Laminate storage: temperature and humidity according to GOST

How to properly store laminate

In some cases, laminate is purchased at one time, and installation is carried out much later. There are also situations when, after installation, excess material remains, which may be useful for flooring in other rooms or for repairs. To prevent laminated panels from deteriorating and losing their properties, storage conditions must be observed. We will talk below about how to properly store laminate so that it is suitable for subsequent installation. The main factors for the destruction of the panel structure are:

• temperature;
• humidity;
• mechanical damage;
• contact with water.

How to store laminate in packaging at home, and in an unheated room

Storage rules

In some cases, laminate is purchased at one time, and installation is carried out much later. There are also situations when, after installation, excess material remains, which may be useful for flooring in other rooms or for repairs. To prevent laminated panels from deteriorating and losing their properties, storage conditions must be observed. We will talk below about how to properly store laminate so that it is suitable for subsequent installation.

The main factors for the destruction of the panel structure are:

• temperature;
• humidity;
• mechanical damage;
• contact with water.

Modern building materials require proper storage. We'll tell you how to properly store laminate flooring.

How to store laminate

A little about laminate

1. A top protective layer that allows the coating not to fade in the sun and is not to some extent susceptible to exposure to moisture and mechanical damage. It is made on the basis of synthetic resins. Sometimes it also plays a decorative role - the surface can imitate the grooves of wood.
2. The decorative layer is responsible for giving the coating a certain color. Usually represented by paper with a design printed on it. It hides under a protective top layer, and therefore is not afraid of water.

What is laminate

Selecting a substrate

Row laying scheme

Conclusion

How to store laminate

A little about laminate

Laying laminate

Laminate classes

How to store laminate

A little about laminate

Laminate is a multilayer coating, quite durable, which is sold in stores packaged in packs of several lamellas.

But, despite its reliability, the material needs to be treated with care.

The fact is that if you damage even one layer of this coating, you will no longer be able to lay it correctly, and it will serve much less than what the manufacturers claim.

1. A top protective layer that allows the coating not to fade in the sun and is not to some extent susceptible to exposure to moisture and mechanical damage. It is made on the basis of synthetic resins. Sometimes it also plays a decorative role - the surface can imitate the grooves of wood.
2. The decorative layer is responsible for giving the coating a certain color.
   Usually represented by paper with a design printed on it. It hides under a protective top layer, and therefore is not afraid of water. What is laminate
3. The base or supporting layer, which is responsible for the strength and thickness of the lamellas. It is on this part that the reliability of the material will largely depend. The layer is usually made from high-density fiberboard. It is in this layer that a lock is cut out, allowing the individual covering strips to be securely joined together.
4. The bottom layer is stabilizing. Increases the rigidity of each lamella, protects the material from below, and prevents the boards from deforming.

Laying laminate

Laminate classes

READ MORE: The joint between laminate and laminate: how to connect the joining profile, joining the connector between rooms, connecting strip, photo and video

Instructions

Before placing laminate flooring for long-term or temporary storage, inspect the panels. Immediately select those that for some reason are damaged or initially defective. It makes no sense to store panels that will later be rejected anyway when installing floors.

Before directly laying the laminate, let it sit for at least two days, or even longer. Ensure that in the room where the panels will be stored, the air temperature is not lower than 18 degrees and the humidity is within 50-60%, but in no case higher than 75%. If laminate was purchased in packaging, leave it untouched until use, this will preserve the working qualities of the material.

Choose a place to store the laminate that prevents water from penetrating under the film covering. Make sure that where the panels are stored they cannot be subject to accidental mechanical impact from falling large objects. Do not place any other products or other building materials on packages with panels. Pay special attention to the safety of the locking joints, protecting them from possible deformation.

Provide the required microclimate when placing the laminate for long-term storage. The room should be dry, sufficiently warm and draft-free. Laminate flooring should be stored horizontally. If the space of the room allows, lay the panels in the center so that the distance to the walls exceeds 1 m.

Maintain a stable climatic environment in the room where the laminate is to be installed for several days. The air temperature should be above 18 degrees, humidity should not exceed 70%. It is best if the storage conditions of the panels before installation and the conditions in the room where the laminate is to be used coincide.

It’s always interesting to watch how renovations are being done in your home, because you wait for the end of the process like a New Year’s miracle. But it’s even more interesting to do the repairs yourself. At the same time, you will gain useful skills, for example, learn how to lay laminate flooring. This task is not difficult, but only until you encounter differences in floor levels, or simply, uneven surfaces.

