Can laminate flooring be installed on flat walls? How to use laminate on the wall in the interior of various rooms

- a fairly well-known material used for flooring. It is considered one of the best options, as it allows you to make the floors not only beautiful, but also durable. But it turns out that this type of coating can also be used for, and designers have now begun to use this technique quite often, although a few years ago the idea of \u200b\u200bputting flooring on the wall would have been bewildering. So, laying laminate on the wall – great design solution. Why is it considered as such and how to lay this coating on vertical surfaces? This material is dedicated to the answers to these questions.

Laminate on the wall - what is unique about this coating option?

Previously, the walls in the apartment were either covered with plaster or covered with wallpaper. In such premises as a corridor, a bathroom, decorative panels or tiles could be used. But designers continue to look for more and more interesting and practical options for wall decoration. Surprisingly, now such material as a laminate, which is known to everyone as a practical, beautiful and interesting flooring, has begun to be attached to vertical surfaces.

If we talk about laminate on the floor, it is worth noting that it is able not only to imitate natural wood or stone, but also to serve for many years. Moreover, it is so easy to install that everyone can lay it down even without the involvement of third-party help in the form of master finishers.

What influenced the fact that the laminate was not used for its intended purpose? Why did they begin to mount it on the walls, and not just on the floors. It's simple - this material is distinguished by its beauty and ease of installation, moreover, fixing it on the walls is considered an even easier task than laying it on the floor. Walls finished with laminate look very interesting, they can visually enlarge the space, make it more original and cozier. Sometimes it is fixed even on the ceilings.

On a note! Laminate wall decoration is very often used in small rooms.

So, the advantages of finishing walls with laminate can be considered:

the possibility of obtaining a perfectly flat surface of the walls;
a chance to achieve the perfect color combination of the surface of the walls and floor, as well as furniture and other elements of the room;

the laminate can be mounted by placing the lamellas both vertically and horizontally, which gives a chance to choose the perfect wall design;
laminate will allow you to perfectly zone the space and visually break even the smallest and cramped room into several zones;
laminate is much stronger and more reliable than traditional wall coverings such as panels; it will not break from an accidental impact on it, unlike the same PVC;
by analogy with the previous paragraph, laminate is much better than tile - it does not break on impact and is much easier to install than the latter;
it is very easy to care for such a coating - you do not need to buy any specialized products to clean it;
it is an environmentally friendly material that can easily imitate a wooden or stone surface due to the variety of colors and textures.

But laminated walls also have their drawbacks, which are important to consider when deciding on this type of wall decoration. For example, do not forget that the laminate does not like water, which means that in the bathroom, you should not mount it either on the floor or on the walls. This material will quickly collapse in conditions of high humidity. The exception is moisture-resistant lamellas, which have an increased resistance to water, but are much more expensive than a conventional standard laminate.

It is also worth considering your budget. Laminate, although it is considered far from the most expensive flooring, is still more expensive than the same PVC wall panels. And one more feature that is important to know: laminate is a heavy material, and it must be securely fastened to the walls, otherwise it may collapse. But at the same time, it is important to understand that under the influence of humidity and temperature, the coating can slightly change its physical parameters (dimensions), which means that it is better to avoid a clear and rigid connection of the lamellas to each other.

Features of finishing walls with laminate

Thus, it is quite possible to mount the laminate on the walls. The main thing is to adequately evaluate all the pros and cons and make an informed decision. The recommendations below will help you make your choice.

Laminate is a wear-resistant material, but it is still recommended to put one that has a good class on the floor. But on the walls you can fix the thinnest - the impact on it will still be much less than on the floor.
You should not hang laminate on the walls near the batteries - in this place of the room it is better to choose a different finish. Hot air during the heating season will adversely affect the condition of the lamellas and may render them unusable.
In any case, the walls must be leveled before installing the laminate, if they do not have a perfectly flat surface.. However, everything here will largely depend on the method of fixing the coating. The masters also note that this finishing option helps in some cases to hide defects and irregularities of vertical surfaces.

The main advantage of the material, which I would like to note, is the possibility of its installation without the involvement of craftsmen. Most people are able to cope with the task of fixing the laminate to the walls themselves.

On a note! Laminate is able to increase the soundproofing properties of walls. Of course, perfect sound insulation cannot be achieved with it, but this indicator can be partially increased, which is important in houses with “cardboard” walls, where the audibility is very high.

The opinions of the masters regarding the possibility of laying laminate on the walls were divided. Some believe that the arguments in favor of this option are far-fetched, and the installation of the coating is pointless. Others believe that this is an excellent solution that has a place to be implemented. In any case, the owner will have to decide on his own.

On a note! Laminate is not suitable for architecturally complex walls. It can only be used on flat surfaces.

Class, color and other factors

Choosing a laminate for walls, you can relax a little. For the floor, it is more difficult to choose it, since the base is in any case exposed to much more impact than the same walls. But, nevertheless, the class, color and type of coating must be taken into account when deciding to install it on the walls.

Table. Tips for choosing a laminate.

