The popularity of creating a wooden floor texture in a living space is explained by its undeniable visual appeal, environmental friendliness and unique natural pattern, which is appropriate in almost any interior. Parquet boards, parquet and laminate, the differences of which lie in certain criteria, are the most popular materials. Their features will be discussed in this article.

Laminate is a multi-layer floor covering consisting of several base layers. Additional layers improve performance characteristics products.

Starting from top to bottom, the laminated board consists of the following layers:

1. Protective polymer layer (overlay) based on high-strength polymer resins. The length of service life, the resistance of the material to mechanical loads, and resistance to wear depend on the thickness and hardness of this coating. The strength of this layer determines the abrasion class of the board - for residential premises it varies from class 31 to class 34.
2. Under the protective layer there is a decorative one based on thick paper with a pattern applied using high-precision printing. It is this layer that is responsible for the appearance of the product. More often, the image imitates the texture of a floor board made of various types of wood, including valuable ones. It is possible to imitate classic deck parquet, stone, textile and abstract surfaces.
3. The load-bearing base and the thickest layer, responsible for the strength of the product, is HDF - board. It is based on fine wood chips and synthetic resin, which, when pressed, create a rigid canvas. It is on the end sides of the HDF board that the groove and ridge are located, ensuring tight fixation of the boards to each other.
4. To protect the board structure from moisture and subsequent deformation, it is equipped with a bottom stabilization layer based on melamine-impregnated paper.

There are several locking systems, but the Click type is the most common. With its help, the lamellas are firmly fastened to each other, while the canvas turns out to be floating, since it does not reach the walls of the room along the perimeter by 1 cm. The presence of a compensation gap guarantees the integrity of the coating during its natural expansion.

Important! Laminate can be used in the bathroom, but when choosing, you must take into account the labeling and choose waterproof polymer-based products. For such boards, it is not scary if liquid even gets into the seam between the slats. The moisture resistance of some types of laminate is ensured by additional treatment of the front layer with wax or polymer compounds.

Positive qualities of laminate

The advantages of laminate include the following:

1. Quick and simple installation that you can do yourself without involving professional workers.
2. Possibility of reassembly and disassembly of some types of laminate (depending on the type of locking). Such material is more expensive, but if necessary, it can be reused or damaged fragments can be replaced.
3. The abrasion-resistant front layer allows the use of this floor covering in rooms with special operating loads - in hallways and kitchens.
4. The material is environmentally friendly and safe, so it can be safely used in bedrooms and children's rooms.
5. Resistant to mechanical stress, laminate can withstand loads from furniture, sharp objects, pet claws, abrasive particles, and falling heavy objects.
6. The surface of the laminate can imitate valuable and very expensive types of natural wood, while the cost of the material is many times lower and is affordable for the average consumer.
7. The front decorative layer of products does not fade and does not lose its performance properties under the influence of ultraviolet rays.
8. A properly selected laminate can be used to create a warm water floor.

Among the shortcomings of the material, the material is loud when walking. Therefore, it is recommended to carefully consider the soundproofing of the floor. One more nuance: a single lamella cannot be repaired; if damaged, it will need to be replaced. Therefore, it is advisable to have a certain number of spare lamellas in reserve.

Features of parquet boards

This is a multi-layer material, which is predominantly composed of natural wood. It consists of the following layers:

1. The top layer of the board, coated with varnish, wax or oil, protects it from moisture and dirt.
2. The decorative layer is an array of valuable types of natural wood (ash, oak, etc.). To obtain a decorative effect, use different ways impact on the surface of this layer. Despite the fact that the thickness of the layer ranges from 2 to 6 mm, it can be re-grinded and scraped up to 4 times.
3. The thickness of the supporting base made of spliced ​​wood is up to 9 mm. To eliminate possible deformation manifestations, the fibers in this layer are located transversely relative to the previous layer.
4. The lower compensation layer stabilizes the board and allows it to maintain the correct geometric parameters.

Laying boards, like laminate, is done using the floating method. Fastening the lamellas using Click type fasteners. In some cases, the boards are secured with glue or hardware to the base of the subfloor.

