8mm vs 12mm Laminate Flooring: Makes A Difference?

As a floating floor material, laminate is considered to be one of the more affordable choices on the market, especially when compared to good quality real wood such as hardwood flooring.

Key Takeawys: 12mm vs 8mm laminate flooring: Is 12mm laminate better than 8mm?

When it comes to choosing between 12mm and 8mm laminate flooring, there are a few key factors to consider. The thickness of the flooring plays a crucial role in its overall durability and longevity.

While 8mm laminate flooring offers a cost-effective option, 12mm laminate flooring boasts a thicker composition, providing enhanced strength and resistance to wear and tear.

With its increased thickness, 12mm laminate flooring offers a higher level of stability and can better withstand heavy foot traffic and potential impacts.

Additionally, the thicker planks of 12mm laminate flooring can often provide better sound insulation properties, reducing noise transmission from room to room.

However, it’s important to note that the choice between 12mm and 8mm laminate flooring ultimately depends on your specific needs, budget, and the level of foot traffic your space experiences.

Latest Developments In Laminate Planks

Until recent years, Laminate planks were available in only one standard plank thickness and had a small market share.

In today’s market, a variety of thicknesses are available, ranging from 6mm thickness to 12 mm laminate floor thickness, with many types of quality finishes including those with a quality hardwood look. It has become one of the popular flooring options. The untrained eye may have difficulty seeing the difference when viewing an installed floor, so you may wonder, “Does thickness matter?”, “Is the durability of laminate flooring adequate?” and “Is it a good middle ground?”.

Although the premium quality option has always been regarded as hardwood flooring in the home. Bottom line is that at its best, laminate flooring can offer a look that is similar to hardwood but for a price that is much lower – and that is worth a good hard look at.

Thickness certainly has an impact on the cost of laminate flooring. With thicker laminate flooring, the price per square foot will be higher to match the better quality and thicker base. Which Laminate thickness should you choose to install your new flooring?

What is Laminate Flooring?

Engineered to look like wood, laminate floors are manufactured products. Laminate flooring is a hybrid of two materials, regardless of the laminate flooring thickness.

The core of engineered laminate flooring is made from high-density fiberboard, and the décor paper is atop it, protecting it from wear. Laminate floors are a cost-effective alternative to timber floors. Technological advances and modern versions of the product are enabling significant improvements to the range of offerings.

In addition to installing laminate flooring over existing floors, laminate flooring can also be used to replace old worn-out plank flooring. Installers cutting laminate flooring will ensure there are no gaps between the pieces as if they were just laid side by side. It keeps water from seeping into your subfloor where it could cause damage later.

In terms of qualities other than cost, what are the differences?

A laminate flooring’s thickness is measured from the bottom of the board to its top. A floor’s thickness affects how the planks feel when walked on, as well as its durability and lifespan. If you compare a thin 8 mm plank with a thicker 12 mm plank, the thicker plank will offer you the following advantages:

• There is a sense that it has that hardwood feel underfoot.
• Noticeable noise reduction. There is less echo when walking on this surface because it is thicker flooring.
• It is more impact resistant.
• Provides a more forgiving installation by masking subfloor imperfections. We don’t always have that smooth subfloor that is ideal.

In choosing between a thinner and a thicker plank, the cost will be the most important factor, followed by durability and flooring longevity.

Laminate flooring with a thickness of 6 to 8 mm will be the cheapest option, so you’ll be saving money with your purchase. However, you should expect shortcomings when it comes to durability, shock absorption, and noticeable echo when walking on the flooring.

Yes, you will pay a higher price for the flooring with a 12mm thickness, compared to 8mm laminate flooring, but unlike thinner laminate planks, you will enjoy a more durable flooring. Some of these benefits come in more measure with the thickest laminate you can get, including increased durability, impact resistance with sharp items, and quieter with less echo. It is a graduated think. 10mm laminate flooring is better than 8mm or 6mm laminate flooring, and 12mm is better still. Even 2mm difference is noticeable.

Thus, the thickness of your laminate flooring is undoubtedly one of the most important factors to consider. You will also be able to enjoy a more forgiving installation if this is done. If you are looking to invest in a durable, high-quality floor over the long haul, you need to think about whether to spend a little extra on a 12 mm floor or not.

Some companies only provide a 12 mm option in order to give their customers peace of mind and a pleasing outcome.

Laminate Options

High Gloss

The surface has a high gloss finish. Few manufacturers are able to make these consistently since they are so advanced and therefore a higher-end product is the only realistic choice. A liquid overlay or a high gloss sheet overlay can be used to achieve this. Keeping a high gloss of high quality takes the use of a liquid overlay that is impregnated into the board. This provides a high gloss of high quality that is durable for many years.

Embossed In Register (EIR)

With embossed timber grain, laminate is given a realistic look and feel using expensive techniques.

Beveled Edges

A slight angle is applied to the boards’ edges and sides to create a “V” shape. These features enhance the appearance to make them more like real timber floors.

Abrasive Resistance (AC) 

It determines whether a floor is suitable for high traffic areas, like retail, or whether it is only suitable for residential areas. For commercial use, high-end floors are generally AC5 or AC4, but generally AC3 or AC4.