Kronostar brand laminate: reviews from users and craftsmen, tips on installation and care

What makes class 33 laminate so popular? There are really many reasons. Firstly, it is characterized by a wide range of colors (from white to dark colors). Secondly, it has such important properties as moisture resistance and strength. Thirdly, it can be laid in any commercial or residential premises. With all this, the cost of the material is quite affordable.

• Specifications.
• Peculiarities.
• Laminate with bevel.
• Advantages.
• Purchase rules.
• Reviews.

! It is the quality characteristics of the lamellas that make this flooring the most attractive among the huge number of flooring materials.

1. Thickness: 8-12 mm;
2. moisture-resistant impregnation of the slab: this makes it possible to use it as a covering in a damp room (kitchen, bathroom, sauna, etc.);
3. integrated soundproofing substrate: it provides excellent sound and heat insulation;
4. Impact resistance: the floor is resistant to cracking, scratching and chipping;
5. locking system: reinforced locks guarantee additional moisture resistance of the entire flooring;
6. rich color palette: such surfaces are characterized not only by excellent design, but also by complete imitation of natural expensive wood. The shades are thought out to the smallest detail;
7. versatility: laminate 33 classes are laid in conference rooms, work rooms, corridors, loggias, bedrooms, kitchens, attics, etc.;
8. antistatic: this floor finishing option is ideal for computer classes, laboratories, medical centers and enterprises that deal with complex electronics;
9. relief structure of the boards: the surface completely imitates the structure of tiles, cuts of natural wood in wood decors, as well as tile seams in stone laminate;
10. resistance to temperature fluctuations, sunlight, ultraviolet radiation and the formation of bacterial microflora;
11. increased level of moisture resistance, the panels tolerate frost well;
12. no operating costs: such a floor does not require various professional detergents. It does not need to be rubbed with wax or mastic. If you bought a class 33 laminate and installed it correctly, dirt will not get stuck in the cracks, and the flooring itself will not creak or dry out;
13. long service life: the surface retains its excellent appearance for a long time, even in places with high traffic intensity.

! Today you can often find panels with various decorative elements. Thus, class 33 laminate with a chamfer or glossy surface is especially popular.

• Price. In this case, prices are several times higher than the household option. It is also worth considering that the service life will be longer;
• Such slats are designed to withstand intense loads. This means that they can be freely used even in rooms with the highest traffic;
• Class 33 boards do not slip;
• the composition of the material does not contain any harmful substances;
• The wear resistance class is always indicated on the packaging. Do not rely on the seller; it is better to ensure this quality by checking the packaging.

Laminate 33 class with chamfer

After laying class 33 laminate with a chamfer, the entire flooring looks like a solid sheet, characterized by reliability and durability. At the same time, with the help of such a recess, you can always quickly and efficiently hide any unevenness, as well as flaws in the subfloor, or eliminate possible defects that arise due to cracks or swelling of the boards.

! In most cases, this version of the boards is mounted on a concrete screed, on top of which a lining made of polystyrene foam or polypropylene foam is laid. Such linings also help level out unevenness, making the surface even and smooth.

It has been proven that the best versions of such boards are produced by German companies. One of the most famous is Ecoflooring. Its products are distinguished not only by consistently high quality, but also by very affordable prices. For example, the coating from the Ecoflooring Villa collection is characterized by a wavy surface that imitates hand scraping. It is thanks to this quality that the floor acquires not only a certain nobility, but also antiquity. Additional moisture-resistant treatment of all locks is another plus that is worth noting.

Another fairly well-known German manufacturer is the Egger brand, which is also distinguished by its variety of collections. Trouble-free operation in this case is guaranteed for 25 years. The main advantages are the base of the board made of moisture-resistant HDF board and a double lock. It is these qualities that make class 33 laminate in demand for shopping centers and offices.

The next important factor is the thickness of the board. Keep in mind that the cost of a 12 mm lamella will be several times higher than the price of an 8 mm board. Why is greater thickness needed? In this case, the floor will be perfectly flat and durable, even if the rough base is not so reliable.

Have you decided to buy it? Then consider:

The higher the cost, the higher the performance, characteristics and product life. On average, the price of class 33 laminate is $25-30 per 1 m2. Keep in mind that even class 33 slats can be domestic or commercial. If you are going to lay them in a room with a high level of traffic, then it is better to choose a commercial option. And, of course, the more famous the manufacturer, the better the characteristics. Branded material can cost a decent amount. But believe me, the long service life will fully justify the costs.

