Variety of sizes, colors and textures. This does not limit the choice of laminate flooring. An additional factor in deciding the acquisition of a particular material may be the connection system. Consider the most popular types of laminate locks that provide the necessary technical requirements for installation. We will also figure out which locking system is best suited for each specific case. And finally, we will give some recommendations for installation and maintenance.
Several decades have passed since the creation of such a coating as laminate. During this time, technologies have changed a lot, this also applies to locks. Every 2-3 years, manufacturers present a new type of connection, arguing that it is improved stability and ease of installation. However, each prototype comes down to two basic ones: Lock and Click. Let's consider them in more detail.
The most popular demountable systems that have won the recognition of styling experts. For each of these types of locks, there are many subspecies. Some of them can only be found in individual manufacturers, while others, on the contrary, are in service with most well-known laminate manufacturers.
Both basic systems are based on a tenon and groove connection. The only difference is in the profiling of the fittings.
Which lock is better Lock or Click
Let's make a comparison according to the characteristics that are most relevant to the buyer.
- cheaper;
- tight connection.
- with prolonged use (with deviations in installation and operation standards), gaps between the lamellas may appear;
- more complex installation process using a mallet and tamping bar;
- the likelihood of damage to the lock during installation.
- ease of installation;
- installation is carried out without additional tools;
- increased strength;
- during operation, the lock does not wear out, no cracks appear;
- a tight connection is ensured when using double locking locks;
- the ability to mount on an imperfectly flat surface;
- safe assembly with a minimum probability of damaging the lock;
- the possibility of re-hitching after dismantling the cover.
- high price.
Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of both systems below.
Lock locks
Translated from English, the name of the compound is translated as "lock". This method of fixing laminated panels is one of the very first. Currently, this type of surface closure is technologically outdated.
The mating surfaces on one side are a groove, on the other a spike, which are cut by a milling cutter on the supporting layer of the board.
The installation principle is as follows:
- An attachment board is attached to a board on the floor at an angle of 0 °.
- A tamping block is placed on the opposite side of the lamella.
- With light blows of the mallet on the bar, we achieve tight contact until the gap is eliminated.
Advice: tamping should be done carefully, without unnecessary effort, since with strong blows with a mallet, there is a high probability of damage to the lock.
If the joint is correctly installed, the tongue fully enters the groove, the comb fixes it into the tenon in the groove and prevents adjacent panels from coming out of the hitch. This type of lock is also called driven lock.
The weak link in the design is precisely the comb, which takes most of the stress on itself. The mating of the groove and the spike is quite tight, however, with frequent loads on the lock, the comb wears out. In the future, cracks appear at the attachment point. This defect cannot be eliminated without dismantling and subsequent replacement of the panel.
But this defect can be prevented. To do this, it is necessary to install the laminate on a perfectly flat surface with the elimination of the smallest particles of construction debris and the use of a backing material that will not give a strong drawdown during operation. Otherwise, any "pebble" under the flooring will create additional stress in the lock, shortening the life of your flooring.
For the rest, even though the technology is outdated. This type of laminate lock provides all the necessary performance properties, provided it is properly installed and used. However, manufacturers prefer the Click system, so finding the "old version" is becoming more and more difficult (if we talk not about Chinese fakes, but about certified manufacturers).
Click locks
A relatively new technology, according to which the panels are fixed by means of snapping. The main distinguishing features of Lock, apart from the installation method, is a different form of tongue and groove with profiling of the groove for it.
The spike is also located on the base plate and looks like a small hook.
The styling method is as follows:
- The panel to be mounted is brought to the board laid on the floor at an angle of 45 °. The angle may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, therefore it is necessary to clarify this point.
- The hook is driven into the groove.
- The panel descends to the horizontal.
- A characteristic click is heard, the connection is complete.
It is from this click that the system got its name.
There is no need for additional tools during installation. You do not need to make any special efforts, to finish off with a mallet or a hammer too. Otherwise, the locking edge may be damaged.
Note: if, when fixing the strip, a small gap remains, then for its selection it is necessary to lightly tap with a mallet on a previously substituted bar or other laminate board. This must be done carefully so as not to spoil the locking element.
