Hybrid Flooring vs Vinyl Plank Flooring
Vinyl plank and hybrid flooring are two of the most popular choices if you are looking for a durable, waterproof floor that resists moisture. They are versatile and can be used in any room of your house or office.
How do you decide between them? We’ll show you how they compare and help to find the right floor for your needs.
Overview
Let’s take a look at some of the key differences between vinyl plank and hybrid flooring.
Hybrid Vinyl Similarities
100% Waterproof: Both traditional LVTs, as well as hybrid vinyl, are waterproof 100%. These vinyl flooring options are resistant to water and humidity.
Availability: You can find traditional LVT floors and hybrid vinyl floors in many colours, designs, textures, and plank widths. Each type of floor can be found in many styles, including rustic and modern.
Application: Traditional LVTs and hybrid vinyl, like most vinyl flooring options, can be installed below, above, and above grade. These are excellent flooring options for kitchens and bathrooms, laundry rooms, and small businesses such as restaurants or cafes.
Maintenance & Cleaning: Vinyl flooring is easy to maintain and clean. You only need to sweep the floors and clean up any spills occasionally.
Sublayment: Vinyl underlayment can be used with LVT or hybrid floors. A hybrid vinyl will typically have an attached underlayment. A floating LVT allows you to use an LVT-specific underlayment on any 4mm or greater floor. Underlayment can be used to increase comfort, noise reduction and cushion underfoot.
Construction
Vinyl plank and hybrid flooring feature a multi-layered construction. It includes a durable top layer, a high-tech print layer, and a thick core layer that gives the floorboards strength and rigidity.
What does this all mean? Vinyl floors are made with PVC (polyvinylchloride) plastic, the same as pipes. Hybrid floors, however, use PVC mixed with natural limestone (in SPC’s case, or Stone Plastic Composite type) to form their core. Hybrid floors are more durable than vinyl floors and more resistant to temperature and moisture changes. Hybrid floors are therefore more durable than vinyl floors and have better construction.
Winner: Hybrid flooring
Installation and repairability
Vinyl flooring installations can be either ‘loose laid’ or ‘glued down’ depending on what construction requirements are being met. Glue down means glueing vinyl planks onto the subfloor using water-based adhesives or polyurethane. On the other side, Loose lay means that the planks are held in place by gravity and friction. However, the edges must be secured.
On the other hand, hybrid flooring is classified as floating flooring and uses a click-lock system that doesn’t require adhesives. Hybrid flooring is much simpler to install and maintain than vinyl flooring.
Winner: Hybrid
Affordability
Vinyl plank and hybrid flooring are both cost-effective alternatives that can imitate solid timber surfaces for a fraction of the cost. Vinyl plank is generally cheaper than hybrid in Australia.
You should avoid buying cheap vinyl plank or hybrid flooring. They might be less durable and beautiful than long-lasting ones. Flooring is a commodity. Look for flooring that has an extended warranty or good reviews from customers and suppliers.
Winner: Vinyl plank
Design
Vinyl plank and hybrid floors use ‘print layers’. This is basically a photo of a design, such as timber or tile, that is printed onto the thin resin. These floors are made using high-tech techniques such as microprinting and bevelling. It’s difficult to tell the difference between these floors and the real thing because they use high-tech procedures such as beveling and microprinting. Print layers offer so much flexibility. You can get colours and styles you couldn’t with the real thing!
Winner: Tie
Water Resistance
When choosing a floor for spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens, waterproofness is a critical consideration. Vinyl plank and hybrid floors are 100% waterproof, so they both pass this test. They both have a core layer that is impervious to water, unlike laminate or solid timber floors.
These floors are water-resistant and can be placed almost anywhere you want them to. They also look great!
Winner: Tie
Durability
Durability is crucial if your family is frequent users of a floor, such as children, pets, or high-traffic areas. Vinyl plank and hybrid floors are protected against everyday scratches and sun exposure by a tough-wearing wear layer.
Hybrid floors are more durable than vinyl floors when it comes to heavy loads and impacts. Hybrid floors are more durable because they have a stronger core that resists tearing. This helps to keep your floor fresher for longer. This is where hybrid floors excel.
