Wear layers.

The wear layer is the transparent PVC surface bonded above the printed decor. It is the layer that absorbs foot traffic, cleaning cycles and point loads. Wear layer thickness is expressed in millimetres — 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0 and above.

As reference: 0.3 mm suits light residential; 0.5 mm suits residential and light commercial; 0.7 mm suits commercial corridors and lobbies; 1.0 mm and above suits heavy commercial traffic and hospitality back-of-house.

Wear layer thickness is the single most influential specification variable for long-term appearance retention. Reducing wear layer to meet a rate target is a false economy in commercial application.