Laminate Flooring Thickness: Why 12mm Is Worth It

Laminate flooring comes in a range of thicknesses, and it's one of the first things people notice when comparing boards. Thinner laminate is cheaper, but it feels and performs like it. Here's what thickness actually changes, and why we build our range at a solid 12mm.

What thickness measures

Thickness is the full height of the laminate plank, measured in millimetres — commonly from around 7mm at the budget end up to 12mm at the premium end. It's not the same as the wear layer (the AC rating covers surface toughness). Thickness is about the body of the board: how solid it feels, how quiet it is, and how well it copes with a less-than-perfect subfloor.

Why a thicker board is better underfoot

A thicker laminate plank simply feels more like real timber when you walk on it. Thin boards can feel hollow and tap-y, and they telegraph every small imperfection in the floor beneath. A 12mm board:

Feels solid and stable underfoot, with less flex and bounce.
Is quieter — more mass means less of the hollow click thin laminate is known for. (Laminate is naturally a little firmer and noisier than hybrid, so thickness and a good underlay matter here.)
Bridges minor subfloor unevenness better than a thin plank.
Has stronger click joints, which makes for a more reliable, longer-lasting lock between boards.

Thickness and the rest of the spec

Thickness works hand in hand with the other numbers. A thick board with a low wear rating still scratches; a thin board with a great wear layer still feels hollow. The floors that perform best pair a solid 12mm body with a tough AC4 surface — which is exactly how our range is built. And whatever the thickness, laminate still needs a separate underlay beneath it for acoustics and moisture protection.

Is 12mm worth the extra?

For almost everyone, yes. The jump from a thin budget board to a 12mm plank is one you feel every single day — underfoot, in the quiet, and in how convincingly it reads as timber. It's a small part of the overall cost for a noticeably better floor, and it's why we don't bother with thinner boards. If you're choosing laminate, choose 12mm.