Bestlaminate Blog Expect More Form Your Floor®
When shopping for vinyl flooring, all of the terms can be hard to keep track of! One question that gets asked most often is, what is the wear layer of vinyl flooring? This is a very important question to consider when purchasing vinyl flooring.
So What is the Wear Layer?
Put simply, the wear layer is the top surface that provides the durability, stain and scratch resistance of vinyl flooring. The wear layer is usually a clear, urethane based coating that keeps the original appearance of the floor and provides easy maintenance. With new technology, some vinyls now offer added UV or durability layers on top of the wear layer for even more surface protection.
Wear layers range from 4 mil to 40 mil. Mil is an Imperial measurement meaning thousandths of an inch. The wear layer will usually be recorded in mil, but it can also be shown in millimeters (mm), or both.
An example: 40mil or 1.016mm. Just keep in mind, this is two ways to express the same wear layer thickness, these are not two separate measurements!
Which Wear Layer Measurement is Best?
To decide on the best wear layer, you will need to determine the usage of the flooring. If you have pets, kids, or there is a lot of foot traffic in your home or workplace, you should opt for a thicker wear layer.
In short, the thicker the wear layer, the more durable the floor. If you have a space that will need a high resistance to scratches and wear, a higher wear layer, such as a 12 mil or 20 mil, would be best for your application.
Commercial vinyl flooring applications will usually require a 20 mil top layer.
If you have more questions on which wear layer is right for you, our flooring specialists are available at 1-800-520-0961!
Hi Bev, Yes, a 12mil wear layer vinyl would be good for any residential property including a kitchen. Yes, you would be able to install over linoleum as well. Warranties vary by the manufacturer, but typically it is about 20-25 years.
Would a wear layer of 12ml be good to withstand kitchen usage? Can this be installed over existing linoleum? Generally what is the warranty on most LV flooring with a 12ml wear layer? Thank you very much.
Hi Jill! You would have to check with the manufacturer’s specs. The sound ratings you will be looking for are IIC and STC ratings. The floors attached underlayment will also typically have a sounds rating as well. You can chat with our agents here for more information: Chat with our Customer Service Reps Here!
Hi
Love the comments !
I want to install in bedroom / hallway area. Have seen 5mm + 1 mm pad and 12 wear layer. Would you say this would be quiet for the floor below and a comfy walk ? It will be placed on plywood.
Oh and I have a dog.
Hi Caroline! A wear layer of 0.35 is equivalent to 13 mil. This durability will be great for any residential space!
Hi
The vinyl flooring I’m looking at has a wear layer of 0.35. Is that good?
Hi Nana, thanks for the question. We do not recommend installing a floating floor over another floating floor. You will need to uninstall that flooring and install on the subfloor.
can I install vinyl flooring over exiting plank floating floor of about 1300 sq. ft.?
Hi Pamela, thanks for the question. I would go with anything above 12 mil.
Hi Pamela, thanks for the question. I would go with anything above 12mil.
What wear layer should i get for sheet vinyl for kitchen hallway and laundry room has a door we use for outdoor so would be used alot! Thank you!
Hi Krystal, we are not familiar with this product, sorry!
Hi Joan, thanks for the question. With large spaces, we typically recommend a glue down installation. You can float the flooring as well, however, you will need to add a transition piece every 30ft. I’d recommend going with glue down – it will still be commercial and you won’t have any issues with gaps or buckling, especially with moving chairs and tables.
Question regarding Fuzion Smart Drop Elite 9 loose lay vinyl planks. Are you familiar with this product? I am thinking of using it throughout my house and needed input. Thanks,
We are looking to do a clubhouse about 2,300 square feet in size. Would you recommend a floating vinyl plank floor or a glue down? I know we want a commercial wear of 12 mil but does the wear layer apply to glue down floors also? I like the look of the floating floor as opposed to glue down, but there will be a lot of moving chairs and tables on floor and need a durable vinyl. Also want a waterproof tile. Been going back and forth between the two types and am very confused now. Also is there such a thing as luxury glue down wood look flooring?
Any help is appreciated.
Hi Massimo, yes this is a very high durability tile that should feel very comfortable under foot.
Hi Alarna i am thinking of doing my hole house in Kenbrock cushion stone vinyl tiles wich are 5mm thick and a wear layer of 0.55 is that 21mm .Is this good.Thankyou
Hi Rhonda, what type of vinyl is this? It sounds like it could be sheet vinyl. Honestly, it is a thin and not super durable material. The wear layer would be suitable for low traffic areas. If you don’t have much movement in the house, it would be an option for you. If you want a longer lifetime out of your floor, I would recommend going with a floating file plank.
