Floor coverings

How to choose a Belgian laminate flooring

Finish laminate flooring Belgian production are some of the best and most popular among all the offers on the market. The Belgian laminate is the best in appearance and performance. Experts say that some laminate manufacturers from Belgium are included in the TOP-10 ratings of the best. Therefore, these products are popular and in demand all over the world among both private and corporate clients.

The production of laminate flooring was launched in this country in the late 80s. Then the local owners of large businesses thought about the promising developments of Swedish companies.

However, some companies were formed not so long ago. But especially the high quality of products and flexible policy in pricing determined their success, popularity and positive feedback.

Balterio

This brand is a young player in this market.

A large number of products sold in other countries, which made the brand very popular. The consumer immediately recognized and appreciated the quality of the products, reasonable price, high aesthetic indicators. Now it is sold in 55 countries.

Belgian Laminate Quick Step

Many people associate this brand with high-strength laminated flooring. Also, the panels are very easy to install and have high consumer characteristics. Work on creating the perfect flooring began back in '89 and is ongoing to this day. This laminate combines Belgian tradition with modern technology.

Features and Benefits

The entire line, which is produced by this Belgian manufacturer, is of the highest quality and maximum reliability. In addition, the Belgian laminate "Quick Step" has excellent performance properties.

The flooring is resistant to all kinds of scratches.

This is a real Belgian laminate - 33 class of strength. Only market leaders can boast of such a level. A special lock system simplifies installation. Also, the entire product line is hygienic, and surface care is very simple.

The material is extremely durable. Manufacturers give a guarantee for 25 years of operation.

Eligna

The modern laminate model has a wider board.

These are far from all collections. For example, models from the Quadra series are suitable for the kitchen. Here, ceramic and stone are imitated very high quality. Exclusive lovers will appreciate the Belgian vinyl laminate from this brand.

Laminate 32 strength classes

Determines the choice of flooring wear resistance. It is also important to focus on the load ratio and fault tolerance class. In a residential building or in small commercial companies, this class is the best choice.

The Belgian laminate "Battery" allows you to equip a reliable and aesthetic floor.

The Tradition Quattro features a four-sided chamfer. This makes the borders of the panel clear. Imitation of oak of various shades, massive boards, as well as matte texture make it possible to consider it a classic among flooring. Tradition perfectly imitates expensive wood species. This allows you to give accuracy and special elegance to any room.

Other Belgian laminate manufacturers, such as Berry Floor, will be able to please with interesting collections. The highlight is the special surface texture, glossy, matte or semi-matte texture.

Class 33 products

Berry Floor Belgian Royalty Pasoloc Laminate is an extra-level product. The line is distinguished by reliable strips with a small height. Within the collection you can find a variety of colors and shades.

Balterio company in this class provides its collection - Conference.

The Quick Step Magestic Collection is a series of products that mimics expensive wood. The top layer is very durable, and the brand claims that the nominal period of use is life.

Belgian laminate flooring: reviews

Belgian-made finishes can rightfully determine the market.

After all, what is Belgium? These are traditions and high quality in everything. At the same time, a huge number of collections helps to find the right cover for any premises and operating conditions. It is worth trying these Belgian products. This will help create coziness and comfort in your home or apartment.

The main characteristics of laminate flooring

The main characteristic of a laminate is its wear resistance. The wear resistance of a laminate is its class. The larger the laminate class, the longer it will last. For an apartment and a house, you need to choose laminates of classes 32.33.34. For obvious reasons. The larger the class of laminate flooring, the greater its cost.

Important country producer of laminate flooring. The best manufacturers work in Germany and Belgium. There are good brands in Poland and Russian manufacturers of foreign brands.

For assembly, a laminate lock is important. The castle should be such that it was possible to assemble the floor from the laminate without a single blow, even using special tools, at its ends. That is, the assembly should not be with a side padding, but resemble the assembly of the designer. Locks that provide this assembly are called Clicks. Examples of good types of click locks are Clikxpress, Uniclic, etc.

Do not fall for the moisture resistance of the laminate. The most painful place for moisture is the laminate lock. Coating the lock with paraffin will save from moisture conditionally, you still have to use a sealant for laminate locks such as Click Guard.

Based on these characteristics, we will try to choose a Belgian laminate.

Quick Step (factory in Russia)

The company was founded in 1960. On the market for laminate flooring under the Quick Step brand, UNILIN has been known since 1990.

The most famous laminate company. The main office in Belgium. There is a factory in Russia. The main class of laminate is Quick Step 32 and 33. The main Uniclic lock (clicks in one click). In general, the laminate is not bad, but not perfect, but you have to pay for the brand. Hence the price of this brand is somewhat overpriced. Since 2001, produces a laminate with V-shaped bevels.

