Timber Floors
Get the luscious look of timber with the hardiness of hybrid flooring with these reputable and reliable options. We’re comparing the best brands so you can make the right choice.
Want the look of timber flooring without the price tag?
One great alternative for this tricky balancing act is an innovative hybrid floor.
These floors can give you a beautiful aesthetic without the maintenance and cost associated with real timber.
But with so many options on the market, how can you decide what to choose from? There are a few key indicators to look for including warranty, waterproofing, and sound dampening. There are also different kinds, as we’ll explain below, each with their own look and literally feel underfoot. To help, we’re breaking down the top brands and what you can look for as you explore your options for the leading hybrid floor brands on the market.
If you want to learn more about hybrid flooring, check out our other resources:
1. How much does hybrid flooring cost?
2. What are the best hybrid flooring brands?
3. Pros and cons of hybrid flooring
4. Hybrid vs laminate flooring
6. How long does hybrid flooring last?
Hybrid floors are an excellent alternative to true timber for a quite a few reasons.
Top of the list is both cost and durability. These floors are able to exceed the price and longevity of real wood by their hybrid, or composite construction.
Hybrid flooring is made up of two basic elements:
The core can be made of a number of hard and durable materials including stone (typically limestone) or pressed and recycled wood material (similar to MDF). Whether you go with a Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) or Wood Plastic Composite (WPC), both types are much more durable than wood alone.
The laminate layer that is applied on top gives the look of real wood for a fraction of the price. In most cases, the wood look is applied through a vinyl coating printed with specific wood grain patterns that can mimic even the most Australian of woods including blackbutt and spotted gum. Some higher-end hybrid or engineered floors will include a thin layer of real wood on top.
In many cases, this is a matter of personal aesthetic presence and budget allocation. However, there are differences between the two materials in feel and function.
SPC flooring tends to be more durable because the limestone core is much more dense and able to take a beating from foot traffic over the years. With that said, limestone is also a bit less comfortable to walk on since its higher density means less give, or cushioning, underfoot.
WPC flooring, on the other hand, is less dense since it is made of compressed recycled wood materials, also making them a bit less durable over time. But because the natural materials have a little more flexibility to them, compared to limestone, homeowners tend to find that these floors are a bit more comfortable to walk on and a little quieter as well.
When it comes to pricing, the rates for both will be close to each other when it comes to hybrid flooring. Overall WPC tends to cost a little more than SPC. Any floors that include a layer of real wood on top will be the most expensive.
Marvel SPC is an affordable alternative to timber floors that also prides itself on sound proofing and high ratings for acoustic sound testing. Each board is also coated with .5mm aluminium oxide to protect the surface from both scratches and UV light. They also lead the way with a 25-year warranty that allow for peace of mind no matter what shade or shape you choose.
Not only a quick and easy flooring system to install, Quick-Step also boasts a soft and silent feel with 100% waterproofing from patented panel interlocking. They offer a number of different shades and wood grain looks to choose from, all of which are also scratch resistant to help with high foot traffic areas in the home.
These floors are known for their durability with double surface layer protection for hard wear and high impact. This SPC hybrid floor has a limestone composite core that also remains stable in extremes of temperature to prevent warping. To help with noise from foot traffic, the boards are shipped with an already-attached acoustic underlayer.
With Dunlop, you won’t just get a reliable and durable flooring system. You’ll get one that is giving back to the environment. Underlay elements are 90% recycled materials and many flooring systems are designed to be installed and float on top of an existing floor substructure, limiting both carbon footprints and contributions to landfills. They also click together for zero gap and no adhesive required for installation.
This hybrid SPC flooring system offers one of the widest varieties of finishes and wood grains available. Options include NSW spotted gum and coastal blackbutt so you can have the look of native Australian timber at a fraction of the price. These systems are designed to install floating over the existing subfloor and keep their shape and form regardless of the environment with an extruded, high-density core.
Hybrid floors with top warranties are going to give you protection from foot traffic as well as heat, impact, sun, and moisture.
The result is a floor that looks just as great as Australian timbers for a fraction of the price. Keep in mind that these projects are priced per square metre of material needed, so a great next step will be for you to request an estimate that includes your exact measurements for accuracy.
You can turn to the experts in hybrid flooring at Allen Brothers Flooring. These systems require a specialised hand to ensure proper installation and compliance with warranty requirements. And our team offers a 5-year warranty on all of our work so you can have confidence in your new flooring project.
We keep every project high quality and high integrity, keeping customer satisfaction and team safety as our priorities. We’re a family-owned business that is proud to serve Perth and the surrounds with new floors of all types. For information about what hybrid flooring brand might be best for your home or business, call us on 0407 983 020 or request a quick, gimmick-free quote today.
