8mm Thick Laminate Flooring
8mm thick laminate flooring represents a popular and versatile choice for homeowners, offering an excellent balance of durability, style, and value for money. This thickness is a common industry standard, providing a solid and stable feel underfoot that is a significant step up from thinner options. It is robust enough to handle the daily demands of a busy home, making it suitable for a wide range of residential spaces.
The construction of 8mm laminate involves multiple layers, including a high-density fibreboard (HDF) core, a stabilising layer, a decorative print layer that realistically mimics the look of natural wood or stone, and a highly durable wear layer on top. This wear layer is often rated AC4, which means it is designed for heavy residential use and can even be used in light commercial settings. This makes 8mm laminate a reliable and long-lasting flooring solution for almost any room in your home.
Laminate flooring is a popular and cost-effective alternative to real wood, offering a durable and stylish solution for many areas of the home. 8mm laminate is often considered a versatile option, providing a great balance of durability, stability, and value. The durability of a laminate floor is primarily determined by its usage class and AC rating, which measures the wear layer’s resistance to abrasion, impact, and stains. A high-quality 8mm laminate can be extremely robust and suitable for residential areas with heavy foot traffic, and some even for light commercial use.
The structure of a laminate plank is composed of several layers. The core, typically made from high-density fibreboard (HDF), contributes significantly to its thickness and stability. A decorative paper, impregnated with melamine resin, gives the floor its aesthetic appeal, mimicking the look of real wood, stone, or tile. This is protected by a tough, transparent overlay which makes the surface resistant to scratches, dents, and stains. The 8mm thickness provides a more solid feel underfoot compared to thinner options and is more forgiving of minor subfloor imperfections, resulting in a more professional finish.
Buying guide for 8mm thick laminate flooring
When considering 8mm thick laminate flooring, it’s important to evaluate how its characteristics align with your home’s needs.
- Room usage / Location: 8mm laminate flooring is an excellent choice for most residential spaces, including high-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens, and living rooms. Many 8mm laminates are now available with water-resistant or waterproof cores, making them suitable for bathrooms and utility rooms, but you should always choose a product from a specific waterproof range for these areas.
- Lifestyle: This thickness is a great choice for families with children and pets due to its durability and scratch resistance. It provides an easy-to-clean and low-maintenance option that doesn’t trap dust or allergens, which is beneficial for households with allergy sufferers.
- Budget: 8mm laminate flooring offers a great balance of affordability and quality. It is more expensive than thinner laminates but provides a superior feel and durability, making it a cost-effective long-term investment.
- Durability & Maintenance: 8mm laminate with an AC4 rating is highly durable and can withstand heavy residential use and even light commercial traffic. To maintain its appearance, you should vacuum or sweep the floor before cleaning with a just-damp cloth.
- Material Type Pros & Cons:
- Pros: 8mm laminate flooring is a very durable and stable option that is more resistant to impact than thinner laminates. It provides a more solid feel underfoot and is more forgiving of minor subfloor imperfections. It is also low-maintenance and resistant to scratches and stains.
- Cons: While it is more affordable than real wood or engineered flooring, it is not as waterproof unless you choose a specific waterproof range. It can also be noisy to walk on, but this can be minimised with a good underlay.
- Aesthetics & Style: 8mm laminate flooring is available in a variety of colours, designs, and textures, including realistic wood-effect and herringbone patterns. This allows you to achieve the look of expensive natural materials like oak or walnut at a much lower cost.
- Comfort & Sound: The 8mm thickness provides a more substantial feel underfoot than thinner laminates. To improve comfort and reduce the “hollow” or “clicky” sound, it is advisable to use a good quality underlayment designed to reduce sound.
- Underfloor Heating: Many 8mm laminate floors are compatible with both electric and water-based underfloor heating systems. The flooring’s composition allows for efficient heat transfer, making it a suitable choice for keeping your space warm.
- Installation: 8mm laminate often features a click-lock system, which makes it a suitable choice for DIY enthusiasts. Its increased thickness makes the planks more rigid and easier to handle during installation compared to thinner options. A level subfloor is still crucial for a successful installation.
Frequently asked questions about 8mm thick laminate flooring
- Is 8mm laminate flooring durable enough for my home?
- Yes, 8mm laminate is a highly durable option, especially when it has an AC4 rating. This rating means it is designed to withstand heavy residential use, making it a great choice for most rooms in a busy family home.
- Can I install 8mm laminate flooring myself?
- Yes, many 8mm laminate floors feature a simple click-and-lock system, which makes them ideal for DIY projects. The increased thickness of the planks makes them more rigid and easier to handle and install than thinner options.
- Is 8mm laminate flooring noisy to walk on?
- Laminate flooring can sometimes produce a “hollow” or “clicky” sound when walked on. This can be minimised by using a good quality underlayment specifically designed to reduce sound, which also improves the floor’s thermal properties and comfort underfoot.