This type of connection is characterized by good density and performance properties - the holding edge in the groove practically does not wear out over time. Therefore, such a laminate will last a long time without the appearance of gaps and crevices.
Also, the canvas assembled using the Click system can be reassembled. However, it should be borne in mind that during the life of the laminate it takes on the smallest irregularities in the floor, and in a new place the adhesion may not be so tight, even taking into account the numbering of the boards.
The Click method does not require such strict restrictions on the flatness of the surface on which it is laid (unlike the Lock), but this does not mean that the base does not need to be leveled. An even base for the laminate is a prerequisite for installation.
Let's consider several subspecies of the Click system that are most popular.
Uniclic
Mainly represented by the Quick Step brand. Installation can be carried out by simple snapping - for this it is enough to bring one panel to another at an angle of 25-30 ° and fix it. There is also the possibility of laying horizontally with tamping joints, for laying in the last row. 
Possesses quite good strength properties. Withstands a breaking load of up to 450 kg per running meter.
Advantages of the system:
- the lock snaps into place without significant effort;
- reassembly possible;
- styling both from left to right and from right to left;
- moisture treatment.
Minuses:
- over time, the lock can disperse along the end of the strip due to the low ridge in the groove.
JUST clic and UNI fit
Patented systems under the Egger brand.
JUST clic replaced Pro clic. Unlike its predecessor, it is necessary to assemble the entire row. The bar has two identical tongues and two identical grooves, which makes it possible to grip on both sides. Has a high assembly speed. 
The groove and the tenon are profiled in the form of a conjugate oval, which provides a tighter contact over the increased contact area. The gaps in the lock are minimal, so even the smallest debris is not allowed - check before installing the strip.
Lamella with lock UNI fit can be fixed to the previous row separately, that is, it is not necessary to assemble a whole row for subsequent fastening. The spikes and grooves on the butt end and the long side are different. 
SmartLock and ProLock
Both options are provided by Pegro. SmartLock is a more primitive version in terms of grading - one additional retaining element is missing on the top of the groove. In this regard, a lower contact density is observed. 
Most modern Pergo laminate flooring models are equipped with the ProLock system. Both types of locks have a moisture-repellent impregnation, which, together with a massive fiberboard base plate, makes this coating well protected from moisture (for even better protection, joint sealants are used).
ClickXPress, DropXPress, PressXPress
Represented by the Balterio brand.
ClickXPress is a groove-tenon ligament with profiling of the lower part in the form of an oval conjugation. Laying is done at an angle of 45 °. 
The advantages of this compound include:
- reliability;
- strength;
- invisible high-quality seam;
- reassembly;
DropXPress is not inherently a Click-lock. The connection profile consists of two L-shaped hooks. The hitch is held due to the weight of the laminate panel and the friction force, since the board is lowered at an angle of 0 ° from top to bottom with an interference fit. 
This method has its advantages:
- increased stacking speed;
- ease of installation
- identical locks for the butt and the long part
PressXPress- mounts with counter-element, included in the new 5g generation. When the board fits into the groove, the fastening element is displaced, which is driven into the recess. Thus, the effort required for installation is minimal. 
Advantages of the castle:
- increased installation speed;
- strong connection;
- invisible seam;
- the ability to install at any angle.
In 2017, a new compound was presented at the Domotex exhibition FitXPress to be used on Balterio's Magnitude laminates, replacing PXP. The difference between the locks lies in the shape of the latch tongue. 
Megaloc
Used on Classen laminate. It is a modification of the 5g system. Replaced the outdated EasyConnect model. The locking tab is located in the groove, not on the tongue. Just like the Pergo finish, it uses a wax-up to keep it dry. 
Installation is carried out in separate panels, and not in a whole row at once. Boards are stacked at an angle until they click. The work can be done alone without assistance. If necessary, it is not difficult to disassemble the connection.
T-lock, 2-lock, TC-lock
Presented by the brand Tarkett
T-lock- the old technology is happy, at the moment it is quite widespread, however, it is being supplanted by modern systems. Has a relatively small joint angle of the panels of the order of 20-25 °.
Installation may require the participation of several people, since it is necessary to mount the panels in rows as a whole. At the slightest movement of one of the boards, you will have to disassemble the entire row and start the process over again.