Positive qualities of parquet boards

The advantages of parquet boards include the following:

1. Long service life flooring(over 25 years) is guaranteed if installation and maintenance technology is followed.
2. Environmentally friendly and safe coating.
3. The locking type of fastening of the boards to each other allows for quick installation on your own.
4. Boards can be laid different ways, to form one or another pattern on the floor surface.
5. Unlike parquet, the board of the same name has a lower and more affordable price.
6. Unlike laminate, the front layer of a parquet board can be updated using paints and varnishes.
7. The covering of such a floor is scraped and sanded if repairs are necessary.
8. The coating is antistatic.
9. Parquet boards are organically combined with other finishing materials.
10. Laying parquet boards is possible on top of a previously laid floor covering without dismantling it.

Among the features, one can note the need to use special detergents for care parquet board.

Parquet

This material is significantly and fundamentally different from laminate, primarily in that it is not a multi-layer structure, unlike the board of the same name. Parquet is planks made from solid oak, beech, ash, cherry, maple and other types of wood. Single-layer wooden planks are equipped with tongue-and-groove edges with the help of which the tongue-and-groove process occurs reliable fastening individual elements to each other. In addition, when laying parquet, fixation is used with glue, hardware, clamps or special fastening cords.

The performance properties of the material depend on the following factors:

1. The size of the planks can be different: they can be 15 - 90 cm in length, 3 - 12 cm in width, 15 - 25 mm in thickness. The smaller the plank format, the more resistant it is to temperature changes and humidity.
2. The durability of natural wood flooring largely depends on proper drying. The optimal indicator for parquet is a humidity of 4-10%.
3. The decorative quality of parquet is influenced by the type of wood. If it is a “highest” or “extra” grade, then the coating turns out to be the most beautiful and noble. There are straight or wavy lines on the edges of the products, the surface texture has maximum uniformity, and there are no defects. A more interesting pattern with different, heterogeneous shades is typical for wood of grades AB and C, but its surface may contain knots, weak and fragile areas.

It is worth immediately drawing a line between parquet and solid boards. The dimensions of the second reach up to 2 m in length and 20 cm in width, while the parquet visually has more modest dimensions.

One of the features of parquet that distinguishes it from laminate is that after laying the planks, their front surface must be additionally processed - sanded and coated with varnish or oil-wax to protect against negative impacts(abrasion and mechanical loads, exposure to varnish). This layer will need to be updated later. While laminate does not require any additional processing.

Positive qualities of parquet

Among the positive qualities of parquet, the following are noted:

1. The ability to update and repair such flooring if necessary guarantees its long service life. proper care(20 – 25 years old).
2. Natural, environmentally friendly and safe material.
3. Depending on the installation method, you can obtain various visual decorative effects. The palace parquet flooring has the highest artistic level of external execution.
4. The coating has noise-insulating properties.
5. The natural texture of natural material, its individuality and unique design allows us to obtain floor coverings of unique beauty.

Among the disadvantages of parquet, they note the need to protect the coating from moisture, complex installation, and susceptibility to fading under the influence of direct sunlight.

Differences between laminate and parquet

Having assessed the characteristics of the three materials listed above, it becomes clear that they all have significant differences from each other:

1. Durable, moisture-resistant, easy to install and maintain, laminate can imitate parquet and parquet boards, but it lacks the main quality of natural wood - heat capacity. However, a wide range of colors and imitations natural materials allows us to call this material universal. Another advantage is that laminate can be laid not only on the floor, but also on walls and ceilings.
2. Parquet boards can be considered the “golden mean” between multilayer laminate and expensive solid wood in the form of single-layer parquet strips. This material has the easy installation characteristic of laminate, but it is more demanding in terms of care and operating conditions, since it consists of natural wood.
3. Parquet flooring has long established itself as a durable, beautiful, environmentally friendly material for floor finishing. It is reliable and functional, but has the highest cost.

The main differences between these materials can be seen when assessing the main characteristics.

Table 1. Main differences

Parameter	Parquet	Parquet board	Laminate
Illustration
Appearance	Characterized by warm, natural shades, unique textures and patterns of each die with a natural surface that is pleasant to the touch.	The front natural wood layer does not have a variety of textures. The surface is pleasant and warm to the touch.	The widest range of simulated materials - natural wood, parquet, tiles, stone and others.
Service life and wear resistance	These indicators depend not only on the type of wood, but also on the thickness of the protective varnish layer, which can ensure a parquet service life of up to 50 years.	When the surface of a board is treated with varnish, its service life is 30 years, and impregnation with oil and wax guarantees the service life of the coating for no more than 10 years.	The service life of a laminate depends on its class; the higher it is, the more durable it is.
Possibility of application in the system	Water	Water, infrared	Water, infrared
Maintainability	Can be restored (up to 12 times)	Can be restored (up to 4 times)	If the lamellas are damaged they must be replaced
Moisture resistance		When treated with special impregnations and varnish	Depending on the thickness of the front layer and the addition of polymers to the supporting base
Care requirements	Surfaces treated with oil-wax require care using special means. And the varnish coating is resistant to moisture and less demanding.	The coating is difficult to maintain and requires constant care using special chemicals.	Easy to care for.

