The most common thickness of LVP used in common households is 12 mil, but if your household is fairly active, or has a number of pets, a higher thickness is recommended – such as 20 mil. Most thicker planks, such as 28 mil, are used for commercial rather than household installations.
In this case, the thicker the plank/tile, or sheet, the sturdier it is. The rule of thumb is to use 4mm to 6mm thickness in heavily used areas of the house and 4mm and below for areas like the bedroom.
Laminate ranges from 6-mm to 12-mm and, as a rule, it shouldn't be less than 8-mm. If, however, budget is an issue and if your subfloor is level and debris-free, you might be able to get away with 7-mm; keep in mind that subfloor imperfections can telegraph to the surface floor, so make sure it's okay.
Choose a thickness of 5 mm (0.20 in) or more for the highest quality. The thickest vinyl planks can be anywhere from 5 mm (0.20 in) to over 8 mm (0.31 in) thick. These planks cost the most, but they are also the most durable and usually look the most like real wood.
Additionally, consider thicker planks are a good choice in areas with heavy items occupying them, whereas thinner planks are suited to areas with low traffic. And, because thinner planks usually cost less, they're a good option for those on a tighter budget.
The most common thickness of LVP used in common households is 12 mil, but if your household is fairly active, or has a number of pets, a higher thickness is recommended – such as 20 mil. Most thicker planks, such as 28 mil, are used for commercial rather than household installations.
To reiterate, the thicker the wear-layer, the longer your floors will last and look great. If durability is crucial (and if you are opting for vinyl over laminate or wood then it probably is), then you now already have enough information to make an informed decision.
The most important thing to remember is that the wear layer, not the thickness, determines durability. Having said that, thickness is a crucial consideration. We discovered that the majority of low to mid-range lines fall within the 5mm to 6.5mm range. Collections of high-end luxury vinyl planks are 8mm thick.
Luxury vinyl planks range in thickness from 2 mm to 4 mm to 8 mm and above for higher quality products. Thinner versus thicker products require certain subfloors and will also be installed differently and discussed in more detail below.
Measured in mils, generally speaking, the lifetime of a wear layer is one year per mil.
Urban subway tiles can give the sense of opening up the most miniscule area. The thick black lines between the subway tiles give the illusion that the kitchen is bigger.
Go with Light Colors
Light colors are more reflective than dark colors and they will make your kitchen appear bigger as well as more open and airy. Light blues, greens, or pale yellows are other great colors to make your space look larger than life.
Big tiles make a room look bigger – it really is that simple. Stone floor tiles are usually available in large sizes. These are easy to install, and in a tiny kitchen, these add a big dollop of design and a space-enhancing illusion.
Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and vinyl roll (also known as sheet vinyl), are both suitable for kitchen floors. They're durable, moisture-resistant, and easy to clean and maintain. Kitchen spills and splashes from cooking and washing up are no problem for vinyl's durable and water-resistant surface.
“For heavy foot traffic areas such as living rooms and kitchens, I recommend getting vinyl plank flooring with an enhanced urethane finish,” Lewis says. “They have a high-gloss look and are damage-resistant.” However, for lower traffic areas, no-wax finishes are best, she says.
From a distance, both types of flooring even look similar. Neither type of flooring is better than the other across all categories. Vinyl flooring is best in high-moisture areas and it's easy to keep clean. Yet laminate flooring offers a wider variety of style choices and has a higher resale value.
Wear Layer Thickness
The thicker the wear layer, the better the overall quality and the longer the flooring will last. Pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations for the wear layer. As a rule of thumb, 8 mil is a good choice for a residential area with moderate traffic.
Experts in the flooring industry agree that 20 mil vinyl plank flooring is a reliable choice, especially for high-traffic areas. In commercial spaces or busy households, this flooring option can last for decades, ensuring an excellent return on investment.
It doesn't exactly match up to Millimeters but think of MIL is a layer. So, 6 MIL's has 6 coats of the wear layer applied. 12 MIL has 12 coats, 20 MIL has 20 coats, etc.
4mm vinyl plank flooring offers several benefits over other flooring materials. Firstly, it is incredibly durable and resistant to scratches, moisture, and wear and tear. It is also easy to install and maintain, making it a popular choice for busy households and commercial settings.
Larger planks aren't only meant for large spaces. They can help transform even smaller rooms into a more spacious feel faster. That's because the bigger planks cover more ground than your typical luxury vinyl tile so that you'll have fewer individual planks to install.
It will likely wear well for many years. Vinyl plank flooring comes in different thicknesses. Many of the thicker vinyl flooring versions may offer warranties on the product for as much as 25 years, while a thinner vinyl choice can last between 5 and 10 years, depending on use.
In recent years, LVT (luxury vinyl tile) has established itself as one of the toughest surfaces in the flooring world. Major manufacturers, including Armstrong (with their Diamond 10 Technology), Shaw, Mannington and Congoleum have embraced its durability, stability and wide range of design options.