What are the wear classes of vinyl panels?

Discover the wear classes of vinyl panels. This type of flooring is a common choice for homes and public utility places. It is a modern alternative to classical flooring. Vinyl panels are appreciated for their excellent technical parameters and exceptional durability. To choose the best class of vinyl panels from the multitude of offers from many manufacturers, it's worth checking what the wear class of floor panels means.

What will you learn from this article?

If you want to approach the purchase of floor panels responsibly, pay attention to the wear class and material usability. The functionality and durability of the floor you introduce into your home have great significance. From this article, you will learn:

• What is the best wear class for vinyl panels.

• What the usability class of vinyl panels influences.

• What to remember when choosing panels for home.

What is the wear class of vinyl panels?

Simply put, the wear class of panels defines their resistance to wear. This is most significant when flooring is installed in areas with very high traffic, such as public places and classrooms. However, if you want to invest in a higher wear class for your home, you are making a very good decision. The higher the hardness of the floor panels, the more freely you will be able to use them for years.

Every manufacturer, before releasing floor panels for use, conducts numerous tests to confirm the product's resistance to wear. Panels are evaluated on an appropriate scale and receive a wear class:

• AC3 — suitable for rooms with low and medium traffic. These panels can be used in bedrooms and home offices.

• AC4 — all vinyl panels available in our offer have this wear class. You can use this type of flooring finish in rooms with medium traffic, such as home and commercial premises with moderate traffic. Check whether vinyl panels are suitable for bathrooms.

• AC5 — they meet the highest standards and are suitable for high-traffic areas. They can be used in commercial spaces, corridors, and offices. They are resistant to intense use.

• AC6 — this is the highest wear class of floor panels. They perform very well in commercial conditions, in various types of high-traffic rooms.

Thickness of the wear layer in vinyl panels

It is particularly important to know what thickness the wear layer of vinyl flooring has:

• 0.2 - 0.3 mm — the floor can withstand low traffic and is not very resistant to wear. However, it will work well in homes and apartments.

• 0.4 - 0.5 mm — in terms of wear class, it has moderate resistance to wear. These floors are used in commercial spaces with low and medium traffic, such as shops.

• 0.6 - 0.7 mm — has the highest wear resistance. It will work well on commercial-use surfaces.

Wear class alone is not enough for vinyl panels to have the durability you expect. Below, you will read about the equally important usability class.

What does the usability class of vinyl panels determine?

The usability class of vinyl panels informs what they are intended for and in what spaces they will perform best. Here is the most popular division:

• Class 21 — vinyl floors can be used in low-traffic rooms, such as homes and apartments.

• Class 22 — the panels will be suitable for rooms with low traffic, mainly bedrooms and living rooms.

• Class 23 — vinyl floors are suitable for home use and high-traffic rooms.

• Class 31 — floor panels can be chosen for occasional use with moderate intensity. They will perform well in hotel rooms, small offices, and conference rooms.

• Class 32 — the floor is suitable for normal use with standard intensity. Usability class 32 specifies that panels will perform well in kindergartens, hotel halls, and offices.

• Class 33 — panels can withstand greater use intensity. They can be used in public, commercial, and service buildings with very high traffic.

• Class 42 — industrial vinyl panels for light industry with medium traffic.

It's very important to note that vinyl floors can meet the requirements of several classes simultaneously. This gives the floor universal application, high quality, and the ability to serve for many years.

Why should your home have vinyl panels?

Vinyl panels are resistant to damage and scratches, and they are easy to maintain. They are waterproof, antistatic, non-slip, and provide fire protection. If you are wondering whether vinyl panels and underfloor heating are a good combination, we have great news for you — they are. Underfloor heating is not a contraindication to using vinyl flooring. Additionally, by using this solution at home, you can achieve high comfort due to soundproofing the room. Find out how to lay vinyl panels yourself.

After reading this article, remember the following points:

1. The vinyl panels available in Mexen's offer have a wear class of AC4.

2. The thickness of the wear layer 0.5 - 0.7 mm indicates that the vinyl panels have wear resistance suited for commercial use. However, they can also be used in residential spaces that are highly exposed to damage. The panels available from Mexen are 0.55 mm thick.

3. Mexen vinyl panels are resistant to damage and scratches, easy to maintain, waterproof, antistatic, and non-slip.