Flooring types in Australia.
Hybrid, laminate, engineered timber and vinyl each suit different rooms, budgets and lifestyles. Here is a plain-English guide to how they compare - and where to shop each at Hippo Floors.
Hybrid flooring
Hybrid flooring combines the best of laminate and vinyl in a single rigid board built around a stone-based SPC core. That core makes it dimensionally stable, hard-wearing and highly water-resistant, so it copes with everyday spills, temperature swings and busy households far better than traditional timber or laminate.
Most hybrid boards click together over the existing subfloor with no glue or nails, and many include a built-in acoustic backing for a quieter, softer step. It is our most popular all-rounder for kitchens, living areas and high-traffic homes.
Laminate flooring
Laminate is the most budget-friendly way to get a premium timber look. A high-density core is topped with a sharp, photographic decor layer and a tough wear coat - our 12mm boards are AC4 rated, meaning they stand up to heavy residential use and the occasional knock from kids and pets.
Laminate is water-resistant and easy to install with a click-lock system, making it ideal for bedrooms, living rooms and budget renovations. For wet areas like bathrooms, a rigid-core hybrid is the safer choice.
Engineered timber flooring
Engineered timber gives you a genuine hardwood surface bonded to a stable plywood base. You get the warmth, grain and feel of real timber underfoot, with far better resistance to movement and humidity than a solid board - and because the top layer is real wood, it can usually be sanded and refinished down the track.
It is the premium choice for homeowners who want authentic natural character and are happy to give a natural material a little more care.
Vinyl flooring
Vinyl flooring is soft underfoot, quiet and fully water-resistant, which has long made it popular for kitchens, laundries and bathrooms. Our vinyl range is coming soon.
In the meantime, hybrid flooring delivers the same water resistance with a tougher, more stable rigid core - it is the closest match for anyone weighing up vinyl today.
Herringbone flooring
Herringbone lays planks in a classic zig-zag parquet pattern for a striking, designer finish that instantly lifts a space. We offer it in both hybrid and engineered timber, so you can get the high-end look with the performance level that suits your room.
Quality flooring, delivered direct
Hippo Floors is an Australian online flooring store supplying premium hybrid, engineered timber, laminate and herringbone flooring direct to homeowners, renovators and trade. Because we sell online and ship from our own warehouse, you skip the showroom markup without skipping on quality.
Based in Albion, we deliver door-to-door across Australia - Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and everywhere in between. Every floor is backed by free samples, fast 24-hour dispatch and friendly local advice.