Laminate locks: which type is better. Types of laminate locks: Click, Lock, metal, plastic, aluminum, which locks are better? What is a lock connection in a laminate

When choosing a floor covering, laminate should be considered not only from the standpoint of the main characteristics, but also take into account the features of its installation. The article will focus on laminate locking systems, which are rightfully considered the most convenient way to secure when laying flooring.

Laying laminate without the use of adhesive mixture

Any kind of modern laminate flooring can be installed without the use of various fasteners and adhesive mixtures. The panels are fixed to each other due to the latches on them - locks. Consider the main types of laminate locks and the advantages of using such fasteners when laying.

There are two types of laminate according to the type of lock connection:

• the name "Lock" received a version with latches;
• name laminate Click ("Click") was given to the coating due to its suitability for assembly and disassembly.

Among the main positive qualities of lock fasteners, it is worth highlighting:

• ease of installation;
• simplification of the repair of damaged elements of the coating: it is always possible to dismantle part of the coating and replace unusable boards with new ones.

Lock laminate

When considering the Lock version of the coating when determining which laminate lock is better, it is worth considering the cost-effectiveness of this coating. A similar system is created by milling the interlock, the thickness of which is equal to the thickness of the MDF or HDF board.

A special spike is placed on one side of the laminated panel, and a groove is made on the other, into which a special latch is built. Thus, the panels are inserted into each other, and the spikes are securely fixed in the grooves. Maximum grip can be obtained by knocking the boards together with a wooden or rubber mallet.

The advantages of the Lock system are:

• the possibility of dismantling and re-laying the coating at any time;
• very strong construction created by joining laminated panels;
• low cost of facing material;
• convenient and practical laminate size.

Of course, such a locking connection of the laminate has a drawback. It consists in the fact that an excessive load on the floor creates excessive friction between the planks at the junction points. As a result, the latches in the slots wear out and the interlock becomes less effective. In the end, gaps form between the planks, which cannot be eliminated, which means that the coating ceases to be suitable.

Locks with plastic plate

Manufacturers have begun using plastic in the manufacture of locks to make it easier for the panels to stick together.

Moreover, it is worth knowing that the locking type of laminate connection with plastic plates has two types of fasteners:

1. Spring fasteners allow for a single movement to snap the boards into place. The main advantage of this type is the ease of installation. The downside is that laminated planks are not always perfectly even, and therefore you have to additionally tamp them with a light hammer made of wood or rubber.
2. Rigid plastic mounts are of a similar design, but their connection requires effort to insert the board into the board. Hence the minus of this type of plastic locks is a complicated installation procedure.

Naturally, a laminate with a plastic lock does not inspire confidence among many owners, which is why the manufacturers took care of creating something more reliable.

Lock fastening Click

This method of fastening laminated panels has a significant advantage over Lock fastenings. Laminate fixes at an angle of 45 degrees with virtually no effort and time.

The main advantages of such a system:

• dual 45 degree mounts;
• the highest durability of a flooring;
• minimal risk of deformation of the locks;
• possibly 6 times laying if it is necessary to repair or dismantle it for work in the thickness of floor coverings;
• laying such a coating is easy and simple;
• manufacturers claim that a laminate with such a connection can be laid on a base with irregularities of up to 3 millimeters per square meter.

Aluminum Click Locks

Features of aluminum locks created using the Click system:

1. In addition to the fact that the laminate with aluminum locks is easy to install, it also has an increased strength of the joints due to a special groove in the panels. The use of metal as a material for the production of lock joints allows the joints to withstand heavy loads.
2. It is this type of laminate that can withstand up to 6 laying and dismantling.
3. The flooring turns out to be absolutely tight, which eliminates the risk of moisture getting into the thickness of the floor covering.
4. You can lay such a coating on any base: screed, concrete slab, boardwalk, etc.

Naturally, a coating without defects will look aesthetically pleasing in the photo and during visual inspection. Aluminum locks will keep it as such for a very long period of time.

Outcome

This article discusses in detail what kind of locks are in the laminate and describes their features. The owner can only understand which option will be optimal for him, but, as practice shows, the choice is based only on cost. because if there is a sufficient amount of money, no one hesitates and buys a laminate with metal locks, or vice versa, if finances are limited.

The ease of installation, as well as the possibility of reusable laying and dismantling of the coating, allow you to put the choice of laminate much higher than other floor coverings. If there are difficulties during installation, you can always turn to specialists who, in addition to carrying out work, can also take responsibility for acquiring the necessary materials, taking into account all the wishes of the customer.

Few people think about the important role the laminate lock plays in the durability of the entire flooring. It is thanks to this connection between the boards that they do not appear, and the floor lasts a very long time. By the way, many companies use exclusively proven locking systems, or create their own, unique and patented.

In the article we will tell you about the types of laminate locks, their design and installation. You will find out which option is best for your home.

Glueless laminate lock system

All variants of modern slats are mounted and fastened in a glueless way. This means that all components are held only by latches. In truth, this mounting option has a lot of advantages, but the main thing is the fact that laying the entire flooring is much easier, moreover, you can always dismantle the desired part.

However, many systems differ significantly from each other. If we are talking about a laminate with metal locks, then you can always choose one of two options:

1. Latches (Lock);
2. floors on a collapsible system (Click).

Such connections are considered today one of the most economical options. This model has proven itself, which is why many give it preference. The elements of the system are made by milling from the thickness of MDF or HDF boards.

