Before buying a laminate, you can do a little research so that you will not be disappointed in its qualities in the future. To do this, just look at the rating of the material in any research agency. Then the choice is up to the buyer.
It is pleasant to look at a good quality laminate flooring, in addition to everything, it can be chosen for any room design.
Thanks to high-quality laminate, you can create coziness and comfort in your living space.
The quality of the laminate is evaluated according to the following classes:
The duration of the preservation of the pattern and the appearance of the flooring depends on the strength class, that is, how long it will retain its original appearance. About 18 tests have been specially developed by European manufacturers to ensure the strength and reliability of the material.
For a very long time, the laminate was divided into two groups. It was made either for office space or home use. Thus, it was assumed that offices needed to produce flooring that was more durable than residential areas, which could be less durable.
Therefore, we created a system consisting of seven classes:
Although the installation instructions for laminated boards are attached to the flooring, it is up to the buyer to figure out where to apply it.
Helpful information! 23rd - was intended for use no more than 6 years. For a couple of decades, such a laminate was very popular in Russia and was in demand among consumers.
The above three classes of laminate are referred to in the past tense because today no one is engaged in their manufacture, they are simply discontinued. If a seller in any store offers a laminate of any of these classes to a buyer, you need to know that they have been discontinued.
Due to the strength of the material, even tables or other pieces of furniture with iron legs can be placed on its surface.
Probably everyone understands that high-quality flooring in the first place must be reliably protected from moisture.
In this case, it is divided into three categories:
Before you buy a laminate, and make sure that the seller does not cheat, you can conduct a simple experiment. We buy one element of a laminated board, cut off a small piece from it and immerse it in water for 8 hours.
After it is pulled out of the water, it should swell no more than 18%, for example, if its thickness before immersion was 5 mm, then after it it should be no more than 6 mm. If the thickness is greater, then the seller wanted to sell a laminate that has other qualities, but not water resistance.
Gone are the days when laminated boards were laid with glue. Today it is more popular to mount a laminate in glueless ways:
Among these methods, the most popular material is the one that is connected with the help of a “click”, when one board is snapped into the groove of another. The lock method involves a slightly different connection, that is, one board is inserted into another.
When buying a laminate, be sure to check how well and properly connected, only all the elements. For this you need:
With the help of a drawing, you can distinguish a Chinese manufacturer's laminate from a domestic or European one. For example, if the Europeans have a wide choice of patterns, then the Chinese offer this flooring with a maximum of four types.
In the Moscow market, laminated coating is evaluated according to its price category:
This diagram shows that many are confident in the veracity of the proverb: a miser pays twice. According to it, you can choose the best option for a laminate costing 350-1300 rubles.
Many are sure that by buying a product of a well-known company, you can protect yourself from most mistakes and low-quality goods.
Therefore, when buying a laminate, you can follow these indicators:
Quick step a manufacturer from Belgium, occupies a leading position in sales of high quality flooring, has earned the trust of many buyers;
4 companies compete with the Belgians at once:
They are followed by second-rate firms:
Kronoflooring. One thing that distinguishes these firms is the diversity in size. They usually release panels in the same size.
As a rule, everyone wants to purchase a product of high quality and performance at an affordable price. Therefore, the diagram shows companies that offer high quality laminate flooring at low and affordable prices.
Diagram interpretation:
We draw the following conclusions, you will have to pay about 1300 rubles per square meter of inexpensive material.
Considering that in one pack there is approximately 2.3 square meters of material. meters, and laying should be carried out on an area of \u200b\u200babout 40 square meters. meters, the result will be:
Such costs are quite acceptable for people who want to get a quality laminate flooring at an affordable price.
More than 60% of buyers are sure that the Belgian company Quick Step is one of the best. It can offer high quality at an affordable cost.
Others, in turn, are of the opinion that the flooring manufacturer Tarkett is the only one of all companies offering a material that perfectly combines price and quality.
A similar opinion is expressed by buyers who choose the Austrian company Egger.
Laminate is a modern floor covering. It is widely believed that this artificial substitute for natural parquet is very expensive and unreliable. In addition, many believe that he is afraid of moisture, and six years after installation, he will need to be replaced. Until recently, this was the case. However, today the leading manufacturers of building materials offer their customers high quality laminate. Its service life is within twenty years or more. How can a buyer determine the best quality laminate? To do this, you need to clarify its wear resistance class. This parameter of the flooring is affixed only after the so-called taber test. Belonging to one class or another will indicate the quality of the coating.
