What is Hybrid Flooring?
One Source Flooring are proud to be one of the Gold Coast’s leading hybrid flooring installers. We have plenty of designs and solutions for both commercial and residential hybrid flooring installations.
What is hybrid flooring? Hybrid flooring brings together the best qualities you’re looking for in modern flooring. Low maintenance, hybrid floors are perfect for those who have a busy home with children and pets and who are not ready to take on the upkeep of timber flooring. They are easy to clean, stain and scratch-resistant, and with matte finishes, are slip-resistant too.
Hybrid flooring is a digitally rendered product made up of multiple layers [more on that below], so the pattern that you see is what you get – it takes out the worry of seeing unsightly knots. If you’re wanting a simple and clean look floor in your home, hybrid flooring will give you the consistent look from front to back and everything in between.
What is Hybrid Flooring Made From?
For those who like the technical details, let’s get into it. Hybrid flooring is made of multiple layers including:
Underlay (or Backing) – The construction of this layer can vary between brands, but usually consists of foam or cork. This layer enhances walking comfort, warmth and minimises sound transmission. By having this layer attached to the product, you generally do not need any additional underlays.
Middle Layer – This varies from product-to-product, but more commonly consists of a waterproof core. This can be constructed from a ‘Stone Polymer Composite (SPC)’ which combines limestone, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and stabilisers, or ‘Wood Plastic Composite (WPC)’ which, you guessed it, combines recycled wood and PVC. SPC is slightly more durable, while WPC is slightly quieter underfoot. You may also have heard of RCB, or Rigid Core Board. This is relatively new technology that is manufactured from inert mineral compounds that are stable and provide little or no movement.
Decorative Layer – It is this layer that is designed to replicate the look of timber, oak, concrete or stone.
Surface Layer – This layer provides extra protection from everyday wear and tear.
UV Layer – You’ll also find most products have UV-resistant qualities, making hybrid planks a good option for all sun-exposed areas in your home.
Is Hybrid Flooring Good? Let’s Check Out The Pros and Cons of Hybrid Flooring.
HYBRID FLOORING PROS
- Most options are scratch-resistant.
- Installed using floating flooring method.
- Low maintenance option that’s easy to clean.
- Hybrid flooring is waterproof.
- Available in a huge range of styles, colours and textures.
- Family and pet-friendly.
- Plank designs are very realistic.
- Suitable for multi-level homes.
- Underlay not required as already attached.
- Best option for over-tile installation
- Perfect for home renovations as it can be installed almost anywhere!
HYBRID FLOORING CONS
- Requires a smooth and plain subfloor for installation (but most do!).
- Can’t be refinished (some manufacturers do sell repair kits).
- Cheap hybrid can dent with really heavy furniture.
- Planks are not individually replaceable.
Hybrid Flooring Installation
Hybrid planks are very popular in as they’re marketed as an “easier” product to install. So while you may be searching ‘how to lay hybrid flooring’ to save money on your installation, cutting and laying hybrid flooring is not something that any handyman [or homeowner!] can do properly.
We have a great blog that covers how you can avoid a DIY disaster, but here’s why you should engage a professional hybrid flooring installer on your next project.
- Benefit from your 5 Year Installation Guarantee.
- Maintain your Manufacturer’s Warranties/Guarantees.
- Reduce the risk of potential DIY issues in the future.
- Have a local point-of-contact post installation.
- We have over 30 years experience, specifically in the flooring industry.
- We only use the Gold Coast’s best flooring installers.
- Know your levelling and expansions has been completed properly.
- Benefit from polished finishes that only professional install can deliver.
What is the Cost of Hybrid Flooring?
Like any flooring product, the cost of hybrid flooring installation is dependent on the design, manufacturer and quality of the hybrid flooring that you selected. It’s important to note that while you will see an advertised hybrid flooring cost based on metres squared, the total cost will ultimately come down to the amount of boxes you will need to purchase.
Some key determining factors of your hybrid flooring cost include:
- Hybrid planks with life-like timber embossing and grains can generally cost more than cheaper, plastic-like hybrid flooring that’s sold at major retailers.
- Wider or longer planks generally cost more than shorter boards.
- Some manufacturers are innovative, taking the time to develop and enhance the construction of the hybrid floor layers and joins—offering products that can be guaranteed for a longer period of time. While going with a ‘cheaper’ option may save you upfront, it can cause issues in the long term due to failure in the flooring.
If you’re looking for both supply and installation costs, you’ll need to consider your floor preparation costs too.
- Do you need your existing flooring professionally removed or can you do it yourself?
- Is your subfloor in good condition, ready for new flooring?
- Or does the existing floor need to be flooded and levelled?
- Do you need help moving furniture prior to your flooring being removed?
- Do you need to add a moisture barrier?
- Does your skirting need to be removed and replaced?
- Do you want your hybrid flooring to also be laid on your staircase?
All of these factors can affect the total of your hybrid flooring cost. To get an accurate quote, we suggest booking a free in-home measure and quote with the experts at One Source Flooring.
Hybrid Flooring Installation Process
Once we have chosen your hybrid, paid your deposit invoice and an installation date has been confirmed, the below steps provide a brief example of what to expect when your new hybrid flooring is installed.
- Your existing flooring is removed (either by the homeowner or One Source Flooring). Your skirting boards are also removed at this time if you have not selected scotia to be installed over the flooring. If we’re installing over tiles, your tiles will be examined at our check-measure appointment to ensure they aren’t “drummy” and need to be removed.
- Your subfloor will be examined and our recommendations for floor preparation will be discussed. We will inspect your subfloor for imperfections, levelling issues, mould/moisture and more.
- Our recommendations and the cost of your floor preparation is discussed and signed off with the Installer and Homeowner. The total costs will appear on your final invoice.
- Floor preparation is underway! This can include grinding, installing a moisture barrier, floor levelling—all depending on the state of your subfloor.
- Once finalised, our team will expertly install your hybrid floors, reinstate or install new skirting and prepare the space for handover.