On one side of each panel is a special spike. On the opposite - a groove with a fixing comb. It is with their help that the connection is made. To hammer the panels, a special tool is used - a wooden mallet. Laying a laminate with a lock of this type is best left to professionals so as not to damage the panels.

Laminate with locklockhas several benefits including:

• Possibility of assembly and re-disassembly of the already laid coating;
• strong connection between adjacent floor panels;
• affordable cost.

! Are there disadvantages? Yes, just like any other option. The fact is that with a large load on the floor, friction occurs at the point of contact. Over time, this leads to the erasure of the fixing comb and the deterioration of the condition of the connection contacts. As a result, the first cracks begin to appear that cannot be eliminated.

Laminates with plastic locks were developed in order to get rid of the disadvantages of such a connection system. Plastic plates are designed to fix the boards immediately after installation.

Today, there are two types of such plates:

• Springy allow you to snap the elements in one motion. Laying speed is one of the advantages of such a plate. But, the fact is that the geometry of the laminated flooring is far from always ideal for snapping. As a result, the board begins to deform (a crease in the front part), or it is necessary to knock out the lamellas from the opposite side;
• rigid ones have the same design, but in order to connect the elements, it is necessary to insert each panel into another with a longitudinal movement. There are no visible advantages in this case, but among the disadvantages they note the complexity of installation.

Such lamellas appeared relatively recently. They are completely devoid of all those shortcomings that are inherent in their predecessors. Installation of the flooring can be carried out even by an inexperienced assembler. All elements are connected to each other at an angle of 45 ° without much effort.

The safety of the mounting system is a definite plus: there is practically no damage during the installation process. At the same time, the panels are tightly interconnected and can withstand even heavy loads, despite the long service life. The tension that occurs during laying keeps the boards permanently in place.

! The higher the quality of the connectionsClick, the less noticeable will be the joints of the panels. High quality products from a reliable manufacturer completely hides any joints. You can spot them if you start looking closely. That is why this mounting option is more popular than the previous one.

Benefits of Click mounts:

• The presence of double mounts located at an angle of 45 degrees;
• incredibly durable canvas;
• low probability of damage to the connection of boards during assembly;
• possible installation and dismantling of the coating up to six times;
• ease of installation: you can start and complete the whole process yourself, without using the services of experienced repairmen;
• slight curvature of the draft base is allowed (up to 3 mm per square meter);
• no need to use additional tools.

Laminate with aluminum locks is also fastened in a glueless way, using a special groove installed on the lamella. This is the most reliable connection option and ensures that the floor will never come apart.

! Modern aluminum mounts can withstand enormous loads. With all this, the features of the mechanism guarantee fast installation. If necessary, you can always replace the damaged element.

The connection withstands a break of about 850-1,200 kg per 1 meter?. This is a truly unique characteristic that makes such a system a leader. In addition, this feature allows the installation / dismantling of the entire flooring several times. WITHOUT harm to the boards.

You can re-lay the floor up to six times. Therefore, such boards are considered almost indispensable for a temporary office or apartment. At the same time, installation is as easy and economical as possible, both in terms of money and time. All panels snap into place only with a single slight pressure. The result is imperceptible joints and a perfectly flat surface.

! Such solidity of the finishing base guarantees one hundred percent protection against moisture penetration inside the "laminated cake". Due to the connection system, boards can be mounted on almost any base. At the same time, the whole system is so thin that it is not able to increase the thickness of the lamellae. Are you laying in a large area? Forget about connectors!

It is known that the connection system of any laminate flooring, regardless of the manufacturer, the thickness of the panel and its durability, is the so-called weak point of the floor.

When even a small amount of moisture makes its way between the individual elements, this leads to enormous problems, including warping of the web and its destruction. Therefore, the problem of moisture resistance is considered problem number 1.

Today, different manufacturers are trying to solve this problem in different ways. In most cases, a positive outcome is achieved by impregnating the joints with special water-repellent compounds and adhesives for lamellas. How to distinguish such products from a number of others? It usually has a blue-green base and is labeled waterproof on the packaging.

Another solution to the problem of increasing water resistance is to impregnate the elements of the boards with a special water-repellent glue. This method is more popular, therefore, a laminate with impregnated locks is bought most often.

Special wax impregnation gives the lamellas additional moisture resistance, and also protects the seams from moisture.

! When buying such products, check the type of impregnation yourself: just scrape off the wax with your fingernail. Succeeded? If yes, then the material is of poor quality and you will have to continue the search.

In some cases, you can carry out the impregnation yourself. To do this, it is necessary to apply a special composition with a brush to the entire part of the connection. It does not glue the lamellas themselves and does not require re-application. Excess is easily removed with a simple wipe.

This is another important question. So which laminate locks are better?

In modern realities, the most popular flooring is laminate, which has replaced expensive parquet. It has a presentable expensive look, the inexpensive price of the materials themselves (its price is approximately equal to the cost of linoleum), cleanliness and ease of installation without noise and dirt, which can be compared with ordinary linoleum flooring.

Even the most inexperienced owner will be able to install laminate flooring in his own home in just a few days, without staining or damaging the existing repair. The ease of work is ensured by a well-thought-out system of special “locks” created for ease of use and reliable long-term operation of this coating.

