Laminate flooring is a practical and inexpensive solution for a children's room. Children happily plop down right on this floor and immediately begin to play. Laminate is a completely childish material, warm enough even without heating, not easily soiled, slightly springy when hit or dropped, pleasant to the touch, aesthetically pleasing.
Many are sure that if laminated flooring is used anywhere, it is in the nursery. Moreover, the pattern on this material can be so touching or educational, and squeaking is eliminated if placed correctly - it’s easy to approach a sleeping baby without waking it up. They are right? Decide for yourself. But here are 12 rules to help you choose and care for laminate flooring for a children’s room or active children’s play area.
Laminate color oak
The most popular request on the Internet is oak colored laminate.
I must immediately clarify one nuance: Oak is a type of wood. Entering such a phrase into the search bar of Yandex or Google, a huge number of colors may appear that at first glance have nothing to do with oak (in English “Oak”). Most often, the natural color of this wood is meant – warm (greenish-brown). But laminate is an artificial surface and the print can be printed in any shade. Here is just a small list of some oak colors:
- golden
- White
- bleached
- smoky
- grey
- light
- toned
- brown
The list can be continued endlessly, stupidly listing names from the Internet. Marketers in corporations come up with individual names for each model. Accordingly, the same color may be called differently by different manufacturers.
Laminate oak can be found in hundreds of shades
Oak can also differ in the depth of embossing, the number of stripes on the board, the presence of knots, and the gloss of the surface. Let's just say that in terms of the quantity of laminate flooring that can be laid, oak is in first place and is especially in demand:
Single-strip board with a bevel and a small number of scattered knots.
Laminate oak tinted single-strip with chamfer
I believe that the love for oak is determined by the growth of the tree in the middle zone, the practicality of the wood, and its recognition in most countries of the world. Therefore, marketers have embodied people’s commitment to traditional materials in the familiar texture of wood on a new material. Gradually adding various shades of print, which in real life can be achieved on natural wood using complex technological processes: aging, dyeing, brushing (combing out soft fibers in the wood structure).
600 year old oak
But even after deciding on a color, the shade is often a stumbling block. Since the tonality can be warm, cold and combined interspersed. Laminate in brown, with a greenish tint, cream and so on.
Oak laminate in the interior
I worked at a door and flooring store for a while. Then there were a lot of door blocks and flooring in oak color. Therefore, the ensemble of taste was built on a classic selection of interiors. For me personally, the concept of oak color will forever remain a classic color: natural or stained. That is, the color register ranges from olive-golden to brown.
I was pleased with the Pskov doors “PleskovDoor” with a voluminous classic panel. They were made in natural oak and tinted walnut colors.
Also at the Rybinsk doors, the Svoboda factory, the above colors were present. In addition, there was a mahogany color that was in high demand.
And, of course, the Volkhovets factory had oak color in the line.
Interestingly, there were no suitable photographs in the portfolio. But on the Internet there are completely different models.
When selling parquet, laminate, and boards, we tried to combine the colors of materials as much as possible with the doors - this is in the classic version.
Although you need to understand that fashion does not stand still and designers come up with new, sometimes bizarre combinations. And new technologies, materials and imagination, sometimes in abundance, of creative people help in this. Can you imagine, if the possible number of coating colors is combined with wallpaper of different colors, what variations will there be for the mind and the pleasure of the eyes?
- Laminate Tarkett Aesthetics
Combinations of different laminate colors with wallpaper
Laminate oak color pros and cons
Laminate flooring in natural or tinted oak colors is quite practical in terms of low visibility of defects during assembly and the presence of small scratches. It is easy to match the warm shade of oak with wallpaper, furniture, and doors.
Lamiant oak in medium tones hides minor defects
- On a laminate of natural oak color, minor surface defects in the form of microchips are practically unnoticeable. Since the base of the HDF laminate is light brown in consistency.
- It is easy to combine harmonious interior design solutions.
There are no disadvantages in terms of practicality.
Goes well with doors and furniture with oak texture. Wallpaper also selects a warm shade of light beige, peach, for example.
The baseboard is matched in 70% of cases to the laminate, 20% to the doors, and in 10 out of 100 options it is white. Of course, the statistics are given by eye and in relation to the orders I have completed in apartments.
- Natural oak laminate and white plinth
- Oak laminate, oak plinth
Rules for using gray flooring in the interior
Gray flooring in the interior has a significant advantage over other tones. It is characterized by incredible plasticity, which allows it to look good when decorating interiors for various purposes. Laminate of this shade blends harmoniously into the design of a living room, bedroom or kitchen. Moreover, regardless of the style of the room.
Gray laminate in the interior of a modern living room Source dizainexpert.ru
When using gray laminate to decorate living rooms, you should follow some rules to help create the maximum effect. Or, on the contrary, not allowing interior imbalance. They are as follows:
- The use of a gray floor in the interior will bring a positive effect in the presence of a high level of lighting.
- A monochrome palette that is close to neutral has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and has a calming effect.
- Light ash-colored laminate goes well with crystal and glass. When the lighting is on, it seems that the room is filled with a kind of flickering.
- The softness of the gray laminate (if necessary) is diluted with darker tones of natural wood.
- The dark gray surface of the floor will not make a depressing impression if it is diluted with beige, milky or cream furniture, the color of the walls, and other objects.
- Gray laminate can be combined with furniture of various shades, both white and dark-colored facades.
