Laminate parquet has been known since 1977. Its popularity is explained by its ability to withstand significant loads, practicality, and an incredible variety of decors, formats and surface designs. A huge number of companies around the world produce this product. In this article you will find complete, reliable information about which laminate is better and how to check its quality.

It is known that the technology of laminating floor coverings was first introduced by Perstorp AB (in the future Pergo) in 1979. To this day, the standard of quality is considered to be a product produced in the EU.

To ensure complete control production processes The association of laminated flooring manufacturers EPLF was created. Its members can be those companies that offer customers only the best laminate. Such as:

Pergo (Sweden)

Since 2000, Perstop Floorings has transformed into the now widely known Pergo concern. Full-cycle factories were opened in Sweden, Belgium (based on UNILIN bvba), and the USA. It is not surprising that until recently almost all laminate manufacturers focused on this leader in the flooring market. The range includes laminated, vinyl and parquet products under the same brand. The production process includes all stages, starting with the procurement of raw materials and ending with the dispatch of the finished product to the final buyer.

Advantages of Pergo laminate:

• PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes);
• EPD (Emission Dans l’air interieur) – products are assigned emission class A+;
• to standard 3029.0001 Nordic Ecolabel Floors.

Berry Alloc (Belgium-Norway)

Within the Beaulieu International Group corporation, the Berry Alloc laminate flooring division has a special status. The company was formed as a result of the merger of the Belgian company Berry Floor and the Norwegian plant Alloc. The result of combining huge production capacity, research base and decades of experience - production of laminate using the unique HPL (High Pressure laminate) technology of 32-34 wear resistance classes. Coatings produced using this method belong to the category of semi-commercial and commercial, as they are distinguished by the highest quality and surface resistance to all kinds of loads.

Advantages of Berry Alloc laminate:

Balterio (Belgium)

In 2001, one of the largest concerns Spanolux SA founded a division for the production of laminated floor coverings, Balterio Laminate Floors, producing products under the Balterio brand. High quality products, our own unique developments, and a full production cycle have ensured the company's rapid growth and popularity.

Today, Balterio laminate 32-34 wear resistance classes is known as one of the most durable floor coverings that are resistant to various loads. It's worth purchasing if you care about:

Designers recommend using large-format slats with a width of 22 cm and a length of more than 1.8 m for large rooms with an area of ​​80 m2 ( shopping centers, conference rooms, hotel lobbies). For small rooms, standard or shortened planks are preferred.

Haro (Germany)

Hamberger Flooring GmbH & Co, a manufacturer with more than a century and a half history, offers laminated parquet under the Haro brand in classes 31-33. The main emphasis is on the perfect reproduction of natural texture and high quality coating.

Haro laminate should be preferred because it:

The guaranteed service life of Haro flooring is 12-30 years, depending on the areas of use.

Quick-Step (Belgium-Russia)

The UNILIN group of companies has been supplying laminate flooring under the Kwik-Step brand to the finishing materials market since 1990. In 2011, molding production of some collections was launched in Dzerzhinsk (Nizhny Novgorod region).

Since the company’s motto is “Attention to detail,” the laminated parquet in this series is carefully designed in all respects and has the following advantages:

Kaindl

Almost 120 years of experience, many in-house developments, interesting know-how, a full production cycle without the involvement of third-party suppliers - all this is about the flooring production company Kaindl Flooring GmbH.

In the EU, the Kindle brand is associated exclusively with the term “quality”. Judge for yourself:

At the end of the review of foreign brands, I would like to note that this selection does not answer the question “which laminate manufacturer is better.” Each offers high-quality and durable products. The purpose of our research was to present you with finishing materials with the most interesting and useful consumer characteristics. Undoubtedly, there are many other worthy manufacturers, but it is simply impossible to describe them all in one article.

The best laminate manufacturer in Russia

Domestic factories are trying to keep up with European competitors and offer customers products of acceptable quality and interesting designs.

Tarkett

In 2010, the German concern Tarkett Sommer AG launched a plant in Mytishchi (Moscow region) for the production of laminated flooring under the Tarket and Sinteros brand. The Russian line produces laminate in 8 collections (more than 100 designs) of 32 and 33 wear resistance classes.