What is a laminate? This is a panel consisting of several layers. Let's consider them in more detail. The topmost layer of an artificial parquet panel is a hardened mass of acrylic or melamine resin. Which laminate is the highest quality and least wear-resistant? The one in which this layer has the greatest thickness.
By production, this coating is made of acrylic with corundum. Such a surface not only shines, but also wears out a little. This ability is given to the laminate by corundum, which in its hardness does not lag behind diamond.
The second layer of artificial parquet is considered decorative. It is made from paper with a specific pattern. Thanks to this layer, the floor panel acquires its appearance. Here, the possibilities of manufacturers are not limited. The laminate can have a wood structure, look like sand, stone, marble, etc. That is why the second, decorative layer of the laminate is important when developing the design of the room. And this is fifty percent of the success of the repair work.
As for the third, next layer, this is nothing more than a stabilizer waterproofing. It is a waterproof film. Thanks to this layer, the artificial parquet does not swell when water gets on it. Some varieties of laminate can even hold a puddle on their surface for three days without harming the panel.
The next, fourth layer is the thickest. This is a stabilizing board made of high-strength fiberboard. This layer determines the dimensions of the laminate itself, which is 6, 8, 10 and 12 millimeters thick. The larger the values \u200b\u200bof these dimensions, the better the quality of the lock that is cut around the perimeter will be.
And the last, the bottom layer is kraft paper. This is the protection of the stabilizing plate from moisture. In some brands of laminate, a substrate is additionally glued to the bottom layer. This increases the price of artificial parquet.
Laminate, like all types of building materials, is divided into certain types. According to this classification, artificial parquet is:
Each of the listed types is divided into classes that indicate the density of the panel, its wear resistance and reliability. Choosing a quality laminate should begin by looking at these characteristics. If the class of the panel you are considering is in the range from 21 to 23, then this coating is suitable for home use. At the same time, it is worth remembering that a larger number indicates a greater wear resistance of artificial parquet. Thus, the highest quality laminate for an apartment corresponds to class 23. A coating with a high value for residential buildings is not worth looking for.
And for offices, shops and other premises with high traffic, which laminate is of the highest quality? Reviews of experts and users give an unequivocal answer to this question. related to 31-33 class. Industrial and office spaces need a more durable floor that can carry more than one thousand feet. When using in such cases a lower class of panels, the coating will quickly fail.
But some manufacturers have gone further. To date, they offer 34 grade laminate. This type of artificial parquet is available from Aloc. However, if you compare this laminate with the class 33 panels manufactured by Tarkett, you will notice that the accompanying documentation in both cases guarantees up to twenty-five years of operation under the same conditions.
How does a manufacturer determine a high-quality, good laminate? To do this, the panels undergo a taber test for wear resistance. It consists in checking the laminate with a rotating abrasive wheel. This or that number of revolutions will indicate the class of the material and the degree of its wear resistance. The disk is rotated until the top transparent layer of the panel is completely erased. For a commercial line, which laminate is the best quality? Reviews of experts indicate that these are panels that have passed the number of revolutions from 6 to 20 thousand (depending on their class).
The parameters of such testing are indicated in the accompanying documents of each batch. Their designation is as follows:
Each of the classes of artificial parquet has its own minimum wear resistance value (IP) and maximum wear resistance (FP). According to the parameters, what is the best quality laminate? Reviews of experts indicate that these values \u200b\u200bshould be close to optimal. However, this does not mean at all that each of the buyers should strive to buy a laminate of 33 or even 34 classes. It is necessary to purchase those panels that are designed for the load falling on the floor covering in the room for a specific purpose.
How to choose a quality laminate for an apartment? To do this, first of all, you need to pay attention to the class of panels. An important factor will be the appointment of a particular room. As mentioned above, for apartments it is recommended to purchase a laminate of 21, 22 and 23 classes. At the same time, the least wear-resistant is suitable for a bedroom and an office. Panels assigned to class 22 will be a good floor covering for the living room and nursery. A higher category of material is recommended for hallways, loggias and kitchens. It should be borne in mind that for apartments and private houses, panels from class 21 to 23 are an inexpensive but high-quality laminate. After all, it is used in rooms with low traffic.
