Vinyl vs Hybrid Flooring – Your Guide to Pick the Right One!

Building or renovating any place can be an exciting affair; but it is also riddled with myriad choices at every step. Picking a flooring type is one such choice, that goes beyond design, playing a larger functional role as well. With so many choices available it can get confusing to evaluate and pick the right one for your needs. Vinyl and hybrid are two very popular options today when it comes to water-resistant flooring. They even share similarities in design and are also affordable and durable compared to most other types. But this is really where most similarities end, as they are structured quite differently.

 

With this blog, we will help you dig deeper into what makes each of these flooring types unique, so that you can make an informed choice for your project.

The “Core” Difference between Hybrid and Vinyl Flooring!

While both vinyl planks and hybrid floors are multi-layered, their key difference lies in what makes up their core layer. In the case of vinyl, it is polyvinyl chloride, more commonly known as PVC that imparts structure and strength to the planks. When it comes to hybrid flooring, the core could be a composite of wood and plastic (WPC – Wood Plastic Composite), or stone and plastic (SPC – Stone Plastic Composite). This not only imparts more rigidity, but also makes it less susceptible to changes in external temperature, unlike vinyl planks which could expand or contract.

The Installation Process

This is another area where both these flooring types differ. Each flooring type is laid down differently. Usually, vinyl floors are installed using the ‘glue-down’ method, meaning, each plank is glued onto the subfloor with a Hart Set or Pressure Set Adhesive. Alternatively, it could also be installed using the ‘loose lay’ method, where only the edge planks are fastened down. While this requires some effort, they can be easily laid up all the way to the skirtings, negating the need for a Scotia.

Hybrid floors, on the other hand are usually installed using the ‘click-lock’ method, similar to the installation for laminate flooring. This adhesive-free method is simpler and can also be suitable for those who wish to go down the DIY route.

Cost Efficiency

Both hybrid and vinyl flooring are quite affordable as compared to timber or hardwood floors. In fact, they can imitate the look of these surfaces at a much smaller cost investment. However, one must also consider the fact that while vinyl flooring might be relatively cheaper than hybrid flooring, it does have a higher installation cost as the planks need to be glued down. Moreover, as both these floor types are quite durable and easy to maintain, they would be well worth the investment.

If budget is an important parameter for you, it would be a good idea to do a comparative analysis of the material and installation costs of both these options, before deciding on one.

Moisture Resistance

This is an important consideration, especially while choosing the flooring for high moisture places such as bathrooms and kitchens. Thankfully, both these flooring options are 100% waterproof, due to the use of PVC in their core. But this doesn’t mean that you cannot use them in any other areas, as they are both available in a multitude of designs that mimic the look of other surfaces, such as timber, stone and ceramic!

Durability

Both vinyl and hybrid flooring are made to last. They both feature a wear layer made from polyurethane PVC, which offers great scratch and stain resistance over long periods of time. This layer also offers protection from fading. The fact that they are both 100% waterproof also adds to their longevity. Both floors are also suited to withstand high foot traffic, and are both quite durable.

Having said this, hybrid floors do offer better impact resistance when it comes to dents from heavier loads, due to their stronger core. But otherwise, the difference between the two isn’t that noticeable.

Temperature Resistance

This is one parameter where hybrid floors have a clear edge over vinyl. This is because vinyl flooring is primarily made of PVC, it doesn’t offer great resistance to fluctuations in outside temperature. It tends to expand with a rise in temperature, and contract when the temperature drops. This can be largely minimized by using a Hard Set Adhesive during the installation process. Hybrid floors can withstand these temperature changes much better due to their limestone / wood composite core. And if you are anticipating major temperature fluctuations on a regular basis, then hybrid floors would be a better choice.

Design

Both vinyl and hybrid floors are available in a wide range of colours, designs and styles. They can provide a true-to-life hardwood appearance at a fraction of the original cost. At CQ Flooring, we offer 100+ designs for you to choose from, for both these types of flooring options.

Comfort

Both hybrid and vinyl flooring require an underlay – a foam padding that is laid down below the flooring. The main purpose of this underlay is to ensure that the subfloor surface is flat and even prior to installation. What this also does is offer more ‘give’ when stepped on, which increases the overall comfort.

However, if you are also concerned about acoustics, vinyl offers better sound absorption whereas hybrid flooring, being more rigid, tends to create more airborne noise. If you are looking for a soft, quieter space, vinyl would be the way to go. However, the same cannot be said in the case of multi-residential units, as vinyl would transfer the sound of the footfalls onto the floors below. Hybrid flooring, on the other hand, can better contain the sound due to its underlay.

Maintenance

If regular cleaning and maintenance is going to be needed, then it makes sense to choose a flooring type that isn’t too difficult. Thankfully, both vinyl and hybrid floors are quite a breeze to clean and maintain. Simply sweeping or vacuuming the floors and the occasional damp mopping works just fine in keeping them clean and dust-free. This is also what makes both these options ideal for high traffic foot areas and commercial spaces that require frequent and regular maintenance.

But even while they are easy to maintain, it won’t hurt to practice some other things such as using doormats to prevent dust from entering the space, cleaning up stains and spills as soon as they happen, and using non-abrasive cleaners for maintenance. With all this in place, you can expect your floors to stay good for years on end.

Repairs

When it comes to repairs however, vinyl flooring has the upper hand. Due to its ‘glue-down’ installation process, it is easier to replace any damaged planks without the need to remove any of the surrounding planks. This is not the case with hybrid flooring, as its click-lock installation requires that multiple boards be removed and re-laid, just to be able to reach and replace the damaged board. Of course, both these flooring options are designed to last, and might not even require repairs. But this is still a factor worth considering nonetheless.

A Quick Snapshot of Key Differences between Vinyl & Hybrid Flooring

If you’ve read this far, you certainly would like to see a quick roundup of all the things we’ve discussed so far, so that you can make an informed choice about what would be best for you.

The Final Verdict

As you would agree, both these flooring types offer comparable performance on most parameters, and therefore, there isn’t a clear winner overall. But the best way to choose the right type would require you to really evaluate your project needs, and future usage patterns, along with the overall budget. This can help you pick the one that is most suited for you.

If you’ve enjoyed reading this, and would like to explore any of these options for your flooring requirements, we invite you to connect with our in-house experts.