What is hybrid flooring?

by Olivia Williams Marketing Manager

Hybrid flooring is a new type of affordable flooring that can mimic the look of concrete, hardwood, timber, and marble. Unlike those other materials, hybrid flooring is lightweight, so it can be easily be bought from flooring stores and taken home in the boot of your car.

It also does not require professional installation making it a favoured flooring of choice for home renovators. As long as your floor is level, you will be able to install your hybrid flooring immediately. Many hybrid flooring also comes with an attached underlay, which takes out the need for an additional step when installing.

Composition of hybrid flooring

Hybrid flooring is typically constructed with four layers:

The UV coated layer

The ultraviolet coating gives hybrid flooring high-impact resistance that protects your floor from stains, discolouration, and other damages from regular wear and tears.

The decorative layer

Also called the image layer, this is the high-quality image print of the design of the hybrid flooring. This can either look like hardwood, marble, concrete, or other flooring material.

The composite core layer

This can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The main components of hybrid flooring’s composite core board give it its structure and waterproofing. It also gives the board stability in the face of drastic temperature changes.

The backing layer

The backing layer of hybrid flooring gives it its sound-proofing capabilities. It also gives it a “softer,” more comfortable feel when walking. It also comes with a self-adhesive so that you can easily install and secure your hybrid flooring.

Where to use hybrid flooring

Hybrid flooring can be found in both residential and commercial settings. Due to the ease of transportation, installation, and cost of the flooring itself, it is a cost-effective way of flooring when renovating a room.

Thanks to its waterproof properties, it can be used in all areas of the house, including wet areas like the kitchen, laundry, or mudroom. However, while it can be used in toilets and bathrooms, it is not recommended to be used there as it can be very slippery when wet.

Advantages of hybrid flooring

Readily available from flooring suppliers, flooring dealers, and flooring stores.
Available in a wide array of hybrid flooring designs
Lightweight and easy to transport.
Modern hybrid flooring comes in 9.7mm thickness that gives better comfort when walking and more effective acoustic soundproofing.

Very easy to install and maintain.
Can be used indoors and outdoors.
If a small section of your hybrid flooring is damaged, you only need to replace the damaged floorboards and not the whole floor.

Disadvantages of hybrid flooring

Since it only mimics the look of other flooring and not its texture, hybrid flooring can be extremely slippery when wet.
While it is cheaper than more expensive flooring, it is more expensive than laminate and vinyl flooring.
It requires an absolutely flat subfloor when installing.

Price of hybrid flooring in Melbourne

Hybrid flooring can be bought from flooring supply stores in Melbourne. The price of hybrid flooring can vary according to the size, particularly the thickness of the item you are getting. The price can range from $30 to $65 per square metre.

You can get a free estimate and quote for your space from National Floors Australia. Located in Dandenong, VIC, they offer the best prices and quality of hybrid flooring in Melbourne.