Advantages of laminated coatings from the Tarkett plant:

1. A huge selection of designs with expressive, deep or standard structure. To enhance the similarity with natural wood, special techniques are used to work with the surface, such as register embossing, chrome plating, relief, solid effect, hand processing and much more. Some collections have a chamfer on 2 or 4 sides; you can choose the format of the planks:
   • Standard (1292x194 mm), thickness 8-14 mm;
   • Narrow (1292x159 mm), thickness 8 mm.
   • The TC'Lock and 5G 2-lock locking systems are successful in their simplicity and efficiency.
2. Good technical indicators: slab density from 750 kg/m3, moisture resistance up to 12%, fire safety B1, formaldehyde emission class E1, there is additional protection for Tech3S locks (wax), guaranteed service life - 15-25 years.
3. Proven safety of Tarket products. At the moment, this is the only enterprise in the Russian Federation that has received the international eco-label “Leaf of Life”.

The disadvantage of the plant's products is that the price is several times higher. Despite the fact that production is actually located in Russia, the cost of collections imported from Germany and those manufactured here is the same. There are no complaints about the quality of the products, but the company’s pricing policy is, to put it mildly, surprising.

Kronostar

In 2002, the Swiss Krono Group concern launched a plant in the Kostroma region for the production of laminated products (floor, ceiling and wall coverings) under the Kronostar brand.

Today we produce competitive laminate of 31-33 wear resistance classes with 4 types of textures:

• PR – typical tree structure;
• WG – rustic embossing;
• MX – deep structure (matte-glossy contrast);
• ER – synchronous register embossing.

On the plus side we also note:

The disadvantages include:

• Lack of chamfer, as well as rich rich shades in the collections;
• Locks are not treated with special means to increase the moisture resistance of the connection;
• Not a large number of decors exclusively for wood. There are no interesting, atypical designs.
• One standard size for all lines.
• Products do not undergo additional voluntary certification for compliance with safety standards and environmental requirements.

Kronostar can easily be classified as “average”. This is a budget product for private, less often commercial, use.

Kastamonu

The Turkish holding HAYAT launched a project to build a new plant for the production of laminated coatings in Yelabuga (Tatarstan) in 2012. Since 2014, laminate flooring under the Kastamonu brand began to actively conquer the Russian finishing materials market.

The plant produces a whole series of Floorpan collections with a wood structure.

The advantages of coverage:

1. Resistance to abrasive loads (abrasives, heels, animal claws).
2. Light fastness.
3. Hygiene.
4. Easy to install thanks to the Uniclic locking system - an analogue of the connection kit from Kwik-Step.
5. Warranty – up to 15 years.
6. Reasonable price.

Let's talk about the cons. The first thing that catches your eye is the modest selection of pastel decors and types of structures. A matte, slightly textured surface without a hint of chamfer is suitable for simple, budget-friendly interior solutions.

The second point is that the durability of the coating raises doubts among experts. There are no publicly available test reports, and the product itself has only been on the market for two years.

Third fact: the plant’s statement about the complete safety and compliance with environmental standards of the Florpan laminate. However, any highly specialized certificates, with the exception of standard ones (sanitary and hygienic certificate, fire safety) are not available.

Ritter

For almost 7 years, one of the factories of the Russian concern RBC has been producing a unique series of laminated floors with exotic surfaces. The main feature of Ritter parquet is structural embossing to resemble non-standard reptile skin, imitation craquelure and much more.

There are 9 extravagant collections in stock:

Let us note the undoubted advantages of Ritter laminate:

• A rich selection of decors, shades and unusual textured surfaces.
• High wear resistance of the coating to various loads. Despite the fact that the floor is assigned the highest classes, Ritter laminate can be used at home.
• Emission class – E1.
• The wax-impregnated Master Lock locking system is easy to join and allows the coating to be re-disassembled and reassembled.
• Manufacturer's warranty – up to 40 years.
• Reasonable price.

When purchasing, take into account the fact that a textured floor is very demanding on the interior, since poor decisions will “kill” the effectiveness of the coating. For an accurate selection, use online 3D visualization programs.

Although Russian laminate does not boast a variety of designs, in some quality characteristics it is not inferior to European products. Its main advantage is its affordable price for many buyers.

Made in China: which company's laminate is better

No Chinese factories are members of the EPLF laminate flooring association. That is, it does not produce high-quality and durable products that meet European standards or Russian regulations.

This fact does not stop many large enterprises import to Russia in a huge number products under various brands. Note that among such diversity there are real “pearls”, such as Floorwood, Goodway, Brilliant and others. These coatings can be called acceptable in terms of consumer characteristics: dense slab, reliable locks, durable overlay. Technical parameters are also within acceptable standards.

The brands listed above can be called an exception to the rule. Most often there is a laminate, about which there is no information, not to mention certificates and test reports. In addition, as practice shows, Chinese laminated parquet does not correspond to the declared class. Most often, the operational resistance of the slab is checked. The wear resistance of the overlay is not tested at all.