Parameter	Recommendation
	There are a lot of laminate colors, but the most popular are imitation of wood and stone. When choosing the color of the coating, you need to take into account that all packages with lamellas must be produced within the same series - only then will it be possible to buy a laminate of the same shade. It is also important to consider the overall style and color scheme of the interior. Only in this case, you can choose the right color. The ideal option is to choose a color to match the shade of the floor or furniture.
	There are several grades of laminate that can be divided into residential and commercial. So, the laminate of 21-31 classes belongs to the first, and 33-34 classes to the second. They differ in strength characteristics and a number of factors. You can mount on the walls without worrying about the further condition of the coating, the thinnest and cheapest class.
	There is a special type of laminate, which is characterized by increased moisture resistance. Indeed, if a small amount of water gets on it, the material will not deteriorate (of course, we are not talking about cardinal flooding of the premises and final damage to the coating). This option is advised to use in kitchens and bathrooms. Deciding whether to purchase such a coating will have to be done depending on the conditions of use of the laminate. However, it is not recommended to attach even a moisture-resistant laminate to the walls in the bathroom, and even more so to the ceiling in it.
	Lamellas can have different types of interlocks. It is not worth emphasizing here, since absolutely any option can be taken for mounting on walls. It won't play a role. But in general, it is still better to take lamellas that are connected according to the “click” type.

How can laminate flooring be fixed to the wall?

And now the most interesting thing is how to fix the lamellas on a vertical surface? When installing the coating on the floor, the laminate is simply placed on a horizontal surface, and is fixed to each other only due to the locks at the ends. On the walls, such a connection will not be enough to keep the coating in a vertical position. So here you need to go in other ways - there are only 3 of them:

fixation on the frame, that is, on a wooden or aluminum crate;
gluing on liquid nails or special glue;
fixing with clamps.

On a note! Sometimes there are 4 types of fixing the laminate on the wall, dividing the frame version into two types - mounting on a wooden crate or fixing on an aluminum profile.

In any case, it is important to understand that laminate is far from a lightweight material. Therefore, any option for fixing it on the walls must be reliable and of high quality.

Most choose the adhesive fixation method, as it is much easier than others. In this case, the lamellas are simply glued to the wall surface due to reliable adhesive components. For example, it can be liquid nails or silicone-based glue. It is important to understand that the surface of the wall in this case must be perfectly flat. Otherwise, there will be gaps between the lamellae. But if the walls allow, then the easiest way is to use this option. And it is better to additionally glue the lock, due to which the lamellas are connected to each other.

Laminate on the wall in the interior of the kitchen - photo

If the walls do not have a flat surface, then it is recommended to use the option with a crate. So, in this case, it will be necessary to fix wooden blocks or an aluminum profile on the wall and fasten the lamellas on them with nails or kleimers. In this case, you will have to tinker with the finish longer, but you do not need to level the walls. And the soundproofing will be better. Reiki are attached at a distance of 20-50 cm from each other.

Laying laminate: options

As for the laminate itself, just like on the floor, it can be laid vertically, horizontally or diagonally. In the first case, the lamellas will go from floor to ceiling, in the second - from one wall to another, in the third - from one corner to another, located diagonally. The last option is the most difficult, and therefore it is recommended for beginners in the repair business to choose the first or second method.

What will be required?

Laminate wall finishing is not difficult, but it may still require certain equipment. The mandatory set, which may vary depending on the type of installation chosen, includes:

perforator;
mallet;
jigsaw;
screwdriver;
spatulas;
measuring devices;
building level.

You will also need the laminate itself and glue if the adhesive fixation method is chosen. In some cases, the need for spatulas can be avoided if liquid nails are used. They are, as a rule, packed in a special tube, from which they are squeezed out directly onto the wrong side of the lamellas.

Wall decoration with laminate - photo

On a note! To increase adhesion when using the adhesive method, it is best to pre-clean the surface of the walls from dust and primer.

Adhesive bonding of laminate

Consider step by step the easiest way to fix the laminate - adhesive.

Step 1. First of all, the wall must be prepared for this type of work, that is, leveled and then primed. Next, you need to wait for the surface to dry, and then you can proceed to further work.

Step 2 The laminate must be brought into the room in which it will be installed and left for a couple of days. During this time, he will "get used" to the conditions of further operation and will have time to acclimatize. Then the packs need to be opened and make sure that all the lamellas have the same color and texture. If necessary, the panels should be sorted by shades.

Step 3 Installation in this case must be started from the upper right corner, since there will be a refrigerator on the left, and in which case it will cover the trimmed and incomplete panels. In visible spaces, it is necessary to use the most solid lamellae. It is required to try on the first panel.

Step 5 On the wrong side of the lamella, you need to apply liquid nails with a “snake” along the entire length of the lamella.

Step 6 Next, the lamella must be glued to the wall so that there is a gap of about 5 mm between it and the edge of the wall. The lamella must be carefully pressed against the wall and even slammed with a hand to ensure the reliability of the connection of the surfaces.

Step 7 Then you need to measure the space under the glued lamella, which remained uncovered, and apply the resulting size to the new lamella. The markup must be applied with a pencil and a square to get a perfectly even line.

Step 8 Now you need to cut off the excess from the lamella with a jigsaw according to the marked markings.