Previously, there was no talk of any locks, only screws and glue were used. The “floating” method appeared thanks to the castle joints, which began to be developed thanks to the rapidly gaining popularity of the laminate coating.

Types of laminate locks

There are several types of them, but each manufacturer is trying to innovate in their products by adding something of their own to the locking system. Instead of MDF boards, HDF boards began to be used, thanks to which, with the help of milling machines, it became possible to obtain locks of fairly complex shapes and excellent adhesion of lamellas during installation. The most common are Lock, Click and 5G, but there are many more subspecies on the market and over time this number is only growing.

When buying a laminate, it is important to pay attention not only to the quality of the material of the lamellas themselves, but also to the locking system. It is she who will help maintain the coating, preventing the divergence of the plates and the formation of cracks.

Click lock system

It is the most common among consumers because of the many positive qualities. When laying the panels, a 45-degree slope of the next board is used, which fits into the lock of the previous one and snaps into place. Installation takes a little time and effort, and the performer does not need to deal with the system for a long time. Such a floor can be disassembled and assembled several times without losing the quality of the lamellas themselves, they are preserved and do not diverge.

Based on the click system, more than a dozen of their subspecies have been developed, one of which includes aluminum plates that securely fix the panels from below. Laminate with metal locks is an order of magnitude more difficult to install than usual, since the plate is wound under the board and there is a chance of damaging the soft substrate. When working, you can cut yourself on an aluminum plate, so be careful.

Lock-system of locks

It has another name “driving”, as the next plate is driven into the previous one at an angle of 90 degrees with a rubberized hammer or wooden mallet. This tongue-and-groove connection has two significant drawbacks: it cannot be dismantled without consequences for the lamellas with subsequent re-laying, and even during the initial laying, gaps appear between the lamellas over time. Therefore, the production of such locks is gradually disappearing.

Manufacturers have tried to preserve this castle-like look by incorporating a plastic element into it, which in turn can be rigid or springy. Neither type of plastic lock is perfect: firstly, hard is hard to use in work, and secondly, both of them are difficult to cut and crack.

5G system

For even easier, more precise and stronger assembly of laminate flooring, a separate type of 5G laminate locks has been released - the board is in place with one click (automatic connection along the length occurs simultaneously with the click on the width). This was facilitated by the appearance of a special “tongue” at the end of the lamella, due to which a kind of “fastening” of the boards to each other occurs. A good half of experienced builders prefer this particular method of attaching laminate lamellas because of its simplicity and speed of laying.

What else do laminate manufacturers offer?

• Locks smart lock and ProLock available with Pergo laminate. ProLock is recommended to be installed in rooms with a large floor area and significant loads on the base. ProLock differs from other types with a triple fastening system and excellent moisture resistance, since the joints of each board are impregnated with a waterproofing compound. If you need to install floors in a very damp, large area, use SafeSeal. It is possible to install / dismantle the laminate, the locks are not damaged. As for the SmartLock system, it is simpler, but also impregnated with a moisture-resistant composition and easy to fit. Such a floor is able to withstand loads, during operation it is not subjected to deformations and the formation of cracks between the lamellas.
• Locks Uniclick, manufactured by Quick-Step, have an original tongue and groove design. Its installation is easy, fast, without tools - only by hand. The slats do not diverge over time, they firmly adhere to one another without the appearance of cracks, which is covered by a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer. Such a floor looks very high quality, smooth, without longitudinal gaps and irregularities. This design is reliable and durable, as the locks are located around the entire perimeter of each panel. There are two ways of installation: at an angle of 30 degrees or horizontally. In both cases, you can not put the lamella with one touch or blow, this is done with small taps along the entire length of the board until you hear a click. Assembly/disassembly is possible up to four times.
• ProClick Egger laminate locks are designed for laying on one side, they are reliable, stable and durable under any surface tension. Installation / dismantling is possible, since the locking system is strong and does not lose its properties when restyled.
• Balterio laminate available with locks ClickXpress, DropXpress, PressXpress.
• Megalock- a very strong lock (from the end of the board), offered by the German brand Classen. To ensure the best moisture resistance, it is recommended to impregnate the locks with Isowaxx. The possibility of installation / dismantling is present.
• LocTec- locks are offered by the manufacturer Witex, such a laminate can withstand significant loads, and is also impregnated with paraffin from moisture penetration. The coating with such locks is easy to install and dismantle more than once.
• T-Lock- locks from Tarkett are a very successful development, it has a lot of positive characteristics. One of the most important is the maximum ease and speed of work. Mounting / dismantling is allowed up to 4 times.

There are a large number of types of laminate locks, and if you have not yet fully decided which one is best for you, ask the seller in the building materials store for advice. Specialists will find out the issues of further use of the laminate, and offer the best option specifically for your case.

Laminate floors are currently one of the most popular types of flooring not only in our country, but throughout the world. Laminate manufacturing plants are located in many countries of the world, so in stores you can find a model suitable for a particular room and design without much effort.

Choosing a laminate is not difficult. Certain problems arise during its installation. It cannot be said that laying a laminate equipped with a locking system is extremely difficult, but for this you need to know some of the nuances and features of the work.

It is worth noting that it is better not to lay a laminate without locks, which must be glued to a rough base using special adhesives, but to invite craftsmen for this work. Adhesive models of laminate floors are gradually becoming a thing of the past, so they are rarely found on the modern market.

