Hybrid flooring captures the look and feel of an authentic timber floor, while offering the convenience and durability of modern materials.
But there are pros and cons to everything, so let’s dig a little deeper into the advantages and disadvantages of hybrid flooring.
First, the advantages...
This ‘easy to care for’ flooring solution has many benefits as well as aesthetic appeal. Hybrid flooring provides a comfortable walking surface that easily withstands the knocks and bumps of everyday life, but even more hardwearing versions are available for commercial installations. These tougher variants can stand up to the higher foot traffic, heavy furniture, and wear and tear that can be caused from more demanding commercial use.
Hybrid flooring is extremely stable and maintains its integrity over time. As it’s also waterproof, it does not expand, swell or contract, which means it won’t buckle or warp. This makes hybrid flooring a great choice for the kitchen, bathroom and laundry, all areas that can be prone to moisture.
The core stability of the design also means that hybrid floors can tolerate the extremes of temperature in our harsh Australian climate. They can also be used with underfloor heating and in areas that are exposed to strong, constant UV light.
Cleaning is easy! Simply sweep and mop to clean and maintain the finish of your extremely low maintenance, durable floor. Hybrid flooring reviews are full of praise for the ease of caring required.
The structure of hybrid flooring means it can be installed over a subfloor. This results in easier installation that saves time and money.
Installation is quick and easy as well, as no adhesives are used. The units lock together to remain firmly in place for years to come.
The best advantage of hybrid flooring is that it looks like hardwood flooring, yet it can meet your needs and style requirements at an affordable price point.
And then the disadvantages...
Hybrid flooring is more expensive than laminate flooring at the outset; however, you’ll save on installation costs and it will reward you with years of wear.
You can’t sand or recoat hybrid floors either, although you can easily repair any damages.
Hybrid flooring 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.
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, undermining 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.
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.
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.
