Large-scale plan: laminate in interior design

With Quick-Step experts, we tell everything you need to know about the most popular material for floor finishing.

Laminate in numbers:

200 rubles/sqmminimum costprice depends on quality and manufacturer1977 yearin Swedenfirst type of laminated parquet was released4 classeswear resistanceare commonly recognized todayDesign: Marina Svetlova
What is laminate made of?

It consists of 4 layers:

• bottom layer — stabilizes and protects the board from deformation;
• core layer — this layer made of high-density fiberboard is responsible for the stability of the laminate and performs sound and thermal insulation functions. The main part of the locking system is located on this layer.
• decorative layer — determines the appearance of the laminate. The pattern of wood, stone or other texture is printed on special paper at high resolution;
• top layer — ensures resistance to wear, scratches and damage. The quality of this layer largely determines the class of the laminate.

Advantages of laminate

1. Wear and damage resistance — the higher its class, the greater the wear resistance.

2. Resists temperature fluctuations. Because of this, it can last up to 15 years with proper installation.

3. Simple installation. Can be laid in any room, including bathrooms and kitchens. For example, Quick-Step Majestic collection laminate has increased moisture resistance due to special Hydroseal treatment.

4. Variety of colors and models. Dozens of colors, textures, finishes — choose what suits any interior.

Photo — Quick-Step laminate
Design: Elena Ivanova
On laminate classes

According to the European standard for laminate EN 13329, there are 4 classes.

31 class — for residential rooms with low traffic.32 class — for residential and public spaces with medium traffic. 33 class — for residential and public spaces that can handle high load.34 class — designed for commercial use or shopping centers.Design: Quadrum
On installation methods

Among locking systems, two are the most popular:

• Click-lock — when the groove of the installed board is inserted into the groove of another without tools. The result of installation is a click, indicating successful connection.
• Lock — when the installed panel is hammered with a rubber mallet into another already laid on the floor.

This is interesting: Quick-Step invented the Uniclic mounting system, which today has become the standard for locking systems.

How to lay laminate?

• Along the long wall (horizontally) — traditional method of laying.
  
• Along the short wall (vertically) — when laminate is laid perpendicular to the long wall in a room. This option works well for narrow rooms, as it can visually expand them.
  
• Diagonally — another way to make a room visually more spacious. Requires 10–20% more material compared to the previous two methods.
  
• "As a tree" — this method is borrowed from parquet, where two boards are laid at an angle to each other. Also requires extra material.
  

And on maintenance

• Do not use abrasive cleaning agents — they can scratch the surface. Also household chemicals with acids and soap — they leave a film or streaks on the laminate. To avoid problems, it is recommended to use specialized cleaning products for laminate.
  
• Do wet cleaning 2–3 times a week and use microfiber cloth — it gently removes dirt.
  
• Do not use wax or oils — unlike parquet, laminate does not require additional protective measures for the surface, and in fact, wax and oil only attract dirt to it.
  

Design: CO:interior
How designers use laminate in interior design? Designer Olga Artemova chose a neutral tone laminate — to create a background for the client’s personal items. Elena Fateeva used Quick-Step laminate. It was even laid in the kitchen. Julia Beliaeva chose wide-grain laminate for a studio apartment to set the right scale and visually unite the space. The designers of the "Design Hall" studio focused on appearance and practicality: the clients decided to go with high-quality laminate instead of natural wood. For the living room and bedroom floor, designers of Lines studio chose a uniform coating — Quick-Step laminate in a warm tone. Quick-Step laminate is a frequent choice among designers. For example, Natalia Shirokarda made her project based on such finishing in all rooms except the kitchen. Julia Chernova chose laminate for Stalin-era interior design. In the designer’s opinion, modern materials perform better than solid wood in operation. Our heroes made a uniform floor covering throughout the apartment: moisture-resistant laminate of high strength. Elena Ivanova chose Quick-Step for finishing all rooms, including the children's room. Manana Chuchua selected the "tree" laying method for one of her projects. Designers of the "Malitsky Studio" also chose laminate — they laid it diagonally in all rooms except the bathroom. The floor in this apartment was covered with very high-quality laminate. According to designer Ekaterina Savkina, it won her personal tender for wear resistance.

On the cover: Fateeva Design project.