Types of laminate locks: what is it? Types of laminate locks: which one is better? click lock system.

What is a laminate, I think everyone knows. This stuff is very popular right now. Excellent appearance and quite affordable price - these are the main factors that people take into account when choosing this flooring for their home or apartment. How to lay laminate This is what we are going to try to figure out now.

As usual, we start with surface preparation. To begin with, our subfloor needs to be examined for any irregularities. Basically, manufacturers allow unevenness up to 2 mm per meter of floor area. Those. You take an even rail (level, rule) 1 meter long and apply it to the floor in different places and in different directions, determining the presence of depressions and bumps.

Differences on concrete floors are leveled with a thin screed device from self-leveling bulk mixtures. If you have uneven wooden floors, then it is advisable to put chipboard or plywood on them. Good for laying laminate flooring. It is important to understand here that the more irregularities on the base, the more likely there are gaps between the laminate panels. When walking on the floor in places of unevenness, the panels bend relative to each other, the interlocks gradually wear out. And the lower the quality of the laminate itself, the faster the cracks will appear.

The next step is to lay the underlay. Its thickness is usually from 2 to 4 mm. It is not worth making the substrate thicker, this will again lead to wear of the locks. The choice of substrates is now very diverse. The cheapest are obtained from polyethylene foams (penofol, polyfoam, isolon and many others).

Cork substrates are more environmentally friendly, but also more expensive. There are substrates made of extruded polystyrene foam, made in the form of rectangular sheets. One side is ribbed. When laying, it should be facing down.

In general, the choice is large, and besides, it is constantly replenished. To be honest, I can't advise what to choose. I never felt any noticeable difference. As usual with every manufacturer, his product is the best. Let me just say that the service life of all the above types of substrates is much higher than that of the laminate itself, so any of them is quite acceptable.

When laying laminate on a concrete base, additional waterproofing must be spread under the substrate. It can be, for example, a simple polyethylene film 0.2 mm thick or any other waterproofing film.

Before laying, the laminate should lie in the room for at least 2 days so that it adapts to the temperature and humidity of the room. Laying is recommended to be done along the direction of sunlight. When laid across, the joints give small shadows and they become a little more noticeable, spoiling the integrity of the appearance.

In general, there are two ways to install a laminate:

• adhesive;
• castle.

The adhesive laying method has one good advantage - the joints are reliably protected from moisture penetration. As a result, the service life of the coating is increased. But the laying process itself is more complicated and time-consuming (compared to the castle), besides, there are additional costs for glue. In rooms where a floor heating system is installed, it is not recommended to use this method.

Glue laying is carried out by applying a special water-repellent glue to the ends of the panels (sold together with the laminate). Under no circumstances should a water-based adhesive (e.g. PVA) be used. This will cause the joints to swell. Glue is applied to the panel groove along the entire length. Then the groove is joined with the spike of the previously laid panel. The connection is sealed with light hammer blows through a wooden block. Excess glue is wiped off with a damp cloth.

After laying 3 rows of panels, it is better to let the glue dry for a couple of hours. Then we lay the floor to the end. The coating can be put into operation 10-12 hours after installation is completed.

The adhesive method of laying is now used less and less. There is practically no such laminate on sale. It is being squeezed out of the market by lock panels. This is due to the ease of installation of the latter. Moreover, the coating of the lock laminate can even be disassembled without damaging the panels and, for example, transferred to another room. Although, to be honest, I have never heard of anyone doing this.

Locks from all manufacturers of laminate have their own characteristics and differences. But in general, all of them can be divided into 2 groups: Click And lock.

When laying laminate with locks such as lock one panel is driven into another with a hammer. Thanks to special combs, the spike is securely fixed in the groove without the use of glue.

Type locks Click appeared later and are considered to be of better quality and wear-resistant. They are mounted by turning one panel into another at an angle (30-45º). Then it is pressed to the floor and the lock snaps into place. I’ll add on my own that you still have to hammer the laminate with a hammer, although manufacturers don’t write about this on the instructions.

The installation sequence of the laminate of all the types described above is almost the same. Laying starts from the left corner of the room. Before laying the 1st row, it is necessary to measure the width of the room and calculate how wide the last row will be. Otherwise, it may turn out that you cover the whole room and at the end there will be a gap of 2-3 cm along the wall. You can’t close it with a plinth, and such a narrow strip of laminate will not hold well. The width must be at least 5 cm. To do this, you will need to cut the panels of the first row to length.

Between the laminate and the walls it is necessary to leave a gap for thermal expansion. Usually it is made about 1 cm. The main thing is that it is then closed with a plinth.

So we collect the first row of laminate from left to right. The rightmost panel basically always needs to be cut off (do not forget the gaps). From the remaining piece, you can start the next row, so we get the necessary spacing of the seams. It is recommended that this difference be at least 30 cm.

Having typed the first row between the laminate and the walls, we insert wedges to provide the necessary clearance, while you need to monitor the straightness of the row. Actually, I do things a little differently. When knocking panels of subsequent rows with a hammer, the wedges often fly out, the straightness of the row is disturbed, in general, it is inconvenient. Therefore, I fix the first row with self-tapping screws with washers (if we lay them on a wooden floor) or dowel-nails with washers (if the floor is concrete). I screw them in the corners and at the joints of the panels of the first row. After finishing the installation of the laminate, be sure to unscrew it.

When laying laminate with glue and with hammer type locks lock each subsequent panel is first joined along the long edge, then along the end.

When laying laminate with lock type Click first, a whole series of panels is assembled and then it is completely inserted into the previous one. With a large width of the room alone, it is inconvenient to do this, it is better together.

When installing for tamping laminate panels, it is convenient to use a special set of tools. If this is not available, knock the laminate through a piece of panel (10-15 cm), inserting it into the groove with a spike. When installing the extreme right panels of the row and the entire last row, you can wring it out of the wall with a small nail puller, only carefully, through the lining, so as not to damage the walls and laminate.

After completing the installation, you need to install the skirting boards, and they can only be fixed to the wall, and not to the floor.

