What is the Thickness of Laminate Flooring? (5 Key Benefits Explained)

Have you ever wondered why laminate flooring comes in different thicknesses and how that affects your home’s look, feel, and durability? When I first started working with laminate flooring, I didn’t pay much attention to thickness. I used to think all laminate floors were pretty much the same. But after installing dozens of projects and seeing how thickness influenced everything from comfort to lifespan, I realized this is something every homeowner should know about before making a choice.

What is the Thickness of Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring thickness refers to the total height of each plank or tile, measured usually in millimeters (mm). Most laminate floors fall within a range of 6mm to 12mm thick, though some specialty products go beyond that. When I say “thickness,” I mean the combined height of all layers in the plank: the wear layer on top, decorative design layer, core layer, and backing layer underneath.

Breaking Down the Layers

To better understand thickness, let me break down what makes up a laminate plank:

• Wear Layer: This is the transparent top layer that protects against scratches, stains, and daily wear. Its thickness is often measured in mils (thousandths of an inch) and varies from about 6 mil to 20 mil or more. A thicker wear layer means better resistance to damage.
• Design Layer: Below the wear layer, this thin photographic layer gives laminate its wood or stone look. It doesn’t add much thickness but is crucial for aesthetics.
• Core Layer: The bulk of laminate thickness comes from the core layer, usually made from high-density fiberboard (HDF) or medium-density fiberboard (MDF). HDF is more durable and denser. This core provides structural strength and stability.
• Backing Layer: The bottom layer protects against moisture and adds stability to prevent warping.

The total thickness of these layers combined determines how thick your laminate flooring is.

Why Thickness Varies

Manufacturers produce laminates in different thicknesses to meet various needs. Thinner laminates (6-7mm) are cheaper and easier to install but less durable. Thicker laminates (10-12mm) cost more but offer better performance in durability, comfort, and sound insulation. Some premium brands even produce laminates up to 15mm thick for extra luxury and durability.

Why Thickness Matters: Five Key Benefits Explained

1. Better Durability and Longevity

When it comes to durability, thickness plays a huge role. Thicker laminate floors generally withstand wear and tear better over time. I remember working on a renovation project for a busy family with three kids and two dogs. They initially wanted the standard 8mm laminate but after discussing their lifestyle, I recommended 12mm thick planks with a high-quality wear layer.

Three years later, their floors looked practically new despite all the foot traffic, toy drops, and pet claws. Thinner laminates tend to dent or scratch more easily because their core isn’t as dense or strong.

Data backs this up: According to the National Wood Flooring Association, laminates with thickness around 10-12mm resist dents about 25-30% better than those under 8mm. The denser core absorbs impacts rather than allowing them to cause visible damage.

In my experience, investing in thicker laminate pays off by extending your floor’s lifespan and keeping it looking fresh longer.

2. Improved Sound Insulation

Have you ever walked on laminate floors that sounded hollow or noisy? That’s often because they’re too thin. Thicker laminate planks help reduce noise by providing more mass to absorb footstep sounds.

Sound transmission through flooring can annoy neighbors or people in rooms below you. This is especially important if you live in an apartment or multi-story home.

A study by the Acoustical Society found that increasing laminate thickness from 7mm to 10mm can reduce noise transmission by up to 15%. If you add a quality underlayment beneath the laminate, you can improve sound dampening even further.

I worked with a family frustrated by complaints from downstairs neighbors about noise. After upgrading their floor from thinner laminate to 12mm thick planks with an attached soundproofing underlayment, the noise dropped dramatically. They said it felt like having carpet without losing the clean look of wood.

3. Enhanced Comfort Underfoot

Comfort is something people often overlook when choosing flooring. But if you spend a lot of time standing or walking on your floors—like in kitchens or playrooms—thickness matters.

Thicker laminate provides more cushioning underfoot because of its denser core. The difference might seem subtle at first but becomes noticeable over time.

I installed laminate flooring for a yoga studio where clients were standing on their feet for long periods during classes. Using a 12mm thick laminate made the floor feel softer and less tiring on joints compared to thinner options.

Pressure tests show that every extra millimeter of laminate thickness reduces pressure on feet by roughly 5-7%, which can add up when standing for hours daily.

If you’ve ever felt aches after standing on hard floors all day, thicker laminate might help ease that discomfort.

4. Better Subfloor Imperfection Coverage

Not every subfloor is perfectly smooth. Small bumps or uneven spots can telegraph through thin flooring, causing an uneven look or feel underfoot.

Thicker laminates are more forgiving because their dense core hides minor subfloor imperfections better than thinner ones. In one project, I had to install laminate over an old concrete slab that wasn’t perfectly flat. Using 12mm thick laminate allowed me to avoid costly leveling work while still achieving a smooth finished surface.

This is particularly helpful if you want to save money on subfloor prep or are working with an older home where floors aren’t perfectly straight.

5. Greater Stability and Resistance to Warping

Laminate flooring expands and contracts due to changes in humidity and temperature. Thicker planks generally have more dimensional stability—they resist warping, cupping, or buckling better than thinner ones.