- It is not necessary that the laminate boards be laid parallel to the walls. Laying out a herringbone of different shapes produces a completely different impression. The tonality requirements remain unchanged.
Laminate in the bedroom: main advantages and disadvantages
This flooring has all the advantages of a material that can be used in the decoration of residential premises:
- strength, durability, health safety;
- resistance to mechanical, chemical and abrasive effects, impacts and other damage;
- warm, pleasant to the touch surface;
- ease of installation, allowing you to install it yourself;
- possibility of using a “warm floor” system;
- unpretentious care - dry, wet cleaning, cleaning with special means is allowed;
- attractiveness - a wide choice of colors, textures, patterns;
- price - in comparison with such natural finishing materials as wood, stone, marble.
With so many positive qualities, this material still has several disadvantages. When choosing, you should take into account that it practically does not absorb sound. Therefore, in order to make the floor less “noisy”, it is necessary to use a special soft underlay during installation. It will allow you not only to move silently, but also to keep the room warm.
In addition, the material has low moisture resistance. It can, of course, be wiped with a damp cloth during cleaning. But it is not recommended to fill the surface with water to avoid swelling and deformation of the boards.
And some more advice
- The chamfers make the floor a little more sensitive to moisture. But the wear of the floor, which in any case will appear and manifest itself primarily at the ends of the dies, will be made less noticeable by the beveled edges and grooves.
- Laminate flooring should be purchased with a 10-20% margin - not only taking into account possible errors during the installation process, but also in case it is necessary to repair/replace a fragment of the floor. At the same time, make sure that the store allows the return of unopened products, in case after installation of the covering you realize that there is a lot of excess material left.
- Laminate compatible with underfloor heating systems is indicated by a special symbol on the packaging. Keep in mind that in this case only a floating installation method is acceptable.
Games, drawing, car racing and even sleeping on the floor are common activities for children. Therefore, special requirements are imposed on the flooring for a children's room:
- Easy to clean, hypoallergenic and absolutely safe for health.
- Warmth and tactile comfort.
- Wear resistance and tolerance to periodic tests in the form of games with cars or toys falling from a height.
- The ability to reduce the sound of footsteps so you can silently enter/exit the room when your baby is sleeping.
And, of course, the standard requirements are important: beauty, durability, reasonable price, ease of installation.
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Laying laminate flooring in a nursery (video)
You can lay out and secure the laminated panels yourself by studying the technological features of installation on video. The work will require no more than 4 hours (for a room up to 18-20 sq.m.).
Laminate panels are attached to each other using locking technology. There are two types of locks: Click and Lock. The first option is the most common. Using this technology, boards are easier to install and dismantle if necessary.
The direction of installation depends on the room. In narrow rooms with high ceilings, you need to lay the laminate across to visually expand the space. In square children's rooms with low ceilings - along the light from the window. In games of irregular shape, it is better to lay out the panels diagonally, which will give the room additional visual space. But with this technology, more material will be required, and this will increase repair costs.
Before starting work, it is necessary to take accurate measurements and prepare a drawing:
- Calculate how much material will be needed for the space where the renovation is being done. Measure the area of the room and the dimensions of one panel.
- After this, divide the first value by the second and round the result up to the full number.
- Check how many laminated panels are in one package. Divide the final figure of the previous calculations by the number of panels in the pack, and you will understand how many packages you will need to purchase.
- For extra supplies and emergencies, purchase a few extra panels of material.
It is important to know that after purchasing laminated panels, they need to rest for some time at room temperature. This usually takes no more than 3 days
After this, you can proceed to the main installation work.
The work order is as follows:
- Preparing the floor. The surface must be flat without protrusions or height differences. Before installing the panels, the floor must be cleared of dust and debris.
- Prime the cement screed, or cover the surface with plywood or boards (depending on the type of base floor).
- Installation of the substrate.
- Sizing and installation of laminated panels. A special sealant for locks is used for connections when there is a need to increase the moisture resistance of the material.
After cutting the panels, do not throw away the remaining small parts; they may be useful after completing the main work.
After installing the covering, check the surface for defects - the floor must be level. Any inaccuracy in the future can lead to unpleasant creaking, cracks and splits, causing injury or splinters.
Kinds
There are quite a few types of laminate flooring.
Depending on the design there are:
- Classic tree. Initially, laminate was produced as an alternative to parquet. A successfully laid floor is in no way inferior to a parquet flooring. Oak, maple or birch are excellent imitation.
- Leather. Imitation crocodile skin is quite an expensive pleasure. More suitable for decorating an office or living room.
- Metal style. High-tech style is an innovation that is popular among teenagers. Metallic shine in everything and the absence of any decor is a distinctive feature that appeals to young people. A high-tech floor is suitable for a teenager's room. It can also be used in the kitchen or living room.
- Stone mood. The calm and cold-looking interior style is complemented by laminate flooring, which does not feel cold to the touch, but, on the contrary, adds warmth and comfort to the feet. Suitable for rooms, living rooms, kitchens or bathrooms.
- Designer option. This style differs from previous options in exclusivity and elegance. There is a sea of colorful shades and unpredictable storylines here. The variety of models is so amazing that you can find anything: landscapes, a world map, the ocean, abstraction and even fingerprints. Children will also enjoy the most interesting specimens: laminate with geometric shapes, alphabet, arithmetic or characters from famous cartoons.
7 photos
Separation of laminate according to the texture of the outer layer:
- Classic style wooden surface. This coating is smooth. However, to emphasize the structure of the wood, dashes and dimples are applied to the top layer. They can be seen even with the naked eye.
