Laminate is a rather spectacular coating, using which you can make the interior of the room more solid and attractive. Floors lined with such material will look attractive, but, of course, only if the planks are properly installed. Further in the article, we will consider how to lay a laminate along or across a room, what technology to use to assemble such a coating, and how to carry out preparatory work.

On what factors does the method of laying depend

You can install laminate in rooms both along and across. The choice of the direction of laying such boards will depend on the following factors:

• the size and configuration of the room;
• the number and location of light sources;
• subfloor type.

The reader can see what the laminate flooring looks like when laid along or across the room in the photos presented on the page. As you can see, depending on various factors, the most attractive type of such a coating can be achieved using both installation methods.

How lamellas are most often arranged

In most cases, the direction of the laminate boards is chosen based on the light source. In residential areas, this is, of course, usually a window. When laying the lamellas perpendicular to the light source, all the joints between them become visible. Accordingly, the coating itself does not look too neat and impressive. It is necessary to lay the laminate in parallel with the rays of sunlight falling into the room.

In each room in modern apartments, most often only one window is provided. Accordingly, it will not be too difficult to choose the location of the lamellas. But in corner apartments, windows can be located on adjacent walls. Very often there are two or more of them in equipped rooms and in private houses. In such rooms, when laying, one should be guided by the window from which the most sunlight comes (the largest, facing south, etc.).

Of course, both in apartments and in private houses, there are also rooms without windows. In this case, you need to focus on the brightest source of artificial lighting. Laminate boards in such rooms should be mounted parallel to the rays emitted by them.

What is worth knowing

A little differently, the material can fit in narrow corridors with ceiling lights. Focusing on the light source in this case, for obvious reasons, will not work. In such premises, lamellas are usually laid simply in the direction of the busiest movement of the residents of the apartment. Using this method of installation in this case allows you to extend the life of the coating. When laying along the main movement, the joints of the boards will subsequently wear out much more slowly.

The choice of mounting direction depending on the size and configuration of the room

How is the laminate laid - along or across the room? The answer to this question depends, among other things, on the layout of this particular room. The lamellas of this material are mounted, in fact, usually parallel to the rays of light from the main source. However, sometimes designers and builders violate this rule. For example, in very narrow rooms with one window on a short wall, lamellas can also be mounted at an angle of 90 degrees to the incident sun. Of course, the coating itself in this case will not look so neat, however, noticeable joints will visually expand the room and make it more voluminous.

Sometimes rooms in apartments can also have a complex configuration, that is, in plan they can be, for example, the letter “G” or “P”. In such rooms, it is recommended to lay the laminate in a diagonal way. With this installation, the service life of the coating may be slightly reduced. However, the use of such technology will make the interior of the non-standard layout more solid and attractive.

How to lay laminate - along or across the room, depending on the type of subfloor

Boards of such material are placed on a concrete screed using standard technology, most often focusing on a light source. Another thing is wooden floors. On such a coating, it is still recommended to lay the laminate perpendicular to the lower plank floorboards. When using this technology, the service life of the coating is extended. If the subfloor boards are parallel to the rays of light from the main source, apartment owners will most likely have to give up the opportunity to mount the flooring more effectively in order to make it more durable.

The choice of material according to technical characteristics

How to lay a laminate - along or across the room correctly, we'll talk about this a little lower. To begin with, let's figure out how to choose such a floor covering.

When buying lamellas, among other things, of course, you should pay attention to their variety. In terms of technical characteristics, such a coating may vary:

• according to the degree of wear resistance;
• according to the degree of resistance to moisture;
• by the type of attachment of lamellas to each other.

There are only four classes of laminate for wear resistance:

• 21, 22, 23 - can be used in residential areas with not too high traffic (in bedrooms, offices, living rooms);
• 31-33 - designed for installation in rooms with a heavy load in terms of patency (corridors, kitchens, halls);
• 34 - extra durable laminate used for flooring in hospitals, conference rooms, etc .;
• 42, 43 - super strong material made to order.

According to the degree of moisture resistance, lamellas can be classified into ordinary and intended for laying in wet rooms. In locker rooms and rooms of saunas and baths, for example, class 34 laminate is usually installed. In addition to increased strength, such boards are also moisture resistant.