How to distinguish Chinese low-quality laminate? Let's reveal some secrets:

1. Pick up the plank and check the strength of the slab. Using your fingers, try to bend the lock tenon or scratch it with your fingernail. High-density HDF does not crumble or crack even under heavy loads.
2. Compare the price of products manufactured in Russia, the EU and China. Imported goods are always much more expensive due to customs duties and payments. If the cost of laminate is too low, it is better not to buy a “pig in a poke”.
3. Require a sanitary and hygienic certificate. Moreover, it must be a copy with the seller’s blue seal. You must provide it upon request. Read the document carefully, pay attention to trademark, date of issue and expiration date.
4. Connect two planks. The lock should be tight, and the joint should be invisible and perfectly smooth. The snapping is done under force.
5. There should be no markings on the box or plates: Designed in Germany, German Quality, German Technology, which mean absolutely nothing.
6. If there is nothing on the packaging or in the accompanying document other than the phrase “The management quality control system is regulated by EN...”, it is better to refuse such a purchase. This means that only the document flow is controlled, but not the production process.
7. Try to find the barcode on the box, namely the first three digits. German products correspond to indices of 400-440, Austrian - 90-91, Swedish - 73, Russian - 460-469, Chinese - 690-693. A worn-out or unknown code is a reason to be wary.

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Fashionable and relatively "young" flooring appeared in the 80s of the last century and quickly gained popularity among consumers. Despite the wide variety of textures and shades presented on the market, an increasing number of people prefer high-quality and relatively inexpensive laminated material, which is an excellent alternative to traditional linoleum, carpet and parquet boards.

Among the main advantages of laminate are durability, ease of maintenance and a wide range of applications. This flooring is successfully used in apartments, houses and office spaces. It is a thin multi-layer panel, each layer of which is made of various materials, which allows you to achieve excellent performance characteristics of the material.

When did laminate appear?

The history of laminate production goes back to 1977, when the Swedish company Pergo created the first laminated board. Of course, the product was significantly different from the coating we are used to - it consisted of two layers connected using thermoactive glue using the hot pressing method. New material They called it “laminated plastic”, and the technology for its production (HPL - High Pressure Laminate), which turned out to be very expensive, continued to be improved.

It took almost 10 years for another company, Hornitex, to introduce new technology laminate production - by direct pressing method (DPL - Direct Pressure Laminate). In the new product, the number of layers has increased to four, and their composition began to include foil impregnated in phenolic and melamine resins.

A little later, the German company HDM proposed a fundamentally new technology, the essence of which was to create a laminate board coated with an acrylate layer. The decorative film hardened under the influence of an electron beam, and the technology was called EOF.

In our country, laminated flooring appeared not so long ago - about 15-20 years ago. The first laminated boards were highly expensive and were inaccessible to the mass consumer. Currently, thanks to the constant improvement of laminate production technologies, new players are entering the market, offering high-quality coatings at an affordable price.

If previously all laminate production was concentrated in Europe, now you can purchase products from Asian and Russian manufacturers, which have a lower price. Traditionally, the best material is considered to be laminate made in Germany, as well as French, Belgian and Swedish. By the way, some European factories producing laminate flooring have opened their representative offices in Russia, which has made it possible to reduce the cost of the coating manufacturing process and, accordingly, offer a product in the middle and low price category. The first Russian manufacturing companies were Kronostar and Kronospan, subsidiaries of well-known European brands; they were later supplanted by brands created by domestic entrepreneurs.

Basic technologies for manufacturing laminate boards

Laminate production technologies at different factories may vary, but the principle of manufacturing laminated boards is largely similar. The first stage involves the production of high-density fiberboard, the quality of which determines the mechanical strength and moisture resistance of the future coating. The main raw material for the production of such fiberboard is steamed, crushed to the required fraction and dried wood chips. It is obtained using special machines that chop the bark-free tree into small pieces.

Resins, binders, antiseptics and paraffin are added to the material obtained in the refiner. The process of impregnating the fiberboard used to make the top layers of laminated boards is called impregnation. The future class of the finished product depends on it, because As a result of impregnation, the wear resistance and strength of the future coating increase. To impregnate the material, baths filled with a resin solution with various additives are used. The mass impregnated with it is sent to drying chambers, and then to the primary pressing unit.

There, the chipped carpet becomes almost 5-7 times thinner (the air is squeezed out of it) and takes the shape of a slab. The primary formation of the slab surface occurs at a temperature of 200-300°C and a pressure of about 300 mPa. As a result of repeated pressing, the plate is heated to 190°C under a pressure of 40-120 MPa. The final leveling of the slab surface is carried out under a pressure of 60-150 mPa.

