Hybrid Flooring Australia – Frequently Asked Questions

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What is Hybrid Flooring?

Hybrid flooring is a modern flooring solution that combines the appearance of timber with the durability and water resistance of a rigid flooring system.

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SPC hybrid flooring uses a Stone Plastic Composite core, providing a rigid and dimensionally stable construction with excellent waterproof performance. Premium hybrid flooring can also feature realistic embossed timber-look surfaces and integrated acoustic underlay.

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Is Hybrid Flooring Waterproof?

Yes. SPC hybrid flooring is 100% waterproof, making it a popular choice for Australian homes and commercial spaces.

Hybrid flooring is particularly suited to areas where everyday spills and moisture may occur, including kitchens, laundries, living areas, hallways and other high-use areas. 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ features a 100% waterproof rigid SPC construction.

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What is SPC Hybrid Flooring?

SPC stands for Stone Plastic Composite. SPC hybrid flooring uses a rigid composite core incorporating limestone and PVC, providing excellent structural performance and dimensional stability. The 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ construction combines an SPC limestone and PVC composite core with an embossed wear layer and protective UV coating.

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Is Hybrid Flooring Good for Australian Homes?

Yes. Hybrid flooring is a popular choice for Australian homes because it offers waterproof performance, durability, easy maintenance and realistic timber-look designs. A quality rigid-core hybrid floor can provide a practical alternative to traditional timber and laminate flooring, particularly where water resistance and everyday durability are important.

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Is Hybrid Flooring Suitable for Pets and Children?

Yes. Hybrid flooring is well suited to busy family environments. Its durable surface, waterproof construction and low-maintenance characteristics make it practical for households with children and pets. 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ features a UV protective wear layer designed to provide resistance to everyday scratching, staining and wear.

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Is Hybrid Flooring Suitable for Kitchens and Laundries?

Yes. Waterproof hybrid flooring is commonly used in kitchens, laundries and other areas where everyday spills may occur.

The rigid SPC construction of 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ is 100% waterproof. However, waterproof flooring does not replace required building or wet-area waterproofing systems. Installation should always comply with the applicable requirements.

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Does Hybrid Flooring Need Underlay?

Not when the flooring has integrated acoustic backing. 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ includes a 2mm Premium IXPE acoustic underlay, which is already attached to the product. Additional underlay is not permitted.

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How Thick Is Hybrid Flooring?

Hybrid flooring is available in different constructions and thicknesses, depending on the product. 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ has an overall thickness of 9mm and incorporates a 2mm built-in IXPE acoustic underlay. It is designed as a substantial rigid SPC flooring system for residential and commercial applications.

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What Size Are the Hybrid Flooring Boards?

The 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ plank size is: 1800mm × 228mm

Each pack contains 4 boards, covering 1.6416m², with a pack weight of approximately 24kg.

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How Is Hybrid Flooring Installed?

Hybrid flooring is generally installed as a floating floor system using an integrated click-locking mechanism. 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ uses a Patented 5G Välinge Licensed Click system for secure and efficient installation. The product is designed for floating installation only and must not be glued or fixed to the subfloor, except where specifically applicable to stair installation.

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Is Hybrid Flooring Easy to Install?

The click-lock construction makes hybrid flooring an efficient flooring system to install when the subfloor has been correctly prepared.

9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ uses a licensed 5G Välinge locking system. However, subfloor preparation is critical. The subfloor must be structurally sound, clean, dry and level before installation.

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Can Hybrid Flooring Be Installed Over Tiles?

Yes, provided the existing tiled surface is structurally sound, stable, clean, dry and suitably level.

Any significant unevenness, grout lines or surface irregularities may require appropriate preparation or levelling before installation.

The installation guidelines specify a maximum subfloor flatness tolerance of 3mm deviation over 3 metres.

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Can Hybrid Flooring Be Installed Over an Uneven Floor?

No. Hybrid flooring requires a properly prepared, stable and level subfloor.

For 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™, the maximum specified subfloor flatness tolerance is 3mm deviation over 3 metres.

Where the subfloor does not meet the required tolerance, suitable preparation or levelling should be completed before installation.

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Does Hybrid Flooring Require an Expansion Gap?

Yes. Floating hybrid flooring requires perimeter expansion allowance. The installation guidelines for 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ specify a minimum 10mm perimeter expansion gap around vertical obstructions. For installations exceeding 12m × 12m, expansion breaks or additional expansion allowance is required.

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Do I Need a Moisture Barrier Under Hybrid Flooring?