Laminate, starting from 31 and ending with a rare 34 class (it is produced in small batches due to the high cost), is used in public places and offices. That is, where a large number of people pass every day. What class of artificial parquet is used in a particular room? So, it is recommended to apply:
It is worth mentioning that some owners, when deciding how to choose a high-quality laminate for an apartment, buy panels of a commercial type. Of course, if the necessary financial resources are available, this can be quite expedient. It will be possible to walk on such a laminate in heels, besides, it will not be damaged if a heavy object falls on it, and it will not sag under the load of heavy furniture. And the service life of commercial artificial parquet of class 31-34 will be approximately two decades, while the period of using a cheaper coating will not exceed 5-10 years.
There is another criterion that will help answer the question of which laminate is of the highest quality. Reviews of experts advise choosing artificial parquet according to its thickness. In this case, you will need to remember some basic rules that are directly related to this indicator. The thickness of the main layer made of fiberboard determines the tightness of the panels to each other. The larger these dimensions, the stronger the joint.
In addition, the requirements for the surface on which the thin laminate is applied are more stringent. It must be perfectly smooth and flawlessly even, and this complicates the construction work.
Directly affects its sound-absorbing properties. The price of artificial parquet also depends on this parameter. How to choose a quality laminate according to this characteristic? Here again, one should take into account the room where it will be placed. Thus, panels from classes 21 to 23 are produced with a thickness of 6-8 mm, and the values \u200b\u200bof this indicator for panels with greater wear resistance are in the range of 10-12 millimeters.
How to choose a high-quality laminate that would not deteriorate from washing with a damp cloth? To do this, choose the right type of floor panel. As mentioned above, the laminate is moisture resistant and ordinary. So, the second of these types of artificial parquet is afraid of water. It is not intended for use in areas with high humidity. In addition, such panels are able to swell with prolonged contact with water. That is why in rooms where a conventional laminate is used, it is possible to carry out wet cleaning with only a slight contact of the floor surface with water.
Another thing is moisture resistant panels. They are not afraid of wet daily cleaning. In addition, they will not deteriorate even if someone spills something on the floor. That is why this material can be safely laid in the kitchen or in the hallway.
How to choose a quality laminate? The panels offered in the store are worth smelling. A strong smell indicates a bad product. What is the quality laminate? One that has no odor.
Experts also recommend comparing the proposed instances of panels by weight. What is the highest quality professionals recommend purchasing panels of greater weight. lightweight laminate is made from boards of low density and thickness. And this is confirmation of its worst quality.
Also, in order to determine which laminate is of the highest quality, it is necessary to consider it from the side of the long end. The product must be perfectly straight. The presence of any bends on it is evidence of improper or very long storage. It is especially harmful to keep ordinary panels in stock. But for a moisture-resistant laminate, a long shelf life is not a reason for deterioration in quality.
If, as a result of a long stay in a warehouse, an ordinary laminate has absorbed moisture, then after laying such boards dry out. Their surface swells and becomes covered with ugly spots, and cracks appear at the joints.
What is the best quality laminate? When buying artificial parquet, it is recommended to ask the country where this building material was produced. And here it is worth bearing in mind that almost all brands of high-quality laminate are produced in Europe. Domestic materials, as a rule, delight buyers only with prices. As for their quality, it disappoints most of our compatriots.
Unfortunately, a third of the Russian laminate market is occupied by cheap Chinese goods. Moreover, the problem here lies not at all in the producing country, but in the importers. In China, there are a large number of factories producing the highest quality laminate. However, our customers, in order to maximize profits, bring artificial parquet produced in factories engaged in handicraft production. Of course, the price of such panels is low, which allows sellers to earn large sums. But it is worth bearing in mind that such panels can be made from MDF, and not from high density. In addition, they do not correspond to the class declared in the accompanying documents. To attract buyers, such a product is placed in a beautiful package, on which high indicators that do not correspond to these plates are placed.
How to get the best quality laminate? The manufacturer of building material must be large and have already established itself in the consumer market. The floor covering can also be produced by a little-known brand, but it must be from a factory with a good reputation. Only in this case you will definitely buy a quality laminate.
When laying a new floor covering, the owners do not always know which laminate is better to choose for an apartment or a private house, which company to give preference to. When buying a suitable type of laminate, you need to choose materials with a reasonable price-quality ratio. Not always expensive materials meet the requirements and operating conditions. The type of coating chosen depends on: the comfort of staying in the room, the service life, the aesthetic appearance of the floor. We offer you to get acquainted with the rating of the best floor coverings, compiled on the basis of reviews from numerous users. The top 10 includes products from various companies producing high-quality laminate.
