Laminate - a multilayer floor covering based on wood-fiber board. Its shelf life varies extremely widely. Some boards will last a maximum of 4 years, while others retain their functions and appearance for 20-30 years. To achieve the last option, you need to responsibly approach the selection of material for a particular room. Especially when it comes to the kitchen.
Possibility of laying laminate in the kitchen
Having chosen a laminate as a floor covering for the whole apartment, many owners have doubts about whether it is possible to lay it in the kitchen. Experts are sure: there is no reason to abandon the popular trims.
There are several advantages to this solution.
- The finished floor looks aesthetically pleasing.
- Smooth surface is easier to clean, wash.
- You can walk barefoot over the surface without fear of damaging or freezing your legs. Laminate well takes over the air temperature, because at home it is always warm.
IMPORTANT! Laminate boards can look as natural as possible. At the same time, finishing the room with this material will be much cheaper than, for example, parquet.
Which laminate to choose for the kitchen
Moisture resistance and durability are the characteristics that are required from the finishing material in the kitchen. However, it is these properties of a conventional laminate that are weakly expressed. But they have improved modified versions of the coating.
To prevent the floor in the kitchen from swelling due to frequent cleaning and high humidity, take a closer look at the laminate, the name or description of which has the word "Aqua". Marking says that the product in question is little susceptible to deformation and destruction upon contact with liquids and steam.
IMPORTANT! Check with the seller if the particular laminate is moisture or water resistant. The latter option is preferable, it can be put in the kitchen without fear.
- Characteristic water resistance shows that the subject is not afraid of direct contact with water, resists its action for 6 hours.
- Moisture resistance only speaks of resistance to moist air. Such a coating will deteriorate after 20-30 minutes after the appearance of an unclogged puddle.
Resistance to mechanical damage increases with the class. The best option for the kitchen: laminate 32 class and above. On such products there will be no trace of falling plates, and frequent gatherings at the table will not lead to premature wear of the coating. Sex will last 20-25 years, unless you start to use detergents with glycerin.
It is also necessary to make sure that the locks of the selected product are treated with water repellents, and the main layer is an HDF plate with a density of 900 kg / m³.
Products of German, Austrian and Belgian manufacturers have excellent marking (AC). The bulk of the laminate boards from these countries is assigned to 32 and 33 class. However, materials belonging to the same category may have different performance properties. These differences are reflected in the AC scale.
IMPORTANT! For the kitchen, material of class 32 AC4 and 33 AC5 is suitable.
Laying laminate in the kitchen
Algorithm of actions for high-quality performance of work.
- Base alignment. Concrete floors will require a new screed.
- Mounting the substrate (overlapping, around the entire perimeter of the floor).
- Flooring (work is being done from the corner of the room).
- Skirting Installation.
Stack the material in a checkerboard pattern, since in this case the joint is overlapped. Indent around the pipes and near the walls: at least 8 mm for the walls, at least 20-30 mm in diameter for the pipes. The gaps are then covered with skirting boards.
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