Is 10mm laminate thick enough, or should you pay more for 12mm? It depends on what you want from the floor: the pack shows 10mm boards reaching AC5, while the manufacturer connects thickness with impact resistance and acoustics. Our 10mm and 12mm prices overlap too, so compare the product rather than assume one thickness costs more. You can see the range in our laminate flooring collection.
Quick answer: is a 10mm plank good enough?
Our catalogue includes 10mm planks with AC5 ratings, including several options in the same rating class as the 12mm Goodfellow board. The manufacturer separates wear-layer durability from thickness-related impact resistance, so the better choice depends on which attribute matters for the room.
- Surface wear: set by the AC rating and the wear layer, not by millimetres.
- Feel and sound: the manufacturer says a thicker plank can provide better acoustics.
- Impact: the manufacturer relates resistance to impact from falling objects to plank thickness.
- Price: thickness alone does not set the price; some 12mm options cost less per sq ft than 10mm options.
What thickness changes, and what it does not change
Swiss Krono, a manufacturer we stock, explains how the figure is measured: "Flooring products like Swiss Krono will state plank thickness on their packages or in their advertising by measuring the entire plank thickness — from the bottom surface that rests on the subfloor to the top of the plank." Its example says: "That means it’s a 12 mm thick plank with a 2 mm thick pad attached, equaling 14 mm." The displayed total can therefore include an attached pad, so check what each product’s published thickness includes before comparing.
Thickness alone does not tell you how a surface handles abrasion. Swiss Krono says, "At Swiss Krono USA, we see durability provided by the aluminum-oxide wear layer that’s on top." AC ratings give another comparison point: in our catalogue the 10mm Kronotex 4796 is AC5, while the 12mm Krono K6991 Brick Oak is AC4.
The same manufacturer notes that impact resistance from a falling object is related to plank thickness. It also says thicker planks can provide superior acoustics, a possible benefit rather than a guarantee for every room.
Feel and sound underfoot: 10mm against 12mm
The manufacturer describes the acoustic difference as a potential benefit, not a guarantee about every room: "A thicker plank can provide superior acoustics. Because the plank is thicker, sound doesn’t travel as well." For a product-specific choice, ask what underlay its maker specifies as well as checking the plank thickness.
The European laminate trade association treats the boards, underlay and subfloor as a system. It notes that "Choosing the right underlay will extend the life of a laminate floor system and optimise its overall performance" and that "It is not uncommon for unsuitable underlays or installation errors to become a cause for complaint at a later stage." Follow the selected product’s instructions when choosing underlay.
The 10mm and 12mm planks we stock right now
Our laminate range holds 58 in-stock SKUs: 9 true 10mm planks, 32 boards at 12mm, and the remaining 17 at 8mm, 11mm, 14mm and 15mm. Here are five that show what the two middle thicknesses buy, with thickness, wear class and width as our listings show them.
| Product | Thickness | AC rating | Plank width | Box price / coverage | Price per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kronotex 4796 | 10mm | AC5 | 9.61" | $57.92 / 19.37 sq ft | $2.99 |
| Kronotex D3570 Harbour Oak | 10mm | AC5 | 6.18" | $33.44 / 13.99 sq ft | $2.39 |
| Swiss Krono Beige M1002 | 10mm | AC5 | 7 1/2" | $42.83 / 17.22 sq ft | $2.49 |
| Krono K6991 Brick Oak | 12mm | AC4 | 7.5" | $38.07 / 15.93 sq ft | $2.39 |
| Goodfellow Canyon No.019 | 12mm | AC5 | 7-5/8" | $69.99 / 20.18 sq ft | $3.47 |
Prices checked October 7, 2026. Box prices and coverage come from our current catalogue.
The remaining examples in the 10mm range include several Kronotex and Swiss Krono decors, plus the AC4-rated Krono K8630. The pack's current catalogue count includes nine in-stock products whose title or handle identifies them as 10mm.
Price per square foot: what each thickness costs here
Across the nine 10mm planks the price runs from $1.99 to $2.99 per sq ft. Across the 32 boards at 12mm it runs from $1.59 to $4.54. The bottom of the 12mm range sits below the bottom of the 10mm range. The Sunshiny SL1052 and SL1123 are 12mm boards at $1.59 per sq ft in a 19.75 sq ft box, while the entry 10mm plank, the Krono K8630, is $1.99.
Where the two ranges meet most usefully is $2.39 per sq ft. That is the price of the Kronotex D3570, a 10mm AC5 board in a 6.18" plank, and also the price of the Krono K6991 Brick Oak, a 12mm AC4 board in a 7.5" plank. The same money buys two more millimetres of thickness in one case and one wear class higher in the other, which is the whole decision in a single line.
What 500 sq ft of boards and underlay costs
Every quote we write carries a 5% waste allowance for cuts and offcuts, so 500 sq ft of room becomes 525 sq ft of boards. Boxes are whole units, so the count is 525 divided by the coverage in each box, rounded up, and the board cost is that box count multiplied by the box price. A laminate click floor also needs underlay: our standard roll covers 200 sq ft at $50.00, sold in full rolls. This table is the board side of the budget only. Installation, removal, delivery and trim are not included here, and we price those on a measured quote once we know the rooms, the building type and what is on the floor now.
