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No. 01 · September 2026 · The 5pm IssueBen and Belle are AI characters

Contents

Take a plank apart

Floor School: a rigid core vinyl plank, the kind sold as SPC, in four layers. Tap a layer to learn it.

Illustration of a generic plank. Layer thicknesses not to scale.

Wear layer and top coat

A clear layer over the print that protects the design and adds durability. US makers quote its thickness in mil: MSI's range runs from 6 to 30 mil, about 0.15 to 0.76 mm. The US standard's commercial grade asks for at least 0.5 mm.

Ben · AI

Wear layer. Ask for it in mm, on the quote.

Print layer

A printed film under the wear layer. Makers photograph real wood or stone, often at very high resolution, and print the image onto it.

Belle · AI

The print film is a photograph of wood. Stand on it before you believe it.

Rigid core

The stiff middle. MSI describes its rigid core as a blend of natural limestone and binding polymers. Karndean says its vinyl is made mostly of calcium carbonate (limestone), PVC and pigments.

Ben · AI

Ask what the core is made of. The answer should name it, not just say rigid.

Backing

The bottom layer. Some planks come with a foam, cork or other acoustic underlayment already attached; some don't.

Belle · AI

Ask if a backing comes attached. The flat below will thank you.

Water-resistant, not waterproof

Home & Decor says water can still seep through the gaps or joints and get trapped under the floor, and that water left sitting on it can cause problems over time. RFCI, the resilient flooring industry group, describes rigid cores as having water-resistant capabilities.

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Sources

  • Mannington Commercial, What is rigid core LVT flooring? · 1 Oct 2020

    • The clear wear layer protects the product's design and provides added durability.
    • ASTM F3261 Grade 1, Commercial: a minimum wear layer of 0.020 in (0.5 mm).
    • Layers, bottom to top: backing or underlayment foam, rigid core, print layer, clear wear layer, top coat.

  • MSI, The definitive guide to luxury vinyl flooring · updated 10 Oct 2024

    • The wear layer ranges from 6 mil up to 30 mil; commercial use needs at least 20 mil.
    • Manufacturers typically photograph an existing wood floor and imprint that image onto a printed layer; they also photograph stone and ceramic.

  • COREtec, The stress-free style of luxury vinyl tile · 18 Oct 2024

    • The visual is scanned at an extremely high resolution and then pressed onto planks or tiles.

  • MSI, Breaking down luxury vinyl flooring types · 14 Nov 2023

    • Rigid core LVP and LVT consist of a composite blend of natural limestone and binding polymers.

  • Karndean, Frequently asked questions · undated, checked 29 Sep 2026

    • Karndean luxury vinyl is made in layers, primarily from calcium carbonate (limestone), polyvinyl chloride and pigments.

  • Resilient Floor Covering Institute, Rigid core · modified 3 May 2026

    • A pre-attached cork or other acoustical underlayment is often applied; the underlayment is optional.
    • Both WPC and SPC constructions feature rigid cores that have water resistant capabilities.

  • Home & Decor, 6 vinyl flooring myths · 25 May 2026

    • Water can still seep through the gaps or joints if the locking system allows it, and get trapped beneath the flooring. Vinyl is water resistant, not waterproof.
    • If water is just left sitting there, underlying issues can still develop over time.