Flooring Thickness Explained LVP • Laminate • Hardwood • Carpet
Typical thickness ranges for common flooring materials, explained clearly with comparison tables and FAQs. Reference-only: no installation instructions or product recommendations.
Flooring thickness commonly ranges from ~2 mm to ~20 mm depending on the material. Thickness can influence feel and sound, but “thicker” isn’t automatically “better”—construction and top layers often matter more.
Thickness comparison table
| Flooring type | Typical total thickness | Protective / top layer | Notes (plain-English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| LVP / Vinyl plank | ~4–8 mm (common consumer ranges) | Wear layer often listed in mil (e.g., 6–20 mil) | Total thickness includes core + backing; wear layer is separate from total mm. |
| Laminate | ~7–12 mm | Protective overlay (not typically listed in mil) | Often HDF core; thickness affects feel, but surface layer quality matters too. |
| Engineered hardwood | ~10–20 mm | Real wood veneer (thickness varies) | Often described by total thickness + veneer; construction varies widely. |
| Solid hardwood | ~18–20 mm (common) | Solid wood through-body | Typically marketed by thickness and species; surface is the material. |
| Carpet (material only) | Varies by style and pile height | Face fiber + backing | Total “feel” depends heavily on pad and density, not just pile height. |
Quick explainers
What “flooring thickness” actually means
For hard-surface floors, thickness usually refers to the material’s total height from top to bottom (often listed in mm). For carpet, “thickness” is less standardized because the overall feel depends on pile height, density, backing, and pad.
Why thicker isn’t always “better”
Total thickness can change how a floor feels underfoot and how it interacts with sound, but durability often depends more on the surface/protective layer and core stability. Two floors with the same total thickness can perform very differently.
Wear layer thickness (LVP) in plain English
Many vinyl floors list a wear layer thickness in mil. A mil is 0.001 inches. Wear layer is a separate spec from total thickness — it’s the clear protective surface layer that helps resist wear.
Wear layer: common ranges (reference table)
Manufacturers describe wear layers differently. The table below is a general reference for what you’ll commonly see listed.
| Wear layer (mil) | Common marketing label | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6–8 mil | Entry / light use | Often appears in budget options; performance depends on construction. |
| 12 mil | Mid-range | Common spec; still varies widely by brand and core. |
| 20 mil | Higher-wear spec | Frequently marketed for heavier traffic; verify full spec sheet. |
FAQ
Is thicker flooring always more durable? ⌄
Not always. Total thickness can influence feel and sound, but durability depends more on material quality and the protective/top layer.
Does thickness affect sound? ⌄
It can. Thickness and density influence how a floor transmits sound, but underlayment, subfloor, and construction also matter.
What is a wear layer (LVP) and why is it measured in mil? ⌄
The wear layer is the clear protective top layer on many vinyl floors. “Mil” is a unit of thickness equal to 0.001 inches.
Why do two floors with the same thickness feel different? ⌄
Core density, backing/attached pad, and surface layers can change stiffness and feel even when total thickness is similar.