resistance class. This should be considered at the time of purchase;
• Special properties. Modern laminate can have special impregnations and layers to create safety and comfort during operation. For example, there is a floor with increased resistance to moisture and fire.

Features of choice for different interiors

If you choose a modern laminate flooring for your living room, it is important to consider the style of the interior, as well as a consistent color palette. So, take into account such nuances

• If the room is small, then you should give preference to finishing materials in a light tone. They will help visually make the room a little larger. Light flooring is also ideal for arranging such interior styles as hi-tech, classic interior, Scandinavian style, minimalism. A light palette and soft texture are distinguished by a laminate based on walnut, ash, maple;
• If you decide to create an unusual, extravagant interior, then experts recommend choosing a laminate based on bamboo or created under natural leather. Such products are distinguished by originality and beauty;
• The dark tones of the coating are also perfect for a classic interior, and those that involve creating a strict atmosphere. For small living rooms - this is an impractical option;
• The design will become deep when using a floor covering in dark brown. This is the best option for designing in the style of Provence, country, vintage. The space will look more saturated, create pleasant conditions for an active and relaxing holiday.

Flooring for the home can be made from different materials. The main requirements for it are strength, durability, appearance and cost. Natural materials are not cheap. Therefore, one of the best substitutes for natural parquet today is a beautiful and practical type of finish, which is available to almost all categories of customers.

There are several classes of material presented. It is distinguished by the strength of the top layer. , will help to understand the advice of professionals. Their recommendations will be discussed below.

Material Features

To understand how to choose a good laminate for an apartment, it is necessary to consider the features of the presented material. Its board consists of several layers. Various materials are used for them.

The bottom layer prevents the board from warping. It promotes moisture resistance and rigidity of the coating. It is made from kraft cardboard impregnated with artificial resins. Above the bottom layer is the base of the board. This is a load-bearing material that is made from fiberboard. It is this material that compensates for mechanical loads. It prevents heat loss in the room, serves as sound insulation. Locks are provided in this layer for mounting all floor boards.

The top layer prevents wear. Quality and laminate cost depend on this coverage. The thicker and stronger it is, the more durable the material will be.

Class

May refer to different strength classes. In total, there are several categories of finishes, which are designed for different types of premises. Previously, according to the Directive EN 13329, which was approved by European manufacturers, laminate boards from class 31 to 34 were made for commercial premises. Varieties of class 21-23 were suitable for an apartment.

Today, products for home and industrial, office institutions do not differ in group number. For apartments also began to produce classes 31-34. Categories 21-23 have been abolished. Today they are not made.

The class to which the board belongs characterizes the strength of the carrier layer. For the top coating, a different classification is used, characterizing the resistance to mechanical damage. It is indicated by the AC score scale. There is a laminate of categories 3-6. There are Asian products with a wear resistance class of the top layer AC5.

What does the class show?

Considering what class of laminate is best for an apartment, it is necessary to delve into the system of such marking. Before specifying this indicator, manufacturers conduct a series of tests. Based on the results obtained, the products are assigned a strength class.

The material is examined for a number of indicators. First of all, the stability of the laminate to the load for a long time is determined. Its heat resistance, endurance to mechanical wear, impacts are checked. The strength of adhesion of the layers of boards is also controlled.

A high-class laminate should be resistant to sunlight, without losing its original qualities. It should not show stains from dirt, liquids. When it hits the surface of the water, a high-quality board does not swell. The surface must not be slippery. A good laminate does not emit formaldehyde into the surrounding space. The anti-static index is checked. Only having received high characteristics in the listed categories, the product can be attributed to a high strength class.

Features of choice

An overview of the laminate will allow you to choose the right type of finish. It is important to understand what issues you need to pay attention to first. The more the load will affect the flooring, the stronger it should be.

When choosing, they take into account how many people live in the apartment, how much they weigh. They also take into account what furniture will be installed in the room, what items will have to be moved without tearing them off the surface.

It should be foreseen what liquids, chemicals can get on the surface. If the exposure to moisture will be prolonged, you will need to buy the most durable type of laminate. Under loaded conditions, it will last a long time. You should also correlate the strength class of the base with the features of the surface of the board. For example, the bottom layer may be durable, but the top layer will wear out quickly, lose its appearance due to scratches.

How to choose a class?

Today, there are a number of generally accepted recommendations that allow you to choose a strength class in accordance with the needs of the room. The most inexpensive and simple class 31 laminate is suitable for rooms such as an office and a bedroom. The floor in such rooms is less subject to stress.

Designed primarily for the living room and nursery. Here the load on the floor will be higher. 33 class is for bathroom and kitchen. Water often comes to the surface here. Also in such rooms, household appliances are installed, for example, a washing machine or dishwasher. In the process of their work on the flooring is a large mechanical load, vibration. In order not to damage the laminate, it must be very strong in such places.

There are 34 laminate grades. It is considered the most durable, but expensive. It is used in rooms with very high loads. For example, it could be a bathroom or a corridor in a large family.

