The laminate today is a fairly popular floor covering, which has many advantages, however, as well as disadvantages. However, many unpleasant surprises arise due to ignorance, when the laminate is bought not intended for operation in the room in which it is going to lay it. Yes, the laminate is different, and this difference is not only in the color or imitation of one or another material of flooring. Laminate, first of all, is divided into operational classes.
The main groups of the laminate
Laminate classes there are many. Conventionally, they were divided into 2 large groups with small subgroups:
Laminates of commercial operation
Home operating laminates
The first group of laminated coverage of floors is characterized by significant strength, so they are more expensive. But, despite the fact that these are laminates of a commercial group, they can be safely tired at home. Such a laminate at home will last noticeably longer.
Laminate class
31st operating class of laminates-intended for commercial premises. Moreover, those where the load on the floor is not intense. In such conditions, its warranty service life is only 2-3 years. The warranty of 10-12 years for such a laminate is given taking into account its use at home also with a low load on the floor, t. e. In the bedrooms and pantries).
The 32nd operating class of laminates is all the same commercial premises, however, the load on the floor is assumed for medium intensity. Service life-3-5 years. At the same time, for home operation, this figure increases to 12-15 years already in conditions of increased intensity of operation (corridors, kitchen).
The 33rd operating class of laminate-such a laminate is in commercial rooms, where the load on the floor is very high; with a calculation service life of 5-6 years. In the case of home operation, such a laminate will “live” 15-20 years.
The 34th class of laminate is the strongest class of laminates that can be laid in airports, stations, dance sites, car dealerships, and they will last from 7 to 15 years. Such a laminate can last about 30 years at home.
Commercial laminate is more expensive. Therefore, if you see an advertisement that offers a home laminate with a 10-year-old or lifelong guarantee, with a probability of 99%, this laminate belongs to a group of commercial laminates.
The class of laminate is home
There were also the 21st, 22nd and 23rd laminate classes. They belonged to the home group, respectively, their wear resistance was much lower, and the service life reached a maximum of 6 years. Yes cheap, but the savings are very dubious, and the consumer knows how to count. It is impractical to save in this way. Demand for it has fallen significantly, including, for this reason, it was removed from production.
However, who knows what was lying around in warehouses at the realizers. Therefore, when buying, do not forget to ask what kind of class the laminate belongs to you. This is especially true for a situation where you are offered discounts, which you can hardly believe. Perhaps this is just a way to empty the warehouses and get rid of outdated products. Better, ask to show the Laminate Certificate.
The above classification belongs to the European norm EN 13329, which can be read more about in the documentation of Perfomance Classification for Laminate Flooring. Separately, it should be mentioned that the class of laminate is assigned not from the bay of the barakht, but after an impressive study consisting of 18 tests, which include testing both impact resistance and heat resistance and other indicators.