Pros and cons of hybrid waterproof flooring
Hybrid waterproof flooring's trend in Australian's households is heavily increasing due to its very low maintenance properties, durability & 100% waterproof limestone core.
But there are pros and cons to everything, so let’s take a look into the advantages and disadvantages of hybrid waterproof flooring.
An article written by Imperial Flooring Australia discussing the Pros and cons of hybrid waterproof flooring
Pros of hybrid waterproof flooring
100% Waterproof Flooring
This makes hybrid floors a good option for wet areas of the house such as the kitchen and laundry (not designed for bathrooms).
Easy to Install
Hybrid Flooring is designed for easy DIY installation, manufactured with easy to install clip lock systems.
Easy to clean & maintain
You can vacuum and wet-mop your hybrid floors without a worry.
Pet friendly
Perfect for pet owners whose pets frequently come back with muddy paws from a morning walk, Hybrid Flooring is not only pet friendly but scratch resistant too.
Child friendly
Children’s activities can often lead to the use of crayons or accidental spillages, which are no longer an issue. These can be wiped clean with a little bit of soapy water for a stress-free clean up.
Stain resistant
The top layer adds durability to hybrid floors, making them highly resistant to scratches, dents, and stains.
Cost effective
Our Hybrid Flooring ranges are priced from reasonably ranging from $30 - $50 per sqm, making them affordable for all project budgets.
Perfect for rental properties
Due to the low maintenance & waterproof properties, Hybrid Flooring makes a perfect selection for rental properties.
The feel of real wood
We offer a range of Hybrid Flooring options that are textured on the surface (embossed) to provide the feel of real wood when walking on it.
Cons of hybrid waterproof flooring
Printed top layer (wear)
Hybrid Flooring is manufactured with a printed top layer (that is not real), that repeats in pattern providing a less authentic look to real timber flooring.
Only available in a floating floor installation method
Even though Hybrid Flooring is more stable with its limestone core, a floating floor is not fixed to the subfloor - meaning movement under the foot is normal for a floating floor that is not direct stuck to a subfloor. They don’t feel quite the same underfoot, undermining the natural look & feel real wood in that particular aspect. A more stable floor covering is a direct glue down method available in Engineered Timber Flooring.
Hybrid Floors require a flat surface (subfloor)
You need to ensure the subfloor is levelled before you install a hybrid floating floor. That means there should be less than 3 mm deviation over the space of two metres. Due to the limited thickness options available in Hybrid Flooring, the thinner the board the more preparation that is required for a flat & solid subfloor to lay on, exceeding higher costs.
Lower acoustic performance comparison
Compared to thicker Engineered Direct Stick Flooring installation methods available, hybrid flooring is only available from 5.5mm to 9mm thickness options, that are pre-attached with thinner foam underlay - meaning you cannot achieve the best acoustic performing flooring compared to other ranges of floor covering's like timber, engineered, laminate & bamboo.
Cannot be re-surfaced
Hybrid Flooring cannot be re-surfaced & re-sealed for extra longevity, where Engineered Timber depending on the thickness wear layer product can be resurfaced up to 100 years of lifespan.
Conclusion - Pros and cons of hybrid waterproof flooring
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. Be sure to check our premium textured 9mm Hybrid Waterproof Flooring, our best selling hybrid waterproof flooring collection for Australian Homes.