What to look for when choosing

When choosing a flooring material, several nuances are taken into account:

1. Purpose of the premises. Indoors with high humidity You should use materials made from natural wood with caution, and if you want to create a wooden floor in the bathroom, it is recommended to pay attention to a waterproof laminate that exactly replicates the natural pattern of wood.
2. Operating loads on the coating. The impact and abrasion resistance of laminate is several times higher than that of parquet boards.
3. Financial opportunities. If you choose between cheap parquet and expensive laminate, it is better to choose the second option.
4. Thermal conductivity requirements. If the apartment is located on the ground floor, then it is important that the floor is warm - natural wood is preferable in this case. When installing heated floors, you can use laminate.
5. Soundproofing requirements. Wooden floors are much quieter than laminate flooring.
6. Requirements for the aesthetic component. Natural wood, its unique pattern and natural texture cannot be replicated by any other material. But if necessary, laminate is chosen to imitate other materials.
7. Microclimatic conditions. Parquet requires special conditions to the level of humidity in the room - if there is insufficient ventilation, the material will quickly become unusable. Laminate is more stable in this regard.

Features of installation work

Laminate and parquet flooring must be laid on a perfectly level base. Its material does not matter and proper preparation plays an important role.

Important! A rough base with a moisture level above 20–25% will cause deformation of the laminate flooring.

The method of preparing the base depends on the material it is made of. The concrete base will need to be leveled, debris removed from its surface and primed. , arranged along the joists, is covered with two layers of offset plywood.

Laying parquet and laminate flooring is possible over old flooring, except linoleum and carpet. The base must be rigid.

What may be needed when laying laminate flooring? Look for the answer in There you will find everything: from tools to instructions for self-installation.

Both laminate and parquet must be left in the room where they will be installed for 48 hours to acclimatize.

As for the principle of fixing the lamellas and planks, the laminate is laid in a floating manner, and the parquet is placed on glue or fixed to the base using fasteners.

Laying both parquet and laminate requires the use of waterproofing.

Waterproofing can not only protect the concrete surface from destruction, but also protect the property of neighbors in the event of some unforeseen situations. You will find the installation technology in

Regardless of which material is ultimately preferred, it is important that it is of high quality, safe and organically combined with style decision interior

Video - Pros and cons of laminate and parquet boards

At the stage of laying flooring, many people are faced with the question: “what better parquet or laminate." You can make a decision in favor of one of the options only after all their advantages and disadvantages have been thoroughly studied.

Parquet

This material has three layers made of wood and located perpendicular to each other. This type of gluing gives the coating special strength and resistance to changes in geometric shape. High-strength wood species (for example, beech, oak, maple, ash) are used in the production of the top coating layer. There are also exotic options, in the manufacture of which red or teak wood is used. Layer thickness 0.5-6 mm. The lamellas (second layer) are most often represented by pine or spruce and have an average thickness of 9 mm. The third layer acts as wood plywood 1.5 mm thick.

Classification of parquet by the number of planks

• Single lane. Visually it is a solid wood covering that looks great indoors large area. The cost of such parquet is quite high, because in production they use wide stripes expensive types of wood. Today you can buy boards with chamfers. After laying it, grooves are formed between the boards, which perfectly imitate seams, which allows you to achieve the effect of a solid wood covering.
• Two-way. It consists of two planks, divided into modules or laid in continuous strips. This type parquet is perfect for formal interiors.
• Three-way. This is the most common type. Three-strip board perfectly imitates a “deck” pattern and is used in interior design different types. Board width – 109-208 mm.
• Four-lane. This option is made from wood waste and is best suited for finishing a summer house.

Advantages of parquet

• Durability. The service life of the coating is 20-25 years.
• Environmental friendliness. It is a completely natural product, unlike many other types of finishes.
• Artistic styling.
• Maintainability.
• Noise insulation.
• Lack of static.
• Natural beauty of the material structure. No kind artificial turf cannot surpass the beauty of natural wood.

