When it comes to hybrid flooring, thickness plays a significant role in durability and performance. Thicker hybrid flooring typically offers better stability, sound insulation, and resistance to impact and indentation.
This is the most DIY-friendly thickness, as thin floors are easy to cut. All National Floors Hybrids are SPC, containing 80% stone material and providing a 100% waterproof guarantee. 5.5mm hybrid floors are perfect if you have existing flooring that could cause polishing to cost more.
Thicker floors typically offer better durability and sound insulation, which is crucial in high-traffic areas. On the flip side, thinner vinyl is cost-effective and may suffice in low-traffic zones. The key is to match the thickness with your specific needs for the best results.
6.5mm: Accommodates minor floor unevenness with a tolerance of +/- 2mm over its length. 9mm: Offers a broader tolerance of +/- 3mm, making it more adaptable to slightly imperfect subfloors. This can mean that the 9mm option might require less floor preparation, potentially saving on time and additional costs.
Rigid Core Hybrid Flooring: Rigid core hybrid flooring is one of the most popular types due to its exceptional stability and resistance to moisture. Composed of a sturdy core layer, it can withstand heavy foot traffic, making it ideal for high-traffic areas such as hallways and living rooms.
Hybrid Flooring is much like this. Most WPC planks need to be at least 8mm thick or more to make up for the aeration within their core. SPC hybrid flooring can be only 6mm thick and boast superior strength to 8mm thick WPC flooring. For SPC flooring, the magic number tends to be between 6mm and 7mm in thickness.
Laminate ranges from 6-mm to 12-mm and, as a rule, it shouldn't be less than 8-mm. If, however, budget is an issue and if your subfloor is level and debris-free, you might be able to get away with 7-mm; keep in mind that subfloor imperfections can telegraph to the surface floor, so make sure it's okay.
Vinyl Planks (predominantly PVC) have had issues with temperature expansion and shrinking. The wear layer on a hybrid plank is also made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride). So, the hybrid wear layer was heating up and expanding, still bonded to the core, which caused the floor to lift.
Hybrid flooring is typically more resistant to water than other types of flooring, such as hardwood or laminate flooring. However, if water gets under the hybrid flooring, it can cause damage to the subfloor or underlayment, which can result in warping or buckling of the flooring.
A thicker board will absorb sound better than a thinner board, so footsteps will be quieter. For those who really want to ensure quietness, a thicker board will also reduce the echo within the room. Thicker laminate flooring will feel more like hardwood underneath your feet.
If you choose a wood floor with a thicker wear layer, you will ensure that your floor lasts longer, can be refinished (if necessary), and will present a lower cost of ownership over the life of your floor!
Think cream carpets, natural and neutral toned tiles and whitewashed wood flooring. These attractive, light and neutral colours give a room an open and airy feel, making it appear larger, whilst also drawing in the natural sunlight from outside.
A popular choice for many homeowners, 8mm hybrid flooring strikes a balance between affordability and durability. It provides a more substantial feel underfoot compared to 6mm options and is better suited for medium to high-traffic areas like living rooms and hallways.
Considering the points discussed, at Wood and Beyond, we find that 3mm and 4mm wear layers in engineered wood flooring are suitable for most residential settings, offering a balanced lifespan and cost. 5mm and 6mm wear layers are ideal for very busy households and commercial environments.
On average, a high-quality hybrid flooring can last up to 20-30 years with proper care and maintenance. However, some manufacturers may offer warranties that last for 25-30 years or more, which can give you an idea of the expected lifespan of the flooring.
Unlike solid timber flooring, hybrid flooring is engineered to withstand fluctuations in environmental conditions without warping, cracking, or shrinking.
Causes of Bouncy Floors in Your Home
Over Spanned Joists: Joists supporting floors above crawl spaces may be spaced too far apart or be too long, causing excess flexing. Inadequate Support: Insufficient support structures like poorly installed or shifted posts and beams can lead to bouncy floors.
Thicker floors can help reduce noise levels, provide additional insulation, and increase the overall strength of the building. Additionally, thicker floors can help reduce the risk of damage from heavy machinery, such as forklifts, and can help reduce the risk of structural damage from vibrations.
While there might be concerns about 5mm Luxury Vinyl Flooring being too thin, its durability depends more on the wear layer than the overall thickness. For example, a 5mm flooring option with a 0.5mm wear layer provides ample durability for most residential applications.
For solid wood flooring, 16mm and 18mm tend to be suitable for most applications. In the case of engineered wood flooring, 14mm and 15mm offer a balanced blend of value for money, durability, and practicality.
When you walk on hybrid flooring, you'll experience minimal noise and sound transmission compared to other flooring materials. This is due to the combination of layers in hybrid flooring, which includes a rigid core layer that helps absorb and reduce noise impact.
Because hybrid planks expand or shrink with temperature change, it is necessary to leave a gap around the entire perimeter. It is important to acclimatise and install the flooring at the approximate service temperature (18-25°C) to prevent excessive growth or shrinkage during periods of high and low temperature.