If you are just starting your search for new flooring you have probably heard terms that you have never heard before in your life. The sales people will talk to you about thickness, padding, floating floors, underlayment, glue, square footage, cutting allowance, and so much more. The whole process can be extremely overwhelming! Here at Mike’s Custom Flooring we want to talk to you about the thickness options for laminate wood flooring so that when you go shopping you can feel more confident in your purchase.

Laminate Thickness Chart

First let’s start with what exactly thickness means when it comes to laminate flooring. Plank thickness is measured in millimeters. Here in the United States we measure things in inches so this can be confusing. One millimeter is about 0.039 inches. Hopefully know that will help you have a better understanding of the measurement. The thickness is measured from the base of the board to the top of the board. Some flooring comes with padding attached to it. The padding should not be included in the laminate thickness. Some manufacturers will include clever packaging to make their product seem thicker by including the measurement for the flooring plus the padding with a little asterisk stating that it adds both numbers together. A true thickness measurement will not include the padding though.

Laminate Flooring Comes in Varying Thickness Options

The most common thicknesses are 7mm, 8mm, 10 mm, and 12 mm. You have probably noticed that the thicker the laminate it is the more it costs. Many people assume that the higher cost means that it is a superior product that will be more durable and simply make their decision based on that. While there are advantages to the thicker flooring you should not assume that it is more durable just because it is thicker. There is actually no direct link between durability and laminate thickness.

Pros of Thick Laminate Flooring

The advantages to thicker laminate are definitely there though. One of the largest benefits is that thicker flooring will echo less. Have you ever walked down laminate wood hallways and noticed loud echoing as you walk? This is most likely because the laminate is rather thin. Thicker laminate also feels better on your feet. It feels more similar to hardwood than thinner laminate options. If you have kids you will be happy to know that thicker laminate is also more impact resistant. The last benefit of thicker laminate is that the installation process is more forgiving. The thicker laminate can hide imperfections in your subfloor better than thinner laminate.

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So what thickness should you purchase? If really depends on what you are looking for. If price is your biggest factor the 8mm will be the cheapest option for you typically. Many times if you are patient you can find 10mm flooring for the same price as 8mm. If you have time to wait for a sale we recommend it! The difference between 8mm and 10mm is fairly noticeable. The difference between 10mm and 12mm is not always as large though. One of the biggest perks to 12mm laminate flooring is the look of it. Manufacturers are able to make 12mm flooring look and feel closer to real hardwood than 10mm flooring. So decide what is important to you and make your decision based on that. After you have decided what flooring you want installed in your home Mike’s Custom Flooring can come out and help you get it installed. We cannot wait to come out and help transform your home with new flooring! Contact us today!