How Thick Should Vinyl Plank Flooring Be? A Buyer's Guide
Thickness is the spec people fixate on when they shop for vinyl plank, usually assuming thicker is simply better. It is more complicated and more useful than that, because thickness describes two different numbers that do two different jobs, and buying on the wrong one is how people overpay or end up with a floor that feels hollow.
In simple terms: overall plank thickness affects how solid the floor feels and how well it hides an imperfect subfloor. The wear layer, a separate number, affects how long it lasts. You need to read both, not just the big number on the front of the box.
Overall thickness: feel and subfloor forgiveness
Overall plank thickness is measured in millimetres and typically runs from about 4 mm at the thin end to 8 mm and beyond. A thicker plank, especially a rigid stone-core plank, feels more solid and quiet underfoot and bridges minor dips in the subfloor better. A thinner plank costs less and installs fine over a flat, well-prepped base, but it telegraphs imperfections and can feel less substantial. If your subfloor is old or uneven, a thicker rigid core forgives more.
Wear layer: the number that sets lifespan
The wear layer is the clear protective top surface, measured in mil, and it is completely separate from overall thickness. One mil equals 0.0254 mm, so a 12 mil layer is about 0.3 mm and a 20 mil layer about 0.5 mm. A thick plank with a thin wear layer wears through sooner than a thinner plank with a thick wear layer. For durability read the mil: 12 mil for a normal household, 20 mil for pets and heavy traffic, more for commercial. If you are asking does vinyl plank scratch, that mil number is the answer, not overall thickness.
Core type matters as much as thickness
Rigid cores, often labelled SPC for a stone-based composite or WPC for a wood-based one, behave differently from a flexible plank. SPC is denser, more dimensionally stable, and more dent-resistant, and it handles temperature swings near big windows better, which suits a sunroom or a floor over radiant heat capped around 27 to 29 degrees Celsius. WPC has a foamed, wood-based core that is a little softer and warmer underfoot. A rigid core at a given thickness generally outperforms a flexible plank of the same thickness.
The verdict: For most homes, a rigid-core plank around 5 mm to 6.5 mm with a 12 mil to 20 mil wear layer is the sweet spot. Go thicker in core if your subfloor is uneven, and higher in wear layer for pets or heavy traffic. Match both numbers to the room, not the marketing.
We list overall thickness, core type, and wear layer as real specs on our vinyl products, so you can compare on the numbers that matter. Our in-house crews in Mississauga and Barrie will also tell you honestly whether your subfloor needs the thicker core or whether a flatter prep job gets you there for less.
Frequently asked questions
How thick should vinyl plank flooring be?
For most homes, a rigid-core plank around 5 mm to 6.5 mm with a 12 mil to 20 mil wear layer is the sweet spot. Go thicker in the core if the subfloor is uneven and higher in the wear layer for pets or heavy traffic.
Is a thicker vinyl plank always better?
No. Overall thickness affects feel and how well the floor hides an uneven subfloor, but the wear layer sets how long it lasts. A thick plank with a thin wear layer wears out sooner than a thinner one with a thick wear layer.
What is the difference between plank thickness and wear layer?
Plank thickness is the whole board in millimetres, usually 4 to 8 mm, and affects rigidity and comfort. The wear layer is only the clear top surface in mil, where 1 mil is 0.0254 mm, and it determines durability. Read both.
What is the difference between SPC and WPC vinyl?
SPC has a dense stone-based core that is more rigid and dent-resistant and handles temperature swings well. WPC has a foamed wood-based core that is a little softer and warmer underfoot.
See it in person at either store
Bring your room measurements and our team will walk you through the right floor and quote supply and install with our own in-house crews.
700 Dundas St E, Unit 3-4, Mississauga • 112 Saunders Rd, Units 1-4, Barrie