The disadvantages of parquet include low resistance to moisture, difficulty in installation, the ability to absorb odors and loss of color when directly exposed to sunlight (burnout).

Laminate

This type of flooring is made from several layers of material and covered with plastic film. It consists of several layers: the bottom one is made from moisture-resistant paper additionally impregnated with resins or from thin plastic (necessary to give the structure stability and rigidity), the middle one is fibreboard or particle board, the top one is a high-strength non-electrified film (can imitate stone, wood , ceramic tiles, metal and plain-painted surfaces). Externally, the laminate consists of panels about 1 meter long and 20 cm wide.

Advantages of laminate

• Convenience and ease of installation (the tongue-and-groove system allows you to install it yourself without the involvement of qualified specialists).
• Abrasion resistance.
• Environmental safety (can be used in areas where children and allergy sufferers live).
• Resistant to damage (not afraid of massive furniture, animal claws, heels, etc.).
• Resistance to ultraviolet rays.
• Affordable price.
• Hygiene.
• Possibility of laying on a “warm floor” system.
• Able to withstand high temperatures.
• Protected from moisture.

The disadvantages of the coating include high noise (requires installation of a soundproofing pad), and cannot be repaired or restored.

Choosing a laminate depending on the class of use

21 – residential premises with a light load level;

22 – living rooms with an average level of load;

23 – premises with a high degree of load, intended for human habitation;

31-33 – public premises with different levels of traffic;

34 – public premises with high level loads (airports, train stations, etc.).

What is the difference between laminate and parquet?

There is no clear answer to this question. Floor coverings should be selected depending on the specific situation. Criterias of choice:

• Appearance . The beauty of natural wood cannot be compared with anything, but in creating modern interiors Imitation of stone, tile, and metal, which laminate can provide, is increasingly being used.

• Purpose of the premises. For areas with high traffic, it is better to choose artificial turf.

In terms of impact resistance, laminate is 1.5 times higher than parquet boards. In addition, do not forget its high abrasion resistance. However, in solid interiors, natural boards will look more refined and noble.

• Life time. The lifespan of any floor covering depends on proper care. On average, the service life of parquet is 35 years, laminate will last no more than 25 years.
• Thermal conductivity. Wood will undoubtedly retain heat better. However, if you still decide to use laminate, you can effectively solve the problem using the “warm floor” system.
• Soundproofing. Wood will provide the proper level of thermal insulation. Comparing the difference between parquet and laminate, it is worth noting that the latter option is much noisier. When installing it, additional costs will be required for a soundproofing substrate.

• Atmosphere in the house. If there is no efficient system ventilation, in summer time The humidity level will be increased, and in winter the air, on the contrary, will be too dry. All this will negatively affect the appearance of the parquet board. Under such conditions, it will “swell” and then dry out, as a result of which cracks and cracks may appear. You can solve the problem either by choosing a laminate, or by installing quality system ventilation.
• Price. If you want to save money, give preference to artificial material, but if you want to purchase a durable coating that can be restored over time, choose parquet.
• Features of operation. Laminate is resistant to moisture, while parquet is afraid of it and requires the use of special care products.

Today, flooring is the most important part of finishing a room during renovation. After all, the correctness of his choice will depend not only decorative look rooms, as well as the warmth of the room and level of comfort.

It should be remembered that parquet boards are used in residential premises, and laminate flooring is used in offices.

Parquet boards and laminate are the most common materials for floor finishing. They look similar, but have a lot of differences in other characteristics. The only feature that unites them is their significant thickness, which ensures strength and good thermal insulation. To better navigate when choosing, it is advisable to consider the difference between a parquet board and a laminate.

Main characteristics of laminate

Laminate is usually called a multilayer board based on wood fiber, the front part of which is painted to resemble wood and well laminated with a special film. This resinous film provides protection for the pattern and fibers from external influences.

Decoration and performance characteristics

The pattern on the laminate can be anything you want. Most often, the appearance of natural wood is created, which makes buyers think that what they are looking at is really a tree of a certain type. But they often make laminate flooring decorative tiles. It looks quite original, especially in kitchens and large halls.

Special attention should be paid to the performance characteristics of the laminate. This is a very high quality material that is practically not afraid of any mechanical stress. For this reason, it is often used for finishing floors in offices and big houses, where it is not customary to change shoes. After all, it is quite difficult to scratch high-quality laminate, especially if the coating is matte.