Due to the excellent characteristics, beautiful appearance of the laminate, the floor in the apartment acquires the best qualities: an ideal flat surface, a comfortable temperature, resistance to stress, a harmonious combination with furniture, wall decoration, etc.
Floor covering - laminate is classified according to a certain scale. By the class of the laminate, you can determine the thickness of the protective layer, which affects the durability index. Marking with an index from 21 to 43 indicates the degree of resistance of the material to wear and abrasion.
Tip: Buyers often wonder which laminate flooring is best for an apartment. When choosing a coating that is most suitable for a particular room, we recommend that you give preference to products that belong to a class of at least 31. The higher the category of the laminate, the longer the selected material will last even under heavy loads.
The Belgian company Balterio has developed a line of flooring Xpert Pro Better Narrow. This sample refers to the type of single-strip parts with a four-sided chamfer. The texture of the laminate is brown oak mystic. The material enters the distribution network in packs of 12 pieces. The dimensions of each plate are 1263×134×8 mm. The main purpose is residential and office space. Laminate Xpert Pro Better Narrow belongs to the 32nd class, is designed for operation within three to five years.
Classen Wiparquet Authentic 8 Narrow single-strip laminate with four-sided chamfer is made in Germany. The material has a wear resistance corresponding to the 32nd class, the company provides a guarantee for the product for 15 years. Individual parts measuring 1286×160×8 mm are packed in packs of 10 pieces. This amount is enough to cover an area equal to 2,057 square meters.
The Russian-made laminate KronoStar SymBio is made using the latest Swiss technologies. This flooring is intended for installation in living rooms, as well as industrial premises. Strength class - 33. The plates are supplied to the distribution network in packs of 8 pieces. The dimensions of one element are 1380 × 193x8 mm. The total area of one pack is calculated on 2.131 m² of floor covering.
Environmentally friendly flooring - Egger Kingsize V0 laminate from Germany is a high-strength material that is resistant to wear. The main application of this coating is the design of the floor in hallways, corridors, bedrooms, kitchens, children's rooms, office premises with medium traffic. In the manufacture of Egger Kingsize V0, natural wood fiber raw materials are used. In order to prevent possible deformations, a special layer of high-strength paper has been introduced into the composition of the laminate. Laying method - floating, fixing of connections - locking click system UNI fit.
Quick-Step branded flooring has a thoughtful design that creates a visual effect of increased space in the room. The surface of the Quick-Step Impressive Ultra laminate is reliably protected from external influences, mechanical shocks, scratches (class 33). During the production process, each element of the floor covering is treated with an antistatic agent, as a result of which the floor does not attract dust. The plates are connected to each other using the Uniclic locking system.
Laminate flooring of domestic production is produced under the trademark "Tarkett". The laying technology provides for the installation of plates by a unique method called "floating floors". At the same time, instead of nails, glue, screws for fixing parts, a special X’traLoc locking system is provided.
Kronotex Mammut flooring is made in Germany. In its manufacture, innovative technologies and modern high-precision equipment are used. This brand of laminate is distinguished by high quality workmanship, a large selection of colors, and environmental safety. The maximum strength of the top layer of the coating meets the requirements of class 33, the thickness of the long tapered boards is 12 mm.
Reliable laminated floor KronoStar De Facto has a unique structure, deep rustic embossing, faithfully reproducing the irregularities of natural boards, oak patterns. This material is ideal for installation in high-rise apartments, country cottages, office premises, public buildings, etc. Flooring elements are equipped with reliable Double Clic locking systems.
RichManS STRONG laminate flooring has gained popularity among builders and numerous users due to its reliability, impeccable quality, and aesthetic visual appeal. The wear resistance class of the material is 33.
Laminate from the Country collection is designed to meet the requirements of the most demanding customers. The material is made in the form of an irregular structure of various weaves of branches. All pieces are distinguished from each other by the original raw pattern. 12mm thick panels are stable, durable, class 33. Most often, these floors are popular with owners of luxury country houses decorated in a rustic style.
