Vinyl Flooring Thickness

[Zachary LaJoye]

I’ve searched the forums and can’t find anything this specific so if this is redundant, I apologize. I’m getting ready to start a rehab on a duplex I just bought and I’ve been getting quotes on flooring. Each unit has an upstairs kitchen, large dining room and downstairs living room which I’ve decided to use vinyl planks on. After looking at Home Depot and Lowes, I’m trying to decide if the thicker vinyl planks are worth the extra $1ish per sq ft. Here’s what I’m looking at: 1) Allure Traffic Master. $1.69/ sq ft. 3.8mm thickness. 2) Lifeproof. $2.99/sq ft. 6.5 mm thickness. Does anyone prefer to go with the thicker vinyl? If so, why? Also, does anybody have any experience with vinyl flooring and stairs? Which products would you recommend? I’m willing to spend a little more on the stairs if it will last. Thanks.

[David Fernandez]

Hi @Zachary LaJoye,

When looking at LVP, there are different aspects to consider, the top 3 from me are:

1. Installation type: glue down, click, floating, etc. I prefer click system. Glue down is cheaper (material), but more expensive to installs and, if not done correctly, they can peel. 

2. Wear layer: this is what tells you how resistant your floor is, not the thickness of the plank. I prefer 5mm (20 mil) and I would not go below 3 mm (12 mil). 

3. Thickness: The overall thickness of your vinyl floor is generally a less important specification, since it has little to do with durability (the wear-layer thickness is what determines how long the floor will last). However, if you go with a click system installation, ~5 mm thickness seems to be the best option for this type of installation. 

Another tip, if you like how it looks, going with a textured surface helps hide some of the scratches that your tenants will inevitably cause. 

Here’s a good link about LPV: https://www.flooret.com/vinyl-basics/

Good luck!