Instructions

It’s worth starting with the fact that after choosing and purchasing a laminate, you should keep it in the room where you plan to install it, so that it gets used to the environment (temperature, humidity) and takes its final shape (store packaged until laying) .

The next step (although you can do this first) is to assess the unevenness of the floor on which the installation will be made.

A little about laminate

1. A top protective layer that allows the coating not to fade in the sun and is not to some extent susceptible to exposure to moisture and mechanical damage. It is made on the basis of synthetic resins. Sometimes it also plays a decorative role - the surface can imitate the grooves of wood.
2. The decorative layer is responsible for giving the coating a certain color.
   Usually represented by paper with a design printed on it. It hides under a protective top layer, and therefore is not afraid of water. What is laminate
3. The base or supporting layer, which is responsible for the strength and thickness of the lamellas. It is on this part that the reliability of the material will largely depend. The layer is usually made from high-density fiberboard. It is in this layer that a lock is cut out, allowing the individual covering strips to be securely joined together.
4. The bottom layer is stabilizing. Increases the rigidity of each lamella, protects the material from below, and prevents the boards from deforming.

Correct laminate storage conditions

Laminate is a rather finicky material, so the range of conditions under which it retains its qualities is small. Let's look at them in more detail.

At what temperature can laminate be stored?

The effect of temperature on the lamellas is explained by the deformation of the panel under thermal influences. The expansion and contraction of the material during temperature fluctuations contributes to the formation of microcracks in the load-bearing slab of the panel, which in turn affects the strength of the structure as a whole. Therefore, failure to comply with storage temperature conditions leads to a decrease in service life. If there is a significant deviation from the norms, the laminate may become unsuitable for installation.

The optimal temperature is 18 °C. Under such conditions, the material can be stored for quite a long time; this is the recommended value for operation. The minimum overexposure value is 5 °C.

This leads to the answer to a fairly common question: “Can laminate flooring be stored in an unheated room?” It is possible if two conditions are met:

1. The room temperature does not fall below 5 degrees.
2. There are no sharp fluctuations in air temperature.

However, that's not all. We will consider the basic requirements for the premises below.

At what humidity level can laminate flooring be stored?

Modern models of floor coverings have high water- and moisture-repellent properties. The leader in these qualities is PVC laminate, which is not at all affected by moisture, since it is based on a plastic polymer.

As for ordinary laminate, there are storage and operation limits, beyond which you can get material that is unsuitable for installation. It is unacceptable to stay in a room with humidity above 65% for a long time.

Just like with temperature, excessive influence of humidity deforms the structure of the load-bearing fiberboard.

Laminate requires special conditions

Those people who install laminate flooring in their dachas argue that if it has not been damaged on the floor during the winter, then nothing bad will happen to its remains if they are in the garage, in conditions of low temperature. But this is a mistaken opinion. This material is very sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.

Laminate is a rather finicky material, so the range of conditions under which it retains its qualities is small. Let's look at them in more detail.

The effect of temperature on the lamellas is explained by the deformation of the panel under thermal influences. The expansion and contraction of the material during temperature fluctuations contributes to the formation of microcracks in the load-bearing slab of the panel, which in turn affects the strength of the structure as a whole. Therefore, failure to comply with storage temperature conditions leads to a decrease in service life. If there is a significant deviation from the norms, the laminate may become unsuitable for installation.

The optimal temperature is 18 °C. Under such conditions, the material can be stored for quite a long time; this is the recommended value for operation. The minimum overexposure value is 5 °C.

This leads to the answer to a fairly common question: “Can laminate flooring be stored in an unheated room?” It is possible if two conditions are met:

1. The room temperature does not fall below 5 degrees.
2. There are no sharp fluctuations in air temperature.

However, that's not all. We will consider the basic requirements for the premises below.

Modern models of floor coverings have high water- and moisture-repellent properties. The leader in these qualities is PVC laminate, which is not at all affected by moisture, since it is based on a plastic polymer.

As for ordinary laminate, there are storage and operation limits, beyond which you can get material that is unsuitable for installation. It is unacceptable to stay in a room with humidity above 65% for a long time.

Just like with temperature, excessive influence of humidity deforms the structure of the load-bearing fiberboard.

Damage to the material can occur not only during storage, but also during transportation. Upon receipt of a shipment of goods, you must check each package for ruptures. The same process must be repeated after unloading the boxes.

1. Transportation can be carried out using any type of transport suitable for this purpose, with protection from precipitation and mechanical damage.
2. Laminate flooring must not be transported in an open truck, even in intact packages, to avoid exposure to rain or snow.
3. The packages must be tightly packed and secured into the means of transportation - the boxes must not “ride”, “bounce” or be subject to other mechanical stress.