Before laying laminate flooring, you need to properly prepare the base. Features of the preparation of the rough surface will depend on what material it is made of:

• Wooden floor (boards). The first step is to make sure that the surface is flat and does not have serious deviations. An acceptable indicator of deviation from the ideal evenness of the floor is considered to be no more than 2.5-3.5 mm per 2 sq.m. surfaces. If there are serious differences in height, it is imperative to level the base. To do this, you can use a unit for grinding a wooden floor (it is not necessary to buy, but take it for a day from companies that rent construction equipment), or use chipboard sheets that are tightly attracted to the base from wood with self-tapping screws and perfectly prepare the surface for mounting the laminate (many experts note that laying laminate on chipboard is the best option). In the event that the floor is frankly old, it is strongly recommended to replace broken and unreliable-looking boards with new ones. This is due to the fact that the service life of the laminate is more than 10-15 years in a residential area (even for models of class 31), therefore, in the future, in order to repair the subfloor, it will be necessary to disassemble the floor covering.

• Concrete floor. In the case of a concrete floor, the first step is to level the surface. If the concrete screed was poured not so long ago, then most likely there will be no irregularities, but in old houses and apartments the concrete base almost always needs to be leveled. The easiest leveling option in this case is to use special self-leveling compounds (the so-called "self-leveling screed ), which are presented in a variety of hardware stores. Other leveling methods, in principle, can not be considered (unless you make a screed in the traditional way, if there is excess cement).

Additional work

1. Before carrying out any work, it is recommended to keep the purchased laminate panels that are planned to be laid in the room in which the installation will take place. This is necessary in order for the panels to acclimatize, “get used” to the room, and gain the necessary humidity.
2. After all the preparation and leveling of the base are completed, it will be correct to additionally lay a waterproofing layer that will protect the laminate from moisture penetration from the side of the subfloor. To do this, you can use a regular plastic film. The laying of the film must be carried out perpendicular to the planned direction of installation of the laminate panels. The film is laid with an overlap of about 15-20 cm.
3. In addition, you need to decide in advance on the direction of installation of the laminate. In situations where the windows in the room are located only on one wall, the installation of the laminate must be carried out in the direction of the light. When laying the laminate perpendicularly, it will turn out that at the entrance to the room the joints between the boards will be very clearly visible, which will worsen the appearance of the floor covering.
4. During the installation of a laminated floor, it is impossible to allow any debris to remain under the laid panels - all waste and broken parts of the laminate must be promptly removed, preventing them from penetrating under the installed floor. If something remains under the laminate, it can lead to some floor defects in the future.

Modern laminate is equipped with a locking system, and locks can be of only two types (although there are many varieties): Lock and Click. Click locks are more technologically advanced and are usually called double locks. The main advantage of such a locking system is a high level of reliability of connecting the panels to each other, as well as the minimum likelihood of damage to the laminate boards during installation. The Lock system is considered easier to install. Besides, Laminate models with Lock locks are usually cheaper. At the same time, the level of reliability of the connection of the boards will be slightly less, in contrast to the cases with Click locks..

Laminate installation with click locks

Installing a laminate with the Click system does not cause great difficulties. First of all, you need to measure the dimensions of the room with a tape measure to determine the width of the boards against the wall. The laminate installation scheme provides that the panels that will be located near the walls should be approximately the same width, although small differences in width are allowed.

Installation of laminated boards should be started from the far left corner of the room. It will be correct to focus on the light coming from the window, as mentioned above. Before starting work, you need to lay small wedges no more than 1 cm thick along each of the 4 walls (you can buy them in a store or do it yourself). The presence of these wedges will provide a technological clearance, which is required during the operation of the laminate. Wedges are removed immediately after all installation work is completed.

The initial panel is installed in the far corner of the room. Further, the second one must be inserted into the end part of the installed laminated panel. Installation should be carried out at an angle of about 30 degrees, which will allow the boards to snap into place with each other (there will be a characteristic click - “click”). It continues in the same way until we reach the opposite wall.

The assembly of the following rows must be carried out in a checkerboard pattern. In other words, the formed joint between the panels of the top row must be displaced by about half the length of the panel of the next row. Installing laminated boards in this way will ensure even distribution of the load. With direct laying, the load will be concentrated in certain areas of the floor.

Laminate of the 2nd row does not need to be fastened to the boards of the first row. First, the second row is assembled separately, after which it must be attached to the previous one. It is difficult to do this alone, so you will need the help of a partner. To connect the rows to each other, it is necessary to join them together at the same angle as the lamellas. The assembly of subsequent rows is carried out according to the same scheme - we form a finished row and join it with the previous one. In the case of Click locks, you cannot use a mallet or block to fit the slats.

Of course, you can choose other laying methods - for example, diagonally or herringbone. When choosing these installation methods, the work will be somewhat more difficult. In addition, the consumption of laminate will increase (by about 10-15%). Sawn panels and leftovers can be used at the beginning and end of the row, reducing waste.

Laminate installation with locks

Planks equipped with the Lock locking system do not cause difficulties during installation. Before starting work, you need to prepare a bar, mallet or rubberized hammer. The connection of laminated panels of this type is carried out using the familiar tongue and groove system. In other words, the spike of one board must fit into the groove of the second, which will ensure the connection of the lamellas.

