What is the difference between parquet and laminate, which is better (photos and videos)

Often parquet is confused with laminate. In reality, these are two different flooring. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, before acquiring a certain material it is worth understanding the difference between parquet and laminate.

Features of parquet

Parquet is natural because it is made from wood. It is based on wooden strips having a certain size. For the manufacture of this material is used maple, ash, birch, oak. The most durable of them is the oak version.

The advantages of the parquet include the following:

1. Environmental friendliness. Due to the fact that the parquet is made of wood, it is completely safe for people.
2. Durability. Service life can reach up to 25 years.
3. After laying, there is no additional treatment.
4. Aesthetic appearance.

Among the shortcomings can be identified:

1. A person without experience will have difficulty laying with his own hands.
2. It is an intricate coating that requires special care and compliance with certain rules of operation. It should be protected from moisture, temperature fluctuations, etc.
3. Poorly opposed to stress, easy to scratch.
4. High cost.

Parquet can be of different types. The most demanded is parquet and parquet boards. A piece variety is wooden planks 1.5-2.2 cm thick, 4-7.5 cm wide and up to 50 cm long. When the planks are joined together, different patterns are formed. The parquet board is a three-layer wooden structure with a thickness of 1-2.2 cm, a width of 14-20 cm and a length of up to 2.5 m.

Features of the laminate

wrapped in plastic film. In other words, it is paper in a tight wrapper. It can be made "under the tree" or any other material.

Advantages of laminate:

1. Low enough cost.
2. Easy to install, does not require special skills for this.
3. Practicality. Not flammable, not afraid of damage or moisture.
4. Does not imply special care.
5. Durability. Can serve up to 15 years.

Disadvantages of laminate:

1. It is noisy and cold.
2. Consists of non-natural wood.
3. Impossibility of restoration.

Laminate is divided into classes.

It is from this indicator that it depends on how much load it can withstand. For example, for the bedroom, the best option would be a 31 class coating, 32 for the living room, 33 and 34 for commercial buildings. . The first is a wooden board, laid on the floor with fasteners. The difference between the laminate is that its base is resin-impregnated paper, finished with a protective film.

Another difference is the characteristic properties of floor coverings. The floorboard is a natural, eco-friendly, beautiful coating. Possesses high zvuko-and thermal insulation. For laminate, these properties are not typical.

Parquet may differ from laminate and care. Parquet flooring in this regard is extremely demanding. It is subject to temperature extremes, humidity, exposure to rot, does not tolerate excessive moisture / drying. Laminate, in turn, is less capricious in the care. He is not afraid of any temperature drops, no moisture, no physical impact and shock. However, if any defects appear, unlike parquet, it will have to be completely changed.

It should also be noted that at least the laminate is not as environmentally friendly as parquet, but it is fire resistant and does not require special laying skills. The parquet floor, which is not characterized by such simplicity, is most often placed by professionals.

Thus, it does not matter which of the two floor coverings will be chosen. With proper care, both of them will last a long time. The choice will rather depend on personal preferences and specific goals.