Due to the great popularity of such flooring as laminate, it is purchased not only by professional builders, but also by amateurs. Therefore, problems often arise with its storage.

This type of coating is a rather complex structure, where the safety of each element is important. Otherwise, the assembly may be carried out in violation of the technology, which will certainly affect the quality of the coating in the future.

Laminate is a material consisting of several layers.

1. The top layer is a moisture-resistant, wear-resistant coating made of a protective film.
2. Decorative layer of paper with a wood structure pattern.
3. Load-bearing layer, the basis of which consists of high-hardness fiberboard.
4. The bottom layer is waterproof, balancing or compensating.

Due to its rather complex structure, the material requires special storage conditions. Violations of these conditions can lead to damage to one or all of these layers.

Not everyone who uses this material stores it correctly. Mistakes are often made when storing laminate flooring at construction sites and store warehouses. Or in places where construction or repairs are directly underway.

This leads to deformation of laminate elements, that is, lamellas, damage to their locks, and cracks. Delaminations may appear on the slats. The top layer may burn out in direct sunlight.

Storage rules

Laminate is stored in cardboard boxes the size of one board of a standard area.

After packaging in cardboard, as a rule, with storage rules printed on the box, the container is hermetically sealed in polyethylene. This ensures that the quality of the boards is maintained even if water gets on the packaging.

READ MORE: How to choose laminate: basic selection rules

Boxes with laminate are transported only in closed cars and stored in dry rooms.

It is necessary to protect them from shock, overheating, cooling, water and snow. Long-term mechanical impact can also negatively affect the contents of the packs.

A fairly large volume of laminate in boxes must be prepared for storage in a stack. It is formed by their packaging.

It is formed according to the principle of a cube. Its base is three lower boxes with laminate, laid on a flat, dry floor, at an equal distance.

Three more boxes are placed on top, but across the previous ones, at an angle of 90 degrees, also at an equal distance.

This is how laminate flooring prepared in large quantities is stored for a long time. In this case, the load is distributed evenly across all packs, and there will be no deformation leading to damage to the laminate.

Seasonal temperature fluctuations can also lead to deterioration of such material.

For storage in packaging in winter and summer, it is important to ensure optimal conditions:

• temperature not lower than 5° and not higher than 18°;
• humidity no more than 65%.

Storage, especially long-term storage, does not imply a temperature change of more than 5 degrees. Warehouses must always be at the same temperature. No moisture, no precipitation. Even frost can damage the layers of slats. There should be no sunlight, they can damage the top layer.

Nowadays, laminate is considered almost the most popular flooring. It is easy to install, aesthetically pleasing, quite durable and not too expensive. Compared to natural wood floors, it is easier to maintain. Modern types of laminate are quite water-resistant, which allows you to wash the floor without fear of the coating lifting.

Laminate floors are often purchased in larger quantities than are needed for installation. This is done in case some part of the floor needs to be replaced. But in order for the material to remain suitable for further use, you should know how to properly store the laminate and what conditions are required for storage.

Laminate is one of the most popular types of flooring. Appearing in the second half of the twentieth century, it has since been used for finishing both residential and office premises. The reasons for this popularity are simple - the material is easy to install, beautiful, quite durable and can replace some more expensive types of coatings.

Laminate flooring is often purchased for work with a reserve in case of unforeseen circumstances - for example, damage to the lamellas. But, since damage to individual planks occurs infrequently, the craftsmen advise saving the remaining material after finishing the work - it can be useful when repairing the floor.

And to prevent the coating from deteriorating before this point, it is important to know how to store the laminate.

How to store laminate

Laminate storage features

A little about laminate

Laminate is a multilayer coating, quite durable, which is sold in stores packaged in packs of several lamellas. But, despite its reliability, the material needs to be treated with care. The fact is that if you damage even one layer of this coating, you will no longer be able to lay it correctly, and it will serve much less than what the manufacturers claim.

Laminate is a multilayer material

The laminate consists of 4 layers.

1. A top protective layer that allows the coating not to fade in the sun and is not to some extent susceptible to exposure to moisture and mechanical damage. It is made on the basis of synthetic resins. Sometimes it also plays a decorative role - the surface can imitate the grooves of wood.
2. The decorative layer is responsible for giving the coating a certain color.
   Usually represented by paper with a design printed on it. It hides under a protective top layer, and therefore is not afraid of water. What is laminate
3. The base or supporting layer, which is responsible for the strength and thickness of the lamellas. It is on this part that the reliability of the material will largely depend. The layer is usually made from high-density fiberboard. It is in this layer that a lock is cut out, allowing the individual covering strips to be securely joined together.
4. The bottom layer is stabilizing. Increases the rigidity of each lamella, protects the material from below, and prevents the boards from deforming.