Step 9 By the same principle as in steps 5 and 6, you need to glue the lamella to the wall. It is important to match the locks of the new and previously laid slats with each other. The first row is ready.

Step 10 The second row of laminate must be glued immediately, previously, before gluing to the wall. It is important that the joints of the lamellas in adjacent rows are not in the same place. The whole lamella and segments of the required length must be assembled in one row and secured on the front side with adhesive tape.

Step 12 Then a number of lamellas with glue must be inserted into the locks of the previously laid lamellas and the laminate should be glued.

Step 13 Thus, you need to paste over the entire wall. By the way, if you cut off all the end locks, then the lamellas can be glued without first connecting to each other, one at a time on the walls.

Step 14 When installing laminate on walls, sometimes you need to bypass sockets. You can do this this way: you need to set the laser level in such a way that the intersection of its two beams falls on the center of the socket. Then you need to substitute the panel and mark the location of the outlet on it, focusing on the level. Next, you just need to cut a hole of the required size with a jigsaw and glue the panel.

Step 15 Thus, you need to paste over the entire wall. The last row of lamellas will need to be adjusted to the width of the remaining space, remembering to leave a small gap between the edge of the wall and the last lamella.

Video - Laminate on the wall. Mounting horizontally

This is how a laminate from a floor covering can turn into a wall. And this is not surprising - why not use this type of material not quite for its intended purpose, if it can perfectly play the role of wall covering? So the lamellas may well replace the standard options for finishing vertical surfaces in any home. Especially in the installation of laminate on the walls there is nothing complicated.

The combination of decorative materials, as well as design tricks, will create an original interior in the house. The unusual design of the room pleases the eyes of the owners and guests of the house.

One such material is laminate. This flooring has been widely used in the construction industry. The laminated board is laid on the floor, ceiling, it is also used for wall cladding. Laying laminate on the wall can be done independently.

Pros and cons of using laminate

The advantages of wall cladding with laminate pushed conventional PVC panels into the background. Laying a laminated board on a wall is used both for ordinary finishing and for decorating a room.

The benefits of laminate flooring include:

Similarity to wood or other desired material, which allows you to get any decoration for your home.
The color spectrum for every taste and variety of textures.
Coating strength, durability.
The laminate is made of environmentally friendly components.
A small price per m 2.
With the help of a laminated board, the surface of the walls is leveled.
Easy installation.
It does not require much time or effort to care for.

If used incorrectly, laminated panels lose their advantages:

Due to its vulnerability to temperatures, this is not the best option for the kitchen.
Laminate's intolerance to damp environments makes it unsuitable for bathroom cladding.
Vulnerability to sunlight. Balconies or verandas are also unacceptable places for laying laminate on a wall.

In all cases, this material will be able to withstand due to the quality of the coating and strength. But its service life will be reduced.

Types of laminate

In addition to the abundance of textures, as well as colors, laminated panels differ depending on the method of attaching sheets:

Fastening with "liquid nails" (glue).
Tongue-and-groove connection - fastening due to the groove and spike (Lock-type lock).
Lock fastening (Click type lock).

Fastening with "liquid nails" is carried out for sheets with even edges. Glue is applied both to the inside of the laminated sheet and to the side walls. The disadvantage of this method is the installation of panels only on a flat wall.

The tongue and groove connection is more effective than glued connection. Such sheets have a lock (the spike is inserted into the groove). Sometimes glue is used, but only for the inside of the laminated board. The tongue and groove are fastened with brackets or nails, like ordinary panels.

The most effective type of connection is the Click lock. This advanced tongue-and-groove connection makes laying laminate flooring on your wall easy and durable. The Click lock is more complex in design, but the fastening strength is also higher.

Required Tools

Before laying the laminate on the wall, you need to prepare everything. For work you will need:

Drill, drills, drills, nozzle for mixing glue.
Screwdriver, jigsaw (or file).
Hammer, construction nails, furniture stapler, screwdrivers.
"Liquid nails", sealant, polyurethane foam.
Roulette, level, spatulas, pencil and more.

This is an approximate list of tools, it varies depending on the type and complexity of the work. It is not necessary to use glue for lock fasteners. It is not needed for Click mounts.

Mounting foam is needed to fill the gaps between the wall and the panels. Small gaps are sealed with sealant. The process of installing a laminate on a wall surface includes several stages.

Wall surface preparation

If the wall has curvature or other imperfections, level it first. This can be done in several ways. The standard method is to level the wall with plaster. This option is difficult, it requires additional time.

An easier way to level the wall is to install additional sheeting - drywall or plywood, and lay the panels on top of it. The most common and convenient option is the installation of crates. The frame is made of both wooden beams and corrugated board (metal profile).

Installing a frame will reduce the size of the room, so if it is small, it is better to align the wall in a different way. If the plane is flat, then the laminated board is placed directly on top of the wall. Clean and dry the surface before installation.

Measurements and markings

Calculate the amount of materials needed with a margin (5-10%). Before laying the laminate on the wall, mark the extreme mounting points on the frame or other surface. This is done to maintain the correct order of the laminated boards.