- Aged wood. The surface of such a laminate is distinguished by smoothed irregularities applied to it, because wood ages over time when exposed to the open air. This is how manufacturers imitate the condition of a wooden structure.
- Glossy look. It resembles boards that are heavily coated with varnish. The surface creates an atmosphere of cleanliness and comfort in the house.
- Texture. The surface follows the texture of wood. The raised protrusions, which are slightly visible on the coating, help to verify this.
- Relief composition. Imitation of the roughness of the wood component.
- Natural composition. Imagine a wooden surface with 1-2 layers of varnish applied to it. Here you can see not only the pattern of the wooden structure, but also the porosity.
- Shea tree. It is a matte laminate, generously coated with drying oil. This is a smooth floor without visible pores with even boards.
- Waxed laminate. The product is presented in the form of a board rubbed with wax. There is a feeling of warmth and comfort.
- Country. The surface of this type of laminate resembles wood, as if slightly planed with a plane. A large relief appears, however, slightly smoothed out. Suitable for country houses.
9 photos
Difference in geometric shape:
- Rectangular option. Most laminate flooring comes in the form of boards 1.2-2 meters long. In principle, this is convenient if you need to cover a large room.
- Tile option. To create more complex compositions, manufacturers began to produce products in the form of square tiles. The cost of this option is more expensive than the previous one, but installation is easier. And no backing is required.
Installing laminate flooring in problem areas
There are such areas in any room, these include doorways, radiators, pipes, which during repairs greatly complicate any work, slats are no exception.
If installation is interfered with by heating devices, installation using locks is often impossible. In this case, part of the ridge is cut off, then the elements are connected with glue. The problem of pipes getting in the way is solved by cutting out a hole whose diameter is larger than that of the obstacle. The next step is to cut out a piece of lamella (for example, a rectangle) that is in the way. Having inserted the panel, the cut piece is glued, and the gaps between the material and the pipes are hidden under plastic covers or masked with sealant.
To install laminate in a doorway, you need to cut off the bottom of the jamb. To perform the operation correctly, first measure the thickness of the slabs along with the substrate. All box sizes are transferred to the slats. The laminate is installed so that it is possible to hide the joints under the threshold. If the dimensions of the room are larger than 8x10 m, then the use of masking strips is mandatory: they can close the deformation gap.
Possible options for laying laminate flooring are different for each room, so a lot depends on the owners. If they are not afraid of the complexity of the work, then they can choose the most labor-intensive method - diagonal installation
However, it is equally important to get an idea of what the room being transformed will look like in advance. A preliminary test layout in all directions will help with this, at least only in the center of the room. It will give you the opportunity to check how the material will look in a particular interior.
It will give you the opportunity to check how the material will look in a particular interior.
Reading articles is useful, but it doesn’t hurt to see what experienced people advise, how other masters do similar work. Therefore, the help of visual aids is invaluable, and one of them can be seen here:
Preparatory work
You should start by measuring the entire perimeter of the room. You need to check the angles for various discrepancies. To assess the scale of the proposed work, remove the old flooring. The entire area should be cleared of paint and linoleum.
These may include: self-leveling mixture, glue, tile cutter, primer, grout, protective composition and cleaning products after completion of all work. The preparation process may take varying amounts of time.
You need to evaluate the quality of the floor. For an uneven one with a large number of cracks and a slope, additional materials will be required. Identified deficiencies should be corrected as soon as possible. In order for the result of the work to please the master and the owners of the premises, it is necessary to strictly follow the entire technology of the process.
Screed
Preparing the base is the initial stage. The cleaned surface must be prepared and impregnated with antifungal agents. After the impregnation has dried, you can begin laying the waterproofing. Then they make a screed and, after waiting for it to dry, proceed to the primer. For uneven floors, a self-leveling mixture is used.
There are other preparation methods for concrete. A special device is used to mark protrusions of more than three centimeters and remove them. All cracks and joints are treated with primer, and then a layer of cement is applied. After it dries, all dust and debris should be removed with a vacuum cleaner. The surface is treated with an antifungal agent.
If there is a wooden floor, polyurethane foam is poured into all cracks. Some people prefer to add additional plywood. A reinforcing mesh with cells is placed on top of it and filled with a special solution for wooden materials. Drywall is also used to level surfaces with differences of more than six centimeters. Then the remaining building mixtures are applied.
Leveling the floor
To level the floor in an apartment or house yourself, you need significant experience in construction. For those who do not have sufficient skills or time, self-leveling mixtures will come to the rescue. They easily spread over the floor and, filling all the depressions, form a smooth surface.
This mixture consists of a very fine filler to which gypsum or cement has been added. Other special components speed up the hardening process and promote leveling. The solution can be used on concrete and wood floors.
Gypsum mixtures. They have a high degree of strength and wear resistance, and are suitable for all rooms, regardless of their size, where there is no excess humidity level. An excellent choice for a "warm floor" system. This type of coating has a number of undeniable advantages. It does not generate dust, has strong wear resistance, dries quite quickly and weighs little.
Cement. Cement-based mixtures are slightly more expensive. They are best used for the bath and kitchen, as the composition is ideal for damp areas
In construction stores there is a huge selection of such products. It is best to familiarize yourself with the composition before purchasing and contact a specialist in the store. If there is a need to combine two mixtures of different composition, then you need to use a damper tape, the thickness of which is no more than one centimeter. This is necessary in order to avoid cracks due to different coefficients of thermal expansion.