Special types of coverage

Among other things, a special waterproof laminate can also be used for installation in damp rooms. Such boards are equipped with a lock of a special design, which ensures the tightness of the joints. Also, the laminate of this variety is able to withstand even direct contact with water for a long time.

Laminate flooring can be laid along or across the room, regardless of its type. The above principles for choosing an installation scheme in specific rooms are valid for all types of this material.

Methods for joining boards

Conventional, non-waterproof laminate planks can be equipped with two types of locks: Lock and Click. The first type of connection is extremely simple in design. In fact, this is a regular tongue/groove lock. It is recommended to purchase such a laminate only if it is planned to hire a specialist for its laying. Installation of boards with a Lock lock is a rather complicated and time-consuming task.

If the laying is supposed to be done independently, it is still better to purchase lamellas with a Click connection. With such a lock, one of the boards during installation is simply brought under the other at an angle of 45 degrees. Next, the master presses on this bar, trying to give it a horizontal position.

Preparatory work

How to lay a laminate - along or across the room, we thus found out. But how to properly prepare the premises for such a coating?

The laminate purchased in the store must be kept in the apartment for at least 48 hours before laying. This will allow the material to “adapt” to the microclimate of this particular room and change its geometry accordingly.

The subfloor before laying the laminate should:

• thoroughly clean from dirt and dust;
• align in such a way as to get rid of recesses and bumps and ensure that the height difference along the perimeter of the room does not exceed 5 mm.

The answer to the question of how to lay the laminate along or across the room correctly when using Click planks is, in principle, not too complicated. However, the floor itself, before installing such a coating, must be covered with a substrate with a thickness of at least 5 mm.

Bumps and pits must first be eliminated in order to prevent the laid laminate from starting to “spread” soon. In the presence of such defects in the subfloor, the joints between the lamellas of the coating will subsequently expand greatly. As a result, the floor will look unaesthetic and also begin to creak strongly.

Coating Assembly Technique

When installing such a finish, the same technology is used, regardless of how it is decided to lay the laminate - along or across the room. So what is the correct way to assemble such a coating?

They begin to lay lamellas in rooms, usually from the corner farthest from the door. The first board is mounted at a distance of about 1-1.5 cm from the planes of adjacent walls. In the future, such a temperature gap is observed around the entire perimeter of the room. If such a gap between the walls and the coating is not left, with fluctuations in air temperature and humidity, it may subsequently be deformed. To make the gap even, it is advisable to install special wedges between the wall and the boards during installation.

In exactly the same way as the first lamella, all other boards are laid along the wall. The second row of planks is mounted with a shift in relation to the joints of the first. Accordingly, the first board in it is cut to the required length. You can cut the planks with an ordinary hacksaw for wood.

Laying the laminate along or across the room, as already mentioned, the boards are connected to each other at an angle of 45 degrees. Press on the lamellas of the second row until they click. Too much effort is not recommended. Otherwise, you can simply break the lock or even the board itself.

According to the technology described above, the strips are mounted until the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room is filled with them. After the assembly of the coating is completed, the wedges are removed from the temperature gaps and these gaps are covered with skirting boards.

How the laminate should be laid (along or across the room) in the photo above can be seen in all details. This procedure, as you can see, is not really complicated. To make the finished coating look neat, the main thing is to carefully prepare the subfloor. The lamellas themselves with the Click lock are installed elementarily and, most likely, even a beginner can handle their installation.

Laminate is a functional and practical floor covering that has a variety of textures and colors. Before those who want to change the flooring, the actual question often arises: how to lay the laminate along or across the room?

The choice of installation method depends on several room factors. The following installation methods are currently used:

• Longitudinal;
• Transverse;
• Diagonal.

The longitudinal and transverse version is a straight laying. Diagonal represents the most difficult mounting method. If the choice is made in favor of the latter option, it should be borne in mind that the rooms should not be crowded with furniture (both upholstered and cabinet). Diagonal laying is appropriate in rooms such as a corridor or hallway.

The direct laying method is the most common. With it, the elements are attached parallel to the walls. Work begins in the direction "from the door."

Longitudinal laying

Longitudinal installation is recommended by craftsmen for any type of premises. The amount of waste during direct installation is minimal, the work does not require much time and special skills. The appearance of the finished flooring always looks beautiful and neat.