It is worth paying attention to the edge boards, which may need to be shortened to fit the wall.

The entire surface of the wall is not always covered with laminate, it is often used only for decorating a certain area. In such cases, marks are placed on the wall. Further laying is done according to the level of these marks.

Laminate installation

Before installation, dismantle the skirting boards and platbands. When using a frame, install the bars half a meter apart, according to the future position of the laminated board. If laminate sheets are laid horizontally, then the bars are installed vertically. In the case of vertical laying - the bars have a horizontal position.

Laying laminate on the wall should always be from below. When laying horizontally, a horizontal bar is also installed (at the very bottom) for installing special holders. The lower strip is considered the most important, since the rest of the skin levels are guided by it.

Here it is very important to carefully check the correct position of the boards, using a level and a corner. Each plank must be knocked out with a small bar so that the spike fits snugly into the groove. Fastening is carried out at the location of the tongue.

With paper clips or small nails, the laminate sheet is attached to the frame bar. If necessary, the tenon of the laminated board is treated with a sealant. Periodically check how evenly each layer of sheets is laid.

It is not difficult to install the laminate yourself using adhesive fastening, but be sure to control the uniformity of the adhesive layers. This is done with a notched trowel. First, assemble a small structure from laminated boards, then glue it on the wall with one “plate”. "Liquid nails" must be of good quality - this is a guarantee that the panels do not "swell" over time.

Do not fasten each level of panels to the frame! It is better to do this after 4-5 strips. To avoid difficulties during the subsequent installation of skirting boards and corners, leave gaps of 10 mm between the respective extreme points.

Finishing touches

When the laminate is laid on the wall, it remains to install the baseboards and corners. If the laminate was used as a decorative part of the wall, then a metal profile or a decorative panel is installed along the edges of such a structure. The remaining gaps are treated with silicone sealant.

When laying laminated panels, appropriate corners and skirting boards are installed. The gaps and remaining gaps are closed with a sealant. The platbands return to their places, and the surface is cleaned of dust.

Installing laminate on the wall with your own hands is not such a difficult process as it seems. In some cases, you will have to "tinker" a little longer. But, subject to all the rules, you can do the job efficiently and quickly.

Design solutions in some cases may be unexpected, but they always add a twist to the interior or exterior. It's more common to see flooring in place, but in some cases it looks great on a wall too. This, for example, can be said about the laminate. It is not difficult to perform such a finish on your own, but it is important to know the technology of how to lay a laminate on a wall. The advantages of this option, as well as the installation method, will be discussed in the article.

Laminate in the interior

Laminate has been used for decoration for a long time and there are several simple and convincing reasons for this. Among them are:

variety of textures;
wide choice of color schemes;
resistance to mechanical stress;
long service life;
simple installation scheme;
ease of maintenance.

On the market you can find an abundance of solutions that imitate various types of wood. You can choose from representatives that are considered rare or very expensive. Along with the texture, it is easy to choose the color of the laminate. It can be soft beige or flashy orange. Everything will depend on the overall picture that is planned for a particular room. Laminate is originally a floor covering, so it perfectly tolerates mechanical impact, which can be blows. Under proper conditions, laminate flooring will last more than 20 years without much difficulty and will require replacement due to the desire to update something. With proper skill, the installation of the flooring can be done independently. Installation can be carried out without special tools. Caring for the laminate on the wall is carried out in the same way as on the floor. At the same time, its cleaning is easier, because there are no strong polluting factors. Among the shortcomings that should be considered when solving wall decoration, you need to know:

sensitivity to high humidity;
sensitivity to temperature changes;
harmful secretions.

The laminate has a wood-fiber layer in its composition, which is the reason for the sensitivity to changes in temperature and humidity. The consequences of such exposure may be the loss of shape of the laminate lamellae. This leads to a violation of the integrity of the seams and the need for replacement. Inexpensive types of laminate may contain resins that release phenol or other substances. The latter represent a serious harm to the human body.

Which one to use for the wall

When choosing a laminate as a floor covering, special attention is paid to its strength and durability, so they buy a medium or high class in terms of strength. For walls, the picture is a little different. Since there is no special load on the laminate, you should not overpay for a high class. You can stop at options 21,22 and 23 classes. The main criterion is the texture and color that the finishing material has. In big cities, you can still find such varieties of laminate, but in small ones you will have to make an additional order, because sellers rarely keep slow-moving goods.

Another problem that can be encountered when choosing a low-end laminate is the interlock. Some manufacturers produce this type only with a Lock lock, which involves the use of glue when performing installation work. Such a product is easier to install, but in some cases it is difficult to achieve perfect seams between the planks. In this case, you will need a special glue, which must be applied both to the lock itself and to the wrong side of the panel. More difficult to install, but more reliable in operation, is a Click type lock. When joining two separate laminate planks, they must be held at a certain angle to fit into the groove. At the same time, a characteristic sound is heard, indicating the successful completion of the work. Additionally, metal staples or clamps hold the strips in place. In some cases, the best solution is to use glue in the form of liquid nails.