The German flooring Parador Edition 1 is produced by HULS Coesfeld. The coating strength class is 32. The dimensions of each sheet are 1285 x 400 x 8 mm. Individual fragments are securely connected to each other using the original Safe-Lock Profile locking system. Laminate is sold in whole packs of 5 pieces each. This number of sheets is enough to cover a floor area of 2.57 square meters.
Norwegian laminate Berry Alloc Original has a beautiful appearance. The collection includes floor coverings of various colors, patterns (at least 30 options). Airy whites predominate in the Original color palette. Along with a beautiful design, laminate from Scandinavian manufacturers is characterized by high quality workmanship. The real pride of the developers is the original locking connection made of aluminum, which ensures the tightness of the connections and easy installation.
Interesting: Berry Alloc Original was used for the flooring at the check-in desk at London Heathrow Airport.
When choosing the most suitable flooring for their home, many buyers are faced with a large number of offers. In order not to make a mistake and buy the best laminate for an apartment, it is recommended to take into account a number of important factors:
Which laminate is best suited for your apartment, which company to give preference to, the decision is made by the owner himself. The right choice and purchase of laminate flooring are important steps in the repair. We hope that this review article with rating positions, a description of the advantages and disadvantages in each case will help you decide on the best option for your home.
Which brand of laminate flooring is better to choose? We will look at this in today's review. The first in our ranking will be the brands that are members of the pan-European association EPLF, which in itself is a guarantee of quality.
The criteria and requirements for technology and materials are very high there, therefore, if any service life is declared there, then this is exactly true and such a floor will last even longer than the manufacturer guarantees.
In this article, you will find out who is the leader in this segment, as well as what quality standards for laminate a European manufacturer has, and what Russian and Chinese ones have.
So let's get started.
In this block, we present only expensive brands for the production of laminate. Of course, they are the highest quality of all, but there is a big difference between them, which you will learn about by studying this top 2018.
The price fork of all these manufacturers is from 2000 to 3000 rubles per square.
Manufacturer: Sweden
Warranty: Lifetime
The company was founded in 1974 and has been manufacturing premium laminate flooring ever since. This brand is the first in the ranking of expensive coatings, as it is really the best. Its quality is simply "indestructible", which is confirmed by a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.
In addition, it is environmentally friendly and has 84 interesting designs. And this is a rarity among representatives of such elite classes. Usually the company is limited to simple and discreet drawings, compensating for this with quality.
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Producer - Norway
EPLF Association Membership: Yes
Warranty: Lifetime
This company is the progenitor of BerryAlloc, better known in our market, the plant has been operating since 1952 and produces premium products. The products of this brand decorate the airport at Heathrow, the worldwide network of Novotel hotels, all Volkswagen salons.
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Manufacturer - Belgium
EPLF Association Membership: Yes
Warranty: Lifetime
Belgian subsidiary of Alloc. Their products are only premium.
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Manufacturer - Germany
EPLF Membership: Yes
Warranty: 25 years
The oldest brand in the laminate market. The activity began in 1866, however, as an ordinary woodworking company.
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Manufacturer - Germany
EPLF Association Membership: Yes
Warranty: 30 years
The brand has been on the market for almost 60 years. It is famous for producing an unusual, glossy laminate, which is created using acrylic resin, which is cured by an electron beam.
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Manufacturer - Austria
EPLF Association Membership: Yes
Warranty: 30 years
It is the Austrian market leader in the production of laminate.
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Manufacturer - Germany, Austria
EPLF Association Membership: Yes
Warranty: 25 years
A relatively young European brand that has existed since 1977. Their main strong point is an unusual and original design. No other company has such a variety of colors as this one.
Customer Feedback:
Manufacturer - Germany
EPLF Association Membership: Yes
Warranty: Five times lifetime
This brand gives not just a lifetime warranty, but a fivefold one. What this means is not very clear. Is it really that your great-great-great-grandchildren will be able to contact the company in 150 years and demand a replacement?
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This block contains brands whose price range is from 350 to 1000 rubles per square. This rating is based on an analysis of about 100 reviews from 2016-2017 on specialized forums.
Producer: Germany, Belgium, Russia
EPLF Association Membership: Yes
Warranty: 25 years
The manufacturer is famous for the fact that the glueless arrangement (lock) is his invention, which he introduced in 1997.
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EPLF Association Membership: Yes
Warranty: 25 years
A very old manufacturer that started in France. Then he opened branches in the USA and Sweden. Then they united in Germany.
