Laminate. Advantages and disadvantages in use

Laminate is relatively a novelty in the field of floorings. Having broken onto construction sites like a hurricane, it has become a very successful alternative to well-known materials, such as hardwood and linoleum. Some find it an excellent material, while others see many flaws in it.

So, first about the advantages of this material:

1. Its packaging is convenient for transportation. As a rule, individual plates are of the size of 47” x 5”, while wooden panels have the standard length of 7’.

2. Laminate is easy to install. Special locks on the edges of the plates allow them to be connected together on any prepared even surface using a minimum amount of tools and without the need for special skills.

3. Laminate is available in a wide range of colors, the surface of plates can imitate almost any texture, such as wood, stone or ceramic tiles.

4. Laminate surface is quite resistant to abrasion and external loads. No dents from heavy furniture will be formed on it.
5. It is an eco-friendly material. It does not release hazardous substances, does not accumulate bacteria and dirt and is suitable for installation in children’s rooms.

6. When compared with hardwood, laminate is relatively cheap.

And now we will overview the disadvantages of laminate:

1. Laying of laminate requires a very thorough preliminary preparation in order to level the surface.

2. When this kind of flooring is used, such a defect as “blistering” of laminate plates may occur. This trouble appears when the “floating” laying technology is violated, that is when laminate plates do not stick to the subflooring.

3. Another defect, revealed during use, is squeaking. This means that the flooring specialist has poorly leveled the subflooring surface. A special polymer or cork base is used for laminate acoustic isolation.

4. While a well-laid parquet with proper maintenance can last for almost centuries, laminate will last 5-15 years, it must be replaced after that.

5. While a fallen cigarette or hot iron does not leave a stain on the surface of a laminate panel, moisture is a mortal foe of laminate. Therefore, such floors are unsuitable for bathrooms or other rooms where moisture is present permanently.

It should also be remembered that laminate of seven classes (21-23 and 31-34) is available on sale. And the first three classes are household ones and they are designed for premises with little traffic, and the latter four classes have a higher degree of protection against abrasion and are intended for public places.

Laminate is also divided into glue and ready-made types. The ready-made plates are fastened with fixtures and do not need glue. Glue laminate is mantled using special glue, which provides additional protection for the joints between plates from moisture.

By the way, most floorings have a warranty, so when buying you should ask the sellers about the warranty terms and conditions.