The disadvantages are:
- the joint is visible on the end part of the laminate, especially on dark colors;
- with repeated use, the lock along the long part of the lamella may deform.
2-Lock- newer model. Has a plastic tab to secure the connection. Allows you to make quick and easy installation even for one person - the assembly is performed not in a row, but in one panel. 
TC-lock is the receiver of the T-lock. It is becoming more widespread. The cost does not exceed its predecessor. Unfortunately, old collections cannot be docked with the new TC-lock system due to height differences.
Perhaps this is the only minus, let's dwell on the pluses:
- there is a tighter contact during coupling, therefore, the likelihood of moisture getting into the lock connection is reduced;
- very good strength characteristics - the level of breaking load exceeds the norm by 8 times;
- fast and easy assembly;
- can be done by one person.
TwinClic
Represented by the Russian brand Kronospan. In essence, it is analogous to T-lock. It is also not possible to install one panel at a time - it is necessary to assemble the entire row as a whole, which is not always convenient, especially when one person is doing the installation. 
When fixing the board in the groove, a pronounced click is not observed. It is better not to use this type of lock for laying laminate flooring with a solid floor throughout the apartment, since there is a possibility of raising the joints under loads.
Low-price laminate models have very little moisture protection.
LocTec
Patented Witex laminate locking system. Refers to high-strength connections. Easy enough assembly allows you to work alone. The installation process should not be difficult. The result is a smooth flooring with no visible seams.
The docking points are impregnated with a special water-repellent mastic.
Alloc
Presented by a Norwegian flooring manufacturer. The quality is up to par. Has an aluminum insert. It has excellent strength properties, therefore it is most often used on commercial laminates of 33 and 34 classes, which are intended for laying in places with increased operational load. 
The strength advantage is especially noticeable in large rooms. For such places, it is possible to lay laminate flooring without thresholds over the entire area. For ordinary apartments, the installation of such a coating is not advisable, since the high price exceeds the advantages that are not destined to be revealed at home.
Locks processing
Most modern laminate models are protected from moisture in the form of impregnation of the lock joint with wax, paraffin, and special mastic. If for some reason you purchased panels that are not subject to this procedure, then you can perform simple manipulations yourself that will increase the protection against moisture.
Such formulations are available in liquid or pasty forms. The big difference is which consistency you choose. The main thing is that it is convenient for you to use the composition.
Advice: if possible, it is worth buying a laminate with protection of locks from moisture.
You can also use a sealant to join the panels. In this case, several positive effects can be observed:
- increased protection against moisture;
- a tighter connection is in progress;
- if necessary, you can mask the seams.
Modern laminate flooring models are equipped with convenient locks that allow you to make a high-quality joint. In addition, most of them are water-repellent and do not need additional treatment.
Experienced technicians perform installation for any system without loss of connection quality. If you are a beginner, then when choosing the type of laminate locks, preference should be given to models from the 5g generation with a fixing polymer tongue. In this case, installation will be done quickly and easily, even alone.
The service life of the coating directly depends on the locks used. This connection method prevents gaps from forming. Leading laminate flooring manufacturers use existing locking systems or create new designs.
Glue-free laminate system
Modern models of laminated flooring are mounted without glue. In other words - the cladding strips are connected using latches. Laminate equipped with a locking system has many advantages.
The main thing, of which - the laying process is greatly simplified. In this case, the damaged area can be removed during the repair process.
Castle systems are varied. Today there are two main types:
- The Losk system has latches;
- The "Click" system stands for collapsible cover.
Laminate flooring equipped with Losk system
Thinking about which system is the best, it must be borne in mind that such locks are the most economical. The lock is made by milling from the thickness of HDF or MDF boards.
There is a spike on one side of the plank. The other side is equipped with a groove that has a locking ridge.
With the help of these two elements, the connection is made. To make the panels more tightly connected to each other, during installation, you need to use a rubber or wooden mallet.
Advantages and disadvantages of the system
Laying a covering with such locks is complicated by the need to tap it with a mallet, but there is no need to use laminate adhesive.
Laminate with Lock type locks has a number of advantages.
- Floor covering installed with such locks can be disassembled and re-laid.
- Ease of connecting strips.
- Optimal material cost.
There are also disadvantages.
