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Choose from 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, and 12mm laminate flooring at Floor Land. As a leading UK wholesaler, we offer premium laminate solutions, ideal for those seeking durable and stylish floor tiles.

Choosing the Right Laminate Thickness: A Comprehensive Guide for Your Flooring Needs

Today, laminate is recognized as one of the most common types of flooring. Its cost is determined by two leading factors: the brand of the manufacturer and the thickness of the main component - the HDF layer. The thickness of the main layer varies from 6 to 12 millimeters, less often more. To understand which thickness is better to buy laminate, it is worth getting acquainted with the characteristics of the material.

What thickness of laminate is best to choose?

In answering the question posed, it is necessary to determine which operational parameters primarily depend on the thickness indicator. These primarily include:

Wear resistance and durability: These most important characteristics of laminated blocks are influenced by many factors, including the composition of the film and the internal structure of the floor covering, the number of layers, and the degree of protection from moisture. At the same time, a direct relationship has been established between strength and thickness. Therefore, the higher the layers, the longer the coating will last, all other things being equal. For example, 7mm laminate flooring is a popular choice for those seeking a balance between cost and durability.

Resistance to mechanical loads: The thicker the coating, the better it is adapted to the movement of people and objects on it. For public areas, halls, offices, and rooms with heavy equipment, it is preferable to choose the thickest option that can withstand static and dynamic overloads. In this context, 8mm laminate flooring provides a solid option, offering enhanced resilience for high-traffic areas.

Insulation level: The material has thermal insulation properties that are directly dependent on its thickness. For rooms that should provide maximum walking comfort (children's rooms, bedrooms), it is advisable to choose an option with minimal thermal conductivity. In such cases, opting for 9mm laminate flooring can provide the right balance of comfort and thermal efficiency.

What Are the Different Thicknesses Available for Laminate Flooring?

Thin laminate: Characteristics

The most cost-effective options for 6mm can be found on the shelves of chain stores, which include the largest construction supermarkets. Their service life will be a couple of years under normal operating conditions. Such laminate is unstable to moisture and mechanical impact, reacts with deformation of edges and abrasions, and has weak locking joints prone to cracks. Another disadvantage of thin laminate is the need for careful floor leveling, and therefore large expenditures of time and consumables. It is useful for laying temporary floors.

Construction professionals recommend using at least 7mm laminate flooring thickness. It is suitable for bedrooms, offices, and dressing rooms – rooms with reduced traffic loads.

Medium thickness laminate: Characteristics

The most common laminate thickness option is 8mm laminate flooring. It has improved water resistance and more reliable locks. It is used for laying floors in various types of premises: living rooms, children's rooms, offices, and shops. Laminate of medium thickness copes relatively well with the load of heavy furniture and the fall of bulky objects.

Thickened laminate: Characteristics

Laminate with a board thickness of 10–12 millimeters refers to models of increased strength. It has excellent soundproofing and moisture-resistant properties. When heavy objects fall on a thickened laminate board, there is a greater chance that there will be no dents. 12mm laminate flooring is ideal for high-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens, shops, and offices with heavy footfall. It is adapted for increased motor loads.

Laminate with a thickness of 10-12 millimeters, due to the size of the locking joints, is more tightly joined and is suitable for laying on uneven surfaces. Especially in cases when repairs are carried out by hand without the involvement of construction specialists.

Laminate classes

Laminate 6 and 7 mm thick is produced only in laminate class 32. Laminate with a thickness of 8-10 mm can be of classes 32, 33, and 34, and 11 mm and 12 mm only of classes 33 and 34. When choosing laminate for an apartment, it is better to opt for class 32, as it will cope with loads and is more environmentally friendly. 33 and 34th grades are suitable for more frequented (kitchen, hallway) and commercial (shop, office) premises.

What does the thickness of the laminate affect?

When installing a "warm floor," preference is given to laminate with a thinner base. The basis for this choice is the reduced thermal conductivity of thicker laminate options. 12mm laminate flooring has maximum strength and provides reliable sound insulation. It is not capricious to uneven floors and the hands of a novice master. It is used in rooms with initially cold floors, located on the first floors of buildings.

Types and thickness of substrate

The thickness of the underlay for laminate flooring is usually 2-3 mm, less often up to 10 mm. The underlay allows you to smooth out the unevenness of the base, increase the moisture, and soundproof the floor covering. Two types of underlays have proven themselves well: polystyrene and cork; less often foamed polyethylene is used.

It should be borne in mind that the thickness of the underlay, folded with the thickness of the laminated board, can eat up several visually significant centimeters in rooms with low ceilings. As a rule, the laminate is laid last; here it is important to ensure free opening of the door leaf. The use of different types of underlay helps to level out the difference in the heights of the floor covering in adjacent rooms.

Final Words

In conclusion, selecting the appropriate laminate flooring thickness is critical for obtaining maximum longevity, comfort, and aesthetic appeal in your flooring. While thinner laminates are better suited for lighter use and transient installations, thicker laminates offer superior durability and sound absorption, making them perfect for high-traffic areas. You can choose wisely depending on your particular demands if you are aware of the distinctive qualities of each thickness. Look no further than Floor Land for a broad collection of premium laminates that satisfy different tastes and needs. Check out their amazing selection on their website now to discover the ideal flooring options for your area!