What do linoleum wear resistance classes mean??

Selecting the ideal flooring for your house or place of business can be difficult, especially with so many options to choose from. Of these, linoleum is a particularly well-liked option because of its resilience, environmental friendliness, and stylistic adaptability. Nonetheless, many people find it difficult to comprehend the various wear resistance classes of linoleum. These classes are important because they establish the flooring’s resistance to different types of wear and tear.

For linoleum, wear resistance classes are essentially a grading system that shows how much abrasion the material can tolerate. These ratings assist you in choosing the right linoleum for various areas based on usage and foot traffic. For instance, a linoleum floor in a crowded hallway will require greater durability than one in a guest room that is rarely used.

To assess each class’s durability, uniform testing conditions are used. This covers defense against dents, scratches, and general wear and tear from daily use. You can make a more informed choice and guarantee that your flooring will continue to be lovely and useful for many years to come by being aware of these classes. Understanding the wear resistance class of linoleum can help you save time and money when renovating a room or your entire house.

What does the concept mean??

Underlying linoleum’s resilience to wear is its capacity to withstand mechanical forces from the outside without sacrificing its aesthetic or functional attributes. One of the primary features of flooring is this. It determines the kind of premises where it can be applied.

One can quickly determine what level of traffic the coating is meant for by looking at the wear resistance designation.

The material is given a wear resistance class, denoted by a two-digit number, to improve the information’s accuracy. Its numbers all have distinct meanings.

What does the first digit in the name mean??

The numbers "2, "3, and "4" can be used as the first digit when designating a strength category. They intend the following:

• "2". This is the lowest type of wear resistance. It means that the material cannot withstand heavy loads. It cannot be installed in rooms where a large flow of people is expected, as.To. this may lead to damage to the integrity of the coating. But even under normal operating conditions, such linoleum can last a maximum of 10-15 years. After this it will need to be replaced. This flooring is suitable for apartments and small private houses, provided there are no children or pets in them. Material marked “2” is not resistant to sharp objects. Even heels can leave a noticeable mark on it. The main advantage of such materials is their low price. Because of this, they are considered one of the most common.
• "3". This is an average level of wear resistance. He is transitional. This material is much stronger than the previous version. Under normal operating conditions, it can last up to 20-25 years. He is no longer so afraid of sharp objects and high mechanical loads. Some models can effectively resist the effects of aggressive chemicals. The cost of such models remains not very high. They are suitable for small offices and cafes. In apartments they are installed in “difficult” places (kitchen, hallway, etc.). The variety of models allows you to choose a coating to suit any room design.
• "4". This is the best and most durable material. It can withstand loads even from equipment. This makes it possible to install it in industrial workshops and warehouses. Some models can even be laid in rooms adjacent to the street (for example, an open balcony). The strength of the material is such that even if a burning match or cigarette falls on it, it will not cause any harm to it. This coating can last 30-35 years even under extreme operating conditions.

Premises-based separation consists solely of suggestions, not of explicit laws. For instance, installing industrial-grade material (No. 3) in typical apartments has become more common in recent years. Its strength and high level of fire resistance are the reasons for this. Additionally, its service life is doubled.

Value 2 digits

The second digit in the designation clarifies the conditions for which the floor covering is intended, assuming that by the first digit buyers generally understand what kinds of premises the material is intended for:

• "1". This figure means that the coating is intended for standard conditions, with potentially low load.
• "2". The coating can withstand medium loads.
• "3". Can withstand high loads.
• "4". This figure can only be found in semi-commercial linoleum (No. 34). It indicates that the material can be used in conditions close to extreme. This coating is similar in many of its characteristics to commercial coating (No. 41-43).

Both laminate and linoleum belong to the same wear resistance classes.

Selecting the ideal flooring for your residence or place of business requires an understanding of linoleum wear resistance classes. These classes help you choose a product that will last longer in high-traffic areas by indicating how resilient and durable the linoleum is against wear and tear. Understanding the distinctions between residential, commercial, and industrial grades will help you make an investment in flooring that will last for a long time and meet your unique needs.

Description of all categories

One can ascertain the material’s durability and intended purpose by adding the first and second digits of the wear resistance designation.

