What is better: laminate or carpet

Each of us dreams of a cozy family nest. Our dream house should be bright and warm. If high illumination determines the output of windows to the sunny side, then we can regulate the level of heat in the room independently. After all, there are modern systems of insulation and space heating. The flooring here also plays a significant role.

Main types of flooring

In the recent Soviet past, the standard floor was a wooden floor, with rare exceptions linoleum, covered with carpet.

Modern construction industry offers a wide variety of coatings in different price ranges.

The most popular of them are:

1. Linoleum.
2. Carpet.
3. Laminate.
4. Parquet.
5. Cork floors.

Each coating has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. When choosing a material, the main factor is its cost. Of the most affordable and common types of coatings, there are:

• carpet,
• laminate.

При достаточно низкой цене они обладают вполне приемлемыми качествами. Чтобы разобраться, что лучше: ламинат или carpet, необходимо рассмотреть основные характеристики каждого из них.

Ламинат

One of the most popular materials. Its name comes from the Latin word "layered" (lamina).

Composition

• Waterproof paper with waterproofing function.
• Parquet panel.
• Protective water-repellent film.
• Decorative coating. The main drawing of a laminate is applied on it. The modern market for products is represented by various patterns imitating wood or stone flooring.
• Paper-plastic layer impregnated with resins and corundum. This is the front layer of the laminate board. It protects it from external damage and has water-repellent properties.

Variety of shapes

• The basic form of the laminate panel is a rectangular board. It imitates a wooden coating. Its length can reach 130 cm, width - up to 20 cm, thickness on average 0.8 cm.
• Tile shape. It is a square. The drawing imitates a stone base.
• Modern technologies allow the use of various forms of panels. Their choice depends on the style of the room.

Main advantages

Consider the main advantages of coverage:

• Variety of shapes и цветовых решений.
• Acceptable cost.
• High level of material strength.
• Resistant to sunlight.
• Moisture resistance.
• Resistance to sudden temperature changes.
• The coating does not harm the environment.
• Safe for people with allergies.
• Fast installation process.
• Installation of the product does not require specialized skills.
• Ease of care.

disadvantages

It is necessary to familiarize with the main "minuses" of the material:

• Low sound insulation.
• The possibility of damage to the surface with improper and untimely care.
• Violation of the integrity of the material with increasing humidity levels.

Main settings

When choosing a laminate coating it is necessary to take into account its main technical characteristics.

The degree of load on the surface. Determined by the coverage class system.

Marking 21-22 or 23 indicates the average degree of load and is most suitable for home use.

Marking from 31 to 33 characterizes the increased level of load. It is applied during the works in office, industrial rooms.

The degree of marking means the level of resistance of the laminate to external damage.

The level of the thickness of the product. Manufacturers offer various types of laminated panels. Their thickness can vary from 6 to 13 mm. It is considered that the optimum thickness of the panel for home use is 0.8 cm.

The thickness of the coating affects its resistance to external damage, with increasing thickness of the coating increases its strength and durability.

It is worth remembering that with a small total area of ​​the room should not choose a material with high thickness parameters. This will result in the loss of its usable area.

Note! To reduce the level of sounds emitted during the operation of the laminate, it is necessary to choose a more thick coating.

Security level The optimal variant of the material is the absence of harmful substances in it. However, formaldehyde contained in wood adversely affects the state of the environment. A small amount of the substance in the coating panel is marked with - E1. It guarantees a high level of environmental friendliness of the material.

Life time

Many consumers are interested in the issue of durability of the material. Modern manufacturing techniques have made laminate virtually invulnerable to external influences.

Usually, when buying a floor covering, the company-seller offers the consumer a 2–3 year warranty.

Note! The average service life of the coating is from 10 to 15 years. Its durability depends on the quality of care and compliance with the rules of operation.

Carpet

This flooring is a soft material. In appearance it resembles an ordinary solid carpet.

Carpet comes in the form of rolls and has a plain pattern.

Unlimited length dimensions of the product can be used in almost any room.

Composition

The floor covering carpet has the following composition:

1. Base. It can be made of latex or jute.
2. Layer-pinning.
3. Soft base.
4. Pile cover. It depends on the degree of thickness of the product, cost, level of thermal conductivity.

Types of products

The coating may contain both natural and synthetic types of pile.

As for natural types of fibers, wool is widely used. The composition of the artificial pile includes nylon, polyester and polypropylene.

1. Шерсть. Натуральный материал. Carpet, содержащий в себе волокна шерсти, является наиболее дорогостоящим. Он обладает хорошей теплопроводностью и высоким уровнем гидроизоляции. Данный вид ковролина не требует сложного ухода.
2. Nylon cover. It is made mechanically. It has a lower cost. High level of softness. It has good thermal conductivity. Resistant to moisture. It has an increased service life (20 years).
3. Polyester. A variety of artificial material. Its distinctive feature is the low price. It has an average level of hardness. The term of operation does not exceed 5 years.
4. Polypropylene. Artificial fiber. In appearance it resembles wool. It has a high level of softness and comfort. However, the life of the material is much higher than that of natural fiber.

The disadvantages of carpet

• The coating is the natural environment for dust collection and the spread of harmful substances.
• It worsens the health of people with allergies.
• The difficult process of caring for the product.
• The product is easily subject to pollution.

What to choose

We reviewed the main features and advantages of each of the flooring. Both laminate and carpet have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Speaking about the process of choosing a coating, you can note the following:

• В помещениях, часто посещаемых людьми, рекомендуется устанавливать laminate.
• Premises with a high degree of pollution (for example, a kitchen) also need to be covered with laminate panels.
• In the children's room, where the main thing is comfort and warmth, you can put carpet.

The same goes for the bedroom. The best option for her cover - carpet.