Wear Layer
The transparent topmost layer of LVP, measured in mils. Determines scratch resistance and warranty length.
The wear layer is the clear protective skin on top of LVP, laminate, and engineered hardwood. It's measured in mils (thousandths of an inch). Residential LVP typically has a 6-12 mil wear layer; light commercial uses 20 mil; heavy commercial uses 28-40 mil.
Wear layer thickness directly correlates with manufacturer warranty length and the install environment it's rated for. Match the wear layer to the use case: 12 mil for a residential family room is fine; 12 mil for a busy retail entry will scratch in a year.
Always quote wear layer thickness on the customer-facing estimate. It's the easiest spec to compare across products and the most common reason customers ask "why is this one more expensive?"