Before laying, you must also estimate the width of the lamellas for the last row. In cases where the width is too small and visually unattractive, it is recommended to cut the lamellas in both the initial and last row, making them approximately the same in width. It is also necessary to install wedges to provide a technological gap.

Laying boards is also carried out from the far left corner of the room. We take the first laminated board, put it in the corner of the room, attach the next board to the end part, insert it into the groove. There will be no click here, but to ensure that the boards are connected to each other as tightly as possible, it is necessary to hammer the boards with a little effort after they are inserted into each other. The assembly of the row is carried out according to the same scheme.

Here, it is also necessary to ensure a staggered order of installation of panels, providing a distance between the joints of laminated boards of at least 35-40 cm to distribute the load.

Laying the second row is carried out as follows: a board is taken, brought to the first row, inserted into the panel, knocked out with a hammer. When connecting the second board of the second row with the first row, you should retreat slightly from the first board of the second row (approximately 20-30 mm). First we connect it with the boards of the first row, and then lightly beat it with a hammer to the first board of the second row.

I am rarely asked “what kind of laminate lock is better, more convenient or stronger” and it is clear why such a question is not relevant. The buyer considers the product as a whole, focusing on the final result - appearance, comfort, service life of the coating. And how the process of performance of work by hired workers will take place is not important to many. However, lately, people have become more picky, which is right. Therefore, this article will be of interest to many readers who are going to lay the laminate on their own. Or those who have read a lot of information, but have not figured out which laminate to buy, with Lock or Click 3G, 5G locks and what is the difference between them?

Dear readers! Below in the text will be published links to the largest stores where you can see products with specific key connections.

The type of key connection, it would seem, does not directly affect the operation process. This is partly true, but much depends on the conditions in which the installation is carried out.

The evenness of the floor and walls, the presence of door blocks, the method of flooring, the experience of the master - all this contributes or hinders the assembly of laminate with various types of locks. And the difficulty in execution can lead to damage to the coating and disappointment from the results of apartment renovation.

List of articles you need to read before buying laminate flooring.

The brief background written below is important for understanding the whole process of creating and improving key connections. And you can read the conclusions below or draw them yourself.

Joining Valinge and Unilin laminate locks – from Lock to Click a bit of history

In 1977-1979 the Swedish company Perstorp AB (later Pergo) puts on sale laminated parquet with a glue locking system. The development of the laminate was made with the participation of Darko Pervan, who later founded the company Valinge in 1993. In 1994-1996, the Valinge bureau designs and licenses the world's first 2G lock for the mechanical connection of laminate locks. Offering to use the invention on Pergo laminate, but the company refuses a former employee's generous offer.

The lock joint with the name Lock is the prototype of the further development of the lock with the name Click - which can be attributed to the name of the 3G laminate or parquet board joint.

Many Chinese laminate manufacturers on the Russian market use light modificationLock-lock without brand name fromValinge. Which no longer needs to deduct bonuses, due to the expired invention.

Lock - the lock is driven. He gathers one board at a time with a hammer and finishing bar with significant effort. At the moment, the Lock system is outdated morally and physically, but most importantly, it is really inconvenient to assemble. IT IS NOT VERY USED NOW.

Lock for laminate 3G-Click

In 1994, the company enters into a licensing agreement for the use of its lock with the parquet board manufacturer Kahrs (Chers) - a 2G locking system and the Norwegian licensee Alloc AS - a 1G lock connection. But the launch of production will take place in 1996. From 1996 to 2001, under the leadership of Darko Pervan, a number of modifications of the key connection were made to 3G Click and put into operation.

In narrow circles there are disputes about who is the ancestor of the laminate:Pergo orAlloc.

In the 1990s, Unilin and Quick-Step join forces and launch their own branded laminate flooring for the first time in Belgium.

In 1997, the concern presents a new development - the Uniclic lock, which subsequently collected many awards. The key connection belongs to the 3G class. Unilin credits them with being the first to put the 3G floor locking system into operation. Looking ahead, I’ll say - in my opinion and not only, the Uniclic key connection is the best, at least from those known to me.

From then until 2007, there were disputes between Valinge and Unilin over the legality of activities related to the issuance of a patent to licensees. For example, a similar dispute was waged by Apple and Samsung over the invention of an idea and its implementation for controlling the smartphone screen with the touch of your fingers.

In 2007, Unilin (patent BE 9600527, BE 9700344) and Valinge (patent WO 94/26999) reached a preliminary agreement on a legal framework in which a third party undertakes to obtain a license from one of the right holders to use glueless floor panel assembly systems.

In other words, they divided the market. In the context of the foregoing, we take into account that the inventions of various locking systems are used not only for the convenience of consumers, but to fight competitors and extract financial benefits. Then marketing work is carried out, as a result of which the buyer, with the help of advertising, gets the idea that the new key connection is more effective than the previous one. Although it may not be.

Laminate locks 5G Click

All over the world, there is fierce competition in areas ranging from international politics to the provision of small domestic services. They try to leave opponents in the train in various ways, using various methods for these purposes. Of course, the surest way is to improve your products and service quality.

For example, at one time I also thought about equipment modifications that can be brought in to get ahead of competitors in my field. With a creak, despite the protests of his wife, he acquired a large industrial vacuum cleaner. Even earlier, an idea was peeped with the use of an MFP for trimming door frames. These are useful devices that facilitate the work process and make the result more neat.

