Hybrid homage: flooring for the post-pandemic home
Hybrid homage: flooring for the post-pandemic home
If Internet Search volumes are any indication, hybrid flooring is on a roll. In the last 12 months, according to analytics company Glimpse, search volumes have increased by more than 20%.
Typically, most armchair researchers are most interested in the practical aspects of hybrid flooring: with cutting and installation, cleaning, service life, and sound performance among the most searched terms.
Unsurprisingly, given the plethora of flooring products out there, most searches still start with the obvious query: “What is Hybrid Flooring?”
In many ways the answer to this core question reveals the key reasons why more and more home owners are considering this type of flooring.
Basically, hybrid flooring has a multi-layer construction, and each layer offers something specific. Let’s start at the bottom: a factory-applied underlay that provides acoustic attenuation, under foot comfort, and removes the need to buy and install a separate underlayer.
The next layer is a composite core board. This provides strength, and makes the boards waterproof and suitable for use over underfloor heating. Then comes the aesthetic component, a decorative layer that normally provides a photo-realistic wood effect. Finally there is a durable surface layer that provides impact resistance, simplifies cleaning, and allows the floor to cope with everyday wear and tear.
In short, what these internet searches reveal is that hybrid flooring combines the benefits of laminate flooring and LVT in one easy-to-use package.
But while aesthetics, practicality and ease of cleaning explain some of hybrid flooring's appeal, it still has another ace up its sleeve: ease of installation Hybrid flooring is ridiculously simple to fit. The planks can even be laid over existing flooring as long as the surface is flat and smooth.
Like laminate, hybrid flooring is installed as a floating floor with simple click and lock joints. This means that any DIY enthusiast can install a hybrid floor without any specialist equipment or knowledge. In the unlikely event that a plank does become damaged, it can be removed and replaced with relative ease: so hybrid flooring is easy to repair.
Perhaps the key benefit of hybrid flooring, and one really important in bathrooms, kitchens, and even hallways, is that it is completely waterproof. Hybrid flooring is not prone to swelling or water damage, and the wear layer is more than capable of coping with everyday wear and tear. In fact, regular cleaning with a broom, vacuum, or mop is all that is needed to maintain a hybrid floor in tip top condition.
One of the unexpected benefits of the latest generation of hybrid flooring is that they are surprisingly realistic. The polyurethane surface coating delivers a matt surface reminiscent of a quality lacquered timber floor; while today’s wood-effect decors are very authentic. For instance, National Tiles’ Mistura Hybrid range features embossed textures that painstakingly replicate the source timber’s grain, while a micro bevelled profile creates an authentic timber flooring look.
Large plank sizes is another draw for the latest hybrid floors. Our Classic Oak, for instance, comes in an attention-grabbing 1,842 by 225 by 7mm mega plank format. This generous surface area allows the design to deliver utterly convincing wood grains and knots, while the tonal range of the different wood species is natural and realistic.
This is emphasised by the matt finish and painted bevelled edges. There are eight different decors, beautifully curated to provide a broad range of aesthetic options. Hybrid flooring can also achieve an Aussie specific look, with the best ranges - such as National Tiles' Kimberly Hybrid series - offering Australian timber species such as blackbutt and gum alongside classic oak designs.
All in all, it is little wonder that more and more homeowners are turning to Hybrid Flooring to add warmth and natural appeal to their most precious asset.
