Laminate flooring wear layer classification explained

Wear classes

Wear classes for laminate flooring are specified in the European standard EN 13329 (“Laminate floor coverings - Elements with a surface layer based on aminoplastic thermosetting resins - Specifications, requirements and test methods”). There is a differentiation between domestic and commercial usage.

In private use areas, the classification ranges from 21 (light use, e.g. in bedrooms) to 23 (intense use, e.g. in hallways). In commercial use areas the classification ranges from 31 (light use, e.g. hotel rooms or conference rooms) to 33 (intense use, e.g. in large offices, shopping malls or public buildings.) or even 34 (for commercial areas with very intense use).   

The following classification chart shows area of use, intensity of use, types of wear and examples of use:

Class	Area of use	Intensity of use	Description of use	Examples of use
21	Domestic Private use areas	moderate	light use	bedrooms guest rooms
22	Domestic Private use areas	average	normal, everyday use	living room dining room hallways
23	Domestic Private use areas	high	high-traffic, intense use	Stairways entry halls kitchen
31	Commercial Private and public use areas	moderate	light use	Hotel rooms conference rooms small offices
32	Commercial Private and public use areas	average	normal, everyday use	Kindergarten offices waiting areas hotel lobbies stores
33 + 34	Commercial Private and public use areas	high	high-traffic, intense use	Hallways large offices shopping malls classrooms