What MM Thickness Do I Choose When I Buy Vinyl Flooring?

Vinyl plank flooring is available in a number of thicknesses ranging from 2mm to 8mm+ thick. When you buy vinyl flooring it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you.

Just as laminate flooring, the thicker the floor, the sturdier it is, but this is not the main factor in determining durability. When choosing a vinyl flooring thickness, there are a few things to consider. Keep reading to find out what questions to ask.

Vinyl Flooring Thickness

Vinyl flooring comes in thicknesses ranging from 2mm to 8mm+. The biggest factor to keep in mind is that the thickness does not determine durability – the wear layer does. With that said, the thickness is an important factor to consider. There are several important questions you must ask yourself when deciding which thickness will be right for you:

·Where am i installing?

·Will there be a lot of foot traffic in this area?

·What type of subfloor do I have?

·What condition is my subfloor in?

·What type of vinyl do I have?

As a general rule, a thicker vinyl will provide more stability and comfort underfoot. So if you are looking for flooring to refresh your low traffic bedroom, a thinner vinyl plank flooring will work great for you. For areas that have more traffic and usage, such as entryways and hallways, you will want to choose thicker floor.

Type of Vinyl

With new advances in the vinyl industry, there are several types of vinyl floors that will impact your decision when it comes to thickness and durability. There are basic LVT’s and there are new, engineered vinyls. Floors with an engineered rigid core construction will have a more dimensionally stable core than a standard LVT.

With the rigid core constructions, you can find floors from 4mm to 8mm+. Although a rigid core vinyl may be 4mm, it will have a solid construction, which differs from the bendable LVT. When it comes to a rigid core vinyl, thickness isn’t as much of a factor, since the core is constructed with durability in mind.

Vinyl Flooring Wear Layer

The durability of vinyl plank flooring is determined by the wear layer. When shopping for vinyl plank flooring, pay also attention to the wear layer. Just like the thickness, the thicker the wear layer, the more durable the floor will be. Make sure to choose features of the flooring that’s right for you and your application, using the same questions posed above.

The wear layer is the protective coating on top of the decorative layer of the vinyl flooring. The most popular is a urethane-based layer that protects the floor against scratches, stains, and scuff marks. The wear layer keeps the original look of the floor longer, providing a maintenance-free finish.