Caring for Hybrid Flooring Correctly
Hybrid flooring is engineered to provide durability, stability, and visual appeal, but its performance depends heavily on correct day-to-day care. While hybrid floors are more resilient than many traditional flooring options, inappropriate cleaning methods or products can still compromise their surface and long-term condition.
Routine dry maintenance should be carried out using a dust mop or a vacuum cleaner fitted with a soft bristle brush. This helps remove fine dirt and grit that can gradually wear down the surface finish. Hard brushes or rotating vacuum heads should be avoided, as they may cause scratching over time.
When light damp cleaning is required, a cleaner specifically designed for hybrid flooring should be used. The cleaner should be sprayed lightly onto a duster rather than directly onto the floor. The surface must be wiped dry immediately until no moisture is visible. Using other cleaning products may damage the floor, and for hybrid flooring with bevelled edges, dry cleaning only is strongly recommended.
Wet maintenance is not permitted under any circumstances. Steam mops, spray mops, power cleaners, or similar machines can force moisture into joints and edges, leading to damage or instability. Products containing abrasives, waxes, soaps, ammonia, silicone, oils, polishes, shine enhancers, or varnishes must never be used. Hybrid flooring is also unsuitable for damp environments such as saunas, where moisture levels exceed normal residential conditions.
Spills should be cleaned up promptly to prevent moisture exposure. Stubborn stains can be removed carefully using a small amount of acetone-based fingernail polish remover applied to a soft cloth. Scouring pads and abrasive products must never be used, as they can permanently damage the surface layer.
Protecting Hybrid Floors From Everyday Wear
Preventative measures play a key role in preserving the appearance and lifespan of hybrid flooring. In high-traffic or high-wear areas, rugs and runners help reduce surface wear while also contributing to the overall décor. Non-slip rugs are especially useful at pivot points such as stair landings and entryways.
Furniture protection is equally important. Felt pads or similar protectors should be fitted to the legs of furniture that is moved regularly or occasionally. Furniture and appliances should never be dragged or rolled directly across the floor. Items should be lifted into place or slid carefully using a carpet offcut to minimise the risk of scratches.
For furniture fitted with wheels or casters, soft rubber wheels designed for hybrid flooring must be used. Protective mats are recommended beneath office chairs or other mobile furniture to prevent localised wear. It is also worth noting that prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause gradual colour changes in hybrid flooring, which can be managed through the use of blinds, curtains, or other window coverings.
Inspection and Responsibility Before Installation
Hybrid flooring panels must be inspected thoroughly under sufficient lighting prior to installation. Products with visible defects must never be installed. Any defects must be reported before installation and within 30 days of purchase.
It is the responsibility of the owner or installer to confirm that all installation conditions are met before work begins. Flooring should always be checked for quality before installation. Once installation has commenced, the materials are considered accepted, and no claims will be considered during or after installation.
Preparing the Room for Installation
Correct preparation is essential to ensure a stable and long-lasting hybrid floor. Closed cartons should be stored horizontally in the installation room for at least 48 hours prior to laying. This allows the flooring to acclimate to the room’s temperature and humidity conditions.
Door and frame clearances should be checked and adjusted as needed before installation. Door mouldings should be cut so planks can slide neatly underneath. Existing skirting boards should be removed carefully and reinstalled later without pinning the floor, leaving a small gap so the floor can expand and contract naturally.
Before laying begins, planks should be checked under good lighting for chips, colour variation, or sheen differences. Channels must be clean and free of debris. Any damaged boards should be replaced before installation. The subfloor must be flat and even, with sanding or levelling compounds applied where necessary to achieve proper surface tolerance. Safety glasses and gloves should always be worn during preparation and installation.
Installation Principles and Technique
Hybrid flooring must always be installed as a floating floor. It must not be attached to the subfloor or any fixed surfaces. As the product contains wood-based materials, it requires space to expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity. Expansion gaps must be maintained around the perimeter of the room and around all fixed obstacles.
Planks are installed by positioning them at an angle of approximately 20 to 30 degrees into the adjoining board and applying gentle forward pressure until they click into place. Either tongue-to-groove or groove-to-tongue methods may be used, although tongue-to-groove is the most common and straightforward approach.
During installation, planks should be mixed from multiple cartons to avoid clusters of similar tones. The floor should ideally be installed parallel to the direction of incoming light, and end joints between rows must be staggered by at least 15 centimetres for structural stability and visual balance.
Expansion Joints, Moisture Barriers, and Final Considerations
Expansion joints are required in larger spaces to allow for natural movement. Joints should be installed every 6 metres across the width of the planks and every 10 metres along their length. Expansion joints are also recommended between rooms, such as beneath doorways, and should be finished using mouldings fixed to the subfloor rather than the flooring itself.
Unlike other flooring types, a moisture barrier must not be used with hybrid flooring that already has an attached underlayment. Adding an additional moisture barrier may cause the floor to squeak or feel unstable. The floor must remain fully floating, with no fixings or attachments.
Purchasing a few extra cartons at the time of purchase is strongly recommended. Spare planks are useful if pieces are damaged, measurements are miscalculated, or repairs are required in the future. Having matching flooring available also ensures consistency if the product is discontinued.
With careful preparation, correct installation, and appropriate ongoing care, hybrid flooring can deliver long-lasting performance, comfort, and visual appeal across a wide range of residential and commercial spaces.