Comparative table of properties of laminate and linoleum

If all layers are made with high quality, then the laminate has a certain level of sound and heat insulation properties, has some moisture resistance, and is not afraid of moderate mechanical influences.

Laying laminate

On a note! The higher the class of the laminate, the higher the strength and resistance of the coating to external influences. However, the higher the quality, the higher the price of the material.

The strength of laminate is much higher than that of wood, since crystallized wood is pressed tightly

Laminate also has its drawbacks, which, however, do not reduce its popularity. It’s just that in some special-purpose rooms other types of coating will be installed. Laminate is afraid of:

• excessive amount of moisture (except for moisture-resistant type of coating);
• strong mechanical impact;
• exposure to certain chemicals.

Laminate classes

To ensure that the coating is not damaged before it is laid on the surface of the subfloor, it needs careful storage and careful transportation. Initially, even before loading the laminate into the truck for delivery to the work site, it is recommended to inspect all panels and make sure that there are no damaged ones.

Transportation of material to storage location

Damage to the material can occur not only during storage, but also during transportation. Upon receipt of a shipment of goods, you must check each package for ruptures. The same process must be repeated after unloading the boxes.

1. Transportation can be carried out using any type of transport suitable for this purpose, with protection from precipitation and mechanical damage.
2. Laminate flooring must not be transported in an open truck, even in intact packages, to avoid exposure to rain or snow.
3. The packages must be tightly packed and secured into the means of transportation - the boxes must not “ride”, “bounce” or be subject to other mechanical stress.

How to choose a place to store laminate flooring

Let’s consider what necessary parameters the premises must have for the entire storage period:

• temperature not lower than 5 °C;
• humidity not higher than 65%;
• protection from sunlight;

Laminate placement

Some placement tips:

1. The boxes are laid over the largest area, that is, lying down. It is strictly prohibited to place packages on their sides, as in this case there is a high probability of damage to the locks and the impossibility of subsequent stacking.
2. It is necessary to leave a distance from the walls and ceiling of at least 1 meter. The height of the stacks should not exceed 5.5 meters. A taller stack will put more pressure on the underlying boards.
3. Any possibility of water ingress and mechanical impact must be excluded, therefore placing packages near batteries and unstable structures is not recommended.

Suitable storage locations:

• storage room;
• glazed balcony;
• warehouses;
• garage or cottage in the warm season in the absence of moisture penetration.

• basement;
• unglazed balcony;
• garage or cottage in the cold season.

The remains of the unpacked laminate must be tightly packed in a box, additionally wrapped in plastic wrap. Storage is carried out in a warm, dry place in a horizontal position.

Laminate shelf life

The maximum time that laminate can be kept depends on two factors:

• conditions under which storage occurs;
• wear resistance class of panels.

The higher the class, the longer the service life the manufacturer guarantees, however, the price will be higher. If the conditions are met, the shelf life approaches the service life, which is on average 10-15 years.

Optimal humidity level for laminate storage

Most modern laminate collections have good water-repellent properties. There is a laminate coating for which the level of humidity does not matter; this is a waterproof PVC laminate, which is based on plastic.

For all other types of laminate, there remains a danger both in direct contact with water and in case of excessive room humidity - above 65%.

Important! A jump in humidity is possible with a sharp change in temperature from low to high. The moisture that crystallizes in the air begins to evaporate and the air may become too humid for the fiberboard.

Therefore, it is important that the storage area for the slats is as dry as possible and has no chance of flooding. Do not store laminate flooring near heating pipes, communications, etc.

What does laminate consist of?

The laminated panel consists of several layers. If even one of them is damaged, the service life is sharply reduced; in some cases, further installation is not possible at all.

1. The bottom layer
   serves as a stabilizer for the entire slab and gives rigidity to the structure. On modern models it also serves as protection against moisture.
2. The base layer
   is the main part. It is represented by a thick wood-fiber board, on which a lock is profiled for fastening the boards together. Even slight damage to the locking system precludes the use of the lamella.
3. Decorative.
   The appearance of the laminated coating depends on it. Can imitate wood structure, reptile skin, stone, etc.
4. Top protective layer.
   Increases resistance to moisture and sunlight, and to some extent prevents deformation from mechanical contact with the surface of the laminate.

