Hybrid flooring is a blanket terminology widely used to represent the latest innovation of timber-look flooring. It is a combination of natural and synthetic materials that blends together the durability of a traditional luxury vinyl plank (LVP) with the stability of laminate timber floors making it a versatile option for any flooring needs.

There are two popular types of hybrid floors – SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) and WPC (Wood Plastic Composite). Both SPC and WPC consist of multiple layers that are fused around a core element which keeps the product stable. The difference between the two types is the material of the core element. SPC is made from limestone (stone) while the WPC is made from wood powder composition. 

At Silver Trading Timber Flooring, we only SPC products due to its higher durability.

• Water resistance – It is important to note that although SPC and WPC are often marketed as being waterproof, they are actually only water resistant. Neither product is entirely waterproof if submerged underwater, however, topical spills or moisture should not be an issue if properly cleaned within a reasonable amount of time.
• Durable – SPC floorboard’s core layer is made of limestone which has a higher density compared to WPC products. This means that SPC offers higher resistance to dents from heavy items or furniture placed on top of it. This also makes SPC floorboards less susceptible to expansion in cases of extreme temperature change.
• Stylish – With a variety of patterns from a range of timber species, hybrid flooring has many styles and colours to choose from that will suit a variety of design concepts.
• Ease of Installation – Hybrid floors are a type of floating floor which comes with many advantages. These include ease of installation, low installation costs and a simple repair job.

Hybrids are a rather cost effective flooring option – although it can be slightly more expensive than laminate floors, it is substantially cheaper than other options such as engineered timber flooring.

Quality hybrid flooring should be able to last at least 20 years and can exceed 30 years if cared for and maintained properly. It heavily depends on how the floors are treated during the period of usage. Although hybrids are less prone to scratches, sweeping or dry mopping your floors regularly helps protect against dirt and debris particles. It is also always recommended to minimise exposure to direct sunlight as hybrids can discolour as a result.

There are many similarities between hybrid and laminate floors. Both boards are composed of a multi-layer structure and focus on replicating real timber flooring features such as timber grains, knots and even textures.

Hybrid floors’ top layers are made from 100% vinyl. This composition gives it superior resistance to moisture as any water that sits on the top layer will not damage the lower layers of the floorboards. The water resistant properties make these floors an excellent choice for rooms prone to moisture. These include kitchens, laundries and basements.

Much like hybrid floors, laminate floors are a synthetic product that simulates the look of real hardwood flooring. It can have an authentic wood floor appearance and is a budget-friendly flooring option. Generally, laminate does not perform well when it comes to moisture. As flooring technology evolves, there are many high quality laminate options that have water-resistant properties emerging in the market, however, these flooring options are not waterproof and will become seriously damaged if water sits on them for an extended period of time.

Hybrid flooring is one of the easiest to clean amongst floors due to its high water resistant properties. Sweeping, vacuuming and using a damp microfiber mop should do the trick. Avoid using a traditional wet mop and bucket since you may easily push through excess water into the joints and that could create moisture buildup and cause water to seep underneath the flooring, causing expansion and buckling.

Hybrid flooring is innovative, creative and highly durable and combines the best bits of luxury vinyl and laminate floors. Hybrid flooring is highly water resistant and is great for busy families and animal lovers.

With hybrid planks being water resistant, you can lay them throughout your whole house, without worrying that you will have to repair or replace them if there are any spills or leaks.

It also means that your hybrid flooring responds well to changing temperatures and humidity. For this reason, there is less movement of expansion and shrinkage of your hybrid boards.

While any type of flooring can be damaged, hybrid boards are among the choices that are exceptionally hardwearing and less susceptible to wear and tear. This makes them a smart choice for busy households with lots of foot traffic or active little feet and paws.

Hybrid floors are known for being long-lasting, even for up to 20 to 30 years, while still looking great due to their top coating that resists scratches and dents.

Also, given that they’re highly water resistant, spills throughout the house will have less impact on your floors and when appropriately managed, give them a longer lifespan.

Overall, hybrid floors have four compact layers that give the boards a strong exterior, making them a hard wearing choice. The rigid core technology is an essential component of this type of flooring because it provides the planks with the strength required to remain hardwearing.

When choosing a flooring choice for your whole home, you cannot look past the versatility of hardwearing hybrid floors. 

Hybrid floor boards stand up well to foot traffic, so laying them in hallways and entrance areas is always a good choice. The possibilities are endless for this flooring product, and there is no right or wrong for where they should be laid.

Hybrid floors have a lot of positive aspects, which makes them a popular choice for consumers. When considering installing any type of flooring in the home, you want to be confident that all the aspects work for you, especially when it comes to noise underfoot. 

Compared to the noise of laminated and other engineered floors, hybrid floors are relatively quiet due to its multiple layers, including an effective acoustic underlay. This innovative choice sometimes comes without an underlay; however, this can be added to your sub-floor before installation and will render the same effect if it has been pre-attached. Silver Trading’s hybrid floors come with an acoustic IXPE underlay backing.

Overall, compared to other floors, it is one of the quieter choices that also feels great underfoot.