Under normal dry internal conditions, an additional polyethylene moisture barrier is not required for 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™.

However, where excessive moisture is present or suspected in the subfloor, a compliant moisture barrier system must be installed before laying the flooring.

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Can Hybrid Flooring Be Glued Down?

9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ is designed specifically as a floating floor system.

The boards interlock using the licensed 5G Välinge click-locking system and must not be glued or mechanically fixed to the subfloor, except where specifically permitted for stair installation.

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Can Heavy Cabinets or Kitchen Islands Be Installed on Hybrid Flooring?

Because hybrid flooring is installed as a floating floor, the flooring must be able to move naturally. Heavy fixed structures such as kitchen islands, cabinetry and built-in fixtures should therefore be carefully considered before installation so they do not restrict the floating floor system.

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Does Hybrid Flooring Have Good Acoustic Performance?

Yes. Acoustic performance is one of the advantages of a quality hybrid flooring system with integrated acoustic backing. 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ incorporates a 2mm Premium IXPE acoustic underlay and has an AAAC 6 Star acoustic rating.

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Is Hybrid Flooring Slip Resistant?

9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ has a P3 slip test rating according to the current product specification.

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Is Hybrid Flooring Low VOC?

Yes. Low-VOC flooring can contribute to better indoor air quality. 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ is FloorScore® Certified for low VOC emissions and has a Formaldehyde E1 classification.

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What Is the Fire Rating of Hybrid Flooring?

The current 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ specification lists a Bfl-s1 fire rating.

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Does Hybrid Flooring Scratch Easily?

No flooring surface is completely scratch-proof, but quality hybrid flooring is designed to withstand everyday wear. 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ features a UV protective wear layer with an embossed Scratch Armour surface, designed to provide resistance to scratching, staining and general wear.

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How Do You Clean Hybrid Flooring?

Hybrid flooring is designed to be relatively low maintenance.

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For regular cleaning:

• Sweep or vacuum regularly

• Use a damp microfibre mop

• Use a suitable pH-neutral flooring cleaner

• Wipe spills promptly

• Avoid abrasive cleaning products and tools

• Avoid excessive water or steam cleaning

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The Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ care guidelines specifically recommend regular sweeping or vacuuming, pH-neutral flooring cleaner and avoiding excessive water or steam cleaning.

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Is Hybrid Flooring Better Than Laminate Flooring?

Hybrid and laminate flooring are different flooring systems. Hybrid flooring uses a rigid SPC core, while laminate flooring generally uses a wood-based core. Hybrid flooring offers a significant advantage where waterproof performance is a priority, while laminate may suit different design, performance or budget requirements.

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Is Hybrid Flooring Better Than Engineered Timber?

Hybrid flooring and engineered timber offer different benefits. Hybrid flooring provides waterproof performance, durability and easy maintenance, while engineered timber provides the natural appearance, texture and character of genuine timber. The right flooring choice depends on the application, environment, design requirements and personal preference.

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Is Hybrid Flooring Suitable for Apartments?

Yes. Hybrid flooring can be a practical choice for apartments due to its waterproof construction, durability and acoustic properties.

9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ features an AAAC 6 Star acoustic rating and integrated 2mm IXPE acoustic underlay.

Apartment and strata projects should always confirm the acoustic requirements applicable to the specific building before installation.

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How Long Does Hybrid Flooring Last?

The lifespan of hybrid flooring depends on product quality, installation, traffic levels, environment and maintenance. 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ is backed by a 20-year residential warranty, with commercial warranty available on request.

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What Colours Are Available in Hybrid Flooring?

Hybrid flooring is available in a variety of timber-inspired colours designed to complement contemporary Australian interiors. The current 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ collection includes colours such as Washed Oak, Santorini, Blonde, Scandi Oak, Wheat, White, Coastal Blackbutt, Natural Blackbutt, NSW Spotted Gum and QLD Spotted Gum.

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Where Can I Buy Hybrid Flooring in Australia?

Hybrid flooring is available through Imperial Flooring Australia® online website or in-store at our location. Imperial Flooring Australia® supplies only premium 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™, with samples available online and Australia-wide delivery. 

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Why Choose 9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™?

9mm Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ combines a 100% waterproof rigid SPC core, 0.5mm wear layer, 2mm Premium IXPE acoustic underlay, Patented 5G Välinge Licensed Click system, embossed Scratch Armour surface and AAAC 6 Star acoustic rating.

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It is designed for residential and commercial applications, providing a durable, waterproof and low-maintenance flooring solution with a realistic timber appearance.