This thickness range hits that sweet spot—thick enough to feel strong and stable, but not so thick that it becomes a hassle to install or raises the floor too much. A lot of hybrid and laminate products sit in this range because it offers a nice balance between comfort, durability, and cost. It works well for everyday use, especially in homes that see regular foot traffic but don’t need heavy-duty commercial-level performance. Plus, it’s easier to cut, move, and handle during installation, especially for DIY jobs. If you’re trying to upgrade without raising your floor height too much or needing major transitions between rooms, 5.1mm to 8mm flooring is a smart, safe bet.

You’ll find hybrid flooring, laminate flooring, and some vinyl plank flooring in this 5.1mm to 8mm range. Hybrid is probably the most common—it’s usually around 6.5mm and includes a rigid SPC core with a waterproof surface and pre-attached underlay. Laminate in this range is tough and cost-effective, often sitting at 7 or 8mm, which gives it a solid feel and good scratch resistance. Vinyl planks at the 5–6mm mark are a little softer and more flexible, which makes them great for apartments, rentals, and places where comfort and quiet matter. These products all give you great options in timber-look finishes without needing ultra-thick boards.

Yep—especially if you go with a well-made hybrid or laminate product. Thickness alone doesn’t guarantee durability, but most 6–8mm floors are built with better wear layers and stronger locking systems than thinner options. Hybrid flooring in this range can easily handle high-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens, and living rooms. Laminate at 8mm also holds up well if the surface layer is strong enough. If you’re doing a commercial fit-out or really heavy-use space, you might want to go thicker—but for most family homes, this thickness level is more than enough. It’s designed to be walked on, lived on, and still look great years down the track.

Yes, but with a couple of conditions. If your tiles are flat and secure, hybrid or laminate in the 5.1–8mm range can be installed straight over the top. You’ll want to make sure the grout lines aren’t too deep, and the surface is level enough to prevent bounce or movement. Vinyl planks in this range are more flexible, so they’ll follow the surface underneath more closely—meaning subfloor prep is even more important. If there are dips or uneven patches, use a self-levelling compound or underlay to smooth things out. Overall, this thickness range is thin enough to be versatile but strong enough to handle being installed over existing floors—as long as your prep’s right.

In day-to-day use, the difference between 6.5mm and 8mm isn’t massive—but it can matter depending on what you're after. 6.5mm hybrid flooring, for example, might include built-in underlay and still feel very solid. 8mm laminate tends to be a bit denser and might give a slightly more cushioned or quieter step—especially when paired with quality underlay. The main thing is to look at what’s inside: wear layer thickness, core material, whether underlay is included, and what the locking system is like. These things often make more of a difference than the raw thickness number. But if you want a slightly more premium feel, and you’re not restricted by door clearances or height, 8mm can be a good bump up.