What does hybrid flooring mean? Are hybrid floors any good? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

If you’ve ever heard the term ‘hybrid flooring’ but you aren’t quite sure what it means or whether or not the flooring option is any good, then this is the article for you. We’re going to define hybrid flooring, identify how the material is made, and then outline some of the pros and cons of choosing it as a flooring solution. Here’s what you need to know…

What does hybrid flooring mean?

The word ‘hybrid’ is defined as being: “a thing that is made by combining two different elements.” 

In other words, hybrid flooring takes two different flooring materials and then combines them to get the best of both. It takes the pros of each material, removes the cons, and makes an altogether superior material. 

Hybrid flooring is a mixture of the two most popular types of flooring: laminate and vinyl. When blended together, both materials make a durable and hard-wearing flooring option that has been growing in popularity over recent years. 

For example: on its own, laminate flooring is easy to install, but tends to swell due to moisture as it isn’t waterproof. Vinyl flooring on the other hand is moisture resistant, though isn’t the easiest of flooring options to install. Marry the two together and what you have is a flooring type that takes the best of both worlds!

Are hybrid floors any good?

The short answer is yes. Hybrid flooring is very good for a wide variety of reasons: namely its durability and hard-wearing nature.

Hybrid flooring is good for high-traffic homes with children and pets as it has excellent longevity under such conditions. 

Then again, some people would prefer not to opt for hybrid flooring as they prefer the aesthetic benefits of natural hardwood. 

Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference. 

In any case, let’s look at the pros and cons of hybrid flooring so that you can make your own mind up:

What are the advantages of hybrid flooring?

• Easy installation: Hybrid flooring is among the easiest of materials to install. This is because the planks can be laid over any existing flooring (as long as the surface is flat). With a click and lock mechanism, anyone with an inclination towards DIY can handle it. 

• Easy repairs: Any hybrid flooring panels that get damaged can easily be removed and replaced due to the aforementioned ‘click and lock’ mechanism. 

• Affordable: Hybrid flooring is attractive to those who are working on a budget – largely due to the ease of installation and repairs. 

• Stylish: Hybrid flooring comes in a wide variety of style options, ranging from natural wood and stone variety style (and more). 

• Waterproof: Again, hybrid flooring takes vinyl’s waterproof qualities and combines it with laminate to create a suitable flooring material for high-moisture areas such as the kitchen and bathroom. 

• Durable: Hybrid is durable and hard-wearing and ideally suited to areas that will see a great deal of foot traffic. 

Low maintenance: As hybrid is water-proof, it’s incredibly easy to keep clean and maintain. Just be sure to avoid strong chemicals when cleaning and use mop-heads / cloths that aren’t prone to scratching.

What are the disadvantages of hybrid flooring?

• Cost difference: While hybrid is certainly cheaper than hardwood flooring, laminate and vinyl on their own are cheaper alternatives. You simply need to weigh up the pros and cons of each and determine which is best suited for the environment you are flooring. 

• Prone to scratching: Yes, hybrid is durable and hard-wearing, but it is, however, prone to scratching and denting. As such, take extra care when moving furniture around and cleaning the floors. Fortunately, any damage can be easily fixed by replacing the plank itself. 

Discolouration: Hybrid flooring doesn’t perform so well in areas that are exposed to high amounts of sunlight during the day. If you are planning to renovate a room that will see a great deal of sunlight, you may wish to consider a different material to be on the safe side.

Conclusion – Is hybrid flooring worth a look? 

Absolutely it is. Again, just pay close attention to the room that you are going to be renovating. What kind of environment is it? Will it be prone to high levels of foot traffic? If so, hybrid is a good option. Will it be prone to high levels of moisture? Again, hybrid works well here. However, if the room sees a lot of natural sunlight and perhaps you are working to a bit of a budget, there may be more suitable alternatives. In any case, we wish you the best of luck with re-flooring your home.