Winner: Hybrid floors
Comfort
Vinyl planks and hybrid flooring use underlayment, which is a foam padding placed beneath the floor. Underlayment is used to ensure your floor surface is flat enough to allow for floating floors to be installed. However, it can also add comfort to your floor. Underlayment floors are more springy than regular flooring and can be stepped on with a little bit of ‘give’. This is a great way to increase comfort, especially if the floor is being used frequently.
Hybrid floors are a bit more comfortable than vinyl plank when it comes to flooring. Hybrid floorboards sound and feel more premium than vinyl plank because they are more rigid.
Winner: Hybrid floors
Maintenance
It can be a real chore to keep your floors clean. So, it is better to choose low-maintenance flooring. This will allow you more time for relaxation and peace of mind. Vinyl plank and hybrid floors are both great options. They only need to be swept and mopped occasionally. They are great for allergy sufferers because they don’t allow dust to build up at the seams, making them ideal for those with asthma.
It’s best to use doormats for any floor. This will prevent any abrasive particles from entering your home. Spills should be cleaned up immediately. Never use steel wool or any other abrasive product to clean your floor.
Winner: Tie
Conclusion: Which is better, vinyl or hybrid flooring?
We’ve shown you that both vinyl and hybrid floors can be great choices for your home or office. They offer a solid set of features, including waterproofness and a variety of designs.
Hybrid flooring can be described as a better version of vinyl flooring. Hybrid flooring is more durable and comfortable, but they are also more expensive. Is this trade-off worth it? You might want to consider hybrid and vinyl flooring and the cost premium if there is one. Vinyl sheets can be used in commercial or industrial settings. Decide what qualities you require for your property.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hybrid flooring better than vinyl plank Flooring?
Hybrid flooring is a better version of vinyl plank flooring. It offers greater durability and comfort but comes at a higher cost. Hybrid flooring is more durable than vinyl plank, but your mileage may differ.
Vinyl plank and hybrid floors are very similar. Both use layers that are bonded together. A ‘print layer is sandwiched between a protective layer and a rigid, thick ‘core layer’. The only difference is in the composition of their cores. Vinyl plank uses PVC plastic, while hybrid floors use limestone or wood to strengthen the floorboard.
Does the design of hybrid flooring look cheap?
You’d be amazed at the way hybrid floors can look just like real hardwood floors! Hybrid floors of high quality use a layer of print that mimics the natural texture, variations and colours of surfaces such as timber and tile. They can be almost indistinguishable from other flooring if viewed from a distance.
Hybrid floors look great and feel great! The hybrid floors have a strong, rigid core of PVC plastic and limestone. This makes them feel substantial underfoot. The underlayment helps to cushion your feet when you walk on the floor.
Are hybrid floors any good?
Hybrid floors can be a great alternative to engineered timber floors. They are waterproof and extremely durable, and they are also very cost-effective. You can also choose from a variety of styles – FloorVenue alone has over 100 designs – which mimic many surfaces such as stone and timber.
Are vinyl floors any good?
Vinyl floors are great because they’re waterproof, which makes them ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. They also come in a range of prices that are less expensive than laminate or hybrid floors. Vinyl floors are also protected against scratches and dents by a durable protective coating. This means they will last for years.
Is it possible to mop vinyl and hybrid flooring?
Vinyl and hybrid floors are waterproof, so you can clean them with a damp mop to get rid of any dirt or sticky residue. They should not be steam mopped because heat and pressure could cause internal flooring delamination. Vinyl floors are more susceptible to this.
Are vinyl and hybrid floors compatible with underlay?
Vinyl and hybrid floors don’t usually require underlayment. Most hybrid floors come with pre-attached underlay. This means that there is no need to add any additional underlayment. On the other side, Vinyl floors are not required to have underlay because their material acts as one. Underlay can be used to level uneven subfloors. This is essential when installing vinyl and hybrid floor coverings.
Vinyl and hybrid flooring are scratch-resistant?
Vinyl and hybrid floors have a tough topcoat that resists wear. They are ideal for high-traffic areas such as the living room. Top coatings protect your floors from sunlight exposure, reducing fading and keeping them looking beautiful over time.
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