Application
The self-leveling mixture is applied to the already dried screed. It must be remembered that before starting work it must be primed, having previously been cleared of dust. Then secure the beacon screws in level. They will become a guide for the thickness of the layer - usually it should not exceed five millimeters.
Then the floor is covered with the mixture and spread over the surface with a spatula. To remove air bubbles, the composition is leveled with a needle roller. Drying lasts from 6 to 12 hours, but you can start laying tiles only on the third day.
A slope is provided for the bathtub so that if water gets on the tiles, it flows towards the door. It is better that the floor level is lower than in the room where the door opens and a high threshold must be equipped
Tip 2. Choose a laminate of strength class 32
The European Association of Laminate Manufacturers has developed a test standard, based on the results of which products are marked in accordance with their strength class. The strength class shows what operating conditions the floor covering can withstand. Today, products of class 21-24, designed for only 2-5 years of use, are no longer relevant and are not for sale. Only class 31-34 laminate is available on the Russian market.
- Which laminate flooring is better to choose for a nursery? We recommend giving preference to class 32 coating, which best matches the load in this room and can last 15 years.
- Laminate flooring class 31 has a service life of 10 years, which is also not bad, but low-quality products are most often found in this category. A coating of class 33 will last about 20 years, but it will also cost more, but a product of class 34 can last up to 40 years, however, the choice of designs in this category is smaller, and the price will be significantly higher.
- The strength class is usually indicated on the packaging and on price tags/cards for the product.
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Tip 6. The thicker the laminate, the warmer and more reliable it is.
The thickness of the laminate is another important indicator of its quality, strength and compatibility with doors. The thicker the coating, the better it can withstand long-term loads from heavy furniture and constant movements of household members. In addition, a thin laminate will be colder, which means it is definitely not suitable for decorating a nursery.
- The optimal thickness of laminated floors is 7–8 mm.
- A laminate with a thickness of less than 6 mm is only relevant if you want to install a heating system underneath it, and/or the room already has “low-set” doors.
How to choose a beautiful laminate for a nursery?
From childhood, a child should be surrounded by things chosen with taste - this is how his own perception of beauty is formed. Therefore, the design of the nursery should be pleasing to the eye. There are several tricks with choosing flooring that will make a small room seem more spacious, and a decent volume will be more comfortable.
- Light colors - they will make the interior space seem larger.
- Do not use shades of white - they get dirty easily.
- Do not use dark colors - it makes the room visually smaller. In addition, the child (due to his growth) will see mainly dark panels with his eyes, which can negatively affect his mood.
- Colored panels: many solutions in original colors are on sale. Choose a pattern that will harmonize with the overall interior of the room.
- If you think that using only laminate makes the room empty, choose a rug - it will create a visual dominant and will be comfortable for the baby if he wants to sit on the floor.
Basic requirements for floor coverings for children's rooms
The room where small family members live is significantly different from other rooms in an apartment or house. Parents must consider a large number of factors when arranging floors for the nursery. For children, the following nuances can be noted:
- High level of dynamic load. Kids jump, run, and play a lot.
- There is a high probability of liquid getting on the surface of the coating. This could be juice or water for drawing.
- During outdoor games, chips, scratches and abrasions may appear on the surface.
- One of children's favorite activities is drawing with felt-tip pens. But the marble stains left by these stationery items do not decorate the floors at all. Therefore, the floor in a children's room must have a high level of resistance to stains and abrasion.
There are also certain requirements for the quality and performance characteristics of materials:
- Environmental Safety. Coverings that release toxic fumes into the air can cause your child to develop asthma or allergic reactions.
- Step cushioning. Experts do not recommend installing too hard floors in a children's room. They are quite dangerous for the health of children. A hard surface can provoke the development of flat feet and will be a serious load on the child’s spine.
- The floor in the nursery should not be slippery.
Finding a floor covering for a children's bedroom that would satisfy all the points listed above is quite difficult. Manufacturers offer potential buyers a large selection of flooring materials, but each of them has its own special advantages and disadvantages
When choosing the appropriate option, parents should focus their attention not only on the advantages, but also on those disadvantages that they are willing to accept. Remember that the choice of coverage is greatly influenced by the age of the child.
For example, for children it is better to choose washable materials, and for older children you can lay carpet with long, fluffy pile on the floor.
A little theory
We will not go into all the intricacies of the question “What is laminate?”, but will simply list what this sandwich consists of. Most products have the following design:
- Protective layer.
- A decorative layer of special paper with high-resolution photo printing, which is responsible for the naturalness of the design of wood, stone, leather, etc.
- The base is in the form of high-density fiberboard (HDF-board) with a lock cut into the “body”.
- Stabilizing layer made of kraft paper.
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Surface texture, fastenings
Children running around in socks are accompanied by falls on many floors. And if a soft base provides mitigation of falls, then to prevent them, use a laminate with a matte surface or a relief coating. This coating usually harmonizes with a pattern, such as wood.
A rug in a nursery or at the threshold can slide along with the child (or even an adult). To avoid inconvenience, it is attached to the floor with small pieces of tape, pressed down with furniture, or a special fine mesh is placed under it.
Is dark or light laminate color the most practical?
Let’s try to sum up which laminate – light or dark – is more practical. Each type of wood has its own natural shade:
- Beech – pink
- Birch – closer to whitish-yellow
- Maple - similar to birch
- Ash – light with brown veins
- Oak – greenish brown
The recycled HDF board used in making the panels consists of a woody consistency that is light brown in color.
