How Thick Should My Laminate Flooring Be?

If you are shopping for new floors for your home in Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, or Coral Springs, you’ve likely noticed that realistic laminate planks come in various thicknesses, usually ranging from 7mm to 12mm.

While it’s tempting to choose a new laminate floor based on simply your favorite visual, color, or species, the actual laminate flooring thickness will actually be a key indicator of how your new floor will perform over time in our unique South Florida environment.

Why Laminate Flooring Thickness Matters in Florida

In South Florida, most of our homes are built on concrete slabs. Concrete is rarely perfectly level, and it can transmit sound quite easily. The thickness of your laminate flooring product becomes vital under these circumstances: A thicker laminate plank (10mm to 12mm) is inherently more stable and has the structural integrity to bridge minor imperfections in your subfloor. As a result, your new laminate flooring installation will showcase a much smoother and more professional-looking finish. If you install a thin 7mm plank over an uneven slab in West Kendall or Doral, you may notice “bouncing” or hollow sounds when you walk.

The Advantages of 12mm Laminate Flooring

At Dolphin Carpet, we often recommend 12mm laminate for the primary living areas of South Florida homes. Here’s why it’s worth the investment:

• Laminate Flooring Acoustics: Thicker laminate floors absorb more sound. If you live in a multi-story home or a condo in Aventura or North Miami, 12mm laminate planks will significantly reduce the clicking noise often associated with older laminate floors.
• The “Real Wood” Feel: A 12mm laminate flooring plank allows for deeper embossing, meaning the texture of the wood grain visual can be physically felt, providing a sensory experience that is nearly identical to real timber.
• Laminate Flooring Locking Systems: Thicker laminate boards allow for a more robust click-lock system. This is vital in Ft. Lauderdale and Pembroke Pines, where humidity can cause minor shifts in the home. A stronger laminate flooring lock ensures your seams stay tight and resistant to moisture.

The Importance of Laminate Flooring Underlayment

Regardless of your flooring thickness, your laminate floor needs a high-quality underlayment in Florida. A moisture barrier is essential to prevent vapor from the concrete slab from reaching your floor. High humidity and concrete subfloors common in our region often lead to moisture seepage, which can warp or rot laminate planks not well-suited to these conditions.

A quality flooring underlayment not only protects your laminate investment from dampness, but it also provides essential cushioning and thermal insulation. You laminate floors are kept cooler while significantly reducing the “hollow” clicking sound common in tropical, open-concept homes.

Laminate Flooring Experts in South Florida

Choosing the right laminate flooring thickness doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Visit a South Florida flooring showroom in Davie, Plantation, or Deerfield Beach. Our team can show you the cross-sections of different laminate planks and help you decide which laminate flooring thickness fits your budget and your home’s specific needs. At Dolphin Carpet, we take pride in our 50+ years of experience, offering professional laminate installation that guarantees your high-quality floor looks beautiful for years to come.