Where to apply

Laminate, fixed on the wall, will not be a good solution for every room. For example, it cannot be used in the kitchen. Due to constant cooking, a large amount of water vapor is released, which will surely settle on the surface of the laminate and seep into the seams, causing its deformation. In addition, there are significant temperature fluctuations in the kitchen, which also adversely affect the flooring. The same fate befalls the bathroom, where vibrations can have even greater amplitude.

Note! Some types of laminate do not have a wooden, but a plastic base. It is insensitive to moisture changes, so this laminate can be considered as an option for installation in the kitchen, but its price is too high for such purposes.

Laminate on the wall looks great in the bedroom. For example, they can lay out a small area behind the bed, which will visually highlight the sleeping area. Laminate is used to protect the walls in the hallway, so it is laid out at a level above the waist. Fragmentally, you can highlight the area in the living room, where there is a sofa or TV. An excellent solution would be to use a shade different from that used on the floor. In this case, the regions will not merge.

Laying process

The process of laying the cladding on the wall will depend on the condition of the wall. If it is even and puttied, then you can mount it directly on the wall, but if the surface is not perfect, then you will have to resort to using the crate. Each method will be discussed in more detail below.

Preparatory stage

The preparatory stage includes calculation work and tool preparation. To calculate the required amount of laminate, it is necessary to determine the area of the area on which the laminate will be laid out. If it will be the shape of one of the geometric shapes, then it is necessary to apply the appropriate formula. In some cases, the shape is complex, so it will need to be scaled onto paper and divided into simple shapes. After that, their areas are calculated and the results are summarized. The next step is to calculate the plank area of the chosen laminate for the wall. To do this, the length of one plank of the laminate is multiplied by the width. The total area is divided by the area of the laminate plank. This will determine the number of laminate strips that will be needed. Their number must be divided by the number in the package and it will become clear how many packages will be required.

Advice! The material should be purchased with a margin of several strips to compensate for miscalculations or unforeseen situations.

For high-quality laying of a laminate, you will need such a tool:

a hammer;
rubber mallet;
level;
perforator;
screwdriver;
liquid Nails;
sealant gun;
marking tool;
a hacksaw with a fine tooth or a miter saw;
kleimers;
seam lubricant.

A puncher and a screwdriver will be needed when the installation of the laminate on the wall will be done using the crate. It is also worth taking care of a sufficient number of dowels and screws.

flat wall

Laying laminate on a perfectly flat wall is a pleasure, but you have to work hard before installation. Before carrying out work, it is necessary to clearly mark the area on the wall where the strips will be mounted. It's best to start at the bottom and work your way up. Before fixing the first plank, it is necessary to cut the spike from it in order to ensure a better connection to the floor. To do this, you can use a construction knife or a hacksaw. It can be supported directly on the floor if the installation is carried out from its plane. In another version, it is important to set it horizontally in level and fix it to the wall with a self-tapping screw or rest it on a stand, the height of which will correspond to the initial level of mounting the planks on the wall.

The reverse side of the laminate plank is smeared with liquid nails. This must be done evenly, preferably in a zigzag pattern. The bar is applied to the wall and pressed down well. The adhesive should be evenly distributed between the plank and the wall. Kleimers cannot be used, because for each one one would have to drill a hole in the wall and mount a dowel under a small self-tapping screw. Thus, the first row is mounted. The second must start with half the plank. This is important to ensure that the seams are interlaced. If the adhesive method of mounting on the wall is used, then the seams are covered with glue. In the case when mounting without glue is used, then it is better to cover the locks with a special silicone grease. It facilitates the articulation of the seams, and also makes them elastic. To facilitate the task, you will need to use a rubber mallet or hammer and lining.

Advice! If you have to install the laminate on the entire plane of the wall, then you can pre-install moisture-resistant plywood. The glue will adhere better with it, and it is also easy to drive kleimers into it with the help of small nails. This installation method can be seen in the video below.

uneven wall

An uneven wall can always be leveled with plaster or putty. But it will take time not only to work, but also to dry the composition. When there is no desire to spend money on additional work or deadlines are running out, then it is better to mount on the wall using a crate. The option of how to lay a laminate on a wall using a crate is very similar to how the lining is mounted indoors. A wooden board or an aluminum profile can act as a crate. When buying wood for the crate, you should make sure that it is of good quality. It should be well dried and pest-free, as subsequent difficulties will not take long.

The next step is to determine the drop, which has a wall plane. For these purposes, you can use a laser level. A beam is projected that is parallel to the wall. From it it is necessary to make measurements at various points and calculate the difference. The crate is mounted in increments that will not exceed the size of half the laminate plank. If the laminate on the wall is horizontal, then the battens should go vertically and vice versa. It is in this case that the required emphasis will be provided. The space between the racks of the crate can be filled with mineral wool insulating material for additional thermal and sound insulation.

The lathing slats are fastened taking into account the difference in the wall. Wooden ones are ground with a planer, and metal ones are leveled with mounting brackets. Installation of the laminate on the crate takes place in the same way as in the previous version. At the same time, each lath of the laminate is fixed with the help of a kleimer, which is fixed to the crate. It is important to remember that a gap of 5 mm must be made from the side walls, floor and ceiling. It is necessary for temperature compensation. When the temperature changes, the laminate strips may expand or narrow slightly, which will be compensated by the gap. The gap between the walls and the laminate can be closed with a skirting board.

