6mm vs 8mm vs 12mm Hybrid Flooring: Does Thickness Matter?

📖 12 min read

Walk into any flooring showroom and you'll see hybrid flooring ranging from 4mm to 12mm thick. The price difference can be significant – so naturally, people ask: does thickness actually matter, or is it just marketing?

Here's the short answer: yes, thickness matters – but not always in the ways you'd expect. A thicker plank isn't automatically "better." What matters is matching the thickness to your specific situation: your subfloor condition, your comfort preferences, your room acoustics, and how you plan to transition between different flooring areas.

After fitting thousands of square metres across Australian homes, I can tell you the "best" thickness depends entirely on your circumstances. Let me explain what the numbers actually mean and help you choose the right one.

What "Thickness" Actually Means

When we talk about hybrid flooring thickness, we're talking about the total thickness of the plank – from the bottom of the underlay to the top of the wear layer. But here's what most people don't realise: that total number is made up of several distinct layers, and each layer serves a different purpose.

A "6.5mm hybrid plank" isn't just a solid 6.5mm slab. It's typically:

• 4-5mm SPC core
• 0.3-0.5mm wear layer
• Decorative print layer
• 1-1.5mm pre-attached IXPE underlay

Similarly, a "9.5mm hybrid plank" might have:

• 6-7mm SPC core
• 0.5mm wear layer
• Decorative print layer
• 2mm premium IXPE underlay

The point? Total thickness alone doesn't tell you everything. A 6.5mm plank with a 0.5mm wear layer might outlast an 8mm plank with only a 0.3mm wear layer.

Breaking Down the Layers

To understand thickness properly, you need to know what each layer does:

What Each Layer Thickness Affects

Complete Thickness Comparison

Here's how different total thicknesses typically compare:

Stability and Durability

Let's clear up some confusion about how thickness relates to durability.

What Thickness DOES Affect

Core thickness affects stability: A thicker SPC core is more rigid. This means:

• Better bridging of minor subfloor imperfections (small dips, bumps, unevenness)
• More resistant to feeling "hollow" or "bouncy" in spots
• Stronger click-lock connections under stress
• Better performance over slightly uneven concrete slabs

The ATFA recommends that subfloors be flat to within 3mm over 3 metres for floating floor installation. A thicker hybrid plank gives you slightly more tolerance – but it's not a substitute for proper subfloor preparation.

What Thickness DOESN'T Affect

Scratch and wear resistance: This is determined by the wear layer, not total thickness. A 6.5mm plank with a 0.5mm wear layer will resist scratches better than a 12mm plank with a 0.3mm wear layer.

Water resistance: All SPC hybrid flooring is water-resistant regardless of thickness. The limestone-PVC core doesn't absorb water whether it's 4mm or 8mm thick.

Dent resistance: Dent resistance comes from core density (how tightly packed the limestone composite is), not thickness. A well-made thin plank can be more dent-resistant than a poorly-made thick one.

Comfort and Sound

This is where thickness makes the most noticeable real-world difference.

Comfort Underfoot

A thicker plank generally feels more substantial and comfortable to walk on. This comes from two factors:

1. Thicker underlay: Premium products typically have 1.5-2mm IXPE underlay vs 1mm on budget options. This provides more cushioning.
2. Greater mass: The heavier, denser construction absorbs impact better.

If you spend a lot of time standing – cooking in the kitchen, working at a standing desk – you'll notice the difference between a 6mm and 9.5mm product over extended periods.

Sound Performance

Thickness affects both types of sound transmission:

Impact sound (footsteps, dropped objects): Thicker underlay absorbs more impact noise. This is critical in apartments or multi-storey homes where footsteps transmit to the floor below.

Room acoustics: Thicker, denser floors reduce the "hollow" echo that cheaper thin flooring can create. The floor feels and sounds more solid.

For apartments and units, check your strata requirements. Many body corporates specify minimum acoustic ratings for flooring – thicker products typically achieve better ratings. The National Construction Code (NCC) sets acoustic requirements for multi-residential buildings that your flooring choice may need to meet.

Subfloor Considerations

Your subfloor condition should heavily influence your thickness choice.

Concrete Slabs

Most Australian homes have concrete slab foundations. These are generally flat, but can have:

• Minor undulations from the pour
• Slight high spots or low spots
• Cracks (which can telegraph through thin flooring)

For good-quality flat concrete: 6.5mm hybrid works perfectly well.

For older or slightly uneven concrete: 9.5mm+ provides better bridging and a more solid feel.

Timber Subfloors (Raised Homes)

Older Queensland and NSW homes often have timber subfloors. These present more challenges:

• Boards may have slight movement
• Gaps between boards can telegraph
• More flexibility than concrete

For timber subfloors: I recommend 9.5mm minimum. The extra rigidity helps the floor feel solid over the more flexible timber base.

Over Existing Flooring

If you're floating hybrid over existing tiles or vinyl:

• Ensure the existing floor is firmly adhered (no loose tiles)
• Thicker hybrid bridges grout lines better
• Consider total height buildup for transitions

Height Transitions: A Practical Concern

One often-overlooked factor: how your new floor height relates to adjacent areas.

General guidance:

• Replacing carpet (8-12mm with underlay): 6.5-9.5mm hybrid works well – similar height
• Replacing tiles (10-12mm): 9.5mm+ hybrid matches better
• Replacing thin vinyl (2-4mm): Any hybrid will be thicker – plan for transitions
• New build: Specify thickness to your builder for consistent heights throughout

We stock transition strips, reducers, and T-mouldings to handle height differences between flooring areas.

Which Thickness Should You Choose?

Here's my decision framework based on situation:

My Honest Recommendation

For most Australian homeowners, 9.5mm hits the sweet spot. It's noticeably better than budget options in terms of feel and sound, handles minor subfloor issues, and doesn't cost dramatically more. The extra $5-10/m² is worth it for flooring you'll live with for 15-20 years.

I only recommend thinner options for genuinely flat subfloors with tight budgets, or thicker options for specific acoustic requirements or very uneven subfloors.

Our Thickness Options

At Hybrid Floors Australia, we stock two main thickness categories based on what works best for Australian homes:

We've deliberately focused on these two options because they cover 95% of situations. The 6.5mm is genuinely good quality (not cheap rubbish), and the 9.5mm is genuinely premium (not overpriced marketing).

Still Have Questions?

Choosing the right thickness involves considering your specific subfloor, your budget, and what you value most. If you're unsure, we're happy to talk through your situation and recommend the best option.

Give us a call on 0431 311 633 or send us a message. Send us a photo of your subfloor if you like – we can help you figure out if 6.5mm will work fine or if 9.5mm is worth the upgrade.

Last updated: December 2025 · Written by the team at Hybrid Floors Australia

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