What is a wear layer?

A wear layer is the top layer of a floor or surfacing that takes the abrasion, so the construction underneath stays protected. It often adds slip resistance too. In road building the equivalent is the surface course (traditionally called the wearing course).

Types

• Anti-slip protective layer. Industrial floors, bridge decks, scaffolds and timber decks are given an extra layer, such as an epoxy coating with broadcast aggregate or glass-fibre reinforced anti-slip strips. It prevents slipping in the wet and resists oil, fuel and de-icing salt.
• Laminate flooring. A clear melamine resin overlay, often with aluminium oxide, over the decor paper. Abrasion resistance is rated from AC1 (light) to AC5 (heavy); AC4 must survive at least 4,000 revolutions in the abrasion test, AC5 at least 6,000.
• Vinyl flooring. A clear PVC layer over the printed film. Common thicknesses are 0.3 mm for quiet rooms, 0.55 mm for living areas and 0.7 mm for heavy or commercial use.
• Resin and screed floors. A hard-wearing epoxy or polyurethane topping, or a cement floor with a dry-shake hardener worked into the surface.
• Asphalt. The surface course carries traffic directly and is planed off and replaced when worn.

Application

1. Check the use class. Classes 21-23 are for domestic use, 31-34 for commercial. For a busy living room with children or pets, AC4 laminate or a 0.55 mm vinyl wear layer is a safe choice.
2. Compare wear layer, not total thickness. A thick vinyl plank with a thin wear layer wears out faster than a thinner plank with a thick one.
3. Protect it. Felt pads under furniture, an entrance mat at the door and no abrasive cleaners.
4. Outdoors and on slopes. Choose a layer with grit or a profiled surface; a smooth coating becomes dangerous when wet.

Common mistake: trying to sand back laminate or vinyl. The wear layer cannot be renewed; once it is worn through, the floor has to be replaced.

Related terms

• Vinyl flooring
• Screed
• Asphalt
• Slip resistance value
• Parquet floor
• HPL laminate
• Decking board

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