In 2003-2004, the guys from the marketing company Valinge, led by Darko Pervan, sat down, thought about what could be done to bypass the European neighbors and capture the flooring market. Deciding that it was necessary to work in the field of improving the convenience of locking locks, they implemented the idea of ​​introducing a plastic tongue as a latch. It became possible to assemble laminated panels not in order, but piece by piece, focusing attention on one board, and not on the whole row.

Thus, the 5G Click laminate lock was born. A powerful advertising campaign and explanatory work was carried out. The financial parties were agreed with the licensees, an appropriate allowance was made to the final cost of the product, and everyone was satisfied.

Why this preface? It shows the commercial component of the projects. First of all, everyone wants to derive financial benefits, while showing concern for customers. Even if the real result of an innovative idea turned out to be not as successful in practice as advertised. But launched into a large project and serious money spent, this is not an indicator of its quality. Is it possible to keep silent about the negative aspects of the product?

Personally, my opinion ... When technically simple products are complicated to more complex ones, the latter have a higher chance of failing. What happens periodically under certain conditions of laying flooring. Examples will be given below.

TOTAL:

It can definitely be argued that a more modern castleClick aka 3G and 5G, more durable in locking, more convenient in the installation of a completely obsolete lock connectionlock.

Types of laminate locks - 3G and 5G pros and cons

Modern types of laminate brands can be divided, by and large, into two types of locking performance, which have their own pluses and minuses. Let me remind you that both refer to the Click connection and the laying method between them is different.

1. Classic lock - 3G. Floor covering with this type of docking is assembled in rows.
2. New castle - 5G. This type of laminate is assembled one by one. Now I will explain in more detail.

3G Click lock - description and features with examples

The 3G Click lock has in its design - a thorn on one long and one short side. When assembling, the comb is inserted into the groove of the previous board. The last piece is cut to size, completing the assembly of the first row of laminate.

Next, spacer wedges are installed between the wall and the lamellas, and in the same way as the first, the second row is assembled along the short part. And then the connected line is evenly inserted into the first row with a spike into the groove with tapping with a special tool along the entire length.

Different manufacturers have their own peculiarities in the design of locks. Between themselves, they differ in the angle at which the bar enters, the long ridge, the thickness of the base of the lock connection. These features complicate or simplify the installation process.

Below are a few examples of a similar type of lock used by leading laminate flooring manufacturers.

Laminate lock T-Lock (Tarkett)

An average lock from a well-known manufacturer in terms of laying complexity. The connection is abundantly waxed to protect it from moisture, but due to the excess, the paraffin composition periodically rolls off and the slats go tight into the grooves.

The comb is short, with a large length of the room and floor differences, it can be difficult to evenly insert into the groove of the previous row. The design feature of the interlock connection is in the presence of a microstep. Most often, due to its presence, you have to tap a row in two stages for a complete fit.

Tarkett is very difficult to assemble without thresholds between rooms if you want to assemble the rows in the opposite direction. The angle of insertion of the slats is average (about 30 degrees) - because of which it is not possible, without cutting off the lock, to get a laminate under the door frame. Despite this, I like Tarkett himself, but more on that in another article. I recommend for self-laying in a room of a simple form.

Lock laminate Twin Clic (Kronospan)

Pretty good locking. For the first self-assembly, I would recommend the Twin Clic lock of all possible ones. Laminated boards are inserted very easily and effortlessly. The angle at which they start is low, about 15 degrees, which is convenient in the presence of low-cost heating radiators. The relatively thick lip at the base of the lock suggests greater tear resistance.

As with all 3G lock covers, reassembly requires considerable effort. This type of locking model appeals to me. Although there are questions about the geometry of the slats.

Laminate Lock Uniclic (Quick Step)

Uniclic is the best lock connection in my opinion. I will try to express my conclusions in simple words.

The Uniclic lock from the side looks like an arrowhead - long, about 4 mm, and sharp. The recess where the comb is inserted completely repeats its contour. In such a connection there is no backlash, like most other types of joints.

Due to tight lockUniclic, large contact area and lack of backlash, the connection firmly holds the breaking load. For the same reason, sealing Uniklik is not recommended. The sealant has nowhere to go.

I should note that the Quick-Step 12mm has a more recessed groove profile. But the panels can also sit at a zero angle, although more tightly.

Due to the low partition in the counterpart, the Quick-Step lock can be connected to each other at a zero angle, although its natural operating mode is about 10-15 degrees. This feature is necessary when installing non-threshold laminate with door blocks already installed, when it is necessary to bring panels under the door frame to avoid gaps.

When installing Quick Step laminate planks, parallel to the floor, the lock does not break, including due to the lower part of the arrow-shaped comb lubricated with wax. Roughly speaking, it's like sticking your hand into a jar - it goes deep into it easily, but you can't pull it out.

Another advantage of the Uniclic locking connection is the almost complete absence of the need to tamp the laminate boards with a finishing beam. The design of the arrow-shaped comb has a peculiar relief. The recess completely repeats it, and until the contours match, the planks will not sit in their place.

With an even connection of the dies at the ends and evenly inserting a row of laminate into the previous one, it is enough to press on the edge of the board and sit in its place. However, we still use the finishing tool. This feature is described more as an amazing mechanical development and serves as an example.

LockUniclic from the floor manufacturerUnilin has the ability to pull locks together. And even on uneven ground it can be assembled with virtually no gaps.

