What is the difference between hybrid, laminate and vinyl flooring?

Choosing the flooring that’s right for you takes some time and consideration. Here is an easy guide to help you determine which option will work best for your needs. If in doubt, just ask us.

Laminate flooring is potentially the toughest of all floors. It’s construction is made up of a HDF (high density fibreboard) core, impregnated with water resistant resins, a laminated base and melamine surface with a very authentic textured image.

Vinyl flooring is now at times indistinguishable visually from other flooring types. Very popular now are “Luxury Vinyl” planks (5mm) which have amazing acoustic qualities, soft to walk on, very durable and low maintenance. They are often chosen as the preferred DIY product installed with PS (Pressure Sensitve) adheasive . The last option is sheet vinyl which is cheaper but far less durable. It comes as a roll product, usually 4 mtrs wide & is loose laid with no adheasive.

Hybrid flooring is a mix of product types and technologies. Most Hybrids have a limestone/PVC base with a vinyl surface. These are rigid. Others like Karndean and House & Haven are 100% PVC and are very flexible. Both are very durable and a good alternative for SOME installations.

Timber flooring  can be a solid timber T&G product (ours is pre finished) that requires a full glue &/or secret nail installation. Most of our timber floors are engineered floors – either T&G (floating or glued) or click systems – floating only.

Bamboo previously was of a solid/ strand woven design. This product was very tough but suffered issues relating to heat & humidity. Recent advancements have allowed bamboo to be reintroduced as an engineered floor that is a practicle budget option to timber with none of the inherent problems of it’s strand-woven predecessor.