Water-resistant laminate for the kitchen : laying instructions

Paul, the laid laminate, always looks beautiful, spectacular, stylish and cozy.Many are accustomed to use this kind of coverage in residential rooms: bedrooms, lounges, hallways and living rooms.But fortunately, this material can even decorate the room with high humidity such as kitchen or bathroom.In such a case it is necessary to use a water resistant laminate.

Why use laminate

Even ordinary kitchen laminate is less susceptible to the ravages of moisture than the parquet or solid board.The reason for this - less wood content in the composition of the material.With regard to the water-resistant laminate, the process of its production is constructed in such a way that the finished product had good water-repellent properties, which is why this material is ideal for use in kitchens and bathrooms.

Of course, the kitchen floor is not necessarily about making the laminate can be used linoleum or tile.But, nevertheless, waterproof laminate kitchen has a number of advantages over its peers:

1. decorative material is considered to be one of its main advantages.Laminate flooring always looks stylish, beautiful and attractive.This coating imitates real wood, and often distinguish an imitation of the original is difficult.Such floor fits in almost any interior, regardless of its stylistic.In addition, laminate, imitating precious woods, looks luxurious and expensive.
2. waterproof laminate price lower than the price of ceramic tiles.
3. Cover the floor in this material will not be difficult, even if you are new in this business and had never encountered this kind of work.
4. If for any reason there is a need to replace the part of the cover or remove it completely, then disassemble the laminate in a short time will not be difficult.But remove the floor tiles will be much harder and longer.
5. Waterproof laminate grades 32 and 33 is very durable, its service life up to 25 years.

types and characteristics of the material

modern laminate flooring is made of HDF-boards, in the composition containing resin, gluing all the components together.The resin is water-repellant, prevents water and moisture to penetrate the material, but wood structure presupposes the existence of so-called bridges, through which a certain percentage of moisture still falls into the plate.These bridges of wood fibers can often be seen at the ends of the individual elements, where the locks are located.It is worth noting that the more complex and intricate structure of the castle, the more water can get inside the laminate.Total

distinguish three major types of laminate:

1. material made of HDF-standard panels with a density of 900 kg / m3.This type of coating can withstand a 3-hour exposure to water, thus not deformed.
2. Laminate produced from HDF-boards with a high resin content is more reliable as capable of withstanding a 6-hour exposure to water.After drying, this material is not formed thereon blisters and other damage.As a rule, manufacturers put a mark «aqua», which testifies to such products that waterproof laminate.
3. most moisture-resistant plastic laminate is made of PVC.Due to the fact that among the components of the material timber there are no such laminate is not subject to the negative absolute humidity and water.

Waterproof laminate made of wood-based materials, protect against dampness ways:

• applied to the surface layer resin boards;
• products impregnated resin compositions;
• provide reliable lower layer of the laminate which also contains an increased amount of resin;
• ends locks and products impregnated with substances based on wax or paraffin.

Differences water-resistant and moisture-resistant laminates

Many believe that water-resistant and moisture-resistant is called the same kind of material, but these terms have some differences.Let us consider what is water-resistant laminated:

1. This type of material is produced from HDF-boards.Looking at the end of the laminate, the plate can be seen with the naked eye by the characteristic green tint.
2. Locks on the moisture-proof laminate coated with a layer of wax or paraffin wax, which helps protect the most vulnerable places of the wood from water and moisture.
3. material in the production are treated with special anti-bacterial compounds, so the floor did not develop fungus and mold.
4. Waterproof laminate designed for exposure to high humidity, but a direct hit of water he can not stand for a long time.This kind of material is suitable for use in the kitchen, but it is not desirable to use as bathroom floor.

Waterproof material is distinguished by such features:

1. It is made of slabs, which are manufactured by compressing wood under high pressure.
2. As in the previous form of the material, waterproof laminate structure comprises several layers, but in this case all the ends and the joints are sealed by means of additional molten wax.
3. waterproof material on the surface of a layer of a special polymer, which not only protects the plate from water, but also prevents the formation of scratches.With such a coating can be sure that no moisture gets inside due to any physical damage to the laminate.

important: getting a waterproof laminate, carefully inspect the goods at the ends of the locks.High-quality impregnation with wax shine and makes them look as if they are wet.If you scratch the shiny surface with your fingernail, it did not happen, and it will remain in its present form.If the wax will remain under the nails, so the material has low quality and do not buy it.

Features selection waterproof laminate

Fortunately, modern building materials market offers buyers a wide range of diverse products.The same applies to the laminate.With a variety of textures, colors, shades, patterns and images, everyone will be able to choose products according to your taste, implementing design ideas and to write such coverage in any interior style.

