When you are renovating your home, selecting which type of flooring you choose is a big decision. The fact is, you will never find yourself short of flooring options, though that doesn’t necessarily make the decision process any easier. In an attempt to help you narrow down the search and make an informed decision, in this article we’re going to look at hybrid flooring vs. laminate flooring. Which flooring option is best? Which of the two is cheaper? Which is the easiest to install? And which flooring option is likely to last you the longest? Read on to learn more as we explore hybrid flooring and laminate in greater depth.
What is the difference between hybrid vs laminate flooring and which is better?
What are the key differences between hybrid flooring and laminate flooring? And which is the better option of the two? Both laminate and hybrid flooring options are viable for your home. They are aesthetically stunning, easy to clean and maintain, and relatively affordable when compared to natural hardwood options.
The biggest difference between the two is that hybrid flooring is completely waterproof, whereas laminate flooring only has slight water resistance. This means that if you are looking to kit your kitchen or bathroom out where moisture levels are higher and spillages are more likely, hybrid flooring will be the better option. That being said, laminate flooring is slightly cheaper than the hybrid, so for the other areas of your house where water resistance won’t be a requirement, laminate will be the more economical option.
Here is a summary of the key differences between laminate and hybrid flooring:
- Construction: both hybrid and laminate flooring boast an advanced and relatively sturdy build quality
- Installation: both hybrid and laminate have a simple click-and-lock installation system, with laminate being slightly easier
- Affordability: hybrid flooring is affordable compared to hardwood, however, laminate flooring is cheaper than hybrid flooring on the whole
- Design: laminate and hybrid flooring are rather well-matched when it comes to design, with hundreds of colour and style options to choose from
- Water resistance: hybrid flooring is 100% waterproof, whereas laminate flooring only offers slight water resistance
- Durability: both hybrid and laminate flooring are exceptionally durable, however, laminate is slightly more resistant to scratching
- Comfort: hybrid flooring is soft on the surface and offers plenty of spring due to its underlay, whereas laminate flooring is harder on the surface.
- Maintenance: as hybrid flooring is 100% waterproof it is much easier to clean than laminate flooring. However, laminate is still relatively easy to clean and maintain when compared to other flooring options
- Reparability: in terms of reparability, both hybrid and laminate flooring are similar.
Laminate flooring
Which flooring is easiest to install, hybrid vs laminate?
So, which flooring is easiest to install, laminate or hybrid flooring? Both hybrid and laminate flooring options are incredibly simple and easy to install. They both use a click-and-clock installation system and can be floated over your existing floor, meaning there is little in the way of prep work involved. This also makes both flooring options relatively affordable as this reduces the overall costs for preparation and installation. In this case, it is a draw between hybrid and laminate flooring.
The biggest difference between the two is that hybrid flooring is completely waterproof, whereas laminate flooring only has slight water resistance. This means that if you are looking to kit your kitchen or bathroom out where moisture levels are higher and spillages are more likely, hybrid flooring will be the better option. That being said, laminate flooring is slightly cheaper than the hybrid, so for the other areas of your house where water resistance won’t be a requirement, laminate will be the more economical option.
Which is cheaper hybrid vs laminate flooring?
Which is the cheaper of the two, hybrid of laminate flooring? Not only do they both have low installation costs, but laminate flooring and hybrid flooring both have very similar costs in terms of their material. This is because they have a similar composition. However, as hybrid flooring requires more advanced technology to produce, when it comes to their core layer which is plastic-infused, this makes hybrid flooring a little more expensive. In this case, laminate flooring wins this round coming out as the cheapest option of the two.
Which lasts the longest hybrid vs laminate flooring?
So, which flooring options will last you the longest, hybrid of laminate? This is a tough one because both hybrid and laminate flooring have a hard protective coat that will successfully repel any scratches or dents. As such, both are well-suited to high-traffic areas, such as the hallway of your home or the living area. Hybrid flooring and laminate will easily last you from 10 to 25 years, which makes them both solid contenders for longevity. That said, laminate flooring tends to be slightly more scratch-resistant than hybrid flooring, making laminate the winner – but only just!
Conclusion
In conclusion, both hybrid and laminate flooring are similar across the board. However, the major difference being the fact that hybrid flooring is 100% waterproof certainly gives it that advantage. That being said, hybrid flooring is slightly more expensive as a result. Both options are highly recommended when compared to natural hardwood floors as they have ease of installation on their side, affordability, durability, and a wide variety of styling options.
If you can’t quite make up your mind, let the target room and environment be the deciding factor for you. For example: for bathrooms and kitchens, hybrid flooring has the advantage of being entirely waterproof. For any other room in the house where moisture won’t be an issue, laminate flooring is the more economical option.
If you are still struggling to decide and would like some more information on the pros and cons of laminate vs. hybrid flooring, then please do not hesitate to contact us today. One of our friendly representatives will gladly answer any questions you may have.