And today there are factories in Russia, namely in Otradnoye and Mytishchi, where they produce inexpensive laminate for our market.
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Producer - Germany, Russia
EPLF Association Membership: Yes
Warranty: 20 years
The brand has been operating since 1961, relatively recently on the Russian market, but has already gained popularity due to its quality and reasonable price.
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Manufacturer - China
Warranty: 15 years
The name of this brand sounds like German, therefore, many people get confused and take it for Germany. But, this is just a marketing ploy.
The quality here is primordially Chinese, but we included it in the rating, as the company is quite popular because of the price.
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Manufacturer - Russia
EPLF Association Membership: No
Warranty: 15 years
This company is part of the Tarkett group, but it is Russian, it used to be called Roofing and Polymers. Produces a laminate inexpensive, but enough quality for their money.
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This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
Laminate has become the most popular type of flooring in recent years. If even 10 years ago only rich people could buy laminated panels, today the situation on the Russian market has changed dramatically. Many domestic and Chinese manufacturers offer quality flooring at an affordable price. In order to compete with them, Europeans have to cut prices as well. The popularity of laminate flooring is due to its beautiful appearance and durability. On average, the service life of a floor covering is at least 10-15 years. This is enough to mentally prepare for the next repair in the room.
One of the important indicators of quality and reliability is wear class. The number 31 indicates that the laminated panels are intended for use in heated dry rooms. With proper maintenance, the coating will last about 10 years. But class 34 is able to serve up to 30 years in residential premises.
The weak point in the laminate is moisture resistance. The generally accepted standard is 18%, but many premium materials have a moisture permeability range of 7-12%, which makes it possible to install panels in bathrooms or kitchens.
Laminate differs in structure and decor. And if there are no comrades for the taste and color, then the smooth coating loses somewhat to embossed products or genuine leather coatings. The grooved surface looks more ergonomic in daily use.
At the ends of some types of laminate there is a small recess, which is called a chamfer. When laying such material, the boundaries of each board are drawn. This allows you to visually smooth out the unevenness of the floor. A smooth floor covering is best laid only on a flat base.
Our review includes the best laminate manufacturers. When compiling the rating, the following criteria were taken into account:
innovative approach;
modern equipment and technologies;
price range;
expert opinion;
consumer reviews.
| Nomination | place | Name of product | rating |
| The best European laminate manufacturers | 1 | 4.9 | |
| 2 | 4.8 | ||
| 3 | 4.8 | ||
| 4 | 4.7 | ||
| 5 | 4.7 | ||
| 6 | 4.6 | ||
| 7 | 4.6 | ||
| The best Russian manufacturers of laminate or joint production with the Russian Federation | 1 | 4.9 | |
| 2 | 4.8 | ||
| 3 | 4.8 | ||
| 4 | 4.7 | ||
| 5 | 4.6 | ||
| 6 | 4.5 | ||
| Top Chinese laminate flooring manufacturers or co-production with China | 1 | 4.8 | |
| 2 | 4.6 |
European companies are considered pioneers in the field of laminate production. And today, manufacturers from Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Norway dictate fashion in the world market. Experts have chosen several popular brands in Russia.
The winner of our rating, according to experts and consumers, was the Swedish manufacturer Pergo. The company is considered the ancestor of this type of flooring. The first laminated panels appeared back in 1979. Today, the products are in demand in different countries of the world, and the technological chain at Pergo factories has been so improved that the laminate is of exceptionally high quality.
There are 12 collections in the flooring line in the most popular class 32-34. In addition to laminate, Pergo brand products such as parquet and vinyl flooring are also in demand. All products have international environmental certificates confirming the safety of the use of the material.
stylish design and texture;
wear resistance;
ease of operation and maintenance;
environmental friendliness.
The Belgian company "Balterio Laminate Floors" was established in 2001. From the moment of its formation, the employees set themselves the goal of creating promising and fashionable floor coverings based on laminated panels. Due to high quality and own developments, it was possible to quickly conquer European consumers and expand production. But the attractiveness of the Balterio laminate also interested some Asian pseudo-entrepreneurs, who launched the production of counterfeit products and flooded the Russian market with them.
According to experts, the Belgian laminate is distinguished by its reliability and durability. Not only experienced installers, but also home craftsmen can cope with laying.
a wide selection of colors and sizes;
availability of international quality certificates;
long service life (up to 30 years).
high price;
a lot of counterfeit products.
