So, you’ve made the decision to update your flooring to laminate for your home or office, but now what? Choosing the right style of laminate flooring to match your decor and needs is really important – but have you also considered the thickness?
Are you wondering how crucial the depth of the plank is, what the difference is between 8mm or 12mm laminate flooring, whether it’s worth spending money on the extra millimeters and what size is the right for your project? It all depends on your specific flooring wants and needs.
Laminate board thickness
The thickness of laminate flooring boards is measured in millimeters. You may wonder, if it’s just a matter of millimeters then how can there be much difference in performance between the different sized boards? It may not seem a lot, but the extra millimeters can make a difference to your laminate flooring’s robust-ness, durability, feeling underfoot and sound absorbance.
The thickness is always measured from the base of the board to the top. When in the market for flooring, be mindful that some laminate flooring boards also come with a built-in underlay or pad. This shouldn’t be included in the thickness measurement. If the measurement stated is more than 12mm, it is advised to clarify the board only measurement, as measurements for laminate flooring usually only go up to 12mm.
Why laminate thickness is important?
So, is thicker laminate flooring better? Not necessarily. The thickness of laminate flooring is more associated with the aesthetics and to achieve a more luxurious feel underfoot, so it depends on what is most important to you. Having said that, while there is no strict correlation between the longevity of laminate flooring and its depth, thicker boards do definitely contribute to the durability and finish of your flooring.
Generally speaking, the thicker the board, the higher the price, so to help you weigh up your options here is a list of the advantages of choosing thicker laminate flooring:
- A thicker board will absorb sound better than a thinner board, so footsteps will be quieter.
- For those who really want to ensure quietness, a thicker board will also reduce the echo within the room.
- Thicker laminate flooring will feel more like hardwood underneath your feet.
- A thicker laminate can better disguise the imperfections of the subfloor. This can also make installation a quicker and smoother process, therefore lowering the potential impact caused by the fitting.
- If the subfloor isn’t particularly sturdy (such as old creaking & wooden) a thicker board will also provide more stability and strength.
- It is easier to etch more detailed designs into a thicker board, so more elaborate patterns can be achieved.
- As the thickness increases, it is more resistant to impact. This naturally helps in maintaining the longevity and durability of the floor.
Which one is the best fit for you
Laminate flooring thicknesses range from 6mm to 12mm. If you are working with a small budget, have a straight, sturdy subfloor and the underfoot feeling isn’t especially important, you can opt for thinner boards such as 7mm or 8mm laminate flooring. If you have a larger budget to play with, your subfloor is uneven and you’d prefer a hardwood feel, 10mm to 12mm laminate flooring is recommended.
You will rarely see 6mm boards available as this is the most basic and of little quality. A board of this thickness doesn’t last very long, even with smooth subfloors. Even if your budget is low, try not to be tempted by 6mm or 7mm laminate flooring, as it may end up costing you more in the future.
8mm vs 10 vs 12mm laminate flooring
It is true to say that the thicker the board, the more impact-resistant it is. Having said that, there isn’t much difference between 10mm and 12mm in terms of impact resistance and longevity. There is a difference in the aesthetics and feel, though. Nothing can quite mimic hardwood floor like 12mm laminate flooring.
A 12mm board is undoubtedly of higher quality in the look, feel and sturdiness compared to an 8mm board. If your subfloor has a lot of imperfections, the life of an 8mm board will be shorter than a 12mm, as thinner boards will be more likely to come apart over time. So, if your pocket permits, it may be worth investing in thicker flooring.
At One Step Beyond Flooring, our laminate flooring range consists of an array of colours and finishes with a choice of both 8mm and 12mm thicknesses. Our collection includes a choice of different oak appearances, as well as contemporary herringbone. Explore our extensive range or connect with our flooring experts for more advice.
To find out more please call 020 3697 6812 , or email info@onestepbeyondflooring.co.uk
