Verdict
12mm laminate usually feels more solid and sounds less hollow underfoot; 8mm costs less and is perfectly good for many rooms. For surface durability, check the AC wear rating and usage class, not the thickness. Neither thickness is a substitute for a flat subfloor.
Laminate thickness is one of the first things people compare, but it's widely misunderstood. Thickness mainly affects feel and sound. The AC rating tells you how well the surface layer resists wear.
So the honest comparison isn't 'thicker is better'. It's 'what does the extra thickness give you, and does this room need it?'
Side by side
| Factor | 8mm laminateLower cost, lighter board | 12mm laminateMore solid, quieter feel |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Budget-friendly rooms | Living areas and comfort |
| Feel underfoot | Slightly less solid; fine over a good subfloor | More solid and substantial |
| Sound | Can sound harder; the right underlay helps | Often quieter and less hollow-sounding |
| Floor height | Lower, so less door trimming | Higher, which can affect doors and thresholds |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Durability | Set by the AC rating, not thickness | Set by the AC rating, not thickness |
| Explore | 8mm laminate | 12mm laminate |
Best for
8mm laminate
- Bedrooms and lower-traffic rooms
- Budget-conscious projects with a good flat subfloor
- Where floor height is tight, for example next to existing floors
12mm laminate
- Living rooms and hallways where feel matters
- Rooms where a quieter, more solid floor is wanted
- Where there is room for the extra height at doors and thresholds
Potential drawbacks
8mm laminate
- Can feel and sound a little harder underfoot
- Thin boards still need the right AC rating for the room
- Needs a good underlay to avoid a hollow sound
12mm laminate
- Costs more than 8mm
- Extra thickness doesn't mean a tougher surface
- Greater height may mean more door trimming and taller threshold trims
Preparation implications
- Both need a flat, dry subfloor and the underlay the manufacturer specifies. A thicker board is not a substitute for levelling; check the manufacturer's flatness tolerance.
- Check door clearances and thresholds, as a thicker board plus underlay raises the floor further.
Maintenance implications
- The same for both: sweep or vacuum and damp-mop, avoiding standing water.
- The AC rating and the quality of the wear layer affect how the surface holds up, not the thickness.
Fitting implications
- Both are floated over underlay with expansion gaps and finished with scotia or beading and threshold trims.
- Locking systems vary between brands and ranges, so follow the manufacturer's fitting instructions for the specific product.
Questions to ask before choosing
- What's the AC wear rating, and does it suit the room's traffic?
- How flat is the subfloor?
- Does the room warrant the more solid feel of a thicker board?
- Will door clearances and adjoining floors cope with the extra height?
Frequently asked questions
Is 12mm laminate more durable than 8mm?
Not necessarily. Surface durability comes from the AC wear rating and the quality of the top layer, not the board thickness. A 12mm board with a low AC rating can wear faster than a well-rated 8mm board. Check the AC rating and usage class for the room's traffic.
Does thicker laminate need less floor preparation?
No. Thickness is not a substitute for a flat subfloor. Each manufacturer sets its own flatness tolerance, and unevenness beyond it needs putting right before either thickness is fitted.