The Flooring Journal

When you’re shopping for LVP or laminate flooring, you’ll encounter two measurements that appear on almost every product spec sheet: the wear layer thickness (measured in mils) and the AC rating. These two numbers tell you more about how a floor will perform over time than almost any other specification — yet they’re rarely explained clearly in showrooms or on product pages. This article breaks down what each measurement means, how they relate to each other, and how to use them to make a smarter buying decision.

One of the most common misconceptions in the flooring industry is that engineered hardwood is somehow ‘fake’ or inferior to solid hardwood. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Both products contain real wood — the difference is in how that wood is structured, and that structural difference has significant practical implications for where and how each product can be installed. Understanding the distinction will help you make a more confident, informed decision for your home.

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) has become the dominant hard surface flooring choice for homeowners — and with good reason. It’s waterproof, durable, realistic-looking, and available at a wide range of price points. But when you start shopping, you’ll quickly encounter two acronyms that can cause confusion: SPC and WPC. Both are types of rigid-core LVP, and both are excellent products. The difference lies in what’s inside the plank — and that difference matters more than most people realize.