Laminate class (31, 32, 33, 34, 43) - what does this mean? Everything about each class: thickness, wear resistance, application

The durability of the laminate depends not only on the quality of the raw materials used by the manufacturer. The operating mode has a significant impact on the service life of the laminate: daily traffic in the room, the presence of mobile furniture, the presence of pets. The class of the laminate must correspond to the actual load on the floor. Let's find out what parameters should be taken into account and what class of laminate is best for an apartment.

Laminate construction

A laminate board is a “sandwich” consisting of several components. The base becomes a stabilizing layer - a thin slab of cardboard impregnated with resins. The rigidity and moisture resistance of the laminate depend on it.

The supporting layer is created from wood fiber strips. It gives the boards noise and heat insulation properties and provides fracture toughness. Locking joints are installed in the supporting structures, through which parts of the floor covering are connected.

The decorative layer is applied to melamine coated paper. The pattern printed on it forms the design of the floor after installation of the laminate. The image can imitate the texture of wood, metal, stone, plastic.

The finishing layer is an overlay - a transparent coating made of acrylic resin (some manufacturers use melamine mixtures). The thickness of this component affects the strength and wear resistance of the laminate. The overlay texture can remain matte or have a mirror-smooth surface.

What is the difference between 8 and 12 mm thick laminate?

The difference in material thickness is the difference in the thickness of the supporting layer. It can be obtained due to different types of supporting layer . If HPL or HDF is used for manufacturing, instead of conventional fiberboard (MDF), then, despite the smaller thickness, the strength and moisture resistance of the material will be even higher than that of conventional varieties.

At the same time, the smaller the thickness (regardless of the material), the more noise and rumble from the coating, which forces you to lay a thick substrate.

IMPORTANT!

The presence of rumble when walking is a serious problem, which can only be eliminated by re-laying the covering with an additional layer of sound insulation. To avoid these worries, you should worry about sound insulation of the canvas in advance.

Principles of dividing laminate into classes

The period during which the laminate retains its appearance under load determines the class of the laminate. The thickness of the boards does not affect the wear resistance and durability of the decorative layer of the laminate. These properties are determined by only one parameter: the quality of the protective top layer.

A certain class is assigned to a floor covering based on test results. European manufacturers are guided by EN-13329 standards, Russian - by the requirements of GOST 32304-2013. During the tests, a dozen and a half parameters of the laminate are assessed. The final class is based on the worst measurement.

How are wear resistance grades assigned?

18 tests

Needed to determine the laminate class

All these degrees are assigned for a reason. Manufacturers run 18 different tests on a board before assigning it a grade. This standard is called EN 13329 and was developed by the Association of European Laminate Flooring Manufacturers.

Tests are carried out:

• for abrasive resistance;
• adhesion strength of layers;
• for resistance to long-term load;
• impact resistance;
• heat resistance;
• light fastness;
• antistatic;
• formaldehyde release coefficient;
• stain resistance;
• water resistance;
• slip resistance...

This is a whole set of procedures that each batch goes through. Naturally, this applies only to reliable manufacturers. Which, by the way, explains the rather high cost of their products - considerable funds must be invested in production, testing and certification.

By the way, if you want to see how wear-resistant the laminate is, you can try to conduct a test in “makeshift conditions”. All you need is a board, medium-grit sandpaper and a coin.

Try rubbing a small area of ​​the board with sandpaper. Repeat using a coin. That's all. This, of course, is a “stress test” and you will most likely destroy one of the boards, but you will understand exactly how reliable the material is in your hands.

Deep grooves and dirty sandpaper are not a good sign for coating. The less obvious they are, the higher the quality. But we warn you right away, not a single board will pass such a test perfectly - it is simply impossible.

Important features of laminate

The wear resistance of the laminate is determined using the Taber Abraser. This device contains two abrasive discs and a rotating platform on which the laminate to be tested is mounted. The results of the study allow us to evaluate the abrasion resistance of the overlay at any possible angle.

Manufacturers strive to supplement the information about the class assigned to the floor covering. To do this, information about the light and moisture resistance of the boards, their release of formaldehyde and resistance to household chemicals or dyes is placed on laminate packaging.

conclusions

We have summarized all the main differences in the main consumer characteristics that influence the choice of laminate into one table. The difference between classes can be easily analyzed by the colors of the cells. Red indicates values ​​that are not recommended for purchase, green indicates that they are the best choice, and yellow indicates that they can be used, but with caution.