When the window is located on a short wall, the question of how to lay the laminate - along or across the room - is not worth it. Installation of lamellas is carried out relative to the long wall of the room. During the illumination of the floor sheet with light coming from the window, no seams will be visible at the joints due to the non-casting of a shadow. The canvas will create the effect of a perfectly flat panel.

When windows are located on two opposite or adjacent walls, this effect cannot be achieved. Longitudinal laying is justified when laying an inexpensive laminate, as you can create a chic, stylish interior.

Cross laying

The location of the slats across the room or perpendicular to a long wall is not as perfect as the first option. The advantage is the ability to visually expand the room. Can be used, for example, in narrow corridors or elongated rooms. The process will require a lot of time and money, as the lamellas will take more and they will often have to be cut.

Choosing a styling method

Having chosen the texture of the laminate, the color scheme and the manufacturer, but doubting the choice of the direction of the location of the lamellas, the following factors should be taken into account:

• The presence of one window in the room. Laying should start from the far corner of the room perpendicular to the light opening. The sun's rays in this case will be able to visually hide the seams and the coating will become perfectly even.
• The presence in the room of two windows on different walls. You need to focus on a window that gives more light.

Before finishing with lamellas, you can stand with your back to the front door to the room and imagine the arrangement of furniture. If you plan to install the floor in the entire apartment (house), you need to imagine what the overall finished picture will look like. All features of the design of the room should be taken into account. Then it will become more clear how to properly lay the laminate.

Sometimes the source of light is not windows, but chandeliers, spotlights, wall sconces, floor lamps. Their light must also be taken into account when choosing the direction of laying the laminate. You need to be guided only by your preferences or the desired effect.

The shape and size of the room

Given these parameters, it is possible to facilitate the choice of the method of laying the laminate. The proportions of the room are changed as follows:

Properly proportioned rooms allow the installation of lamellas along a long wall away from the window.

• In long and narrow rooms, it is more expedient to use the transverse direction, it will “spread” the space.
• Complicated proportions and irregular shapes will please designers, but make it difficult for installers. In such cases, a diagonal direction is chosen. On your own, without special training, such work is not easy to do. If you have doubts about your abilities, it is better to entrust the installation to professionals.
• Ceteris paribus, in low rooms it is preferable to carry out longitudinal installation, and high ceilings like transverse installation.

Important! The direction of laying will not affect the quality of the coating. It should be taken into account the fact that sometimes a special chamfer is made on the laminate to give visibility to individual boards. If this type is acquired, then the joints will need to be emphasized and the installation is carried out the other way around, perpendicular to the window.

Design Features

The presence of furniture in the room must also be taken into account. If the rooms are filled with furniture and the floor is carpeted, installation may be more economical. Minimalism in the interior and a relatively open large space of the floor with the direction of laying the lamellas should be emphasized and the issue should be approached more carefully.

When a new floor is installed on non-veneered wood planks, the lamellas are guided perpendicular to the planks to reduce deflection. Plywood on top of the boards allows you to choose any direction of installation.

Installation nuances

Apartments in the new fund and modern houses are built correctly, they have beautiful, proportional, comfortable forms. Older living quarters were often built with ceilings that were too high or too low. At the same time, the rooms could be so narrow that two single beds at the same time did not fit in width. The windows were sometimes located under the ceiling, and the apartment itself was half in the basement. For owners of such a "legacy" the general rules of repair are not always suitable. With the decision to carry out repairs, the problems of choosing the right and suitable arrangement options begin.

Such "uncomfortable" rooms require a special approach:

• Too narrow and elongated rooms with a small window on a short wall can be visually expanded by guiding the lamellas. But the main principles of orientation will not work here. Laying the laminate is mounted parallel to the window, the direction of the light will help to slightly correct the shortcomings of the room.
• Another case is a low square room of a large area. The light source in this room will not play a special role. Longitudinal installation in relation to the exit, according to experts, will lengthen the room to a more aesthetic appearance.

The final decision on how to properly lay the laminate - along or across the room, the owner of the room takes on the basis of the priority of their own expectations from the effect of the new floor.

Some features of the corridors

To determine how to properly lay the laminate - along or across, in cramped and elongated corridor passages, you need to thoroughly study the properties of the flooring.

