Laminate and parquet boards differ in operational characteristics, technical indicators, have their own advantages and disadvantages. Both materials represent a variety of colors, shades, textures, therefore, when choosing, they are guided by properties: complexity of care, durability, strength, resistance to moisture, temperature extremes.
Description of materials
Dimensions of parquet elements:
- length - within 1100 x 2500 mm;
- width - 120 - 200 cm;
- the thickness of the parts is 10 - 20 mm.
The composition includes layers:
- The lower one prevents deformation, increases rigidity. A soundproofing layer can be glued to the bottom.
- The core layer is made of fiberboard of high hardness. A docking lock is formed in it, this base determines the moisture resistance, strength of the material.
- The upper protects against impacts, abrasion. The material is acrylic or melamine resins.
The lamellas are 300 - 1845 mm long, 90 - 330 mm wide, and the thickness ranges from 6 - 12 mm.
Laminate
Depending on this, they release material classes from 31 to 34:
- 31 - for public buildings with light load;
- 32 - for social buildings with medium stress on the floor, for example, offices;
- 33 - steadfastly perceives an intense load;
- 34 - designed for places with high traffic, electric car movement, bicycle transport.
Parquet board
The types of material are determined by the number of dies at the base.
Depending on this, they distinguish standards:
- PD-1. One layer of slats in the base, joined in squares at right angles, longitudinal ribs are decorated with slats.
- PD-2. The slatted layers are glued in the longitudinal direction along the axis of the parquet part.
- PD-3. There is a two-layer base of slats or slats and veneer. The layers are placed perpendicularly.
Difference between laminate and parquet board
After installation, the parquet can be tinted to give a specific color. Such a variety of colors and patterns of fibers, like laminate, is not on sale. Natural wood under the influence of light changes color, dims, darkens (cherry, oak) or becomes lighter (walnut).In this regard, the laminated layer is more resistant, it does not fade, does not change color.
The materials are used in different interior styles. For example, a parquet board looks cozy in a house next to a fireplace, near columns with stucco and gilded elements. Heavy furniture looks appropriate on a parquet floor, pictures are in harmony with it.
Laminate flooring is suitable for a modern style, including elements of modern, eco, high-tech. The variety of colors allows you to choose a coating for different finishes.
Hardness
By hardness the best performance for laminated flooring... It is not afraid of blows from heels, scratches from pets' claws. Class 34 withstands the passage of car wheels and bicycles on it. Laminate of this strength class is installed in airports, train stations, and other premises with high traffic; it withstands the load much better than wood.
Even the low-strength class 31 surpasses the hardness of the parquet board. Parquet in its natural form is prone to scratches, dents from the legs of chairs, furniture.
To increase the strength of parquet lamellas, the following methods are used:
- impregnation with special agents and modifiers that increase the hardness of the coating;
- painting with hardening paints and varnishes.
Heat and sound insulation
The tree has a natural ability to store internal energy and slowly release it. The fibers are arranged in such a way that this property is preserved in any product. Laminate conducts heat faster, so it is better to install underfloor heating for it.
Underfloor heating systems for coatings:
- Under parquet install water pipes, electrical wires, mats. The coating heats up evenly, while no harmful components are released.
- Under the laminate only hot water heating is suitable. Electric floors can cause swelling, warping, and unpleasant odors.
Natural parquet dampens external sounds, therefore, an additional layer of insulation in a residential building is usually not installed. An exception is the location under the floor of a garage or workshop. Laminate flooring amplifies noise from steps, knocking of heels, falling objects.
Resistant to moisture and temperature
Parquet dries up in dry rooms, and swells in damp rooms. with direct hit of water on the surface. If the material is not washed with water, but only exposed to humid air, then it will also increase in size, but more slowly.
Laminate does not dry out, does not absorb moisture, especially high strength grades. Parquet also has certain categories of moisture resistance due to the direction of fibers of different layers, but it is far from the laminate. Natural wood is afraid of dampness.
With temperature changes, wood and laminate behave approximately the same... The difference may be if the parquet is saturated with moisture and begins to crack when water particles inside the material freeze.
Environmental friendliness
In this plan parquet board wins, because it is based on natural material. The wood of some species, for example, oak, linden, pine, birch, has healing qualities.