Features of 31 class

Should be 7-8 mm. This condition is fully consistent with 31 classes of material. It is able to provide a reliable floor covering both in the apartment and in the office.

The presented type of board is resistant to various adverse effects. It is not subject to temperature changes. A fallen cigarette will not leave a trace on the surface. Medium susceptibility to abrasion allows you to use such a laminate in a bedroom or office. However, there should be no furniture on wheels in the room.

The presented type of laminate will last about 10-12 years with proper use. This category of finish has low resistance to high humidity. Therefore, it can only be installed in dry rooms with low traffic. It is not recommended to frequently wipe it with a damp cloth during the day. The cost of this material will be the most acceptable for all categories of buyers.

Features 32 class

Suitable for rooms with medium traffic, such as a children's room or living room. In such conditions, it has been operated for about 15 years. The thickness of such a board is 7.5-9 mm.

In the presented category, a large number of textures and shades are presented. This is due to the high demand for this category of laminate. It perfectly combines price and quality. This material repels water well. Wet cleaning can be done several times a day.

The laminate of the presented class does not burn out, does not quickly become covered with scratches, scuffs. You can walk on this floor in heels. The surface is resistant to household chemicals. Good antistatic performance prevents dust from settling on the surface. This laminate is distinguished by high-quality sound insulation. At the same time, a special comfort is created in the room.

Class 33 Benefits

high laminate quality 33 class allows you to mount it in rooms with a high load. It can be a kitchen or a corridor, a bathroom. Under such conditions, the coating will last about 15 years. If such a laminate is used for other premises, it can be used for about 30 years under unloaded conditions.

This board can be chosen even for gyms, restaurants, shops. The cost of this material is higher than that of the two previous classes. However, the life of this laminate will be longer.

The thickness of the presented product is about 12 mm. It is a durable, quiet and comfortable floor. He is not afraid of prolonged exposure to moisture. Even if a large amount of water gets on it, cracks and swelling will not appear. Locks are impregnated with special compounds. This prevents the penetration between the seams of contaminants, liquids.

Characteristics of 34 class

Considering, it is necessary to pay attention to the elite variety. It is the 34th class of coverage. This laminate appeared later than the others. It is able to withstand the heaviest loads. Most often it is used in commercial organizations where heavy equipment, machine tools are installed in the room, there are large vibrations and other adverse effects.

In an apartment, this laminate guarantees that the coating will withstand even the highest loads. In this case, the service life is 50 years. This is the most expensive material. It is rarely placed in apartments. This coating can withstand the traffic of 1000 people a day. This figure corresponds to a cinema, airport, train station or shopping center.

Class 33 flooring is produced by many companies. The market leaders today are the products of the joint production of Russia and Germany under the brands "Tarkett", "Ritter". The domestic manufacturer Sinteros also demonstrates high quality products. It is possible to single out the products of the Belgian company Berry Alloc, the German-Norwegian brand Maestro Club.

Class 34 products are currently supplied to the domestic market by the Swedish company Pergo, the Norwegian manufacturer Maestro Club.

Having considered what class of laminate is best for an apartment, as well as the features of this material, everyone can choose the best option for themselves.

Laminate in the living room is the most popular flooring. Among the wide variety of materials for finishing the floor, it is he who is found. This is a multi-layer panel, which is obtained by pressing several layers of paper and fibreboard. The paper is located on the front of the laminate board. A pattern imitating natural wood is applied to it. In order for the laminate to serve for more than one year, the upper part is treated with a special protective layer. It can be acrylic or melamine resin. Due to their protective properties, the laminate becomes:

• durable;
• water repellent;
• capable of withstanding mechanical damage.

Dark furniture in the living room against a light laminate background

As for the underside, it has a stabilizing bar that gives the board its shape and support, and also protects against moisture penetration between the sheets. Laminate in color and texture can completely repeat expensive parquet, only at the same time with a low price and good quality. Consider how to choose the right laminate for the interior of the living room, so as not to regret your choice later.

Laminate imitating natural wood

Benefits of laminate flooring

Laminate has recently become the most popular flooring material. This happens due to the fact that, at its affordable cost, it has a beautiful appearance, a choice of colors and textures, and you should not forget about its good performance.

Light laminate harmoniously coexists with light walls and furniture in the living room

Among the main advantages are the following:

• a wide range of colors;
• harmoniously and easily fits into any stylistic interior;
• high resistance to ignition, even a smoldering cigarette butt will not leave more than one trace on the coating;
• does not deteriorate from exposure to bright sunlight;
• high strength, it does not leave traces of heels or claws of pets;
• simplicity and ease of care;
• durability;
• quick and easy installation.

What is laminate and how is it made?

As mentioned above, laminate is a multilayer panel for flooring. It is made on the basis of pressed wood, which is first ground into dust. And then brought to a crystalline state.

Light brown laminate in the interior of the living room

The laminated board consists of four main layers:

The first layer is moisture resistant. It contains a special film. This is the main protection of the laminate from moisture.

The second layer is a plate. It is made from wood fibres. MDF or chipboard can be used.