When choosing laminate flooring, rarely does anyone realize that the types of laminate locks determine its quality. It is they who are responsible for the gap between the panels, the absence or presence of a creak, the divergence of the seams, and the evenness of the surface. Therefore, when purchasing a laminate, you should carefully study not only its characteristics, but also the installation method, the type of adhesion. We will consider the features of installation, fastening systems in more detail.

Almost all panel coupling options are based on the tenon-groove system. The difference is the profiling of the lock system.

There are several main types:

1. lock. The easiest option. The spike in the section has not a simple straight profile, but a complex figure. The groove under it has a complex shape. The panels are laid by horizontal pressing one into the other. The moment of fixation is a click. For a quality installation, tamping of the extreme web is required. A wooden mallet is used. You can use a regular one, but you will need a wooden block or a special finishing touch. Laminate with this type of lock is difficult to dismantle without destruction. Over time, under mechanical stress, the connection is erased, the panels diverge. Therefore, in addition, the processing of locks with sealant or glue is used. The surface under the laminate requires high quality. Otherwise, during operation, a situation of divergence of the canvases may occur.
2. Click lock. Modernized previous view. The spike has a hook-shaped bend at the upper end, and a protrusion at the bottom closer to the panel. The groove repeats the shape of the protrusions. Fixation occurs when one panel is inserted into another at an angle. Swinging motion produce lowering to a horizontal position. At this moment, a characteristic click is heard. The lock worked. The connection is strong due to additional fixing protrusions. They are dismantled, the coatings are assembled up to 4 times.
3. T-locks. Option developed by Tarkett. It combines two types of locking joints, which allows achieving maximum adhesion strength of the panels. When laying, the technology characteristic of Click-systems is used. Simplicity, reliability ensured great popularity of this type among professionals. The floor covering can be dismantled up to several times without damaging the locks.
4. 5G. These types of lock systems have a plastic or metal insert in the middle that resembles a "tongue". Thanks to it, a tight connection of the canvases is ensured. The installation method is not difficult. The panel is inserted into the previous one in a horizontal position. When pressed, the insert is removed, when placed in the desired position, a click is heard indicating that the “tongue” has fallen into place, the position is fixed. Installation, dismantling will not cause difficulty even for a beginner.
5. Mega Lock. Advanced fixation system based on 5G. Connect the locks on the laminate begin on the end side. Reliability of coupling is provided with an end insert. And already to the assembled length of the first strip with an offset, the second row is attached to the width. Assembly time is minimal compared to other types. Maximum durability and reliability. Mounting and dismounting up to 4 times is allowed. Another advantage is increased protection against moisture.
6. ClickXpress lock. It differs by the rounded lower part of the spike, respectively, and the groove. Does not have plastic inserts. Works are carried out according to the principle of the Click system, at an angle. Dismantling, installation up to four times is possible.
7. Uniclick lock. The spike and groove have a special profile that ensures a strong grip of the planks. Installation can be both at an angle and by knocking. Dismantling is carried out up to 4 times.
8. aluminum locks. The most reliable connections. Withstand separation resistance up to 1200 kg/sq. m. Laying without a threshold is possible. Such a laminate has two types of lock - thorn-groove, aluminum on the bottom. A distinctive feature is that the joints between the canvases are practically invisible. Installation, dismantling is allowed up to 5 times.

Laying laminate without locks is becoming less and less popular due to the use of additional chemicals for fixing and the speed of work. Modern types of locks allow several times to increase the productivity and quality of the resulting surfaces.

Useful video: Overview of laminate locks

Conventionally, all laminate floor locks are divided into two groups according to the principle of Lock and Click. The first group is relatively inexpensive, providing quite reliable grip. The second belongs to the expensive segment, but the adhesion and quality of the resulting surface will be high. Each type of connection has pros and cons. For some, price is important, but for others, high quality and reliability.

If we compare what is better than Lock or Click, in terms of dismantling-mounting, then the first system is more prone to destruction of mounting profiles.

Preparing for laying

Any floor covering requires surface preparation. The best option is if a layer is applied to the rough screed. Such a basis will ensure the proper level of quality. After complete hardening of the preparatory layer, it is recommended to lay the waterproofing. To a greater extent, this applies to the first floors of apartment complexes, private housing.

• Cork . The most expensive option, but environmentally friendly, hides small irregularities in the rough base, is not pressed under load. The disadvantages include high cost; destruction in a humid environment, with the "warm floor" system.
• Polyethylene foam. A cheap option, has a low thermal conductivity, is resistant to moisture, the appearance of bacteria. Short-lived, pressed.
• Styrofoam. A relatively inexpensive option, used when installing the "warm floor" system, it provides additional sound insulation. It compresses over time.

Depending on the budget, the best option is selected. The substrate is covered without overlapping each other. Fixing to the floor, gluing the seams is done with masking tape.

Important points before installation

Proper installation will be ensured if several nuances are provided:

1. When buying, check with the seller whether additional protective impregnation of laminate locks is required or not. In the second case, you should purchase wax in advance. Processing is carried out prior to installation.
2. Laminate must lie down for at least 2 days in the room where laying is planned. This will allow the material to absorb the microclimate of the room, dial the temperature. This will ensure minimal shrinkage in the future. A greater effect can be achieved by removing the factory packaging from the material.
3. Installation is carried out from a window to a door. The end sides are directed towards the openings, and the long side towards the blank walls. This will reduce the visibility of the seams between the canvases.
4. For Lock systems, provide for the purchase of a special metal lining. It will allow you to easily mount floor coverings, even against walls.
5. Long rows are mounted offset. The first one starts with a long floorboard, the second - with a short one. This will ensure high-quality adhesion of the slats in different directions.
6. Technical gaps near the walls should be from 5 to 10 mm. There are special fasteners. At the time of laying on the flooring, a mechanical effect is carried out. As a result, it can move close to the wall if they are not fixed.
7. Before work, you need to prepare a cutting tool - a hacksaw for wood or a jigsaw. For proper cut quality, the tool must have minimum teeth.

Having provided all the points, you can safely take on the installation of panels.

Before work, read the installation instructions. Unpack the material, start laying with your own hands.