Summary table of differences between laminate classes

When choosing a laminate, you must take into account the difference in classes of flooring. Product marking indicates not only the wear resistance and strength of the material, but also its purpose, as well as the possibility of use with heated floors. Laying of the coating can be carried out both in residential (classes 31-33 are suitable) and in commercial premises (only classes 33 or 34). When purchasing, it is recommended to take into account the color and texture of the panels so that they do not fall out of the overall style of the room. But the most important thing is the technical characteristics of the laminate. The better the wear resistance, resistance to moisture, and mechanical damage, the longer the laminate flooring will last you, but it also costs more.

Laminate classes

In the case of laminate flooring classes, the obvious truth “bigger is better” becomes true. The higher the number on the packaging of the laminate, the longer it will last after laying on the floor if the construction team follows installation techniques.

31st grade

It is used in rooms with low traffic and can withstand intensive loads mediocrely. If proper care is followed, it will last up to ten years. In apartments it will last up to 15-18 years. The main advantages remain the low price and variety of designs offered by manufacturers. Traditional disadvantages are low moisture resistance and acoustic discomfort when walking on surfaces in shoes with hard soles, as well as a gradual decrease in market share - the place of class 31 is taken by class 32.

32nd grade

The most popular type of laminate flooring in Russia. Suitable for areas with medium traffic. The service life reaches fifteen years. In apartments it will last up to 20-25 years. Refers to the average price range. The texture of the top layer can imitate wood fibers - an analogue of brushing. The advantages include good sound insulation properties (with a thickness of 12 mm) and increased strength. The disadvantage remains low resistance to moisture.

33rd grade

The board overlay contains additional components to increase strength. In rooms with heavy traffic it will last up to 20 years, in apartments - up to 25-30 years. It resists well the impact of objects with a small support area - the heels of ladies' shoes, the legs of chairs and armchairs. The advantages of the coating are high wear resistance and long service life. The disadvantage is their mediocre moisture resistance, which is why the boards are not recommended as flooring in bathrooms.

34th grade

The planks are high-density and contain strengthening impregnation. The coating is used for finishing rooms with intense traffic in shopping malls, business centers, and airports. Application in apartments will allow you not to change the floor covering for 35-45 years. Suitable for installation on bathroom floors (waterproof options). Advantages: excellent moisture resistance, outstanding strength, variety of shapes and sizes. The only drawback is the high price.

Summary table of laminate classes

Combination of price and quality

The best class of laminate, according to flooring market experts, is 34. This situation is due to technical parameters and physical properties, but at the same time its cost is also noticeably higher than the remaining products. In conditions of domestic use, such coverage may be provided with a lifetime warranty, but it is worth calculating the rationality of the investment.

Class 34 laminate is represented on the market by only two manufacturers - Pergo (Belgium) and Alloc (Norway). In the process of its assembly, innovative technologies and high-quality raw materials are used, thanks to which the coating is able to withstand maximum loads for 10 years.

Pergo and Alloc engineering departments have developed and patented unique locking systems that facilitate quick and convenient installation. If necessary, the lamellas can be dismantled for further installation. A number of collections from these productions have a lifetime guarantee, which suggests a responsible approach to the development and production of branded high-quality products.

There are also offers from Asian manufacturers on the market. They label their products AC6, and they are presented in the budget segment. In fact, laminate boards from Chinese brands are comparable in technical parameters to class 32, regulated by the European market. This is due to the fact that their certification conditions are less demanding.

Therefore, it is worth carefully evaluating and choosing the class of laminate, and reviews of the brand and specific collections will allow you to form a real opinion about the product.

These articles may also be of interest to you:

1. DIY laminate installation
2. Laying a wooden floor in a bathroom
3. WAVE structural laminate from REHAU: on the wave of innovation
4. Original small kitchen design

Moisture resistance

On laminate packages you can find two markings - “moisture resistant” and “water resistant”. In the first case, the coating is able to resist the penetration of liquid into the joints between the planks for a short time. In the second, it survives prolonged contact with water without any consequences thanks to resin and wax impregnations. When renovating bathrooms and shower rooms, it is advisable to purchase waterproof laminate; for the kitchen, its moisture-resistant analogue is suitable.

