Hybrid flooring has witnessed a notable rise in popularity in recent times, likely due to its lower price point, ease of installation and versatile design options. It is also heavily marketed as being more water resistant than other traditional wood-based flooring types.
Whilst there are some benefits to using this type of product, it is important to understand its capabilities and limitations and how it responds to the in-service environment. As the product continues to gain interest in the market, there have been some recurring issues that are commonly reported.
The phrase 'hybrid' is largely unique to Australia and is a marketing term used to describe a range of flooring materials that are mostly rigid planks made of polymers (or vinyl). Other filler materials (such as limestone or resins) are also present, as is the case with all plastics.
As such, they are a stiff vinyl product with a printed décor layer that frequently includes an incorporated underlay material beneath each plank. They are installed as a floating floor and are made with a click jointing technology, similar to other floated engineered flooring products.
A layer of underlay attached to the board can speed up installation and is a unique idea because it eliminates the need for a separate underlay product. However, this can present problems for people who are more used to traditional floating floors, where they are used to rolling out an underlayment before installing the floor. Many manufacturers will expressly mention that the installation of an additional underlay is not permitted since it can generate too much cushioning, resulting in broken joints and the boards splitting.
Depending on the product and the subfloor or substrate on which it is installed, the incorporated underlay has also caused some friction concerns. The fibres in particleboard sheeting, for example, have resulted in floorboards catching in some cases, which can lead to restrictions in natural movement and board deformation and joint damage. Plastic sheeting over the subfloor has been proposed for various surfaces to reduce friction.
It is also important to recognise that plastics respond swiftly to temperature changes rather than relative humidity. Whereas wood-based flooring expands slowly in humid situations, hybrid flooring expands swiftly in warm weather or where the flooring is heated if stored or installed in direct sunlight. Similarly, as the temperature falls, the boards contract.
Because temperature changes the board dimensions so quickly, hybrid flooring has very specific environmental requirements that begin during transit and continue until the installation is complete. The temperature at which the flooring is stored prior to installation, as well as the projected in-service temperature range, will impact whether or not the floor expands or contracts significantly and whether or not the floor performs effectively.It is critical to follow the manufacturer's guidelines in this regard to ensure that any dimensional change is minor and may be accommodated. Buckling, board deformation, joint deterioration, and the emergence of gaps are all consequences of this.
Some installation problems have also been reported. Hybrid flooring frequently necessitates careful subfloor preparation, such as levelling and moisture testing. Improper installation procedures or failing to follow manufacturer requirements might result in poor performance and void warranties.
Furthermore, the hybrid flooring's click-lock installation mechanism can provide difficulties at times. Planks not locking properly or locking mechanisms malfunctioning during installation have been observed by users. These flaws might lead to sagging or unsteady flooring. To avoid boards splitting while in service, the installer must be careful of potentially fragile joints.
There has also been a rise in hybrid flooring with cupped edges, where the board edges are taller than the centre. In wood-based goods, this is caused by either expansion or a moisture imbalance between the boards. Cupping is not an expected property of hybrid flooring because it is highlighted as being highly dimensionally stable and water resistant.
When it comes to hybrid flooring, temperature variations cause expansion pressure, which prevents the boards from moving freely throughout the floor width. When the cupping appears very soon, or even before the floor is placed, and it is not affected by installation problems (such as subfloor flatness or expansion constraints), the board is most likely affected by a manufacturing defect.
Alkaline hydrolysis is yet another mechanism for stiff vinyl floor cupping. This is cupping that occurs gradually over time (9-12 months on average) and is caused by long-term exposure to both high concrete moisture content and high levels of alkalinity. This causes the mineral component of the vinyl to break down and the board to destabilise. It has been discovered that using a plastic moisture vapour barrier (150um or thicker) inhibits this process from occurring.
This brings up another potential issue: while hybrid flooring may be 'water resistant' to some extent, the subfloor components are frequently wood-based and will not be able to survive excessive levels of moisture. Hybrid flooring and the use of plastic sheeting over specific subfloor types can impede the capacity of moisture to be released through the floor system, potentially leading to subfloor concerns.
As a result, dry and/or well-ventilated conditions in the subfloor or underfloor area must be provided to limit the chance of moisture accumulating beneath the floor.
Finally, it is critical to consider compartmentalising the floor into smaller rafts as needed and ensuring adequate expansion space. Again, because of the product's perceived stability, big raft sizes and intricate floor plans are frequently neglected, and the floor is built as one continuous raft, which can result in skewing, buckling, and gaps appearing. Although the permissible maximum raft sizes are likely to be larger than those of most wood-based flooring products, it is frequently necessary to segregate the flooring at doors and at the ends of long halls so that these parts can move independently of one another. There have been countless cases where this has not been taken into account, and the floor has not performed properly as the seasons transition from cooler to warmer temperatures.
