Pros and cons of using laminate flooring in the interior

In the old days, most houses had clay or cement floors. Wooden was also common. They all had their own advantages and disadvantages. The tree is highly valued even at this stage of development. It is its high price that prevents widespread adoption. However, now there are cheaper, but rather high-quality and strong counterparts that have justified themselves in the process of operation, and have earned great popularity. So, laminate flooring is widely used in the interior of any premises..

Laminate is presented by products of various quality, textured solutions and color palette

What is it

Laminate is a floor covering based on cellulose and dense fibreboard. It consists of 4 layers:

Carrier. The role of the supporting layer is performed by fiberboard. It performs the main functions of the coating: noise insulation, thermal insulation. A lock is cut into this layer, with the help of which the laminate boards are fastened. The condition of the entire board depends on the quality of the supporting layer..
Stabilizing. This is the bottom layer under the wood board. It is designed to strengthen and stabilize the base layer, protecting it from deformation. And also it can serve as additional thermal insulation if an appropriate layer is applied to it..
Decorative. This layer is composed of high quality cellulose and provides a consistent pattern.
Upper. It has protective functions and consists of melamine or acrylic resins. The class of the laminate depends on its strength and thickness, that is, it provides an indicator of wear resistance.

All these layers are bonded together under high pressure, which ensures high strength and durability of the board..

Laminate board structure

Laminate panels are usually produced in the form of rectangles with an aspect ratio of 1: 9 or 1: 6, less often square tiles are found.

The advantages and disadvantages of such a coating

Interior laminate is a widely used material. It has more advantages than disadvantages. However, there are some. Let’s start with the positives.

Cheapness. Due to the fact that the main layer is not a solid wood board, but consists of pressed chipboard materials, manufacturers can significantly reduce the cost.
Easy to install. There is a lock on the main layer of the board, which secures the boards to each other. Thus, the installation method is very simple and you can handle this task without the help of a professional..
Wide range of. Due to its popularity, laminate flooring is produced in large quantities; manufacturers can offer a choice for every taste. The main advantage of the appearance is that this material allows you to imitate the color of natural bases..

Most of all, laminate is prized for its ability to simulate various coatings.

The disadvantages include the hygroscopicity of the material. The basis of the board is wood chips, which absorb moisture well. If you spill a large amount of water on it and do not remove it in time, the plate may deform. For this reason, we will not find laminate in the interior of the bathroom..

Basic selection rules

To choose the right laminate for any room, you need to follow certain selection rules. First, find out your budget and explore all your options. To do this, you can use the catalogs of online stores.

The entire laminate is divided into classes – the number in the marking indicating the resistance of the coating to wear. The most widespread are classes 32 and 33, as the most durable

Important! It is necessary to immediately calculate all costs in order to avoid unforeseen situations..

The thickness of the laminate varies in the range of 8-12 mm, if the room is planned to accommodate heavy furniture, it is better to choose the thickest panels

Focus on product quality. Of course, it is advisable to choose high quality products in order to avoid unpleasant consequences. However, you can find durable and well-proven models for a lower price point. Remember, a high price does not always mean good quality..

For a bedroom, it makes sense to take a thick laminate that is not of the class for rooms with medium traffic

For the children’s room, it is recommended to use coatings marked with the environmental safety symbol.

Also consider another factor – the function of the room. If you are looking for laminate flooring for your kitchen, remember that this is the most used room. The floor here can be flooded with water or sticky substances. For this reason, choose dark models, the texture of which will be quite large. Also, carefully monitor the installation, it must be of high quality, so that in the event of spilled water, the coating does not deform. Now more about the selection of the appearance.

Differences in texture

First, let’s select the type of flooring. Laminate in the interior of a living space can be smooth or textured. The first option is divided into matte and glossy looks. Not only its appearance depends on these characteristics, but also its tactile perception. The texture can also be different. The most common imitation of natural wood. However, you can find the texture of a stone or brick..

