If you are comparing laminate floors you will see “AC4” or “AC5” on almost every box. The label is useful — when it is used for the right product and backed by a test. Here is what it measures and how to use it.
What the AC class measures
AC stands for abrasion class. It comes from the European laminate standard EN 13329, which tests how well the hard surface layer of a laminate resists wear. In the main test, a rotating abrasive wheel grinds the surface until the printed decor starts to show through; the number of revolutions it survives, together with impact, stain and other tests, places the product in a class.
- AC3 — suitable for all rooms in a home, including busy living areas, and light commercial use such as small offices.
- AC4 — busy homes and general commercial use: offices, boutiques, cafés with moderate traffic.
- AC5 — heavy commercial traffic, such as department stores and public buildings.
The scale stops at AC5. There is no AC6 class in EN 13329, so a box or website quoting one is describing something the standard does not define.
Use classes: 23, 32, 33
You may also see a two-digit “use class”. The first digit is the setting (2 = domestic, 3 = commercial) and the second the intensity (1 = light, 2 = general, 3 = heavy). A laminate rated AC4 / class 32 suits heavy domestic and general commercial use. These classes are a more complete guide than the AC number alone because they combine several tests.
Why SPC and vinyl don’t use AC ratings
AC classes are defined for laminate only. SPC and vinyl floors have a clear PVC wear layer instead of a melamine surface, and they are classified under different standards — use classes such as 23, 33 or 34 (EN ISO 10874), and the thickness of the wear layer in millimetres. For SPC, a quick guide:
- 0.3 mm wear layer — most homes
- 0.5–0.55 mm — busy family homes and light commercial
- 0.7 mm and above — heavier commercial
So when an SPC product claims an AC class, ask which standard and which lab tested it.
Does a higher class always mean better?
Not necessarily for a home. An AC5 surface resists abrasion better, but it does not make the core more water-resistant, the joint stronger or the floor quieter. For most Indian homes an AC4 laminate on a good 8 mm or 12 mm board, installed on a flat subfloor with an underlay, is a sensible choice. Spend the difference on a good installation.
How to check a claim
- Ask for the test report: the lab, the report number and the date.
- Check that the report names the same product (decor and thickness).
- Look for the use class alongside the AC class.
On Vantafloor laminate pages, the AC class is shown only when the EN 13329 test report is published with the product; otherwise the page says “Spec sheet on request”. Browse our Studio Laminate collection or compare floors in our type comparison.