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What is a Mil Wear Layer?

What is a flooring mil wear layer?

 
A mil wear layer is 1/1000th of an inch. It is similar in thickness to a standard household trash bag.
 
It is used to measure the thickness of the protective surface on a luxury vinyl plank or LVP floor.
 
For comparison, a credit card has an estimated wear layer of 30 mil.
 
At Lifestyle Floors our minimum standard is 12 mil.
 
For reference a commercial grade floor typically starts at 20 mil plus.
 
We often select floors based on color and style but understanding wear layer will help you make the best flooring decision for your home.

 

If you have any flooring questions, we are your local Colorado Springs flooring resource.

DIY FLooring Colorado Springs

The Best Flooring for DIY Projects

Many homeowners tackle home improvement projects to save money or because they enjoy remodeling.
  1. LUXURY VINYL PLANK (LVP) Vinyl plank flooring is a popular choice for homeowners that enjoy renovation projects because LVP can be cut without using a saw. All that is necessary is a sharp utility knife. This makes LVP a top choice for DIY projects.
  2. LAMINATE Laminate flooring is another great option. Laminate flooring is a harder product and must be cut with a saw during installation.
LVP and laminate are both good options for homeowners because they are floating floors. They do not require nails or glue. There is other information that will help your project look great and hold up over time.
  1. Floor prep – you must install a floor on a level surface in good condition.
  2. Baseboards – removing the baseboards will allow the flooring to have a finished look and since LVP and laminate are floating floors they need some extra room under the baseboards to move.
  3. Underlayment – some laminate flooring is manufactured with underlayment attached to the back of the board. Check the install instructions and purchase underlayment if necessary.
  4. Transitions – planning out your transitions will help ensure you have the correct materials to finish the job and stay on budget.
There are many other things to consider when selecting and installing your own flooring. The knowledgeable staff at Lifestyle Floors is always available to answer your questions and help you with your flooring needs.  
Laminate Flooring Benefits

7 Benefits of Laminate Flooring

7 Benefits of Laminate Flooring

Why do people choose laminate flooring?

Knowing the different options in flooring helps you make the best decision for your home.

  1. HARDNESS

    Laminate flooring feels similar to hardwood under your feet.

    Laminate flooring is harder to scratch than luxury vinyl plank floors.

  2. DURABILITY

    Many laminate floors are water resistant. (There is a difference between water resistant flooring and waterproof flooring. You can evaluate how you will use your flooring to make the best decision for your home. If you are looking for a waterproof flooring, one option to consider is a waterproof luxury vinyl plank.)

  3. COLOR & STYLE

    Laminate flooring comes in a wide variety of styles and colors to coordinate with your decor. In our Colorado Springs showroom, we carry hundreds of the latest styles as well as a range of traditional styles.

  4. COST

    Laminate flooring is less expensive than hardwood or engineered hardwood flooring. The cost is similar to luxury vinyl plank flooring.

  5. EASY TO CLEAN

    Cleaning is simple, sweep and dry mop. NEVER wet or steam mop a laminate floor. Each floor manufacturer will provide a detailed list of cleaning and maintenance information.

  6. MAINTENANCE

    Clean as above and do not drop heavy objects on flooring.

    Use furniture pads when moving furniture.

  7. EASY TO INSTALL

    No gluing or nailing. The planks are cut lengthwise with a saw and fit together snuggly. Lifestyle Floors offers full installation if you do not want to tackle the installation yourself.

PRO TIPS:

  1. Level Floors – a level floor will help your floors hold up and look great. We offer floor leveling when needed.

  2. Space Under Baseboards – a laminate floor is a floating floor and having a little space under the baseboards for movement will help your floors look great over time. Baseboards should be removed before installation when possible and re-installed after completion.

If you have any flooring questions, we are your trusted Colorado Springs resource.

laminate and vinyl plank floors

What is the Difference Between Laminate and Vinyl Plank Floors?

What is the difference between Laminate and Vinyl Plank Floors?

It can be difficult to tell the difference between laminate and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) floors.

While the products look virtually identical, there are many key differences.

Both types of flooring are made in a wide variety of colors, designs and quality. Knowing the differences can help you select the best flooring for your home and avoid regrets.

Construction

The biggest difference between laminate & LVP is in the construction. LVP is a vinyl product. The vast majority of LVP (including the LVP we carry at Lifestyle Floors) is waterproof. It can be installed in the entire home including bathrooms and kitchens.

Laminate flooring is a wood-based product. Some laminate floors are “water resistant.” At Lifestyle Floors we care about the longevity and practicality of the flooring we sell and we only carry “water resistant” laminate floors. Since standing water can damage “water resistant” floors over time we encourage our clients to consider how much water the floor will be exposed to before selecting.

Hardness & Thickness

Laminate floors are typically thicker and have a more rigid feel. If you are looking for a floor that is softer to walk on an LVP is a good option.

Impact Resistance

All flooring can be dented and scratched, even cement. Typically, a laminate floor is harder and more impact resistant than a LVP.

Most people want to prevent scratch marks on their floors. One option that can reduce scratch marks is to select a floor with a thicker wear layer.

We use the term “scratch resistant,” not “scratch-proof” because we want to help our customers understand how to select a quality floor for their lifestyle and protect their floors.

Heat

If a floor gets direct sunlight from a window, especially a southern facing window, the floor may increase in temperature. Vinyl floors are particularly susceptible to expansion under direct sunlight or heat. The floor can potentially deform. A laminate floor is more stable but can still respond to temperature and humidity changes.

It is recommended to use blinds or window coverings to protect both vinyl and laminate floors.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Let’s be honest, we all want an indestructible floor. However, the best protection is basic cleaning and maintenance to help your floors look beautiful long-term.

We recommend similar care for both laminate and LVP floors.

  1. Use furniture pads when moving furniture and refrain from dropping heavy objects on the floors.

  2. Sweep and dry mop with a neutral PH hardwood cleaner.

  3. Steam mopping can damage a laminate floor and we recommend refraining from steam mopping LVP floors as well.

Both laminate and LVP floors are good options for homes in Colorado.

We welcome you to visit our showroom or call 719-203-4094 to talk with a design specialist and discuss all your flooring projects in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Family Owned Flooring Store Colorado Springs

Family Owned and Operated Flooring Store in Colorado Springs

Family Owned Flooring Store Colorado Springs
Matt & Jenny and boys

Flooring Runs in the Family

Matt started installing floors when he was 14 with his father. He helped his father and quickly learned how to install all types of flooring. As an adult, Matt opened his open company Rial Exquisite Floors where he served the Colorado Springs area and started a family.

$100 OFF your project when you allow   us to visit your home for a FREE measure and consultation. Simply click the box.