20-Mil: Understanding LVP Wear Layers for High-Traffic Protection
When you walk into a Macco’s showroom looking for Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), you’ll likely hear our experts talk about “mil thickness.” While the overall thickness of the plank is important for comfort, the “mil” rating refers specifically to the wear layer—the clear, protective top coat that sits above the photographic image. For homeowners in Sheboygan or Appleton, where winter road salt and summer sand are constant companions, understanding this metric is the difference between a floor that lasts five years and one that lasts twenty-five.
What is a “Mil” Anyway?
A “mil” is a thousandth of an inch. It is not the same as a millimeter. In the world of LVP, the wear layer is your floor’s armor. It protects against scratches, scuffs, and stains.
Why 20-Mil is the Wisconsin Gold Standard
While you can find quality LVP with 6-mil or 12-mil wear layers in many big-box stores, these are often better suited for light-traffic areas like guest bedrooms. At Macco’s, we strongly recommend a 20-mil wear layer for the main living areas of any Wisconsin home. A 20-mil layer is considered “commercial grade.” It is thick enough to withstand the abrasive nature of the grit and salt tracked in during our long winters without wearing down to the pattern layer.
Defending Against Road Salt and Grit
In Sheboygan, road salt is a necessity for safety, but it’s a nightmare for floors. Salt crystals are sharp and chemically aggressive.
Hardness and Scratch Resistance
A 20-mil wear layer, often reinforced with ceramic beads or aluminum oxide, provides a surface hardness that resists the scratching caused by these minerals. This is particularly important for pet owners, as a thicker wear layer also provides the best defense against pet claws. When you invest in a higher mil-rating, you are essentially buying a longer “showroom life” for your floor.
Value Beyond the Price Tag
While a 20-mil floor might have a slightly higher upfront cost, its value is unmatched. Because it resists wear so effectively, you won’t find yourself replacing the floor due to “dull spots” in high-traffic hallways. At Macco’s, we focus on providing flooring essentials that match your lifestyle and your budget over the long term.
Explore Durable LVP at Macco’s
Ready to see the difference that a high-quality wear layer makes? We invite you to Contact us or visit us at our locations in Green Bay WI, Sheboygan WI, Marinette WI, Appleton WI, Schofield WI, Sturgeon Bay WI, or Janesville WI. At Macco’s Floor Covering Center, our goal is to provide our customers with genuine old-fashioned family service backed with honesty and integrity. We create inspiration to express yourself with a distinguished collection of designer choices and flooring essentials to match any lifestyle, even if your style includes an eye to the bottom line.