The advantages of natural parquet:
- creates useful energy in housing;
- there will be no unpleasant odor in the room when heated by the underfloor heating system;
- synthetic substances harmful to health will not be released into the surrounding space;
- during a fire, the material will not produce asphyxiant gases;
- wood breathes, therefore it regulates humidity by releasing vapors to dry air and absorbing excess moisture from a damp atmosphere.
The laminate contains synthetic resins... Their volume is regulated by norms, but when the temperature rises, vapors arise that are dangerous to the body.
Comfort
Both materials create comfort in an apartment or house.... Laminate and parquet flooring are pleasant to the touch, and it is comfortable to walk on surfaces with bare feet.
It is necessary to maintain the relative humidity in the room at 45 - 60%, the air temperature should be in the range of +18 - 24 ° C, so that the materials do not cause discomfort.
Features of the laminated flooring and parquet:
- when the temperature drops they cool down slowly in the room, keeping the previously obtained heat, but the laminate cools down a little faster;
- in an unheated cold room Condensation can settle on the laminate floor, while the wooden floor absorbs moisture, reducing dampness inside the house.
On a smooth surface, there are no scoring, chips, delamination. Parquet and laminate are covered with varnish and thermal foil, which protects the material. If the destruction of the top layer occurs, repair is required.
Maintenance and repair
Parquet maintenance rules:
- debris, dust, sand are removed with a vacuum cleaner;
- collect dirt with a slightly damp microfiber cloth;
- for moisturizing, special care products are used.
Household-grade laminate flooring is cleaned with special preparations, you cannot use wax and oil familiar to wood. The top layer of the laminate will not allow substances to pass through, and unattractive stains will remain on the coating. Use clean water or the recommended products.
Complexity of installation
The installation of both types of coating requires the involvement of specialists. When laying parquet and laminate flooring, the installation technology must be observed so that the materials serve for a long time.
Installation features:
- parquet can be glued to the base and installed floating, and laminated panels - only floating;
- parquet parts fit easily into the lock, parts are smaller and more convenient to work with;
- laminated boards have different types of connections, some require work with a utility room.
For laying the laminate, you will need to purchase a special lining, you can use a cork backing. Such work will increase the cost of the material.
Installation tools are almost the same: for marking, cutting panels to size. Adjust both materials with wooden mallets or rubber-headed hammers.
Life time
Poor quality laminate flooring serves much less than parquet flooring. It is laid in bedrooms, living quarters with low traffic.
Approximate service life by classes of laminated panel in a public place (OM) and at home:
- 31: in OM 2 - 3 years, up to 12 years in housing;
- 32: in OM 3 - 5 years, at home - up to 15 years;
- 33: in OM 5 - 6 years, in housing - 15 - 20 years;
- 34: in OM 7 - 15 years, at home - up to 30 years.
Laminate flooring cannot be repaired, individual parts cannot be replaced. You can only change the entire coating.
The advantage in terms of service life is the parquet layer, it will last 20 - 50 years, maybe more. The layer can be restored, looped, sanded, impregnated and varnished.
Price
The cost of materials depends on various factors. Natural parquet is made from different species, among which there are expensive options. The quality of the laminate depends on the class, so a durable, wear-resistant material can be sold at a price comparable to that of a parquet board.
The price is influenced by the characteristics:
- thickness of laminate and parquet;
- the type of material in the base for parquet elements and the composition of the components for composite laminate;
- class of materials for strength, water resistance, heat resistance;
- features of processing, impregnation, quality of the protective layer.
The overall price indicators speak for the lower cost of the laminate compared to the parquet board.
What to consider when choosing
The issue is being resolved depending on the financial capabilities of the customer and his preferences.
When choosing, take into account room functionality:
- in the living room with a classic interior, it is better to lay parquet flooring to create coziness;
- for kitchen laminate of class 32, 33 is suitable, since water ingress is likely;
- in the bedroom on heated floors, laminate will work well;
- in the corridor laminate flooring is also suitable, as dirt gets in from the street.
Parquet flooring is suitable for bedrooms, offices, but in the nursery the room is better to make artificial panels with a high strength of the outer layer.
