When updating the bedroom, the question suddenly arises of what to do with the floor. Previously, in the vast majority of cases, linoleum was used, but increasingly, consumers choose laminate as a coating. It is environmentally friendly and looks very presentable. How to choose the laminate, what to look for when choosing, what are its advantages and disadvantages - we will discuss in our article.
Material properties
If you lay a laminate in the bedroom, the room will find sophistication and become more comfortable. And this applies not only to this particular room, but to the entire apartment. This material has a huge number of advantages; for this reason, consumers are increasingly choosing it. One cannot fail to note the attractive appearance, as well as the lack of difficulties in installation.
This material was first discovered in the 20th century, around the 70s. Since that time, he has undergone many changes, but has become increasingly popular due to its positive qualities.
As for the composition, the laminate has several layers. Protective is at the very bottom. It is made of plastic or cardboard, impregnated with a special composition, and protects the material from fungus and mold. Due to this layer, special strength is achieved.
A plate made of chipboard is placed on the protective layer, which is responsible for the strength of the lamellas. The plate provides sound and thermal insulation, gives the coating hardness. The thickness can be different, from 5 millimeters to 1.2 centimeters.
The third layer is decorative. Most often it is a picture printed on paper. It is due to it that the laminate acquires color.Often this layer is made to imitate wood or stone, but this is not a prerequisite. For example, the well-known Welliger Royal Premium collection looks like a natural varnished massif.
On the shelves of construction stores you can find goods that look like any material. High-class coatings often undergo additional processing, due to which their strength increases.
Main advantages and disadvantages
If the consumer is looking for a reliable and high-quality floor covering, experts recommend paying attention to the laminate. Due to it, comfort appears in the rooms, in addition, they look very attractive. The material is universal, it can be used both in offices and in any of the rooms of the apartment, including the nursery.
Among the advantages, it is impossible not to mention the ease of laying the coating. The procedure can be performed independently, without involving specialists, which will significantly save financial resources. In addition, the laminate will last quite a long time; for especially high-quality products, this period can be more than a dozen years. It gives an attractive appearance to the room.
Some types of laminate are designed to have underfloor heating. However, in this case, you need to be careful - some of them are forbidden to heat. The material is quite resistant to contact with chemical compounds, capable of transferring mechanical influences without damage to appearance. Also, this coating will look appropriate for almost any room design.
But with all the advantages, the material also has disadvantages. Laminate does not tolerate high humidity - this must be taken into account during operation, otherwise it may simply become unusable. For it to last as long as possible, proper care is required. In addition, the coating is not able to absorb sound, which is especially true in the presence of pets that make noise and clatter when moving.
Choosing a quality coating is not the cheapest pleasure, so you need to treat it responsibly. You should evaluate the quality and characteristics of the material, the conditions for its future operation.
Material class
One of the most important characteristics when choosing is the wear resistance class. It affects how long the coating will last and how durable it will be. Laminate is usually divided into several classes. The lowest rates are in the 21st, 22nd and 23rd classes, their service life is not more than 8-9 years. However, such material has the most budgetary cost, due to which it is in demand among consumers.
Experts do not recommend the use of laminate flooring below 31 grade for repairs in an apartment; 32 and 33 can be considered. Keep in mind that the higher the rate, the thicker the lamellas. Materials of a higher class have a much longer service life, this is especially true for people who try to update an apartment as rarely as possible.
In addition, high-quality materials are characterized by higher sound insulation, and they are also much more resistant to the effects of chemical compounds.
It should be noted that a high-class laminate tolerates moisture better. This is important when wet cleaning. And also only such a coating is recommended to be placed in rooms with excess moisture, for example, in the kitchen and in the bathroom.
As for the bedroom, in this case there are no serious prohibitions regarding the class. Patency in such a room is small, which means that the load on the coating will be small. Even cheap options can be operated for about 10 years. However, in a situation where the room is used quite intensively, it is better to think about better materials.
Choosing a color for the floor
Before deciding on the choice of laminate flooring, you need to consider in which design the bedroom is made.
- For example, the best color for a high-tech style is white.
- Light colors such as cream or delicate beige are recommended for Art Nouveau.
- In the classic version, it is best if the floor will look harmonious with other interior items. The flooring may even act as a background.
- As for the eco-style, there can be no debate here: the most winning solution will be one that emphasizes the natural style, for example, dark wood or gray stone.
Currently, some prefer to use a laminate to finish not only the floor, but also the walls. This fits perfectly with the classic style of the room. It looks best when the bedroom is made "under the tree." It will not be superfluous to take into account the color of the floor covering when designing doorways.
Experts recommend avoiding bright colors of the laminate when arranging a bedroom. They will catch the eye and divert attention from other things. It is also necessary to remember that light shades make the room visually more spacious and lighter. Dark shades should be in harmony with furniture or other decor items; they look good in strict surroundings.
Sustainability and safety
The bedroom is the place where a person rests and restores strength. Therefore, everything that is in it must meet the requirements of safety and environmental friendliness. Some types of laminate just fit this definition.
In the production of this material, substances are used that are capable of releasing formaldehyde under certain conditions, for example, with increasing temperature. He, in turn, does not have the most favorable effect on health, having the ability to cause headaches or allergies.
To avoid such problems, when buying a coating, you should pay attention to the labeling. If the packaging indicates E0 or E1, such materials are absolutely safe and can be used for the bedroom.
It is theoretically permissible to purchase lamellas with the designations E2 and E3, but experts do not recommend this. The fact is that in the bedroom there may be other things that can emit formaldehyde, and in this case there is a risk that there will be too much of this harmful substance in the air.
To be sure of the quality of the coating, it is better to bet on the products of reputable manufacturers. Thus, the risk of acquiring a fake becomes minimal, and it does not make sense to fear for your health.
See how to choose a laminate for an apartment.
