What is hybrid flooring and how does it work?
Using cutting edge manufacturing technologies, hybrid flooring comes in a wide range of designs and styles whilst still being affordable and durable. Hybrid flooring is generally made up of four layers that are pressed together to make a hard-wearing floor:
Can hybrid flooring be installed over tiles?
As long as your installation surface is relatively flat, you can install hybrid flooring over almost anything. This means that you can definitely lay hybrid flooring over tiles, timber, or laminate, although you should keep in mind that hybrid floors are optimally installed where the floor is relatively level.
Is hybrid flooring more expensive than laminate?
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.
How long do hybrid floors last?
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.
What are the disadvantages of hybrid flooring?
Disadvantages of Hybrid Flooring Cost - It is cheaper than timber flooring but dearer than standard vinyl or laminate flooring. Scratch - Although it is durable and hard-wearing, the floor can get scratches or dents. Take care when you are moving furniture around and clean the floor regularly using neutral cleaners.
Can hybrid flooring warp?
Hybrid Features Your floor won't lift or warp under extreme conditions. Hybrid's unique construction makes it 100% waterproof. This particular feature makes it ideal to use in areas with high moisture levels like bathrooms, kitchen, laundries and entryways.
Is hybrid flooring flexible?
Hybrid flooring features two main construction aspects while luxury vinyl planks typically feature one. Hybrid flooring's rigid floor construction offers increased resistance and stability. Luxury vinyl floors have a more flexible construction that makes them softer than hybrid vinyl.
Is hybrid flooring floating?
Hybrid flooring is a rigid floating floor product that combines the best attributes of laminate and vinyl. The high-density core crafted from layers of materials is both scratch and stain resistant.
Does the thickness of hybrid flooring matter?
As a general rule, a thicker SPC Hybrid will provide more stability and comfort underfoot. So if you are looking for flooring to refresh your low traffic bedroom, a thinner SPC Hybrid plank flooring will work great for you.
How long does hybrid flooring last?
Decent hybrid floors should last a minimum of 20 years if cared for properly. Higher ranges can exceed 30 years, however, it really goes down to how well you treat your flooring, especially since they cannot be sanded or polished like solid timber.
What does hybrid flooring feel like to walk on?
Solid timber flooring lovers may find hybrid flooring will sound slightly more 'hollow' when walked upon and feel less strong underfoot. To the contrary, hybrid floors are far more scratch-resistant and durable than their timber counterparts on their surface.
Does hybrid flooring look fake?
The cheaper the brand of hybrid floor that you purchase, the less like real timber it will look. This is because the aesthetic layer of the floors is essentially printed on, so cheap floorboards will repeat the same pattern often enough to be noticeably fake.
Is hybrid flooring better than engineered wood?
However, engineered flooring isn't quite as tough or durable as the hybrid. This is because the upper layer of engineered flooring is made from a thin layer of natural hardwood. As such, engineered flooring is much more susceptible to scratching than hybrid flooring, which makes hybrid the clear winner in that regard.
What happens if hybrid flooring gets wet?
We say hybrid flooring is water resistant instead. For example, if you leave your bath on and end up flooding the room, you're going to get moisture under the flooring, which can lead to mould and bacteria growth. You're going to need to pull it out and replace it even though there's no visible damage.
Is hybrid flooring OK in a bathroom?
Hybrid floors are 100% waterproof and suitable for all areas of the house (including the kitchen, and other wet areas, except the bathroom). Hybrid flooring is an innovative new type of flooring, bringing the best characteristics of both vinyl and laminate floors to create an improved floating floor.
Is hybrid flooring good for kitchens?
Is hybrid flooring good for the kitchen? Yes! Hybrid kitchen flooring is one of the best choices you can make for your kitchen. The protective topcoat keeps it safe from water and moisture, at the same time offering comfort and easy maintenance.
Do you need underlay for hybrid flooring?
Underlay is recommended for hybrid floors as it not only helps cushion your feet and increases comfort, but also helps absorb sound. That being sai...
How do you lay hybrid flooring?
Hybrid flooring is a ‘floating floor’ that uses a click-lock system, which means that you simply slot each plank together and click them into place...
Can you glue hybrid flooring?
Yes, of course you can do it ‘glue-down ‘. hybrid flooring is designed as a floating floor, which means that it is laid above your existing floor w...
Can hybrid flooring be laid over tiles?