1. "21". This class is suitable for apartments and private houses inhabited by 2-3 people and no pets. It is considered the lowest quality in existence. But even in apartments it is recommended to install it in those rooms where the load on the flooring is minimal. These are mainly bedrooms. It is better to avoid using this material in children"s rooms. A small child may inadvertently damage it. In all other rooms, class 21 linoleum can be used as a maximum temporary flooring.
2. "22". Suitable for medium traffic areas. These are mainly living rooms. It is better not to use class 22 linoleum if pets live in the apartment. They can unintentionally damage the material with their sharp claws.
3. "23". This is the most durable linoleum of the household model. It can be used in apartments where 5-7 people live with pets. In an ordinary house, such material is laid in high-traffic areas. These are mainly hallways. However, if there are often many guests in the house, it is better to give preference to linoleum of a higher wear resistance class, since.To. even such models cannot withstand intense mechanical loads, not to mention the effects of aggressive chemicals. We should also not forget that flooring for domestic use does not have a high fire resistance class. Accordingly, you should be careful with heating devices and open fire in such rooms. Popular brands of household linoleum are: Tarkett Stimul Rigard, Komitex Lin Harmony Hilton and JT Avanta Karuzo 3.
4. "31". Although this class already belongs to the category of semi-commercial, its characteristics are not much superior to household models. Therefore, it is used only in rooms with a not very high degree of traffic. These are mainly hotel rooms (for 3-5 people) or private offices in offices.
5. "32". A more durable class that is suitable for medium traffic areas. This type of linoleum can be seen in school classrooms and retail outlets. It can withstand significant loads, including sharp objects. T.e. in the room where such a covering is installed, it is possible not only for a large number of people to be present, but also for the installation of numerous heavy furniture. At the same time, linoleum will not lose its decorative and performance qualities throughout the entire period of use declared by the manufacturer.
6. "33". This class is intended for premises with a high degree of traffic. It is laid in corridors and large shopping centers. A number of models have a high fire safety class. This makes it possible to use the material on routes to emergency exits and in rooms where explosive materials are stored.
7. "34". This linoleum is intended for rooms where the flooring experiences extreme loads. It can be seen at airports, railway stations, etc. According to its characteristics, such linoleum is very close to industrial grades, but at the same time it is less expensive. Popular brands of coatings of classes 31-34: Tarkett Magia Viva, Top Exstra, Alex-3 LUX.
8. "41". This linoleum belongs to the industrial class, but its wear resistance is not very high. Therefore, it is chosen for small repair shops, where people work primarily in a sitting position. However, its strength allows it to withstand short-term impacts from the wheels of light equipment.
9. "42". This material is distinguished by its increased strength. It can be seen in workshops where people work standing, and where equipment of various weights periodically enters.
10. "43". This is the most durable flooring available. The range of its application is unlimited. It can even be used outdoors. This type of linoleum is used in large production workshops and warehouses. It has a high degree of fire resistance and antistatic properties. This makes it possible to install it even in large laboratories and research centers where a lot of electronic equipment is located. This coating is distinguished by its durability. It can last up to 35 years.

Well-known commercial linoleum 41–43 brands include Granit SD Tarkett, Altro, and Forbo Marmoleum Real.

Types of abrasion

1. F. This letter indicates low quality. It is assumed that during the stated service life the thickness will decrease by 0.5-0.6 mm. T.e. on thin sheets the base will simply be exposed and holes will appear.
2. R. In this class the thickness is reduced by 0.4 mm.
3. M. Thickness becomes 0.3 mm smaller.
4. T. These are practically indelible models. During their operation, the thickness of the material decreases by 0.05-0.08 mm. T.e. it is impossible to notice changes with the naked eye.

Factors unrelated to the abrasion class assessment should be excluded. For instance, linoleum will wear off more quickly if it is exposed to chemicals or tiny stones from shoes on a regular basis.

Which one is better to take?

The circumstances in which linoleum will be used impact the selection:

1. Domestic. If a small family lives in an apartment and there are almost no guests, you can opt for a cheap 21 class. But it should not be placed in “difficult places” like the kitchen. No. will fit here 22. If a lot of people with pets live in the house, the best options are linoleum 23 class or semi-commercial models.
2. Semi-commercial. For your personal account you can get by 31 class. For a retail outlet – 32. If linoleum needs to be laid in a corridor where a lot of people walk – 33. 34 class suitable for large shopping centers and train stations. You can rarely see it in other rooms. This is due to the high cost of the material.
3. Commercial. It all depends on the load on the floor covering. If it"s not high, you can get by 41 class. However, for premises where equipment is constantly visiting, it is better to choose models 43 class. They are the most expensive, but also the most durable.

Low-load rooms can be equipped with resilient linoleum. Avoid doing the opposite whenever possible.

Why is it important to know the features?

Acquiring knowledge of flooring classes and markings can aid a person in "not getting lost" when making product selections in a store. Many people are afraid of unknown numbers and letters, and sellers occasionally are unable to clarify what they mean. It is therefore preferable to comprehend the classification prior to visiting the store.

Having an understanding of classes will aid in selecting the best one. After all, he will need to replace the floor covering entirely in two to three weeks if he installs carpet in a production workshop with heavy traffic. And more time and money have been wasted on this.

If someone chooses not to install the coating themselves, being aware of the classes can help shield him from dishonest contractors. A person will be able to tell right away if someone offers to lay class 21 carpet at the airport in an attempt to save money or, conversely, make money—that is, to deceive him. This kind of coating has a short lifespan.

Useful video

Further details regarding the courses shown in the video:

It’s critical to comprehend the significance of linoleum wear resistance classes in terms of performance and durability. These groups, which normally span from 21 to 34, show how resilient linoleum is to wear in various conditions.

Lower classes, like 21 and 22, work well in bedrooms or other low-wearing residential spaces where there is less foot traffic. In areas with higher traffic volumes, such as hallways or kitchens, they might not hold up as well.

Classes 23 and 24 are advised for areas with moderate to high traffic. While class 24 linoleum is intended for heavier commercial use, such as offices or retail spaces, class 23 linoleum is sufficiently durable for the majority of residential and light commercial settings.

Choosing the right wear resistance class for linoleum guarantees longevity and preserves its appearance under typical circumstances. Based on the intended location and use of the linoleum, this classification system assists professionals and consumers in making well-informed decisions.

Video on the topic

The best wear resistance class of laminate! What"s the difference for an apartment?? Differences! What to choose?

Wear resistance class of linoleum

Wear resistance class of linoleum

7 – Wear resistance class of linoleum