How to choose click vinyl flooring
Wear layer, use class, plank size, finish, click system: the criteria that really make a difference, explained simply.
Rigid vinyl (SPC): what is it?
A rigid click vinyl floor has a rigid SPC core (stone polymer composite), a printed décor protected by a clear wear layer and, on our floors, a 1 mm IXPE acoustic underlay already bonded to every plank. The planks click together without glue as a floating floor. The result is a realistic wood look that is stable, water-resistant and easy to install yourself.
1. Wear layer and use class
This is the first durability criterion. The wear layer protects the décor; the thicker it is, the more traffic the floor can take. The EN ISO 10874 standard then classifies floors by use:
| Wear layer | Class | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| 0.55 mm | 23 / 33 | Intensive domestic and intensive commercial use: every room in the house, even the busiest |
| 0.70 mm | 34 | Heavy commercial use: very busy entrances, shops, offices, or maximum peace of mind at home |
For a home, a 0.55 mm wear layer (class 33) is more than enough. Class 34 is a bonus if your floor takes a lot of traffic.
2. Plank size
- 17.6 to 18 cm wide: the classic, versatile format that also suits small rooms.
- 22.8 to 23.2 cm wide: wide planks that create a sense of space and a high-end parquet look.
- Long planks (up to 152.4 cm): fewer visible joints, a calmer floor for large rooms.
Prefer a pattern? Vinyl herringbone (60 × 12.5 cm planks) recreates the charm of herringbone parquet.
3. Thickness
Our vinyl floors are 5 mm (4 mm + 1 mm underlay), 6 mm or 6.5 mm. A thicker plank is slightly more rigid and comfortable; all of them stay thin, which is handy in renovations, for example over existing tiles.
4. The look: texture, finish and variety
- Deep wood texture: a relief that imitates wood grain.
- Synchronous texture (EIR): the relief follows the printed design exactly, for a very realistic look and feel.
- Matt finish: more natural and less prone to showing marks than a glossy finish.
- Number of different planks: from 4 to 30 designs depending on the product. The more there are, the less the pattern repeats.
5. The click system
Our floors use proven click systems (Välinge 5G-i, I4F Drop Lock): the short side locks by simply pressing down. No glue, no drying time, and the floor can be walked on as soon as it is laid. Every step is in our installation guides.
Where can click vinyl go?
In every living space: living room, bedrooms, hallway, kitchen, bathroom. In damp rooms, lay a vapour barrier first. It is not recommended in showers and areas with a floor drain, garages, saunas, around swimming pools or in unheated rooms where the temperature drops below 10 °C. It is suitable for underfloor heating, with a maximum surface temperature of 28 °C. More in our guide to vinyl in the bathroom.
