Choosing laminate for a room, you will meet two thicknesses more than any other: 8mm and 12mm. Our laminate flooring range runs from 6mm to 12mm, and the right board depends on the floor underneath, your budget and how the room is used. If you are weighing it up for a Sheffield home, our laminate flooring in Sheffield page explains how a visit and a quote work.
This guide compares 8mm vs 12mm laminate, explains where 10mm fits, and covers the other number that matters: the AC rating.
The short answer
Choose 12mm laminate if you want the closest feel to real wood underfoot and a floor that sounds more solid when you walk on it. Choose 8mm if cost matters and the floor underneath is smooth and level. Both can be fitted well, and both come in a wide choice of looks.
8mm vs 12mm laminate flooring side by side
| 8mm laminate | 12mm laminate | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel underfoot | Lighter, with a little more flex | Solid, closest to real wood |
| Sound | Can sound hollower without a good underlay | Usually sounds more solid |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Subfloor | Needs a smooth, level floor | Copes better with small imperfections |
| Door clearance | Raises the floor height less | Raises the floor height more |
These are general differences, and the individual board matters as much as the number on the box.
Where 10mm laminate fits
If 8mm feels a little thin and 12mm stretches the budget, 10mm is the middle ground. It gives a firmer feel than 8mm and usually costs less than 12mm. Our FAQ page puts it simply: for a hardwood feel you will want 10mm or 12mm, and you can get by with 7mm or 8mm if cost is a concern and the subfloor is smooth. Ask to see a 10mm sample next to an 8mm and a 12mm one, because the difference is easier to feel than to read about.
Laminate thickness is not the same as durability
This is the point people most often miss. How well a laminate floor stands up to wear is set by its wear layer and its AC rating, not by how thick the board is. A thin board with a high AC rating can outlast a thick board with a lower one in a busy hallway.
What the AC rating tells you
The wear layer is the clear top surface of the board, and the AC rating describes how well it resists wear, scuffs and scratches. Ratings run from AC1 to AC5, and as a rough guide:
- AC3 suits most living areas in a home.
- AC4 is a step up, and a sensible choice for hallways, lounges and other high-traffic areas.
- AC5 is the heaviest-duty rating, more often used in commercial places.
The laminate in our house deals on laminate flooring is AC4 rated. When you compare boards, look at both numbers: the thickness for the feel and the sound, and the AC rating for the wear.
What the subfloor tells you
Laminate floats over the subfloor, so a bumpy floor shows through a thin board more than a thick one. In an older house, that can tip the choice towards 12mm. Where the floor is uneven by more than a thicker board can forgive, levelling comes first. We provide screeding and ply boarding, and we price it at the visit because it depends on the state of the floor.
Whichever thickness you pick, an underlay helps with comfort, insulation and noise between rooms, and the boards should settle in the room before they are laid. Our acclimation guide explains how.
Plank size and pattern
Plank size is a separate choice from thickness. Long, wide planks suit a larger room and show fewer joins, while shorter, narrower planks suit a smaller room and are the usual choice for herringbone and parquet patterns. Our post on herringbone and parquet laminate shows what is possible.
Doors, thresholds and stairs
A thicker floor sits higher. Check the gap under your doors, and think about where the laminate meets another floor, because a 12mm board with underlay can need a door trimmed or a different threshold. If you are covering stairs, read our post on laminate on stairs first.
How to decide
- Is the floor smooth and level? If yes, 8mm laminate is a reasonable choice. If not, lean towards 12mm and ask about levelling.
- How much does the feel underfoot matter? For a lounge or a main bedroom, many people prefer 12mm laminate flooring.
- What is the budget? 8mm usually costs less per square metre, which can add up across a whole house, and 10mm sits between the two.
- How busy is the room? Ask for the AC rating, because it sets how well the board wears in high-traffic areas.
Questions people ask
How many mm is laminate flooring?
Laminate comes in a range of thicknesses, and ours runs from 6mm to 12mm. The most common choices are 7mm or 8mm at the thinner end and 10mm or 12mm for a more solid feel.
Is 8mm thicker than 12mm?
No. 12mm laminate is 4mm thicker than 8mm, which is why it feels more solid underfoot and tends to sound better.
Is 10mm laminate flooring good?
Yes. It is a sensible middle ground, with a firmer feel than 8mm and a lower price than 12mm in most ranges. Check the AC rating as well as the thickness.
Is thicker laminate better for high-traffic areas?
Thickness helps the floor feel solid and cope with a less-than-perfect subfloor, but the AC rating is what decides how well it wears. For hallways and busy family rooms, look for AC4 or higher.
Order free samples and see the boards in your own room
The easiest way to decide is to hold the samples in the room, in your own light. We bring them to you as part of our Home Showroom service, measure up and give you a free quote with no obligation. Put the kettle on, book a free home visit or call 0800 920 2092, and we will bring samples so you can compare thicknesses side by side.
Still comparing materials? Our laminate vs LVT comparison covers the other big choice.
Related reading: Enhance Your Space with 12mm Grey Herringbone Laminate Flooring.
