FAQs

Are hybrids safe for wet areas likes bathrooms, laundry and toilets?

Hybrids tend to have two kinds of finishes:

Smooth finish: This type of hybrids are very smooth and can be slippery and hence not recommended for wet areas.
Embossed finish: This type of hybrids have a brushed texture which runs along the grains which improves their slip resistance and also attempts to imitate a timber’s texture.

Can I install hybrid on other floor boards?

Yes. Hybrid can be installed on other hard floors provided the surface is fairly flat without much variations. If there are variations then a floor prep may be needed. A floor prep can be done by adding a layer of leveling compound or using Masonite boards.

What is expansion rate of hybrid flooring?

A hybrid flooring is made predominantly from PVC (vinyl) and limestone powder. Its expansion is the least compared to any other type of flooring.

What are the pros and cons of hybrids?

Pros

Better resilience than laminates and other floating floors
Has great scratch resistance
100% waterproof
Easy maintenance
Easy installation. The boards can be click-locked together
Built-in underlay.
Stable with temperature variations and waterproof

Cons

Compared to laminatesthey can be expensive
The subfloor needs to be fairly flatwithout bumpsor variations. If not, a floor prep is needed before hybrid installation
The click-lock systems are sensitive and needs to be installed with care. Once installed properly they can last several years.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight for several years can lead color variations/fading.

What is hybrid?

Hybrid flooring is one of the recent trends in the flooring industry in Australia which can be installed throughout the house including wet areas. It's a fusion between vinyl planks and laminate floors. These are imitation of timber floors on synthetic materials that improve the durability and resilience of the floor.

It's completely waterproof and suitable even for bathrooms and laundry. It's one of the most rugged flooring and highly resistant to scratches. Hybrids are heatproof and stable even in extreme temperatures. The hybrids are floating floorboards with a click-lock system which makes its installation easier. The hybrid planks come with their own layer of underlay which enhance the insulation and sound proofing properties. Among floating floors, hybrids are among the ones with the best acoustic properties. A hybrid plank construction is illustrated below.

How long will my carpets last?

With proper maintenance, a carpets can last several years. If a carpets shows signs of wear and tear and becomes a slip hazard it needs to be replaced.

What is an underlay? Why it is important?

The underlay plays an important role in the comfort a carpet offers. It serves as a cushion under the carpet which also offers a layer of insulation from the bare sub floor and greatly enhances the comfort and user experience. The two most common types of underlay include rubber and foam. They come in a range of thickness and density. The higher the thickness and density, better the insulation against temperature and sound. A good underlay also increases the lifespan of the carpet as serves as a protective layer.

At Mikes Carpets we offer more than 6 grades of foam underlays and 3 grades of rubber underlays to suit your specific needs.

What is the difference between linear meter (lm) and square meter (sqm)?

Most carpets come in 3.66m or rarely 4m wide. One square meter = 1m x 1m = 1sqm One linear meter = 1m x 3.66m = 3.66sqm It is essential to know the prices for comparison.

How to calculate the carpet needed for a room?

Most carpets come in standard 3.66m wide and rarely 4m wide. We recommend to add about 5% -10%for wastage if any. Following is a simple rough estimate of how much carpet for your room. Let’s start with a simple room; if your room is 4M by 5M, we would use the below formula to get the area: Length in Metres X Width in Metres 5.0mx 4.0m = 20sqm + 2.0sqm (10% wastage) Total area required = 22.0sqm or approximately 6.01 Lineal Meters (22÷3.66) How to calculate for multiple rooms Let’s say you have a room that is a bit more complicated, that isn’t a simple rectangle or square, or you want to use the flooring across multiple rooms. You can still use the calculation as above, but you will need to section off areas of the room using the masking tape so that you have multiple rectangles to get m2 of each area individually. Once you havemeasured each section, you can then use the calculation above to get your square or lineal meter area:

Length in Metres X Width in Metres Bedroom A 4.0m x 5.0m = 20m2 Bedroom B 3.5m x 4.0m = 14m2 Passage X 3.5m x 1.0m = 3.5m2 Passage Y 2.0m x 2.0m = 4m2 Total = 41.5m2 + 4.15m (10% wastage) Total required = 45.65m2 or approximately 12.5 Lineal Metres (45.65÷3.66)

How to buy a carpet?

We have compiled the following into give you 4 easy steps in choosing a carpet. 1. Choose the fiber