Definitely – hybrid flooring is very versatile and can be laid over almost any surface aside from carpets. This includes tiles, timber, and laminat...
How much does it cost to install hybrid flooring?
In New South Wales (Australia), installation of a hybrid floor generally costs between $25 and $30 per square metre. However, it can cost more if y...
What is hybrid flooring?
Hybrid flooring is a ‘floating floor’ that uses a click-lock system, which means that you simply slot each plank together and click them into place. Once the planks are locked into place, the hybrid floor installation has no seams and can be uninstalled with relative ease if you need to change any of them out.
How long does a hybrid floor last?
You can do this by adding curtains or blinds to the windows of the room. Most models of hybrid flooring come with long warranties that can extend for over 20 years, so you can have peace of mind knowing that any manufacturing defects will be covered by the manufacturer in the years to come.
What type of flooring is floating?
If you’d like to learn more about floating floors, we have a comprehensive guide about them here! Other flooring types that also use floating floors include laminate and engineered flooring and installing laminate or engineered flooring will generally follow a similar process to hybrid flooring.
What is underlayment in flooring?
Underlay is a soft foam or rubber layer underneath the hybrid planks which allows the floor to be more comfortable as it ‘gives’ a little under your feet. Underlay can also reduce footfall noise and minimise the impact of slightly uneven subfloors, making them more suitable for hybrid flooring.
How to make a wall with a hybrid plank?
The tongue side of the planks should be facing away from the wall, and all of the planks in one row should easily slot into each other. Use the spacers to ensure that the planks are placed at a uniform distance away from the walls.
How to cut a hybrid plank?
Cutting hybrid planks is easy – after measuring and drawing where you would like to cut, use a ruler and knife to score the plank through the top laminated layer. You can then turn the plank over and snap it into two pieces. Alternatively , you can use a saw to cut completely through the hybrid plank.
How much expansion gap is needed for a hybrid plank?
The expansion gap is generally between 6 to 10 millimetres depending upon the climate of the location in which the floors are installed.
What is hybrid flooring?
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.
Why don't hybrid floors feel the same?
Hybrid floors don’t feel as solid as the bamboo or timber floors due to their plastic composition.
What are the components of hybrid flooring?
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.
How much deviation should be required for a hybrid 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.
Is hybrid flooring more expensive than laminate flooring?
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.
Is hybrid flooring 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.
Do you need a level subfloor for floating flooring?
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.
WPC hybrid flooring
A WPC floor is made from a wood plastic composite, meaning it’s soft and comfortable underfoot.
SPC hybrid flooring
An SPC floor is made from a stone polymer composite, which gives it a stiffer feel underfoot.
Hybrid flooring ideas: Top 5
Hybrid flooring comes in a range of colours and styles. Some of the best are outlined below.
3. Slate gray
Adding a level of contemporary sophistication to a room, gray hybrid floors have an understated elegance which allows for the room’s décor to truly shine. They come in varying shades and samples are often free.
2. Patterned
The most common layout pattern for hybrid flooring is probably staggered.
What is hybrid flooring?
The hybrid flooring category is in actuality two distinct but similar types of flooring products: WPC hybrid and SPC hybrid. While they both include the name ‘Hybrid’, it is important to view them as separate products.
How many expansion breaks do you need for a WPC floor?
For example, if you have a room that is over 10 metres in length or width, you will need at least one expansion break on a WPC floor. SPC Flooring in most cases can go up to 20 metres in either direction before an expansion break is required.
Can aerated core cause WPC to grow?
Heat can also cause the aerated core of WPC Flooring can also cause the tiny microbubbles to heat and expand, which in turn causes the product to grow. This limits WPC flooring to smaller applications unless you use expansion breaks in the floor.
Is SPC flooring waterproof?
Because it lacks the Wood and Bamboo Flour, and the Foaming Agent of the WPC, it has a more solid and stable composition and better resists temperature change. SPC flooring, like WPC flooring, is waterproof and shares the same wear layer and picture film as vinyl plank flooring.
Is WPC flooring popular in Australia?
WPC flooring never really gained popularity in Australia as an option for replacing various rafted flooring options until SPC was launched. Then both products were included under the ‘Hybrid’ banner, and often the distinction between them was lost.
Do hybrids sit on the floor?
However, heavier Hybrids sit on the floor better and the extra weight helps create friction on the underlay, and prevent movement in the flooring raft. We would be glad to help you weigh the pros and cons of the different types of hybrid flooring and help you determine the ideal product for your home.
