Common Recommendations for Floating/Click-Lock by Room Choose 6mm or thicker products with a wear layer of 12+ mil. A thinner glue-down with a strong wear layer can also work well.
12 mil is pretty much the sweet spot when it comes to LVP. Anything much less should only be used in a rental property or as a temporary fix. Anything much higher gets into gilding the lily a bit and is only necessary for especially high traffic or commercial floors.
A 12mm board is undoubtedly of higher quality in the look, feel and sturdiness compared to an 8mm board. If your subfloor has a lot of imperfections, the life of an 8mm board will be shorter than a 12mm, as thinner boards will be more likely to come apart over time.
If you are installing a floating laminate floor or floating engineered timber floor, then you will be required to install prior to the floor being laid a foam or rubber underlay. A minimum of 3mm underlay is recommended by Imperial Flooring Australia.
Go for as thick as you can afford, 12mm if possible. Get the most dense underlay possible, thickness doesn't matter, 2mm is fine but ask for a dense underlay. If you don't really have kids or pets that will scratch up your flooring, go for an engineered timber but glue down only not floating.
Laminate ranges from 6-mm to 12-mm and, as a rule, it shouldn't be less than 8-mm. If, however, budget is an issue and if your subfloor is level and debris-free, you might be able to get away with 7-mm; keep in mind that subfloor imperfections can telegraph to the surface floor, so make sure it's okay.
Hybrid flooring is a floating floor that can be placed directly over a subfloor.
What Goes Under Hybrid Flooring? More widely known as black builder's plastic, Hybrid flooring underlay creates a moisture barrier that will work to prevent your floors from being ruined by rising vapours that are trying to enter your home.
Loose Lay vinyl flooring: This floating option is typically sold in a 5mm thickness. Click vinyl flooring: The most popular version of click vinyl is rigid core click, which can come in a 5mm thickness with an added 1mm acoustic backing (though sometimes without).
Generally, a gap of 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch is recommended for hardwood flooring, while laminate flooring typically requires a gap of 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch. It's important to note that the expansion gap should be consistent throughout the room, including around obstacles such as doorways, cabinets, and pipes.
The Best Laminate Flooring Thickness for Bedroom
Thicker laminate tends to be more durable and stable. In some areas such as bedrooms or office rooms with low traffic areas and minimal wear, you can use 6mm to 8mm thickness. But if you want more safety in your kid's room, you can use more thickness 8mm to 10mm.
It's lightweight and easy to install, making it an attractive option for DIY enthusiasts. Cons: Due to its thinness, 7mm laminate flooring is more susceptible to dents, wear, and damage over time. It also offers less insulation and sound deadening properties compared to thicker options.
Standard residential thickness between (1/4 inch / 6.5mm) and (3/8 inch / 9.5mm) works great in most homes, while the thickest vinyl plank flooring at (5/8 inch / 15mm) provides maximum protection and sound reduction.
In sum, the thicker the LVP, the more benefits it delivers in terms of comfort, durability, acoustic properties, and installation quality, making it a superior choice for both residential and commercial applications.
The quality of the wear layer material, the installation method, the level of foot traffic, the maintenance routine, and the exposure to sunlight all play a role in determining how long it will last. To directly answer the question, a 12 mil wear layer vinyl plank should last anywhere from 8 to 12 years.
Commercial spaces often favor 6mm to 8mm thicknesses with SPC core. Though thicker options are costlier, it's crucial to balance value and performance. The 4mm and 6mm options suit many residential settings, while 8mm is also popular in both residential and commercial spaces.
If you are trying to decide between the two, then for engineered wood flooring floating is usually the best option as you can install it quickly and don't have to worry about which glue to use and how long to wait for it to dry. If you are installing hardwood flooring then using glue may give you a more stable result.
After laying glue-down vinyl plank flooring, roll the floor with a 100-pound roller. This step will help to secure the floor and adhesive to the subfloor in every area. Using a roller at the initial installation will help to prevent the buckling of vinyl plank flooring down the line.
The only difference between the two is the composition of the core; while vinyl plank uses PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic, hybrid floors add limestone or wood in order to strengthen the floorboard.
For any flooring that requires a floating installation method, be laminate or vinyl planks, use a 6 mils (or thicker) plastic sheet as a moisture barrier. You can also use an underlayment with a moisture barrier built-in for water vapor control.
Hybrid Flooring is 100% Waterproof
This makes it ideal for home with messy pets and children in residence. You can vacuum and wet-mop your hybrid floors without a worry. This makes hybrid floors a good option for wet areas of the house such as the kitchen and laundry.
Short lifespan: One of the biggest disadvantages of hybrid flooring is its short lifespan. Because it's made from two different materials that are bonded together, it's not as durable as other types of flooring such as hardwood or tile.
On the downside, however, floating floors are prone to faster wear than its counterpart. Floating floors generally incorporate thinner materials that cannot be sanded — often leading to a shorter lifespan.
Hybrid flooring is typically more resistant to water than other types of flooring, such as hardwood or laminate flooring. However, if water gets under the hybrid flooring, it can cause damage to the subfloor or underlayment, which can result in warping or buckling of the flooring.