Lock systems are laid with padding both along the end and along the longitudinal part. The uniformity of the seams between the canvases should be observed. Another feature is the work with the last row. Often it is necessary to cut the width of the panels. A measurement is made taking into account the technical gap between the wall and the floor finish, marked, cut off. The canvas is inserted gently at a slight angle. With the help of a metal finisher, the seam is sealed to the desired size.

Laminate with click lock. Such systems do not require additional tools. The canvases are inserted into each other at an angle of 40–45 °, with a slight oscillatory movement they are taken to a horizontal position. At the same time, a click should sound.

Useful video: Laying laminate flooring with Click locks

5G systems, Megalock are distinguished by the simplest installation. The tenon groove is inserted in a horizontal position without finishing.

Laminate manufacturers offer a wide range of locking systems, which best determine the budget and reliability of the resulting flooring. If the locks diverge with a short service life, this indicates several reasons: poor-quality installation or a laminate lock (do not chase a low price), the base for the finish coat is poorly prepared.

Conclusion

In such cases, it is necessary to find out the source of troubles and eliminate it. Sometimes this requires disassembling and re-laying the panels. But if the cause is not eliminated in a timely manner, the lock connections can completely fail, and then the purchase of new material will be required.

I am rarely asked “what kind of laminate lock is better, more convenient or stronger” and it is clear why such a question is not relevant. The buyer considers the product as a whole, focusing on the final result - appearance, comfort, service life of the coating. And how the process of performance of work by hired workers will take place is not important to many. However, lately, people have become more picky, which is right. Therefore, this article will be of interest to many readers who are going to lay the laminate on their own. Or those who have read a lot of information, but have not figured out which laminate to buy, with Lock or Click 3G, 5G locks, and what is the difference between them?

Dear readers! Below in the text will be published links to the largest stores where you can see products with specific key connections.

The type of key connection, it would seem, does not directly affect the operation process. This is partly true, but much depends on the conditions in which the installation is carried out.

The evenness of the floor and walls, the presence of door blocks, the method of flooring, the experience of the master - all this contributes or hinders the assembly of laminate with various types of locks. And the difficulty in execution can lead to damage to the coating and disappointment from the results of apartment renovation.

List of articles you need to read before buying laminate flooring.

The brief background written below is important for understanding the whole process of creating and improving key connections. And you can read the conclusions below or draw them yourself.

Joining Valinge and Unilin laminate locks – from Lock to Click a bit of history

In 1977-1979 the Swedish company Perstorp AB (later Pergo) puts on sale laminated parquet with a glue locking system. The development of the laminate was made with the participation of Darko Pervan, who later founded the company Valinge in 1993. In 1994-1996, the Valinge bureau designs and licenses the world's first 2G lock for the mechanical connection of laminate locks. Offering to use the invention on Pergo laminate, but the company refuses a former employee's generous offer.

The lock joint with the name Lock is the prototype of the further development of the lock with the name Click - which can be attributed to the name of the 3G laminate or parquet board joint.

Many Chinese laminate manufacturers on the Russian market use light modificationLock-lock without brand name fromValinge. Which no longer needs to deduct bonuses, due to the expired invention.

Lock - the lock is driven. He gathers one board at a time with a hammer and finishing bar with significant effort. At the moment, the Lock system is outdated morally and physically, but most importantly, it is really inconvenient to assemble. IT IS NOT VERY USED NOW.

Lock for laminate 3G-Click

In 1994, the company enters into a licensing agreement for the use of its lock with the parquet board manufacturer Kahrs (Chers) - a 2G locking system and the Norwegian licensee Alloc AS - a 1G lock connection. But the launch of production will take place in 1996. From 1996 to 2001, under the leadership of Darko Pervan, a number of modifications of the key connection were made to 3G Click and put into operation.

In narrow circles there are disputes about who is the ancestor of the laminate:Pergo orAlloc.

In the 1990s, Unilin and Quick-Step join forces and launch their own branded laminate flooring for the first time in Belgium.

In 1997, the concern presents a new development - the Uniclic lock, which subsequently collected many awards. The key connection belongs to the 3G class. Unilin credits them with being the first to put the 3G floor locking system into operation. Looking ahead, I’ll say - in my opinion and not only, the Uniclic key connection is the best, at least from those known to me.

From then until 2007, there were disputes between Valinge and Unilin over the legality of activities related to the issuance of a patent to licensees. For example, a similar dispute was waged by Apple and Samsung over the invention of an idea and its implementation for controlling the smartphone screen with the touch of your fingers.

In 2007, Unilin (patent BE 9600527, BE 9700344) and Valinge (patent WO 94/26999) reached a preliminary agreement on a legal framework in which a third party undertakes to obtain a license from one of the right holders to use glueless floor panel assembly systems.

In other words, they divided the market. In the context of the foregoing, we take into account that the inventions of various locking systems are used not only for the convenience of consumers, but to fight competitors and extract financial benefits. Then marketing work is carried out, as a result of which the buyer, with the help of advertising, gets the idea that the new key connection is more effective than the previous one. Although it may not be.

Laminate locks 5G Click

All over the world, there is fierce competition in areas ranging from international politics to the provision of small domestic services. They try to leave opponents in the train in various ways, using various methods for these purposes. Of course, the surest way is to improve your products and service quality.

For example, at one time I also thought about equipment modifications that can be brought in to get ahead of competitors in my field. With a creak, despite the protests of his wife, he acquired a large industrial vacuum cleaner. Even earlier, an idea was peeped with the use of an MFP for trimming door frames. These are useful devices that facilitate the work process and make the result more neat.

In 2003-2004, the guys from the marketing company Valinge, led by Darko Pervan, sat down, thought about what could be done to bypass the European neighbors and capture the flooring market. Deciding that it was necessary to work in the field of improving the convenience of locking locks, they implemented the idea of ​​introducing a plastic tongue as a latch. It became possible to assemble laminated panels not in order, but piece by piece, focusing attention on one board, and not on the whole row.

Thus, the 5G Click laminate lock was born. A powerful advertising campaign and explanatory work was carried out. The financial parties were agreed with the licensees, an appropriate allowance was made to the final cost of the product, and everyone was satisfied.