2. Laminate Quick-Step (Belgium-Russia)

UNILIN Group has been producing laminate flooring since 1990. Moreover, certain types of collections have been produced in Dzerzhinsk since 2011. The Quick-Step brand follows a careful attention to detail in everything. The manufacturer believes that in such a case there are no trifles at all, therefore, all parameters and design findings are being worked out taking into account the quality and aesthetics of the products.

Quick-Step has the following characteristics and advantages:

- the release of the latest modifications and classic types of laminate. The manufacturer offers 15 different collections that have a micro, as well as a V-bevel, with the effect of typesetting parquet, leather, natural stone, etc.

- products correspond to 31-33 class and have such dimensions in mm:
the thickness of the board 7 - 9.5, the width of the lamella 156 - 624, the length of the plank 624 - 2050,

- the product is resistant to ultraviolet light, small, shallow scratches. The laminate is coated with a special antistatic compound that prevents the accumulation of static electricity. Even the darkest shades of the coating remain attractive and scratch-free for a long time.

- the lock has a high density of tension and closure. Due to this, there are no gaps between the slats, which prevents the ingress of moisture, dirt. When installing the laminate, classical methods are used that help in the future to disassemble the coating without damaging the lamella,

- plates are treated with waterproofing material, which allows them to be used in wet rooms and arrange floors using a single style,

- for laying material a large selection of components is provided,

- all products manufactured by the company are certified according to the requirements of the European Association of Laminate Manufacturers, it is safe for operation in the residential sector,

- The laminate product has a long period of operation and leaves 25 years.

1. Laminate Tarkett

Since 2010, Mytishchi has been producing laminate flooring. The plant was launched with the participation of Tarkett, Sinteros companies. The technological lines of the enterprise produce 8 types of collections, which have more than 100 various designs and correspond to wear resistance in 32 and 33 classes.

Tarkett Laminate has the following advantages:

  • The design has a very expressive, vibrant structure. To achieve an exact match with natural materials, such as solid wood, deep embossing, special technologies are used. The chamfer can be located on two and four sides. The consumer can choose the trims required sizes (mm):

1292x194, with a thickness of 8 to 14,

1292x159, with a thickness of 8,

  • during installation, efficient locking systems are used,
  • -plates are moisture resistant (12%), density over 750 kg / m², with additional protection of locks with a wax composition. Service life up to 25 years,
  • -Products are safe for humans. It has an environmental labeling of the European standard “Leaflet of life”.

Product quality is very high thanks to the use of German components. However, the price is quite high, although laminate products are produced in Russia.

2. Laminate Kronostar

Since 2002, the Kronostar brand has been produced in Russia. The modern laminate produced in the Kostroma region corresponds in terms of wear resistance to grade 31-33. Panels differ in texture.

There are 4 types in total:

  • PR is an ordinary, classic look of a tree structure,
  • WG - kind of stamping rustic
  • MX - deep study of the coating in the form of a matte-gloss contrast,
  • ER - synchronous register stamping.

Kronostar products have a number of tangible advantages:

  • the plate has a thickness of 7-12mm,
  • 9 collections are presented with a calm classic palette of colors,
  • Two types of connection to the lock are used:

typical click lock, allowing assembly and disassembly without loss,

the presence of 5G with a thick plastic insert provides strength and reliability of the joint,

  • high degree of resistance to abrasion, fire resistance. Products do not fade, stains do not form on it. She is safe for man
  • laminate flooring has a life of up to 15 years.

Along with the obvious advantages of the product, there are some disadvantages:

there is no additional voluntary certification for environmental friendliness and safety,

the presence of only one size for all types of manufactured products,

insignificant choice of decor,

Chamfer is missing in all collections.

Kronostar is classified as low-budget material, which is rarely used by commercial enterprises, mainly for home use.

What to look for in a Chinese laminate?


Most often, complete information is not available about the laminate from China. It is known that no product meets the requirements of the association of manufacturers of laminating coatings.

When choosing a product, it is very important to pay attention to the following features:

  • the presence of a sanitary certificate,
  • product price in comparison with Russian and European,
  • To check the quality of the product, you need to pick up the bar and try to bend the spike of the castle system. With the proper density of the material, it does not crack or crumble,
  • the joints of the plates attached to each other should be invisible. The lock should snap under a little effort,
the box must always indicate the barcode of the country of manufacture.

Benefits of Belgian Laminate

Laminate made in Belgium has a number of competitive advantages:

  • High level of environmental friendliness of products,
  • The accuracy of the geometric dimensions of individual boards, which simplifies installation and increases the durability of the laminate floor,
  • A wide variety of models from different manufacturers. In the assortment of companies from Belgium, you can find decors of 31-34 wear resistance classes, models in any shades (ranging from snow-white to black),
  • Use in the production of laminated floors of proven and environmentally friendly raw materials,
  • Making decors taking into account modern fashion trends,
  • Reasonable prices for many models. On the market you can find laminate flooring from Belgian manufacturers of both economy class and premium.

