Which is better, laminate or parquet boards: reviews and comparative characteristics

Expert: Konstantin Borisovich Polyakov

*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

Parquet boards are a unique combination of the naturalness of solid wood and the convenience of laminate. Many well-known flooring manufacturers produce this type of parquet. Users love the natural beauty of wood, the strength and durability of the coating. What is the uniqueness of this finishing material and how not to make a mistake in choosing?

Rating of parquet board manufacturers

The market offers products from European, Asian and domestic brands. Finishing materials differ in price, variety of collections, and technologies used in production. To compile a rating of the best parquet boards, our experts studied the features of the materials offered by well-known manufacturers, compared the technical characteristics and complexity of installation. User reviews, opinions of professional builders, and interior designers were taken into account.

The main attention was paid to the following parameters:

• Assortment - variety attracts the buyer, allows you to choose the material for the most complex project;
• The thickness of the veneer affects the ability to carry out restoration work;
• Dimensions - the longer the board, the less likely it is that squeaking will occur under high loads and cracks will form;
• The thickness of the board affects the ability to withstand static pressure and the thermal characteristics of the floor;
• Locking system – operational parameters and ease of installation depend on reliability;
• Protective coating - oil, polyurethane varnish is used;
• Technical characteristics - depend on the wood of the outer decorative layer, different species differ in strength and resistance to moisture;
• Processing features have a positive effect on the strength and stability of the lamellas.

Not all products could satisfy the experts' needs. Defects in geometry, poor quality of locking joints, uneven thickness of the decorative layer and chips - manufacturers of parquet boards with such defects were excluded from our rating.

Species and selection

The purpose of selection is to carry out a high-quality selection of lamellas for the finishing layer of parquet boards that meet standard criteria: uniformity of material, color, texture, absence or presence of knots and sapwood. The result of the selection process is responsible for the aesthetic appearance of the finished product and its cost.

The types of selection of this material are as follows:

• Select (elite, radial, exquisit, luxury). The finishing layer of this type demonstrates high-quality processed lamellas with pronounced structural and color uniformity; knots and defects are strictly unacceptable; the pattern is characterized by evenness and static tone.
• Natural (standard). The characteristics of the surface of this type are weakly expressed color diversity and the presence of knots; the material for it is wood of mixed vertical and horizontal cuts.
• Rustic (markant, cottage, country, rustic board). It is distinguished by frequent cracks, pits from knots, variegation and sapwood.

How to choose a parquet board

When choosing, not only the brand’s reputation is taken into account, but also technical features. The buyer is recommended to evaluate the aesthetic and practical qualities of the decorative layer, the thickness of the veneer and boards. Processing features affect the design and complexity of floor care. For protection, manufacturers use polyurethane varnishes and natural oils, which change the properties of the surface. It is worth paying attention to the number of stripes and taking into account the layout of the room.

Wood species

Affects the technical parameters of the floor. Wood has different densities and strengths. Soft wood wears out faster, and dents appear on it when objects fall. To prevent this from happening, choose collections made from maple, acacia, olive, and eucalyptus. Oak, beech, maple, American walnut, and ash have good hardness values. Particular attention should be paid to exotic species, among which, with the same aesthetics, you can find wood with different technical characteristics.

Leading brands today give preference to oak, which has good strength and a pronounced texture. Using different types of processing, wood is given any shade, which allows you to choose a collection for any project.

Thickness

The recommended thickness of the decorative layer is 2.5-4 mm. Such veneer wears out slowly, and users still have the opportunity to sand them with a large number of scratches, minor defects and restore the aesthetics of the surface. The thicker it is, the easier it is to repair, but it should be remembered that the value of this parameter affects the price of the material.

The total thickness is from 10 to 14 mm. The higher the indicator, the better the coating can withstand static loads, for example, the impact of heavy furniture. Thick boards have good soundproofing properties. When carrying out renovation work in one room, thinner boards that easily fit with other floor coverings have an advantage.