As you might guess, the possible appearance of chips and other mechanical defects on natural oak colored laminate is less noticeable. Although over time, the chip darkens from moisture.
This suggests the conclusion to choose a darker color for the laminated coating. But the dark colors of the laminate strongly reflect dust. Customers who change their gender have told me this more than once. And during installation, I can assure you, sawdust and dust are more visible on the dark colors of the laminate. Also, a dark coating visually reduces the space.
Living-dining room. Dark laminate, one wall is brick
When planning your design, be sure to ask yourself
Would I like to see these particular selections of colors in the room for a long time? I noticed with a customer renting out a room that the furnishings looked great. But I wouldn’t want to live in such a room - it’s too hard
Interesting design, but not comfortable
White and very light tones look great, but joints and minor defects are clearly visible on them. The fact is that you need a very precise geometry of the laminate, which even expensive laminate brands cannot always boast of.
Finishing option in the bedroom
As a result we get:
- Dark colors of the laminate show dust, visually reducing the space.
- On a very light and white laminate, the joints of the laminate are clearly visible, which will only become stronger over time.
In terms of practicality (cleaning, defects from use), a laminate of medium color tones is more practical. This can be oak, gray ash and other types of wood with light tinting.
This article about laminate colors is intended to help readers choose a material. Perhaps someone will not agree with my position. But please don't throw stones.
Easy care
Laminate of the best quality is not easily soiled and is easy to use. It is quite enough to clean the coating with a vacuum cleaner once a day and wash it with a damp (and only damp!) cloth, such as a twist-out mop with microfiber, once a week.
Felt caps or felt stickers on furniture legs will protect the laminated surface from damage. Under a chair or stool on which the child often fidgets on the floor, you can put a special transparent rug. If part of the floor is damaged, it is convenient to completely replace the “damaged” slats.
Minor scratches, abrasions and dents can be removed with restoration paste, chalk or laminate wax - these products are transparent or matched by color. Acetone or methyl alcohol diluted with water 1:10 will remove most chemical colored stains. Regular detergents and vinegar solutions can be used, avoiding strong alkalis and acids, and abrasive pastes.
Regarding electrostatics: some praise the protective layer of lamellas, which creates an electrostatic charge that attracts dust particles (well, don’t breathe it!). Others praise the products' lack of electrostatic charge. Still others suggest regularly spraying the floor with an antistatic agent. Since there is no consensus, it is best to simply avoid materials with excess electrostatic stress.
Multi-colored and patterned laminate
Recently, laminate boards with different colors or a variety of patterns have begun to gain popularity. At the same time, you can purchase laminate with almost any imitation. The stores offer options for laminated material in beech, ash, and oak. A drawing or pattern can be depicted on the surface.
Laminate of different colors can have different shades - brown and dark brown, light with transitions to white shades, yellow, golden. The floor covering looks like stone and ceramics with gray shades. At the same time, boards in this style are made of all the patterns that are characteristic of stone material.
Many craftsmen often ask the question: is it possible to paint laminate flooring? If you have good experience in this matter, then the floor covering can be painted bronze, silver or gold. The main thing is that it is in harmony with the overall style.
Moisture resistance
Modern serial products are completely water resistant to frequent wet cleaning and short periodic spills of liquids. But still, if frequent spills are expected, for example, water near a table with watercolors or compote, an aquarium, a stand with flowers or an inflatable pool, then you can choose a waterproof special product of the “bathroom” type. These are lamellas on a waterproof adhesive base with joints having tight seals with water-repellent impregnation. The material does not have a full guarantee of absolute water resistance, but if spills are quickly and carefully cleaned up, the service life is quite acceptable.
What to look for when buying laminate
When choosing laminate for a children's room, you should pay attention first of all to the quality of the material, and not its price. Otherwise, you may have to change the coating, and the replacement will cover all the savings. As for the color of laminate for a children's room, it is better to purchase lighter and warmer shades without bright colors and complex patterns. One of the disadvantages of laminate for a children's room is that some types have a slippery surface, due to which the child will fall and get minor bruises
Just make sure that the slats have a rough top layer.
Conditions for installation
Laminate – a finishing floor covering, although considered easy to install and maintain, is quite delicate. It is demanding in terms of operating conditions and the installation process. If you neglect some of the features and rules for working with it, the coating will not last long.
Laminate flooring
The photo shows the process of laying laminate flooring.
Therefore, before starting work, it is worth ensuring the following conditions in the room:
- temperature range – 15-30 degrees above zero;
- air humidity – about 40-70%;
- level, cleared of debris and dried base;
- the room must be dry. If the humidity is high, you will have to buy more expensive moisture-resistant material;
- heaters and other heating devices cannot be turned on while working with laminate;
- It is recommended to close windows to avoid drafts.
Laminate board structure
Laying laminate flooring without preparing the base
It reacts sharply to changes in room conditions - the effect of thermal expansion may appear.
It is necessary to leave the purchased laminate in the room where you plan to install the floor. This is necessary for acclimatization. This process takes about 48 hours
Laying light laminate
When choosing a laminate, you should focus not only on the color, but also on the quality of the material. It is not worth purchasing low-quality products that are too thin or not suitable for operating conditions. Such a coating will last too little and will quickly lose its appearance.
