A feature of the choice of flooring in a private house or apartment is the need for its own decoration for each zone. And invariably the question arises of which is better: parquet or laminate? This is due to the fact that, for example, in the bedroom and kitchen, completely different loads fall on the floor, and operating conditions and design requirements differ. And if in the bedroom you can use any cover, including expensive delicate carpets, then for the kitchen, hallway and even the living room there are many restrictions. Therefore, the question of which is better - parquet or laminate is relevant for many.
The most popular options today are laminate and linoleum. The last one has been familiar to us for several decades, but the laminate, despite the fact that it is not the first year, is a fairly well-known material for flooring, many still have questions. Yes, and linoleum today is very different from its ancestor of the Soviet era, and its different types have different properties from each other and can also be used for different areas of the apartment. In this article we will try to understand what is better: laminate, linoleum, parquet?
Linoleum. Kinds
Those who decided to choose this particular material should familiarize themselves with several recommendations:
- Linoleum, belonging to the category of “household”, is the simplest and unassuming budget option. It is designed for relatively moderate loads and quickly enough (in comparison with better categories) loses its appearance, especially if a lot of people live in the apartment or house.
- Semi-commercial linoleum differs from household liner in greater practicality, resistance to long-term loads and durability. It can be used not only in residential premises, but if the load is too heavy, for example, in an organization with very high traffic, it will also begin to lose its external qualities over time.
- The most reliable is commercial linoleum, it is usually laid where the permeability per day can be several hundred people or even more. But for use in the apartment, a half-commercial is enough, and that is only if the owners want to have a certain margin of service for such coverage.
A close examination of the characteristics of the materials mentioned above will help to answer what is better in the apartment: parquet or laminate, or linoleum.
The benefits of linoleum
The main advantage of linoleum can be called the fact that since its appearance such qualities as unpretentiousness, reliability and durability have not disappeared. He is well known to all of us from childhood and rarely raises questions or problems during repairs. But this is precisely what can be attributed to the shortcomings - many are simply tired of it, I want to finish the floor with something more modern and technological.
It is necessary to note other positive qualities of this material.
- The main advantage is the price. Linoleum is inexpensive, especially household and semi-commercial, and all categories of consumers can afford it.
- It is easily laid and does not require any special skills and knowledge. Anyone who has enough power in their hands can put it.
- Low thermal conductivity. Floors with linoleum are almost never cold, even at low room temperatures.
- Decrease in noise and sound of steps.
- The material does not slip. This makes it a good option for the kitchen and bathroom, as in these rooms the floor is often wet.
- A wide selection of colors and imitations of other materials. Thanks to this, linoleum can be selected to any style of interior.
You can navigate, by the way, not only by studying the positive and negative qualities of materials. What else will help to answer the question before us (linoleum, parquet or laminate: which is better)? Photos presented on the World Wide Web and in this article will demonstrate all the coverings clearly.
Disadvantages of linoleum
The disadvantages of this material include the following qualities:
- Linoleum is squeezed under the weight of furniture, especially in those places where cabinets and sofas stand for years without rearrangement.
- Cheap brands of linoleum are sensitive to extreme temperatures, especially high. Even under the influence of boiling water, such material can clump and swell. Therefore, the kitchen is better to choose more expensive and high-quality options.
- Appearance. This feature is both an advantage and a disadvantage. Whatever the quality of the linoleum, with the exception of the most expensive elite brands, you can always see with the naked eye that it is an imitation, not a laminate, not a stone, and certainly not parquet.
- Wear. The cheaper linoleum, the faster it will lose its attractive appearance, although the canvas itself can remain intact for many years and even decades.
Comparing which is better - parquet or laminate, or linoleum, it is worth noting another important point. Linoleum is an excellent floor covering for those people who do not want their apartment or house to look prestigious and expensive. The quality, appearance and price of modern brands of this material are presented in the optimal combination, which is why it is an excellent solution with a limited budget for repairs.
Laminate
To answer the question that interests us (parquet or laminate: which is better), it is worth considering some operational characteristics.
Laminate is often called laminated parquet, but this is not a good comparison, since the parquet is made of natural wood, and the laminate is still an artificial material, albeit of high quality.
It consists of several layers - a substrate, an MDF or chipboard plate , a decorative layer that gives coloring, and a protective polymer (laminate).
This material is divided into several classes according to the wear resistance parameter, therefore, for an apartment and public needs, the laminate is selected in accordance with this parameter.
An interesting quality is the moisture resistance of the laminate. It has a special protective layer that can withstand even severe wetting, so it is great for the kitchen and other wet areas of an apartment or house. True, you need to have time to remove the puddle within two hours, otherwise the floor will still swell.