A conveyor belt, part of a laminate production line, moves the compressed fiber to a machine where the carpet is cut into pieces according to the specified dimensions (most often 2800 x 4140 mm). In order for the slabs to acquire a stable structure, they are placed in a special cooler for 20-30 minutes, after which they are stacked for several days.

Next, the pressed boards are sent to a formatter - equipment for laminate production, which cuts the workpiece in half and polishes it, making the surface perfectly smooth and the thickness equally even. To obtain a moisture-resistant laminate, some manufacturers impregnate the resulting board with special moisture-repellent agents.

At the next stage, the blanks are sent to the pressing area, where they are covered with paper-resin films and an overlay (from the English overlay - top layer). As already mentioned, today manufacturers use several laminate production technologies, or rather technologies for connecting individual layers to each other.

The most common is the DPL method, according to which all layers of the laminate are pressed together simultaneously under the influence of high temperatures. The use of glue is not intended, since the layers impregnated with a resin solution are transformed into a single monolithic surface of the board during the hot pressing process. If additional layers of kraft paper are used, then this technology is called CML or RML.

PDL pressing technology allows you to apply a decorative design directly to the slab, which eliminates the need for a top decorative layer of paper. Otherwise, the PDL technology repeats the previously described steps.

If manufacturers use ELESGO technology, the main difference from previous pressing methods is the overlay hardening process. Coated with acrylate resin, it is exposed to an electron beam. The final product is considered more environmentally friendly, and the clearer acrylate resin allows for better visibility of the top layer.

Special machines for laminate production make it possible to produce boards with both a smooth and structured surface that follows the relief of natural wood. Using sawing devices, the pressed panels are cut into elements, then tenons and grooves (laminate locks) are cut out, which allow the individual flooring boards to be fastened together and are lubricated with a wax coating that prevents moisture from getting inside. At the final stage of the production process, the boards are packed into bundles and sent to the warehouse.

Despite the availability of seemingly well-developed technologies for the production of laminated coatings, experts never tire of improving them, offering even higher quality, durable and moisture-resistant material with improved sound-absorbing properties. In addition, work continues on the creation of new forms, original patterns and textured surfaces of laminate boards, which reduces the existing differences between natural parquet, tiles and laminate to almost a minimum.

* The calculations use average data for Russia

Every year, laminate is becoming an increasingly popular type of flooring, surpassing the once more popular linoleum in popularity. But laminate production is not for beginners.

In Russia, people learned about laminate not so long ago: it appeared on the market only in the early 90s. The first laminate was made in Europe, and its prices were very low. Later the market filled up Chinese goods, Russian manufacturers also appeared. Competition has increased noticeably, and laminate itself has become a more mass-produced product. Many types of laminate have appeared, and trends in its production are constantly improving.

Today, laminate is the second most popular type of flooring produced in Russia after ceramic tiles. According to BusinesStat, in the period from 2014 to 2018, laminate replaced linoleum from second place, and its share is estimated at 28.7%.

According to analysts, the trend of increasing popularity of laminate will continue, and by 2023 its share will increase to 29.3%. The success of this material among other floor coverings is largely due to its mid-price segment. Laminate simultaneously displaces both more expensive floor coverings (like parquet) and cheaper ones, such as linoleum, compared to which it has much greater advantages. However, the production of laminate is a technologically rather complex process, which is largely explained by the material itself and its structure.

Laminate structure and classes

Laminate is one of the most popular types of flooring along with parquet, linoleum, carpet and ceramic tiles. “Laminated” means “layered” in Latin, which, in general, reflects the essence of laminate. Laminate has a multi-layer structure, made according to the sandwich or sandwich principle and consists of at least 4 layers.

HDF board- the main load-bearing layer of high-density fiberboard, responsible for wear resistance and impact resistance, which ensures stable geometry and rigidity.

Bottom stabilizing layer, balance paper. This is a synthetic layer that is necessary to compensate for residual stresses when the board cools after lamination and additional protection boards from moisture penetrating from below. It is craft paper impregnated with resin. The essence of this layer is that it prevents the laminate from sagging.

Decorative layer. A layer of paper with a decorative printed design that sits over the HDF board. Thanks to this layer, the laminate takes on the appearance of wood, tiles, marble, porcelain stoneware and any other material.

Protective top layer. A thin layer of paper impregnated with resins and containing substances to create strength. For example, such paper may contain corundum, the second hardest mineral, second only to diamond. When pressed, this paper becomes transparent. This layer prevents the formation of minor damage and scratches.

