Hybrid Flooring Installation Manly West, Bayside
Hybrid flooring overlay for family home in Manly West, Brisbane
A family home in Manly West received new hybrid flooring over existing terracotta tiles. Professional installers prepared the subfloor and completed the work in under three days, delivering a lighter, more comfortable living space for a busy household.
- Flooring material Hybrid flooring
- Product / range Terra Mater Floors Resiplank Summit 9.7mm Hybrid, Chiffon
- Rooms / areas Formal lounge, family lounge, games room, passageway, kitchen, dining
The project
Tired terracotta tiles needed an upgrade
The original flooring throughout most of the house was terracotta style tiles, which had grown dated and no longer suited the family's needs. "Prior to that, we had tiles. And there were the terracotta type tiles," Marianne says. With two teenagers and pets, the old tiles felt hard and cold, and the family wanted a more modern and practical solution. "So definitely needed an upgrade," she says. Removing the tiles was not an option due to the mess and difficulty, so the search focused on a product that could be installed directly over them. "But rather just have something that we could actually put over the tiles," she explains. The goal was to achieve a fresh look and improved comfort without the disruption of tile removal.
Waterproof hybrid for busy family life
The decision to use hybrid flooring was driven by the need for waterproofing and durability, especially in the kitchen where spills are common. "We wanted to go with the most robust option from the waterproofing perspective," Marianne says. With two teenagers and pets, the flooring had to stand up to daily challenges. The family was relieved to find a product that could be laid directly over their old tiles: "To think that there was even a product that we could do that for because we were having nightmares about pulling up all these tiles." The overlay approach meant less mess and disruption, making it ideal for their busy household.
Professional installation and careful preparation
After placing the order, Marianne coordinated with installers Nathan and Alex, who scheduled the job and advised on preparing the home. The work went in this order:
- The team inspected the subfloor and removed the old laminate from the formal lounge, where they discovered a damp corner.
- They dried that area out, then laid marine board over it the next day.
- They ground down the terracotta tiles to create a flat surface for the new floor.
- They laid the hybrid planks and finished with simple straight-edge trims and clean skirtings.
"So they did a bit of a drying process there. Came in the next day and put the marine board down in that particular area," Marianne recalls. Laying the hybrid planks went quickly and efficiently: "And then, of course, the laying just went so fast. It was incredible." Marianne was glad to leave the work to professionals: "We wanted them to get in and do it properly because we realise it's not something that you can just DIY."
Damp subfloor and tricky corners
The biggest surprise came when the installers found a damp patch under the old laminate in the formal lounge. "When they ripped up that old laminate, they noticed that a corner of the house was very, very damp," Marianne says. The team delayed work for a day to dry the area and prevent future issues. Some areas, like under bar fridges, seemed like they might be difficult, but "We thought that sort of in between and underneath little bar fridges and things would be quite awkward. But I mean, they've obviously done this many times over, and it went quite seamlessly, I must say." Their experience made even the tricky parts straightforward.
Lighter, warmer spaces and easy care
The new hybrid floor has made a noticeable difference to the feel and look of the home. "The colours are just beautiful. It's really lightened up the whole house, which I love," Marianne says. The flooring is comfortable underfoot and stands up well to the demands of teenagers and pets. "The comfort underfoot is great." Cleaning is now quick and easy, and the floor has resisted scratches and marks. Marianne sums up the result: "Like I say, all of the boxes ticked." The family is pleased with the upgrade and the professional finish throughout the living areas.
Photos
After
The flooring used on this job
Terra Mater Floors Resiplank Hybrid Summit Flooring Chiffon
Product Code: TMFRHF020
Colour: Chiffon
Advice for overlaying hybrid flooring on tiles
Marianne recommends overlaying hybrid flooring for anyone facing old tiles: "I would say, hands down, it's the perfect option because just going over the tiles has made our lives so much easier." She warns that removing tiles can be a huge task: "We were having nightmares about pulling up all these tiles." Instead, overlaying hybrid is "easy, efficient, no mess, no fuss."
If you are weighing up the same job:
- Work with experienced installers for the best result.
- Allow for some minor disruption, especially if moisture is found under an old floor.
- Make sure the tiles are ground flat before the new floor goes down.
What the customer said
It's actually all hundred percent true and sincere. It's really a fantastic job. Kudos to all of you guys.
Questions about this job
Can hybrid flooring be installed over existing tiles?
Yes, hybrid flooring can be installed directly over existing tiles if the surface is properly prepared. Marianne says, "just going over the tiles has made our lives so much easier." Professional installers will check for moisture and level the tiles before laying the new floor.
What are the benefits of hybrid flooring in a busy household?
Hybrid flooring is waterproof and durable, making it ideal for families with children and pets. It resists scratches and is easy to clean, even with heavy daily use. Marianne found it "the perfect option" for her active home.
How long does it take to install hybrid flooring?
In this project, professional installers completed the job in under three days, including subfloor preparation and drying a damp area. The exact timeframe depends on the size of the area and any issues found during preparation.
Is it necessary to remove tiles before installing hybrid flooring?
No, it's not necessary if the tiles are sound and level. Overlaying hybrid flooring avoids the mess and disruption of tile removal. Marianne says, "We were having nightmares about pulling up all these tiles," but overlaying made the process easy.
What should I do if moisture is found under my old floor?
If moisture is discovered, it's important to dry the area thoroughly before installing new flooring. In this job, installers used fans and laid marine board to address a damp corner, ensuring a long-lasting result.
Job details and photos supplied by the customer.
More flooring projects
Vinyl Plank Installation Alexandra Hills, Redlands
DIY vinyl plank flooring for a family home in Alexandra Hills
Diana Lovasi replaced dated tiles and carpet with waterproof vinyl planks in her Alexandra Hills home. She managed the project...
- Vinyl plank flooring
- about 145 m²
