Hybrid Wood Floor - A Good Choice?

asehgal on 06/10/2024 - 19:05
Last edited 06/10/2024 - 19:16 by 1 other user

Hi guys this is my first attempt at contemplating change of carpets and tiles in the house.

I like the hybrid wood look but know little about it. I have spoken with a few installers and apart from knowing (could be the sales pitch) is that I should have 5mm thickness, wood planks to level the carpet are to sync with the tiles area and glue for both carpets and tiles. Quotes are around $95 per sq metre – fully installed. It’s a significant amount for me on a 110 sq metre. We have no kids and pets – if this makes a difference. To make it complicated (for me) I have read better choice would be engineered floors, vinyl, laminated - so I am totally confused as to what I should go for.

Please can I ask people views if going hybrid is a good choice, cost is about ok, any brand to look for, is 5mm thickness ok?

Any installers that people can recommend in Canberra please.

Apologies for the long post and grateful for advice.

Home & Garden Flooring

Comments

  • SydStrand on 06/10/2024 - 21:14

    I had hybrid in an old rental and didn't like it. Some people swear they can't tell the difference from wood, but I absolutely could. It feels different on bare feet, and it clacks like nothing else; if you're super pedantic, you might even notice repeating pattern in the print, although that part never bothered me. It's cheap, though, and is relatively easy to DIY.

    Few years ago, I did my floors and after some research, settled on engineered. It was more cost-effective than hardwood, but had the same benefits. Some people will say 'well you can't sand it down like hardwood.' Firstly, you can if you buy the appropriate thickness. And secondly, when was the last time you ever did this? If OP is willing to pay a pro to install, then you may as well buy the good stuff, because labour cost will be about the same.

    • asehgal on 06/10/2024 - 21:36

      Thanks SydStrand - tis is the type of info I was looking for. Yes I will have it installed by a professional. When u say appraise thickness - any indication what it should be please and if any. Rand you can recommend that would help me tremendously too.

  • loropy9 on 06/10/2024 - 22:27

    Hybrid is just a marketing name for thin laminate with a bit of rubber padding. 5mm is very thin and if your slab is uneven, you will need self levelling compound which is expensive. If you are planning to live there 10 years, get good 15-20mm hardwood and enjoy it every day. Engineered is ok but usually made from softwood and it dents deep and scratches badly.
    I had engineered floors. I liked the warmth. In the current property I have 10 mm laminate which doesnt scratch at all and looks nice but has cold plasticky feel. My inlaws have thick hardwood floors and the difference is big. Very warm feeling in the house and no scratches. If you have the money it’s def worth it. Whatever material you choose, thickness is crucial. Thicker is better.

    • asehgal on 06/10/2024 - 22:38

      Thanks loropy9 - makes sense what you say. I’ll look into it for sure.

  • Tomhaigh1 on 06/10/2024 - 22:59

    I am also looking for same and totally noob, any recommendations?

  • narbe on 07/10/2024 - 02:18
    -1

    Just built a house and got engineered on 2nd floor.

    Definitely got lots of compliments on it.

    My suggestion is engineered floor 14/2 or 15/3 and stick down method. Don’t go floating unless you like clicks bouncing feel.

    Hardwood is overrated . Very expensive for nice looking wood. And it’s harder to install and prone to water issues.

    From my research hardwood and the sanding down is non issue in real life. As fix’s are usually spots. You would never sand down a whole floor for tiny issues. Engineered is sandable but it’s not really ideal as it’s veneer is 2-3mm which is mainly just for looks and but of weak and tear

    My suggestion is choose a hard Jenka wood for the veneer. As this will wear better.
    I chose a matte look for less visible dirt. Glossy can be nice but imperfections stand out.

    If this is ground floor I would stick with tile. It’s communal area just too high traffic to maintain even with my roborock.

  • asehgal on 07/10/2024 - 07:41

    Thanks Narbe - useful guidance indeed! Any particular brand you would recommend please?

  • saltypete on 07/10/2024 - 08:49

    Whatever you buy, make sure the installer is good. Look for work examples, reviews etc. Whatever you buy, the installation is the key to it being a good floor.

  • stickingly on 07/10/2024 - 09:25

    Not all hybrid or laminate floors are the same. A friend installed the cheapest one he could find and it is already quite scuffed and scratched and also starting to cup in wet areas.

    I went for a more expensive one and 3 years on it still looks like the day it was installed, even in the kitchen, except for a few small chips where people have dropped stuff on it. To me I know it isn't real timber but many people think it is

    I got samples and tested for scratch resistance and also for waterproofing by soaking them in water for a few days

  • NocteRegem on 07/10/2024 - 09:37

    As someone who made this mistake do not use hybrid, looks good on paper but structurally not sound and does not handle temperature fluctuations well at all.

  • DGrayson82 on 07/10/2024 - 09:41

    We went with hybrid in our home (Coretec brand) and absolutely love it. Would never go back to tiles.

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