Attention! High loads on the coating create friction at the joints of the planks. Over time, the combs wear out, which is why the contacts between the planks deteriorate. As a result, gaps are formed, which cannot be eliminated.
Lock systems with plastic base
Planks with plastic locks were invented in order to smooth out the shortcomings of this connection system. The locks secure the material immediately after installation.
There are two types of plastic plates.
- Springy analogs snap the connection in one motion. The main advantage of this lock is the ability to quickly mount the cover. But the strips do not always turn out to be perfectly flat, which can create difficulties when snapping in - the material undergoes deformation. The planks must be taped in the reverse side.
- Hard platinum are almost identical in design. To connect the cover, the strip must be inserted in a longitudinal motion. The main disadvantage of such a lock is the difficulty in installation.
Material with Click locks
This system began to be produced relatively recently. She lacks the disadvantages that her predecessors had. Laying the click system is easy. The connection is made at an angle of 45 degrees.
System advantages
The main advantage of such locks is the long-term protection of the fasteners. Virtually no damage occurs during installation. Connected tightly, the planks are able to withstand high loads, even with a long service life.
Leading manufacturers such as Tarkett are producing superior quality systems. For example, the t lock completely hides the joints between the lamellas.
Benefits of Click connections:
- Double brackets, angled 45 degrees.
- Durable canvas.
- It is almost impossible to damage such a mount during installation.
- The ability to disassemble and reassemble the cover up to 6 times.
- Ease and simplicity of laminate installation.
- Permissible curvature of the base up to 0.3 cm per square meter.
Aluminum click mount
Attention! Aluminum mounts can withstand very high loads, and its design will make it possible to quickly mount the coating. In case of damage to any part of the coating, it can always be replaced.
- The cover with a lock made of aluminum is mounted using a special groove on the panels.
- Laminate with a lock made of aluminum withstands a tearing load of 850-1200 kg / m2. This factor will make it possible to mount / dismantle the laminated flooring repeatedly without damage to the strips.
- Specifically, you can do this up to 6 times. At the same time, installation is as easy and quick as possible. The planks are connected with one light pressure.
- Speaking about the advantage of this or that lock, it must be borne in mind that the tightness of such a coating guarantees its 100% protection against moisture penetration into the mounted floor.
- The modern connection system allows laying on any base, whether it is a screed, boards, monolithic concrete, plywood, and so on.
Output
Considering all of the above, we can conclude which castle system is better. Experts consider the Click system to be the best.
You can install such a laminated coating with your own hands, while you can disassemble and reassemble up to several times.
Even high loads are not able to loosen the joined planks. Products equipped with a Lock type fastener are more affordable, however, the installation process is complicated, and the resulting coating is less durable and inferior in quality. The video will provide you with even more useful information.
The correct choice of laminate locks determines the suitability of this flooring for use in the target area. The joints of the panels are both the strong and the weak side of this type of floor, and therefore you need to take this nuance responsibly. When choosing a floor covering, you will inevitably have to find out what kind of locks the laminate has. Having studied them, many inexperienced people are perplexed: why do you need such a large amount, if you can apply one, but the most convenient one. From this emerges the question "Which laminate lock is better than the rest?" Let's figure it out.
Several types of laminate locks have been patented by individual manufacturers. Among all the variety, one can single out the most popular lock connections, as well as several outdated ones. There are also modern connection systems, before using which a special molding of the panels is performed. If you plan to operate the laminate with a lock for a long time, it would be wise to provide for the possibility of dismantling.
The lock determines the quality of the flooring. It is on this component that the degree of surface flatness, the gap between the lamellae, the absence of squeak and the minimization of the likelihood of seams diverging over time depend. In addition, the durability of the entire structure depends on the quality of the manufacture of the locking joints and the laminate itself and the observance of the assembly technology. In order to properly lay the coating and avoid problems in the future, it is necessary to have an idea of the types of lamella coupling.
Types of laminate locks
The classification of locks begins with their division into main subspecies. Many people who are just planning to install this coating do not know what kind of locking systems are in laminate flooring, and therefore manufacturers like to invent their own lock schemes, and then present them as the most reliable on the market. All used laminate locks can be roughly divided into two large groups: lock and click.
