Ready to see if LVP is perfect for your home?
LVP stands for Luxury Vinyl Plank, and it’s one of the most popular flooring choices today and for good reason. It came about as a solution to two common problems: vinyl sheet flooring was tough but not very stylish, and real wood looked great but couldn’t handle moisture, especially in places like basements or bathrooms. So someone had a smart idea: take the durability of vinyl, make it into easy-to-install planks, print realistic wood patterns on top, Boom, LVP was born.
It gives you the look of hardwood with the waterproof benefits of vinyl. Simple, stylish, and super practical!
What are the layers of LVP?
lvp is made up of 5 layers
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1. UV Layer
The UV coating is usually made of acrylic-based polyurethane or urethane compounds, combined with photoinitiators and sometimes additives like:
Ceramic particles (for added scratch resistance)
Silica or aluminum oxide (hardness/durability)
UV stabilizers (to resist yellowing or fading)
Antimicrobial additives (like silver ions or zinc compounds)
These components are formulated to cure instantly under ultraviolet light, making the finish super tough and long-lasting. Most standard LVP products have 2 to 3 UV-cured coats.
Higher-end or commercial-grade planks might use 4 to 6+ coats especially those with thick wear layers or ceramic bead finishes.
Each layer adds to:
Scratch resistance,
Clarity,
Stain protection &
Color stability.
How is this different layer different than the wear layer?
2. Wear Layer
The wear layer is transparent so you can see the print layer underneath, but it plays a huge role in how long your floor looks good, especially in homes with kids, pets, or high foot traffic!
The wear layer a clear, durable topcoat, that is typically made of a urethane-based compounds, often with added ingredients for strength and additional performance.
Your main ingredient is either a Polyurethane, Acrylic or UV-Curable Urethanes. It’s flexible, clear, and very tough. It offers scratch, scuff, and chemical resistance while also bonds tightly to resist yellowing and cracking.
Additives for Performance
Ceramic Beads or Silica Particles add and extra layer of hardness and scratch resistance.
Aluminum Oxide: Used in higher-end floors for even more durability.
UV Stabilizers: Protects from fading/yellowing.
Silver Ion or Zinc-based Antimicrobials: Fights mold, mildew, and bacteria.
This layer is measured in Mils
1 mil = 1/1000th of an inch
Standard LVP: 6–12 mil (residential use)
High-end or commercial: 20–30+ mil
More mils equals a thicker topcoat which equals more durability and lifespan!
Now I know what your thinking, how is this layer different from the UV coating layer since one is measured in Mils and one is measured in Coats, but they seem like the same thing?