The production of laminate is the main activity of the Belgian-Norwegian company Berry Alloc. The two companies Berry Floor and Alloc combined large industrial capacities, rich experience and research base into a single whole. As a result, HPL or High Pressure Laminate flooring has entered the market. It fundamentally differs primarily in manufacturing technology, when the top layer is immediately pressed. This innovation allowed the brand to take the third place in our rating.
HPL laminated panels outperform traditional DPL (Direct Pressure) products in both quality and resilience.
the richest collection of designs;
high wear resistance;
safety in operation.
many fakes without certificates;
high price.
Kaindl products meet all modern requirements for quality and environmental friendliness. One of the reasons is the rich experience (more than 120 years) of working with wood. Experts especially note the high resistance of the laminate to moisture, which greatly expands the scope. The material has good performance and impact resistance, so that an accidental drop from the table of dishes will not lead to the destruction of the coating.
The advanced equipment allows the creation of perfect laminated panels of the Austrian company. Therefore, the products have accurate dimensions and reliable locks. The material managed to become famous not only in Europe, but also in North, South America, Russia.
low water absorption;
solid base;
long service life (30 years).
a modest set of accessories;
high price.
The German company Kronotex has been actively engaged in the production of fiberboards since 1993. The plant is part of the largest Swiss Krono Group, which has a wide dealer network in 80 countries. Experts explain the brand's inclusion in our rating by the full production cycle. Kronotex specialists independently grow wood, process it and sell it to the end user. In addition to laminate, the range includes such modern materials as HDF, MDF, OSB, etc.
A distinctive feature of Kronotex flooring is the presence of a rich range of solid colors (200 options). With the help of such panels it is possible to create a bright and creative design in different rooms.
a wide selection of colors;
high performance;
compliance with environmental standards.
a large number of fakes;
high price.
Another German laminate manufacturer made it to our rating. Classen Gruppe has been working in the woodworking industry since 1963 and has accumulated invaluable experience to this day. From a small-town factory, the enterprise has turned into a concern that unites several production sites in Germany and Poland. In addition to laminated panels, doors are well known in our country, their assembly is also established in Russia.
The basis of the Classen philosophy is to provide consumers with practical, modern and environmentally friendly products. Employees of the company can boast of many patents that are obtained for unique developments. The production of 32-33 class laminate is especially successful.
a wide choice of structures, formats, colors;
high performance;
convenient and reliable lock.
The Haro brand closes the rating of the best European laminate manufacturers. Floor coverings based on laminated panels, parquet boards and cork have been coming off the assembly line of the German concern Hamberger Flooring GmbH & Co. for more than 30 years. The geography of product consumers is amazing, deliveries are made to 90 countries. High quality laminate and stylish design are the main components of success.
Designers from Haro have a large number of their own developments. Some of them are also found in floor coverings of other brands. Experts note aquaShield protection products, Silent Pro soundproofing underlay, permaDur and bioTec coatings. The laminate is equipped with two types of locks. The Lock Connect plus is considered a classic of the genre, while the Top Connect 4G hitch is considered more modern.
spectacular design;
own developments;
strong locks.
no bright colors
high price.
In order to occupy their niche in the Russian market, foreign laminate manufacturers had to resolve the issue of price. To reduce the cost of production, joint ventures and branches have been established in our country. The following domestic brands were included in the review.
The appearance of the Tarkett brand dates back to 1987. The main area of activity for the company was the production of soft floor coverings (carpet, vinyl). Subsequently, the plant expanded its product line and turned into a large concern Tarkett Sommer AG. It is located in Mytishchi, Moscow Region, where laminate flooring is produced under the trademarks Tarkett and Sinteros.
Experts gave the brand a palm for high quality and an affordable price for domestic consumers. The floor covering has a long service life (15-25 years), which is more than enough until the next repair. The use of simple but effective locks allows you to independently mount the floor covering.
high quality;
acceptable price;
durability;
wear resistance.
The Belgian-Russian company Quick-Step belongs to the large concern UNILIN. It is famous for adhesive-free floor coverings, which appeared in the company's assortment in 1997. During its existence, its own developments managed to be born in the bowels of Quick-Step. For example, a V-shaped chamfer. The first collection was presented in 2001 with the memorable name "Perspective". Laminate imitated the texture of a plank floor, which led to the popularity of a beautiful volumetric coating.