When choosing waterproof laminate should pay attention to some of the features:

1. Before you buy a waterproof laminate, it is necessary to consider the information on manufacturers, which represent their goods in the market.It is desirable to give preference to those brands that have proven themselves among consumers.Quality and reliable considered waterproof laminate made in Germany: «Egger», «Kronotex», «Tarkett» and others.
2. choosing the material, pay attention to his top coat - it must have a good resistance to wear, while the laminate will serve you for years to come.
3. Laminate not always reminiscent of a type of wooden planks, sometimes imitates the texture tile.If you decide to give preference to this kind of material, it is necessary to point out some of its features.First, a laminate with imitation tile has non-standard dimensions and shapes.It is presented in the form of tiles with sides of 40x40 cm and 120h40 cm. This laminate also has a glossy surface.
4. There are 6 classes of waterproof laminate that is used for flooring in the living areas.Acquire the material needed for reasons of public rooms just are you going to use it.Class laminate is specified on the packaging with the product.
5. In original packaging, should also present information on the maximum permissible load, which is capable of withstanding a particular coating.
6. service life of the material is also important.

Important: before buying the goods, make sure that the seller has the quality certificates for the products he sells.Most often in specialized shops or halls with building materials sellers are willing to provide all necessary documents.

Waterproof laminate thickness of 12 mm is suitable for use in the kitchen.Such a coating can withstand heavy physical exertion and can last for several decades.Laminate class 32 and 33 has a very high quality, so many manufacturers provide for such products lifetime warranty.The only condition is that the use of such a laminate is necessary only in a residential area.

purchasing waterproof laminate flooring, you need to consider some points:

1. Even the most high-quality coating can deteriorate from the time or the various influences to which it was not designed.Therefore, you need to buy products with a small margin, which will be approximately 15% of the total amount of material.In case of damage of the individual fragments can be replaced.
2. When installing laminate should not be used as a substrate tube, better to give preference to PVC materials.Stopper as a tree absorbs moisture, subsequently evaporating it into the environment.
3. substrate thickness when laying laminate should be about 3 mm.
4. All joints between the individual elements must be carefully sealed.As a sealant can be used silicone compounds, which sealed the gap with the installation of windows, because such materials have a reasonable cost and good quality.

Laying laminate own hands

Preparations

all construction and repair work begins with a preparatory phase.When laying laminate preparation involves thorough inspection of the floor, in the course of such an examination should determine the quality and durability of the coating, and the presence of level differences.The wooden floor must be sanded special machine, which will help to smooth out all the bumps.If between the individual boards are too big gaps, it is desirable to eliminate.It happens that the plank floor is in very poor condition, in this case it is best to put on his sheets of plywood.

Preparation of concrete floors is faster and easier.To align the plane and eliminate all shortcomings only need to make a screed of cement, latex or silicone solution.

substrate Laying a waterproof laminate

substrate layer is required between the floor and laminate.Its value is determined by several features:

1. With the substrate can hide minor flaws basecoat: minor level differences, small holes, cracks, protrusions.
2. substrate carries an amortization function, making walking on a laminate with a soft and comfortable.
3. This layer is also sound-absorbing.
4. substrate of synthetic material is waterproof and has a vapor barrier properties.

can find several kinds of substrate on the building market: synthetic, cork and cork backing with a rubber filling.As mentioned earlier, when laying water-resistant laminate is recommended to use synthetic materials as in areas with constantly high humidity level there is a risk of penetration of moisture under the laminate.Stopper, unlike PVC, is prone to absorb water, which is no good effect on coating durability.

substrate, usually sold in rolls.The process of laying it is not a big deal, you need to roll to roll to an appropriate length and cut the desired fragment.Stack support a better overlapping, adjacent sheets of material should overlap each other by 5-10 cm.

Laying laminate waterproof

process of laying laminate does not require any special skills or abilities.First you need to determine the individual elements will be placed in any direction, across the room, across the room, or diagonally.Those who are engaged in this work for the first time, it is better to stay in the first embodiment, and to lay laminate along the room.This installation is carried out easily and quickly, and the joints between the individual fragments are not so visible in daylight.

We describe the process of laying laminate steps:

1. to start on the perimeter of the room you need to install the wedges, they are placed on the walls, focusing on the level of laying the laminate.Wedges are small-sized wood or plastic articles, by which is created in the gap of 8-10 mm between the wall and the laminate.Since the temperature difference in the room flooring will expand or contract, such a gap provides additional space material.
2. Laying laminate is better to start from the corner of the room.To get started on the floor mounted panel 2 of the first row, then the second row is laid.In the process of the laminate pieces are set in such a way that they resembled in appearance brickwork.This is to ensure that future load is evenly distributed over the entire area of ​​the room.
3. first fragment of the second row is a half of a whole panel.After it is installed near the second panel is laid, which is no longer necessary to cut into 2 pieces.
4. Similarly, the entire floor is covered with water-resistant laminate.All the elements are fastened together by means of locks.There are 2 types of such systems: Lock and Click.Lock system The panels are joined in a horizontal plane.In the second case, the elements are inserted into each other at an angle of 30-45 °, and then lowering the details you can hear a click.
5. When laying the last element may be difficult, so when you install the laminate near the wall it will be convenient to use a clamp.One end of the clamp is installed on the edge of the laminate and the second should be lightly hit with a hammer.

Laminate waterproof, Photo:

Step laminate stacking.Video