Vinyl Flooring: Class 32, 33 or 34 — Which One Should You Choose?

The usage class is one of the first things to consider when choosing vinyl flooring — and also one of the specifications people most often overpay for. The price difference between Class 32 and Class 34 can reach 30–40%, while Class 32–33 is more than sufficient for a typical home. Here we explain what the numbers mean and how to choose the right class for your actual needs rather than simply choosing “the highest one just in case”.

What Do the Class Numbers Mean?

The usage class according to EN ISO 10874 consists of two digits. The first indicates the type of premises: 2 — residential, 3 — commercial, 4 — industrial. The second indicates the level of traffic: from 1 (low) to 4 (very high).

Class 32 is intended for commercial premises with moderate traffic, which means it provides more than enough durability for residential use. Class 33 is designed for heavy commercial use: shops, open-plan offices and school corridors. Class 34 is intended for very heavy traffic: shopping centres, airports and railway stations.

In practice, wear resistance is largely determined by the thickness of the wear layer — the protective layer above the decorative surface: approximately 0.3 mm for Class 32, approximately 0.55 mm for Class 33, and 0.7 mm or more for Class 34. This is the layer that takes the impact of heels, sand, chair castors and pets’ claws.

Vinyl plank cross-section: layer 2 is the wear layer — its thickness determines the usage class.

Class 32: For Bedrooms and Living Areas

A sensible minimum for residential use. It can withstand normal household use for 10–15 years. It is a reasonable choice for bedrooms, living rooms or children’s rooms where there is no heavy foot traffic. Our catalogue contains around 90 products in this class.

One point to consider: the retail price difference compared with Class 33 is often relatively small. For this reason, many manufacturers such as Moduleo and Arbiton already offer Class 33 as standard in their residential collections — the additional cost per square metre can be small compared with the increase in durability.

Class 33: The Best All-Round Choice — and the Widest Selection

This is the most common class in the Openini catalogue, with more than 500 products starting from €25/m². It is suitable for an entire apartment, including kitchens and entrance halls where sand and outdoor footwear increase wear. It is also suitable for offices, salons and cafés. If you are choosing between Class 32 and Class 33, Class 33 is usually the better option: for a similar price, you get an almost twice as thick wear layer and a manufacturer’s warranty covering commercial use.

For a home with a dog or cat, Class 33 is the recommended minimum: claws act as an abrasive, and matt “traffic paths” may appear on Class 32 flooring after a few years.

Class 34: When Do You Really Need It?

Class 34 — around 130 products in our catalogue — is designed for areas where hundreds of people may walk across the floor every day: high-traffic shops, showrooms, clinics, school corridors and hotels. For residential use, it is generally unnecessary — the flooring’s durability is likely to exceed the lifespan of the interior itself. One exception is commercial rental property, where avoiding floor replacement between tenants can be particularly important.

What Is Class 42?

Packaging often shows a dual classification, for example 33/42. The first digit 4 refers to industrial premises: Class 42 indicates suitability for light industrial areas such as storage areas with manual trolleys and utility rooms. For most buyers, this is simply an additional indication of durability. There is usually no reason to pay extra specifically for “Class 42” when choosing flooring for a home or office. Around 300 products in our catalogue carry this classification.

Comparison Table

*Available from selected manufacturers; check the specific collection.

Please note: Class 33 products in our catalogue start at a lower price than Class 32 products (€25 versus €33/m²). This is normal: the price also depends on the brand, format, locking system and other specifications, not only on the usage class. This is another reason to compare specific collections rather than simply choosing the highest class number.

How to Choose: Three Simple Rules

First, Class 33 is sufficient for residential use; choose Class 32 only if it is significantly cheaper in the particular collection you are considering.

Second, for commercial premises, consider the amount of traffic: up to approximately 100 visitors per day, Class 33 should generally be sufficient; for heavier traffic, consider Class 34.

Third, compare the wear layer rather than relying only on the class number: a typical Class 33 product has a 0.55 mm wear layer. If a manufacturer claims “Class 33” with a 0.3 mm wear layer, examine the technical specification carefully.

Browse flooring by class: Class 34 vinyl flooring, all vinyl flooring from €25/m², in-stock products with 1–3 day delivery.

If you would rather not compare all the specifications yourself, send us your floor plan or the required area in m². We will select 2–3 suitable options according to your budget and expected traffic within 24 hours.

FAQ

What vinyl flooring class do I need for an apartment?
Class 32 is sufficient for bedrooms and living rooms, but Class 33 is generally the better choice: it is also suitable for kitchens and entrance halls, starts from €25/m² and provides an almost twice as thick wear layer.

What is the difference between Class 33 and Class 34?
The main differences are the wear layer thickness (0.55 mm versus 0.7+ mm) and the intended level of traffic. In a home, you are unlikely to notice a practical difference; in a shop or clinic, Class 34 can provide a significantly longer service life.

What does 33/42 mean?
It is a dual usage classification: 33 means heavy commercial use, while 42 indicates suitability for light industrial premises. For homes and offices, Class 33 is usually the more relevant classification.

Does the usage class affect water resistance?
No. Water resistance depends on the flooring construction. SPC/LVT vinyl flooring is water-resistant regardless of its usage class, while the usage class relates to the durability of the surface.

New to vinyl flooring? Read our guide “Vinyl Flooring — What Is It?”.