In the opposite direction, the Uniclick lock connection is worse than 5G locks, but better than most 3G connections due to the long and sharp comb.

Of the minuses of the Uniclic key connection, it is very difficult to insert the last row of laminate if it is narrow. This feature is especially evident in the strips with a thickness of 12 mm.

I recommend the Uniclic locking connection when laying a laminate with your own hands. However, it may be difficult to arrange the second row if the collection has a small board width.

Laminate Lock Just Clic (Egger)

Egger is a leading manufacturer of laminate flooring. Previously and currently equipped with a Just Clic lock. But now there is a transitional period? on the UniFit locking connection. Apparently, UniClic integration is happening everywhere. Interestingly, the weak economic performance of the Egger company is to blame, forcing the company to look for new impulses for the drive? Or a European calculation for the future?

Dear readers! At the moment, the Just Clic lock connection occurs irregularly. In Egger there is a substitution for another connection. Periodically, this lock is used in the Artens laminate.

Just Clic - This type of 3G lock is similar to Tarkett's T-Lock. The same short front spike with one advantage over UniClic - it does not need to be cut down when laying. Whereas with Quick-Step it is desirable to cut it off, otherwise, with a significant size of the premises, it may rest against the wall. It happens that the extra 2.5 mm can play a role when setting the gap from the wall.

Just Click from the bottom has a rounded shape and enters the recess at a high angle, about 40 degrees, which makes it not very convenient for flooring with low-standing heating radiators, especially with installed door frames. If you want to culturally bring the panel under the jamb, you need to cut off the lock with a knife and put the winding and adjacent panel between them on the glue.

Just Clic is a fairly strong fixative. On the reciprocal part of the lock, the base has a rounded shape with a thickening. It turns out the move is such a "semi-bearing". Thanks to this design solution, the breaking connection is quite strong.

During installation, be careful with the edge of the counter part of the lock. Although it is thick, it is pointed at the top and it is easy to break it. This will not particularly affect the strength of the lock, but if the broken piece remains in the groove recess, a step may form at the junction of the panels, which you may not immediately notice.

In reverse, laminate with this type of 3G lock is very difficult to assemble. Therefore, for technically difficult non-threshold laying, I do not recommend using Egger laminate with Just Clic lock.

5G laminate plastic lock. Advantages and disadvantages

In 2004, the laboratory office Valinge released a relatively new 5G floor locking principle. Structurally, the difference from its predecessor consisted in the end joint. The connection and snapping of the lock along the short part was carried out using a plastic tongue.

Such a system worked as follows: the board to be laid was inserted along the long part into the groove of the previous row, closely adjoining the end of the previous plank and smoothly lowered. The plastic tongue has a bracket-like shape and, when pressed, goes into the groove. And when the panel is completely laid down, it clicks into the recess of the laid laminated panel, closing it.

Thus, it became possible to install by inserting and assembling the laminate one by one board. This method generally speeds up the installation process, but not always. It all depends on the design of the lock, each manufacturer has its own, other features, for example, thickness.

There are two types 5G locks laminate with plastic

Few people paid attention in the articles, because it is not mentioned, and copywriters do not know this. But there is a laminate with 5G plastic locks on different sides of the laminated panel.

When I receive a phone call from a customer, the first thing I ask is which company's laminate is to be laid. If "Classen" sounds, I'm generally calm. Although it is not the most convenient to install, and here's why.

The end lock has a long platform with a thick partition, so it is nominally tear-resistant. But the partition is designed at a right angle and if you have to disassemble the laminate to trim the first row, this part is easy to break even for me, with my experience.

The groove has a rounded shape along the long part with a high side. Therefore, the lamellas are inserted at a high angle, which in some cases is inconvenient, but strong.

It is easy to wind up laminated panels in the opposite direction, this is the advantage of 5G lock types over 3G.

In general, the lock is not bad, but difficulties may arise when assembling / disassembling the first row of laminate.

Pros of 5G Click Lock

• Laminate with a 5G plastic lock is more convenient to assemble in long rooms due to the absence of the need to lift and insert the entire row, as with a floor with a classic joint. Laminate 3G with a small lock, if the base is uneven, with a large room size, it can be difficult to insert into the groove of the previous row. And by the time you get to the end, the beginning may just fall out of the groove. Let me remind you that a row of laminate is achieved with a tool when it is fully inserted at an angle into the previous one.

• When laying laminate flooring without gaps between rooms, you regularly have to mount the panels with the back of the lock. Laminate flooring with a plastic tongue is much easier to insert in this way, with only one board running. Whereas the classics must be linked with a whole row.
• The 5G lock connection is faster to assemble if you work together. Since you can lay 2 or 3 rows at the same time.

Cons of 5G Click Lock

• Slightly more expensive price. Rubles for 50-100 per / m2.
• Sometimes, after installation, plastic locks can click, falling into place. When connecting a laminate with a classic grip, the comb is immediately inserted into the groove and is in the recess, even if it diverges a little. And the plastic tongue, due to the curvature of the base or the violation of the geometry of the bar, simply does not reach the groove and may creak or click.