Safety regulations
When choosing laminate flooring for a nursery, it is important that it is safe. One of the myths is that during production, resins with a high content of formaldehyde are used, therefore, supposedly, it is strictly forbidden to use it in residential premises. . However, quality certificates must contain information about the amount of vapor released from this substance.
The E1 indicator is considered completely safe for humans. However, there are products that do not emit formaldehyde at all - they have an E0 index. If you are concerned about your child's health, then choose her. Zero formaldehyde emissions are also important if the room uses “warm floors” or heaters.
However, quality certificates must contain information about the amount of vapor released from this substance. The E1 indicator is considered completely safe for humans. However, there are products that do not emit formaldehyde at all - they have an E0 index. If you are concerned about your child's health, then choose her
Zero formaldehyde emissions are also important if the room uses “warm floors” or heaters.
Antistatic treatment is another useful property. Thanks to it, the floor does not attract dirt and dust, which, on the one hand, makes cleaning easier: you can use a regular floor detergent approved for use in children's rooms. This property also reduces the likelihood of allergies in a child.
Some floor coverings are very slippery, which can cause injuries during active children's games. Therefore, we recommend choosing a laminate with a relief - it also provides a pleasant micro-massage for bare feet.
Environmental friendliness
It is very important to make sure that the flooring material is safe for the child. High-quality laminate, including vinyl, is safe in terms of allergies. But when choosing a product, we make sure that the formaldehyde emission class does not exceed E1 (evaporation within 0.124 mg/m3 per hour is considered safe for a child), and better yet, E0. This also applies to possible harmful fumes from the substrate (soft base sheet covering, for example HDF board) does not exceed the specified threshold. It is better to use materials with formaldehyde emissions within conventionally zero limits (0.08 mg/m3).
It is generally accepted that modern laminates made from acrylic resins have the best environmental characteristics.
Light laminate: advantages
There are a number of advantages that make it a good option when creating a design.
- The ability to visually enlarge the space. Therefore, it is worth using in small rooms. Dark colors narrow the space, while the opposite ones make it more spacious.
- Everything is filled with light. If the windows are not on the sunny side, which leads to a lack of the required natural light, then you should choose a similar laminate. It will make the space more illuminated.
- It gets dirty less than a dark color coating. The dust on it is almost invisible. Therefore, this option is much more practical and less capricious.
- Creation of original and complex styles. You can apply many different details that look bright on white. Therefore, the use of contrasting elements is suitable.
The listed advantages allow you to choose this design option.
Using light shades you can visually expand the boundaries of the room
This type of laminate does not get dirty as much as regular laminate.
Combined ceramic tile-laminate coating
In modern interiors, designers often use a combination of different floor coverings. The most common combinations of ceramic tiles and laminate.
- Ceramic tiles are resistant to various influences of physical and chemical nature.
- Laminate is a relatively inexpensive, but quite high-quality and beautiful material with a large selection of textures and colors.
When using the transition from tile to laminate, you get a durable, beautiful and practical coating. The costs will be minimal.
To implement such a combined floor, it is necessary to resolve the issue of how exactly to connect the materials, and how to design the joint between different types of coatings.
2.1. Features and design of joints
The main rule when making joints is not to spoil the appearance of the floor as a whole and not to create obstacles when walking. To strengthen and decorate the joint, you can use special thresholds.
At the same time, the service life of the combined floor will depend on the quality of the transition between coatings.
Combined coating is most often used
- In the kitchen or dining room, the joining is done naturally, and raised podiums are often installed. This is due to some difficulties in joining materials at the same level.
- Laminate flooring looks good in a hallway or hallway, but at the same time, ceramic tiles are more resistant to mechanical stress and wear out less. Therefore, combined flooring in rooms of this kind is also popular.
- Another use for the combined floor is in the living room, where tiles are used to create a safe area near the fireplace or balcony door.
How to choose a beautiful laminate for a nursery?
From childhood, a child should be surrounded by things chosen with taste - this is how his own perception of beauty is formed. Therefore, the design of the nursery should be pleasing to the eye. There are several tricks with choosing flooring that will make a small room seem more spacious, and a decent volume will be more comfortable.
- Light colors - they will make the interior space seem larger.
- Do not use shades of white - they get dirty easily.
- Do not use dark colors - it makes the room visually smaller. In addition, the child (due to his growth) will see mainly dark panels with his eyes, which can negatively affect his mood.
- Colored panels: many solutions in original colors are on sale. Choose a pattern that will harmonize with the overall interior of the room.
- If you think that using only laminate makes the room empty, choose a rug - it will create a visual dominant and will be comfortable for the baby if he wants to sit on the floor.
Why is it important to pay attention to the substrate?
You cannot lay laminate directly on the floor; the surface is always covered with a backing. This allows you to compensate for minor unevenness and reduce the adverse impact on the floor covering. It is important to remember the following:
- If the base is flat, the most inexpensive option made of polyethylene foam will do. It is better not to use the thinnest materials, but to choose a thicker substrate so that it better isolates sounds and vibrations.
- For wooden floors and moderately level bases, a cork underlay would be a good solution. It serves as a good sound insulator and absorbs light impacts. The thickness varies, so you can choose the optimal solution for any floor.
- If you plan to use a heating system, then select a special substrate designed for similar loads and operating conditions.
Important! Instead of the polyethylene version, it is permissible to use high-density slab elements, which are simply laid end-to-end.
If the floor surface is uneven, it may be necessary to use different thicknesses of underlayment. But it is best to choose products from the same material with similar characteristics.
