What is the best grade of vinyl plank flooring?

Author: Lane Hilpert  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 5, 2025

A 12-mil wear layer is more than enough for moderately busy areas and provides sufficient protection against wear and scratches. However, at a 22-mil wear layer, LVP offers significantly more durability and becomes suitable for high-traffic areas and commercial use.

What thickness of vinyl plank flooring is best?

For residential spaces, 4-6mm vinyl planks are ideal for balancing comfort and durability. These are perfect for living rooms and kitchens where you spend most of your time. In commercial settings, go for 6-12mm to handle the heavy foot traffic of places like restaurants or retail stores.

Are there different grades of luxury vinyl plank flooring?

The result is a durable yet flexible vinyl plank with urethane wear layer that comes in three variations based on thickness: 2mm Builder Grade that with a 12mil wear layer, 3mm Premium grade with a 20mil wear Layer, and Mission Point Plus at 5mm with a 20mil wear layer.

How do I know if my LVP is high quality?

Quality of vinyl planks is determined by thickness of the wear layer, and thickness of the plank. Thicker = better. Wear layer is the priority for measuring quality. Higher traffic spaces need higher quality vinyl.

Is 12 mil LVP better than 22 mil?

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.

Which Brand of Vinyl Flooring is Best

How long will a 12 mil wear layer last residential?

To directly answer the question, a 12 mil wear layer vinyl plank should last anywhere from 8 to 12 years. They can last even longer if you purchase a quality brand. Remember to consider the other factors mentioned to accurately gauge the overall lifespan of your vinyl plank flooring.

What is the best finish for vinyl plank flooring?

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!

What brand of luxury vinyl plank flooring is the 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.

Why does my LVP look dull?

LVP floors often look dull due to dirt buildup, residue from harsh cleaners, or excessive moisture. Regular dusting, light mopping, and using gentle products can help restore shine.

Is LVP OK for high end homes?

For some homeowners, the choice between luxury vinyl and genuine hardwood comes down to a variety of factors including budget, lifestyle, and personal taste. High-end homes may still opt for the timeless appeal of real hardwood in main living areas, while using LVP or LVT in spaces like kitchens and bathrooms.

How to pick a good luxury vinyl plank flooring?

What to Consider When Buying LVP Flooring
  1. Durability and wear layer thickness: First things first, let's talk about what's going to last. ...
  2. Style and aesthetics: ...
  3. Installation method: ...
  4. Water resistance: ...
  5. Underlayment and acoustics: ...
  6. Eco-friendliness and health: ...
  7. Core construction and added features: ...
  8. Entry-level LVP.

What are the disadvantages of luxury vinyl plank flooring?

10 Disadvantages of LVT Flooring
  • Price. ...
  • Artificial Looks. ...
  • Low Repair Potential. ...
  • Difficulty to Remove. ...
  • Limited Durability. ...
  • Discolouration. ...
  • Weatherproofness. ...
  • Harsh Underfoot Feel.

Is a 12 mil wear layer enough for dogs?

A thick wear layer significantly improves the durability of your LVT flooring. With dogs around, floors can get scratched and damaged quickly. A 12 mil wear layer offers decent protection, helping the floor last longer even with pets.

Does LVP need underlayment?

If you're laying the LVP over an existing cushion-backed vinyl floor or a below-grade tile floor, you won't need to use an underlayment. However, you'll want to use one in every other application, including covering existing hardwood floors, uncushioned vinyl flooring, and concrete floors.

Is 5mm LVP too thin?

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.

Do I need 20 mil wear layer vinyl plank 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.

Can you use a Swiffer on vinyl floors?

Our Swiffer Wet cloths are designed with a pH close to neutral. As well, these cloths have been tested to be safe for use on vinyl plank flooring.

Does vinegar damage LVP?

Yes, you can use vinegar as a natural and effective cleaner for vinyl plank flooring. Mix one cup of white vinegar with one gallon of warm water to create a gentle cleaning solution. Vinegar helps to dissolve dirt and grime without leaving behind residue.

What is the best flooring to not show footprints?

Berber Carpet

Berber carpet's low profile and dense construction make it the best carpet type for all-around resistance to stains, wear, and footprints. Because its fibers are short, thick, and tightly packed, it resists matting and compacting better than high-pile carpets.

Which is better, Shaw or COREtec?

Both products have great reviews, great features, and a hefty price tag. So which is better: COREtec or Shaw Floorté? The winner's probably going to depend on your needs, but COREtec is really hard to beat here—especially because Shaw shares so few details about Floorté's actual specifications.

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.

What to consider when buying vinyl plank flooring?

How To Choose Vinyl Plank Flooring
  1. Determine Plank Thickness. One fundamental consideration to keep in mind is the plank thickness while choosing an LVP. ...
  2. Determine Wear Layer. ...
  3. Choose the Best Color. ...
  4. Consider Embossing and Texture. ...
  5. Examine Your Lifestyle. ...
  6. Don't Forget Your Budget.

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.

Do high end homes use vinyl plank flooring?

Do builders use luxury vinyl in high end homes? Hardwood flooring is typically the most popular choice for high end homes. However, some extremely discerning customers request vinyl, particularly if they have children, due to its increased durability.

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