If you plan to install LVP flooring in high-traffic commercial spaces or areas in your home, a thicker wear-layer is recommended. A 20 mil wear-layer or higher is ideal for maximum protection. For residential spaces with moderate foot traffic, a 12 mil wear-layer should suffice.
The 20-22 mil thickness can actually withstand commercial environments. Choose flooring with a middle or higher wear layer if it will be in a high-traffic area of your home. A thinner thickness will be fine if the room in issue is unlikely to have substantial foot traffic. 12 mil works just fine in residential homes.
12 mil is generally accepted as a good residential wear layer. 20 mil is typically a commercial grade.
20 mil is fine. I had a similar question when I was researching LVP for a remodel at my duplex, and the consensus was most people were comfortable with a minimum of 12 mil for a rental, and I decided to go with 20 mil for extra protection/durability. 40 mil seems excessive.
Are you looking for a better way to care for luxury vinyl? EPIC High-Performance Floor Finish, a water-based urethane, serves as an ideal solution for all of your vinyl floor care needs. Simply put, there is no better sealer for LVT(Luxury Vinyl Tile), LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank), and Sheet Vinyl!
Our recommendations for wear layer are that you should choose 12mil for normal residential applications. In particularly high traffic residential and commercial applications we recommend 20 or 22mil wear layer. In our experience anything over 22mil only makes sense for high volume commercial projects.
The most common term for vinyl, “mil” (not to be confused with millimeter) is a unit of measurement equal to one thousandth of an inch. Therefore, a 20 mil liner thickness is equal to 20 thousandths of an inch.
While there might be concerns about 5mm Luxury Vinyl Flooring being too thin, its durability depends more on the wear layer than the overall thickness. For example, a 5mm flooring option with a 0.5mm wear layer provides ample durability for most residential applications.
For the best product, look for click-lock planks that are made with a thick, premium base layer and feature a 20mil wear layer or greater.
High-quality vinyl plank flooring, such as that from Vidar Design Flooring, typically features a wear layer thickness of at least 20 mils. This ensures the flooring can withstand heavy traffic and maintain its appearance over time. Thicker wear layers provide better protection and longevity.
Most vinyl plank flooring manufacturers specify the maximum allowable underlayment thickness, typically ranging from 1mm to 3mm. It is crucial to follow these guidelines to avoid voiding the warranty or causing damage to the flooring.
What Is the Wear Level for LVP? The wear rating of LVP flooring should be around 12 to 20 mils for residential use. The higher the mils, the better the protection from scratches, scuffs, spills and other everyday wear and tear. Our LVP flooring options range from 6 to 20 mils.
High-Traffic Areas: Opt for LVP with at least 20 mils of wear layer thickness. Moderate-Traffic Areas: A minimum of 12 mils is recommended for areas like living rooms and offices. Low-Traffic Areas: Bedrooms and guest rooms can have LVP with around 6 mils of wear layer thickness.
LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) and LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) are two different types of luxury vinyl flooring. LVT is vinyl flooring designed in a tile shape, whereas LVP is vinyl flooring designed in planks to resemble traditional hardwood floor planks.
Wear layers from 0.5mm to 1mm would be used in commercial areas such as schools or hospitals where there'd be more foot traffic so would provide more sturdiness. Thinner wear layers from 0.2mm and above would be most suited in homes where there's lighter foot traffic.
Generally, for residential areas, a vinyl plank thickness of 5 to 6 millimeters is suitable. For areas with a significant amount of heavy foot traffic or pets, a 20 mil wear layer thickness is recommended. Ultimately, the choice of thickness should provide durability and comfort for the users.
Subfloor should be flat within a tolerance of 1/8” over a span of 4 feet. Any unevenness over 1/8” must be sanded down or filled with a floor leveler.
Wear Layer Thickness
Thicker wear layers typically result in a higher AC rating because they offer better protection against daily wear and tear. For example, an AC4 floor may have a thicker wear layer than an AC2 floor, making it more suitable for commercial environments or high-traffic areas in a home.
The thickness of Lifeproof Vinyl Plank Flooring ranges from 6mm to 8mm. It has the best-resistant layer and protects the floor from any wear and tear. Its wear layer is around 22mil, which saves it from scratches or stains.
The more MIL's a product has the stronger the wear layer is. So, a 6 or 12 MIL product will work for your home, but not for a commercial setting. A 20 MIL product will work for your home, AND work for a commercial setting. The higher the MIL's the higher the warranty in years, and vice versa.
Regardless of the type of liner that you purchase, we recommend that you replace it every 4-9 years. Now, we understand that 4-9 years is a pretty wide range of time.
If your flooring is waterproof, you can use a wet Swiffer safely, and can get a deeper clean than you'll get with a dry mop. Make sure that you use pads that feature a neutral household cleanser, rather than any harsh chemicals that could damage the flooring.
How Much Weight Can Vinyl Plank Flooring Withstand? A single vinyl plank can handle up to 500 pounds of weight. Of course, it's important to note that most heavy appliances, like a refrigerator, are much larger than a single vinyl plank.