Most Popular Laminate Locks
These two types of locks differ in the way the panels are joined.
Lock Lock
Laminate lock systems are renowned as the most economical option and have been used for a long time. The production of these joints is done by milling: the connecting piece looks like a tongue equipped with a tongue that fits into a groove on the other side of the panel.
Today lock is an obsolete laminate lock used only by companies that have old production lines at their disposal. It is difficult to disassemble it without damaging the protruding edges of the lock components, which, among other things, wear off over time from constant stress and friction. If you do not seal the gaps with a sealing compound (glue or mastic) during installation, then even a small amount of water can ruin the floor.
Ensure that the surface underneath is of good quality before snapping into a laminate with a lock. Laying on uneven floors may cause increased gaps between panels. Assembly is carried out by driving the spike into the groove with a wooden hammer until the gap disappears between the panels. You can use a regular metal hammer, but then you need a block of wood or a piece of hard rubber.
Experienced specialists, who have already laminated many apartments, talk about the need for constant control of the joints during installation and the overall laboriousness of assembling these locking systems. With external simplicity and reliability, lock-locks have one main drawback: they are non-separable and wear out at the location of the fixing ridge, which causes gaps between the panels. This indicates the unsuitability of these tool joints for many years of operation.
Click lock
Most modern laminate flooring collections have click locks, which are considered more modern and do not have the disadvantages of lock locks. They are made in the same way, however, the closing spike has the shape of a flat hook, and there are platforms for its entry in the grooves. This design allows the floor to be disassembled up to 3-4 times and reliably holds the panels, preventing the appearance of cracks even with heavy loads on the locking mechanism.
Click-click laminate is practical and versatile, as it implies the possibility of repeated disassembly. It is also called "just click". At its core, it is a modernized version of a lock-lock. Since the grooves follow the shape of the fastening hooks, a laminate with a click lock can be assembled even by a non-professional - it is enough just to follow the assembly technology in order to avoid damage and divergence of the panels.
Before assembling a laminate with a click lock, you need to understand the mechanics of the action. During installation, the panel is inserted into the groove at an angle of 45 degrees, after which the panel should be moved to a horizontal position with swinging movements. When the locking elements are coupled, a click is heard, thanks to which this locking mechanism got its name.
In addition to those described above, there are other types of laminate locks on the market:
- uniclic;
- aluminum locks;
- megaloc;
- t-lock.
UniClic lock
The uniclic laminate lock differs from others in the special profiles of the tenons and grooves. It can be assembled both by knocking down and by simple snapping at an angle. Due to the lower wedge-shaped edge of the groove, the load is distributed evenly throughout the structure. All components of the lock are made from the same material as the panels. This approach to manufacturing allows you to avoid deformation of the panels during installation.
Opinions differ as to how to properly latch uniclic locks. Practice shows that the optimal installation is at an angle. By joining the panels in this way, it is possible to do without a special tool, and also to complete the installation faster. It is necessary to fasten the short sides of the lamella first, and only then the long ones. To lay the last row, as well as to perform assembly in a hard-to-reach place, you need to have a hammer and a wooden pad.
This lock was invented and patented by the manufacturer Quick Step. Other manufacturers may have a different name for a similar type of lock. For example TwinClick, ProLock or SmartLock. However, the general principle of installing and fixing the panels remains the same.
Laminate, equipped with metal locks, is rightfully the most reliable. The clutch mechanism can withstand loads of up to 1200 kilograms per square meter. Laminate with aluminum locks can be installed without thresholds and disassembled up to 5 times without any damage or erasure of the protrusions in the grooves and on the spikes. Also, a laminate with aluminum locks does not deform over time and has the smallest gaps between the panels. An additional aluminum plate increases the strength of the joint and increases the protection against moisture penetration under the coating. Such a lock is used in its products by the Norwegian manufacturer Alloc, giving a lifetime warranty if the laminate is installed correctly.
5g lock
The design of this coupling mechanism includes an iron or plastic insert - a tongue. This element ensures tightness of joints in 5g laminate and reliable fixing of panels to each other. Like many other locking systems, the 5g lock snaps into place by inserting the panel vertically. When fixing, the insert is removed, after which a click is heard, notifying that the tongue has taken the right place and the panel is fixed. This lock allows the panels to be joined at the same time on the long and short side by simply pressing from above.
