Hybrid Flooring

Waterproof planks do not make every installed floor suitable for every wet room. Check the selected range’s permitted rooms, waterproofing, perimeter sealing and separation requirements. Wipe up spills promptly and follow the manufacturer’s care instructions.

Usually not — nearly all our hybrid ranges come with an acoustic pad pre-attached. Over concrete slabs we recommend adding a vapour barrier. See our hybrid underlay guide for the exceptions.

Concrete: Yes, hybrid flooring can be installed over concrete as long as the subfloor has been prepped and levelled. Please refer to the installation instructions and warranty information for more details.

Ceramic: Yes, the floor must be well attached, and the grout must be levelled prior to installation. Please consult your installation instructions and warranty for more details.

Plywood: Yes, the plywood must be structurally sound and installed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Yes. Hybrid is one of the most pet-resistant floors on the market — dog claws struggle to scratch through a 0.5mm wear layer, accidents wipe up without staining, and the firm surface is easy to keep hair-free. For multi-large-dog households we recommend a 0.7mm wear layer.

Hybrid suits many living spaces, but permitted wet rooms and installation conditions vary by range. Check the selected manufacturer’s current instructions before specifying bathrooms or laundries; flooring does not replace required building waterproofing.

• Kitchens — spills, dishwasher leaks and dropped pans are all non-events.
• Bathrooms and laundries: only where the selected manufacturer permits the room and all its conditions are met. Godfrey Hirst hybrid has specific room eligibility, sealing and separation requirements; check its current installation guide.
• Living, dining and family rooms — the most common application.
• Bedrooms — the firm underfoot feel is preferred over carpet by an increasing number of buyers.
• Hallways and entries — high traffic and grit are easily handled by the wear layer.
• Basements and lower-ground floors — the waterproof core handles concrete moisture better than timber or laminate.
• Apartments — strata-friendly thanks to the pre-attached acoustic pad. Always check your strata acoustic rating requirement before ordering.
• Underfloor heating: compatibility depends on the selected range and heating system. Godfrey Hirst hybrid must not be installed over electrical radiant heating; hydronic systems may be suitable when its installation requirements are met. Check the manufacturer instructions before specifying any heated floor.

Very. The stone-polymer composite core resists dents and indentation better than laminate or timber, and the wear layer (0.3–0.7mm depending on range) shrugs off daily traffic, grit and claws. Warranty periods and coverage vary by range; check the selected manufacturer’s full terms. See do hybrid floors scratch easily? for the details.

Check the selected product and heating system before installation. Godfrey Hirst hybrid prohibits electrical radiant heating and permits properly installed hydronic systems subject to its installation instructions. Other brands have their own requirements.

Generally no — the stone-composite core is dimensionally stable, so most ranges can be installed straight away. A few brands still recommend 24–48 hours in the room; check your product’s installation guide.

Yes, an expansion gap is needed for hybrid flooring to allow for expansion or contracting due to temperature changes. Please see your product installation materials for specific instructions on the necessary expansion gap.

Yes, hybrid flooring is a rigid core luxury vinyl that looks and feels like authentic hardwood or tile and is available in a  textured finish. When installing, we recommend mixing planks from several boxes to achieve a natural blended look.

No — hybrid is a floating floor that clicks together over the subfloor with no glue or nails. If you specifically want a glued-down floor, look at our vinyl plank range instead.

Warranty periods and coverage vary by brand and range. For example, Godfrey Hirst Apollo Hardwood carries a 25 Year Hybrid Limited Residential Warranty, subject to its full terms. Check the selected product warranty for coverage, exclusions and any commercial-use conditions.

Sweep or vacuum (without a beater bar) regularly. For damp-mopping, use a microfibre mop with warm water and a manufacturer-approved hybrid/vinyl floor cleaner (see can you steam mop hybrid?). Avoid bleach, abrasive scrubbers, steam mops and oil-based or wax-based cleaners — all of which can permanently damage the surface.

Hybrid combines the best of the two floors it replaced: the realistic look and rigid feel of laminate, and the 100% waterproof core of vinyl. Our ranges use a phthalate-free extruded closed-cell core — cold-pressed natural stone powder and resin — for exceptional rigidity, dimensional stability and anti-telegraphing performance over imperfect subfloors.

Long-board planks are typically 1220–1800mm long and 178–228mm wide. Herringbone planks are typically 600mm long and 100–150mm wide. Plank size varies by range — each product page lists exact dimensions.

Yes. Upload a written quote from any competing Australian retailer and we will beat it. Use the “Price Beat Request” form on this page or any product page.