You’ll notice many flooring options when you shop in the market. Whether you are building a new home from scratch or doing a home improvement project, you’re spoiled with flooring choices, such as hybrid, vinyl, laminate, ceramic, natural stone, timber, and more.
Today, one of the trendiest flooring types is hybrid flooring. This material stems from improvements in technology and manufacturing. Innovation has enabled consumers to enjoy a broad range of hybrid floor styles to match their space needs and personal preferences. If you’re interested in hybrid flooring, keep reading to get a better grasp of this flooring material so you can make an informed choice!
Brief Hybrid Floor Overview
Hybrid floors live up to their name by mixing two types of flooring materials: vinyl and laminate. The hybrid option combines the best materials to give you more durable flooring. It’s also sturdy and strong, so you can expect better longevity from this hard-wearing floor.
Laminate floors on their own tend to swell. They are also not waterproof, so they can warp. As such, you can’t use them for damp places such as kitchens or bathrooms. In contrast, vinyl floors are water-resistant, but the planks and tiles are more complex to install than laminates. They must be glued individually to the floor, making installation quite time-consuming. As a result, this also jacks up the labour costs.
The development of the hybrid floor combines the best qualities of both laminate and vinyl, without the disadvantages. The result is an excellent flooring type that can last you for many years without issues.
The Components of a Hybrid Floor
If you’re wondering what makes hybrid flooring strong, that’s thanks to the materials it is made of. A hybrid floor panel is typically made up of four layers, which are:
- Top Layer: This is ultraviolet-coated to resist impact. With durable materials, you can prevent fast degradation from daily use and normal wear and tear.
- Decorative Layer: This can mimic the beauty of timber floors without the temperamental nature that causes the floor to contract and expand due to temperature changes and moisture.
- Core Board: A limestone core board in the centre makes the hybrid floor temperature-resistant and waterproof.
- Underlay: Hybrid floors have pre-installed acoustic backing for better sound absorption and underfoot comfort. Since it’s adhered with an underlay, there’s no need for a separate floor installation. This means you save time and money.
Pros of Using a Hybrid Floor
Hybrid floors were designed to offer the best of laminate and vinyl flooring materials. As such, hybrid flooring provides you with a host of benefits. Check them out below:
Quick Installation
Hybrid flooring is straightforward to install compared to other floor materials. It comes in planks that can be laid readily above existing smooth and flat flooring. As a result, there’s no need to rip out floors, make a mess, and delay installation. Hybrid floors are installed with a click and lock mechanism. It is a floating floor that a handy homeowner can install as a DIY project since there’s little equipment needed.
Easy Repairs
Hybrid floor planks expand with the weather, but certainly not to the same extent as other floor types. Thankfully, the expansion joints in hybrid floors provide plenty of room for this. Furthermore, in case there’s damage, the specific hybrid plank where the issue is can be removed and replaced. This quality makes hybrid flooring easy to repair.
Budget-Friendly
People on a budget love hybrid flooring because it offers exceptional value for the money. Easy installations also cut labour costs since there’s no need to strip floors and spend so much on repairs. The material quality is sturdy, ensuring you can enjoy hybrid floors for a long time.
Beautiful Designs
Homeowners, builders, designers, and architects love hybrid flooring because of the many trendy design options available. A broad range of timber-like styles offer the appearance of wood without the hefty price and high maintenance needs. Hence, you can choose from a variety of styles to complement your property’s theme and decor.
Water-Resistant
Just imagine having timber-like flooring in your kitchen or bathroom! Traditionally, you cannot use wood in these areas because of high moisture. But hybrid flooring is waterproof, so you can enjoy the look of lumber without worrying about water damage.
Highly Durable
Those looking for a hard-wearing floor that can withstand heavy traffic and use will love hybrid flooring. It works well for homes with energetic kids and pets, as well as commercial buildings. Hybrid floors are a long-lasting option, making them resilient and versatile in all climates.
Easy Maintenance
Unlike hardwood floors, which you need to polish and re-sand, hybrid floors are effortless to maintain. You can simply sweep, mop, or vacuum to clean the floor. Don’t use any harsh chemicals, steam, or wax the floor. And steer clear of scouring pads and steel wool, as these may cause undue damage. Soft cloth is best for sanitising hybrid floors.
Though hybrid floors have many benefits, they are not perfect. They are cheaper than hardwood but more expensive than vinyl and laminates. Although durable, they can still become dented or scratched when moving furniture around. Exposure to intense sunlight and artificial light can also lead to discolouration.
However, you can circumvent all these issues with proper care. Use curtains and take care when moving furniture. Hybrid flooring is worth the investment for residential or commercial use. They are beautiful and durable, giving you value for your hard-earned money.
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of hybrid flooring, why not speak with a professional flooring expert?