The level of wear on a vinyl plank is measured in mil one thousandth of an inch a mil is not the same as a millimeter as roughly 40 mil equals 1 0 mm 39 4 mil to 1 mm to be exact.
Engineered flooring with thickest wear layer.
In the photo below the top sample carries the trafficmaster allure branding and is 3 8mm thick with a 4mil wear layer.
The biggest factor is the top layer called the wear layer which is generally 2mm thick though 3 or 4mm are also popular.
Due to our heavy 5 8 mm veneer or what many call the wear layer this type of engineered can be refinished as many times as a solid hardwood floor.
Hardwood should be longer.
The veneer is a slice of wood usually about a 1 8 inch 3 18 mm thick glued to the plywood base.
This type of board will have a wear layer of around 8mm.
Thicker wear layer longevity.
Most vinyl and laminate planks for example are around 4 to 6 feet long.
A thicker layer is more resistant to scratching and denting.
Better quality flooring tends to have the highest wear layers but is more expensive.
Let s say that a 14mm thick engineered oak flooring with 3mm oak wear layer costs 23 00 per m2 whereas a 15mm thick flooring with 4mm wear layer costs 25 00 per m2.
A 3 16 wear layer compared to an industry standard of 1 12 to 1 8 offering the same thickness of sanding available as a solid floor without sacrificing the stability in an engineered platform.
The sawn face can be sanded and refinished as many times as a standard 3 4 solid hardwood floor and these planks are built for stability and durability.
An engineered floor with a 3 millimeter top for instance can handle two refinishings.
The length of the boards are what makes the quality of the entire build.
Thicker top layers can be sanded just like solid wood allowing you to erase deeper scratches and dents.
It s slightly thicker at 4mm with an 8mil wear layer while the bottom sample is shaw matrix at 3 2mm thick with a 6mil wear.
When it comes to deliberate erosion of the wear layer of your floor how often you sand will be what determines your floor s lifespan.
Floors with a wear layer less than 2 millimeters thick can tolerate a light scuff sanding with a buffer.
Other thinner veneer products on the market today mention the same but in reality it is rarely possible.
They make engineered hardwood flooring by laminating a solid hardwood veneer on top of a plywood base or similar material.
To put this into context if you imagine a solid wood flooring board that is 2cm thick with a tongue and groove construction.
You may first think that the 14mm product is the better purchase and will save you money but.
Examples of engineered flooring with the thickest wear layers vintage hardwood flooring solid sawn offers a sawn face wear layer of 4mm.