When people go shopping for laminate flooring, they are usually confronted with a lot of options. One of the most frequent questions they ask pertains to the ideal thickness of laminate flooring. As there are many choices of thickness, ranging from 7mm to 12mm, it can sometimes be confusing, which fits your home installation.
Often, it is challenging to imagine the thickness of a millimetre and whether a tiny increment can make a huge difference. The price point of a laminate can be a distinctive measure of how real this problem is. A laminate of 7mm is costlier than a laminate of 8mm and so on.
The Thickness of a Laminate Flooring
The most common question you’d encounter is what laminate thickness is. In a real sense, this is the measurement of the laminate itself. Standard width begins from the top to the bottom of the board. While measuring this thickness, it is crucial not to include the thickness of the padding.Not surprisingly, but for most naive customers purchasing flooring New Orleans, the thickness of laminate does not really matter. What is more important is the durability of the board. This is not totally correct. There are good reasons to use a thicker laminate. These include:
- The semblance of the floor to hardwood.
- More graphic design can be chiseled into the laminate.
- Quieter footfalls when walking.
- Better installation to disguise deficiencies of the subfloor.
What Is the Appropriate LaminateThickness?
A suitable laminate flooring should be within 6mm to 12mm. If you want a laminate closest to hardwood, a 10mm and 12mm thickness is a better choice. For those weary of the expense of purchasing quality laminate, 7mm or 8mm is more affordable, especially where the subfloor is in good condition.If you need laminate flooring in New Orleans, then it is best to go for anything over 6mm dimensions. A 6mm laminate thickness is almost impossible to find and has an inferior quality.
Also, Consider the AC Ratings of The Laminate Board
Apart from thickness, there is also the AC rating to worry about. This rating is the standard unit of measurement for laminate. The ratings are determined by factors such as heat and moisture tolerance, stagnant liquids, impact, as well as wear and tear.
This rating begins from AC1 as the lowest rating up to AC5. AC1 are suitable for spaces with minimal foot traffic such as closets and pantries. AC2 is appropriated for living and dining spaces, while AC3 and AC4 are ideal for commercial foot traffic. AC5 is best for extreme usage in dense commercial areas. Top-rated industry experts advice buying laminate flooring with AC3 or higher no matter the use.
Miscellaneous Factors
Aside from the AC rating, there are other considerations to evaluate before purchasing your laminate flooring. These include- The quality of hardwood reproduction.
- Ultraviolet treatment to limit surface fading.
- ISO ratings for compliance with environmental standards.
- Final Considerations
