Which laminate is better to choose for an apartment

There are many product selection criteria. Among them are the characteristics of the material itself, and the features of the room. But the brand also has a very important role. There are several manufacturers. You will not regret buying their products.

Laminate selection criteria for an apartment

The criteria depend on the operation of the room. For example:

1. In some places, moisture resistant material is needed.
2. Some places require a strong product.
3. Some rooms will become more beautiful if you install a dark laminate, and some - light.

Thanks to modern laying technologies, several types of laminate or this type of material with linoleum can be correctly combined in one room. But remember that manufacturers make boards of different thicknesses. The difference may be a couple of millimeters, but even this will cause some difficulties in installation. That is why it is advisable to buy products from one manufacturer.

Room Selection

The premises have different purposes. Therefore, the characteristics of the material should be different.

Kitchen

Laminate flooring is a very good cover for the kitchen. It is very practical and easy to care for. It is recommended to choose moisture-proof panels, as the kitchen often has to do wet cleaning and deal with water (during cooking and washing dishes). To protect joints from water ingress, they are treated with special solutions. Also, a material with a factor surface is better for a kitchen floor. It has the following advantages:

1. The floor will be comfortable.
2. It will not be slippery.
3. It does not show spots and fingerprints.

Attention! When asked about the thickness, rather thick boards are needed for the kitchen, since the room is often used and the floor load is high.

Bathroom

The most important criterion here is protection against water. There is a lot of laminate on the market treated with moisture-proofing solutions. But you can also choose plates based on polyvinyl chloride. It repels water. But do not confuse water-repellent and moisture-resistant laminate. The former is made from polyvinyl chloride, and the latter from wood-based fibers. Waterproof materials have the same characteristics as ceramic tiles. In today's market, you can also find rubber coated boards. This is the best protection against water. The thickness of the boards does not play a special role, because the bathroom is rarely used.

Living rooms

Here the main criterion is compatibility with the design of the room. Convenience goes by the wayside. But still, some other characteristics are important, for example, sound insulation. When walking, unpleasant squeaks may appear, therefore, an additional layer is necessary for sound insulation. An important role here is played by the quality and thickness of the boards, as well as the substrate. Some manufacturers make the material with an already installed layer of soundproofing. But if it is not, you can buy a substrate on the market, and cover it with the floor during the installation of the product.

Reference! Living quarters are not used as often as the kitchen. Therefore, in a too thick laminate does not make sense.

Hallway or corridor

Here the laminate is selected according to two criteria:

1. Moisture protection. Shoes are kept in the corridor, so you often have to wash the floor to get rid of dust and debris.
2. High cross. Hallway is a place where people often go. Therefore, you should choose strong and thick boards.

Top 10 Laminate Manufacturers

According to customer reviews, a small list of the best laminate manufacturers, in their opinion, was created. And although the structure and indicators of materials are most often the same, the creation process also plays an important role (workers can save on quality). According to the top, foreign companies became leaders:

1. Quick step. Manufacturer - Belgium. One of the leading companies in the world. Their products are bought in Russia, Europe and the USA. The company uses the Uniklic lock, which makes the installation process easier. Materials are always in demand as the company develops and constantly uses something new. The products are quality and safe. There is a large selection. There are both positive and negative reviews. Cons - the price of materials is most often high, and if the material was made in Russia, there is a risk of poor quality and poor resistance to mechanical damage. Pluses - long service life and quality in production abroad. Negative reviews are more likely to be associated with frequent fakes.
2. Manufacturer - Belgium. Although the company appeared recently, it has already managed to take one of the places in the top. All thanks to the high quality of products. This company uses the Click Xpres lock connection, due to which there are practically no seams. The plates are durable and do not lose their qualities over time. And thanks to the good decoration, the appearance of the coating will be magnificent.
3. Manufacturer - Germany. Laminate is of high quality, good appearance. But the most important thing is a good percentage of protection against water and moisture, which allows installation of the product both in the bathroom and in the kitchen. The material is safe and durable. The best choice in the ratio of quality and price.
4. Manufacturer Europe. Products do not have a separate country of origin. Laminate is made in Germany and Sweden, and in other countries. The products are very high quality, they are mounted interlayer and castle system. Resistant to deformation. Large selection of material.
5. Manufacturer - Sweden. The products of this company are distinguished by attractive appearance, suitable to the design of any premises and a large selection of laminate. All material has several wear resistance classes. But the two most important characteristics are ease of installation and protection against damage.
6. Manufacturer - Norway. But recently, the company merged with Belgium, so the laminate has two manufacturing countries. Thanks to the use of modern technology, the laminate has become very high quality. The company has its own castle connection made on the basis of aluminum. The products are well protected from water and mechanical damage, therefore, can be used for kitchen and bathroom. Large selection of products. The price is higher than other manufacturers, but the material boasts good quality.
7. Manufacturer - Germany. Characteristics of the material are high. But the most important thing is the original design, capable of repeating the drawings of stones, trees and other materials. Thanks to proprietary locking technology, bonding is very good. The laminate has one difference from the products of other companies - an air purification system installed in the material. It will remove harmful substances from the environment. Good value for money.
8. Manufacturer - Germany. The materials are environmentally friendly. Plates are easy to install and easy to care for. High resistance to moisture, fire and mechanical damage. The material is natural and high quality. Products of these products are also made in Russia. Their price is lower than in Germany, but the quality is worse.
9. Manufacturer - Germany. The company appeared in the last century, immediately took one of the leading places in the market, and still retains it. All thanks to the good protection of the material from wear and damage. The upper layers are impregnated with solutions to protect against moisture, fire and deformation. But also the material is treated with special substances to protect it from moisture (these substances were created by the enterprise itself). Due to this, the products can be mounted in any room (in the kitchen, in the corridor, in the bathroom).
10. Manufacturer - Germany. This company creates a coating that is easy to install. The laminate is based on compressed wood fibers. Thanks to this, the coating becomes high-quality. But the most important characteristics are protection against moisture, ultraviolet rays and wear. Thanks to the convenient joining system, fastening boards becomes easier. Large selection of material. A lot of different colors.

It is impossible to say which of the listed companies is the best. All of them were able to establish themselves in the market. Everyone has enough positive reviews to compete with the rest. Most features are equally high quality. Choose the laminate that suits your room.