When choosing a new floor, you consider its appearance, material, and price. But at least as important is the floor's usage class. This class indicates how wear-resistant and suitable a floor is for certain areas. Do you want a floor that will stay beautiful for years? Then it is essential to choose the right usage class. In this blog, we explain what the usage classes mean and which class suits your situation.
What are usage classes?
The usage class of a floor indicates how well the floor can withstand load and wear. This is determined by tests according to the European standard EN 13329 (for laminate) and EN ISO 10874 (for PVC floors and other materials).
The usage class consists of two digits:
- The first digit (2 or 3) indicates whether the floor is suitable for residential (2) or commercial (3) use.
- The second digit (1, 2, or 3) indicates the intensity of use: light (1), normal (2), or heavy (3).
Example: a floor with usage class 23 is suitable for heavy domestic use, while a floor with class 32 is ideal for intensive commercial use.
Overview of usage classes
Below you will find an overview of the most common usage classes and where they perform best:
Residential use (home)
- 21 – Light use: Suitable for rooms with little traffic, such as a guest room.
- 22 – Normal use: Ideal for bedrooms and living rooms with limited use.
- 23 – Heavy use: Suitable for high-traffic areas such as the hallway, kitchen, and living room.
Commercial use (businesses, offices)
- 31 – Light commercial use: Perfect for hotel rooms or small offices.
- 32 – Normal commercial use: Suitable for busy offices, shops, and restaurants.
- 33 – Heavy commercial use: Ideal for large stores, school buildings, and public spaces.
- 34 – Very intensive commercial use: For airports, shopping centers, and other extremely heavily trafficked floors.
Industrial use
- 41, 42, 43 – Industrial use: These floors are extremely hard-wearing and suitable for factories and warehouses.
Which usage class do you need?
Which class you need depends on how intensively the space is used. For a family with children and pets, a 23-floor in the living room is a smart choice. In an office with many daily visitors, 32 or 33 is recommended.
Do you want a floor that is both stylish and robust? Then Solza Walvisgraat PVC is an excellent option. This floor has high wear resistance and is perfect for intensive use in both homes and commercial spaces. Moreover, it combines a luxurious appearance with practical advantages such as water resistance and easy cleaning.
Why is the correct usage class so important?
A floor with too low a usage class will wear out, damage, or dull more quickly. This means extra costs and hassle with replacement. By choosing the right class, you save in the long term and enjoy a beautiful, durable floor for longer.