Direct corridor

Laminate helps to perceive the surrounding space optically in a different way. The corridor, in this sense, is a complex architectural space.

• The coating is sufficiently durable and resistant to abrasion, which allows the use of lamellas for arranging floors in a corridor or hallway. A variety of colors solves the most complex tasks of designers.
• Under certain conditions, choosing the laying direction will be a good move in changing the perception of the room:
• You should not buy a floor covering that is too bright and flashy with a narrow pattern along the elements. It is advisable to choose wide boards with a pattern of one tone. Imitation of ceramics is also quite appropriate.

• It will be correct to take into account the intensity of the equipped lighting and the characteristics of the light sources. Not all of them contribute to the manifestation of joints between the boards. The laminate delivered from the store needs to be applied on the floor to each other and see how the light falls on them.
• The choice of color scheme should be well thought out. A dark floor will visually narrow the room, a light floor will expand it.
• During cross-laying at the edges, short lengths are not used to save material. Such a move will greatly reduce the strength of the floor.

Cross laying of lamellas in cramped corridors is justified in the presence of large boards of the same tone with an evenly distributed texture. Boards imitating ceramic tiles are even better. And a narrow and elongated pattern located across the room will unbalance its perception without adding beauty. A single-color, not large pattern can be laid along when the room ends with a window. And how to lay the laminate relative to the window was described above.

L-shaped corridor

In L-shaped rooms, lamellas should be laid diagonally or in a herringbone pattern. This will create a beautiful, unusual pattern and will not allow you to narrow the space. The diagonal is tolerant of coating textures, you can choose the laminate you like. And boards of a clarified shade, mounted diagonally, will create the most harmonious perception of a narrow corridor.

The only downside is a lot of waste.

Laying depending on the type of lock

The bonding of laminate tiles has four bonding options:

• Adhesive;
• Castle.

Castle, in turn, is divided into:

• click;
• lock.

Click-system (collapsible lock) is easy to assemble and lasts a long time. The clutch provides minimal clearance. The slats are assembled like a chessboard, with a constant displacement of the end connections.

The lock-system (a more economical option) is mounted with the boards parallel to each other, their adhesion occurs through special end grooves.

Important! The adhesive method will reliably protect the joints from moisture ingress, which prolongs the service life. Adhesive systems are not disassembled, unlike lock systems. Dismantling will not be possible later.

For direct laying, any type of locks and boards (including deck boards) are suitable. It is more expedient to carry out a diagonal arrangement of lamellas with locks that can be connected at an angle of 450. Also, a special board is needed here, a deck board does not fit like that. You can also use standard laminate. The diagonal can be laid out in herringbone or English dressing.

Purpose of the premises

Some rooms in the apartment are closed to outsiders. These are the bedrooms of the tenants and the children's rooms. It is not advisable to choose complex mounting solutions in them; a direct arrangement of lamellas may well be used here.

Passage areas, pantries, balconies can also be equipped with a longitudinal or transverse arrangement of boards.

Laying laminate diagonally from the window has an aesthetically attractive appearance and is used in such premises as:

• Study;
• front door;
• Living room;
• Hall.

It is not advisable to lay laminate in bathrooms and toilets, unless they occupy a large area.

Video

Photo gallery (47 photos)

All manufacturers claim that laminate flooring is easy and quick to install thanks to the locking system of joints. However, having started working, the masters have a question: how to lay the laminate - along or across the room? Let's reveal the features of the technology.

Thinking about the design of your apartment or house, you choose the color and texture of the floor material, but you hardly think about how to properly lay it. Experts say that important parameters of the floor depend on which direction of laying the laminate is chosen: wear resistance, service life and even the decorative effect created.

It is believed that laminated parquet refers to long finish coatings. That is, the length of the floor material exceeds the width by 4.5 times. Therefore, its styling is limited to the following options:

In the light (from the window)

Manufacturers and experienced craftsmen recommend this particular method as the most optimal, especially for typical apartments. Allows you to create from a laminate with a smooth surface a single, like a monolithic floor with inconspicuous joints. Also suitable for coatings with double-sided chamfer. The so-called endless board effect is formed in the room, resembling a long plank floor in traditional Russian or country style. Light textural embossing in this case does not interfere, on the contrary, it emphasizes the special texture of the floor or gives an aged look.