How to choose?

The choice of Ideal laminate depends on several factors:

1. Budget. Depending on how much you have, you can choose the material. For an unlimited budget, you can consider luxury designer collections. For more budget-friendly flooring, samples from the classic and standard series are suitable.
2. Colors. It should be in harmony with the decor of the room. The floor can be made in the same color as the furniture or in contrast, but everything should be harmonious. You can choose a coating pattern that imitates wooden boards or unique artistic patterns.
3. Thickness of planks. Not only the strength of the coating, but also its thermal conductivity depends on it. For rooms on the first floors of buildings, it is better to give preference to a 12 mm thick laminate, as it will retain maximum heat in your home.

Reviews of class 33 laminate

Igor, 31 years old (Samara)

Maria, 28 years old (Perm)

Natalia, 40 years old (Ivanovo)

Valery, 33 years old (Kursk)

Laminate seems like a new product to many of our fellow citizens, because this coating appeared on the Russian market only 10-15 years ago. Nowadays this is the most popular floor covering. Today, many Russian brands are able to compete with products from Western European countries. Most enterprises located in the Russian Federation work together with European manufacturers using foreign technologies. Often they are the ones who offer the most affordable products that meet foreign quality standards and requirements.

Content

Manufacturers

Although laminate has been produced in Europe for a long time, the first Russian coating production was established only in 2003. Demand was small at first, but gradually increased. This was due to the large selection of Bauservice ceramic tiles from different manufacturers. And by 2008, several enterprises began to operate in Russia, most of which were subsidiaries of well-known European brands.

When choosing, domestic consumers often give preference to European brands. The Swedish laminate manufacturer Pergo was no exception. The employees of this company became the pioneers of flooring material, which in the modern world is considered one of the most reliable and durable materials. However, laminate production in Russia is also developing very actively.

Floor coverings produced by Russian companies pose serious competition to German panel manufacturers. And although there are still few of them (less than a dozen), all brands of Russian laminate are in demand and find their admirers.

As a rule, Russian enterprises are equipped with high-quality German equipment and import materials for the production of bases from abroad (high-strength fiberboard). The names of the companies themselves fully or partially contain the names of those corporations under whose auspices they produce their products.

• Platinum laminate is also a variant of German products, which is produced in the Russian Federation and China. The Platinum brand has gained popularity thanks to its non-standard design solutions, especially for class 33 laminate.
• Quick-Step laminate originally comes from Belgium, but is now produced in Russia. It has high quality and competitive price. The company offers 16 collections to Russian customers.
• Tarkett laminate is the most famous brand, which, under the sonorous name of a German manufacturer, is manufactured in 28 countries.
• Sinteros laminate is also produced under the auspices of the Tarkett company and is famous for its high quality. Production is entirely carried out on German equipment and is controlled by German specialists. It is this trademark that belongs to class 33 laminate “Bogatyr”.
• Kronostar is a laminate produced on German equipment under the auspices of a Swiss company. This brand is an indicator of decent quality.
• Laminate "Baikal" is produced under the direction of the German company KRONO. Class 33 coating, which the company focuses on, has high technical performance.
• Belfloor laminate is a Belgian laminate, it is durable, versatile, and safe for health.

In 2005, the first purely Russian company appeared on the domestic market, which began producing products under the Shelekhov Laminate . However, they had to purchase slabs abroad, and the company could not compete with Western competitors in the economy segment, so it focused on producing expensive class 33 laminate.

In 2008, another Russian enterprise was formed - RBC-Laminate LLC , which for the first time used domestic boards in production. Thanks to this, the price of laminate flooring turned out to be quite acceptable for the buyer. This company produces class 32 laminate in the low price segment. But she managed to beat Western competitors due to the diversity of design. Laminate with a structural surface imitating snake or crocodile skin has proven to be in great demand among customers.

Ritter laminate is an exclusive and unique coating. Each collection is worthy of close attention. Ritter floors are produced in Russia, due to which the cost of the laminate is affordable and the quality is good. The RBC trading and manufacturing enterprise, which produces these slabs, even has its own scientific and technical laboratory.

Today, most Russian manufacturers purchase the basis for the manufacture of panels abroad. Our own manufacturers are not yet able to provide workpieces of decent quality. The difficulty also lies in the fact that Russia has not developed a single quality standard that one could be guided by, so it is necessary to use European standards as models. And they are as high as possible, which is why the price of co-produced laminate is quite high.
Those who are in search of the perfect flooring are recommended to get acquainted with vinyl laminate flooring in Leroy Merlin.