The coloring of the laminate, as in the case of linoleum, can be either monophonic or an imitation of parquet or plank flooring. The laminating protective layer is glossy, matte and structural, reinforcing the imitation of boards.
Cons of laminate flooring
And this material also has flaws. And they are:
- For wet rooms, you need to buy a laminate of a special brand. Normal in such conditions will last no longer than five years, and quality and appearance will begin to lose even earlier.
- Sensitive top coat. The polymer that protects the base of the planks is easily damaged by dropping a heavy object on it. Any other strong physical impact may be fatal.
- Frequent cleaning and improper maintenance can cause stains on the surface of the coating. It will be impossible to get rid of them in the future.
- Even with full compliance with the installation technology, over time, the laminate will begin to creak, as the joints of the boards are gradually clogged with dust and small debris, which leads to loosening and a general deterioration of the floor.
- A laminate flooded with water, which is not protected from moisture, almost always has to be replaced with a new one, since it comes into complete disrepair.
Laminate advantages
The advantages should be noted such:
- more affordable price than tile and parquet;
- choice of colors and high quality imitation;
- simple installation: the laminate is laid with locks at the ends of the boards, it does not need to be glued to the floor or spread immediately over the entire width, like linoleum.
Summing up the arguments about what is better - parquet or laminate, we can say that the latter option is suitable for those owners whose families do not have children and pets who can spill water, scratch or otherwise spoil the coating during the game or carelessness. Laminate flooring requires accuracy and a rather careful attitude, so for those who do not want to think about floor material after installing it, it is better to prefer linoleum. But in general, this is a fairly stylish and beautiful coating, especially glossy.
Comparison of laminate and linoleum
For comparison, it is worth considering the most important qualities of materials and comparing them.
- Cleaning. Linoleum can be washed with plenty of water at least every day. In the case of a laminate, cleaning requires compliance with many rules and can not be carried out often.
- Life time. Even household linoleum will serve much longer than a laminate.
- Fire safety. Both species belong to combustible materials, but linoleum is still more resistant to active combustion.
- Soundproofing. Linoleum reduces both the noise from the steps along it, and coming from the neighbors below. Laminate does not possess such qualities and can even convey the sound of neighbors' steps from above.
- Resistance to mechanical influences. Laminate perfectly withstands constant pressure from furniture legs, heels and similar items, but is unstable to sharp and strong blows. In the case of linoleum, the opposite is true.
- Appearance. Laminate has a more presentable appearance and in some cases it can even be confused with a parquet board. Whereas linoleum can be seen right away, no matter how expensive it is.
When evaluating these materials, it becomes obvious that linoleum is more practical, while the laminate is more attractive externally.
What is the difference between parquet and laminate? What's better?
It is worth mentioning separately about the flooring, since this coating belongs to the premium class and costs significantly more than the highest quality laminate. Parquet is primarily a natural tree, which already says a lot. Despite this, it has its drawbacks.
- The need to comply with certain temperature conditions to maintain the original appearance.
- Difficult care. Washing and cleaning parquet requires the use of many special means, and the process itself is more time-consuming than in the case of laminate.
- Instability to damage. Heels, canes, chair legs - all this damages the top layer of the floor, which leads to a severe deterioration in appearance.
Parquet, like laminate flooring, is an impractical material that requires compliance with many conditions and difficult maintenance. Therefore, it is worth stopping the choice if the level of repair and the appearance of the floor are more important than practicality and service life.
Parquet Benefits
To analyze the question of whether parquet or laminate is better, you need to consider separately the advantages of the first type of coating. The advantages of this material include its following qualities:
- Parquet or parquet board can be restored on site without removing the entire coating. In case of damage to individual boards, they can also be replaced.
- Parquet, as befits natural wood, is very warm, so bare feet will be more comfortable and pleasant to walk on the parquet than on laminate or linoleum.
- To understand which is better: parquet or laminate in the kitchen, it is necessary to take into account moisture resistance. Like any other board, parquet is resistant to short-term exposure to large amounts of water. Therefore, if the spilled liquid is wiped on time, there will be no consequences. The materials in question are similar in this.
- Ecological cleanliness. This parameter is of particular importance if the family has children or adults with poor health and chronic diseases or allergies.
- Appearance. Parquet belongs to the elite coatings, so its appearance does not compare with the laminate, winning in all respects.
Conclusion
Which is better: parquet or laminate? Reviews say that in general the materials are similar, but the parquet has a more presentable appearance and is much more expensive.
As for linoleum, it is more practical, but has a low price and an inexpensive look, so it is an excellent budget option. But this material is distinguished by a wide variety of colors and designs, so it is suitable for those who prefer patterned coatings.