This type of connection has another name - 2-Lock, which is found at the manufacturer Tarkett.
MegaLoc lock
This system was developed by Classen based on a 5g lock. Reliability of fixation is achieved through the use of a special insert at the end of the laminate. When connected, the insert is folded back and then, with a characteristic click, snaps into place, fixing the panel. Laminate lock megaloc implies assembly from the front side. Upon completion of the assembly, the second is attached to the first strip with an offset. If we compare the assembly time with other types of locks, the megaloc is assembled as quickly as possible. It is possible to dismantle and re-install the covering with these locks up to 4 times.
A distinctive feature is the best tightness of the finished coating. Another advantage of this type of locks is that there is no need to use any tools when laying.
T-Lock
Created by Tarkett based on the positive aspects of the lock and click systems. Today this type of connection can be found in the assortment of dozens of companies. The T-lock can be disassembled four times without damaging components. The panels are joined at a very low angle and guarantee a firm contact without distortions of the lamellas and excessively large gaps. The disadvantage of the lock is that the joints are quite visible, especially on dark colors. Subsequently, the design of the castle was improved: the lower part of the castle became more concave, and at the junction, the side with the decorative layer became more massive. This is how the TC-Lock was born.
Which lock is better?
A good locking system is the key to a long service life of your laminate floor. When choosing, you should know in advance the conditions in which it will be operated. There are many opinions, but which locks are better - only practice always shows, because each type of connection has its own advantages that others do not have. Recently, there is a laminate with wax-impregnated locking systems, developed by Witex.
The presence of wax in the locking mechanism increases the protection against moisture penetration under the coating several times. In addition, wax-impregnated laminate locks make the floor more aesthetically pleasing due to the visual solidity of the floor. Also, the wax coating simplifies the assembly process and increases the resistance of the locking mechanism to external loads, increasing its durability.
Comparing lock- and click-locks, one can argue about the technological superiority of the latter. The length of their service life depends on many factors, so the best laminate is the one that has the minimum thickness of the seams and high-strength joint systems. Which manufacturer is better to choose is everyone's business, but experts are confident in the undisputed leadership of German firms.
Sometimes it happens that the lock on the laminate floor does not snap into place or opens spontaneously. In this case, it is necessary first of all to determine which of the factors does not correspond to the recommendations for the installation and use of floors. This will allow you to quickly determine what caused the discrepancy of the panels and understand what to do if the lock on the laminate is opened.
conclusions
The choice of locks for laminate flooring is a responsible business that needs to be given due attention. In the case of the wrong selection of locking systems, you can only get disappointment in your decision to change the look of your home. To make the right choice, you need to clearly understand whether the laminate will lie for a long time or whether it will need to be dismantled, what loads it will experience and under what conditions it will be used.
We should pay tribute to modern manufacturers, they do not leave buyers to their fate, indicating on the stack of laminate which locks are used and how the panels should be fastened together.
When choosing a laminate, you need to pay attention not only to the color scheme and quality of the boards themselves. An important selection criterion is the type of board connection. Let's take a look at the types of laminate locks most used in modern models of this flooring.
All types of laminate are mounted without glue, the lamellas are held only with latches. This method is quicker and easier to install, besides, if necessary, it is easy to replace the damaged part of the floor covering.
It should be noted right away that many laminate manufacturers are developing their own, unique and patented types of joints. We will consider what kind of laminate locks are and the general principle of such connections.
Lock Lock
Such a connection is considered to be more economical, although somewhat outdated. The principle of such a lock is a thorn-groove, it is also called a hammer-in connection, according to the installation principle:
- During installation, the end parts of the lamellas are brought together.
- Then, with the help of a mallet, they knock together through a wooden lining.
The disadvantage of such a fastening system:
- With the passage of time, friction causes the grooves to be erased and loosened, forming cracks that cannot be sealed anymore.
- It is better to entrust the installation of slats with similar grooves to a person with experience, since the locks of such a laminate are quite easy to damage during installation.
Lock with plastic plate
Especially for the struggle and disadvantages, this type of fastener was developed. These plastic-coated laminate locks make installation a little easier and more reliable.