The third layer is decor. The main color and texture are applied to this layer, which imitate natural wood.

The fourth layer is a laminating film. At the final stage, a special protective coating is applied. It is because of this that the laminate becomes more resistant to mechanical stress. Also, the laminate becomes smoother and more resistant to various aggressive environments.

How to choose the right laminate flooring for your living room

There are a number of traditional mistakes that almost all buyers make. To avoid them, it is worth studying some recommendations:

1. For a sunny living room, you should not choose a laminate in wenge shades, American walnut, Asian walnut, rosewood. Dust is very noticeable on dark shades. Most often, rooms with such a floor look untidy.
2. If the room is not saturated with sunlight, then do not choose a laminate that matches the tone of the walls. You run the risk of getting a room in which everything will merge. For such premises, choose a laminate in shades of white oak, beech, birch. With such a floor, wallpaper 3-4 tones darker than the floor will look appropriate.
3. To finish a small apartment, the laminate should be chosen the same everywhere.
4. The interior door in the living room should be combined with the shade of the floor. Black-brown laminate does not go well with red and dark red shades of doors. Doors should be darker than the floor, but at the same time repeat the texture and texture of the flooring. It is not recommended to choose laminate and interior doors in the same color. Otherwise, both of these elements will be lost in the living room.
5. If you want to make the floor white or milky, then do not overdo it with light shades in other decor elements.

Read also: how to put a laminate in the living room - instructions, video and master class.

Before going to the store to buy a laminate, you should think more judiciously about its shade - dark or light, with or without a pattern. Here, preferably, the choice is based on what mood the room should acquire.

Laminate for the living room hi-tech in metallic color

Depending on the color of the laminate, the room can become:

• spacious and bright;
• warm and cozy;
• energetic and playful;
• formal and elegant.

Laminate under natural wood in the interior of the living room of a country house

If it is difficult for you to decide on the color, then in extreme cases you can pick up a laminate to match the door, but only if it is wooden. Also, the flooring can repeat the color and texture of any wooden elements that are available in the design of the living room.

Laminate for the living room with a matte surface

Advice! Very dark or vice versa the lightest shade needs daily washing. Since any dirt, smudges and dust are noticeable on it.

Light laminate in the interior of a bright living room

The drawing on the laminate has some optical possibilities. For example, if you choose a coating in a long and narrow strip, then the room will immediately begin to resemble a bowling alley. A square room with such a laminate will resemble an elongated rectangle.

Light beige laminate with chocolate walls and white furniture

The laminate will help to visually expand the room in width, on which the stripes are placed along the width of the board. When choosing a patterned laminate, keep in mind that this flooring lasts a long time, so choose it more carefully and consciously.

Milk laminate in a modern living room

Take with you a room plan with dimensions when you buy laminate flooring. This will help to correctly determine the number of boards. Also, sales consultants will inform you about different manufacturers, service life, cost and other important technical characteristics.

Light laminate in the living room with beige walls

The color of the laminate in the interior of the living room

Many are tormented by the question of what color should the laminate be - dark or light? Remember, light colors visually increase the space of the room, while dark ones have the opposite effect.

Chocolate shade laminate for modern living room

It is worth understanding what effect the color of the floor has in each individual case:

1. Dim colors. They are suitable for brightening a dark living room. Such floors reflect light well. You will get a feeling of cleanliness and order. If you make walls of a cold shade with such a floor, then the room will become calm.
2. Dark colors. This is the perfect tone for accents in a room. Such floors are ideally combined with light walls and ceilings. But do not abuse dark contrasts, otherwise you will get a gloomy living room.
3. The combination of color of the floor and furniture. The color of the floor should be two tones darker or lighter than the furniture. Flooring of the same color and texture with furniture is possible if a carpet is laid on the floor. Dark furniture, such as wenge or walnut, will look beautiful on a gray laminate.

Laminate in living rooms of different styles

Laminate is popular among people for its rich colors and textures. This makes it possible to design the living room in different styles and directions:

1. Country. The American ranch prefers dark-colored laminate. Its structure should exactly repeat the plank floor.
2. Swiss chalet. This modern shepherd's hut is filled with exclusively natural materials. To make the interior much closer to the chalet, choose a walnut or ash laminate.
3. Provence. Rustic simplicity loves natural materials and pastel shades in interior decoration. For the floor, a laminate with an aged and inexpressive texture, for example, bleached oak with a chamfer, is suitable.
4. Japanese style. Usually in such an interior, the floors are made of bamboo or sisal. Now it will not be difficult to find a laminate that mimics these natural materials. It can be either light or dark in color.
5. Minimalism. The feature of such a living room is restraint. The room should not have more than two or three shades. Laminate in white, black or gray is ideal here.
6. High tech. Here, most often the laminate in black or gray looks appropriate. Less often you can find a white laminate. But most often they prefer wenge-colored laminate.
7. Gothic. In such a room, the laminate should be textured deep black.
8. Pop Art. It uses a laminate of the most unexpected colors for the floor - blue or green.