By the way, I guess for this reason, most laminate with 5G locks are chamfered. The gaps are not so noticeable on it. read

• When the laminated panels are skewed to the other side during installation, the locks overlap. And on a laying board it can form a crease in the edge. This usually happens on an 8 mm thick laminate, for example,
• The difficulty in assembling the first row is with most types of 5G lock, but not all. So I didn’t fully figure out why for some brands the installation process takes place in a normal way - the plastic insert springs and then snaps into place. And for some, serious difficulties are created when assembling the first row. You have to pump in the bar or lay it flat on the lock and hit it with your hand at an angle of 45 degrees in the right direction.
• It is difficult to describe the technical details that are repeated again ... Another minus is the difficulty of disassembly. Often there is a need to remove the first row to trim the panels along the contour of the wall irregularities. This is done to close the gap with the plinth between the laminate and the wall. With significant curvature, a plastic or MDF plinth will not be able to close the gap. If the panels are dismantled in the simplest way, by lifting the panel 45 degrees and pulling it out of the groove, as is done in the classic 3G, then most 5G connections will simply fly off part of the lock. If the protrusion on the end lock is located at a right angle.

UniFit Laminate Lock (Egger)

I will describe the last lock in this article from Egger. The UniFit connection appeared recently, according to the sensations from the beginning of the installations, about a year ago, but I could be wrong. The clutch design along the long part is derived from Unilin with all the ensuing pluses. And the end part is equipped with a plastic insert. Thus, Egger Pro and Egger Home are 5G lock carriers. But Egger's new collections also remained with a 3G latch.

The comb along the long part of the board resembles an arrow-shaped shape. For this reason, it starts easily into the groove of the previous bar and, importantly, at a slight angle. In principle, it can be hammered, like the Quick Step, parallel to the floor. However, the spike is flat on the underside. It seems to me that with uneven bases, this design is easier to jump out of the groove.

The end lock consists of a groove and a plastic insert located in it. When the panel snaps in, the insert, resting against the edge of the previous board, enters and then clicks out. Thus, standing in its place and locking the connected panels. This design does not look very impressive, but it does its job.

In principle, such a connection is convenient, although I like the location of the plastic insert in the form of an “S” in place of the spike less.

Unfortunately, in my collected collection of scraps there was no 5G Kronotex lock - I liked it. There are also no cuts from the leading manufacturers Berry-Alloc and Pergo. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that Pergo has a connection like Quick Step and a 5G plastic lock.

Alloc laminate lock - review of the master

While writing the article, I almost forgot about the laminated coating of the Norwegian manufacturer, about which the story would be incomplete and shamed by critics. Alloc is the most expensive laminate I know in Russia.

The high cost of this brand is explained by a specialized aluminum lock that can withstand heavy loads and the place of origin: Norway is an expensive country.

The locking device of the Alloc lock is based on the connection of the strips by means of a metal plate embedded in each panel from the bottom side along the long and short parts. Accordingly, the entire tensile load is carried by the aluminum flange of the part - stronger than any HDF.

The width of the plate allows you to mount the panels at almost zero angle.

Alloc's advantages are obvious. Why not include it in the best locking lock?

• The cost of the product. Whose value exceeds the price of the nearest premium competitors by an average of 1000 rubles.
• Low feasibility of use in the apartment. Despite the impressive density and, accordingly, the strength of the coating, as well as the impregnation with moisture-resistant compositions of the panels, the laminate is afraid of moisture, like other brands. This is evidenced by a trip to one order, where the old laminated floor, which was Allok, was dismantled. It seems that it was watered from a basin, although the service life of the laminate at that time was about 7 years. What the customers kindly reported, after my question about the service life.

• Pretty complicated installation of Alloc. This concerns not so much inserting one board into another, but the complexity of sawing. If the laminate board is not positioned correctly during cutting, it is easy to break the metal lock integrated into the HDF panel. As a result, the laid laminate clicks.

The best laminate lock - summary, review

As you may have guessed from the text, the best laminate lock for me is the Uniclic 3G-Click connection. It is easy to insert, which minimizes the possibility of edge crease. With Uniclic it is fast to work, strong connection on a gap. Possibility to install laminate under the door frames without cutting off part of the lock. What is important when deciding to replace the flooring when there is no desire to update the doors.

It is also not the most difficult of the 3G latch types when laying the floor in the opposite direction.

Laminate locks 5G are modern, which is positioned by advertising brochures as an easier option. The principles of this type of docking are assembly speed, simplicity, accessibility.

But this is not entirely true. A technically more complex product is more susceptible to the risk of marriage due to uneven floors, violations of the geometry of the planks, especially for 8mm thick laminate. Installation speed drops, since most brands of laminate still need to be knocked out with a finishing beam.

However, the 5G Click connection is more convenient when installing the laminate in the opposite direction. This type of laying is required for a non-breaking flooring method.

This article expresses my personal opinion based on the installation of many thousands of meters of laminate flooring. As a craftsman, I don't care what type of 3G or 5G lock to lay laminate flooring with, except in cases of seamless laying.

I focus buyers not only on the type of key connection, but also on the manufacturer, which has a more reliable geometry and quality in general (film strength, wear resistance class).

• The weakest lock is laminateKronostar,kronopol,Oktoberfest (SwissKrono) and many Chinese
• The most difficult lock to assemble is many Chinese,Ritter, Lamineli
• The most durable - laminateAlloc with metal lock
• The most convenient lock -?
• The best laminate lock -uniclic,Quick-Step (author's choice)

In the article I express my personal opinion based on re-read articles and personal observations.

Successful choice! You can ask - as I read it, I will definitely answer.