How Much Should Hybrid Flooring Cost? [Price Guide]

Hybrid flooring is the leading-edge technology of waterproof wood-look flooring, and is surprisingly much more affordable than you might expect. Combining the durability of laminate and waterproofing of vinyl flooring, hybrid flooring is arguably one of the best flooring options in the market for value. It provides a smooth, luxurious and premium look to your modern Australian home.

In this article, we will break down the cost of purchasing, installing and maintaining hybrid flooring. Furthermore, we’ll provide a brief cost comparison with similar flooring options.

What is Hybrid Flooring?

There are two types of hybrid floors available – stone-plastic composite (SPC) and wood-plastic composite (WPC). SPC is slightly more affordable and durable, however WPC options are more comfortable underfoot. Hybrid flooring is made up of four main layers:

1. UV Wear Layer – A thin surface coating of (usually) aluminium oxide which protects the print layer from sunlight and scratches.
2. Print Layer – Advance print and embossing technology allows us to replicate the look and feel of real solid timber.
3. Composite Core Layer – 100% waterproof materials consisting of either a stone-plastic composite or wood plastic composite. This layer helps to strengthen the floorboards, thus improving durability of hybrid flooring.
4. Pre-attached Underlay – A Sound-proofing foam/ rubber layer is pre-attached to the core in order to reduce noise transmission. This is especially important if you live in an apartment or building with strict strata policies. This saves costs upon installation as separate underlay purchases are not needed.

If you would like to learn more, check out our Ultimate Guide to Hybrid Flooring. Here are some samples from our popular Marvel Hybrid SPC range:

Dieskau	Blackbutt	Spotted Gum	Brown Land

How Much Does Hybrid Flooring Cost?

In order to break down the cost of hybrid flooring, we’ve separated the materials, the labour, and potential subfloor levelling. If you are in a rush, here’s your TL;DR for hybrid flooring prices as of 2024, in Sydney & NSW:

1. Hybrid Flooring Supply Only: $35 – $70 per square metre
2. Hybrid Flooring Installation: $30 – $60 per square metre (Depends on interior conditions)
3. Subfloor Levelling (If Required): $40 – $90 per square metre

Material Cost Of Hybrid Flooring

There’s a seemingly astronomical amount of hybrid floors available in the market at various price points. The price can be affected by the brand, thickness, durability, underlay performance and overall quality. Hybrid flooring typically between $35 – $70 per square metre for supply only.

If you are looking for a long-term solution that will last more than a couple of years, avoid manufacturers who charge excessively cheap prices for very thin hybrid floorboards (cough, bunnings, cough). Always check basic information including warranty and specifications of the floorboards.

Professional Hybrid Flooring Installation Costs

Hybrid floors are floating floors which means no glue or nail is required, saving you labour fees. The installation cost depends on the installer you employ. Just for the installation itself without any additional work, you’ll be looking at roughly $30 – $40 per square metre. You can expect to pay an additional $10 – $20 per square metre for furniture moving, any removal and disposal of existing floors/carpets, and even skirting board refitting to cover the necessary expansion gaps.

Hybrid flooring is also DIY friendly, which means you can convert the monetary cost into time by installing the floorboards yourself. If this interests you, feel free to check out our Beginners Guide to Installing Hybrid Flooring.

Subfloor Levelling Costs

If the subfloor exceeds 2mm/2 metres in a single direction, it will be necessary to do a subfloor levelling. Whilst we recommend having an expert come out to inspect the subfloor condition, you can also check it yourself by using a 2 metre long spirit level or straight edge to get an idea.

If you do need subfloor levelling, you’ll need to allocate an additional budget. FloorVenue will try to find the most affordable subfloor levelling solution whether it involves sanding/grinding down bumps or using self-levelling compound.

Cost of Maintenance

Hybrid floors usually have an expected lifetime of around 20 to 25 years. Repairs and replacements are relatively easy since it is a floating floor. The damaged plank(s) can easily be taken out if damage occurs to specific areas. Most ordinary floorboard replacements will cost between $600 to $1200 for most small projects. The cost of maintaining hybrid floors will vary significantly depending on what strategies you choose to implement in your home. 

However, here are some recommended basics: 

• It will be wise to invest in some exterior doormats at the entrances to prevent any extra dirt or grime that shoes will have from coming into the house and causing damage to the floor.
• If you do not have one already, using a vacuum and a mop to clean the floor occasionally will be very beneficial for the removal of loose dirt which can scratch the planks. Any stains and scuff marks which may occur can also be removed with a diluted alcohol rub.
• You may also choose to install a blind system or tint your windows to minimise prolonged exposure of the floor to direct sunlight. This is to minimise the risk of discolouration which may occur as a result of overexposure to sunlight and cause the planks to lose their authentic timber look.

How Long Does Hybrid Flooring Last?

Hybrid floors can typically last around 20 – 25 years with the appropriate care and a reasonable amount of wear and tear in a residential environment. As they are fully waterproof, you won’t have to worry about the plethora of humidity and leakage risks which wood-type floors come with. Most warranties will be valid for this timeframe, however, be sure to check with your manufacturer before purchasing. 

Image courtesy of Stonefloor

Hybrid Flooring vs Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring, like hybrid flooring, is also a 100% waterproof flooring solution. It is made of polyvinyl chloride. Vinyl sheet flooring is most commonly used in commercial areas such as schools, labs or hospitals due to its ability to be installed with sealing properties. As such, no harmful chemicals or dirt can go through gaps and damage the subfloor.

Vinyl floors are also similarly priced for supply at $35-$50 per square metre, however their installation price is higher at $30-$50 per square metre as vinyl flooring is required to be glued down and sealed. There are also floating vinyl planks which cost $25 – $30 per square metre to lay.

Hybrid flooring can cost around $40 for supply, however, installation costs will be cheaper at $30 per square meter if you install them as a floating floor.

Hybrid floors are also generally thicker than vinyl planks for increased comfort and foot feel when you walk across. In the end, it is about your individual circumstances. Vinyl flooring is geared towards a commercial environment, whilst hybrid flooring can be ideal for a typical residential home.

Hybrid Flooring vs Laminate Flooring

Water resistant vs waterproof — that’s the biggest differentiation between laminate floors and hybrid floors out there. Laminate flooring is water-resistant, meaning it can become damaged by being exposed to liquids. Hybrid flooring is not water-sensitive, offering greater durability with 100% waterproof capabilities. However, laminate flooring is able to better recreate a hand scraped, authentic texture in their planks.

Cost Comparison – Hybrid flooring is more expensive at $35 to $60 per square metre, while laminate flooring is the more cost effective option at $20 to $50 per square metre. Installation can also be more expensive for hybrid flooring if you opt for a direct stick method instead of a floating floor method.

Overall, it is more about what the aims for your floor are. Take into account your individual circumstances in order to make an informed decision between the two floor types.

Hybrid Flooring Cost Comparison (Example)