We summarize how to properly store laminate flooring, what conditions must be observed, and what room is suitable for this:

• optimal temperature - 18 °C, minimum - 5 °C;
• humidity level - no higher than 65%;
• avoiding exposure to direct sunlight;
• exclusion of exposure to precipitation and mechanical damage during transportation and storage, even if the packaging is intact;
• storage is carried out in a horizontal position in stacks no higher than 5.5 meters;
• suitable premises: glazed balcony, storage room, specialized warehouses, garage in the warm season.

We hope that our recommendations will serve you well and your laminate will last a long time without the slightest complaints.

A little about laminate

Laminate is a multilayer coating, quite durable, which is sold in stores packaged in packs of several lamellas. But, despite its reliability, the material needs to be treated with care. The fact is that if you damage even one layer of this coating, you will no longer be able to install it correctly , and it will serve much less than what the manufacturers claim.

Laminate is a multilayer material

The laminate consists of 4 layers.

1. Top protective layer , which allows the coating not to fade in the sun and is not to some extent afraid of exposure to moisture and mechanical damage. It is made on the basis of synthetic resins. Sometimes it also plays a decorative role - the surface can imitate the grooves of wood.
2. Decorative layer , which is responsible for giving the coating a certain color. Usually represented by paper with a design printed on it. It hides under a protective top layer, and therefore is not afraid of water.
3. Base or load-bearing layer , which is responsible for the strength and thickness of the lamellas. It is on this part that the reliability of the material will largely depend. The layer is usually made from high-density fiberboard. It is in this layer that a lock is cut out, allowing the individual covering strips to be securely joined together.
4. The bottom layer is stabilizing . Increases the rigidity of each lamella, protects the material from below, and prevents the boards from deforming.

Comparative table of properties of laminate and linoleum

If all layers are made with high quality, then the laminate has a certain level of sound and heat insulation properties, has some moisture resistance, and is not afraid of moderate mechanical influences.

Laying laminate

On a note! The higher the class of the laminate, the higher the strength and resistance of the coating to external influences. However, the higher the quality, the higher the price of the material.

The strength of laminate is much higher than that of wood, since crystallized wood is pressed tightly

Laminate also has its drawbacks, which, however, do not reduce its popularity. It’s just that in some special-purpose rooms other types of coating will be installed. Laminate is afraid of:

• excessive amount of moisture (except for moisture-resistant type of coating);
• strong mechanical impact;
• exposure to certain chemicals.

Conditions and shelf life of laminate in packaging and without

Nowadays, laminate is considered almost the most popular flooring. It is easy to install, aesthetically pleasing, quite durable and not too expensive. Compared to natural wood floors, it is easier to maintain. Modern types of laminate are quite water-resistant, which allows you to wash the floor without fear of the coating lifting. Laminate floors are often purchased in larger quantities than are needed for installation. This is done in case some part of the floor needs to be replaced. But in order for the material to remain suitable for further use, you should know how to properly store the laminate and what conditions are required for storage.

How to store laminate: winter storage conditions in packaging

Ease of installation, relative cost-effectiveness and a wide range of design solutions have ensured laminate a high place among the leaders in floor coverings.

When installed correctly, this material is quite easy to maintain and operate, but it also has some features that should be taken into account during transportation and storage. Let's look at how to store laminate and properly transport pallets with laminated boards.

Content:

Purchasing flooring

• To ensure that the floor covering is not damaged before it is laid on the floor, it requires proper storage and careful transportation.
• When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the tightness of the packaging. If it is broken, such a product could already be exposed to high humidity. Which, in turn, could negatively affect the quality of the product, its shelf life, or even lead to damage to the laminate.
• For long-term storage, packages with laminated panels must be placed at a distance of no less than 1 meter from the wall. In addition, they must be located on a flat surface, always in a horizontal position. Do not stack other heavy materials on pallet packages. This can lead to deformation of the future floor covering.

• To store already opened packages, the laminate is placed in small stacks, approximately the same height as in the original packaging. Next, they are hermetically packaged in film and sealed with tape on all sides. This is necessary so that evaporation and high humidity, which inevitably occur in an apartment during renovations, cannot damage the pallets.
• If the factory packaging remains intact, the laminate is stored directly in it, and if the bags are removed, the material can be packed in them again, wrapped with tape, creating an airtight seal.