Why this preface? It shows the commercial component of the projects. First of all, everyone wants to derive financial benefits, while showing concern for customers. Even if the real result of an innovative idea turned out to be not as successful in practice as advertised. But launched into a large project and serious money spent, this is not an indicator of its quality. Is it possible to keep silent about the negative aspects of the product?

Personally, my opinion ... When technically simple products are complicated to more complex ones, the latter have a higher chance of failing. What happens periodically under certain conditions of laying flooring. Examples will be given below.

TOTAL:

It can definitely be argued that a more modern castleClick aka 3G and 5G, more durable in locking, more convenient in the installation of a completely obsolete lock connectionlock.

Types of laminate locks - 3G and 5G pros and cons

Modern types of laminate brands can be divided, by and large, into two types of locking performance, which have their own pluses and minuses. Let me remind you that both refer to the Click connection and the laying method between them is different.

1. Classic lock - 3G. Floor covering with this type of docking is assembled in rows.
2. New castle - 5G. This type of laminate is assembled one by one. Now I will explain in more detail.

3G Click lock - description and features with examples

The 3G Click lock has in its design - a thorn on one long and one short side. When assembling, the comb is inserted into the groove of the previous board. The last piece is cut to size, completing the assembly of the first row of laminate.

Next, spacer wedges are installed between the wall and the lamellas, and in the same way as the first, the second row is assembled along the short part. And then the connected line is evenly inserted into the first row with a spike into the groove with tapping with a special tool along the entire length.

Different manufacturers have their own peculiarities in the design of locks. Between themselves, they differ in the angle at which the bar enters, the long ridge, the thickness of the base of the lock connection. These features complicate or simplify the installation process.

Below are a few examples of a similar type of lock used by leading laminate flooring manufacturers.

Laminate lock T-Lock (Tarkett)

An average lock from a well-known manufacturer in terms of laying complexity. The connection is abundantly waxed to protect it from moisture, but due to the excess, the paraffin composition periodically rolls off and the slats go tight into the grooves.

The comb is short, with a large length of the room and floor differences, it can be difficult to evenly insert into the groove of the previous row. The design feature of the interlock connection is in the presence of a microstep. Most often, due to its presence, you have to tap a row in two stages for a complete fit.

Tarkett is very difficult to assemble without thresholds between rooms if you want to assemble the rows in the opposite direction. The angle of insertion of the slats is average (about 30 degrees) - because of which it is not possible, without cutting off the lock, to get a laminate under the door frame. Despite this, I like Tarkett himself, but more on that in another article. I recommend for self-laying in a room of a simple form.

Lock laminate Twin Clic (Kronospan)

Pretty good locking. For the first self-assembly, I would recommend the Twin Clic lock of all possible ones. Laminated boards are inserted very easily and effortlessly. The angle at which they start is low, about 15 degrees, which is convenient in the presence of low-cost heating radiators. The relatively thick lip at the base of the lock suggests greater tear resistance.

As with all 3G lock covers, reassembly requires considerable effort. This type of locking model appeals to me. Although there are questions about the geometry of the slats.

Laminate Lock Uniclic (Quick Step)

Uniclic is the best lock connection in my opinion. I will try to express my conclusions in simple words.

The Uniclic lock from the side looks like an arrowhead - long, about 4 mm, and sharp. The recess where the comb is inserted completely repeats its contour. In such a connection there is no backlash, like most other types of joints.

Due to tight lockUniclic, large contact area and lack of backlash, the connection firmly holds the breaking load. For the same reason, sealing Uniklik is not recommended. The sealant has nowhere to go.

I should note that the Quick-Step 12mm has a more recessed groove profile. But the panels can also sit at a zero angle, although more tightly.

Due to the low partition in the counterpart, the Quick-Step lock can be connected to each other at a zero angle, although its natural operating mode is about 10-15 degrees. This feature is necessary when installing non-threshold laminate with door blocks already installed, when it is necessary to bring panels under the door frame to avoid gaps.

When installing Quick Step laminate planks, parallel to the floor, the lock does not break, including due to the lower part of the arrow-shaped comb lubricated with wax. Roughly speaking, it's like sticking your hand into a jar - it goes deep into it easily, but you can't pull it out.

Another advantage of the Uniclic locking connection is the almost complete absence of the need to tamp the laminate boards with a finishing beam. The design of the arrow-shaped comb has a peculiar relief. The recess completely repeats it, and until the contours match, the planks will not sit in their place.

With an even connection of the dies at the ends and evenly inserting a row of laminate into the previous one, it is enough to press on the edge of the board and sit in its place. However, we still use the finishing tool. This feature is described more as an amazing mechanical development and serves as an example.

CastleUniclic from the floor manufacturerUnilin has the ability to pull locks together. And even on uneven ground it can be assembled with virtually no gaps.

In the opposite direction, the Uniclick lock connection is worse than 5G locks, but better than most 3G connections due to the long and sharp comb.

Of the minuses of the Uniclic key connection, it is very difficult to insert the last row of laminate if it is narrow. This feature is especially evident in the strips with a thickness of 12 mm.

I recommend the Uniclic locking connection when laying a laminate with your own hands. However, it may be difficult to arrange the second row if the collection has a small board width.

Laminate Lock Just Clic (Egger)

Egger is a leading manufacturer of laminate flooring. Previously and currently equipped with a Just Clic lock. But now there is a transitional period? on the UniFit locking connection. Apparently, UniClic integration is happening everywhere. Interestingly, the weak economic performance of the Egger company is to blame, forcing the company to look for new impulses for the drive? Or a European calculation for the future?

Dear readers! At the moment, the Just Clic lock connection occurs irregularly. In Egger there is a substitution for another compound. Periodically, this lock is used in the Artens laminate.

Just Clic - This type of 3G lock is similar to Tarkett's T-Lock. The same short front spike with one advantage over UniClic - it does not need to be cut down when laying. Whereas with Quick-Step it is desirable to cut it off, otherwise, with a significant size of the premises, it may rest against the wall. It happens that the extra 2.5 mm can play a role when setting the gap from the wall.

