12mm Laminate Flooring Cost vs 8mm and 10mm
12mm laminate costs $1.89 to $3.99 per sq ft on the shelf across the five 12mm planks we priced at Home Depot and Floor & Decor on 13 October 2026, every one with a pad attached. Installed with 10% waste and Home Depot's last published labour, that is $4.08 to $7.39 per sq ft, or $1,632 to $2,956 for 400 sq ft.
Updated 15 November 2026. How we priced this.
Price by Thickness: The Planks We Priced
Regular shelf prices per sq ft, read 13 October 2026. Thinner planks without a pad need underlayment on top of the price shown; see the underlayment cost page.
| Thickness | Plank | Price/sq ft | Pad | AC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7mm | FairOaks Carey Lane (Floor & Decor) | $0.99 | None | AC3 |
| 7mm | Hampstead Otter Cove (Floor & Decor) | $1.39 | None | AC3 |
| 10mm | HydroShield Plus Timberland Oak (Floor & Decor) | $1.99 | XPS | not recorded |
| 12mm | Home Decorators Collection Vanderbilt Oak (Home Depot) | $1.89 | foam | AC4 |
| 12mm | Pergo Outlast+ XL New Market Hickory (Home Depot) | $2.99 | foam | AC4 |
| 12mm | AquaGuard Performance Cocoa (Floor & Decor) | $2.99 | IXPE foam | AC5 |
| 12mm | Bruce Rich Woodland (Home Depot) | $3.47 | foam | not recorded |
| 12mm | AquaGuard Performance with NatureMatch Suncrest (Floor & Decor) | $3.99 | IXPE foam | AC5 |
Installed Cost: 12mm Against the Budget Grade
| Grade | Planks | Installed/sq ft | 400 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget, 7mm AC3 | $0.99 to $1.39 | $3.39 to $4.93 | $1,356 to $1,972 |
| Mid-range, 12mm AC4 | $1.89 to $2.99 | $4.08 to $6.29 | $1,632 to $2,516 |
| Premium, 12mm AC5 | $2.99 to $3.99 | $5.29 to $7.39 | $2,116 to $2,956 |
The budget rows include separate underlayment because the 7mm planks have no pad; the 12mm rows do not, because their pad is on the plank. That narrows the gap between a 7mm and a 12mm floor more than the shelf prices suggest.
Check a 12mm Carton or Quote
Type the per-sq-ft price on the carton or in the dealer's quote. The check applies the same method as the tables above.
Plank x 1.10 for waste, plus Home Depot's last published labour of $2.00 to $3.00 per sq ft. No removal, trim or subfloor work.
When 12mm Is Worth Choosing
- You want a higher AC class. The AC4 and AC5 planks we priced are all 12mm. Match the class to the room with our AC ratings guide.
- You would otherwise buy underlayment. Every 12mm plank we priced has a pad attached, so the separate underlay line on a budget floor disappears.
- Floor height is tight. A 12mm plank sits 5mm higher than a 7mm one before any underlay. Check door clearances and the transition to the next room before you buy.
Common Questions
How much does 12mm laminate cost?
The five 12mm planks we priced on 13 October 2026 cost $1.89 to $3.99 per sq ft on the shelf at Home Depot and Floor & Decor. Every one has a pad attached, so there is no separate underlayment line. Installed, with 10% extra for waste and Home Depot's last published labour of $2.00 to $3.00 per sq ft, that is $4.08 to $7.39 per sq ft.
How much does it cost to install 12mm laminate in 400 sq ft?
$1,632 to $2,516 with the 12mm AC4 planks (Home Decorators Collection, Pergo Outlast+ XL) and $2,116 to $2,956 with the 12mm AC5 AquaGuard Performance planks, installed. The 7mm budget planks come to $1,356 to $1,972 on the same floor, underlayment included.
Is 12mm laminate more expensive than 8mm?
On the planks we priced, usually. The 8mm HydroShield Plus planks were $1.43 to $1.79 per sq ft and the 7mm budget planks $0.99 to $1.39, against $1.89 to $3.99 for 12mm. The cheapest 12mm plank we found sits close to the dearest 8mm one, so compare cartons rather than thickness alone.
Does 12mm laminate need underlayment?
Not a separate one if the plank has a pad attached, and every 12mm plank we priced does: the product pages list a pre-attached foam, IXPE foam or 2 mm pad. Over concrete, the installation instructions we follow still call for 6 mil polyethylene film unless the pad includes a moisture barrier.
Does thicker laminate last longer?
Thickness and wear are separate specs. Wear is graded by the AC class under the European standard EN 13329; the 12mm planks we priced are AC4 or AC5, and the 7mm budget planks are AC3. See our AC ratings guide for which class suits which room.