Hardwood Flooring Wear Layer Thickness: 3mm vs. 5mm
Thickness of the Wear Layer — 3mm, 5mm: Why It Matters
How Wear Layer Impacts Longevity, Value, and Refinishing Potential
When it comes to engineered hardwood flooring, the wear layer — the top layer of real hardwood — is one of the most important specifications to understand. It determines how many times the floor can be refinished, how long it will last, and how it performs under daily use.
At Artistry Hardwood Flooring, we use sawn-face wear layers of 3mm, 4mm, or 5mm depending on the collection, ensuring that each floor is built for both beauty and endurance.
1. What Is the Wear Layer?
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The wear layer is the solid hardwood top surface of an engineered plank.
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Beneath it is the core (in our case, SawnPly+ Solid-Balanced Construction) which provides stability.
2. 3mm Wear Layer
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Refinishing Potential: 1–2 full sandings over its lifespan.
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Best For: Projects where design change is unlikely in the near term, or lower-traffic residential spaces.
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Advantages: Slightly lower cost, still delivers long-term performance.
3. 5mm Wear Layer
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Refinishing Potential: 3+ full sandings over decades of use.
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Best For: Luxury builds, commercial spaces, and generational homes meant to last for decades.
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Advantages: Maximum lifespan and design flexibility — can adapt to multiple style changes over the years.
4. Why It Matters
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Thicker wear layers = longer life — which means a higher return on investment.
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More refinish cycles mean more opportunities to change color, sheen, and texture without replacing the floor.
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Adds resale appeal — buyers recognize thick wear layers as a premium feature.
Because we use sawn-face wear layers (not rotary-peeled veneers), even our 3mm options have superior grain appearance and durability. For high-end builds, our 5mm wear layers are a true generational investment.