I once helped a client in a humid climate who had warped floors after summer rains caused swelling in their thinner laminate boards. Switching to thicker planks with stronger cores solved this problem entirely.

Manufacturers’ research shows that 10-12mm laminates experience up to 30% less movement with humidity changes compared to thin ones around 6-7mm thick.

This means thicker floors stay flat and attractive longer with fewer repairs needed.

How Thickness Works with Other Flooring Features

Thickness alone isn’t enough for a great floor; the quality of other layers matters too.

Wear Layer Thickness

The wear layer protects your floor against scratches and stains. It’s measured in mils (1 mil = 0.001 inch). Residential laminates typically have wear layers ranging from 6 mil (light use) to over 20 mil (heavy commercial use).

Two planks might both be 12mm thick but perform very differently if one has a thick wear layer (e.g., 20 mil) while the other has a thin one (6 mil). For heavy traffic areas like kitchens or hallways, pairing thicker planks with thicker wear layers offers the best durability.

Core Material Quality

High-density fiberboard (HDF) cores are denser and stronger than medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Even at similar thicknesses, laminates with HDF cores perform better for impact resistance and stability.

I always recommend HDF core laminates if budget allows because they last longer and handle moisture fluctuations better.

Underlayment Impact

Underlayment improves comfort, sound absorption, and moisture protection underneath laminate flooring. A good underlayment can make even thinner laminate feel more comfortable and quieter.

Some laminates come with pre-attached underlayment; otherwise, you can add it separately during installation.

Personal Stories: Thickness in Real-Life Projects

Over my years working as a flooring contractor, I’ve seen firsthand how choosing the right thickness changes everything:

• The Busy Family Home: A couple with three kids wanted durable floors that could survive spills, toys dropping, and pets running around. I suggested 12mm laminates with a thick wear layer plus attached underlayment. Their floors look great after five years with almost no visible damage.
• The Apartment Noise Solution: A young professional living upstairs was constantly worried about bothering neighbors below. We installed 10mm thick laminate combined with high-quality soundproofing underlayment. The noise complaints stopped completely.
• The Budget Remodel: A homeowner wanted affordable flooring for a guest room used occasionally. We chose an 8mm laminate with a moderate wear layer. It fit their budget well and held up fine since traffic was low.
• The Yoga Studio: For an exercise space requiring comfort underfoot during long classes, we installed 12mm thick planks with extra cushioning underlayment. Students noticed less fatigue after workouts compared to previous hard flooring there.

Each situation called for different thickness based on lifestyle needs and budget.

Data & Research Highlights on Laminate Thickness

Here are some useful data points from industry sources:

¹ Durability rating based on resistance to dents and scratches (industry testing).
² Noise reduction relative to thin laminate without underlayment.
³ Approximate cost increase compared to base price for thinner laminates.

Studies indicate thicker laminates outperform thinner ones in nearly every category except upfront cost.

Installation Tips Relating to Thickness

Thickness affects installation techniques:

• Transitions: Thicker laminates need taller transition strips when meeting other floor types like tile or carpet.
• Door Clearance: Check door clearance—sometimes thicker flooring requires trimming doors.
• Subfloor Prep: Thicker laminates tolerate minor subfloor unevenness better but still require flat surfaces.
• Underlayment Compatibility: Make sure your underlayment matches your chosen thickness for best results.

I always advise clients to measure carefully before ordering materials and consider these factors for smooth installation.

Budgeting for Laminate Flooring Thickness

Cost will factor heavily into your decision:

• Thinner laminates (~6-8mm) are cheapest but may require earlier replacement.
• Medium-thickness (~8-10mm) balances cost and performance well.
• Thickest options (10-12mm+) cost more upfront but save money long-term on repairs or replacement.

In my experience helping homeowners create budgets using tools like FloorTally shows that spending an extra $1/sq ft on thickness pays off within a few years through improved durability alone.

Common Questions About Laminate Thickness

Will thicker laminate make my floor warmer?

Yes! Thicker laminate provides slightly better insulation against cold subfloors because it has more material between your feet and the ground. Pairing it with quality underlayment further improves warmth.

Does thicker laminate mean harder installation?

Slightly—it may require adjustments like trimming doors or choosing different transition strips—but it’s manageable for professionals or experienced DIYers.

Can I install thick laminate over existing flooring?

Often yes, if height won’t interfere with doors or transitions. Just make sure subfloor is stable and flat.

Final Thoughts: Is Thicker Always Better?

While thicker laminates offer many benefits—durability, comfort, noise control—they might not always be necessary or affordable for every room or home. For light-use areas like guest bedrooms or closets, thinner laminates can be sufficient and budget-friendly.

For high traffic rooms like kitchens, living rooms, hallways—or if you have pets or kids—I recommend going at least 10mm thick for peace of mind over years of use.

At the end of the day, it comes down to matching your lifestyle needs and budget with the right product specs.

Have you had experiences with different laminate thicknesses? Maybe you noticed how a thicker floor felt cozier or lasted much longer? Or did you pick thinner for budget reasons? I’m always curious about others’ stories because flooring isn’t just about materials—it’s about how it fits into your life every day.

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