Laminate is very resistant to fading, so you can lay this type of floor even in sunny rooms. The surface will also not wear off if a laminate with the highest degree of lamination of the pattern with a resinous substance is selected.

But at the same time, laminate is not such a warm coating. Therefore, in houses with insufficient insulation, its use is not entirely practical. This largely explains the static effect of the laminate. After all, the use of a special protective resin to coat the material allows dust to freely adhere to the floor. And this is not very convenient, since you will have to frequently wet clean the room. But these are, by and large, solvable problems, since in the first case you can simply maintain normal temperature heaters, and in the second - use antistatic agents while putting things in order.

Features of care and price

But use different products to keep laminate floors clean. household chemicals not recommended, except for substances specially developed for this type of material. After all, laminated film improper care may collapse, which will immediately affect the decorative and practicality of the floor.

The maximum service life of the laminate depends on proper care. Of course, all types of laminate are divided into certain classes, each of which has its own level of wear. Typically these numbers range from 7 to 20 years. But if it’s not quite correct or, conversely, it’s enough good care The laminate can serve either 3-5 years longer or less.

As for the price, laminate is a relatively inexpensive coating, even if you choose to do it yourself quality material. The cleaner the material is in environmental terms (more gentle substances are used for gluing layers and in smaller quantities), the more expensive it is, accordingly.

Features of parquet boards

Parquet board is several layers of wood veneer, firmly connected to each other. In this case, the front part is not painted to look like natural material, but is actually finished off natural wood, perfectly processed and prepared. Therefore, you will never find two completely identical parquet boards. Which, in fact, explains all the decorativeness of the coating.

The floor based on parquet boards is warm enough, even when the whole house is quite cold. At the same time, it is quite antistatic, which does not allow a large amount of dust to stick to the coating. But parquet boards do not tolerate mechanical loads and various external influences. Therefore, it is not recommended to use it for offices where walking in street shoes is expected. After all, parquet boards are coated with varnish, and varnish is a vulnerable substance for the floor.

There is nothing special about caring for parquet boards. You just need to make sure that this type of floor has as little contact with water as possible. Indeed, due to the fact that natural wood fibers are used, the risk of floor deformation increases several times.

Despite all this, the service life of parquet boards is very long, it can even reach 40 years. In this case, the decorative appearance may be lost, but the tree remains quite suitable. And if you use special mastics and light varnishes from time to time, even such a board will always look at a high level.

The price of parquet boards is very high, but it is completely justified. This is largely due to the environmental friendliness of the material. After all, even with strong temperature changes, the tree will not emit harmful substances. On the contrary, a good parquet board will emit a light, pleasant forest smell.

Overview of the main differences

So, the main differences between laminate and parquet boards are briefly discussed.

But what exactly is the difference between laminate and parquet boards? To do this, let’s combine the main differences between the two materials, while more clearly highlighting the disadvantages and advantages of each of them:

1. Environmental friendliness. Parquet boards have more advantages in this regard, since they are made entirely of wood. The use of adhesive is minimal. Laminate is made from artificial material, although wood chips are added. And with large temperature changes, it can release harmful fumes into the air, especially lower quality varieties.
2. Heat and sound insulation. Here, too, parquet boards take first place. It makes no noise when walking on it, and is quite warm due to the “living wood” effect. Laminate flooring is cold, and when you walk on it, a characteristic noise appears.
3. Static effect. The parquet board does not have its own static charge, so dust almost does not stick to the floor. But this cannot be said about laminate flooring, where dust appears on the surface almost immediately after cleaning. You can remove the charge with an antistatic agent, but the effect will be short-lived.
4. Resistant to damage. Laminate is more stable in this regard; its top layer may not be damaged for a very long time. Parquet boards can quickly lose their decorative appearance, but at the same time, the main part of it, which is located under the top layer, is very durable.
5. Selecting a picture. Here a wide range of patterns can be found in laminate flooring. After all, through the use of synthetics, you can imitate any surface. Parquet boards do not have such a large selection, but at the same time they have a unique natural wood pattern.
6. Price. At its price, laminate is a fairly economical material. Therefore, it is indispensable in conditions of limited finances. Parquet board High Quality usually quite expensive. But at the same time, the cost is consistent with its main characteristics.

