Usage class for vinyl flooring: find your dream floor!

Do you want to lay a vinyl floor in your home, shop, or industrial space, but aren’t quite sure which usage class is suitable for you? Our latest article in the DIY magazine is here to help you navigate the world of technical specifications. Vinyl flooring usage classes, after all, are explained in no time!

Vinyl flooring usage classes: here’s what it’s all about!

The secret to finding the best vinyl floor for you lies in a small number, usually shown on the product data sheet: the usage class. Vinyl flooring usage classes indicate how durable the flooring is and, consequently, in which areas it can be installed. The specified usage classes correlates with the thickness of the wear layer. A simple rule of thumb is: the thicker the wear layer, the higher the usage class, and the more durable the vinyl floor.

Depending on the intended use, there are significant differences that can become important a few months after installation. Choosing the wrong class can lead to rapid wear and the loss of the flooring’s valuable properties. The usage classes according to DIN EN 685 indicate, for both laminate and vinyl or design floors, how robust and wear-resistant a floor covering is.

Below, we explain what the numbers 21 to 43 mean and which vinyl flooring usage classes allow installation in residential, commercial, or even industrial areas.

Whether in a boutique, a hotel lobby, or your own living room, vinyl flooring usage classes indicate which areas the flooring is suitable for.

20 usage classes for vinyl flooring: the residential area

Floorings marked with a usage class starting with the number 2 are suitable for residential areas. The manufacturer’s specifications also indicate whether the vinyl flooring is water-resistant, making it suitable for kitchens and bathrooms, which is the case for all glue-down vinyl and usually for click vinyl as well.

Typically, vinyl flooring for living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, hallways, bathrooms, and children’s rooms has a wear layer thickness of at least 0.20 mm, ideally 0.30 mm. However, for private homes, it is now common to choose slightly higher usage classes. As a result of higher material consumption, vinyl floors with a higher usage class are generally more expensive, but they withstand longer and more intensive wear.

Usage class 21 – low durability in residential areas

Usage class 21 for vinyl flooring is suitable for lightly used residential areas, such as storage rooms, basements, or guest rooms. Since the flooring in these spaces is rarely used, a collection with a wear layer thickness of around 0.20 mm is sufficient. Class 21 is also commonly found in self-adhesive vinyl flooring.

Usage class 22 – normal durability in residential areas

If the flooring has usage class 22, it is ideal for private residential areas with normal use. This includes living and dining rooms, as well as the internal hallway of your apartment. However, if you want to cover the entire apartment with vinyl flooring, we recommend choosing a usage class 23 vinyl, which ensures no mistakes in any part of the home.

Usage class 23 – heavy-duty durability in residential areas

Usage class 23 for vinyl flooring indicates suitability for heavily used residential areas. In entrance halls and kitchens, people often tend to turn quickly on their heels. A usage class 23 vinyl floor is also worth considering for children’s rooms. In general, you should think in advance about the kind of wear and tear the flooring might be exposed to and choose the vinyl flooring class accordingly.

30 usage classes for vinyl flooring intended for commercial use

If you want to install vinyl flooring in commercial premises, make sure that the first digit of the usage class is a 3. The 30 usage classes for vinyl flooring indicate that the floor covering is significantly more durable and approved for commercial use. Vinyl flooring with usage classes from 31 to 34 usually has a wear layer thickness ranging from at least 0.30 mm up to 0.70 mm. Here too, the classification increases according to the level of durability.

Usage class 31 – for light commercial use

Would you like to install vinyl flooring in your office? Then usage class 31 for vinyl flooring is the right choice for your needs. Single offices or small shops are usually more frequently used than residential spaces but not as much as large supermarkets or open-plan offices. Your home office can also be fitted with flooring of class 31, as it withstands the wear caused by chair castors.

Usage class 32 – for moderate commercial use

For medium-sized offices or boutiques, a vinyl floor with usage class 32 is ideal. In these commercial areas with regular customer traffic, it is especially important to choose an attractive vinyl floor in a wood look or stone look that impresses both in appearance and durability.

Usage class 33 – for heavy commercial use

When it comes to heavily frequented commercial spaces, it is worth choosing a durable vinyl floor with usage class 33 or higher. The 33 class for vinyl flooring indicates that the covering can also be used in hotels, restaurants, and shop fitting. This classification even withstands the demands of trade fairs, where you could, for example, use Loose-Lay vinyl. Who could possibly resist such a highly durable floor with a beautifully textured surface?

Usage class 34 – for very heavy commercial use

Usage class 34 for vinyl flooring is the top tier for commercial and public spaces. Class 34 design floors can be installed not only in busy shops but also in airports, ticket halls, or department stores. With a vinyl floor of class 34, you are well prepared for the next rush of customers. Moreover, there is not only glue-down vinyl for commercial and public use but also click vinyl with a robust product structure.

Whether in a hotel room or a bathroom, the Rigid Vinyl Gerflor Vinyl Rigid Acoustic 55 "0851 Bostonian Oak Honey", with a 0.55 mm wear layer, is suitable for a wide range of residential and commercial spaces.

40 usage classes for vinyl flooring intended for industrial use

If the first digit of the usage class is 4, it is a floor specifically designed for industrial use. The 40 usage classes for vinyl flooring indicate that the floor is suitable for industrial applications. There are also different levels of durability within the industrial sector. If you plan to drive a forklift over your floor, it is definitely worth choosing an industrial floor with class 43 to ensure long-lasting enjoyment. The wear layer thickness ranges from 0.7 mm to 1.0 mm.

Usage class 41 – for lightly used workshops

If it is a workplace where people are mostly seated and forklift or pallet truck traffic occurs only occasionally, it is recommended to install flooring with usage class 41.

Usage class 42 – for small storage rooms and moderately used areas

For predominantly standing work and regular traffic, it is recommended to choose vinyl flooring with usage class 42. Vinyl design floors of this type are even more wear-resistant and robust, coping optimally with the conditions. It is also possible to install PVC tiles, which, depending on the class, are perfectly suited to the needs of workshops or storage halls.

Usage class 43 – the premium class for all areas

If your vinyl flooring is to be installed in a production or storage hall with genuinely high traffic, you should opt for usage class 43. The 43 usage class for vinyl flooring is the highest possible. A vinyl floor of this class is usually glued across the entire surface, as this provides the most stable method of fixation and ensures greater safety. However, there is also click vinyl with a 0.70 mm wear layer, as well as specially designed PVC industrial flooring and workshop flooring, so you are prepared for every scenario.

Gerflor Senso Clic Premium "0728 Cleveland Dark", with a 0.55 mm wear layer, is suitable for usage classes 23, 33, and 42, making it ideal for both residential and industrial spaces.

Are vinyl flooring usage classes backwards compatible?

Yes, they are! If you see that a floor has usage class 32 but you want to use it in a residential area, there’s no need to worry: the higher the number, the broader the range of applications for the flooring. So you can easily use a vinyl floor with usage class 32 also for classes 31, 23, 22, and 21.

We hope we’ve answered all your questions about vinyl flooring usage classes. In our online shop, you can discover a wide range of top-quality collections, from residential spaces to heavily used industrial areas.

If you have any questions or suggestions, just get in touch with us. We’ll be happy to help! Simply use our contact form, and we’ll provide you with expert advice.

Until next time,
Your BRICOFLOR team, No. 1 for walls & floors!