Treatment

The use of additional processing allows you to give the material a special look. Brushing removes soft fibers and makes the surface look vintage, with pronounced annual rings. Heat treatment imparts a darker color and improves dimensional stability. Scratches are less noticeable on such a floor, since the new shade penetrates the entire depth of the veneer.

Coating

Polyurethane multilayer varnish better protects against solar ultraviolet radiation and mechanical stress. Without renewal, the coating lasts 7-10 years without losing its external luster. You can use matte, semi-matte, glossy compositions. The price of varnish is cheaper than natural oil.

The use of natural compounds helps highlight the texture of the wood. The ability to “breathe” is preserved, which is important for heated floors. There is an opportunity to perform local repairs. Oil treatment is performed every 3-4 years.

Number of lanes

Single-strip - look better in large rooms, fit harmoniously into country, Provence, and folk interiors. Multi-strip board is suitable for small rooms, for renovation in a classic, urban style. A solid lamella is more expensive, but its use reduces the risk of defects appearing on the surface.

Peculiarities

Reviews can tell you a lot about a product, but only knowing its technical features can you make the right choice in favor of a quality product. The technology for manufacturing parquet boards was developed and patented back in the 40s of the last century. It was then that Swedish engineers came up with a layered floor covering that was characterized by increased strength. This effect was achieved due to the perpendicular location of each layer relative to the previous one.

This mechanism made it possible to ensure mutual compensation of deformations. This meant that the deformations characteristic of solid wood floors did not occur with the parquet board. Moreover, the appearance of such a coating was very attractive due to the use of a decorative layer of expensive types of wood with a thickness of 4 mm; oak is especially popular.

The Tarkett brand offers many options for parquet boards

Tarkett parquet boards have a fairly thick decorative layer, which looks perfect due to repeated sanding at the factory. The base and middle layer of coniferous wood perfectly strengthen the board. All this allows us to obtain a respectable-looking, durable in design and affordable material for floor finishing.

Technical specifications

Tarkett parquet board oak or with another decorative layer has the following parameters:

1. Length – 2.525m.
2. Width – 18.8 cm.
3. Thickness – 1.4 cm.
4. It is already coated with varnish that does not fade under the influence of UV rays, that is, the color of the coating will remain the same as it was originally.

One cardboard package contains 6 slats that cover 2.85 m² of area. This helps to calculate the required number of packages for purchasing and installing the coating.

Which manufacturer's parquet board is better?

There is no clear answer to the question of which board is better. Premium collections may not suit you in terms of price, while budget ones may have a narrow choice of stylistic solutions. All the brands presented in the review have an impeccable reputation, gained as a result of decades of work in a difficult market. The VyborExperta.ru team recommends the following brands, taking into account the specific application:

• Parquet Prime – budget renovation in any style;
• Magnum – for fans of the classics;
• Barlinek – for those who like to experiment with styling;
• Tarkett – a balanced solution for business class repairs;
• Quick-Step – for floors with a heating system;
• Weitzer Parkett - for a family nest in which frequent repairs are not planned.

All companies produce an interesting range of quality products, but only boards with reliable locks and impeccable surface protection are worthy of the title of the best floor covering.

What it is?

Before understanding the specifics of Tarkett coating, you should understand what a parquet board actually is. It was invented by Swedish designers who found a common denominator between durability and exquisite appearance of floor coverings. The material receives constantly positive reviews for:

1. Affordable price.
2. Excellent technical performance.
3. Long-term operation.

Important! The Tarkett brand is Swedish, so the technology for producing parquet floor boards is well-developed and unique. However, the country of origin can also explain the phenomenal popularity of coatings. Tarkett has been in the flooring market for over a century, which already speaks for itself.

Brand lines

The types of coatings differ in the material of the decorative layer and the structure; there are entire lines under the general name, which are characterized by certain features.

Rumba

The manufacturer himself characterizes this look as love at first sight. This is a modern take on classic wood finishes. There is custom white and beige. More familiar, but no less original, are honey and smoky tones. The line is represented by single-plane lamellas. Decorative coating options:

• Bleached oak – iceberg, snowy, canyon.
• Standard Tarkett parquet board oak - tropic, savanna, lava brush, monsoon.
• Ash – sea, stone (brush), cave.