So, you now understand how parquet flooring differs from laminate. From all of the above, we can conclude that it is most acceptable to use parquet boards in residential premises, and laminate flooring in offices. Then the coatings will last a long time and will not cause hassle with repairs and restoration.

The decors of most floor coverings have the pattern, shade and structure of natural wood. This does not mean that they are all wood products. In order to understand the variety of finishing materials, we will find out what is the difference between laminate and parquet boards and parquet, and also compare their properties.

What is laminate

Laminate flooring belongs to the category of multi-layer flooring. Contains 4 base layers (from top to bottom):

Overlay

Protective transparent film formed from high-strength polymer resins. Wear resistance finishing material largely depends on the thickness and hardness of this layer.

An overlay is not only a protector that prevents premature abrasion and damage to the coating. Special processing techniques have been developed to achieve various decorative effects:

• mirror gloss,
• silky matte satin,
• semi-matte or semi-gloss structural embossing,
• flat matte coating and so on.

Depending on the strength of this layer, the laminate is assigned a load class - from 31 to 34.

Decorative layer

Made from thick paper. The design chosen by the designer is applied to it using high-precision printing. The most common decors are floor boards or classic deck parquet. Stone, textile and avant-garde designs are less commonly used.

HDF carrier board

Basic element of laminate. It is a rigid canvas made of compressed rubber high pressure fine chips and thermosetting synthetic resin. The degree of resistance of the coating to long-term loads depends on:

• Slab density. Varies from 750 to 1200 kg/m 3 ;
• The thickness of the lamella is from 6 to 14 mm.

Stabilization layer

It is paper impregnated with melamine resins. Designed to protect the bottom of the laminate from moisture and prevent deformation of the boards.

Some experts also separate the locking part into a separate layer, with the help of which the lamellas are connected in a glueless manner into a single sheet, without gaps or differences. Almost all manufacturers produce laminate flooring with a Click locking system. Due to this, installation is carried out using the “floating” method.

For improvement moisture resistant characteristics The ends of the laminated coating (in some collections) are treated with special waterproofing compounds based on polymers or wax.

Thus, a laminate is a composite hard covering consisting of heterogeneous components.

Features of parquet boards

What is the difference between parquet board and laminate? There are some similarities between laminate and parquet boards. Both materials are multilayer, but the second coating (decorative) is made from 98% wood. Structurally consists of:

1. Wear-resistant and dirt-resistant top coating . Polyurethane, alkyd or acrylic varnish (glossy and matte), wax, a mixture of oils or oil-wax compositions are used.
2. Solid wood: oak, ash, jatoba and others. Used to create interesting tones special techniques processing (tinting, bleaching, smoking, brushing, etc.). The cut is quite thin - 2-6 mm, but repeated grinding or scraping is allowed 1-4 times.
3. Supporting base cross section 6-9 mm. For its production, spliced ​​coniferous wood of technical grades is used. The fibers are arranged transversely to the top layer to eliminate possible deformations (distortions, twisting, bending).
4. Bottom stabilizing layer. Its thickness does not exceed 1-3 mm. The layer is designed to compensate for the stress of the layers and ensure the stability of the geometric dimensions of the planks.

The parquet board is laid in a “floating” way, so each plank is equipped with a mechanical locking system Click or Lock formats. However, there is a difference here: unlike a laminated floor, a prefabricated floor can be fixed to the base using glue or fastening hardware.

Array characteristics

What is the difference between laminate and parquet? First of all, because these are single-layer, planed solid wood, planks. For their production, such species as oak, beech, ash, cherry, maple and many others are used. The edges, as a rule, are tongue-and-groove, connected according to the tongue-and-groove principle. There are many installation technologies; the adhesive method is most often used. Less often - using hardware, clamps or special fastening cords.

Since the flooring is made from solid wood, its quality and performance characteristics depend on many factors:

• Dimensions. The length of the products varies from 15 to 90 cm, width - 3-12 cm, thickness - 15-25 mm. Small-format planks are considered the most resistant to changes in temperature and humidity.
• Humidity. A more durable coating than parquet has not yet been invented from wood. And the key to such reliability is proper drying. Optimal indicator– from 4 to 10%.
• Variety This indicator depends on decorative effect. The best and most beautiful parquet is made from wood of the “extra” and “highest” categories. The product is obtained with straight or wavy lines on the edges, almost monochromatic textured surface, no defects or sapwood. Grades AB, B and C are distinguished by a more interesting pattern with many halftones, as well as the presence of knots, weak and fragile areas.