Click-locks
Click locks - were developed relatively recently, but have already found widespread use. Most modern lamellas are produced with this type of connection, with various combinations. New technologies have made it possible to get rid of the disadvantages inherent in the previous type of connection.
All flooring elements with click locks are interconnected at an angle of 45 °. No additional steps or tools are required. A beginner can handle such a simple installation of laminate flooring.
Advice! The higher the quality of the lamellas with click locks, the less noticeable the joint between the boards. At reputable manufacturers, the butt seam is invisible at all. This is what explains the popularity of such a connection.
Click-lock advantages
- Double brackets, angled 45 °.
- Strong connecting sheet.
- High safety of the click fastening system during assembly: the percentage of damage is incredibly low.
- A slight (up to 3 mm) deviation in the level of the subfloor is allowed.
- These types of laminate locks serve for a very long time, without creaking or loosening.
- The ability to easily disassemble and reassemble the cover with click fasteners up to six times without damaging the fastening system.
5g system
For an even easier and faster installation of the laminate, the 5g fastening system has been developed. This type of lock allows you to connect the boards with just one click. The 5g system has a movable tongue that allows a joint to be made simultaneously on the long and short side of the board.
Thanks to the 5g system, the panels "snap" to one another simply and securely. Many manufacturers have improved the 5g mount and patented it under their own name, but the principle of operation of the locks remained with the laminate.
Impregnation of laminate locks
Laminate board is quite strong and sturdy, but it has a weak point - the lock connection. That is why all types of laminate locks need additional protection. To protect against moisture, the fastening system is treated with a special wax impregnation.
This treatment prevents damage to the fasteners from moisture and moisture. In addition, the treatment with wax impregnation allows:
- Eliminate floor squeaks over time.
- Significantly simplify self-styling.
- To increase the strength and resistance to mechanical deformation of fasteners under the influence of gravity.
The method of processing locks with wax impregnation depends on the form of its release:
- Liquid formulations are applied with a brush before laying the laminate. After laying the lamellas, the seams are wiped with a dry cloth.
- Paste wax sealants are applied in a continuous layer to one of the panels before joining them. The protruding excess is removed after they have dried.
Advice! It is not worth covering the entire surface of the board with wax. In addition, it is impractical, the wax can damage the water-repellent layer, which will lead to further complete failure of the laminate.
So, it's safe to say which locks are best for home and office use. All experts recommend laminate flooring with click-type fasteners as the most reliable and modern. And the ability to easily lay the flooring with your own hands only confirms the correctness of the choice.
The joints of laminated parquet are at the same time the weakest and the strongest part of the coating. A carefully thought-out locking system ensures a tight connection of the lamellas, easy assembly and, of course, obtaining an even, durable floor covering.
In 1979, the Swedish company Perstorp AB (in the future Pergo) presented a new floor covering to buyers through the IKEA chain of stores - laminate. Since the technology was only being developed, the new items did not yet have locking joints and even tongue-and-groove edges. The breakthrough came in 1994 when Välinges took out a patent for a unique development - the world's first mechanical joint for parquet, parquet board and laminate flooring.
The actively developing giants of the woodworking industry have become interested in the innovative technology. The first to buy the license was the laminate manufacturer Alloc, who introduced the so-called 1G aluminum lock. The following year, 1995, the leaders of the Kahrs company became interested in the invention. It is the largest manufacturer of parquet boards, still holding the leading position in the market. The modified system of connections was named "2G lock". In fact, this is a prototype of a coupling kit under the modern name Lock. That is, the connection is based on the “tongue-and-groove” principle, but with a carefully designed sealed profile. When assembling the floor covering with the Lock system, a special elastic adhesive was used.
Diagram of the first interlocks for laminate flooring.
In the future, the structure of the connecting elements continues to be refined and at the end of 2001 a patent for a locking system was published, in which two adjacent plates close at an angle of 45 °, and after pressing (snapping in) a mechanically tight bond is obtained. It is thanks to this development that the laminate with the Click lock, so famous today, is produced. From here begins the era of glueless joining of floor slabs.
Such connecting kits are intended for implementation in multilayer thin floor coverings: parquet board, engineering massif, laminated HDF or PVC floor and others. For traditional parquet, vinyl or LVT tiles, solid planks, simple tongue-and-groove joints are used.
