Two constructions
A hybrid plank has a rigid mineral core, a click-lock joint and, in commercial grades, an acoustic backing attached at the factory. It is installed floating: the boards lock to each other, not to the subfloor.
Glue-down vinyl, often called LVT, is a thinner, flexible plank bonded to the subfloor with full-spread adhesive. The floor and the slab act as one.
Where hybrid is the better choice
- —Programme. A floating floor needs no adhesive and no cure time, so areas can be handed over sooner.
- —Subfloor tolerance. A rigid core is more forgiving of minor irregularities that would show through a thin bonded plank. Flatness tolerances in the installation instructions still apply.
- —Acoustics from the plank itself. The attached backing gives impact-sound performance without a separate underlay, which suits apartments and residential corridors. Acoustic compliance is assessed on the whole floor and ceiling system, so it still needs confirming for the build-up.
- —Replacement. A damaged board can be lifted and replaced without scraping adhesive from the slab.
Where glue-down is the better choice
- —Rolling loads. Beds, trolleys, retail cages and pallet jacks work the joints of a floating floor. A bonded floor transfers the load straight to the slab.
- —Large, continuous floorplates. A floating floor needs expansion allowances and breaks at set run lengths and doorways. A bonded floor can run uninterrupted.
- —Frequent wet cleaning. A bonded floor stays stable under the cleaning regimes of healthcare corridors and aged-care common areas. Where the infection-control brief calls for welded seams, as in operating theatres and wet rooms, sheet vinyl remains the specification.
- —Low build height. At 3 to 5mm, glue-down suits refurbishments where the floor level is fixed by existing doors, lifts and adjoining finishes.
- —Acoustic systems. Where impact ratings are needed, glue-down can be stuck directly over an acoustic underlay system.
By sector
- Workplace
- ConstructionEither
- WhyHybrid for fit-out speed; glue-down across large open floorplates and heavy chair traffic
- Hospitality
- ConstructionEither
- WhyHybrid front-of-house; glue-down where trolleys and wet cleaning are constant
- Multi-residential
- ConstructionEither
- WhyHybrid for its attached acoustic backing; glue-down over an acoustic system where build height is tight
- Education
- ConstructionEither
- WhyHybrid for refurbishment speed; glue-down in high-traffic corridors
- Retail
- ConstructionEither
- WhyGlue-down under rolling cages and display loads; long-format hybrid across open retail volumes
- Healthcare and aged care
- ConstructionGlue-down
- WhyRolling loads and frequent wet cleaning
| Sector | Construction | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Workplace | Either | Hybrid for fit-out speed; glue-down across large open floorplates and heavy chair traffic |
| Hospitality | Either | Hybrid front-of-house; glue-down where trolleys and wet cleaning are constant |
| Multi-residential | Either | Hybrid for its attached acoustic backing; glue-down over an acoustic system where build height is tight |
| Education | Either | Hybrid for refurbishment speed; glue-down in high-traffic corridors |
| Retail | Either | Glue-down under rolling cages and display loads; long-format hybrid across open retail volumes |
| Healthcare and aged care | Glue-down | Rolling loads and frequent wet cleaning |
The ranges specified for each sector are set out on the Applications page.
The hybrid ranges
- Carrare
9.7mm · 1820 × 225mm · 0.7mm commercial wear layer · Click-lock floating installation · 15-year heavy commercial warranty
- Calcaire
8.5mm · 855 × 178mm · 0.55mm commercial wear layer · Click-lock floating installation · 12-year commercial warranty
- Ardenne
7.0mm · 705 × 152mm · 0.55mm commercial wear layer · Click-lock floating installation · 10-year commercial warranty
The glue-down ranges
- Travertin
5.0mm · 1505 × 235mm · 0.7mm commercial wear layer · Full-spread adhesive (glue-down) · 15-year heavy commercial warranty
- Liège
3.0mm · 1422 × 228mm · 0.55mm commercial wear layer · Full-spread adhesive (glue-down) · 10-year commercial warranty
Every range, hybrid and glue-down, is classified P3 (R10) under AS 4586 and tested to AS ISO 9239.1. Full data is on the Technical and compliance page.