In addition to the layers of laminate, one of its important features is the so-called lock, which allows you to connect the planks without using glue. Well-known manufacturers use locks with CLICK or LOCK locks, which differ in the way the panels are joined.

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To make it easier for customers to choose a laminate, the most common classification today (EN 13329) has appeared in Europe, which carries information about the wear resistance and durability of the product. Initially, laminate classes were divided into two groups: for home use (class 21-23) and for commercial use (class 31-34). But then the first productions came out, so we won’t consider them.

Existing laminate classes:

31st grade- used in rooms with low load: storage rooms, libraries, bedrooms. In commercial premises it will last no more than 2-3 years, at home - no more than 12 years.

32nd grade- the most common type of laminate, in public spaces with average traffic it will last 3-5 years. In a home environment (dining rooms, kitchens, hallways) it can last up to 15 years.

33rd grade- operation of the floor with intensive load. IN commercial premises The service life of such a coating will be about 5-6 years, and at home it can last up to 20 years. The attractive appearance lasts as long as possible.

34th grade- used in public spaces with high loads, for example, car showrooms, train stations, airports, dance clubs, where such laminate can last from 7 to 15 years. At home it can last for about 30 years.

Assignment of classes according to the European standard is carried out on the basis of 18 tests, including tests for moisture resistance, scratch resistance, fading, impact resistance and others.

It should be noted that there is a lot of criticism of the class system, since different countries have different quality standards and indicators. Just like the star rating system for hotels, laminate flooring classes are a rather arbitrary concept, which is successfully used by unscrupulous manufacturers and marketers.

Advantages of laminate

Like any other type of flooring, laminate has a set of pros and cons that set it apart from other flooring materials.

Advantages of laminate:

Affordable price. Laminate is most often chosen as an alternative to parquet, which costs much more. Laminate is cheaper, since its origin is artificial, and the production technology using synthetic materials, if it is already put into production, is relatively simple. During periods of crisis, the demand for laminate increases, while cheaper types of coatings lose demand.

Appearance laminate At its price, laminate has a stylish and aesthetic appearance, and the buyer can choose any decorative surface pattern that will match the walls, wallpaper, furniture and other objects in the house.

Easy to install. Compared to other coatings, laminate is very easy to install. Since each slab has a special lock, the coating can be easily assembled around the entire perimeter of the floor like a construction set, and a medium-sized room can be covered in 2-3 hours.

Strength. Laminate is able to withstand heavy furniture, thin heels, toys without damage, and is more wear-resistant compared to linoleum.

Easy to care for. Laminate flooring is easy to care for and can be used in both home and commercial settings.

Disadvantages of laminate:

Environmental friendliness. Laminate contains synthetic materials that contain phenol and formaldehyde resins, which are harmful to human health. Therefore, laminate is inferior to parquet in terms of harmfulness. At the same time, it is safer than linoleum and other floor coverings. At the same time, high-class laminate has minimal inclusion harmful substances and is equated in this criterion to a wooden covering.

Noise insulation. Maximum sound absorption is guaranteed only when the laminate is laid perfectly evenly. Therefore, the floor before finishing should have changes in level of no more than 1 mm per square meter. If there are even minor voids under the artificial turf, it will turn into a source of noise.

Moisture resistance. Laminate consists of 70% wood fibers, so it has low moisture resistance. Therefore, it is rarely used for bathrooms.

Short-lived material. Over time, the protective layer wears off, and the average service life in practice is 7-8 years. Therefore, in high-traffic areas, laminate is not the best option.

Laminate production technology

Laminate production is a rather complex process, so this idea cannot be considered as a home or garage business. This is more of an idea for a full-fledged plant, or at least a mini-factory.

Full cycle production technology includes 4 main stages:

• Production of high-strength fiberboard HDF (HDF);
• Impregnation of the upper layers;
• Cladding the slab;
• Sawing and milling of panels.

1. Production of HDF boards

HDF (High Density Fiber board) is high-density fiberboard. As we said above, the HDF board is the basis of the laminate, which largely determines the quality of the laminate and its resistance to mechanical stress. The greater the density of the produced slab (the minimum density is 850 kg/cubic m), the higher the moisture resistance and strength of the material. The thickness of such a plate varies from 5.8 to 12.1 mm.

HDF is created from solid wood, which is pre-cleaned, then dried, and then chopped into chips using special machines. Of course, the wood itself can be different. This could be, for example, either cheap poplar or more expensive birch.

