Just as composite decks are revolutionising outdoor floors, hybrid flooring is becoming the flooring of choice indoors. But if you’re still on the fence about whether to proceed with hybrid instead of hardwood or tiles, we’re here to help with all the pros and cons of this popular product on the flooring block.

But first, let’s take a closer look at what hybrid flooring is all about.

What Is Hybrid Flooring?

Hybrid flooring is a type of lightweight floating floorboard that’s highly durable and looks amazing. It not only mimics the look and feel of hardwood floors but also modern stone floors as well. And it’s installable over any type of surface.

Silky-smooth underneath feet and completely fuss-free, it’s the easy way to achieve the look of timber, stone or even ceramic flooring without the higher costs and intensive labour usually associated with those materials.

“Hybrid flooring has taken the market by storm due to its affordability and durability. It is a combination of two very popular flooring products, one being vinyl and the second being laminate. This combination has made it a stylish and durable product, making it a popular choice for flooring in Australia. It is a waterproof and water-resistant product, making it the perfect choice for high-traffic areas and families with young children. It comes in a range of extensive colours to suit everyone’s style.” (Elegant Floors)

Hybrid Flooring Pros And Cons

One of the leading collections of engineered flooring options in Australia is the Beaumont Hybrid collection and it comprises RDcore, SPcore, Isocore and Ceramicore varieties.

We chatted with our mates at Elegant Floors about the pros and cons of Beaumont hybrid flooring to help you make an informed decision for your renovation. Let’s take a look at how it stacks up against other popular flooring options.

Hybrid Flooring Pros

Water-resistant surface

Each of the Beaumont hybrid floorboards is made up of a series of layers, including a specially engineered ‘core’ that is highly water-resistant. This means that, unlike natural hardwood floors, you can be confident with mopping mishaps or water spills, that Hybrid can handle it.

Less expensive than tiles

The main reason hybrid floors are cheaper than tiles is because they are faster to install. A lot of money goes into labour and we all know that tiling is labour-intensive work. Hybrid is laid fast which means a lot less money going to manpower.

Easy to care for and maintain

Because hybrid is waterproof, it’s an absolute cinch to care for. Elegant Floors recommends using a spray mop with a ph-balanced cleaning agent and a damp cloth with eucalyptus to remove any scuff marks. Just make sure you avoid steam cleaners on hybrid flooring.

Scratch-resistant

The protective coating over Beaumont hybrid flooring makes it completely scratch-resistant, even with kids (and their toys) and pets (and their claws) in the picture!

Bacteria-resistant

If an antibacterial surface is a top priority for you, look no further than the Beaumont SPcore range. Engineered with a polyurethane coating with revolutionary SE+ antibacterial treatment, it makes tidy work of any harmful bacteria to keep floors germ-free. And no, it won’t wash or wear off and comes with a lifetime warranty.

Fast installation

Hybrid floorboards are installable on most flat surfaces, which means you may not need to remove your existing floor first. Unlike tiles, depending on how much surface area you’re covering, hybrid flooring installation can be done in as little as a day. And the best bit? You can walk on it immediately.

“Hybrid flooring is fairly easy to install as the boards click together. The challenging part is making sure the sub-floor in which you are laying on is flat & levelled. An experienced installer is the key to a perfect installation. The installation time of hybrid varies based on the size and needs of the individual project. Your installer should talk you through the whole project from start to finish during their site visit.” (Elegant Floors)

Hybrid Flooring Cons

Less durable long-term than tiles

While hybrid floorboards are built tough to withstand years of use, industry professionals agree that porcelain floor tiles are known to hold up better in the long run.

More expensive than laminate

Ultimately, what makes hybrid a more expensive flooring option over laminate is the technology and engineering that goes into it water-resistant, scratch-resistant, mould-resistant – and a dead ringer for natural timber or stone.

Thicker boards than other types of floating floors

Because of the layers of engineering that go into the Beaumont Hybrid range, they range from 4.5mm thick to 8.5mm thick, which can be thicker than other flooring options. The downside of a thicker floorboard is really only in installation; some doors and bench heights may need to adapt. As for whether 8.5mm hybrid flooring is really going to affect the overall feel of your room that much? The professionals say you probably won’t even notice!

For more information on the pros, cons and colours of hybrid flooring, head over to Beaumont and chat with the experts today.

Beaumont Tiles is a partner of the Making HOME renovation series.

Top image: ShowHome Natura Weathered Maple

Looking for more flooring inspiration? Check out how Beaumont has revolutionised terrazzo tiles for walls and floors.

This article first appeared on Making HOME.