How does a repair in an apartment or office begin? With the selection of suitable materials. When choosing a flooring, wall panels or wallpaper, it is important to pay attention not only to the attractiveness, but also to the quality, reliability and durability of the materials. Repair is a labor-intensive and time-consuming task, so it’s better to do everything thoroughly right away, then the result will please you for many years.
What is laminate flooring?
This is a fairly popular flooring, based on a wood fiberboard of high strength and density. The top layer is a protective wear-resistant film, which also performs a decorative function.
Coating Classification
Traditionally, a laminate is a rectangular plate with a length of 1 to 2 meters and a width of about 20 centimeters. The thickness of the plates can vary from 7-12 mm or more. You can also purchase a square laminate, usually 38 x 38 cm or 19 x 19 cm.
In the accompanying documents on the laminate are the following characters:
- The house indicates the suitability of this laminate for use in residential premises. On commercial models, such a symbol is absent.
- The figure of the man and the numbers below it (21, 22 or 23) indicate a low, medium, high permissible load intensity for home coatings. For laminates manufactured for use in commercial premises, indicators from 31 to 34 are used.
- The abbreviation type AC1, AC2, AC3, AC4, AC5, AC6 indicates wear resistance.
Cheaper models are labeled with AC1 and the number 21. They are suitable for living quarters that are used by a small number of people. Laminate category AC2 with the number 22 is made for rooms in which there is more traffic. For example, it is a living room or a children's room. AC3 category with digital designation 23 indicates the most durable and reliable laminate. It is suitable for rooms that are subjected to intensive use. This is an entrance hall, corridor, dining room or kitchen.
The coatings of the first category are based on cheaper materials, so the price of such models will be lower. True, they will last no more than 2-4 years. In addition, they can not be used in rooms with high humidity. Such material is not suitable even for the hallway, since moisture from shoes, clothes and umbrellas will very quickly ruin the coating.
The second category is more wear resistant. If the laminate of this class is used in rooms with low traffic, then it will last much longer. On average, 8-10 years.
As a rule, coatings of the third class are designed for a service life of 15 to 20 years. They are made of high quality materials and have a more attractive appearance. The latest models of this class look no worse than real parquet. Also, the laminate may have a bevel on two or four sides or not have it. If there is a chamfer, the coating in its appearance is very similar to parquet.
Brand history
The company was founded in 1960 in Flanders (Belgium). Until this year, the creators were engaged in the flax industry. The new company is called UNILIN. Due to the crisis in this industry in the 70s, they decided to use wood in their coatings.
They have been present on the market under the Quick-Step brand since 1990. They became the first company to produce laminate floors and laminate flooring under the registered trademark. In 1997, they developed a special lock system that provided the most reliable and quick option for laying floors.
Since 2001, there has been a triangular chamfer on the Quick-Step laminate. A little later, the development of materials that are closest in appearance to natural wood begins. Since 2005, the massive use of floors with a special antistatic layer has begun.
2007 was the beginning of the production of moisture resistant floors. The new waterproof laminate floors under the Impressive brand began to be produced in 2014. Such a floor did not require additional layers of coatings.
Characteristics of the Rustic Oak Model
This coating is assigned to class 32 wear resistance, which means that it is suitable for use in both commercial and residential premises. The thickness of this laminate is 8 mm. It has a chamfer and a castle type of connection traditional for the Quick-Step brand. It can be used for warm floors, it can easily withstand temperatures of +27 degrees.
Laminate "Oak rustic" belongs to the class of moisture-resistant coatings. The size of one board is 1380 x 156 mm. These boards are scratch-resistant using SCRATCH GUARD technology.
Options for use in the interior with a photo
"Rustic Oak" can be used in any room, but because of the light shade it is more relevant for the nursery, living room or bedroom. It will look beautiful both in rooms with dark walls and with light ones.
"Rustic Oak" today can be called one of the most popular coatings. With his help, in any room it is easy to create an atmosphere of coziness and comfort. It will ideally fit into the interior in the style of Provence, classic, neoclassic and others.
Laminate Quick-step "Rustic White Oak" will also look good in commercial premises: offices, hairdressers and beauty salons, in groups of kindergartens, private clinics, health and fitness centers.