Parquet vs laminate
Those who prefer to use only natural materials can say that natural wood floors are more environmentally friendly and easier to install and use. Opinions differ on this issue.
Modern production methods make it possible to create products that will closely resemble natural material and the similarity of laminate to parquet. Some companies can create a laminate of such quality that it even resembles parquet in its tactile features. At the same time, the characteristics and properties of the laminate will be much better than those of real wood.
Possibility of heating
Many parents, of course, want their child to play on a warm floor, but is children's laminate combined with heating? The “warm floor” system does not contradict this idea, but subject to a number of requirements.
- Firstly, they use only the material that has markings clearly showing that it is suitable for heated floors.
- Secondly, they use a floating installation, that is, the slats are fastened together without attaching them to the base of the floor.
- Thirdly, for heated floors, especially in children's rooms, only materials (lamellas and substrate) of classes E1 and E0 with minimal formaldehyde emissions are acceptable.
- Fourthly, the total thermal conductivity of the substrate and laminate should not exceed 0.15 m2*K/W (calculation of indicators is carried out based on the markings, you can attract sellers), which in practice means the minimum thickness of the samples presented for sale.
In general, it is not very practical to heat laminate flooring with electricity due to its low thermal conductivity. Water or infrared heating systems are preferred.
Which to choose?
Manufacturers offer a wide range of laminate flooring, and therefore parents do not always know exactly which one is best to choose for the children’s room, and which one should be avoided. To begin with, we note that in the catalogs of leading manufacturers you can find a children's version, designed taking into account the needs of age.
This laminate meets the requirements for finishing materials used when decorating a child’s room. At the same time, manufacturers offer coatings with a suitable design, original colors or that form the whole picture. By giving preference to a cheerful ornament, you can design a play area in which the child will feel comfortable. For the sleeping area, it is recommended to purchase models with a neutral pattern.
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When choosing a laminate, pay attention to the surface texture of the panels. For children, it is recommended to choose the option with a slight roughness
This texture will reduce the risk of a child falling and will allow him to feel confident when moving on the floor. Older children will not be able to use the floor as a skating rink.
Laminate color
Before you give preference to a laminate of a certain color, it is worth finding out how it affects the psychological state of the child:
Green. According to psychologists, this is the best option. Being in a room with green laminate flooring will help your child rest better. His nervous system will recover faster; Blue. This flooring should be chosen for a hyperactive child who finds it difficult to concentrate on a certain type of activity. The blue floor will help you calm down; Blue. Its impact is close to green and blue. True, sometimes it can cause poor appetite in a child; Olive. A universal option for a child of any age
Such flooring does not attract undue attention, and it is easier for the child to concentrate on doing homework.
Panel color
Laminate flooring in a children's room must meet ergonomic requirements
When choosing a material, pay attention to products from trusted manufacturers, which are distinguished by high quality workmanship and excellent performance characteristics. You can always choose a coating designed specifically for installation in a nursery.
This material will last a long time, providing comfortable living conditions for its little owners.
Correct installation
When installing, pay special attention to the evenness of the screed and the correctly laid substrate. If there are small holes or bulges, this leads to the locks breaking, the floors begin to creak, and gaps appear between the panels, which can lead to injury.
Another requirement for laminate flooring is its resistance to water.
To do this, it is not necessary to buy waterproof products for bathrooms - it is enough to follow the rules for latching locks when installing. You can also additionally use a sealant - in this case, water spilled on the floor will not create any problems for the coating.
When deciding which laminate is best to choose for a children's room, be guided by the main principles - safety and good appearance. Class 32 products fully meet these requirements. Employees of the Lanskoy TC laminate stores will offer you a wide range and help you with the final choice.
#Laminate #How to choose
Safety or choosing a structural laminate
To protect children from frequent falls, it is better not to choose smooth types of panels with a glossy finish. You need to walk on them carefully, otherwise you may slip and fall. As for the choice, everything is quite simple:
- It is best to give preference to laminate with a pronounced structure. It's easy to check - you just need to run your palm over the surface. The more small irregularities, the better.
- The structure may not be very obvious, but due to the special coating the surface has an anti-slip effect. Most often in these cases it is matte.
- If a child walks around the house in slippers, the risk of falls will be much lower. This is also worth remembering.
It is difficult to check the anti-slip properties, so it is better to be guided by the structure. Options with a distinct texture usually perform better than those with less pronounced texture.
Choosing laminate flooring for a child’s room is not difficult if you follow the simple recommendations from the review. The main thing is to buy panels of at least class 32 with a thickness of 7 mm and a low emission rate
It is also important not to forget about a high-quality substrate
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Tip 7: Choose the right underlay
If you do not choose laminate flooring with an existing underlay, you will need to purchase it separately. It is better if it is from the same company as the selected laminate.
- For laminate flooring in a children's room, a noise-absorbing underlay is more suitable, which muffles the sounds of footsteps or sounds coming from the apartment below.
- You can also choose a special subfloor leveling underlay or a heated underlayment.
We select the color of the laminate - a harmonious combination with furniture and interior
The choice of laminate color for the bedroom depends on several factors:
- style and interior design;
- shape, size, lighting of the room;
- shades of furniture, doors, textiles;
- texture, colors of other finishing materials.
Designers advise choosing flooring that is a couple of shades lighter or darker than the furniture. This will prevent all objects in the room from merging into a single spot of color. Such rooms look faceless and dull.