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The manufacturing company does not have to have own production HDF boards: some manufacturers purchase ready-made boards and have an incomplete production cycle of laminate. However, this option usually leads to a significant increase in the cost of the final product.

2. Impregnation

Impregnation is the process of impregnating the top layers of slabs with special substances. Resin is used as impregnation, which is supplemented with various additives. During hardening, these substances create a durable layer on the slab. The strength and wear resistance of the top layer of the laminate, and therefore its class, depend on the formulation of the impregnation compositions. In order to improve the strength of the floor, corundum particles are sometimes added. Manufacturers also may not impregnate the top layers, but buy them ready-made.

3. HDF cladding

In order for fiberboard to become laminated, it must be covered with an overlay and paper-resin films. This process can occur using different technologies. Exactly:

HPL - laminate high pressure;

CPL - conveyor laminate;

PDL - drawing printing;

DPL - direct pressing laminate;

CML - continuous multi-layer pressing laminate;

ELESGO - electron beam hardening method.

4. Panel milling and sawing

After the press, the laminate must be cut to the required dimensions using sawing equipment. Dimensions are set by the manufacturer. Next, on the cut plates, on the edges of the sheets, grooves and tenons are cut out using a milling machine, which are called laminate locks. Laminate locks are used to fasten the boards together without the use of glue. Since the quality, strength and tightness of the connection depend on the quality of these locks, the types of locks themselves are made according to various technologies(CLICK, LOCK, UNICLICK, etc.). To make locks more durable, manufacturers may also use metal or rubber, or coat the edges with wax for greater moisture resistance.

After completion of all production processes, the finished laminate is packaged in heat shrink plastic film(PE) and cardboard packaging. The packs contain inserts with information about the laminate, class, number of planks, and so on.

Investments and equipment

Opening a laminate production is an expensive business. The cost of the simplest production lines is indicated by specialists in the amount of 20-25 million rubles. And this does not take into account the rental of a workshop with an area of ​​at least 2-2.5 thousand square meters. m, warehouses (necessarily dry and heated, since laminate does not tolerate changes in humidity), purchase of forklifts, wages workers (at least 20-25 people), office staff, accountants. Thus, the starting costs for opening a mini-factory for the production of laminate will range from 30-35 million rubles.

Equipment list production line for a mini laminate plant:

To sell finished products, the company will need to develop its own dealer network. But since competition in the flooring market is high, finding distribution channels will take quite a lot of time, so it’s better to do this before or during the opening of your production. At the same time, we must not forget about brand development: since the brand must somehow stand out among a huge number of other names (for example, price, quality of material or unusual design idea), you will have to think about the concept and competitive advantages, and this, as a rule, is a completely different approach to business and completely different investments.

Requirements and documents for laminate production

Laminate production involves a significant set of papers. As a rule, the list of main documents consists of the following documents:

Certificate of conformity. Applies to all manufactured goods. Today it is issued by some non-profit companies. It needs to be changed once every three years.

Hygienic license. It is issued by Rospotrebnadzor. Validity period: 5 years.

Certificates for all production raw materials, which must be provided by reputable suppliers. The certification process takes about three months. Non-profit companies are more active and faster in carrying out these procedures.

Production permit from the fire department.

Documents for renting premises. They are issued by the city administration and the land acquisition department.

Contracts for the provision of communications: electricity, gas, communications, etc.

Parquet flooring was once an indicator of prestige and material wealth. Natural wood parquet floors are distinguished by their strength, durability and beauty.

Parquet floors have always been expensive, and their installation is a very complex and time-consuming process. The development of science and the emergence of new technologies for the manufacture of building materials have made it possible to create more economical flooring options. More than a quarter of a century ago, Perstorp Flooring AB offered a new coating - laminate - as a substitute for natural parquet.

Properties and characteristics of laminate

The emerging laminated coating went through many stages of improvement, technologies changed, and quality improved. With the establishment of mass production of laminate, its cost has decreased significantly. According to some parameters. Its high resistance to wear and burnout is noted. It is not afraid of ultraviolet radiation and moisture; for washing and cleaning you can use not only water, but also acetone. In terms of heat resistance parameters, laminate is much superior to natural wood.

Technological process of laminate production

A laminated panel is made from several layers of wood fiber material, usually four or more. The role of the main and supporting layer is performed by the middle layer. From him technical characteristics The quality of the entire coating depends. The strength of a laminated panel directly depends on the density of the wood fiber material.

The surface of the “laminate” is covered with special paper with various images. It is the top layer of paper that is subject to the greatest loads and requires the greatest protection. To ensure this, the top layer is impregnated with resins. These can be melamine or acrylic resins.

To protect the base from bending stress, waxed cardboard is used. The volumetric layer is placed directly under the load-bearing layer, its thickness is 0.5-0.8 mm. Plastic can also be used as such a balancer. Another functional purpose of such a layer is protection against moisture permeability.

Laminate floorings of a higher class also have a special soundproofing layer underneath. This saves the buyer from using soundproofing materials under the “laminate”.

Laminate boards can be produced with a thickness of 6-12 mm. It is clear that the thicker the board, the stronger it is. Thicker boards can be transported, mounted and assembled without problems. Laminate flooring six or seven mm thick is purchased for living rooms, and this is only if the floor is made fairly level. If there are irregularities, then a thicker board is preferable. Thin laminate flooring has one unpleasant feature; it can make clicking sounds when you step. In order to avoid this, use a soundproofing substrate, and correctly select the thickness of the board for the area of ​​the room. The larger the area, the thicker the board.

Lamina classes

Depending on the level of load, groups of laminate coatings are distinguished. The classification of groups is indicated by a two-digit number, the first digit of which indicates what type of premises the coating is intended for, and the second characterizes the permissible load level for a given laminated coating.

Before you go purchasing it, you need to familiarize yourself with the fact that laminate comes in six classes, each of which has its own properties and quality.

In everyday life, class 21, 22, 23 laminate is most often used. And for professional or industrial facilities used, 32, 33. The higher the class of the laminate, the greater wear resistance it is endowed with, and its resistance to mechanical stress is higher. Household grade laminate is used for installation in residential premises, while professional grade 30 laminate is more suitable for rooms where there is a lot of traffic. These could be educational institutions, retail space, offices and premises where services are provided, etc.

When choosing a laminate, special attention should be paid to its quality; not all of these coatings are moisture resistant; only classes 31-33 can boast of this.

On each laminate package, the class of the product is indicated; it can be depicted in the form of a picture. They also indicate the presence of formaldehyde in the composition. With proper care and use, your laminate flooring will last from two to ten years.

One of the main things to note is the ease of care. It is enough to wipe the coating with a damp cloth; do not get it too wet. Any stains that appear are wiped with acetone, and a special pencil is used to remove scratches.

Laminate production technology has a number of key points, compliance with norms and rules allows you to achieve results in a short time. Laminate is produced in the form of thin sheets, their thickness is 7–11 mm, with dimensions of 1.0–1.4 m by 0.2 m. The products must be assembled by sequential connection using tenons and grooves provided along the edges.

Other types of flooring materials are also popular: parquet, carpet, linoleum, tiles. But laminated coating remains the leader due to its practicality and durability.

This is explained by the obvious advantages of laminate over other coatings:

• Its cost is significantly lower than that of parquet, carpet or tiles.
• The coating is superior to linoleum in moisture resistance, wear resistance and abrasion resistance.
• A huge selection of textures and colors attracts not only the end consumer, but also design specialists.

Classification

Laminate classes are divided into commercial 31–34 and household 21–23. Laminate flooring for home use lasts no more than five years, so wear-resistant and impact-resistant material for commercial use is increasingly being used in everyday life. They all differ in performance properties and price.

The classification of coatings is approved by the European Union Directive, samples are tested according to the following indicators:

• strength;
• abrasion resistance;
• soundproofing properties;
• moisture resistance.

The higher the class, the better the listed properties of the laminate. Laminate coating of class 32 is guaranteed to last 15–20 years, and class 31 – 10–15 years. In addition to classes, there is such a marking as AC. It indicates the wear resistance of the coating and varies from 3 to 6.

Features of Class 31

A similar product is chosen for apartment flooring. It is better to lay it in rooms where they will be used lightly.

Characteristic indicators:

• laminate thickness from 6 to 8 mm;
• surface smoothness;
• the need for an underlying layer during installation.

The installation of such material is suitable for installing a base in a bedroom or office, where household members spend a minimum of time.

Class 32 Secrets

This type of laminate is the most preferable option for apartment floors. The coating in a residential area will last about 15 years, and for an office the service life is three times less. Product Features:

• thickness is 7–12 mm;
• you must use a background for this class;
• resistance to cleaning agents;
• embossed, anti-slip coating;
• shockproof;
• There is a layer of wax to protect the joints from liquids.

The following classes are of even higher quality. It is important to understand for what purposes coverage is required: this will allow you not to overpay for unnecessary properties.