New collections and laminate decors from the New House store:

Kronooriginal MyArt K051, 1, 33 class, price: 999 rub.

Classen VisioGrande 44150 Beige Concrete, 1, 32 class, price: 899 rub.

Pergo Big Slab 2V Chevron L1240-04165 Olive brown oak, 4, 33 class, price: 1395 rub.

Pergo Big Slab 2V Chevron L1240-04163 Swedish golden oak, 4, 33 class, price: 1395 rub.

Currently, laminate is the most common coating chosen by most consumers. The method of its manufacture and the technologies used make it possible to create a pattern that imitates natural solid wood, parquet, tiles, marble and much more. This makes it possible to choose the necessary option for any interior.

Varieties and characteristics

Laminate class and thickness are of paramount importance when choosing a coating. All over the world, laminated coatings are divided into 7 main classes: 21, 22, 23 (household laminate), 31, 32, 33, 34 (commercial laminate). The higher the class of the laminate, the stronger, more durable and functional the floor.

The class is assigned to the manufactured coating based on the results of special tests, which establish wear resistance indicators. The product passes 18 different tests established by the European standard EN13329.

The general characteristics of laminate of classes 21-23 include low wear resistance, and therefore a short service life. It’s worth mentioning right away that in Russia laminate in this category is practically not represented either in production or on the market. The main disadvantage of household laminate, as opposed to commercial laminate, is the lack of special protection against high humidity.

The most common and popular class on the domestic market is 32. The coating of this category ideally combines decorative and performance properties. Class 32 laminate can withstand intense loads and serves as an excellent floor covering for school classrooms, offices, and boutiques. Many reputable brands produce products of this class in Russia :

• Kronospan;
• Kronotex;
• Quick Step;
• Tarkett.

The service life of this coating in commercial premises is 3-5 years, in everyday life – up to 15 years. Class 32 laminate is presented in bright colors and has a textured surface that completely imitates the structure of natural wood.

Advantages of domestic laminate:

• huge assortment;
• natural materials for production;
• fast production, fast delivery;
• reasonable cost;
• resistance to changes in pressure, temperature and humidity;
• hygienic and antistatic properties of products;
• application of protective coating technologies;
• practicality, warranty period;
• ease of care;
• safety;
• resistance to chemicals.

A modern and inexpensive alternative to traditional luxury flooring is a decorative artistic laminate with an imitation of artistic parquet. Piece parquet, laid out by a master in a unique, spectacular pattern, is not for nothing called “palace” - this design option has deep historical roots. But today, with the help of high-quality and beautiful laminated flooring, you can turn it into a palace, a modest country cottage, or even a city apartment.

Peculiarities

Ideal laminate has a number of advantages:

• This material is made from coniferous trees and is environmentally friendly and completely safe for your health.
• The surface of the panels is treated with corundum, which helps extend the service life of the product and prevents abrasion.
• The 5G lock snaps easily into place; even a beginner can handle the installation of this flooring.

• In addition, all locks are treated with wax, so they are not afraid of moisture, the panels will not deform, even if you spill water on them.
• The service life of Ideal laminate is 30 years.
• The 3D texture will help to imitate as much as possible an expensive parquet flooring, while the strength of the Ideal laminate is higher than that of solid wood planks.
• The size of the plank of this coating is equal to the dimensions of the parquet board, so the similarity of these materials is quite high.
• A huge selection of colors will help you choose this coating for any interior.

Pricing policy and purchasing methods

1. The cheapest among the listed brands are coatings (from 280 rubles per sq. m).
2. In second place in terms of affordability is laminate brand “Platinum” (from 330 rubles per sq. m.).
3. Laminate "Sinteros" costs from 450 rubles. per meter Tarkett brand coating is in the same price range.
4. The cost of Quick Step panels is from 600 rubles per sq. m. m.
5. Ritter laminate is a little more expensive - from 700 rubles per sq.m.
6. For comparison: Swiss laminate “Pergo” costs about 1000 rubles per sq. m. m.

You can purchase domestic brands of laminated coatings in construction stores. The second way is to order online on the websites of companies and stores.

User reviews

Reviews about Russian-made laminated panels are a little contradictory, but in general they show that the products of domestic companies are close in quality characteristics to European brands. And many brands are much more affordable in price than foreign ones.