Just Click from the bottom has a rounded shape and enters the recess at a high angle, about 40 degrees, which makes it not very convenient for flooring with low-standing heating radiators, especially with installed door frames. If you want to culturally bring the panel under the jamb, you need to cut off the lock with a knife and put the winding and adjacent panel between them on the glue.

Just Clic is a fairly strong fixative. On the reciprocal part of the lock, the base has a rounded shape with a thickening. It turns out the move is such a "semi-bearing". Thanks to this design solution, the breaking connection is quite strong.

During installation, be careful with the edge of the counter part of the lock. Although it is thick, it is pointed at the top and it is easy to break it. This will not particularly affect the strength of the lock, but if the broken piece remains in the groove recess, a step may form at the junction of the panels, which you may not immediately notice.

In reverse, laminate with this type of 3G lock is very difficult to assemble. Therefore, for technically difficult non-threshold laying, I do not recommend using Egger laminate with Just Clic lock.

5G laminate plastic lock. Advantages and disadvantages

In 2004, the laboratory office Valinge released a relatively new 5G floor locking principle. Structurally, the difference from its predecessor consisted in the end joint. The connection and snapping of the lock along the short part was carried out using a plastic tongue.

Such a system worked as follows: the board to be laid was inserted along the long part into the groove of the previous row, closely adjoining the end of the previous plank and smoothly lowered. The plastic tongue has a bracket-like shape and, when pressed, goes into the groove. And when the panel is completely laid down, it clicks into the recess of the laid laminated panel, closing it.

Thus, it became possible to install by inserting and assembling the laminate one by one board. This method generally speeds up the installation process, but not always. It all depends on the design of the lock, each manufacturer has its own, other features, for example, thickness.

There are two types 5G locks laminate with plastic

Few people paid attention in the articles, because it is not mentioned, and copywriters do not know this. But there is a laminate with 5G plastic locks on different sides of the laminated panel.

When I receive a phone call from a customer, the first thing I ask is which company's laminate is to be laid. If "Classen" sounds, I'm generally calm. Although it is not the most convenient to install, and here's why.

The end lock has a long platform with a thick partition, so it is nominally tear-resistant. But the partition is designed at a right angle and if you have to disassemble the laminate to trim the first row, this part is easy to break even for me, with my experience.

The groove has a rounded shape along the long part with a high side. Therefore, the lamellas are inserted at a high angle, which in some cases is inconvenient, but strong.

It is easy to wind up laminated panels in the opposite direction, this is the advantage of 5G lock types over 3G.

In general, the lock is not bad, but difficulties may arise when assembling / disassembling the first row of laminate.

Pros of 5G Click Lock

• Laminate with a 5G plastic lock is more convenient to assemble in long rooms due to the absence of the need to lift and insert the entire row, as with a floor with a classic joint. Laminate 3G with a small lock, if the base is uneven, with a large room size, it can be difficult to insert into the groove of the previous row. And by the time you get to the end, the beginning may just fall out of the groove. Let me remind you that a row of laminate is achieved with a tool when it is fully inserted at an angle into the previous one.

• When laying laminate flooring without gaps between rooms, you regularly have to mount the panels with the back of the lock. Laminate flooring with a plastic tongue is much easier to insert in this way, with only one board running. Whereas the classics must be linked with a whole row.
• The 5G lock connection is faster to assemble if you work together. Since you can lay 2 or 3 rows at the same time.

Cons of 5G Click Lock

• Slightly more expensive price. Rubles for 50-100 per / m2.
• Sometimes, after installation, plastic locks can click, falling into place. When connecting a laminate with a classic grip, the comb is immediately inserted into the groove and is in the recess, even if it diverges a little. And the plastic tongue, due to the curvature of the base or the violation of the geometry of the bar, simply does not reach the groove and may creak or click.

By the way, I guess for this reason, most laminate with 5G locks are chamfered. The gaps are not so noticeable on it. read

• When the laminated panels are skewed to the other side during installation, the locks overlap. And on a laying board it can form a crease in the edge. This usually happens on an 8 mm thick laminate, for example,
• The difficulty in assembling the first row is with most types of 5G lock, but not all. So I didn’t fully figure out why for some brands the installation process takes place in a normal way - the plastic insert springs and then snaps into place. And for some, serious difficulties are created when assembling the first row. You have to pump in the bar or lay it flat on the lock and hit it with your hand at an angle of 45 degrees in the right direction.
• It is difficult to describe the technical details that are repeated again ... Another minus is the difficulty of disassembly. Often there is a need to remove the first row to trim the panels along the contour of the wall irregularities. This is done to close the gap with the plinth between the laminate and the wall. With significant curvature, a plastic or MDF plinth will not be able to close the gap. If the panels are dismantled in the simplest way, by lifting the panel 45 degrees and pulling it out of the groove, as is done in the classic 3G, then most 5G connections will simply fly off part of the lock. If the protrusion on the end lock is located at a right angle.

Laminate Lock UniFit (Egger)

I will describe the last lock in this article from Egger. The UniFit connection appeared recently, according to the sensations from the beginning of the installations, about a year ago, but I could be wrong. The clutch design along the long part is derived from Unilin with all the ensuing pluses. And the end part is equipped with a plastic insert. Thus, Egger Pro and Egger Home are 5G lock carriers. But Egger's new collections also remained with a 3G latch.

The comb along the long part of the board resembles an arrow-shaped shape. For this reason, it starts easily into the groove of the previous bar and, importantly, at a slight angle. In principle, it can be hammered, like the Quick Step, parallel to the floor. However, the spike is flat on the underside. It seems to me that with uneven bases, this design is easier to jump out of the groove.

The end lock consists of a groove and a plastic insert located in it. When the panel snaps in, the insert, resting against the edge of the previous board, enters and then clicks out. Thus, standing in its place and locking the connected panels. This design does not look very impressive, but it does its job.

In principle, such a connection is convenient, although I like the location of the plastic insert in the form of an “S” in place of the spike less.

Unfortunately, in my collected collection of scraps there was no 5G Kronotex lock - I liked it. There are also no cuts from the leading manufacturers Berry-Alloc and Pergo. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that Pergo has a connection like Quick Step and a 5G plastic lock.