Do not confuse parquet with solid wood. The difference is primarily in size. Parquet planks are even visually small, while solid wood is lamellas up to 2 m long and up to 20 cm wide.

Let's note one more important feature. Parquet requires additional treatment after installation and protective surface finishing. Grinding and varnishing are carried out, excluding contact of the coating with water, dirt and other negative factors. At the request of the customer, the master can cover the floor with special oil or wax.

Similarities and differences: laminate and parquet, parquet boards

From the above it follows that all three coatings considered are significantly different. For clarity, we summarize all the characteristics in a single table.

Characteristic	Parquet	Parquet board	Laminate
Appearance	The characteristic color and texture of living wood, the surface is warm to the touch.	A presentable appearance of natural solid wood with a rather uniform texture. Pleasant in tactile terms, warm.	Excellent imitation of wood and stone textures, a wide selection of designs for parquet, boards, stone, etc.
Wear resistance and service life	Depends on the type of topcoat. The floor under a layer of durable varnish lasts at least 50 years with intensive use	The service life of finishing materials with varnish protection is up to 30 years. Board under oil or wax – no more than 10 years.	The warranty period for class 31 is 10 years, class 32 – up to 20 years, for class 33-34 – 25-40 years.
Advantages	1) Low coefficient of sound, noise and thermal conductivity; 2) Maintainability; 3) Moisture resistance; 4) Restoration up to 12 times; 5) Over time, the color becomes more noble, acquiring honey shades; 6) Manufacturing defects can be corrected by grinding.	1) Easy installation and disassembly; 2) Moisture resistance; 3) Maintainability; 4) Restoration up to 4 times; 5) Gradually the shade changes towards saturation. 6) It is allowed to use some collections in commercial premises	1) Quick installation and easy dismantling; 2) Moisture-resistant, and for some collections also water-resistant; 3) Partial maintainability; 4) Used in rooms with high loads.
Flaws	1) Complex and expensive installation; 2) The need for varnishing or treatment with protective agents; 3) Contact with water is undesirable.	1) Protective wax or oil coating needs to be updated every 3-5 years; 2) Afraid of water; 3) It is undesirable to use defective boards; 4) Waste during installation can reach 5% of the total.	1) Surface that is cold to the touch; 2) May periodically accumulate static electricity; 3) Requires protection from furniture legs, rollers and abrasives; 4) A large number of installation waste; 5) Weak noise and heat insulation properties; 6) Fade over time.
Interaction with the “warm floors” system	Operation only with water heating complexes is allowed	Combination with water, infrared and special systems such as Devicel Dry, etc. is possible. Standard electric heating is not acceptable
Care	Lacquered coatings are easy to clean and maintain. You need to be careful with floors coated with oil or wax; it is advisable to purchase a series of care products.	Required ongoing care and special chemistry based on waxes and polymer compositions.	Easy to clean and maintain. To remove stains and scratches, it is better to purchase a restoration kit in advance.
Cost, from	350 rub./m 2	1400 rub./m 2	300 rub./m2

Let's summarize:

What is better to choose: parquet, laminate or parquet boards? The answer lies on the surface: focus on your design preferences and financial capabilities. The most important thing is to choose a really high-quality product from well-known manufacturers.

Advice! If you need repairmen, there is a very convenient service for selecting them. Just submit in the form below detailed description work that needs to be done and you will receive offers with prices from construction teams and companies by email. You can see reviews about each of them and photographs with examples of work. It's FREE and there's no obligation.

The renovation of the premises ends with decorative finishing works. They include not only wall and ceiling cladding, but also laying the finishing floor covering. Homeowners are faced with a difficult choice of flooring materials.

The modern construction market offers big choice laminate, parquet, carpet rolls and linoleum. These are not all flooring options. The most common and widely used are laminate and parquet.

Depending on the interior, purpose and service life, the choice of material is made. However, not many people understand the difference between parquet boards and laminate. It is sometimes necessary to understand the parameters and characteristics of products due to the fact that, as a rule, floor coverings are laid for many years.

From quality and various properties The service life of the floor depends. In order to make it easier to navigate the differences between products, you should compare their characteristics and the essence of the materials used.