Summary

As you can see, installing laminate on a wall is an interesting task. Laminate does not have to be perpendicular to one of the walls. The diagonal arrangement of the laminate on the wall looks interesting. In this case, there is no need to match the arrangement of the furniture with the lines of the seams of the laminate. If desired, the laminate on the wall can be laid out with a rhombus or other geometric figure. With fragmentary placement on the wall, it is easy to make a backlight along the edge of the LED strip.

On the wall, at first glance it will seem unusual to a person uninitiated in the trend of modern renovation. However, there is nothing exotic here. In fact, this type of finish has not only an unusual, interesting look, but is also very practical and durable. Laminate has been used for quite a long time for laying on the floor in various rooms - everyone is used to it. But wall cladding with this material is, perhaps, extremely rare. There are a lot of photos by which you can judge the interesting nature of this method of finishing the room.

In this article, we will consider how to do-it-yourself laminate wall cladding, the technical and aesthetic components of this method. The use of laminate for laying on the wall is increasingly used in the interior of residential and office premises. The use of MDF panels and various types of siding is a thing of the past. In the article we will tell you how to fix the laminate on the wall with your own hands, we will demonstrate photo and video instructions.

Benefits of laminate wall cladding

The main advantage of laminate flooring is its environmental friendliness. It contains no toxic fumes, making it ideal for a wide range of indoor applications.
Laminate was originally designed as a floor covering, therefore it has excellent strength characteristics, which means it will last a very long time on the wall.
Since the cost of a laminate directly depends on the strength class, a low-class laminate is perfect for wall cladding, without sacrificing quality at all.
Lots of different textures and colors. This opens up great horizons for imagination when decorating walls.
Ease of installation of laminated panels. This means that even an inexperienced person in this matter can lay a laminate.

disadvantages

Unfortunately, this method also has disadvantages. Fortunately, there are few of them:

The susceptibility of this finishing material to moisture. Therefore, with prolonged contact of the laminate with water, deformation or swelling of the panels may occur.
A certain sensitivity to sudden changes in temperature. This disadvantage must be taken into account, for example, when facing the walls of the kitchen. In case of particularly unfavorable temperature conditions, the quality of the appearance may slightly decrease.

That's actually all. It is enough to observe some precautions, for example, it is not recommended to lay the laminate on the walls of the bathroom, balcony, or kitchen. As a finishing coating for the walls of these rooms, it is best to use traditional, proven methods.

How to choose a laminate for wall cladding

Conventional shunt laminate. This type is familiar to everyone. It is he who is most often laid on the floor. The convenience of its use lies in the fact that the laminated panels themselves are connected by a special shunt lock;
Adhesive laminate. This type of panels is connected to the surface and to each other using building glue, or ordinary liquid nails.
Laminate with click lock. This type has a more perfect lock, which snaps into place, preventing the panels from separating. Such a laminate has a higher strength.

Laminate is divided not only by color and texture, but the main indicator is the strength class. It is this parameter that determines the price of the material. It must be remembered - the higher the class, the higher the quality of the laminate. The advantage of using a laminate board for wall decoration is also the possibility of using low-grade panels 21-31. After all, there will be no mechanical load on the laminate.

How to fix on the walls

So, to get a beautiful finish on the walls, you need to carefully level the surface. The beauty and accuracy of the lining depends on this. Treat this preparatory action as the most important. Of considerable importance is how to fix the laminate. Laying laminate on the walls is done in two ways:

Fastening to the crate. It is used in case of large curvature of the walls. The advantage of this method is that there is no need to level the walls. In addition, an additional layer of heat and sound insulation can be laid under the crate. In modern budget apartments with "cardboard" walls, this method may be preferable.
First of all, you need to calculate the required amount of laminate. To this amount, you need to add another 10 percent for trimming and fitting.
Prepare the wall for laying. The wall must be smooth and dry. If you decide to make a crate, then this will require a little more effort from you. The crate is made either from wooden bars, or from metal or aluminum profiles, which are attached to the wall with self-tapping screws. The distance between the screws should be no more than 40 cm.
Sticking directly to the wall. Here, the preparation of the surface for gluing is of particular importance. Various glue can be used: construction, liquid nails, titanium, etc. Glue is applied with a "snake".

Work procedure

First of all, you need to calculate the required amount of laminate. To this amount, you need to add another 10% for trimming and fitting.
Prepare the wall for laying. The wall must be smooth and dry. If you decide to make a crate, then this will require a little more effort from you. The crate is made either from wooden bars, or from metal or aluminum profiles, which are attached to the wall with self-tapping screws. The distance between the screws should be no more than 40 cm
The panels can be fixed to the wall both vertically and horizontally. If you plan to clad the entire wall from ceiling to floor, it's best to start at the top.
In the case of gluing the laminate, it is treated with an adhesive composition, pressed against the wall and fixed for a while until the glue sets. The panels are attached to the crate with brackets, which are used for mounting plastic panels.
After finishing the walls, it is necessary to give them a finished look by installing ceiling and floor skirting boards.

