What is Hybrid Flooring?

What is hybrid flooring? Hybrid flooring was developed by combining qualities from other flooring types, creating an entirely new flooring solution that’s low maintenance and durable. Hybrid planks are a floating floor product and are a great solution 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.

READ OUR BLOG ABOUT HYBRID FLOORS >>

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. 

What is hybrid flooring made of

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. 

Our Hybrid Flooring Collections

Looking for family and budget-friendly hybrid planks that are installed by expert Gold Coast Hybrid flooring installers? Avoid the super cheap and nasties you’ll find at major retailers and check out our ranges below. We only stock hybrid planks that we truly stand by, so you’ll only find the best at One Source. We have plenty of designs and solutions for both commercial and residential hybrid flooring installations.  

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.
  • 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.
  • Good option for over-tile installation

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.
  • Not all planks are entirely waterproof.
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Hybrid Flooring - What's Aaron's Top Pick?

Elegant by Riverhill

Introducing Elegant by Riverhill Floors. These beautiful hybrid planks have a PVC matte embossed surface and are available in 12 modern colours. 

  • 20 Year Residential Wear Warranty
  • 4 Sided Micro Bevel
  • P3 Slip Resistance
  • L’n Tw Accoustic Rating: 47
EXPLORE RANGE >>
65005 Ivory Beige

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? 
  • Or will you need to install a scotia beading?
  • How will your hybrid planks meet up with your kitchen? How will the perimeter need to be finished?
  • 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.

Note – While hybrid may seem like a cheaper option upfront, factoring in levelling and perimeter finishes can add additional costs that may not be discovered until later down the track. Products like vinyl flooring can be cut into your existing perimeters (avoiding removing and reinstalling skirting boards or kitchen kick-boards), so can often work out to be most cost-effective. 

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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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Floor preparation is underway! This can include grinding, installing a moisture barrier, floor levelling—all depending on the state of your subfloor.
  5. Once finalised, our team will expertly install your hybrid floors, reinstate or install new skirting and prepare the space for handover.
Scociatoskirting
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Answering your Hybrid Flooring FAQs

As professional flooring installers we, of course, are going to recommend choosing an experienced installer to lay your hybrid flooring. But there’s some pretty important reasons behind why it’s really not a bad idea:

  • We offer a 5 Year Installation Guarantee, so if anything should go wrong with your hybrid flooring installation, we’re local and are able to help.
  • Our installers are professionals and are hand-picked due to their experience in the industry. They have the expertise to ensure that your hybrid flooring installation has been done properly – allowing you to maintain your manufacturer’s guarantees/warranties.
  • Rest assured that your levelling and expansions have been done correctly, avoiding costly relaying expenses. We have a great blog on how to avoid a DIY Disaster.

We cover some super helpful tips in our FAQs on our Hybrid page . 

If you’d like to know more about our professional hybrid flooring installation service, fill out our free in-home measure and quote form. 

Hybrid planks are easy to keep clean. In most homes, regular sweeping and vacuuming will be sufficient in cleaning your hybrid flooring. When it comes to mopping, not all hybrid planks are created equal. Most hybrid planks require the use of a damp microfibre mop (or similar). We recommend reviewing your manufacturers maintenance guide as well as our Post-Installation Guide.

As mentioned above, most hybrid planks are constructed with an underlay/acoustical backing, making an additional underlay unnecessary. However, there are applications which may require an additional use of underlayment for acoustical reduction, like apartment living, so this should be discussed with your hybrid flooring installer.

If your planks do not have an inbuilt underlay: if your subfloor is perfectly level, underlays are not needed. If not, then an underlay is easy to install beneath your planks prior to installation.

Yes! As long as the tiles are not ‘drummy’ (our team can look into this for you). In all cases, you will need to take-up our floor preparation services where we completely flood the tiles with a levelling agent (in larger spaces with varying levels, this could be more expensive than lifting the tiles). We always recommend having our team visit your space to determine if hybrid flooring is right for your project. 

No, hybrid floors are installed using a floating floor system. As always we recommend referring to your manufacturer’s installation guidelines and engaging with a professional flooring installer (like One Source!).

Yes you do. These vary based on the manufacturers specifications. If you already have your skirting boards installed, you may gave to remove these, or you can take up the option to have a scotia installed.

  • Hybrid planks are generally quicker to install as they can be laid over most existing floors.
  • Most types of hybrid floating floors have a water-resistant surface – making them easy to clean.
  • If you’re looking for a low maintenance flooring solution, hybrid floors are the way to go.
  • Hybrid floors are ready to walk on as soon as they’re installed.
  • Unlike timber flooring, hybrid floors can not be refinished with wear and tear. This might sound like a ‘con’ but because of their durability, hybrid floors don’t need to be!

Is hybrid flooring truly waterproof? Yes and no. Some hybrid flooring manufacturer’s claim that their planks are ‘waterproof’ or ‘wet moppable’,  but you need to take note of:

  • Does the hybrid plank only have a waterproof surface?
  • Does it also have a waterproof core?
  • Better still, does it also have a waterproof join?

If your hybrid flooring has a combination of all three, you can be confident that spills and cleaning with wet mops won’t cause any long term damage. If your hybrid planks only have a waterproof surface, any spills need to be cleaned up immediately so to not leak into the joins.

If you live in an area with high humidity (like the Gold Coast), we encourage you to discuss your needs with a flooring expert here in our Nerang showroom and if appropriate, select an alternative flooring option like our vinyl plank collection.

Head on over to our Hybrid Flooring page or drop into our Showroom at 1A/13 Brendan Dr, Nerang to explore our complete range and all their colours in-store.

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.