It is also not recommended to use bright laminate as flooring in the bedroom.
It will be annoying, conspicuous and distract attention from the interior items. Richly colored finishes are best used to decorate an accent wall or panels
Light laminate
Light laminate in the bedroom is the most common type of flooring. Designers consider it universal, because... it looks great in any interior. The main advantages of finishing in light shades are that it helps to expand the boundaries of space and create a peaceful and cozy atmosphere. Therefore, this is a suitable solution for small bedrooms.
Light laminate can be used to decorate bedrooms in any style. A beige, cream or coffee floor with a wood pattern will emphasize the natural design motif in Scandinavian, ethnic, minimalist and country style.
For Provencal rooms, it is better to choose a material with the surface of aged, shabby wood. And the panels, the wall at the head of the bed, above the fireplace can be finished with a material with a texture that imitates stone or brickwork.
In classic bedrooms, a light floor with a wood or marble pattern will look great.
Finishes painted with light colors of a cold palette can be used for rooms with a modern design: high-tech, loft, neo-classical.
Dark laminate
Laminate in dark shades is not suitable for every bedroom. When choosing a finish, you should remember that dark colors visually reduce the space, although at the same time they make it more intimate. For small rooms, a dark floor is completely inappropriate; it will turn them into a cramped box, where every object will put pressure on those present. Obviously, you won’t be able to relax and fully rest in a bedroom with an oppressive atmosphere.
Dark finishes are suitable for spacious bedrooms with good lighting. But its use requires compliance with several rules so that the design of a bedroom with dark laminate looks harmonious and is not too gloomy.
Dark flooring goes better with light doors. If the furniture and flooring are dark shades, then the decoration on the walls and textiles must be light.
Gray laminate
Gray is one of the universal colors that can be combined with all shades of the cold and warm palette. Light and dark ash laminate is perfect for decorating bedrooms of different styles, both classic and modern. On a neutral floor background, furniture, textile and decorative interior elements will sparkle with new colors.
Gray laminate is more often used in the decoration of men's bedrooms with a laconic, ascetic design. In combination with dark furniture and a simple room decoration, a floor covering or accent wall of this color promotes relaxation and a restful sleep.
Gray laminate is perfect for the bedrooms of the fair half of humanity. Designers use it in combination with bright furniture, curtains, and bed textiles. This technique allows you to slightly mute the intensity of rich shades and achieve perfect harmony in the interior.
Selection of color and installation method
A hyperactive child will be somewhat calmed by decorating the walls and floors in any shade of green. Blue color will also calm you down and help you concentrate (for example, when preparing your homework). If a child has a poor appetite, you should not serve him food at a table that stands on a blue floor - this is the color of dreams, and you will have to often remind him of the uneaten food. If there are no problems, the best floor is cheerful colors of warm pastel colors. In a small or poorly lit nursery, it is better to lay a light laminate; on the south side, preference is given to bright and saturated colors. A large pattern is better for spacious nurseries. A diagonal wood pattern will brighten up a lengthwise room. A staggered pattern of different tones will give the room additional volume, which will benefit a child’s room or play area. For a spacious “northern” nursery, light floors, shades of reddish-brown, brown and even dark brown are suitable. If the room is “southern”, a grayish-olive range of shades is recommended.
Room design for a teenage boy - 3 approaches
There may be 3 opinions on the final design of a boy's teenage room. She may like:
- To parents.
- To the designer.
- To the guy himself.
Returning to the photo from the beginning.
Fashionable style, cool chandelier, Avengers photo wallpaper from the Marvel comics universe, which is now in trend. But I continue to argue that although most teenage boys can only dream of this, it can be done better. Patience. Let's look at an example that a designer would like.
Even I, as a lover of modern design trends, have to admit that this interior is very balanced. Selection of furniture, combination of pastel colors, perfectly seasoned light Provence.
But who needs it? Is this a boy's room or a designer's portfolio? This entire perfectly maintained style will not allow you to make any changes, will not allow you to adapt the environment to your taste.
A teenager wants his own room, not someone else’s, even if it’s a cool picture.
Therefore, here is the ideal children's room design for a teenage boy :
There is no decor or accessories - the design was left to the young man himself. That's why the first 2 are bad - in them the parents entered the teenager's territory.
The good news is that parents will still have to be responsible for what matters most.
- Smart planning. And in a nursery for teenagers this is harder than in any other room, and therefore the entire last point of the material will be about this.
- Plan out all the electrical equipment: sockets, switches, lighting (the latter is very important).
- Choose furniture.
- Do all the finishing.
In short, everything except the decor.
But what if you know your son's tastes and interests and can create a cool themed design right away?
You don’t know and no one knows. Today he is interested in one thing, tomorrow another. Interests change very quickly. Therefore, by the way, I do not recommend using photo wallpaper. Then you can’t hang anything on the wall with them - it’s too risky and an aggressive design option.
The finish should be such that anything can fit into the interior:
- Posters and placards.
- Musical instruments or sports equipment (yes, this is also decor for a teenage boy).
- Any garbage that has some kind of history associated with it and therefore has value.
And this 3rd point is very important. It’s things like this with history that make you feel like you have your own corner, your own cozy den.
And since these unpredictable accessories can have the same colors, the initial background of the design must be made, firstly, neutral (gray, white, black, wood), and secondly, contrasting. Those. that example above and this photo below are perfect nursery backdrops for teenage boys.
These options are also good, but they lack a little contrast: