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.
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.
The overall thickness of your vinyl floor is generally a less important specification since it has little to do with durability (the wear-layer thickness is what determines how long the floor will last). That said, overall nominal thickness does matter in one specific case: Click flooring.
12 Mil Wear Layer of Vinyl Flooring
However, a thicker wear layer like 20 mil will be more durable and longer-lasting, so it might be a better option for busy residential situations, homes with pets, or young children. 20mil wear layer vinyl plank floors are also better for low and medium-traffic commercial spaces.
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.
Measured in mils, generally speaking, the lifetime of a wear layer is one year per mil.
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.
Maintenance and Longevity
In general, you can rely on vinyl flooring to last anywhere between 10 and 25 years. A lot of it comes down to how well you look after the flooring, but there are some other factors. How in-use the floor is, for example, and who - or what - is walking all over it day by day.
This depends on the level of traffic in a particular area. Residential flooring with moderate traffic may benefit from a wear layer of 6, 8 or 12 mil, while commercial flooring prone to high traffic may need a wear layer of 20 mil or thicker. The thicker the layer, the more expensive the floor will be.
Choosing the appropriate wear layer thickness for high foot traffic areas is important to ensure the durability and longevity of your vinyl flooring . Generally, the best wear layer thickness for high foot traffic areas ranges from 20 mil (0.5 mm) to 40 mil (1 mm).
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.
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.
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.
The short answer is no. No underlay is required for a vinyl floor is you are installing your new floor on a smooth surface. Similar to laminate flooring, the most modern vinyl floors are laid using a click technique, giving a new form to the term; 'a floating floor'.
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.
For a short time after installation, vinyl flooring emits what is known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These are gasses that can have a long-term impact on your health and are also dangerous for the environment. They can be especially hazardous to those with respiratory problems.
Your design style and room size may dictate the size of the planks. Wider luxury vinyl planks provide a more modern tile feel and are excellent for larger or wider rooms.
How thick of a wear layer you choose should be based on how high or rough your foot traffic may be from household members and guests to pets. Residential projects with foot traffic in an entryway or households with pets should stay in the 12-mil to 20-mil range, while lesser-used areas could handle a lower wear layer.
As mentioned earlier, the 12 mil wear layer is ideal for moderate-traffic spaces. However, if your space experiences high foot traffic or heavy use, you may want to consider a vinyl plank flooring option with a thicker wear layer (20 mil or higher) for improved durability.
Keep in mind that the wear layer thickness is measured in mil, which is one thousandth of an inch. This is not a millimeter, so don't get confused. At a minimum, you should choose a wear layer that is at least 12 mil, but if you have an active family or pets, it should be at least 20 mil.
Vinyl flooring with higher wear layers provides more resistance to damages like scratches and dents, but these options are usually more expensive than others. This means that if you want more durability and last longer, then choose a vinyl flooring that's around 12 mil to 20 mil.
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.
While costs are similar, the value of premium vinyl far exceeds that of laminate based on quality and value. Unlike laminate, premium vinyl is durable and stable, resistant to moisture and climate, and is easy to install and maintain. Laminate is restricted to light traffic and low moisture applications.
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.