Laminate, mounted in the direction of the light.

It is possible to mount laminated parquet of 32-34 classes according to the light. For wear category 31, use with caution, as the material is rather weak for abrasion in the joint area.

Across the direction of the light

Floor material is mounted perpendicular to the window, along a long wall. Recommended for laminate 32-34 grades. This is a great way to visually enlarge the room, as well as emphasize:

• textured coating with embossed “in register” (the surface is not even, but as if a little bumpy, exactly repeating the pattern of wood), chrome-like (glossy stripes are adjacent to matte ones), brush (the structure of a board treated with a metal brush), etc .;
• V- or U-shaped chamfer on two or four sides;
• drawing with 3D effect.

The light will not only highlight the joints and texture of the lamellas, but will give the floor volume, the room - liveliness and a special charm. No wonder the floor of deep embossing is called "live".

Beveled laminate, laying across the direction of the light.

In the assortment of well-known manufacturers there are many similar collections, which differ both in decor and in the size of the lamellas. Among experienced installers, it is considered the height of professionalism to install textured planks of various formats into a single floor, beautiful in its harmony and showiness.

On the move

If the room has a certain direction of pedestrian loads (kitchen, office) or belongs to the walkways (corridors, hallways, halls), then the most reasonable method of laying laminated parquet is in the course of the most intensive movement of people. It is necessary in order to reduce the degree of abrasion of the coating at the joints. This is exactly the option in which the floor material of classes 31-34 will last the longest.

Laminate laid in the direction of the most intense traffic.

Diagonal

This styling method has many opponents, but all their arguments are broken by the desire of the client. Parquet spreads at an angle of 40-60º relative to the walls. It is considered a special design technique for “diluting” a boring interior or changing the geometry of rooms. Often used for rooms with windows on adjacent walls.

Cons of this solution:

• Increased abrasion at the joints;
• Increased material consumption;
• The need to purchase special chemicals for cleaning and care.

To do everything right and durable, we recommend using class 33-34 coatings with a chamfer or a pronounced floor texture.

Features of laying laminate in non-standard cases

Before choosing a mounting option, please note the following:

Unusual plank sizes.

Laminate flooring is produced not only in long boards up to 30 cm wide and up to 2 m long, but also in the form of:

• Rectangular planks 40x80 cm, 40x120 cm, etc.;
• Square slats with edges 40x40 cm, 60x60 cm.

These dimensions are used to imitate an engineering type-setting array or a palace (artistic) parquet. Undoubtedly, the designs are very beautiful, and the assembled floor looks luxurious. In addition, the dimensions of the plates and decors allow you not to be tied to a certain direction - it depends on the desire of the customer and the abilities of the master. This is especially true for equilateral bars.

Laminate imitating artistic parquet.

Base type.

The best base for laminate flooring is a well-dried and leveled concrete floor. But if the coating is mounted on wood, then the work must be done strictly perpendicular to the direction of the boards. If everything is done correctly, then the probability of floor deflection with a local increase in pressure will decrease to almost zero.

Laminate design.

The largest number of decors in the collections is a single-strip board with a radial, tangential or rustic (mixed) cut. In the first case, the texture of wood is implicitly expressed, the assembled floor turns out to be “calm”, there are practically no halftones or they are minimal. It is desirable to mount such a laminate in the direction of light or in motion.

The second option assumes the presence of characteristic stripes of dark color, as well as small and large knots. If the manufacturer has added embossing, the result will be a coating that is perfect for any mounting method, including across the light and diagonally.

Rustikal is a combination of the first two, supplemented by minor defects (of course, not real ones). These are wear, cracks, blackened areas, sharp transitions from one color to another. That is, everything that creates the effect of aging. At the same time, the decors of lamellas in one pack can change at intervals of 1:4, 1:6, that is, the pattern will be repeated every 4-6 plates. This is done in order to diversify the floor, as close as possible to natural.

The imagination of designers is not limited by anything, therefore it is from such floor material that the brightest, vintage coating is obtained. Here it is best to use those styling options that emphasize the structure and features of the decor.