Glossy laminate flooring looks great, but it scratches easily and even the slightest dirt is visible on it

Laminate for tiles in the interior of the kitchen-living room

Textured laminate with imitation of precious woods

It should be noted that the version with a smooth texture is more convenient to clean. Dust and dirt are clogged in the relief folds, so the second coating option will have to be cleaned more often and thoroughly..

Color matters

We turn to the consideration of the second main factor of selection. Color plays an important role in any room. To begin with, it is worth considering the functions of the room. In the kitchen, it is better to lay a dark laminate, it is possible with an imitation of natural wood. You can choose other options that suit the style of the room, but it is desirable that the flooring in the kitchen is dark in color..

Light laminate visually expands the space of the room

Dark laminate adds spice to the classic setting and ennobles the room

The darker the floor, the more lighting is required. This applies to both artificial and natural light.

Of course, focus on the overall style of the room. Laminate should be a continuation of the style direction and comply with all the laws of the chosen trend. In modern trends, both light and dark models are popular. The choice mostly depends on your taste preferences and the practicality of color for a particular room..

Combining style and flooring the right way

We mentioned that the texture and color of the laminate should match the style of the room. We offer you to disassemble popular styles in the design of modern living spaces and choose the right flooring for them..

Style	Colour	Texture
Provence	Bleached oak color	Wood effect, beveled laminate
Country	Dark models imitating natural wood	Imitation of a plank covering, “deck” laying
Eastern ethno-styles	Preference for light wood	The texture is similar to bamboo or sisal flooring; laminate “under the skin”
Chalet	Light models in walnut or ash	Rough, grooved coating
Minimalism	The best option is white	Smooth matte or glossy surface
High tech	Gray oak, white	There are no restrictions, but it is better to choose a smooth structure

Laminate can also be used to decorate walls or ceilings

Now we will select a laminate for each style, and analyze in detail their laws and combinations..

Vintage destinations

Aged surfaces are the hallmark of vintage styles. This applies to any things, gender, including. Therefore, artificially aged laminate models will take root here. A light surface with gray flecks will help to convey this effect best..

Bleached oak in a vintage style bedroom

To decorate a room in country style, you do not need high cost and pretentiousness. For a living room, an imitation of a shabby oak board is well suited

Provence and country belong to this category of styles. They are distinguished by simplicity and comfort, to some extent rudeness. For Provence, the best option would be a textured laminate in bleached oak color. But dark options look great too, especially if you add a touch of antiquity to them. In country, it is better to focus on naturalness, and choose dark models to match the color and texture of natural wood.

Eco-destinations

In modern design, trends tend to be natural, so eco-directions are very relevant. In their design, one should try to emphasize as much as possible the ecological orientation. For flooring, in this case, it is better to select models that are as close as possible in appearance to natural wood..

For an eco-style floor, a laminate is used under a tree or under a stone, preferably without highlighting the seams between the panels.

In this category, the most popular destinations can be identified – eco-style and chalets. For the first, a dark laminate is suitable. Combined with bright and rich colors on the walls, it will create the best combination for eco-style.

Chalet-style flooring should mimic solid boards with a patina effect.

Laminate in the color of ash wood

The Swiss chalet embodies a simple and rude style. It is a combination of stone and wood. The walls are usually in dark shades. For flooring, it is better to select bright and lighter models. Light walnut works best..

Exotic in fashion

Existing laminate models allow for bold exotic solutions. At the moment, ethnic oriental styles are popular: Chinese and Japanese. Some Middle East trends also apply.

For the decoration of premises in oriental styles, laminated panels with imitation of bamboo or sisal are produced

A short pile carpet can be placed on top of the laminate flooring

To recreate the Japanese and Chinese directions, light options with a bevel are suitable. They will create a good imitation of sisal or bamboo flooring. For more exotic ideas, there is a laminate that mimics leather flooring. It has a slightly roughened matte surface, and creates an interesting exotic atmosphere in the room..

Modern tendencies

There are no special restrictions in modern directions. But most of the latest styles tend to be simplistic. Therefore, for minimalism, hi-tech, cubism and pop art, smooth white models are suitable. You can pick up other light options. But in general, laminate flooring in the interior of modern stylistic directions is used without restrictions, but in accordance with the above selection rules.