A photo

Video

This video shows the process of fixing the laminate to the wall, with explanations of the master doing the work:

This video will help you understand how to close niches in the wall with laminate:

Wall decoration with laminate can be done in several ways, both with a horizontal arrangement of panels and with a vertical one. Before proceeding to a description of the intricacies of technology, let's get acquainted with the varieties of laminate suitable for wall decoration.

Which laminate is suitable for walls: adhesive, tongue and groove or click?

On adhesive laminate the edges are even, without a lock. The adhesive laminate is laid on a flat surface on liquid nails or building silicone: glue is applied to the inside of the panel in a zigzag pattern, the strip is laid, glue is applied to the end, the next one is laid, etc. The streaks of glue that have come out at the joints are immediately removed with a cloth slightly moistened with table vinegar. The adhesive laminate is not suitable for laying on the crate due to the small area of contact with the underlying surface. The floors are covered with adhesive laminate.
sheet piling panels equipped with a tongue-and-groove lock. It can be laid with glue without gluing the tongue, so that the joints come out dry and always neat. When laying dry, the strips are fixed into the groove of the tongue like a lining: with small nails (only to a wooden crate) or staples-stamps (to a wooden and metal crate). Sheet piling is suitable for all surfaces of the room: floors, walls, ceilings.
click laminate- Improvement of sheet piling. The comb in the section has a pear-shaped shape; the groove profile matches it. When laying it, the adjacent panel is tilted at about 20 degrees, the lock comb is inserted into the groove, and, turning to the base, they are pressed - the lock snaps into place. Cladding made of click laminate has increased strength and resistance to buckling. In addition to glue, click-laminate is fixed with nails into the grooves of the lock. Claymers cannot be used - the lock will not snap into place. Click laminate on the walls can be glued to a wooden crate.

Laminate is also called MDF panels of the same size as laminate panels. This is a very good material, but expensive, so it is not considered in this article. But all the working techniques and subtleties for a laminate based on fiberboard and chipboard are also suitable for MDF. A more detailed description of working with MDF can be found.

Work tool

For wall cladding with laminate, you will need some tools used when laying floors. It makes no sense to use them on the ceiling, because. everything is done by weight. Click-laminate strips can be precisely adjusted when laying with just a tool. It will not be possible to move them with your hands - the comb sits very tightly in the groove.

Boss. With a hammer through the boss, the strips are knocked out as they are laid.
Rule (emphasis on “and”), or hook. It is sometimes incorrectly called a clamp. As a rule, the last strips are pulled up, either by hand or by hammer blows on the “flag”.
Spacer wedges maintain indentation around the perimeter. You need at least two sets of wedges to work. Wedges are mainly used in flooring.

Technological subtleties

Where Laminate Doesn't Work

The kitchen is not suitable for finishing with laminate. Fiberboard and chipboard - inexpensive materials; raw materials for them do not undergo complex processing. Therefore, the laminate from excessive moisture and temperature changes swells and warps. In the kitchen, fluctuations in temperature and humidity are not only great, but frequent and sharp.

For the same reason, basements, cellars, closets cannot be finished with laminate. But the hallway - you can. Here, deviations of air parameters from sanitary standards do not last long and occur infrequently.

But for a balcony, even very carefully arranged, a laminate is even less suitable than for a kitchen. The balcony has large seasonal fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Therefore, the balcony must be sheathed with plastic clapboard, eurolining or MDF.

gaps

Due to the tendency of the laminate to swell at high humidity, for any installation method, it must be laid with a gap (indent) from the corners of 15-20 mm around the entire perimeter. It is difficult to withstand it when mounting it on the wall with spacer wedges, especially from below, so it is better to do this: we lay a flat board or rail of the required thickness along the bottom. If the laying goes on glue, we wrap this board or rail with one layer of a thin plastic film. And from the sides it is already possible to use wedges - here they are not loaded with the weight of the skin and will not slip off. The gaps at the end of the sheathing are closed with a plinth on glue.

Glue or crate?

Most often it is recommended to lay the laminate on the crate. At the same time, the strength of the finish is guaranteed on any wall and additional sound and heat insulation can be made. But the artistic possibilities of finishing when laying on the crate are very limited. To obtain a cladding of the original design, the laminate is laid on glue (liquid nails, silicone) on a flat, dry wall without plaster.

About the nuances of the formation of a wooden or metal crate.

Advice: Many flooring manufacturers, knowing about the desires of customers, are already producing special systems for attaching parquet and laminate to the wall. An example of such a solution in the video below:

How to check if the wall is even?

To do this, you need a flat rail the height of the wall without a plinth. Before checking, plaster, skirting boards, door and window trims are removed. The rail is led vertically along the wall; protrusions and depressions are marked with a pencil. The protrusions are scraped off or knocked down with a chisel to a shallow depression. Then all the cavities are filled with starting putty and overwritten.