Salsa

This collection will bring beauty and luxury from different parts of the world to your home. There is a huge assortment of textures and shades, which, nevertheless, are very natural. Among them:

• Ash – creamy, tiramisu, cognac, arctic.
• Oak - brown, ivory, coqua, red coffee, natural, Nordic, premium, rustic, select, vintage, white robust, chocolate, original.
• African mahogany.
• Merbau.
• American walnut.

Composition of parquet boards

Salsa Art

This is a line developed jointly with designers. The three-strip collection will not leave anyone indifferent and will make you fall in love at first sight. The texture of the wood is truly unique. This type is characterized by light colors, although there are also classic brown and even black coatings. Reviews about this particular line are very flattering, since such parquet boards really look extremely attractive and original.

Salsa Premium

Premium flooring is something special and valuable. This line was created by the brand's designers carefully and scrupulously, like jewelers. They managed to reveal and emphasize natural beauty so widely that this collection received a lot of adherents. Soft and natural shades of wood, interweaving modern and classic styles. The collection is not so extensive, but the look is truly unique:

• Oak – agate, moonstone, jasper, topaz.
• Ash – crystal, opal, quartz, garnet.

Tango

This is a classic single-strip parquet board that exudes sophistication and style. Among the options:

• Oak – amaryllis, pearl, Scandinavian, antique, java, caraway.
• Ash – cognac gloss and brush.
• African mahogany.

Tango Art

Art at its best - designer board with high quality workmanship. Strength and elite wood, wear resistance and thoughtful design imagination are intertwined here. When looking at the representatives of this collection, it immediately becomes clear that the hands of the designers were guided by nature itself. Kinds:

• Sandy Lisbon.
• Violet Tokim.
• Creamy New York.
• Brown Barcelona.
• White Oslo.
• Gray Rome.
• Amier Johannesburg.
• Pearly Dubai.

Tango Vintage

An antique line, it has earned a lot of flattering reviews from older customers, but young people don’t neglect it either. Aged wood looks rich and stylish, and the classic single-strip design can fit into any design project. Board options:

• Veneto.
• Andalusia.
• Tuscany.
• Champagne.
• Provence.
• Porto.
• Baden.
• Bordeaux.
• Rioja.

Three-strip design is becoming increasingly popular

Tango Classic

This is a classic collection, the representatives of which will be appropriate everywhere and always. But in order for the classics to look organic, it is simply necessary to use modern innovations, which the designers of the Tarkett brand have successfully accomplished. The most popular materials and designs that have stood the test of time. They are collected in a new collection and qualitatively updated. There is: oak, ash, bleached and natural colors.

Performance

The most non-standard collection, which is perfect for modern style trends. There is high quality, but at the same time extremely non-standard design. This collection is characterized by:

1. Non-standard colors – beige-blue, gray-blue.
2. Digital printing is used to create an atypical effect.
3. Artificial aging.
4. Even newspaper and other prints on wood.

Positive traits

Any type of parquet board from Tarkett has a lot of advantages, and you can feel all of them, including the main ones:

• The color of any type of coating is natural, such as is characteristic of a particular type of wood. So, Tarkett oak parquet board is really oak, and not cherry or anything else. It is also possible to convey that very unique structure due to the fact that the decorative layer is quite thick.
• The boards can be tinted into a darker color and can be sanded.
• Wide range of surfaces and types of wood used for the top layer.
• The surface of each lamella is reliably protected with varnish, which is applied using a special technology in 7 layers. That is why mechanical damage and even chemicals are not dangerous for the floor, and consumer reviews confirm this.
• The floor finish remains attractive for a long time, its wear resistance is at the highest level.
• Since parquet boards have been produced for a long time, decades of use in houses and apartments are marked by positive reviews about wear resistance and practicality.
• For ease of installation, the manufacturer has provided a convenient locking mechanism. The parquet floor will be securely bonded, and the installation process is easy, quick and without any special skill requirements.

Naturalness and naturalness at an affordable price