Laminate classes

In the market of building materials, there is a large offer for the supply of a variety of materials for creating flooring.

Flooring, called laminate flooring, is gaining in popularity. This is primarily due to its operational parameters. In particular, this product has a wide selection of colors and textures. Simple and quick installation. This material is distinguished by geometric parameters, texture, resistance to wear and some others. Let us dwell on this in more detail.

The standards of the European Union, in particular, DIN EN 13329 defines that the laminate structure includes three levels - basic, bearing, pressed.

  • Base. It is made from durable paper, which is impregnated with synthetic resins. This layer protects the lamella from water. The manufacturer on this layer shows the serial number of the batch, the date of its production, and puts his product logo.
  • Carrier. This is the basis of the flooring; for its production, a wood-fiber board with a high density and MDF are used. Locks are installed on this layer, which provide quick assembly of the coating. The quality of resistance to stresses arising during tension, bending, etc., depends on the parameters of the upper layer.
  • Single-pressed paper with a pattern printed on it and a layer of polymer resin. This layer can be smooth or corrugated. The relief applied to the surface increases its wear resistance and anti-slip characteristics, but it can create certain difficulties when cleaning. Manufacturers from the European Union at a high level add thick paper to the top layer, it increases the strength of the applied coating. This product is called a high level HPL coating.

Laminate class what does it mean?

At one time, the European Union adopted the standard EN 13329, it specifies the procedure for testing and identifying areas of use for each type of product, based on the data obtained, a class (level) is assigned. Russian manufacturers are guided by the requirements of GOST 32304-2013. In reality, these documents are largely similar to each other, but the standard adopted in the European Union is much tougher. Based on the standards defined in these documents, the laminate is determined by the level of resistance to wear, that is, the quality category that determines the acceptability of the use of this material in residential and commercial premises, the duration of its operation.

To determine the class of coverage, a whole set of tests is required. It includes:

  1. Testing, which allows to identify the wear resistance of the overlay. This technique, which was developed in the United States, has replaced a less productive method of spraying sand under pressure on the surface of the product. To test using the new technology, a grinder with an abrasive wheel mounted on it is used. The rotation speed of this circle is considered an important parameter in determining the level of abrasion of the floor covering.
  2. Impact resistance. This parameter is determined using a small ball, which is released into the test sample under pressure. A larger ball that just falls on the lamella.
  3. Stability in action of furniture legs when moving around the room, chairs on wheels.
  4. Neutrality towards a lit cigarette. GOST 32304-2013 determined the procedure for conducting such a test. To do this, use non-filter cigarettes with light tobacco.
  5. Laminate must withstand action, spilled juice, wine, etc.
  6. Resistance to moisture, the coefficient of moisture absorption should not be more than 18%.

After passing the above checks, the class of the laminate is determined by the minimum parameter. If for all indicators, except for one lamella, the coatings are classified as class 32, but according to one of the tests carried out, he showed level 31, then, accordingly, they assign him a low level.

Laminate Classification

The name of the coating level contains 2 digits, the first indicates the scope of use - 2 for laying in housing, it can be a house or apartment, grade 3 for offices, grade 4 is highly durable.

The second digit indicates the frequency of application of the coating. That is, the larger it is, the stronger the material from which it is made.

  1. moderate strength
  2. normal
  3. intense
  4. very intense.

The second indicator also shows how the material can withstand the effects of dust, small debris, domestic dogs or cats.

Which class of laminate is better

Which laminate is better to say is difficult. It defines each for itself. Each class of product has its own sphere of use and when choosing a flooring for the floor it makes sense to be guided by the characteristics of the place in which it will be used.

For laying in a domestic room, a laminate of level 21-23 is used. It is laid in country houses and city apartments. But due to weak user parameters, it is practically not released.

For use in rooms with a high load, a laminate of class 31-4 is used. Subject to the rules of use, this material will last up to 12 years. Class 32 is used for laying in offices in corridor rooms. Subject to the rules of use and proper care, this class of material will last up to 20 years in living rooms and up to 5 in offices.

Class 33 laminate is used in rooms with a high load, for example, in schools, trading floors, etc. It can be used in rooms for living up to 30 years, in commercial rooms up to 6.

Class 34 material is used for laying in sports clubs or exhibition halls. In housing, it can lie up to 50 years, with a high load, the duration of this coverage is reduced to 6-7 years.

Laminate level 41-43 is used where there are high loads on the laid coating. In particular, it is laid in transport hubs, sports complexes, industrial premises.

This material calmly tolerates mechanical influences, resistant to moisture and abrasion. This coating is based on polyvinyl chloride and quartz - vinyl.

For the manufacture of the outer layer, polyurethane is used, in the composition of which aluminum oxide is introduced. In addition to it, fiberglass can be introduced. These materials give the laminate high operational parameters. In particular, a laminate of this class is used for coating in industrial premises in which workshop vehicles move and often carry out transportation using various auxiliary means.

In accordance with the requirements of domestic and European standards, in addition to numbers, an alphanumeric combination may also be included, for example AC1, thus showing the class of the laminate. For example, AC - 6 indicates the highest abrasion of the coating.

Laminate classes, what are the differences?

The differences in classes are determined by its practical application; this was described above.

They differ among themselves at least in the quality of the materials that are used for their manufacture.

Lamella Modifications

The level of quality of the laminate shows the presence of chamfers on the lamella. Chamfers have two types. The largest has a size of 2 mm, the shallow is 1 mm. The depth of the chamfer determines what tasks the lamella will be used for. In addition, when choosing a laminate, it is desirable to understand in what temperature conditions the coating will be used. In rooms with jumps in temperature, the lamellas can undergo deformation and this is successfully resisted by deep chamfers.

The use of a laminate with a chamfer helps visually change the dimensions of the room. If it is laid along, the room will seem longer, while when laid across it, it will seem wider. The technology of laying lamellas with a bevel does not differ from the laying of ordinary ones. But then the coating will receive additional strength, and the room itself improves the appearance.

Manufacturers mastered the production of laminate flooring with different bevels - ordinary, rolled and curved bevels. Rolled lamellas are obtained by extrusion on special equipment. Due to this, the laminate does not accumulate dirt during operation. Thus, extending the life of the coating.

This parameter is determined by how thick the protective layer is applied to the surface of the lamella. This parameter affects the duration of the laminate flooring. That is, the protective lamella layer does not wear out before the time specified for it. In addition, direct sunlight also affects the duration of operation.

At the end of the warranty period, in the joints of the lamellas, the protective layer is abraded. Locks begin to hold plates poorly and gaps appear between them. But with such a floor you can live about 10 more years. When assembling such a coating, it is desirable to prepare the base. In this case, the term

Watch the video: Paint Countertops with Epoxy: Behind the Scenes Training Class (March 2024).

Leave Your Comment