Hybrid vs Laminate Flooring: Which Suits Your Home?

Hybrid or laminate? It is one of the most common questions we hear in our showrooms, so here is our simple guide to hybrid vs laminate flooring. Both give you a beautiful timber look, both click together quickly and both cost far less than real timber. The difference is what sits underneath, and that decides which room each one suits best.

Hybrid vs laminate flooring in one minute

Why choose hybrid flooring?

• Built for busy kitchens. Spills and mopping are part of everyday life, and hybrid handles them with ease.
• Softer and quieter. Many hybrids have acoustic backing, so there is less of that hollow click-clack.
• One floor everywhere. Run it from the kitchen through the living areas for a seamless look.

Why choose laminate flooring?

• Seriously scratch resistant. Laminate has one of the hardest surfaces of any timber-look floor.
• Great value. Ideal when you are covering large areas on a budget.
• Stable in sunny rooms. A good choice for rooms with big windows and lots of direct sun.

Our hybrid ranges

Royal 6.5mm Premium – a 100% waterproof, ultra-dense core with a 0.5mm wear layer and a 6 Star acoustic rating, so it works beautifully in apartments. Backed by a 25 year limited residential warranty.

Royal Hybrid Pro 9mm – a thicker board with a 0.7mm wear layer, 3D true-to-nature surface and ultra-low sheen finish in 1680 x 228mm planks. Water, stain and scratch resistant, with a 25 year warranty.

Karndean Korlok – a premium rigid-core hybrid with waterproof performance, built-in acoustic backing and the 5G® click system, in realistic timber and stone looks.

Our laminate ranges

Royal Laminate 8mm – an affordable AC4-rated laminate with 48-hour water resistance and textured matte or 3D embossed finishes.

Royal Procore Laminate – extra-long 2265mm boards with a detailed 3D timber surface, AC4 durability and more than 72 hours of water resistance.

RoyalStep 12mm – an AC5-rated laminate with a 3D surface and a timber-design bevel designed to keep water and dirt out of the joins.

Clix Laminate – European-made oak looks with a smooth matt, low-maintenance surface and a full accessory range.

Which should you choose?

As a simple rule: choose hybrid flooring for kitchens, laundries, open-plan living and rentals, and choose laminate flooring for bedrooms, studies and dry living areas. Plenty of homes use both. Still deciding on a real timber look? Read hybrid vs engineered timber flooring.

See them side by side

Hybrid and laminate look very similar in photos, so the best way to choose is to feel the boards underfoot. Visit Royal Floors in Penrith, Campbelltown, Hornsby or Logan, or book a free measure and quote and we will bring the samples to you.

A few of our favourite shades

Frequently asked questions

Is hybrid flooring better than laminate?

Hybrid is usually the better pick where water is a concern, like kitchens and laundries. Laminate often has a harder, more scratch-resistant surface and is usually more affordable, so it suits dry rooms well.

Can laminate go in a kitchen?

Yes, water-resistant laminates such as our Procore range can be used in kitchens as long as spills are wiped up promptly. If you would rather not worry about water, choose hybrid.

Which is quieter, hybrid or laminate?

Hybrid with acoustic backing is generally quieter underfoot. Laminate sound depends on the underlay installed beneath it.

Explore our hybrid and laminate ranges and find the right floor for every room.