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On an 18mm board, this will depend on the thickness of the top veneer, which is typically 4-6 mm. That means you can sand down the board and refinish it four or five times during the wood’s lifespan. In most cases, that will be sufficient to maintain a floo appearance for several decades east. With every refinishing, minor marks and dents will be removed, and the wood’s original colour and texture will be restored.
You can use it for light to medium commercial purposes, such as offices, boutiques, or reception areas. Despite its thick, multi-layer core, this flooring is remarkably stable and resistant to wear over time. However, a specialised commercial-grade finish is recommended for areas with heavy-duty traffic, such as restaurants and retail stores. Having kids, pets, and constant movement in your home means it will perform exceptionally well in these scenarios.
Underfoot, 18mm engineered flooring gives you the same type of feel as solid wood, but with a more stable surface. Unlike solid timber, such as oak or maple, it does not expand and contract dramatically in response to changes in humidity or temperature. While you will still get a real hardwood surface—oak, walnut, or ash—you will need to perform far less maintenance, and there is no risk of warping during the product’s lifetime.
There is no doubt that it can – provided it is installed correctly. The engineered construction can withstand gradual temperature changes well; however, the surface temperature should never exceed 27°C (80°F) during operation. To maintain a flat and stable floor for years to come, it is essential to use the correct underlay and control the temperature.
A thickness of this size works well in areas such as hallways, living rooms, open-plan areas, and kitchens where there is a lot of movement or furniture that is heavier and frequently moved. Additionally, it’s a good choice for multi-level homes, where a solid and quiet feel underfoot is essential. If you are looking for a lighter option with the same look as wood, but thinner, such as 14-15mm, then bedrooms or upstairs rooms might be a good choice.
Many people shopping for engineered wood flooring tend to focus on the colour or finish, as well as the price of the flooring. Still, they usually overlook one of the most essential details of the flooring: its thickness. A millimetre can make a significant difference in how your floor feels, its longevity, and its resistance to wear over time.
Why is it necessary to have 18mm engineered wood flooring?
The reason is that not every home has a queen-sized bed. We live in a world where stairs, hallways, living rooms with furniture moved around, and open areas where people come and go all day long are constantly under pressure. Although thinner options, such as 10 mm and 14 mm, may look great, engineered wood flooring in these spaces is more likely to provide the solid feeling underfoot that homeowners want, while thinner boards can sometimes flex slightly over time.
In this situation, there is a reason why using a 18mm profile makes sense. A design that was designed for households that aren’t commercial spaces, but still have the same feel as a commercial space.
It is an easy choice between 15mm and 18mm engineered flooring—a matter of a few millimetres. Once your floor has been installed in your home, those millimetres have a significant impact on how it behaves. What is most important is not to ask “Which is better?” but rather, “Which suits my lifestyle the best?”
Let’s break it down clearly.
A good 15mm engineered wood floor will be perfectly suitable for your home if you have steady movement—walking the same paths every day, moving furniture occasionally, and wanting a high-quality wood floor that doesn’t overengineer. Then, this is definitely the option for you.
As a lighter, easier-to-install product, it makes installation upstairs or over old subfloors easier. It is also strong enough to withstand regular household activity. What about bedrooms, home offices, and smaller living rooms? 15mm is spot-on.
Think about what it would be like to live in a different kind of house:
There is a lot of running between the rooms in the house because of the kids. It is common to see pets chasing toys while playing. Even though it’s a big sofa, it never gets moved – unless, of course, someone drags it around every once in a while. In that case, 18mm engineered flooring becomes the obvious choice.
The product’s base is thicker, which means it will be less likely to move when the temperature or humidity fluctuates. As soon as you step on it, you feel it is denser and quieter. Additionally, many veneer surfaces are sanded down several times over the course of decades, so rather than replacing the entire piece, you can only replace the worn-down surface, which can then be reapplied.
You could say:
In this honest breakdown, most stores skip the truth: both 15mm and 18mm will look the same once they are installed. Years later, the actual difference begins to show up.
It makes sense to use 15mm if you are renovating a rental, guest room, or a space that does not experience regular daily wear and tear. As a result, you can achieve a hardwood finish at a lower price without paying for extra thickness, and you will not be using it to its fullest potential.
There are several reasons why 18mm is a better long-term investment if you are renovating the main floor of your home, particularly the living room, hallway, and kitchen. Think of it like this:
It’s one of those floors you can install once and not worry about for the next 30 years—that is, 18mm flooring is not about luxury but about practicality.
Quick tip:
If you’re unsure, start by asking one question:
“Do I want my floor to last through the next renovation… or the next generation?”
If it’s the first one, go with 15mm.
If it’s the second, choose 18mm.
Yes, you can — but only if it’s installed correctly.
Although 18mm engineered wood flooring is thick, it’s still made with a layered structure that can withstand gradual temperature changes much better than solid wood flooring. To keep the system performing as well as possible, you need to understand how heat moves through the layers, and what you can (and cannot) do to keep it functioning efficiently.
A unique feature of engineered hardwood flooring is that, unlike solid wood floors, they have a stable core that resists warping and shrinking over time. Depending on the temperature of the air being exposed to underfloor heating, it will expand and contract uniformly.
A board with a thickness of 18mm will take slightly longer to conduct heat than one with a thickness of 14mm, but once it has warmed up, it will retain that heat for a more extended period, keeping the surface temperature comfortable and stable.
Imagine it as a thicker pan on a stove, where it heats up more slowly but retains heat longer.
For a smooth operation, it is essential to follow the following steps:
A good choice if you want a solid wood feel without the risk of warping, and your heating system is well-balanced, 18mm is a great option. Especially for homes with underfloor heating, it is ideal for those who are using it more as a comfort feature than as a primary source of warmth.
For example:
Nevertheless, if your system runs continuously at a high temperature, a thin (14–15mm) engineered board might offer slightly better responsiveness.
There’s no better way to choose your floor than by looking at it, touching it, and laying it out in your own space before you make a decision. To help you decide whether to order 18mm engineered wood flooring, Flooring Surgeons offers free samples.
What appears to be golden oak online may feel darker or warmer, or it may look different in your home, as every house has different lighting, colour, and texture. Ordering samples lets you test how the boards react to natural light, as well as to your furniture and the paint on your walls. To determine what will work best for your home, you need to do it yourself.
Have a look at the full range of 18mm styles we offer, from brushed oak to dark walnut tones, and pick out two or three you like. If you place them near a window, step on them barefoot, and notice how they feel underfoot once they have arrived. Those kinds of details are not visible in a photo, but they are evident in person.
If you’re ready to order your boards, you can either order online or visit a showroom to see full-size planks available.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of choosing flooring that is simple, transparent, and hands-on.