The most famous brands of the country

In Belgium today there are not as many enterprises for the production of laminated products as in Germany, so only a few brands can be distinguished from the most popular and popular:

Balterio. The company was founded in 2001. Today, the company supplies its laminate flooring in more than 60 countries. In the assortment you can find high-quality coatings for residential and commercial premises with a diverse design.

Berry Floor. A relatively small company that produces excellent laminate flooring for the European market. In Russia, the cost of products from this manufacturer varies from 1000 to 2000 rubles per m2. You can find models for the domestic and commercial sectors. The manufacturer also offers a multi-year warranty on the entire product range.

Quick step. Probably the most famous company from this country, which is a leader in the ranking of manufacturers of laminated coatings in terms of annual output. Today, the company offers a wide variety of collections and models with imitation of natural wood, tile and stone. In the assortment you can find a laminate for any interior, room and design.

Aqua Step. Since 2001, the company specializes in the manufacture of moisture-resistant laminated coatings. The models offered by the company are excellent for laying in rooms with high humidity. It is necessary to highlight the relatively high cost of production.

Browse Popular Brands

Belgium is known for its huge number of laminate flooring companies. Each brand has some success, although some of them appeared on the market relatively recently:

  • For example, company Berry alloc offers its customers a lifetime warranty on their products. The laminate flooring of this company is a combination of beauty and innovation. It is very easy to install thanks to the Best Loc lock system. It meets all modern requirements: durability, noiselessness, moisture resistance and beautiful design. BerryAlloc offers over 10 different laminate collections. The Exquisite collection has a wider plank width and an elegant finish on each edge. The Urban collection is characterized by a narrow bar without a chamfer. Due to its special size, it is easy to realize a different parquet pattern on the floor.

The Business laminate range is particularly resistant to shocks and noise, so this flooring is often chosen for shops and restaurants, where a large flow of people passes daily.

  • Company Laminate Beauflor It is vinyl and belongs to the 34th class. It has lock assembly technology and is particularly durable. Its service life is equated to the service life of linoleum. It is also easy to install thanks to the Dreamclick lock system. The planks of this laminate have a wood texture. There are collections with original and unusual designs that will become a worthy decoration for any interior.

The most famous Belgian laminate brands include Balterio and Quick Step.

Laminate Balterio is a HDF wood fiber board. It has a dense surface, and the top layer is laminated.The pattern of its coating is very similar to natural wood. Due to its natural appearance, this flooring is often mistaken for natural material.

The coating from Balterio is represented by three wear resistance classes - 32, 33, 34. It easily copes with various loads and is considered very durable. A large number of collections guarantees a wide selection of different colors and designs. In total, there are more than 20 lines of laminate from this manufacturer, each of which is made using various technologies. Technology is also applied. 3D Wood Effectwhich most accurately imitates wood.

Balterio flooring can be bought in almost any format. There are also 12 mm thick products. The density of laminate boards is very high, which guarantees high water resistance and a long service life.

There are several laminate floor assembly systems that greatly simplify its installation. Thanks to them, installation can be carried out not only by professionals, but also by beginners. Using the classic joint kit, reassembly and disassembly of the plates becomes possible. In rooms where the terrain is difficult, it is advisable to use the system DropXpress in which the strips are connected on the short side.

Laminate Balterio has all the necessary certificates that confirm its high quality and environmental friendliness.

Laminate Flooring Quick step this Belgian brand are multi-layer coatings. In total there are 4 layers, each performs its own function. The base layer ensures that tiles are perfectly positioned on the floor. Further, an HDF board is used, the increased strength of which guarantees a long service life.

The decorative layer is made using sophisticated printing technology. It can mimic natural wood or a high-resolution board. And the last top layer has a protective function so that spots, bumps and scratches do not distort the appearance of the laminate. Thanks to the transparent Scratch Guard layer, the beauty and natural appearance of the material are preserved for a long time. It many times increases the resistance of the coating to microdamage.

The surface of the Quick Step laminate is specially treated so that there is no electrostatics. An additional effect of this treatment is that such a coating attracts significantly less dust.

The laminate of this company is able to maintain its original color for several years. It does not discolor when exposed to sunlight, which makes it possible to frequently rearrange furniture in the room. Thanks to the special substrate, the plates do not creak and do not make unnecessary sounds when walking. They easily withstand daily stress.

Quick Step Collection more than 10 lines of laminate. They are made in different styles and have different characteristics. For example, the Rustic collection represents narrow trims that are made in a rustic style. Exquisa tiles have a tactile surface structure, made in popular design options. The Arte collection is dedicated to elegant square tiles with subtle triangular chamfers.