Alina, 42 years old, Moscow

“The need to update the floors in the house is long overdue. There is no way to invite a master and do everything quickly, so we do it ourselves and gradually. We chose Kronostar laminate for the living room; we bought it on sale at Maxidom. Coating 32 strength class, color – wild cherry. It is produced here, so I was very worried about the quality. But, to be honest, it’s in vain. My husband and son completed the installation in 2 days. The coating has been serving us for a year now. I'm happy: it looks beautiful, is easy to care for, and doesn't creak. I don’t know why some people don’t like it (I read the reviews beforehand). My family is glad that we also managed to save money.”

Sergey, 38 years old, Ekaterinburg

“I am a specialist in laying laminate flooring. I can say that the best domestic brands are Tarkett and Quick Step. And those who came across low-quality material probably ran into a Chinese counterfeit. Or they installed the coating incorrectly. Don’t be afraid to buy laminate from our production.”

Valery, 29 years old, Zelenograd

“My wife and I dreamed of laying something original and beautiful in the hall of our country house. Guests often gather there, and I wanted to surprise them. We decided to purchase the Ritter collection of Nefertiti (Premium Oak). They hired craftsmen who laid everything out competently and quickly. The result was a very stylish floor: with a “leather” effect. During the day it’s not very noticeable, but in the evening it’s simply gorgeous, especially by the fireplace. The cost is more than reasonable."

Tarkett (Germany-Russia)

Tarkett
brand is definitely well known to everyone. Floors of this brand have been sold in Belarus for a long time and successfully. Just a couple of years ago it was possible to purchase these floors with the “Made in Germany” sign, but today, only coatings made in Russia are imported. This is due to the fact that the German Tarkett is quite expensive in price and local importers were unable to select the required minimum volume quotas. As a result, the plant decided to stop supplying German flooring.

Laminate Tarkett - made in Russia. What about the quality? Where is the innovation?

And everything is fine.
As before, we are convinced that the country of production has the last influence on the quality of the laminate. The question is: where is the innovation? While competitive brands have long used modern “clic” locks, Tarkett uses the “loc” system the old fashioned way. What about water resistance? There are no real waterproof floors that the manufacturer would allow for use in the bathroom or kitchen. So it turns out that Tarkett, who once held a leading position in the laminate market in Belarus, is seriously behind its competitors in technical terms. Here are some real reviews about Tarkett laminate flooring from our customers: In the picture: Tarkett Aesthetics Natural Oak White

«I purchased Tarkett Aesthetics Oak Natural White for the hallway and living room. I liked the color, not white or gray, some kind of white-cream. I used 5-piece mats for the backing, because the screed is not the smoothest. We did the installation together with a friend, he has experience and my hands seem to be in place. They laid them in offset rows. There were no complaints about the quality, all the boards were even, the locks were intact. The so-called “3-D chamfer” looks beautiful; overall it looks great! I'm happy with the purchase and recommend it!

»
Structure of Natura White
Oak Yarosh Anton, Minsk

«I ended up with Tarkett... They laid me a Tarkett Navigator (12mm) on a 5mm substrate and it creaks. A representative arrived and said: “It was impossible to put it five millimeters, even the factory prohibits it, the maximum is 3 mm.” He gave me instructions for laying Tarkett (link). I don’t know what kind of laminate this is or how this is even possible. As long as it creaks, I live with it like this. The store said this was most likely due to the outdated locks...

» Chepikov Sergey, Molodechno Unambiguously answer the question “
Which laminate to choose?
" impossible. To each his own. Whether you believe the reviews on the Internet or not is up to you. We just tried to express our point of view and share our experience and the experience of our customers. To make the right choice, we recommend that you read our article “How to choose a laminate.”

Tips for choosing

So, the choice of Russian-made laminated coatings is not so small. What nuances need to be considered before purchasing?

1. Decide on the manufacturer at the stage of studying the assortment. You can consult with those who have already used this or that brand, read reviews, and consult with specialists.
2. Do not blindly trust the opinion of sales consultants. Their job is to sell the product.
3. Carefully study the documentation accompanying the product. Read the instructions and ask for a quality certificate for the products you are interested in.
4. Before purchasing, ask about the possibility of returning excess packaging of material.

What rooms is it suitable for?

It is advisable to use laminated coating of class 31 in residential premises where there is no high humidity. So, for example, it is optimal to lay boards of this category in living rooms, hallways, kitchens, dining rooms, children's or guest rooms .

Use in office premises is possible, but with light load and traffic, otherwise after a few years you will have to replace the coating with a new one.