2. The Wear Layer
The top, and usually the last, layer is the wear layer. It is usually a clear, urethane based coating to protect the other layers, and prevents against wear of the flooring.
The wear layer can come in varying thicknesses, typically between 6 – 22 mils thick. The thicker the wear layer, the tougher the flooring will be. Most 20 mil thicken wear layers are commercially rated, meaning they can stand up to high traffic areas, such as foyers or mud rooms.
1. Bonus! Top Coat
Some manufacturers will add a top coat on top of the wear layer for even more added protection and durability.
SHAW flooring, for example, adds their patented ArmourBead high performance finish to their Floorte Pro Series of products. ArmourBead is a quartz enhanced urethane finish for enhanced wear resistance and uncompromising durability.