Alloc laminate lock - review of the master

While writing the article, I almost forgot about the laminated coating of the Norwegian manufacturer, about which the story would be incomplete and shamed by critics. Alloc is the most expensive laminate I know in Russia.

The high cost of this brand is explained by a specialized aluminum lock that can withstand heavy loads and the place of origin: Norway is an expensive country.

The locking device of the Alloc lock is based on the connection of the strips by means of a metal plate embedded in each panel from the bottom side along the long and short parts. Accordingly, the entire tensile load is carried by the aluminum flange of the part - stronger than any HDF.

The width of the plate allows you to mount the panels at almost zero angle.

Alloc's advantages are obvious. Why not include it in the best locking lock?

• The cost of the product. Whose value exceeds the price of the nearest premium competitors by an average of 1000 rubles.
• Low feasibility of use in the apartment. Despite the impressive density and, accordingly, the strength of the coating, as well as the impregnation with moisture-resistant compositions of the panels, the laminate is afraid of moisture, like other brands. This is evidenced by a trip to one order, where the old laminated floor, which was Allok, was dismantled. It seems that it was watered from a basin, although the service life of the laminate at that time was about 7 years. What the customers kindly reported, after my question about the service life.

• Pretty complicated installation of Alloc. This concerns not so much inserting one board into another, but the complexity of sawing. If the laminate board is not positioned correctly during cutting, it is easy to break the metal lock integrated into the HDF panel. As a result, the laid laminate clicks.

The best laminate lock - summary, review

As you may have guessed from the text, the best laminate lock for me is the Uniclic 3G-Click connection. It is easy to insert, which minimizes the possibility of edge crease. With Uniclic it is fast to work, strong connection on a gap. Possibility to install laminate under the door frames without cutting off part of the lock. What is important when deciding to replace the flooring when there is no desire to update the doors.

It is also not the most difficult of the 3G latch types when laying the floor in the opposite direction.

Laminate locks 5G are modern, which is positioned by advertising brochures as an easier option. The principles of this type of docking are assembly speed, simplicity, accessibility.

But this is not entirely true. A technically more complex product is more susceptible to the risk of marriage due to uneven floors, violations of the geometry of the planks, especially for 8mm thick laminate. Installation speed drops, since most brands of laminate still need to be knocked out with a finishing beam.

However, the 5G Click connection is more convenient when installing the laminate in the opposite direction. This type of laying is required for a non-breaking flooring method.

This article expresses my personal opinion based on the installation of many thousands of meters of laminate flooring. As a craftsman, I don't care what type of 3G or 5G lock to lay laminate flooring with, except in cases of seamless laying.

I focus buyers not only on the type of key connection, but also on the manufacturer, which has a more reliable geometry and quality in general (film strength, wear resistance class).

• The weakest lock is laminateKronostar,kronopol,Oktoberfest (SwissKrono) and many Chinese
• The most difficult lock to assemble is many Chinese,Ritter, Lamineli
• The most durable - laminateAlloc with metal lock
• The most convenient lock -?
• The best laminate lock -uniclic,Quick-Step (author's choice)

In the article I express my personal opinion based on re-read articles and personal observations.

Successful choice! You can ask - as I read it, I will definitely answer.

How to make a floor that is reliable, beautiful, easy to install and at the same time inexpensive? These seemingly incompatible qualities are combined in a laminate. Therefore, this flooring is used more and more often. However, in order for the floor to serve for a long time, it is simply necessary to know the intricacies of the technology. For example, before laying a laminate, you need to check how even the base is. The maximum allowable deviation is no more than 1-2 mm per meter of surface. Only under this condition will it lie tightly, will not bend and creak. If the differences are greater, the lock may even break or the board may crack.

If the base has irregularities, the dimensions of which exceed the allowable ones, it must be leveled. For cement floors, everything is simple - a leveling screed is poured. The laying of the laminate begins after the solution gains at least 50% strength.

If an old wooden floor serves as a base, it must be removed according to the technology, then a full-fledged cement floor should be made, with all the necessary layers (filling, hydro and thermal insulation, reinforcing belt and screed). It is possible to mount a heating system in this floor, and lay a floor covering on the warm floor. Only in this case it is necessary to use special grades of laminate that tolerate heat well. The cost of such a floor is high, and it takes a lot of time to install it. That's why they don't always do it. If the logs and boards are not damaged, you can level the wooden floor with plywood, and lay the laminate on it.

When leveling a wooden floor, all strongly protruding fragments are scraped off with a planer or with the help of scraping, the cracks are sealed with putty. Sheets of plywood are laid on the prepared old wooden floor (it is used more often, although any sheet material with a flat surface can be laid). They are fixed with screws to the floor: along the perimeter after 15 cm, in the middle in a checkerboard pattern.

The joints of the sheets are displaced - they should not match (see the photo below). So the load is transferred more evenly. One more thing - leave some gaps between the sheets - they should not be fitted close to each other. Wood changes dimensions depending on humidity and temperature. And these gaps will give the necessary freedom so that there are no "humps" and distortions.

Laying plywood on a wooden floor under a laminate is a common way to prepare the subfloor during renovations. If the wood has not been damaged, and the plywood is laid evenly, does not “play” and does not sag, such a base will last for years.

Substrate for laminate

On a flat and clean base, the substrate is first laid. It hides those irregularities of 1-2 mm that are acceptable and makes the floor less “noisy”. It also serves for depreciation and better redistribution of the load.

The substrate is made of several types:

• Cork. Made from cork chips. It has good thermal insulation properties, absorbs sounds. Disadvantages: afraid of moisture and does not like heat. Therefore, its scope is premises without floor heating, with normal importance and minimal risk of a “flood”. That is, living rooms. Cork underlay for laminate flooring is used infrequently: expensive. If they put it, then more under the parquet board - for the safety of the flooring.