Technical characteristics of class 33

For heavy loads, it is worth choosing a similar laminate: its service life is 20 years, but there are other advantages:

• Durability, resistance to abrasion, temperature, sun, moisture.
• Good sound insulation allows you to avoid the need for a substrate.
• Suitable for special purpose premises equipped with many electrical appliances due to its antistatic properties.
• High quality locks for assembly.

The product is suitable for office premises, apartments large families, pet owners.

Advantages of class 34

Durable and durable appearance, suitable for public places, especially beneficial in sports halls. This class sometimes comes with a lifetime warranty and is 10-12mm thick.

Advantages of class 43

This is a new product on the building materials market and has proven itself in high-use areas. Only a few manufacturers make laminate flooring. Instead of fiberboard, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is used to make this laminate. Advantages and features:

• actively used for kitchens, balconies, bathrooms and saunas;
• high flexibility and strength;
• Manufacturers guarantee 25 years of coating service life.

The use of an underlay prior to installation of this coating is not required.

Despite the long service life or high class of the product, you should use it carefully and wring out the cloth well before cleaning. If, when laying the laminate, it is impossible to install the panel due to an obstacle, then the craftsmen cut off the lock or part of it to secure the panel with special glue.

Manufacturing Equipment

To produce laminate, several units of equipment are required; the main machines and mechanisms of the master include the following units:

• multifunctional sawing machine;
• special hot press;
• milling apparatus;
• mechanical packer.

In addition to the main list, there are additional units of equipment: loader, drying chamber. Minimum set technical equipment will cost 1.5 million rubles.

Production technology and its features

In Europe, in the 80s of the 20th century, they began to produce laminated flooring. Laminate is a simplified, generally accepted version of the name. Now the bulk of this material is produced in Europe. Launching a laminate production line is complicated by the characteristics of the raw materials.

There are 4 layers in the structure of the laminate, they make the product durable and wear-resistant. Improved performance characteristics are achieved by increasing layers, but the main 4 remain unchanged:

• The overlay or top layer serves to protect against the mechanical effects of operation, chemical influences, and sunlight.
• The decorative layer is a special paper or foil to imitate different structures of wood, tiles and other materials.
• The middle layer of the laminate consists of fiberboard and has good strength properties.
• The bottom layer is made of resin-impregnated or waxed paper; it protects the material from shock, abrasion and penetration of liquids.

The bottom layer is sometimes made of plastic; the total thickness of the top two layers ranges from 0.2 mm to 0.9 mm. The thickness of the bottom layer ranges from 0.1 to 0.8 mm.

There are five stages in laminate production technology:

• Production of high-density fiberboards.
• Saturation, impregnation of the surface of a product is a process called impregnation.
• Finishing the workpiece.
• Sawing
• Milling.
• Packing.

The laminated board is formed from HDF board (high-density fiberboard). There are several methods for producing laminate:

• HPL – using high pressure.
• CPL – conveyor production.
• DPL – direct pressing.
• CML or RML – continuous pressing of several layers.
• PDL – pattern printing technology.
• ELESGO is a method of drying the surface of an electron beam.

Differences in laminate production methods

With HPL technologies, materials are glued together using a cold, warm or hot method, this process is called lamination. High temperature bonding allows for High Quality, so hot lamination is often used.

Before gluing, the surface is cleaned of dust, after which glue and hardener are evenly applied. The two parts are passed through a press, gluing at a temperature of about two hundred degrees Celsius. After gluing the overlay with the decorative layer, they begin to connect this part with the base and bottom layer using glue.

The production of laminate using CPL technology is the connection of the base with the top layer through pressing. The layers are passed through rollers at high temperature. Craftsmen glue together several top layers and then press them onto an HDF board.

DPL is characterized by the absence of bonding. They take layers that have undergone the impregnation process and press them at a temperature of two hundred degrees. The resin contained in the products melts, gluing them together. After drying, a monolithic plane of the top layer of the laminate is formed.

With CML or RML methods, kraft paper is used to increase strength; this additive leads to a significant increase in the cost of the laminate.

The feature of PDL technology is decorative design, but the image is placed on a fiberboard. There is no need for additional layers of decor. Further production is carried out using DPL technology.

The top layer, consisting of paper with an image of two layers of overlay, is dried with an electron beam. ELESGO technology involves the use of acrylate resins for preliminary impregnation of the overlay. After hardening, a durable elastic film is obtained. The layers are joined with glue under pressure and at high temperature.

Is such production profitable?

Setting up laminate production is an expensive undertaking; total costs will exceed $800 thousand. In addition to the main production, it is necessary to engage in forestry and woodchip production. Such a complex enterprise is much more reliable, but the total costs will stop many businessmen.

Video: Laminate production

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