Which laminate to choose for the hallway
When guests cross the threshold of the house, they first get into the corridor, getting an idea of the house and its owners, their tastes and standard of living. It does not matter if it is a big house or a modest apartment. The corridor sets the stylistic design of the entire living space. That is why its design should be given special attention.
Speaking about the creation of a modern interior, it is impossible not to emphasize the importance of the flooring. Every owner wants to lay the floor once and no longer think about its reconstruction. After all, it is much less expensive and time consuming to refresh the repair of the walls and ceiling than to change the floor covering every 3–5 years. That is why more and more people give preference to a laminate that is strong and proven over the years.
It is a multi-layered durable panels, made under pressure at high temperature. The basis for the production of MDF and particle board. Next comes a decorative top layer of thick paper, imitating various textures of wood or stone. As a rule, the top layer is impregnated with chemical solutions that protect the coating from temperature effects, moisture and other external factors. Bottom panels are reinforced with thick kraft paper.
Laminate has a very good performance:
- Durable, reliable and durable.
- Does not fade, but the drawing remains unchanged.
- It is easy to care for it, it is possible to wash with a damp sponge and detergents.
- The installation process does not take much time.
- Affordable price (compared with parquet and solid wood).
- A rich assortment of colors and decors.
- Safety for a person (if you buy goods of European quality).
Despite its many advantages, not every first laminate can be laid in the corridor, since each room has its own characteristics. So what laminate to choose for the hallway, so that it most closely matches the conditions in which it will have to exist? To begin with, we define these conditions.
Room specifics
Operating in the hallway or corridor requires intense workload. When choosing a floor covering, please note that this place is a passage. Each family member goes through the corridor several dozen times a day. Visitors drag dirt and sand from the street that could scratch the floor surface. In bad weather, guests on footwear bring moisture from the street, and in winter snow, which begins to melt, and puddles form on the floor. In this situation, of course, you can choose a beautiful rubberized rug that pleasantly complements the interior, but still it is better to purchase a higher quality laminate.
It is also necessary to take into account the presence of pets and small children in the house, outdoor sports activities. For example, your favorite pets can scratch the floor surface with their claws. Sports equipment, such as sleds, skates and skis - leave marks on the floor. Well, children with inexhaustible energy and fun can throw heavy objects on the floor, which will spoil the integrity of the canvas.
If the layout of the apartment or house is such that the kitchen and corridor are nearby, then at the request of the owners you can decorate these two rooms in the same style. The link will be the flooring. In this case, the laminate for the hallway and the kitchen must be selected taking into account the features of the latter. These include not only high permeability, especially in the work area, but also a high risk of wetting the floor. In addition, steam usually accumulates in the kitchen, the temperature constantly jumps, objects inevitably fall to the floor. Due to such "harsh" conditions, the requirements for flooring are high.
Laminate selection criteria
Based on the above features of the hallway and kitchen, you can choose a suitable laminate on the characteristics. Consider what you need to pay attention when buying laminated boards.
In the first place - the wear resistance class. Modern laminate is available in six strength classes: 21, 22, 23 and 31, 32, 33. The lower the class, the less it is designed for high room throughput. Laminate 21–23 class is better suited for quiet rooms, such as a bedroom or a nursery, but in the hallway and in the kitchen it is better to put laminate 31–33 class. This laminate is specially designed for high load areas, it is resistant to abrasion, is not susceptible to shocks and rearrangements of heavy furniture, so it can be used even in commercial premises.
When used at home, it can last for many years and retain its original appearance. Laminate 32–33 grade strength will cost more than 21–23 grade. But it is better to spend money once and be sure of the reliability of the floor than to repeat the repair every year or two.
The next selection criterion is moisture resistance. Manufacturers cover boards with a special protective compound, which, when injected with liquid, prevents their swelling and deformation.
Note! When choosing a material, it is important to consider that some species are protected from moisture only at the edges, that is, at the joints between the panels, and some are covered with a water-repellent compound over the entire surface.
Of course, the latter are preferable for the kitchen and corridor, but the price is much higher.
Hydroponics or waterfall
Recently, a waterproof laminate appeared. Moisture resistant and waterproof laminate have some difference. This is important to consider when buying, so as not to be disappointed in the future. The first type of coating, as already noted above, is treated on the ends or on the entire surface with a water-repellent compound. This floor is unpretentious in the care, it is allowed to wash with a wet cloth using household chemicals. However, if a puddle has formed on the floor, and for some time you have not noticed it, then the laminate can suffer greatly.
When laying a moisture-resistant laminate, it is recommended to further treat the joints with a water-repellent adhesive for greater tightness, since the junction of the panels are the most vulnerable spot. Using this method of installation, you will increase the life of the flooring. The main thing is not to damage the board in the process, otherwise you have to dismantle the entire floor and start over.
Note! For the corridor and the kitchen is better to choose laminate, which involves the assembly without the locking connection, and the joint is mounted in the joint.
The second type - waterproof - not scary puddles. It is made according to the latest technology and 100% immune to moisture. Even if you dip the panel into the water and leave it for a day, it will not swell and will retain an attractive appearance. For this reason, it can be laid anywhere: in the kitchen, in the hallway, in the living room and even in the bathroom. The price of such a laminate is twice as high as waterproof, but if your neighbors on top periodically forget to turn off the water, then a waterproof laminate will save you from having to change the flooring.
The choice of colors and textures
The color scheme depends entirely on the taste preferences of the owners of the house, the main thing is that the color of the floor should not be out of the general style of the room. But on the choice of texture of the laminate for the hallway and the kitchen there are a few tips.
The laminate stylized as a tile looks good on the floor. It gives the room a luxurious look, creating the impression of high cost of decoration. The fact is that in the hallway and in the kitchen it is impractical to lay the floorboard, and natural tile will be very expensive, while moisture-resistant laminate under the tile is the best solution.
Choosing laminate under natural wood, pay attention to the structure of the canvas. Embossing can be simple, in register, brushed or with a Chrome Zone effect.
Simple embossing implies the presence of a thicker upper layer on which they are pressed along the grooves, imitating various tree species. On such a laminate dirt is the least noticeable, but you can wash it not often.
Embossed into the register - These are grooves coinciding with the tree pattern, which are carved on the surface of the board. Looks very stylish.
Brushing - processing of boards by embossing in combination with staining, and then re-applying protective compounds. The technology gives laminate resistance to abrasion.
Chrome Zone - a method in which the surface of the board is coated with chrome. It gives the panels a charming matte-glossy surface. Stylish and spectacular solution for those who love luxury.
And finally, choosing laminate flooring for the hall and kitchen, pay attention to the antistatic properties of the boards. And in order to avoid accidents, give preference to non-slip laminate.