ᐅ Are laminate durability ratings reliable?

Hello,

we just received a quote for laminate flooring. The laminate is rated with the following wear classes:

Wear class 23 / wear class 32 – for residential areas with heavy use / for commercial areas with moderate use.

So, is this suitable for residential spaces? And can these wear classes be relied on?

Thank you very much
W

It even says there: living spaces, even with heavy use.

Hello,

And how reliable are these use classes? Are they based on a standard?

I’m not sure about that, but you might be able to find something using Google. Since most laminate manufacturers offer a 6 or 8-year warranty on abrasion resistance, their specifications should be reliable.

There is a standard: European Standard EN 13329.
Laminate flooring intended only for residential use is usually classified into classes 21, 22, and 23, while flooring suitable for both residential and commercial use falls into classes 31, 32, or 33. The higher the class, the better the quality.

Regarding the warranty: Manufacturers now often offer warranties of 10, 15, or 20 years.

Additionally, I would pay attention to the thickness: In hardware stores, you often find thinner materials where the click-lock system tends to be more fragile due to its delicate design. If possible, I would choose at least 7–8 mm (0.28–0.31 inches) thick.

OK, thanks for the tip, so at least 7mm (0.28 inches). You definitely need to inform the builder beforehand so they know how much clearance should be left under the doors and frames.