The Pros and Cons of Hybrid Flooring

Resilient, or vinyl flooring, has experienced steady growth since 2015. It’s one of the top-selling new flooring types for residential applications worldwide, with over 23% of market share. 

Is hybrid vinyl flooring the right type of flooring for your home though?

This is what you need to know about hybrid flooring.

What is Hybrid Flooring?

Hybrid flooring falls into the category of resilient vinyl flooring. It combines the best characteristics of vinyl and laminate to create an easy-to-install versatile hard surface floor.

The components of hybrid flooring include:

• A commercial-grade protective coating
• A decorative printed layer
• Composite core board
• An acoustic underlay

The protective coating and core board make hybrid flooring stand out among its peers and account for the many benefits of this type of flooring.  

Hybrid Flooring is 100% Waterproof 

Hybrid flooring is totally waterproof thanks to the hard topcoat backed by a PVC core. This makes it ideal for home with messy pets and children in residence.

You can vacuum and wet-mop your hybrid floors without a worry.

This makes hybrid floors a good option for wet areas of the house such as the kitchen and laundry.

Hybrid Flooring Is Easy to Install and Maintain

Hybrid flooring installation is a straightforward procedure which is well within the capabilities of the average DIY enthusiast thanks to its easy-to-use click-lock system.

You can install it over any existing level floor, so they’re ideal as temporary flooring for rental homes.

This click-lock system means it’s easy to replace a single board when maintaining your floor and there aren’t any gaps between the boards where dust, grime, and bacteria can gather.

Some hybrid floors may require an underlay.

Hybrid flooring’s made from limestone and plastic core boards which add stability to your floors. They don’t contract and expand as much as other types of floors, so they’re ideal for the extreme temperature fluctuations in Australia.

Hybrid Flooring is Stain Resistant

The top layer also adds durability to hybrid floors, making them impervious to scratches, dents, and stains.

You can enjoy your hybrid floors for decades after installation. In the rare event that your floor sustains damage, you can repair it quickly and easily. 

For added convenience, you can order hybrid flooring online, so you won’t have any trouble finding replacement parts. 

Hybrid Flooring is Versatile

You’ll find a huge hybrid flooring range to choose from when you decide to install these type of floors. 

The state-of-the-art graphics used on the printed layer of hybrid flooring closely imitates all your favourite types of hardwood flooring as well as designs to suit any home.  You can also choose a smooth or embossed finish to closely match the type of floor you most desire in your home.

This makes hybrid flooring one of the most stylish and attractive flooring options across Australia. 

Apart from good looks, hybrid flooring’s comfortable underfoot and supports your feet as you move around. That means your legs and feet won’t tire during marathon cooking sessions if you install hybrid flooring in your kitchen. 

The thick acoustic layer ensures quiet during even the most boisterous games and provides a little extra thermal insulation too.

The Cons of Hybrid Flooring

There are a few drawbacks associated with hybrid flooring. These are:

Expense

Hybrid flooring’s more expensive than laminate flooring at the outset. However, you’ll save on installation costs and it will reward you with years of service.

You can’t sand or recoat hybrid floors either, although you can easily repair any damages. 

Hybrid floorings may feel slightly less authentic (unique texture due to the mix of plastic, limestone, and wood) and less solid underfoot compared to thicker timber and bamboo floors. However, you’ll be hard-pressed to find the difference without a close examination of the floor.

Authenticity

Some people find that hybrid floors don’t compare with the surfaces they’re intended to emulate.

They don’t feel quite the same underfoot and lower quality floors may repeat wood patterns too often which undermines the natural look of the wood print.

Hybrid floors don’t feel as solid as the bamboo or timber floors due to their plastic composition.

Hybrid Floors Require a Flat Sub-Floor

You need to ensure your floor’s absolutely level before you install a hybrid floor. That means there should be less than 3 mm deviation over the space of two metres. 

Any unevenness means the snap-lock system won’t seal tightly. That said, except for carpet and vinyl sheet flooring, all other types of flooring require a level subfloor too. 

Be aware that any floating floor adds a little height to your usual floor too and this can interfere with existing doors and furniture.

Find the Ideal Hybrid Flooring for Your Home

With so many choices when it comes to hybrid flooring, it’s not surprising that many homeowners experience a sense of bewilderment when deciding on the best one for them. 

If you’d like a little guidance finding the perfect type of flooring for your Sydney home, get in touch. We have solutions for all your flooring needs.