Choosing a laminate for specific rooms

What class of laminate should I choose for my apartment? This is a matter of specifics. In order not to waste time describing the nuances of the coating itself, let’s move on to the features of the rooms:

• Living room. The pressure and passage activity in the largest room are not the highest. Targeted actions – under furniture legs.

  
  The room is often used for spending time together, but the load falls on the sofas and armchairs, not on the laminate. It is recommended to use wear resistance class 32 for the floor area.

• Bedrooms. Class 31 is suitable, since in addition to the small activity of the room, the floor in it is protected by carpet, which softens possible pressure.

• Children's. They differ from adult bedrooms in that they are constantly active, plus daily tidying and cleaning.

  
  The coating must withstand stains, traces of children's creativity, and intentional damage. Class 32 and above.

• Entrance corridors. They are characterized by dirt, sand, and moisture. The pressure is small, but aggressive nuances can damage the coating more. This is why the choice is no lower than class 32; laminate will perform well.
• Kitchens and bathrooms. Moisture, steam, temperature - the nuances of kitchens + active use of the room. The choice of laminate is obvious - class 33 and labeled as moisture resistant.

  
  For bathrooms, the marking should read: waterproof, that is, the laminate is a polymer board, without wood products. This laminate is practically eternal, unless you put it in rooms without heating - the plastic will crack in the cold.

The choice is up to the property owners - the direction is given.

Laminate prices

The cost of laminate depends not only on its class characteristics. The price is also influenced by other factors - the geometric dimensions of the laminate, the manufacturing factory, the distribution features of a certain collection. Here is the cost range per square meter of laminate flooring in large chain stores:

• 31st grade - 250–500 rubles;
• 32nd grade - 350–1600 rubles;
• 33rd grade - 450–1900 rubles;
• 34th grade - 650–2100 rubles.

The prices presented are current at the beginning of 2022.

Main foreign and domestic manufacturers

Class 32 laminate is the main material, accounting for up to 80 percent of the total mass. There are a lot of manufacturers of such coatings; it is simply impossible to list them all.

Here are some of the most famous of them:

• Balterio (Belgium).
• Quick Step (Belgium-Russia).
• Egger (Germany),
• Classen (Germany).
• Witex (Germany), etc.

The following Russian manufacturers stand out:

• Tarkett.
• Kronostar.
• Kronospan.

When choosing a material, it is a good idea to pay attention to the brand of laminate. Well-known companies guarantee quality, which cannot be said about various unknown manufacturers who skimp on everything to the detriment of quality.

Final recommendations

We recommend not saving money by buying products of classes 31-32, but choosing class 33 laminate for an apartment. At the moment, this class is the best in terms of price-durability ratio. However, with proper care and accuracy, class 32 can also last quite a long time in your apartment. Options 31 and 34 classes should be considered in extreme cases: the first, as the cheapest, budget laminate for a short service life, the second - as the most wear-resistant, primarily suitable for commercial use.

To extend the life of laminate flooring in your apartment, follow a few simple rules:

• Before laying, leave the laminate in the room for a couple of days; under no circumstances install the laminate immediately after purchase - it tends to change size depending on the combination of temperature and humidity;
• for the same reason, lay the laminate in accordance with the rules - observing the gaps from the walls and the maximum differences in floor heights;
• Clean the surface regularly with a damp (but not wet) cloth or mop;
• try not to leave large amounts of liquid on the laminate for a long time;
• use soft pads for furniture legs, and for chairs on wheels, use soft mats along the diameter of the moving part;
• Repair damaged boards in a timely manner, cover scratches and chips with special pastes and grouts to prevent further damage to the surface.

Following these simple instructions will help extend the life of the laminate flooring in your apartment by 10-20 years beyond what the manufacturer indicated on the packaging.

Specifications

• Thickness - 8-12 mm.
• Width - 185-195 mm.
• Length - 1260-1380-1894 mm.
• Durability in an office environment is 5 years, in an apartment environment it is 10-15 years. At the same time, office conditions can sometimes be more suitable for the use of laminate, which automatically increases its service life.
• The lock is prefabricated and does not require an adhesive layer.
• Moisture-resistant coating. Some samples can withstand being in a puddle of water for up to 6 hours.
• Resistant to active substances or detergents.

The variety of types of laminate contributes to the constant addition of new models with higher characteristics and new qualities to the range..