  

  Cork is the best, but also the most expensive type of substrate. Foil - a little cheaper, and its plus - it is suitable for underfloor heating

• Bitumen-cork on a cellulose basis. On a layer of cellulose impregnated with bitumen, small cork fragments are poured. This underlay is slightly cheaper than cork underlayment, but its main advantage is that it can be used to lay over an underfloor heating system.
• Made from polyethylene foam. It tolerates high humidity well, conducts heat poorly, is chemically neutral, resistant to bacteria, easy to use (available in the form of rolls), has a low price. Disadvantages: sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, quickly loses its shape, has a short service life, poorly “extinguishes” sounds. Therefore, this substrate is used under a cheap laminate: their service life is comparable.

  

• From polystyrene foam. It has a rather high density, due to which it smooths out irregularities, keeps its shape well, has good heat-insulating properties, and muffles sounds. Disadvantage: cannot be used for laying laminate flooring on underfloor heating. The price is between cork and polyethylene, it is the most acceptable and is used most often. It is produced more often in the form of plates, sometimes in rolls.
• Polyurethane foil. This type of substrate can also be used for laying under a laminate on a warm floor. It has the best features of all the above, as well as the best prices. But if you are going to lay an expensive laminate, then these are justified expenses: the life of this type of flooring largely depends on the quality of the substrate.

  

  Expanded polystyrene - average quality and price

How to lay the underlay

The substrate for the laminate is rolled out (lay out) along the wall from which the laying will begin. In length, it should cover the entire floor from wall to wall. The lines of the joints are combined tightly, for convenience they are glued with adhesive tape. Sometimes the panels are fixed with staples from a construction stapler. This is faster, but staples are not very good to use - they can rub against the boards and make an unpleasant sound. The next layer is spread as needed - you don’t need to immediately cover the entire floor: it’s better not to walk on the substrate.

Laying schemes

In which direction to lay the laminate with your own hands? There are no strict rules, but there are recommendations. To make the joints along the boards less visible, the direction of the light should go along the board. It turns out beautifully if you lay the coating at an angle. But this method is more complicated and more waste is obtained. You can also lay it across the world - this is also practiced, and it does not threaten anything but more visual seams.

Laying laminate relative to the window: layout of elements

The main rule that must be observed when laying a laminate is the offset of the seams. The minimum transverse seam should be at a distance of 40 cm from the other. So the strength of the flooring will be greater: the boards will not disperse under load.

The minimum distance between seams in adjacent rows is 40 cm

The layout of the laminate flooring should be designed with this rule in mind. The simplest for independent execution is a shift by half the board. Then every odd row starts with a whole, and every even row starts with a half (or vice versa).

If the length of one element exceeds 1.2 m, then you can shift the second row by 1/3, the third by 2/3 of the length (as in the photo above). It turns out a kind of "ladder". In some types of laminate (expensive), the minimum row offset is much less - maybe 15 cm. This is indicated on the packaging or in the accompanying instructions.

You can lay the laminate with a "ladder", only you need to observe the minimum allowable displacement of the seam. On the right - laying scheme with a long board length and a small offset

You might be interested in reading about or about.

How to lay laminate with your own hands: step by step instructions

The laying technology is the same: there are only some features when connecting elements, depending on the locks. The procedure will be like this:

If the geometry of the room is correct, no difficulties. If there are distortions - you will have to cut. Questions may arise when finishing the threshold: the board near the jambs is not cut evenly, but in an arc, while maintaining a gap of 10-15 mm. Why in an arc? So under the door trim of any shape there will be no hole.

Laminate laying methods: two locks - two methods (video instructions)

Laminate laying technology depends on which of the locks on your flooring. They are made in two types - "click" (Click) and "Lock" (Lock). You will not get confused, because the system is written on the packaging of each pack, and pictograms are drawn on many of them explaining the principle of laying.

Hammerless Method - Click Lock

When using click locks, it is more convenient to collect the planks one by one. The system is named so because of the characteristic click that is heard when the spike enters the groove. With such a system, the side locks are first connected, then the longitudinal ones. It happens like this:

How to lay a laminate with a click lock, see the video.

How to lay with a lock "Lock" (Lock)

Here the lock should be inserted from the side and the assembly method is different. You will need a piece of laminate with a spike and a light hammer (rubber mallet). The boards are laid out on the floor, corrected so that they lie exactly one relative to the other. They move it so that the spike is close to the groove, insert a piece of laminate on the other side and tap it with a hammer, achieving a connection.

How to lay down a laminate with the "lock" system

The method is also simple, but requires caution: the hammer can hit too hard and break the lock. Then you have to use another element.

With this method, it is more convenient to lay a laminate, first collecting individual rows, and then connecting them. Schematically, this is shown in the photo below.

So it is more convenient to lay the laminate with your own hands with the "lok" system

See the video for more details on this method. There is no sound row, but everything is clear.

The methods of laying laminate flooring described above can be made almost airtight, in any case, the amount of water that can enter the interstitial space is greatly reduced. To do this, use a special glue. They coat the spikes of the stacked boards. The composition retains its elasticity for 10 minutes, therefore glue is applied immediately before installation.

The disadvantage of this technology is that the coating becomes almost monolithic. If you need to replace one or more boards, this will not work.

How to cut laminate straight

You can cut laminate boards:

• electric jigsaw (most convenient);
• hacksaw;
• manual circular saw.

To prevent burrs from forming on the front surface when sawing, it should lie with its “face” up. In order for the cut to be even, guides are used - rulers (slats) made of metal or wood. When using a hacksaw, the ruler should not make it possible to “climb” into the desired half.

When cutting across, it is more convenient to use squares. It is pressed against the long side, the second serves as a guide.

Laminate is one of the most popular floor coverings. Today, there are many types of similar products, which are durable and beautiful design. To facilitate the installation of boards, they are equipped with special locks, which we will talk about in more detail today.

Advantages and disadvantages

Laminate installation is a relatively simple operation, which is achieved through the use of special locking slots. They allow high-quality and fast joining of the planks. There are only two types of laminate locks, which differ in several parameters. The simplest and most economical option is the Lock system type, which has several advantages:

• Detachable design. laminate with such a latch can be disassembled and mounted again. But the number of repetitions is limited, since the structures have little strength and may lose their original properties over time.
• Connection strength. This is achieved through special grooves that go into each other, preventing the laminate from moving.
• Low cost. This is due to the ease of manufacture and simple shape.