The correct layout of the laminate: smooth classic or run-up

For long floor coverings, which include not only laminate, but also massive parquet, ceramic and vinyl tiles with a plank design are mounted in such formats as:

• Herringbone - planks are located at an angle of 45º relative to each other;
• Classic - each subsequent row shifts ½ of the lamella length;
• Scattered (asymmetry) - chaotic laying of panels;
• Labyrinth - the formation of large squares, geometric patterns from the elements of the floor material;
• Diagonal or braided - a shift of the strips by the width of the slab;
• Deck - offset by 1/3 relative to the previous row.

We have listed the most used. However, we will immediately designate - without exception, all laminate manufacturers recommend the last option: deck, with a shift by a third of the length of the lamella.

Scheme of laying laminate "deck" with a shift of 1/3 of the length of the plank.

This will allow you to create a full-fledged, strong lock and durable strapping of each element from all sides. With this installation method, small differences (no more than 2 mm for every 2 m of surface according to SNiP 3.04.01-87 and SP 29.13330.2001) do not affect the assembly quality, and the service life of the floor material corresponds to the warranty:

• at least 10 years for load class 31,
• up to 15 years for wear category 32,
• 25-30 years old - for grades 33-34.

Advice! If you need repairmen, there is a very convenient service for their selection. Just send in the form below a detailed description of the work to be done and you will receive offers with prices from construction teams and firms by mail. You can see reviews of each of them and photos with examples of work. It's FREE and there's no obligation.

Modern floor coverings are available and diverse. Laminate in stores is presented in a wide range: various manufacturers, colors, a wide price range. The choice is easy to make, the main thing is to decide on your capabilities and desires. The difficulty arises later, when it becomes necessary to lay the purchased flooring and decide in which direction to lay the laminate.

Scheme of the device of the laminate board.

Calling specialists to work will cost a tidy sum, so you have to find the time and opportunity to update the floor yourself.

A little about the composition of the laminate

Laminate is a multi-layer flooring that is resistant to short-term exposure to moisture, sunlight and light physical exertion. The thickness of the panels can vary from 6 to 12 mm, the length and width can also be different and are selected depending on the size of the room and the desired pattern.

Laminate options.

Protection against external influences is achieved thanks to a durable film covering the panel from moisture and damage. The quality of the laminate as a whole and its cost depend on the thickness of the coating.

Under the protective layer is paper, with a certain texture or image. Coloring can imitate any natural surface, including stone, wood, sand. The main layer with the greatest thickness is fiberboard and resins.

The thicker and denser the fiberboard, the thicker and better the laminate.

Laying laminate yourself - choosing a direction

Before proceeding with the self-laying of the laminate, it is necessary to prepare the base. Preparation includes clearing the room of furniture, removing old flooring and cleaning up debris.

When the room is ready, you can purchase the material and leave it in this room for one or two days, during which it fully adapts to humidity and ambient temperature.

Any surface, including wood and concrete, is covered with a cork or foamed polyethylene substrate, which serve as heat and sound insulation, make the laminate soft and creak-free when walking.

In which direction to lay the laminate is a rather controversial and ambiguous question. For example, if there is one window in the room overlooking the sunny side of the house, then the laying starts from the window towards the opposite side of the room, that is, along the sun's rays. This way of working allows you to reduce the visibility of the joints and make the floor almost seamless by reducing the shadow strip.

It is necessary to lay the laminate in the direction of light falling from the window so that the joints of the panels are not noticeable.

Also, the direction may depend on the way the laminate panels are fastened.

The locking connection with a latch is the connection of panels by snapping. This view requires careful preparation and measurement, if you make a mistake, it will be almost impossible to separate the panels.

It is desirable to start work from the far corner of the room in relation to the door, regardless of the location of the windows. Any type of coating is laid with a gap of 1 - 1.5 cm so that when temperature and humidity change, the material can freely increase and decrease in size.

1. First, the first board is placed on the floor, then the second board is snapped to the end of the previous one, and so on until the end of the wall towards the door.
2. Subsequent rows are mounted with a shift on half boards. That is, if there was a whole one in the first row, then at the beginning of the second, a laminate board sawn in half is laid. The second row of panels is connected again with the end side. Thus, two long panels are obtained.
3. Only when the boards are interlocked along their entire length can they be joined together. The first row rises slightly, connects with the second along the entire length and snaps into place. It is better to work with two or three people, so it will be convenient to lift the entire row at once, and you can achieve a minimum gap.
4. So, in a checkerboard pattern, row after row is placed until the floor surface ends. In the last row, there can be difficulties if the board does not fit in width. In this case, it is necessary to cut all the panels along, which is unprofitable from an economic point of view.

