Remember, though, that thinner floors may need to be replaced more often. Of course, product with a thicker wear layer typically costs more, so check if a higher-quality wear layer works within your budget. A 40-mil wear layer is equivalent to 1.0 mm. A 28-mil wear layer is equivalent to 0.7 mm. A 20-mil wear layer is equivalent to 0.5 mm. A 12-mil wear layer is equivalent to 0.3 mm. For commercial projects, stick with a 20-mil to 40-mil wear layer for the best protection possible.įor better comparison, a 4-mil wear layer is equivalent to 0.1 mm. 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. 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. Wear layer vary in thickness from 4 mil to 40 mil. Wear layers are measured in mil, or a thousandth of an inch, not to be confused with mm, or millimeters. The thickness of the wear layer is not to be confused with the thickness of the plank. The bluish-grey luxury vinyl flooring features a matte finish and a 5-mil wear layer. MSI’s Kardigan luxury vinyl plank from the Cyrus series is a perfect example of the wear layer coating controlling the sheen. Plus, with advances in technology, some coatings include UV protection, too, just one of the luxury vinyl flooring benefits that helps keeps floors in tip-top shape. The clear coating provides further protection, keeps your floors looking fresh, and controls the desired sheen for the finished product. This serves as the first line of defense against scratches before wear-and-tear begins to show on the actual wear layer. Many manufacturers incorporate additives like aluminum oxide, ceramic beads, or nylon beads into the wear layer’s coating. On top of the wear layer is typically a clear, urethane-based coating with some sort of additive, although there are some products on the market that don’t include an extra coating. And, the thicker 20-mil wear layer means that you can provide different levels of texturizing for this soft mocha flooring. When you have a strong variation of color and pattern like you do with MSI’s Hatfield luxury vinyl planks from the Andover series, then you know it’s going to contain plenty of embossing to enhance the beautiful wood-look style. The wear layer is what makes the vinyl flooring care and maintenance so simple and easy, too! The embossing can also help to provide some slip resistance as opposed to a solid, slick surface. Some vinyl flooring may only have a few grooves per plank, while others may have lots of texture across the top, all depending on the look and style of the LVT or LVP. The wear layer is often textured or embossed to give it a more realistic look. The various coffee tones in this LVP with 6-mil wear layer contrast beautifully with the warm grey tones and minimal décor. Now that you understand what a wear layer is, you can see how important it is to protect the design, like in MSI’s Reclaimed Oak® Luxury Vinyl Planks from the Katavia series. In fact, it’s the only thing stopping spills and scratches from damaging the paper print film that showcases the beautiful wood- or tile-look designs. The clear wear layer is made up of virgin or recycled PVC or vinyl and serves as the main protection of the flooring. Some planks may or may not include an attached backing underneath the core depending on the install type. The wear layer then covers the print design that sits on the vinyl core. Luxury vinyl plank flooring consists of several layers, starting with the top wear layer with or without a coating. In this guide, you’ll learn what makes up a wear layer and why it matters most when it comes to your new luxury vinyl floors. Choose wisely because this critical component protects the print design of your vinyl from daily wear-and-tear to more serious damage. What is it, you ask? Well, besides loving the look of your new luxury vinyl plank flooring, this top layer is one of the most important features of your floors. One of the most common questions about luxury vinyl flooring is about the wear layer.
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