| Product | Boxes for 525 sq ft | Board cost |
|---|---|---|
| Kronotex 4796 (10mm) | 28 | $1,621.76 |
| Kronotex D3570 (10mm) | 38 | $1,270.72 |
| Swiss Krono M1002 (10mm) | 31 | $1,327.73 |
| Krono K6991 (12mm) | 33 | $1,256.31 |
| Goodfellow Canyon (12mm) | 27 | $1,889.73 |
Put the same-price pair through the full material calculation, adding 3 rolls of underlay for the 525 sq ft and 13% HST, and the two floors land close together:
| Material line for 500 sq ft | Kronotex D3570 (10mm, AC5) | Krono K6991 (12mm, AC4) |
|---|---|---|
| Boards | $1,270.72 | $1,256.31 |
| Underlay (3 rolls) | $150.00 | $150.00 |
| Subtotal | $1,420.72 | $1,406.31 |
| HST at 13% | $184.69 | $182.82 |
| Total | $1,605.41 | $1,589.13 |
The 12mm board lands $16.28 cheaper once boxes and underlay are counted, even though both are listed at $2.39 per sq ft, because the smaller 13.99 sq ft box of the D3570 forces 38 boxes against 33 boxes of the larger K6991 box. Box coverage, not thickness, moved that total. Move up to our widest 10mm plank, the Kronotex 4796 at $2.99 per sq ft, and 500 sq ft costs $1,621.76 in boards, while the 12mm Goodfellow Canyon at $3.47 per sq ft costs $1,889.73, or $267.97 more. A 10mm floor can cost less than a 12mm floor, and a 12mm floor can cost less than a 10mm floor, because width, box coverage, wear class and brand all sit in the price alongside thickness.
AC ratings help compare abrasion resistance
The Association of the European Producers of Laminate Flooring advises shoppers to check that the wear class appears on the packaging: "When buying laminate flooring, always make sure that the wear class in accordance with European standard EN 13329 and the CE marking are shown on the packaging." The manufacturer’s handbook says, "The higher the abrasion class, the greater the resistance of the panels to abrasion."
Our stock gives a direct comparison. The Krono K8630 is a 10mm AC4 board at $1.99 per sq ft; the Kronotex D3570 is a 10mm AC5 board at $2.39; and the Krono K6991 is a 12mm AC4 board at $2.39. Compare the rating alongside thickness and price rather than using thickness as a stand-in for wear performance. Our laminate wear-class guide explains the rating classes.
For context outside the 10mm-to-12mm range, our 12mm against 8mm comparison covers the thin end, and the Swiss Krono 14mm review goes above 12mm. Our Kronotex wide-plank review and AC5 laminate brand guide explore those manufacturers and ratings in more detail.
When a 10mm plank is the right call
- If you want AC5: several 10mm options in our range carry that rating, including Kronotex 4796 at $2.99 per sq ft and D3570 at $2.39.
- If the per-square-foot price matters: compare the box price and its coverage; the 10mm D3570 and 12mm K6991 both list at $2.39 per sq ft, despite different box coverage and rating.
- If the impact specification matters: the manufacturer relates impact resistance to plank thickness, but compare the whole product’s specifications rather than rely on thickness alone.
- If comparing different decors: check each product’s thickness and AC rating on its listing or package before buying.
When the 12mm plank earns its price
- If the manufacturer’s acoustic guidance matters for the room: ask which underlay is specified for that product and the subfloor.
- If the subfloor has minor variations: Swiss Krono says thicker planks can better span minor deviations, while the EPLF says the underlay and subfloor are part of the complete floor system.
- If impact resistance is a priority: the manufacturer relates resistance to impact from a falling object to plank thickness.
- If thickness is not the deciding factor: compare the 12mm option’s AC rating and per-square-foot price with 10mm products before choosing.
If you want 12mm and AC5 in one example, the Goodfellow Canyon No.019 is listed at $3.47 per sq ft.
How to check thickness and wear class before you order
- Measure the whole board from its bottom face to the top of the surface, in millimetres, rather than trusting the code name.
- Ask whether an attached pad is included in that figure. Swiss Krono gives the example of a 12 mm plank with a 2 mm attached pad totaling 14 mm.
- Read the wear class on the packaging before you read the millimetres, and compare the AC number between two boards at the same price.
- Work out the real price per sq ft, which is the box price divided by the coverage printed on the box.
- Check plank width as well, since a 9.61" plank and a 6.18" plank at the same thickness look quite different in a room.
10mm vs 12mm laminate questions
Is a 10mm plank thick enough for a family living room?
It can be, if the product’s other specifications match your needs. Our 10mm options include AC5 products, and the 12mm Goodfellow Canyon is also AC5, so thickness alone does not settle the comparison.
Is 12mm better than 10mm?
A 12mm plank is thicker, and its manufacturer describes potential acoustic and impact benefits. That does not automatically mean it has a higher abrasion rating or a lower price per square foot; compare those specifications on the specific products.
What is the real difference between a 10mm and a 12mm board?
The stated total thickness differs by 2 mm. That figure can include attached padding, so check how each manufacturer defines the measurement. The abrasion rating and price vary independently across the products in our current range.
Does a thicker laminate floor last longer?
Not necessarily. Swiss Krono says thickness is not a guarantee of durability and points to the top wear layer for durability. It separately relates impact resistance to plank thickness, so compare both attributes instead of treating thickness as a lifespan promise.
Should I use a different underlay for 12mm?
Follow the product manufacturer’s instructions. EPLF says underlay is part of the complete floor system and can help level localised unevenness in the subfloor; it also warns that unsuitable underlays or installation errors can lead to complaints. Ask which underlay suits the specific board and base.
Get a laminate quote in Toronto and the GTA
Tell us the rooms, the building type and what is on the floor now, and we will price the boards in either thickness and add the installation, removal, delivery and trim lines to a measured quote. You can request a quote online or send your room sizes through our contact page.
Top Floorings Depot
3781 Victoria Park Avenue, Unit 1, Toronto, ON M1W 3K5
www.topfloorings.com
Call: 416-499-0117
Text: 416-770-8819