Long-term and short-term storage of laminate flooring is practically no different. In the places where it is located, drafts are not allowed, and there should also be no sources of heat or high humidity. Do not store heavy objects nearby (if they accidentally fall, they can damage the laminate). You should also not place heavy tools or bags of building materials on top.

If after laying the floors there are several laminated panels left, they must be stored in the same conditions: sealed and kept at room temperature, avoiding high humidity and overheating. This could be a mezzanine or a storage room.

Temperature storage conditions for laminate

Proper storage of laminate flooring is not only about observing air humidity levels. Temperature is of great importance.

The optimal temperature indicators are the same for both storage of laminated panels and for their operation. This is +5°C - +30°C with air humidity not exceeding 65%. Too dry air is also harmful for laminated coatings - the panels may dry out.

Those people who install laminate flooring in their dachas argue that if it has not been damaged on the floor during the winter, then nothing bad will happen to its remains if they are in the garage, in conditions of low temperature. But this is a mistaken opinion. This material is very sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. As a result of storage in such a place, it will become deformed, begin to delaminate and crack. Subsequently, such material will no longer be suitable for laying on the floor.

GOST 32 – 304 – 2013 regulates how to store laminate. For this purpose, closed, dry and clean rooms with a temperature above +5°C and humidity not exceeding 65% are used. Unheated rooms in which such indicators are maintained even in winter can be used to store laminate flooring. This GOST limits the shelf life of this material in such conditions to one year.

Optimal temperature for laminate storage

For laminate flooring, it is important not only the absence of moisture, but also certain air temperature values. Why can’t it be left in an unheated dacha during the winter? The fact is that for the production of laminate, materials are used that sometimes individually cannot withstand normal, acceptable operating conditions, let alone critically low air temperatures, for example, in winter in Siberia.

On a note! Laminate is not even recommended for use in rooms without heating. For such cases, it is better to purchase another, more reliable type of flooring.

It is important to observe the temperature regime

However, they continue to lay laminate flooring even at dachas and they think that since nothing happened to the coating itself during the winter, then it is quite possible to store its remains in a cold garage. But this is far from true. There is a so-called thermal expansion effect . The fact is that the laminate reacts quite strongly to fluctuations in air temperature and humidity in the room, which means that the lamellas will begin to deform, bend, delaminate, and eventually lose both their appearance and quality - they will simply be unsuitable for laying the coating.

Deformation of the laminate

Thus, it is important to maintain the minimum temperature in the room where the laminate is stored or installed. It's only 18 degrees.

Laminate prices Laminely

laminate Laminely

Where to store unused laminate

For the unused part of the coating, choose a place where these materials will not interfere with anyone. It is better if the remains of the laminate are constantly in one place - frequent movements will not do it any good.

It is not advisable to store laminate flooring in rooms with high humidity (bathroom, toilet, etc.). Also, do not allow water, snow or other liquids to come into contact with the pallets.

Special locks on the panels, which are made to connect them together, should not be subject to deformation or break off. They are quite fragile, and during storage you need to pay great attention to this, since if the locks are damaged, installation will be impossible.

Laminate shelf life

Laminate floors have different qualities and, accordingly, shelf life and use. Laminate is divided into classes, and the higher the class, the more durable and wear-resistant the material from which it is made. But no one can give an exact time for how long laminate can be stored. It all depends on the conditions under which it will be kept and operated.

Typically, the shelf life of laminate flooring is limited to 8 - 10 years, if all the standards described above are followed. High-quality floor coverings that are resistant to moisture can be stored without sealed packaging, simply covered with film.

The service life of laminate varies from 3 to 20 years. In order for it to maintain its appearance for many years, you need to choose the right classification. If you plan to lay floors in institutions where many people wear street shoes every day, you need a wear-resistant material of a high strength class, and a lower class is suitable for an apartment.

General storage rules

• air humidity up to 65%;
• storage temperature is not lower than +5°C and not higher than +30°C;
• there should be no drafts during storage;
• Do not allow water or other liquids to come into contact with the laminate;
• when storing, the distance to the walls must be at least 1 meter;
• It is unacceptable to store heavy objects on packages with laminate;

The correct selection and storage of laminate will allow the floors to look beautiful in the apartment and in the country for many years. Use the tips above and save significant money on your new flooring purchases.

Choosing a storage location

Laminate flooring should be stored where unused material will not disturb anyone. Until the moment it is needed, it is better not to move it from place to place and not to disturb it. It is recommended to remove the covering in the apartment somewhere on the closet or on the mezzanine - most importantly, not in the bathroom or toilet. It is important that when storing the laminate, no water gets on it or heavy objects fall on it. Nothing should be placed on top of the packaging with the material.