And how to check the "evenness" of the rail itself? Right on the wall. Having attached the rail flat to the wall, we draw a line along it with a pencil. Then we turn the rail 180 degrees, and attach the ends to the ends of the line. If the line along the entire length already coincides with the edge of the rail, it is even. If a deflection / inflection is noticeable, another one is needed. This method of checking the ruler is described in the school geometry textbook.

Where to start?

Most often, it is recommended to start laying the laminate from the far left corner and work it clockwise. There is nothing to argue here, but you can add: if you are left-handed, then it will be more convenient to start from the far right corner, and go counterclockwise.

Horizontally or vertically?

Laying laminate on the wall is possible both in vertical stripes and horizontal. We will talk about the possibilities of vertical laying later, but for now we will describe the methods of laying horizontal.

Laying with solid strips at first glance is easier and cheaper, but it only seems so. The joints, which are thus obtained in one line, must be closed with skirting boards, and the skirting boards themselves must be attached to the wall with mounting nails (dowel-nails). Fixing holes for nails are drilled directly through the joints of the panels. Even if the cladding goes in solid strips along the length of the wall, all the same, skirting boards must be installed at least every 1.7 m.

Why such complexity and additional costs? The fact is that solid panels will only lock each other in one direction. Without additional reinforcement, such a lining will tend to fold like an accordion. Mechanical stresses on fasteners (glue, nails, adhesives) in some places will be concentrated, and in general the lining will turn out to be unreliable.

For good strength, the lining is laid with a “comb”: the number of strips equal to half the horizontal rows is cut exactly in half. If, for example, 10 rows are laid along the height of the wall, we cut 5 strips. We carry out laying, starting the rows alternately from a whole strip, then from a half. The joints spaced half the length of the strip will evenly distribute the load on the fasteners.

In some cases, it is interesting to lay the laminate diagonally. To do this, it is better to use a coating of two colors. Naturally, for such work you will need certain skills and experience.

Variations of vertical laying

Opportunities to show your creative abilities in wall cladding immeasurably increase if you put the laminate on the wall vertically, glued on a flat, dry surface. The dreary and dusty work of cleaning and leveling the walls is compensated by the cost of the crate.

For examples, we will use panels of only two types: long (or solid, if the height of the room exceeds 3 m) - the main ones, and pieces in the size of the rest of the wall height - complementary. Let's take the main and complementary panels of contrasting tones, say, dark and light. Let's see what can happen:

We will lay out a strip along the bottom from complementary panels 60-80 cm long; to the ceiling we sew the main ones. Place a plinth on the horizontal joint. Vertical joints at certain intervals (for example, after 3-4 joints) can be additionally fixed with pieces of the same plinth, and it can also be put on the ceiling, also sheathed with laminate. What happened? Romantic, medieval (medieval) room with imitation of ribs and ceiling beams. Instead of torches, linear fluorescent or freon lamps can be installed on the ribs.
We sew only the bottom with the main panels, and leave a clean bleached strip along the top. What for? And at least as a screen for LED strips. Who said that lighting design is possible only on the ceiling? There is no such law, and that's it.
Let's put a strip of dark complementary panels in the middle of a light wall and decorate it with skirting boards. We will place paintings, photographs, decorative plates, souvenirs, straw applications, macrame, a collection of decorative weapons, etc., on it. Aesthetic and original.

As an option, sheathe the wall at the head of the bed with a laminate that matches the tone of the floor.

We will cut the complementary strips along the length in a ratio of 1: 3 (cut off in thirds). On the top and bottom we lay them out with a comb, and between them there will be the main ones. It will turn out a light (or dark) surface between two combs - minimal in terms of labor intensity and economical in material, but quite a decent design solution.
We will buy the main and complementary strips equally and cut them into squares. The idea is clear: walls in the form of a chessboard. It is not so trivial if flat symbols of chess pieces made of dense sheet plastic are pasted onto some squares. You can depict a collection of chess studies.
We will cut both the main and complementary stripes in a ratio of 1: 2, and lay out a pattern from them, or simply scatter them in an artistic mess. It turned out - complete freedom of expression.

In the latter version, there is a stumbling block: if you lay it down as your soul wanders, then there will not be enough space for some fragment at the top, or a failure will remain. Therefore, the pattern (or artistic mess) must be laid out in advance on the floor just like that, without fixing, and transferred to the wall in pieces.

What if the room is narrow? In this case, you need to simulate the pattern on a computer in any computer design program, at least in the well-known CorelDraw, number the real fragments accordingly and stack them in horizontal order of numbers.

If you have only basic computer skills, then it may be easier to cut pieces of thick multi-colored paper on a scale, lay out an application from them on the table, and transfer the numbering from it to “live” pieces. Of course, you need to apply numbers on their back side.

Conclusion

As you can see, laminate wall cladding is not only possible for almost anyone. Laminate also provides ample opportunities for the manifestation of creative abilities to people who do not have artistic education and skills. Even the cheapest laminate of just two tones allows you to express the individuality of its owner in the design of the apartment.

Video: an example of a complex sheathing of a loggia with a laminate

Despite the fact that in the video the balcony is completely sheathed with laminate, we remind you once again that such a solution should be resorted to only with deep confidence in the good microclimate of the room, or use more serious MDF-based laminated panels.

home > Civil Engineering