The parameters influencing the choice of flooring are as follows:

• The nature of the raw material or what the product is made from.
• Aesthetics.
• How easy it is to install the coating, how to care for the product.
• Moisture resistance, strength, resistance of the material to mechanical stress, wear resistance parameters.
• Price.

Based on these factors, a choice is made in favor of one or another floor covering. It will be built on them comparative analysis products.

The nature of the raw material or what the product is made from

It is an environmentally friendly product made from different breeds tree. The board consists of three layers, which are assigned various purposes. The coating is usually divided into piece and solid boards.

The first ones are presented in the form of short strips; they are quite easy to mount and assemble into different patterns. Solid board differs in size. These are long and fairly wide boards. They are placed as is; they cannot be assembled into a pattern. Piece parquet boards are divided into types according to the method of cutting the product.

Separate tangential and radial strips. The difference can be seen in the design of the board. Moreover, tangential strips are more affordable in price, but inferior to radial ones in characteristics. They are not resistant to temperature changes.

It is a plank made from pressed waste gruss using resins. The board resembles a “sandwich” consisting of several layers. The base of the laminating board is a layer of melamine, waterproof.

The main element of the plank is a fiberboard layer coated with a layer of resin - moisture-resistant protection. The design of the product in the form of a paper layer is placed on the main body of the board. The finishing layer is a transparent film.

Many people believe that laminate coating cannot be compared with parquet boards. However, this material is usually labeled “environmentally friendly”. Laminate coating perfectly imitates parquet and sometimes surpasses its counterpart in some characteristics.

A little limited in terms of colors and textures. It has always been a tree; its appearance can only vary in shades of wood species. However, if you choose the “royal” type of product, you can assemble a chic, noble and solid coating. The appearance of the material immediately indicates the social status of the owner, despite the limited patterns and colors.

Has a large selection color range products. They can imitate not only parquet, but also granite, tile, and marble. In respect of design solutions and variety, laminate outperforms parquet. It is possible to order laminate flooring with a specific pattern for your interior.

The difference between parquet mainly lies in its installation and subsequent maintenance. Laying the product is somewhat more complicated than laminate. However, if we are talking about a piece plank, then there should be no problems.

During the operation of parquet, periodic scraping and polishing of the coating is necessary. This allows you to update the floor and give it a “fresh” look. The treated surface is covered with varnish or stain. This procedure can be done up to four times during its entire service life.

Lamination coating easy to install. It is accompanied by special devices - locks - they close when attached. Anyone can assemble laminate flooring.

However, the product requires a substrate, since it makes noise when loaded, which cannot be said about parquet. No material required special care, just wipe it with a damp cloth. However, if the board is damaged, it is necessary to replace it and open up the entire floor. You can't sand the planks and you can't remove surface damage.

The service life is significantly longer and averages 30 years. Depending on care, loads and type of board, the indicator can reach 80 years. Such a significant service life is achieved thanks to the material and method of manufacturing the product.

Lamination coating will last about 7 years. This figure is average, since the parameter depends on the class of the product and its purpose. The maximum service life of a material with a high degree of wear resistance can reach 20-25 years. Everything will depend on the loads and the degree of humidity of the premises.

The operational parameters boast their heat and sound insulation qualities. There is no need to lay an additional substrate under the coating.

The parquet floor is warm and comfortable. However, it is afraid of moisture and mechanical damage. The board is easily scratched by moving objects or walking on it in heels. However, all these small scratches can be easily removed during the next sanding.

It differs from parquet in its high resistance to mechanical loads. The coating is not scratched or damaged, even if you put out a cigarette on it. The material is also afraid of large quantities of water. When washing, it is not recommended to wet the surface too much; use a damp cloth.

The product is divided into wear resistance classes - 31, 32, 33, 34. The latter lasts a long time and does not undergo any changes, does not fade, does not scratch or swell when exposed to moist air.

Price policy

A natural product costs much more than an artificial one. The minimum price for a parquet board will be 800 rubles. The cost of laminate starts from 100 rubles. The pricing policy for materials is different and very striking. However modern technologies offer high-tech laminating products at a cost almost identical to parquet boards.

A comparative analysis of products will help you decide on the choice of flooring. The owner decides what to lay on the floor based on the characteristics, purpose and pricing policy of the material.

If preference is given to natural products, then, of course, the choice will fall on parquet. If preference is given to design and unusual color solutions- on laminate. When purchasing this or that product, the consumer will already know the advantages of both types of coatings and how one differs from the other.