But such designs are not universal. If the locks are constantly subjected to significant loads, then this leads to an increase in friction between the boards. At the same time, the lock “swings” and gradually loses its properties, and this increases the distance between the lamellas. The gaps that have appeared in such a laminate are technically impossible to repair or repair. The only solution is laying new boards.

Recently, manufacturers began to equip the material with grooves of the type Click. Such mechanisms have many positive aspects, which led to such a huge popularity. The advantages of such products include:

• Double mounts. Systems of connecting elements are located when docked to each other at an angle of 45 degrees. That is why the connection is visually almost imperceptible on the surface of the laminate. To find it, you need to take a good look at the pattern of the material.
• High strength. Such locks can withstand significant breaking forces, which makes them superior to previous models.
• Minimal chance that laminate boards will be damaged during assembly.

• The locks are durable, which allows you to perform a cycle of dismantling and laying up to 6 times. Here they are also slightly ahead of the previously considered modifications.
• Laying laminate with such locks is very simple, which does not require special skills to work with such objects.
• Products with such systems can be located on a surface that has small differences. This value can reach 3 mm per square meter of area.
• Installation is carried out manually, which eliminates the use of any auxiliary tools.

Among the negative aspects of such a connection is only the complexity of their production, which affects the cost of finished goods. But this difference is almost imperceptible, since high-quality products from European manufacturers will last a long time regardless of the type of lock.

What are lock systems?

Laminate lock systems are constantly being improved, which leads to the emergence of many of their modifications. But technically, all locks belong to one of 2 types:

lock

This type of structure is the most common, since its production involves only end milling. This latch consists of a spike and a groove that repeat the structure of each other. They are equipped with several combs, which, when latched, do not allow slipping out. To fix the Lock-lock, you should hit under one of the ends of the laminate. These operations are performed using a wooden or rubber mallet, which will not allow damage to the structure of the castle. That's why, to lay the board on the floor, you need to have a little experience with these substances.

Lock-locks are relatively simple and therefore are losing their popularity. Today, many companies supplement such systems with special plastic plates. This makes installation easier for beginners. This type of locks can be divided into 2 subtypes:

• Springy. This type of construction is classic, as the lock snaps into place when connected.
• Rigid. To connect similar elements, you need to insert one groove and align in the longitudinal direction. But the installation of such a laminate is much more complicated, which requires studying the description of this technology.

Click

These types of locks also consist of two slots that complement each other. But in order to connect them, you will have to correctly insert the structures one into the other at an angle of about 30-45 degrees. After that, the plates are aligned on the floor, which leads to the snapping and fixation of the lock. Today they began to produce a laminate with aluminum locks of the same type, but this connection can withstand a much higher load.

Click-locks are more common, which has led to the emergence of many varieties of them. Among this diversity, several classic designs should be distinguished:

• Just click. Locks of this type are equipped with a laminate of the Austrian manufacturer Egger. These mechanisms are located on all sides, which makes it easier to lay the laminate. A feature of such a product is the presence of a high comb, which will provide a reliable joint and high strength of the connection.
• Uniclic. Belgian castle. It combines the technology of snapping and knocking the slats, so it is used by beginners who do not have certain skills in working with other systems.
• PressXpress. This group includes peculiar locking structures such as 3G, 4G and 5G. A feature of this system is the presence of a plastic tongue, which improves the adhesion between the docking elements. Such double designs have a minimum joint, and also minimize the occurrence of gaps between the lamellas. But if you re-assemble such a laminate, then plastic elements can bring a little difficulty.
• 4G and 5G-S Aluminum Locking System. These systems are hybrid, as they combine both classical designs. Metal inserts at the same time provide high strength and durability of the laminate.

As you can see, the variety of lock systems is very wide, therefore, before laying the laminate, it is important to determine the type of lock connection in order to select the optimal laying algorithm.

Which is better to choose?

The lock systems of the considered types have unique properties, but at the same time they can radically differ in technical parameters. Many experts claim that the Click system is the most practical lock design. The advantage of this system is durability. Click locks during installation form a kind of monolith that is difficult to destroy or loosen.

In its turn , Lock systems are somewhat simpler and cheaper. If the quality of the surface on which the laminate is laid meets all the requirements of the manufacturer, then the type of connection practically does not play a role.

When choosing lamellas, it is important to take into account their manufacturer, since the quality of the final surface and the duration of its operation depend on it.

How to treat from moisture?

Laminate is a material based on wood fibers and piece polymers. Therefore, many types of boards absorb moisture very well, which negatively affects its structure. To exclude such an impact, water should be prevented from entering the lower layers of the lamellas, where the wood is located. The solution to this problem is the additional processing of the seams after laying the laminate.

Today, several types of substances are used for such purposes:

• Sealant. The best option would be a mixture based on silicone. Such substances do not allow moisture to pass through. Before applying this mixture to the joints, you need to level the surface, so the laying of the lamellas must be constantly monitored.
• Wax. This substance is very popular, as the material qualitatively protects the joints from moisture and is easy to apply. However, the mixture wears off over time, so you need to cover the laminate with it periodically.
• Polish. Compositions of this type are specially produced for laminate. The products are presented on the market both in solid and liquid state (spray). The use of polishes significantly increases the service life of the top layer, and also gives it an attractive shine.

Why does laminate come apart?

The quality of operation of laminate locks depends on many factors. There are times when the joints begin to diverge, which leads to the formation of small gaps. There are several reasons for this phenomenon:

• Low humidity. Dry air causes the wood substrate of the material to shrink. You can eliminate this phenomenon by creating optimal air humidity inside the room. The easiest option is to periodically air the room. If this does not help, you can install a humidifier and control the performance individually.
• uneven floor. Surface differences lead to the fact that the lamellas are joined unevenly, and this leads to a difference in height at the junction. Please note that in some cases they can diverge, and sometimes, on the contrary, shrink (especially under pressure). The solution to this problem is only laying the lamellas again. However, it is important to carefully level the floor beforehand in order to glue the laminate to the surface without drops.