Jargon.
The words on the spec sheet, translated into decisions. Mils, AC ratings, acclimation, and the rest of the vocabulary test.
What this category is for
The flooring industry is not trying to confuse you, but it is using shorthand built for installers and quoting it to shoppers. Mils, millimeters, AC ratings, wear layers, acclimation: every one of those words changes what you should buy, and none of them are self-explanatory.
Jargon articles translate the spec sheet into decisions. They define the term, explain what it does and does not tell you, and give you the question to ask before you sign. The short definitions live on the explained page; these are the longer, more argumentative versions.
Read this category before you compare quotes. Two quotes can look identical and describe completely different products once the wear layer, core, and underlayment are spelled out.
Browse the other categories: Myths , Materials , Matchups . The full archive is at the blog index, and the short answers live on the myth wall.
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Does flooring really need to acclimate?
Acclimation means letting the boxes sit in the room, not the garage. Here is how long each floor type needs, and what a week of waiting cannot fix.
What a wear layer is and why mils matter
The wear layer is the clear coat that takes the abuse on vinyl. It is measured in mils, not millimeters, and it is not the same thing as plank thickness.