Are thicker vinyl planks better
Lucas Hayes
Updated on April 16, 2026
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.
What is the best thickness for vinyl plank flooring?
The Lowdown on LVP Thickness 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.
Does the bigger vinyl planks make it easier?
Installation is faster and easier In general, larger tiles are faster and easier to install. … With larger tiles, there is less to measure and fewer grout lines to worry about, so it ends up being an easier job.
Is thickness important for vinyl plank flooring?
The flooring’s entire thickness matters up to a certain extent. The thicker the plank or tile, the more stability it offers. So, it would be best to choose a thickness(mm) suitable for the anticipated level of traffic. For example, high traffic areas such as the kitchen or hallways will benefit from thicker flooring.How thick should Luxury vinyl be?
Testing and expert feedback reveals that click luxury vinyl tile should be at least 5 mm thick or more. Another thing to consider when choosing thicker over thinner LVT is the transitions between rooms.
Are there different grades of vinyl plank flooring?
Types of Vinyl Plank Flooring. There are three main categories of vinyl plank flooring: luxury vinyl planks (LVP), wood-plastic composite vinyl planks (WPC), and stone-plastic composite vinyl planks (SPC).
Who makes the thickest vinyl plank flooring?
Shaw also runs the gamut within high-end vinyl plank flooring. This means the cost may be a bit more but the product is premium. In fact, Shaw’s Premio and Classico lines have the most thickness – at an industry-topping 6.5mm thick.
How thick should underlayment be for vinyl flooring?
How thick should underlayment be for vinyl flooring? In general, underlayment for vinyl plank flooring will be between 2mm to 3mm in thickness although some can be as much as 6mm thick and the thinnest around 1mm.How thick should floors be?
In a typical home, the entire structure between levels can be about 12 to 14 inches thick, depending on the type of joists used and the finish materials for the floor and ceiling.
What are the disadvantages of vinyl plank flooring?- Vinyl doesn’t feel quite as comfortable to walk on if barefoot.
- Vinyl won’t look as luxurious as natural hardwood.
- Vinyl wood plank floors are not able to be refinished.
- LVP flooring if glued down can be very hard to remove if you ever want to replace.
Is wide plank flooring better?
Because wide plank is, well, wider, it tends to show more of the grain of the wood and includes more knots and imperfections. … Wide plank flooring also means fewer seams between boards and thus fewer interruptions of the natural lines of both the wood and the room.
What are the problems with vinyl plank flooring?
Problems related to vinyl plank flooring include being prone to discoloration, stains, scratches, peeling, cracking, and crumbling at the edges. There are also certain installation-related failures that you need to watch out for. These include curling, warping, peaking, and mold and mildew.
Is it better to glue or float vinyl plank flooring?
Floating vinyl plank floors are a great choice for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and bedrooms. If you are laying floors in a large and expansive area, a glue down flooring application can provide more durability. Of course, glue-down applications are appropriate for smaller rooms as well.
Does vinyl plank flooring decrease home value?
You should also keep in mind that vinyl plank and tile flooring might not increase the value of your home as much as laminate flooring. However, vinyl flooring can still make all the difference in how long your floors will last, which could be vital as we head into a more competitive real estate market.
How long does vinyl planks last?
Vinyl floors can last anywhere from 5 to 25 years, depending on their quality and how they’re installed and maintained.
Which vinyl floor is best?
- Shaw Flooring. Known for: In business for more than 50 years, Shaw Flooring is especially adept at manufacturing luxury vinyl plank flooring products in a range of styles and finishes. …
- COREtec. …
- Mohawk. …
- NuCore Flooring. …
- Home Decorators Collection. …
- Cali Bamboo. …
- Karndean. …
- Armstrong.
Is 6 mil wear a good layer?
The more MIL’s a product has the stronger the wear layer is. So, a 6 or 12 MIL product will work for your home, but not for a commercial setting. A 20 MIL product will work for your home, AND work for a commercial setting. The higher the MIL’s the higher the warranty in years, and vice versa.
Is 12 mil wear layer enough for dogs?
Usually, 12-mil is the minimum recommended wear layer thickness for residential spaces. If you have kids, dogs, or pets with sharp nails, a 20-mil wear layer thickness would be better. … So aside from the thickness of the wear layer, you should also consider the type of coating the vinyl plank floor is applied with.
How can you tell the quality of vinyl plank flooring?
When shopping for the best LVP flooring, you’ll want to make sure it has scuff, stain, and scratch resistance. Customer reviews have told us that most people love Armstrong vinyl plank flooring because it’s thicker and more resilient than low grade vinyl that you’ll typically find at a big box store.
How can you tell quality vinyl flooring?
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.
Will vinyl plank flooring scratch?
If you have pets and kids causing a ruckus in the house, vinyl does not scratch easily, chip or suffer any kind of major damage that is going to make it look bad. Cleaning and maintenance of vinyl plank flooring is easy. Sweeping or vacuuming is all that’s needed for daily maintenance.
How thick is a floor mm?
A millimeter is roughly 0.039 inches. Flooring products like Swiss Krono will state plank thickness on their packages or in their advertising by measuring the entire plank thickness — from the bottom surface that rests on the subfloor to the top of the plank.
How thick should subfloor be for laminate?
Plywood subflooring with a thickness of 5/8-inch or 3/4-inch is substantial for laminate flooring, though adding an underlayment of a thinner plywood provides additional support.
How thick should a second floor be?
Ideally, your second-story concrete flooring should be between three and four inches thick. Like we covered above, the thickness of second-floor concrete will vary depending on your home’s structural engineering, but in general, it shouldn’t need to be more than four inches thick.
What should I put under vinyl plank flooring?
The rule of thumb is any vinyl over 4mm can have a vinyl specific underlayment. With thinner vinyl flooring construction, adding a foam underlayment can effect the locking system strength. Vinyl floors under 4mm should be installed right over the subfloor.
Do you need a moisture barrier under vinyl plank flooring?
Meaning, if you’re going to install vinyl plank flooring over tile, vinyl flooring, and even hardwood. As with the plywood floor, there’s no need to worry about a moisture barrier; the underlayment should provide cushioning and sound-deadening benefits.
Should you put underlay under vinyl plank flooring?
Most vinyl flooring or luxury vinyl tiles do not require underlay. Vinyl floors are designed with a base layer, making the addition of underlay pointless. … The only time a vinyl floor may need underlay is when the surface beneath is uneven or has issues with damp.
What lasts longer vinyl or laminate?
Vinyl has a longer lifespan and better overall durability than laminate. Don’t forget to factor in your budget, however. Vinyl flooring may be more expensive than laminate flooring, especially if you choose luxury vinyl flooring.
What is the lifespan of luxury vinyl flooring?
Vinyl flooring is highly durable. If installed and maintained correctly, it can last upwards of 10-20 years. That said, vinyl is a great choice for the rooms in your house that get the most foot traffic.
Can you use a wet Swiffer on vinyl plank flooring?
YES– you can use Swiffer wetjet on your luxury vinyl flooring for cleaning activities. The Swiffer Stick mops, spray mops, vacuum cleaners are non-abrasive and won’t cause damage to LVP delicate surfaces. The Swiffer wetjet is quite an effective cleaner at eliminating old stains.
Do wider planks cost more?
In most cases, the wider planks tend to cost more than narrower planks. The main reason for this is because the wider planks are made from older growth trees which are more valuable. The wider planks means each tree produces fewer planks. … Since the planks are wider, you’ll need fewer of them to cover the space.