The right vinyl plank flooring thickness depends on how you will use the space, the product's construction, and its installation requirements. Finished floor height is one part of that comparison. A larger millimetre number can mean a thicker plank body, a thicker attached pad, or both. It does not automatically mean a thicker protective surface.
That distinction matters when two samples look equally appealing, and the thicker one seems like the obvious upgrade. Before choosing, look at what the extra thickness adds and whether it helps the floor you are planning.
Understanding Vinyl Plank Flooring Thickness
Total vinyl flooring thickness describes the full height of the plank as supplied. On products with an attached pad, check whether that pad is included in the total. All three Oakel City examples below include it. The wear-layer measurement describes one part of that construction; it is not an extra layer to add to the advertised total.
SPC is a type of rigid-core vinyl flooring. When reading its specifications, it helps to picture the layers from the surface down:
- The wear layer protects the decorative surface beneath it.
- The rigid core forms the structural body below the decorative layer. It contributes stiffness and dimensional stability, which are different jobs from protecting the printed design.
- The attached backing or pad sits underneath. It can contribute cushioning and sound absorption while also adding to the overall height.
An extra half millimetre in a pad and an extra half millimetre in the plank body occupy the same amount of height, but they change different parts of the construction.
LVP means luxury vinyl plank. If you are comparing LVP thickness across listings, use the same basis each time: the complete plank, its included backing and its separately stated wear layer.
Also keep the units straight. A vinyl plank wear layer may be listed in mil, which means one thousandth of an inch. It is different from mm, or millimetres. A 20 mil wear layer measures 0.508 mm, approximately the 0.5 mm shown on many specifications. A “20 mil” label does not describe a 20 mm plank.
What Does Extra Thickness Change?
These three Oakel City planks show why you need to compare total thickness and wear-layer thickness separately.
| Oakel City Plank | Total Thickness, Including Backing | Stated Wear Layer |
|---|---|---|
| AP6502 Suva | 6.5 mm, including 1.5 mm IXPE | 0.5 mm |
| AP7009 Cozy Grey | 7 mm, including 1.5 mm IXPE | 0.5 mm |
| MS8601 Orion | 8 mm, including 2 mm EVA | 0.55 mm |
The table uses Oakel City's published millimetre specifications.
Suva and Cozy Grey have different total thicknesses but the same stated wear layer. Cozy Grey's extra half millimetre sits in the plank portion above the backing; neither the backing nor the wear layer is thicker.
Orion changes more than the total thickness. It has a thicker pad made from EVA rather than IXPE, plus a slightly thicker wear layer. Its product page lists Toronto as its sales location.
These differences describe construction, not a quality ranking. The wear-layer figures alone don't show which plank is more scratch-resistant or will last longer.
The Right Thickness for Your Renovation
Deciding how thick your vinyl plank flooring should be means bringing the specifications back to the needs of your renovation. Use these three checks together:
- Match the specifications to the intended use. Consider how the space will be used and compare the product's documented suitability, wear layer, and construction. Total thickness alone cannot tell you whether a plank meets those needs.
- Check the installation conditions. The National Floor Covering Association of Canada's substrate guidance describes correcting high and low spots to meet the flooring manufacturer's tolerance. A thicker plank does not do that preparation work. Flatness and moisture conditions still need to be addressed, and a separate underlay should be added only where the applicable installation instructions allow it.
- Check the finished height. Work from the prepared substrate up, counting the plank's factory backing once and including any other permitted layers. Compare that height with adjoining floors and the space beneath doors.
Find the Right Vinyl Flooring for Your Home
Thickness is one part of choosing a floor you will live with every day. Alongside the wear layer, backing and installation requirements, consider how the colour and grain work with your room’s light, furniture and finishes.
Explore Oakel City’s Luxury Vinyl collection to compare the options, then review your shortlist with an Oakel City dealer. Bring your room measurements and details of the existing floor to help guide the conversation.
