Two of the most trending materials today are hybrid and vinyl flooring. You’ll see them on social media influencer pages and on home design shows. This is not surprising because these two materials are durable and affordable. But the reality is, most people cannot distinguish between the two and often use hybrid or vinyl interchangeably because they have design similarities. In this article, you’ll learn the similarities and differences between hybrid and vinyl flooring.
PVC Layer
Both vinyl and hybrid flooring have a PVC or polyurethane surface. This is often referred to as the wear layer since it receives pressure. You’ll frequently see wear and tear on this layer. This top layer makes vinyl and hybrid flooring moisture resistant. Since PVC has long been used commercially for pipes, both vinyl and hybrid floors can be expected to last.
This coating also makes both materials stain and scratch resistant. For this reason, you could use both flooring materials in wet areas like the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room. With these two flooring materials, you can enjoy the look of hardwood floors in moist environments because they won’t warp or become distorted. You can confidently wet mop both floors because they are 100 percent waterproof.
Design Layer
Both hybrid and vinyl flooring come with a design layer. These materials rely on similar technology to imprint various designs, from different wood grains to natural stones. The design film is where the designs are printed. This part is flexible and waterproof, making both hybrid and vinyl a resilient product for any room in your home. Vinyl was developed before hybrid; with hybrid taking inspiration from vinyl.
Core Layer
One of the primary differences between vinyl and hybrid is the core layer. The two rely on different core materials. Vinyl flooring’s core layer is PVC and fibreglass, which are pressed together to make the material more stable. Furthermore, vinyl flooring typically has a squared edge, so installing sheets beside each other is easy.
In contrast, hybrid flooring relies on a more rigid core to make the material more stable. The hybrid floor is crafted from layers of PVC and limestone. Unlike vinyl, this material relies on a locking mechanism on the sides and ends of the board, like laminate floors.
Back of the Material
You can find another major difference between vinyl and hybrid flooring in the back of the material. In general, vinyl flooring products come with a special adhesive. This is specifically made to ensure the material bonds seamlessly with the subfloor. It also paves the way for good traction for whoever steps on the surface. Since vinyl is softer then hybrid, it absorbs footfall well and transfers sound energy to the subfloor more efficiently.
On the other hand, hybrid flooring doesn’t have an adhesive. It also doesn’t need nails to keep the flooring in place. Hybrid flooring relies on click-lock construction, so it’s akin to a floating floor. It harnesses the power of gravity and friction to stay put once installed. The back of the floor is designed for better acoustics and underfoot comfort. Since the hybrid floor is rigid, it tends to make more airborne noise, so this layer is necessary for better footfall absorption. Because of this innovation, whoever steps on the floor will not create a lot of noise and they will feel as if they’re walking on clouds.
Heat Resistance
Vinyl is mostly made with PVC, so its heat resistance quality doesn’t rate high. As a result, it will expand when the weather is warm and shrink once it’s cold. Fortunately, this can be controlled by utilizing a hard-set type of adhesive.
In contrast, hybrid is more heat resilient because it’s infused with limestone, a naturally heat-resistant material. Hybrid products tend to hold their shape in places with extreme temperature changes. While both hybrid and vinyl are pretty good at resisting heat, you don’t want an iron, burning coal, or cigarettes on the floor as these will result in damage.
Installation
Vinyl flooring is available in planks or sheets. Either will be laid on a prepared subfloor using an adhesive, either a pressure-sensitive adhesive or a hard-set adhesive. Installers find it easy to work with vinyl materials since they are quite flexible. It is also easy to lay vinyl on top of existing floor skirtings.
In contrast, hybrid planks are installed using a locking system, similar to laminates. This material is more rigid compared to vinyl. It paves the way for glueless installation, but skirtings or scotia need to be removed before installation. Notably, either hybrid and vinyl flooring can be cut and scored with a sharp knife to fit a particular space.
Preparing the Floors
Ideally, both types of floors must have a level subfloor before installation. For vinyl, it’s important to have a level floor because the high and low points due to uneven subfloor can result in “waves” on the material. Over time, it will show on the design and the floor will look imperfect.
Hybrid flooring also needs an even subfloor. If there are high points, these will absorb all the stress when people walk on the surface. In turn, this stress transfers into the material so it can eventually snap and break. If you’re looking to replace your home’s flooring, speak with a reputable flooring specialist to assess which material will work best for your project.
Check out this article for some additional ideas!
HYBRID FLOORING VS VINYL PLANK FLOORING – WHICH IS BETTER FOR YOUR HOME?
Two of the most popular flooring options for renovators and home builders alike are Hybrid Flooring and Vinyl Plank.
With both types of floors offering stunning looks and the benefit of being waterproof, it can often be hard to work out which is best for your home. Especially when both Hybrid and Vinyl Plank are incredibly easy to care for and maintain while also being fairly comparable in terms of price point. Because of this, there is no hard and fast rule for which is better in general – it all comes down to your individual wants and needs.
That’s why today we’re going to dig deeper into both the similarities and differences of these two wonderful flooring options to help you work out whether Hybrid or Vinyl Plank flooring is better for your home.
Here https://imaginefloors.com.au/hybrid-flooring-vs-vinyl-plank-flooring-which-is-better-for-your-home/
Source: https://luxury-flooring.blogspot.com/2022/10/hybrid-versus-vinyl-flooring.html
Fraser Rogers 