Laminate or hybrid flooring: what's the difference?

Laminate and hybrid floors can look nearly the same from a few steps away. Both are floating floors that click together over an underlay, both come in convincing timber looks, and both cost less than solid hardwood. The difference is what they're made of, and that decides where each one belongs.

What laminate is

Laminate is built on a core of high-density fibreboard, a compressed wood product. A printed timber image sits on top, sealed under a tough clear wear layer. It's hard-wearing, resists scratches well and feels solid underfoot.

The catch is water. If moisture gets into the joints or edges, the fibreboard core can swell, and swollen boards don't go back. Many modern laminates have water-resistant coatings, but they're still best kept out of wet areas.

What hybrid is

Hybrid flooring combines a rigid core, usually a stone-plastic composite, with a vinyl top layer and a printed timber look. Because the core doesn't absorb water, hybrid is generally treated as waterproof, which makes it a popular choice for kitchens, laundries and whole-of-home installs.

It's also slightly softer and quieter underfoot than laminate, and it copes well with Sydney's temperature swings.

Which one should you choose?

• Living rooms and bedrooms: either works. Laminate often has the edge on scratch resistance.

• Kitchens, laundries and homes with young kids or pets: hybrid is usually the safer choice because of spills.

• One floor through the whole house: hybrid, so you don't need a change of floor at the kitchen.

Whichever you pick, the result depends on what's underneath. A flat, properly prepared subfloor matters more than the brand on the box.