Manufacturers of laminate flooring in their advertisements emphasize the glueless locking system, which allows you to quickly, easily and easily assemble or disassemble the floor. Another advantage is that the special profile shapes form watertight joints without the slightest gaps. But, in fact, there are the following basic types of laminate locks:
- Tongue or Lock.
- Snap or Click.
All common names like T-Lock, Megalock, Click2Click, Uniclick and others are just a replication of the main types with their own modifications. Nothing fundamentally new or unique has yet been developed. The patents for these improvements are issued in order to avoid pirated copying of products of famous European factories by unscrupulous Asian compilers.
Laminate with an adhesive bonding system is no longer produced, although occasionally you can find handicrafts of Chinese "masters" on sale. Consider the most interesting options from such giants as Egger, Quick Step, Balterio, Alloc.
Just Click by Egger
Laminate locks from the Austrian manufacturer are a classic click system. The panels snap into place at an angle of 30-45 ° on four sides, and a sufficiently high ridge tenon ensures a tight joint and resistance of the joint to tensile and bending loads. The cover is available as a standard and complete with a Silenzio sound-scattering underlay. The shape of the ridge and groove remains unchanged.
Uniclic by Quick Step
The development of the Belgian plant is no less interesting. The engineering profile provides the possibility of both the classic snapping at an angle, and by the method of attaching or knocking the strips. This is the best solution for beginners.
The castle complex from Unilin is convenient for rooms with a complex perimeter, hard-to-reach places or various “obstacles” - pipes, podiums, low-mounted radiators, etc.
To understand the essence of the three-way build system, watch the video from the manufacturer Quick Step.
PressXpress by Balterio
Such interlocking laminate joints are called 3G, 4G or 5G. That is, an element is added to the structure of the Click-joint - a plastic "tongue", aluminum grips or protrusions, which provide improved adhesion, prevent the strips from diverging over time (the formation of longitudinal and transverse gaps). One of the brightest representatives of this group is Press Express from the Belgian Balterio plant. A well-designed "addition" to the main hitch eliminates even a hint of gaps between the lamellas and significantly strengthens the joint area. Thanks to this solution, the finished flooring will support a significant weight without the slightest damage.
Let's note one drawback. According to the reviews of the masters, plastic inserts, when reassembled, become an interfering element rather than an auxiliary one, so they are most often removed with pliers. And to obtain a tight joint, sealing gels or sealing masses are used.
4G and 5G-S Aluminum Locking System from Berry Alloc
Laminate with aluminum locks from Allock is unusual in itself. A very successful modification of the two basic types of joints, the metal "tongue and groove" increases the reliability of the grip and speeds up the assembly mechanism. In addition, this scheme allows you to reduce the weight of the floor covering, which is a significant plus for floors with reduced load-bearing capacity.
According to the manufacturer, an aluminum profile on the two long sides of the strip, supplemented with a stiffener, increases the tensile strength of the connection. The limit value according to the test reports is 1200 kg / r. That is why aluminum locks are used exclusively in class 33-34 floor coverings designed for places with heavy foot traffic. The floor covering can be disassembled and reassembled 3 times.
Which laminate lock is better
Let's dispel the most popular myth that the best floor is made from laminate flooring with a Click lock. In fact, flooring material with any type of interlock is designed in such a way as to end up with a perfectly smooth surface without protrusions, crevices and squeaks. Service life and build quality depend on:
- availability of original coating from well-known brands;
- professionalism of handlers;
- strict adherence to the instructions.
The Lock connection, in contrast to its analogue, does not stretch so much over time, therefore, the coating with a lock-lock is more convenient in re-assembly. The click-coupling is more rigid, but subject to the high density of the slab - at least 750 kg / m 3. Let's make the choice easier for our readers - in large shopping centers 85% of the assortment is laminate with the Click system.
Let's break another stereotype. Some masters claim that the click-lock allows you to lay the laminate on the floor with differences exceeding the permissible 2 mm per 2 linear meters of the surface. We will disappoint such would-be specialists - not a single type of connection is intended to smooth out significant irregularities, an even, solid foundation is always required. Only then will you get a smooth, beautiful and functional floor that will last at least two decades.
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