Ive seen some vinyl flooring that shows it to be 55 gauge & 10 mil wear layer. Is this pretty good flooring? I have dogs but they are older lazy dogs & no kids at home.
It is 1.10 mils.
I was shown 110 gauge sheet vinyl. What is that in mils??
Hi Ron, this is a lower mil wear layer, but since you will have limited usage, it should be fine for your application. It will still be durable and waterproof.
I am looking at purchasing a Rigid Core vinyl plank product that is 4 mm thick and has a 6 mil wear layer.
My application is a laundry room and a basement washroom. There are only two adults in the home and both of these locations would see limited traffic.
Is the 6 mil wear layer likely to be sufficient for my application?
Hi Pamela, thanks for the question. We typically see floating vinyl put in residential homes, but if it is a large, open space – such as a basement, we usually recommend a glue down. With a floating floor, you have more options for underlayment and comfort under foot. Thickness isn’t as important as the wear layer mil. I would recommend going with a rigid core vinyl that will give you a stable feel, but maybe not as thick. You can find up to 8mm, but 4mm+ with a rigid core is completely fine. Rigid cores with attached underlayment are very comfortable under foot and very durable. You can shop our SPC vinyls here: https://www.bestlaminate.com/vinyl-plank-flooring/search-by-construction/spc/ and our WPC vinyls here: https://www.bestlaminate.com/vinyl-plank-flooring/search-by-construction/wpc/. Feel free to give us a call at 800-520-0961 if you need some more help!
Hi Jill, thanks for the question. We do not recommend using anything with waxes or polish in it, especially a product not designed for flooring. We have had many people reach out with issues when they use polish cleaners and finishers.
We are just now installing our vinyl flooring. Someone told me that a polish such as Armoral would help protect them and make them a little more glossy. Do you think that is a good idea to use armoral?
I need some sound advice on vinyl plank flooring. Whole house. We have dogs, and live in country. This is a new house, first flooring to go down. I have been about these floors, till my eyes are crossing. I was told 8mm 20mil, but it is very hard to find that. The floors will be put over concrete (slab). This is our last house,a s we are going into retirement, and I want it to last and be beautiful. I am also confused about which is best, glue.or locking, and I see alot of different opinions about underlaying/pad. I dont want creaking, want comfortable. Please help me with some good, clear advice. also need waterproof.
Thank you so much for your help.
Pamela
Hi Stephanie, this is not a floor we sell, so I cannot give you any thoughts or feedback on the actual product. With a 12 mil wear layer, you should be good! It is a light commercial grade.
Hi, I am shopping for some LVP for my whole house approx. 1300 sq ft total. We have 2 dogs and love the fact that LVP is fully waterproof. What we have picked out is Primco Estates Signature Mix which is a total thickness of 4.5mm and 12 mil wear layer. Do you think this would be scratch resistant enough or do you have any comments on the product? It comes with a lifetime residential warranty. Thanks
Hi Donna, thanks for your question. With typical floating LVT floors, you may see some gaps with a lack of heat due to the planks expanding and contracting. If you go with a glue down vinyl, you shouldn’t have any issue. For a floating vinyl that will not move with temperature changes, look for a WPC or SPC construction. These are engineered vinyls with less chance of movement.
Hi,
Is there ever a reason because of heat or lack of heat to NOT install Vinyl Planks. I heard it would not work but I do not understand that I have cushion flooring in an area where it is usually quite cold in winter. Thank you.
Hey Todd! We always recommend using a vinyl floor which is 100% waterproof!
What do you recommend for a kitchen? We have 3 dogs also.
thanks
Jim, this is definitely a trend that we see growing. The fact that it is 100% waterproof and looks/feels like a wood floor makes it much better than laminate!
I am planing to install flooring in a 1500sqf ranch home we r redoing,it was all carpet,was thinking about LVP florring throughout the entire house.i have installed several laminate floors in the past but never an entire home.do many peoeple do entire homes in lvp?
Hey Bell. 12 mil is actually a commercial grade durability. If it comes with a commercial warranty, I would say its good!
We are renovating a law office and are considering vinyl flooring that looks like wood. We were shown a vinyl plank by Dalcoure (diamond core lux collection) that has a thickness of 5.7 mm and a wear layer thickness of 0.3or 12 mil. Would this be durable enough or should we look for a higher mill? Thanks
Hey Russell, we list all of the wear layers of the vinyl floors that we sell! Take a look at our products.
I rarely see vinyl planking with the wear layer mentioned separately. So how do you know what you are getting?
Hi Anita, are you installing a glue-down vinyl? These are easy to install in a home, but the glue down installation comes with a few extra steps. I’d recommend going with a click vinyl that is at least 4 mm. This is the easiest installation.
Samples I have are 2.6 mm thick and seem very inflexible. Is this easy to lay in a domestic setting?