Some features of laminate flooring

Diagram of symmetrical laminate flooring.

The thorn-groove mount, if necessary, can be disassembled and moved to a new location. The elements are connected with the help of milk, with which they make their way to each other for strength and fastening density.

Glue locks are connected with glue and have an undeniable advantage: moisture resistance due to the ingress of glue into the seam. Among the shortcomings can be noted the duration of work and extra costs. Dismantling adhesive locks is impossible, so you need to carefully check your actions and think about each step.

If you have a warm floor, then using such an adhesive composition on top of it is unacceptable, as it can emit a pungent odor when heated. The laying technology is elementary: the ends of two boards are coated with glue and interconnected. Glue is needed special without the presence of moisture in the composition. It is applied in a small amount along the long and short sides of the panel, which will be combined with the previous ones.

Laying laminate is best to start from the window in the direction of sunlight. So the joints will not stand out against the background of the floor, and with an adhesive joint, the seams can turn out to be quite large, especially if there is no experience in this area.

The direction of laying the laminate can be absolutely any, including from the corner. Your idea or thoughts of the designer have the right to be realized. The direction diagonally can increasingly be found in modern houses and apartments. This technique is used to give the room a visually altered shape or to expand the space. Laying laminate from corner to corner is a complicated process, and it is better to entrust it to professionals.

In any case, the main criterion for the work is the most dense connection of the boards to each other. No matter which direction you decide to lay the laminate, during long-term operation of the floor covering, even with careful cleaning, litter gets into the cracks, as well as moisture, which further expands the junction and spoils the appearance of the room. The denser the panels are laid, the longer the coating will last.

Laying vapor barrier and substrates under the laminate

Scheme of asymmetric laying of laminate.

Vapor barrier is a special film that can breathe, but reliably protects against moisture and dust. If it is not possible to purchase it, then you can use the most common film used on the farm, for example, to cover greenhouses and greenhouses.

As for the substrate, it cannot be found from improvised materials; nevertheless, you will have to fork out and purchase it in specialized stores.

Most often, the substrate is produced in strips in rolls with a width of 1 m and a thickness of more than 1 mm.

When installing the substrate, there should be no overlaps, and the joints should be made as accurate as possible, without breaks. In order to avoid overlaps in the future, the joints can be glued with adhesive tape along the entire length of the strips.

If you have to lay the laminate alone, then it will be very, very difficult to connect several strips of the substrate at once. But there is a way out: first, one strip is laid in the same direction as the future floor covering, and then several strips of laminate are mounted on this strip of the substrate, then the next strip of the substrate and laminate, etc.

In which direction to lay the laminate does not play a significant role in the life of the floor. Much more important is the choice of high-quality material, the correct installation and laying of the substrate, the use of high-quality tools.

Of the tools you may need:

• wooden hammer;
• ordinary hammer;
• hacksaw;
• roulette;
• marker.

For high-quality cutting of laminate, you can purchase an electric jigsaw, which will speed up the installation work.

Fulfillment of all simple requirements is the key to long-term operation of the resulting coating without changing its appearance and basic characteristics.

Probably one of the most frequently asked questions, after the acquisition, is the question - "how to put it?". What is most interesting, the answer will always sound differently, because it all depends on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room and the layout. So, for example, when installing the floor on a loggia or balcony, one technological subtlety must be taken into account, and others in the living room and similar spacious rooms.

To the entrance to the room, you can carry out perpendicular, parallel or diagonal laying. The most practical choice will be the one in which (from the window) natural light will be directed along the butt joints. Due to this, you will achieve an excellent visual effect - the structure is continuous, seamless, i.e. joints are not visible. If you want to illusory expand the space, then it is better to choose diagonal styling, relative to the entrance. You get original, pretty floors. However, this method is considered more expensive.

Summing up, it should be said that the choice of the direction of the laminate flooring depends on the external features of the room.

