Is a 20 mil wear layer good in vinyl flooring?

Author: Bernita Kuhlman  |  Last update: Monday, November 17, 2025

Durability and Longevity Vinyl plank flooring with a 20 mil weastains, dents, and water damage. This, in turn, translates to a longer lifespan than competing flooringr layer offers increased protection against daily wear and tear, making it highly resistant to scratches, options such as laminate or hardwood floors.

Is 20 mil good for vinyl plank flooring?

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.

What is the best wear layer thickness for vinyl flooring?

If you plan to have your new floor installed on a solid, level, smooth and dry concrete pad, then you won't need the thickest wear layer of vinyl that's available. But if you have an uneven subfloor in a space that's going to go through a lot of high traffic, the best range to get would be between 12 mil and 20 mil.

What mil is good for vinyl flooring?

12 mil is sufficient for most applications. If you're laying it down in a bedroom or something with lower traffic, then you may be safe with as low as 6 mil. 20 mil is better suited for people with kids, animals, or heavy traffic areas. Above 28 mil is typically used in commercial spaces.

Which is better, 12 mil or 20 mil?

Contact First US Floors

By choosing 20 mil SPC flooring over 12 mil, you'll benefit from increased durability, enhanced longevity, better resistance to stains and scratches, greater value for your investment, and a flooring solution that's well-suited for high-traffic areas.

The Difference Between Luxury Vinyl SPC Thickness & Wear Layer

How long will a 20 mil liner last?

There's no guarantee that a 30-mil liner will last for the full 15 years and a 20-mil one will only last for 5 years, but there is a positive correlation between liner thickness and longevity.

What is the best grade of vinyl plank flooring?

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.

How thick should underlayment be for vinyl flooring?

If too much cushion is beneath the vinyl planks, the locking system and joint integrity will be compromised. Most vinyl underlayments are 1mm to 1.5mm thick. When dealing with a click lock vinyl of 4mm or thicker, an underlayment has several benefits: It can help smooth over minor subfloor imperfections.

What quality vinyl flooring should I look for?

Which type of vinyl flooring is the most durable and long-lasting? Luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) is generally considered more durable and long-lasting than its counterparts. It's usually thicker with a robust top layer that can withstand wear. Additionally, higher-quality options are water resistant.

Is 20mm flooring good?

20mm engineered wood flooring distinguishes itself with its robust thickness, making it highly durable and suitable for high-traffic areas. Its quality competes with solid wood flooring but at a more affordable cost, making it a preferred choice for both residential and commercial use.

Which area would luxury vinyl with 20mil wear layer be best suited for?

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.

What brand of LVP is best?

2025's Top Picks: Best Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Brands Reviewed
  • #1 Proximity Mills.
  • #2 Canopy Floors.
  • #3 Liberty Home.
  • #4 Doma.
  • #5 Newton.
  • Honorable Mentions.
  • #6 Armstrong.
  • #7 Mannington.

Are thicker vinyl better?

180 gram vinyl records are stronger and more durable, so they tend to last longer and resist breakage. Because they are stronger, 180 gram vinyl records also resist warping better than records of conventional weight. (Warped, or bent, records can distort the music pressed upon them and cause the stylus to jump/skip.)

What is the best wear layer for vinyl flooring?

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.

What is the difference between LVT and LVP?

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.

How can you tell if vinyl is high quality?

Make sure you look at the vinyl in good lighting to see minor scratches on the surface. If a scratch is deep enough to feel with your fingertip, you are likely to hear it during playback. Also, make sure to check on the quality level of the lead-in grooves and the dead wax.

What are the disadvantages of luxury vinyl plank?

Cons: LVP May Fade in Direct Sunlight

This inconsistency in appearance detracts from the overall visual appeal of the flooring and limits where it can be installed in the home. Furthermore, fixing faded portions of a floor often means replacing those areas, which adds to its overall cost over the long-term.

What is the most popular LVP in 2024?

Top 5 Vinyl Plank Flooring Trends for 2024
  1. Authentic Wood and Stone Looks. Southwind – Authentic Plank. ...
  2. Textured and Embossed Finishes. Titan Surfaces. ...
  3. Wide and Long Planks. Mannington Luxury Vinyl. ...
  4. Bold and Unique Patterns. Shaw Luxury Vinyl. ...
  5. Enhanced Durability and Sustainability. Pergo Luxury Vinyl.

How thick is 20 mil vinyl flooring?

20 Mil Wear Layer of Vinyl Flooring

A 20 mil wear layer and 0.5mm wear layer are both measurements of thickness for a vinyl flooring wear layer. 20 mil is equal to 0.508mm, which is slightly thicker than 0.5mm.

Do I need a moisture barrier under vinyl plank flooring?

Typically, moisture barriers are needed when vinyl flooring is installed on top of a concrete subfloor or crawl space. Please refer to the manufacturer guidelines, installation instructions, and warranty information for more details.

Is felt or foam backed vinyl better?

Choosing between felt or foam-backed vinyl flooring ultimately comes down to personal preferences, alongside the specific needs of the space where it will be installed. Felt-backed vinyl offers an enhanced underfoot experience that's warm, comfortable, and forgiving of minor subfloor irregularities.

What is the difference between 12 mil and 20 mil vinyl plank flooring?

The difference between them is that the wear layers on the 20 mil vinyl plank floorings are thicker.

How can you tell if a vinyl floor is good quality?

Wear resistant is one of the key standards to judge whether the flooring quality is good or not. And the wear layer thickness is also important, the thicker the wear layer, the better the quality. Good quality vinyl floor is durable, scratch resistant, long lasting.

What should you not use on vinyl plank flooring?

Vinyl Flooring “Don'ts”
  • Never use steel wool or abrasive scrubbers to clean your vinyl floor.
  • Avoid using detergents, soaps, abrasive cleaners or products intended to add shine to your floors. ...
  • Don't use wax or solvent-based polishes.
  • Don't use ammonia or ammonia-based cleaning solutions.

Previous article
Can I leave the freezer door open to defrost?
Next article
What is the hardest paint color to cover?