In Russia, the Quick-Step plant appeared in the city of Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod Region. This happened in 2011, immediately after its opening, affordable and stylish products began to be supplied to the domestic market.
unique decor;
locks of own design;
moisture resistant laminate for the bath.
persistent odor;
the quality is inferior to the Belgian counterparts.
The appearance of the Ritter brand occurred in 2009, when Laminat-Trade LLC began the mass production of floor coverings. Experts highly appreciated the company's unique developments and unusual style approaches. The brand received a place on the podium of the rating not only for the unusual embossing in the form of leather, but also for the European quality of products. Thanks to modern German equipment, the domestic manufacturer managed to achieve stability in size and precise execution of locks.
Laminate managed to win its niche in the Russian market in a short period of time. Experts attribute lightning-fast progress to such success factors as the use of high-quality raw materials, in-house developments and the availability of a production laboratory.
original design developments;
affordable products;
long service life (30 years).
a modest choice of decors;
lack of smooth coatings in the assortment.
Laminate under the Kronostar brand is successfully produced in Russia, although it is controlled by the large international concern Krono Group. Thanks to European equipment and modern technologies, the domestic plant in Kostroma manages to produce floor coverings, wall panels, MDF and other high quality materials.
The brand got into our rating for solving a difficult task that the plant employees set for themselves. They make every effort to produce not only high-quality, but also safe for humans laminate. It was this approach that allowed the head of the enterprise to win the honorary title "Environmentalist of the Year" in 2013 and 2014. Many experts consider Kronostar laminated panels to be the most environmentally friendly material.
environmental friendliness;
affordable price;
high technical characteristics.
poor choice of designs;
All collections are the same size.
More than 56 years have passed since the commissioning of the first chipboard press in Austria. Since then, Egger has developed into an international concern with modern factories in various European countries. Several branches have also been built in Russia, where high-quality laminate is produced, as well as other materials based on chipboard. Experts assessed the scope of production in our country and included the brand in our rating.
Laminated panels of classes 31-33 are produced not only under the Egger trademark, but also on order for large enterprises and trade organizations. For floor coverings, the manufacturer's line includes all the necessary accessories, from decorative elements to care products.
a large selection of designs and formats;
waterproof collection Egger Aqua +;
possibility of wall mounting.
come across panels with weak locks;
high price.
A large holding that unites factories in Turkey, Bulgaria, Russia, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina is Kastamonu. It is one of the five largest woodworking companies in Europe. Laminate occupies a special place in the product line. In order to make the floor material as accessible as possible for the inhabitants of our country, an enterprise with a full production cycle was built in Yelabuga. Thanks to the use of innovative technologies and the constant improvement of the skills of employees, the brand managed to win back its niche in the Russian market in a short time.
Experts appreciated the combination of affordable laminate and excellent quality, which meets European standards. This is confirmed by flattering reviews of domestic consumers.
affordable price;
great quality;
environmental friendliness.
a modest choice of designs and colors; there are defective panels.
Chinese manufacturers have recently improved the quality of products, while maintaining an affordable price. Many of them are created by well-known European concerns that control the manufacturing process. Several brands were able to get into our rating.
The German concern Floorwood has a simple but important goal. The company's employees want to make quality floors accessible to all sectors of society. Laminate with a long warranty period is produced in different countries, but most of the products are manufactured in China. German quality is ensured by strict quality control, but it is not difficult to achieve it thanks to the most advanced equipment and quality wood.
Experts gave the first place in the rating to the brand for a rich set of shades and structures. The lineup is constantly updated. The buyer is offered both very wide panels and shortened narrow slats. A convenient lock allows you to install the laminate on your own.
many interesting collections;
long warranty period;
volumetric 5G fixation.
Experts gave the second place in the rating to the Goodway brand for originality. The company's innovation lies in the fact that each country offers its own line of laminate. The most luxurious and rich is floor products for the Arab countries. Each panel is highlighted with a special U-shaped chamfer. In total, 8 collections have been developed, taking into account the flavor of different countries.
Such an indicator of laminate as reliability and durability also looks good. The flooring from the Celestial Empire has been assigned classes 33 and 34, and the warranty period for products is 25 years. To make the products even more accessible to Russians, two collections began to be made in our country.
original collections;
compliance with international and Russian standards;
long warranty period.