Choosing a place to store laminate flooring

Important! Special care must be taken when handling cover locks. They are easy to damage, but without them, proper installation of the material will be impossible.

Inspection upon purchase and transportation

When purchasing a product in a store, be sure to check the integrity of the plastic packaging. If in the future you are going to store the material and not immediately lay it down, then the whole package will protect it from unnecessary factors of unwanted influence. In addition, a torn film may indicate that the board is damaged.

Pay special attention to the shape of the corrugated gasket in the tongue and groove area, as well as at the corners of the board. If damage is visible, this is a reason to demand that the pack be replaced.

After the packs are selected, we begin transportation to the storage location. Cargo should be transported horizontally, on a flat surface in a tilt vehicle or closed body. Such conditions will avoid the risk of mechanical damage to the material in transit. Most of all, laminate is afraid of excess humidity and physical influences.

During transportation, moisture must not get under the protective film of the packaging. Avoid placing any heavy objects on top of laminate pallets.

Proper storage

When purchasing material in advance, worry about where it will be stored. For more information about storing material, watch this video:

Long-term storage of laminate should be carried out in a room that meets certain requirements:

Pallets should be placed at a distance of at least 1 m from the wall. It is not recommended to place heavy objects on top of laminate packaging. It is strictly forbidden to store packaging with a laminated board in a vertical position.

The conditions for short-term storage of laminate are similar to long-term storage. If you plan to immediately lay the material, then before laying the laminated board should rest in the conditions of future use for at least 2 days.

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Climatic conditions for storage

Laminate flooring in warehouses must be stored in its original packaging. It is advisable to make sure of this before purchasing the material and delivering it to the repair site. After delivery to an apartment or house where renovation work is being carried out, it is also not recommended to completely empty the material from the packs, especially if it will not be put into work immediately. It is important to leave it in the room where it will subsequently be installed for several days so that it “gets used” to the operating conditions.

Indoor conditions must be appropriate

If the laminate will be put away for storage, then it is important to place it in a place where there will be a microclimate suitable for the coating.

Table. Conditions for storing laminate flooring.

Also, the room where the laminate is stored should be completely free of drafts. The packaging must not be damaged. It is important to ensure that nothing can fall onto the laminate stack. Nothing is placed on top of it either.

For individual lamellas remaining after the completion of the repair, the storage conditions should be exactly the same, especially considering that the material is no longer packaged. A heated pantry or the top of a regular cabinet is suitable for storage.

Remains of laminate

Performance characteristics of laminate for unheated rooms

Many users are interested in the question of whether it is possible to install laminate flooring in their country house. Of course, this is possible, but the material for the flooring must meet the following characteristics:

1. High strength and wear resistance of the coating. This is very important, because the floor in a country house will become stained much more often than in a city apartment. According to consumer reviews, it is recommended to select products of at least class 33 for this purpose. Such materials have a high cost and a long service life, so the price of the coating is very justified. Choose laminated panels from a well-established manufacturer.
2. Harmlessness of the materials used for human health. Laminated panels are partially made from artificial raw materials, so the buyer should pay attention to the emission class e0 or e1. Such coating options are considered absolutely safe for humans.
3. Long period of operation. This characteristic depends on the production technology and the quality of raw materials. The guaranteed service life of laminated panels from some manufacturers is 20 years.
4. The flooring material that will be used in the country should not be afraid of humidity and sudden changes in temperature. Most of the technical characteristics of laminated panels are confirmed by quality certificates of the corresponding type.
5. The floor covering may suffer from exposure to freezing temperatures in winter, so laminated panels must be frost-resistant. The minimum thickness of products is 1 centimeter. Thicker materials are subject to additional treatment with a special moisture-resistant impregnation. This is an ideal material for use in an unheated country house.
6. Laminate has different colors and textures; its surface can imitate ceramic tiles, natural wood or stone texture. This variety allows you to choose the flooring material to suit any interior.

The indicated advantages of laminated panels are not yet enough for its use in the country. It all depends on the region where the construction site is located, the duration of winter and negative temperatures.

Is laminate flooring afraid of frost?

When choosing laminated panels for a garden terrace, many users are interested in the question of how this type of flooring tolerates the influence of negative temperatures and whether it is afraid of frost. In fact, the material does not show sufficient resistance to negative temperatures. This is due to the fact that the product consists of several layers, which are fastened together using special glue.