What is a laminate?

This is a multi-level "sandwich", the layers of which are interconnected using cold or hot pressing:

Also read articles:

• The top layer is a laminated (resin) film that protects the panel from various external (physical) influences;
• The second layer is decorative. This is either furniture foil or paper, which undergoes special processing, gives the laminate an attractive texture and color;
• The base layer is high-density particle board or fibreboard (i.e. chipboard or fiberboard). She takes the brunt of it;
• Unrefined or resin impregnated thick paper or plastic. Protects a board from moisture, helps to keep a form.

It is noteworthy that the laminate may vary in characteristics. It all depends on what kind of materials were taken for its production.

The standard dimensions of a laminated board are as follows:

• length: from 100 to 140 centimeters;
• width: about 20 centimeters;
• thickness: from 6 to 11 millimeters.

Some types of laminate have a locking connection - ridges and grooves. Due to this, the boards are easy to dock with each other.

Buy laminate? How to make the right choice

Often on sale there are products made in the form of planks with a tongue-and-groove lock or a smooth edge. Naturally, the first option will be somewhat easier to install.

Typical plank markings:

• Board length from 1.1 to 1.5 meters;
• Board width from 0.2 to 0.4 meters.

Depending on the intended purpose of the coating and its grade, manufacturers determine the life of the laminate within five to fifteen years. That is why it is so convenient and beneficial for temporary decoration.

Products with a locking type of connection are usually mounted in a glueless way. A board with smooth edges is mounted exclusively with glue, and it is better to hire a professional for this work.

• Affordable price. Compared to expensive parquet, laminate with its high decorative qualities is available to a wider range of consumers;
• Strength. The material is able to withstand fairly high loads;
• Ease of installation. This is especially true for material with a locking type of connection;
• Easy care. The coating can be quickly cleaned of many contaminants using conventional means;
• Thermal resistance. The laminate has protective properties against exposure to elevated temperatures due to special processing;
• Possibility of repeated use. The coating is easy to dismantle, which allows the replacement of the damaged area or re-assembly.

Disadvantages of laminate:

• Impossibility of local reconstruction. If a small area on the board is damaged, it will have to be replaced entirely;
• Decorative processing is not possible. Laminate cannot be scraped or varnished;
• Do not tolerate strong moisture. Chipboard serves as the basis of the material, and as you know, chipboard is deformed with abundant moisture.

The procedure for laying laminate with your own hands

Before you get started, make sure you have all the necessary tools:

• Fine-toothed hacksaw;
• A hammer;
• Jigsaw.

Next, you need to check the baseline. All cracks and depressions must be repaired, irregularities must be eliminated so that the horizontal plane is perfectly smooth, dirt and dust must be removed. Usually the basis is plywood laid on logs, or concrete. Use a lining if necessary. It will provide sound insulation, insulate the floor and cushion the coating. The substrate is laid in strips. Joints are fastened with adhesive tape. You don't need to glue it.

Installation procedure:

• Lay the whole, solid panel in the corner of the room, directed along the sunlight falling from the window or other source of natural light. Remember, the distance from the walls should be at least one and a half centimeters from the corner sides. This gap is necessary so that a safety margin remains when the laminate expands so that it does not deform. Further, next to the corner lamella, the installation of the first row continues. Use whole fragments;
• The second row starts with only half of the panel. You can cut the board in half with a jigsaw. The main thing is to cut strictly at 90 degrees. The installation is carried out "on the fly". Cross stitching is not required. The boards are joined due to the system of locks - the locks are inserted into the grooves, the boards are carefully made so that the lock is completely inserted into the groove. Use skirting boards after installation is complete. They mask the gaps between the wall and the laminate.

Loggia or balcony under the laminate

For finishing areas that are in contact with open space more than others, you have to use frost- and water-resistant laminate.

Loggias and balconies can be sheathed with such material both on the floor and on the walls, and even the ceiling. The main thing is to create an optimal microclimate by trying to reduce the frequency of temperature changes and the level of humidity. Please note that decorative glaze may peel off from the base or become cracked if the temperature on the thermometer drops below five degrees above zero. The necessary conditions can be achieved if the loggia is glazed with a double-glazed window. In this case, the operation of laminated panels will become possible. For the final stage it will be useful.