Flooring Selection for Hotels and Commercial Spaces: A Guide by Use Class

In hotels and commercial buildings, flooring is chosen by use class before aesthetics. For lobbies, corridors and restaurants with heavy foot traffic, the widely accepted approach is commercial class 32 and 33 under EN 13329, with abrasion resistance at AC4 or AC5 level in laminate. In calmer areas such as guest rooms, class 31 and AC3 are often enough.

What is a use class and why is it the first criterion?

A use class is a standardised rating that defines the type of space and the traffic intensity a floor covering can handle. It is organised in two main groups, domestic and commercial, where the first digit describes the type of space and the second digit describes the traffic load. In domestic settings, classes 21, 22 and 23 are common, while commercial projects usually work with 31, 32 and 33. In laminate flooring, this classification is accompanied by an AC value that expresses abrasion resistance. AC3 suits moderate use, AC4 marks the entry level for commercial use, and AC5 is preferred for reception desks, corridors and restaurants that see continuous movement. Thickness alone never proves durability. The wear layer, the locking system and the density of the core board must be assessed together. In a commercial project, choosing the wrong class does not only spoil the appearance. It triggers early replacement, operational downtime and the cost of closing areas section by section. For this reason the technical specification should state use class, point load resistance and reaction to fire class side by side.

How are hotel areas matched to the right class?

Not every hotel space carries the same load, so zone based matching works far better than fitting the whole building with a single product. The following distribution is common in practice:

• Lobby and reception: Suitcase wheels, point loads and grit carried in from outside call for class 33 and AC5 level products.
• Corridors: Traffic arrives at every hour of the day, so class 32 to 33 is planned together with an acoustic underlay offering high sound absorption.
• Guest rooms: Traffic is more predictable here, so class 31 with AC3 to AC4 is sufficient in most projects.
• Restaurants and cafes: Liquid contact is a constant risk, so water resistant surfaces and tight locking geometry come to the front.
• Meeting and ballroom spaces: Movable furniture traffic makes impact resistance and surface hardness the deciding factors.

Another point to watch in this matching exercise is colour and decor continuity between zones. Using different classes from the same collection prevents visual breaks at thresholds and transitions. The approach She Parquet follows in hotel and residential projects is built on protecting exactly this sense of continuity from the entrance through to the furthest room.

Laminate, engineered wood or SPC in commercial spaces?

All three materials can serve a commercial space, but the choice shifts with budget, moisture risk and the level of natural texture required. Laminate flooring delivers high abrasion resistance at a reasonable cost, which makes it the most frequently selected solution for large areas such as hotel corridors and guest rooms. For more technical detail, the content in the laminate flooring articles section is a good starting point. Engineered wood carries a genuine timber top layer, so it is the choice of those seeking a natural look in upper segment lobbies and suites, and depending on the thickness of that layer it can be sanded and refreshed for a long service life. Details on this topic can be reviewed in the engineered flooring articles. SPC flooring, thanks to its mineral filled structure, offers an advantage in wet zones and service corridors. Surface repair, spare stock and continuity of supply should also enter the decision. If the same decor cannot be sourced a few years later, local repair becomes impossible.

Pattern and format: plank or herringbone?

Pattern selection directly changes the perceived size and character of a space. Long plank formats strengthen the sense of depth in narrow, elongated volumes such as corridors, they are quicker to install and they generate less waste. Collections like Aston Louis Plank Laminate Flooring are typically preferred for these large area applications. Herringbone, on the other hand, creates a strong architectural statement in prestige areas such as lobbies, restaurant entrances and boutique hotel salons. Because the pattern depends on symmetry, workmanship must be more meticulous and both cutting time and offcut rates rise. When evaluating Aston Louis Herringbone Laminate Flooring options, the guide on herringbone flooring models, prices and installation is a useful reference for installation details and cost items. Readers who need a general framework for comparing product specifications can turn to how laminate flooring selection should be made. For examples at hotel scale, the Bomanti Rotana and Wanda Vista Hotel references can be reviewed.

Subfloor preparation and installation criteria

In commercial projects, most failures come not from the product but from gaps in the preparation stage. No installation should begin before screed moisture is measured. On cement based screeds, the threshold widely accepted in the sector is 2 percent by weight or below using the CM method. On anhydrite screeds this figure is lower and the manufacturer instruction governs. Surface flatness is equally critical. Measured with a two metre straight edge, the accepted deviation is in the order of millimetres. Where flatness is not achieved, locking systems are strained and separation or squeaking appears over time. Expansion gaps along walls and around columns are mandatory, and in large volumes intermediate expansion profiles are planned at defined intervals. With underfloor heating, the floor surface temperature is advised to stay below 27 degrees. Heating should be brought up in stages and the material must be acclimatised on site for a sufficient period. She Parquet treats these checks as a standard step in the pre installation process.

Maintenance, renewal and the total cost balance

In commercial spaces the right decision is measured by total cost of ownership rather than square metre price. Using a product one class lower in a high traffic lobby may look like a saving in the short term, yet it increases how often the floor must be renewed and creates revenue loss for every room or salon kept out of service. On the maintenance side, the basic rules are to avoid excessive water and to use pH neutral cleaning products. Creating a matting zone of adequate length at entrances reduces the amount of sand and grit reaching the surface and noticeably extends wear life. Felt pads under furniture legs are close to mandatory in restaurants with heavy chair movement. Keeping indoor relative humidity balanced across the seasons lowers the risk of gapping and swelling. Setting aside a proportion of spare material at the start of the project allows later local repairs to be completed quickly and seamlessly. In the She Parquet project approach, spare stock planning is treated as an inseparable part of the work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which use class is required in a hotel corridor?

Hotel corridors take uninterrupted traffic throughout the day, so commercial class 32 or 33 products are recommended. In laminate flooring, AC4 is accepted as the lower limit for abrasion resistance, while AC5 is a safer choice where corridors connect to reception and lobby areas. A high absorption acoustic underlay is a useful complement for comfort.

What is the difference between AC4 and AC5?

The AC value is a rating of the surface resistance to abrasion, and AC5 is suited to higher traffic density than AC4. AC4 serves medium and high intensity commercial areas, while AC5 is preferred for lobbies, shops and restaurants with continuous pedestrian movement. The choice should follow the daily number of users in the space.

Is herringbone suitable for a hotel lobby?

Herringbone is often chosen for prestige areas such as lobbies because it creates a strong architectural effect. However, the symmetry of the pattern lengthens installation time and increases cutting waste, which is reflected in the budget. When installed with a product of the correct use class, it is no less durable than plank formats.

Can laminate flooring be used with underfloor heating in commercial spaces?

Yes, laminate products stated by the manufacturer as suitable for underfloor heating can be used with these systems. It is recommended that the floor surface temperature does not exceed 27 degrees and that heating is brought online gradually. Selecting an underlay with appropriate thermal conductivity also matters for efficiency.

How much spare material should be kept for a project?

Setting aside a defined proportion of spare material for future local repairs is common practice in commercial projects. Spares kept from the same production batch allow replacements without any difference in colour or texture. They should be stored flat, in dry conditions with balanced humidity.