Some time after installation, under the influence of frost, the glue loses its initial properties, as a result of which numerous cracks appear on the surface of the coating. Ultimately, this can cause the material to rot. Insufficient frost resistance is also associated with the use of paper in the manufacture of laminated panels. This element is impregnated with special moisture-repellent compounds, but it can also deteriorate due to the influence of negative temperatures.

How to increase the frost resistance of laminate?

If laminate is used to install flooring in a country house, then the property owner can provide high-quality protection for the flooring from the influence of negative temperatures. To do this, it is necessary to lay insulation before installing the floor, which will prevent the penetration of cold from the base. Another protective measure is the correct selection of a substrate with minimal thermal conductivity. This flooring technology is also in demand in ordinary heated residential premises.

The use of thermal insulation allows you to create comfortable conditions for human living. For an unheated cottage this is the most popular option. To prevent moisture from entering the structure of the material, before laying the thermal insulation, a polyethylene film is spread on the base.

Which laminate to choose for your dacha?

The main criteria for choosing a laminate for a summer house are:

• strength characteristics;
• panel thickness;
• flooring color and pattern;
• price.

Let's take a closer look at each selection criterion. Particular attention must be paid to the strength of the material, because dachas are considered unheated houses, and besides, the load on the floor in such rooms will be much greater than in an apartment. At the moment, there are 6 strength classes of laminated panels. In our case, it is necessary to select a floor covering of at least class 32. Such materials will ensure the reliability and strength of the floor and high performance characteristics.

An equally important characteristic is the thickness of the panel, the minimum value is 1 centimeter. In addition, the material must be able to withstand moisture well. Water that gets into the structure of the product expands under the influence of negative temperatures, which leads to destruction of the product.

For finishing the floor in a country house, it is best to choose dark laminated panels. This tone of the coating will help hide numerous dirt that remains on the floor after walking in shoes. The most popular solution is considered to be flooring with an imitation oak texture.

Many users try to save money on purchasing flooring, but this is not possible when installing laminate flooring in the country. For good, high-quality and durable laminated panels you will have to pay a considerable amount of money. Here it is necessary to use moisture-resistant products, and they are much more expensive than standard analogues. If the country house is designed for the owners to stay in the winter, a heating system is installed in it. In this case, you can use ordinary inexpensive laminated panels.

For an expensive country house, instead of laminate, it is recommended to use solid larch flooring or moisture-protected parquet. Such floors look beautiful in any residential interior; they have high moisture resistance and durability.

Laminate storage?

Laminate storage - if you do not plan to install the laminated flooring immediately after purchase, then you should take into account the rules for its storage. Laminate flooring should be kept in a consistently warm, dry environment. High humidity in the air, and especially not allowing water to come into contact with the product, is not allowed. The material should be kept away from heaters and drafts, places where heavy objects can fall onto the coating. The laminate should be stored in its original packaging, preferably in the middle of the room at a distance of at least 1 meter from the walls. Laminate packages should only be stored horizontally. Particular care should be taken to protect locking installation systems from deformation.

Storing laminate immediately after purchase should involve placing it at room temperature for two to three days. This is necessary so that the product adapts and takes the appropriate form for the individual microclimate. Then, you can begin installation. We invite you to read interesting articles about laminate flooring. You can order beautiful, high-quality laminate flooring at affordable prices on the Laminat-Parquet.net and at Laminat- Parquet centers. net & Laminate Hut .

More Questions Answers

How to make a laminate floor? This is perhaps one of the most important questions asked by anyone who wants laminate flooring. For laminate flooring to last a long time, it must be installed correctly. In other words, you need to follow all the rules and take into account the requirements, in this case the laminate will be laid correctly and efficiently.

Laminate Aqua Step Mini differs from other types of laminate due to its water resistance and original design. Moreover, Aqua Step laminate is the only one that can be installed in the bathroom or kitchen. As for the design, the slats look like natural stone or ceramic tiles, and the board is so pleasant to the touch and natural in appearance.

Parquet boards in Kiev, where to buy - of course, in the Laminat-Parket.net & Khata Laminata . By purchasing products from us, you are purchasing high-quality floor coverings from world brands, and this is a guarantee of quality for many years.

The online laminate store Laminate-Parquet.net is open for customers around the clock, without holidays, weekends or breaks. Purchases with delivery to your destination can be made from any city in Ukraine at any convenient time. In our online store you can find a huge selection of branded, stylish floor coverings.

Laminate flooring in Nikopol can be ordered online on the Laminate-Parquet.net .

Since all floor coverings cannot be laid on a bare floor, the question of how thick the underlay under the laminate is is relevant.