What is the thickness of the vinyl plank flooring?
1) Wear Layer
A wear layer provides the vinyl flooring’s durability, stain-resistance, and scratch-resistance. The wear layer impacts the floor’s durability the most and it’s measured in mil, which is one-thousandth of an inch.
Vinyl flooring with higher wear layers provides more resistance to damages like scratches and dents, but these options are usually more expensive than others. This means that if you want more durability and last longer, then choose a vinyl flooring that’s around 12 mil to 20 mil. It’s suggested to have a wear layer of at least 12 mil for residential spaces and 28 mil for commercial spaces.
2) Subfloor
The subfloor refers to what’s underneath your flooring. For example, it’s enough to choose a thinner kind of vinyl flooring for houses and buildings with cement subfloors. This is because your subfloors are already sturdy enough and don’t need the extra support from the flooring. However, if the property has subfloors like hardwood, you would need the extra support from thicker options.
It’s also important to install new floors on even, clean, and dry subfloors to guarantee its durability and quality. You may also need to place a moisture barrier for vinyl plank flooring.
3) Backing Layers
Backing layers are also an important part of vinyl flooring that you have to consider. Different kinds of flooring are made of various cores and bottom layers which all contribute to its durability, quality, and other special functions.
Here are some of the kinds of backing and core layers and their differences:
Stone Plastic Composite (SPC): SPC is made from calcium carbonate (limestone), polyvinyl chloride, and plasticizers. It’s a slightly more affordable option that’s dense and rigid. SPC is also water-resistant and its density makes it less susceptible to different kinds of damage.
Waterproof Core (WPC): WPC is made from polyvinyl chloride, calcium carbonate, plasticizers, a foaming agent, and wood. Compared to SPC, it’s more expensive but it’s able to retain more warmth. WPC is also free of phthalates, water-resistant, less dense, and has a resilient underfoot.
Recyclable Materials: Aside from SPC and WPC, some manufacturers may use recyclable materials to create the core of the vinyl flooring. This is a great option for people who are looking for more eco-friendly options, but it doesn’t provide the same durability as SPC or WPC.
4) Protective Coating
A protective coating is the floor’s final layer, and it’s traditionally made from acrylic coatings or wax. Urethane coating lasts ten times longer than acrylic coating and provides more stain resistance and easier maintenance.
There are also different kinds of urethane coating available on the market. Some coatings are now produced and engineered with more advanced materials, such as enhanced urethane coatings. This option contains aluminium oxide which provides the floor with more protection against wear and damages. Though urethane coatings are more long-lasting, they still need to be reapplied every 2-3 years for maintenance purposes.
5) Foot Traffic
Vinyl flooring is the foot traffic inside the room or area where the tiles are going to be installed. If the area has high foot traffic, then definitely choose a thicker flooring with a high wear layer.
Residential houses usually don’t have high foot traffic, but rooms like the kitchens or bathrooms may need thicker flooring with a high wear layer. Since kitchens or bathrooms are rooms where people use the most water, they are prone to moisture and can be subject to more damages.
Types of Vinyl Flooring
With many options of vinyl flooring to choose from, it may be difficult to pick the right kind to install. Different types of vinyl flooring provide various characteristics that can help you in picking the best kind of flooring for your home or space. Below is a table that outlines the differences between different types of vinyl flooring:
Kind of Flooring:
- Vinyl Plank
How It’s Sold - Vinyl planks are sold per piece and usually resemble the look of natural wood.
Installation - Vinyl planks are installed plank by plank.
Cost- The average cost is around $1.89 to $2.19 per square foot.
- Vinyl Sheet
How It’s Sold - Vinyl sheets usually come in 6 to 12-foot rolls.
Installation - Vinyl sheets usually are usually glued down and would need more experienced people for their installation.
Cost- The average cost is around $.50 to $1.50 per square foot.
- Vinyl Tiles
How It’s Sold - Vinyl tiles have the same characteristics as vinyl sheets, but the sheet is cut into smaller pieces.
Installation - Vinyl tiles are a better option for those who want to install the flooring on their own. This kind of flooring is installed piece by piece using a glue-down or a peel-and-stick-method.
Cost- The average cost is around $1.50 to $3 per square foot.
- Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)
How It’s Sold - LVT is sold in multi-ply planks or tiles and is more durable than other kinds of vinyl flooring.
Installation - Luxury vinyl tiles are usually installed using click-lock edge joints.
Cost- The average cost is around $2 to $7 per square foot.
Vinyl Flooring at Ayatrio Flooring
It’s important to choose a vinyl flooring that’s best suited to your needs and lifestyle. Here at Ayatrio Flooring, we offer different kinds of high-quality vinyl flooring to remodel your home. Our team of artisans is here to assist and answer any questions you have about our products and services.
Ayatrio Flooring also provides in-home shopping and virtual shopping with video calls and our Product Visualizer Tool. We promise excellent service Get in touch with us today to know how we can find the perfect flooring for you.
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