Walk into any flooring showroom and you'll be asked to choose between hybrid, laminate, and luxury vinyl planks. They look similar on the surface, but they behave very differently once they're down on your floor. Here's how to tell them apart.
Vinyl planks (LVP)
Luxury vinyl planks are 100% waterproof, quiet underfoot, and forgiving on subfloors. They're a strong all-rounder for kitchens, living areas, and busy family homes, and they handle Melbourne's temperature swings well.
Hybrid flooring
Hybrid combines a rigid core (often SPC) with a vinyl wear layer. It's waterproof and more dent-resistant than standard vinyl, which suits high-traffic homes and heavier furniture.
Laminate
Laminate uses a timber-based core with a printed decorative layer. It looks great and is cost-effective, but it is the least water-tolerant of the three — spills need to be wiped quickly, and it's not ideal for wet areas.
Which should you choose?
- Wet areas or pets and kids: vinyl plank or hybrid
- Heavy furniture and high traffic: hybrid (rigid core)
- Tight budget in dry rooms: laminate
Not sure which is right for your rooms? AB Flooring brings samples to your free measure and quote so you can compare them in your own light before deciding.
Need vinyl planks in Melbourne?
AB Flooring supplies and installs vinyl, planks, and carpet tiles across Melbourne. Get a free, obligation-free measure and quote.