The Apollo brand built its reputation in the Australian market between 2017 and 2024 by combining strict CARB Phase 2 emissions standards with the kind of wide-plank European oak visuals usually reserved for engineered hardwood. Apollo hybrid flooring uses an SPC stone-plastic core under a printed PVC wear surface, marketed as a hybrid because the product combines vinyl’s waterproof qualities with laminate’s rigid plank format. Expect $3.49 to $5.99 per square foot for product, with full installation landing between $6.49 and $8.99 per square foot.
What Hybrid Means in This Category
Hybrid flooring is the Australian and New Zealand term for what North Americans usually call rigid LVP or SPC. The product splits the difference between traditional sheet vinyl (waterproof but flexible) and laminate (rigid but water-sensitive at the joints) by combining a dense stone-plastic core with a fully sealed PVC wear layer. The category exploded in Australia between 2018 and 2022 and continues to dominate residential renovations there.
Apollo specifically positions itself in the upper-mid tier of the Australian hybrid market, alongside brands like Hurford’s Genuine Oak and Quick Step Impressive. The product is now available in the US through select importers and specialty dealers, though distribution remains thinner than domestic SPC brands.
Apollo Collections to Know
The Apollo Hybrid Oak series is the volume seller, with 28 oak-look visuals ranging from natural blonde to fumed espresso. Plank sizes run 7 inch by 60 inch with 6.5 mm core thickness and 22 mil wear layer. The bevel detail on all four edges reads as authentic engineered hardwood at typical viewing distances.
The Apollo Premium range adds 30 mil wear layer, 7 mm core, and acoustic backing to the same visuals. This is the spec for high-traffic main floors and homes with large dogs where the standard 22 mil wear layer might show wear on a 15 to 20 year horizon.
Spec Sheet Compared
- Apollo Hybrid Oak 6.5 mm with 22 mil wear layer — workhorse residential, $3.49 to $4.49 per square foot
- Apollo Premium 7 mm with 30 mil wear layer — premium residential and light commercial, $4.49 to $5.49 per square foot
- Apollo Wide Plank XL 9 inch wide — designer format with synchronized embossing, $4.99 to $5.99 per square foot
- Apollo Stone Look — concrete and travertine prints in plank format, $3.99 to $4.99 per square foot
- Apollo Commercial Plus — 0.7 mm wear layer for light commercial applications, $5.49 to $6.99 per square foot
Pros That Justify the Brand
Print quality and emboss authenticity sit at the top of the SPC category. Apollo uses a 7-stage UV-cured topcoat with synchronized embossing-in-register, which delivers wood-look planks that pass for engineered hardwood at 6 to 10 feet of viewing distance. The texture also feels correct underfoot — open oak grain, smooth maple finish, and wire-brushed European oak all read as their real-wood counterparts.
Emissions and safety certifications are also strong. Apollo carries FloorScore certification, CARB Phase 2 compliance, and AsureSure formaldehyde testing on every production lot, which matters for homes with children, pets, and family members sensitive to indoor air quality. Many competing import brands lack continuous lot testing and rely on initial certification only.
Cons Worth Knowing
US distribution is the biggest practical limitation. Outside California, Arizona, Texas, and a handful of East Coast metros, finding a stocking dealer requires online ordering with 2 to 3 week freight from West Coast warehouses. Replacement plank availability for future repairs can lag 4 to 8 weeks if the original production lot has been depleted.
Pricing also runs 10% to 20% above comparable domestic SPC like Shaw Floorte and Mohawk RevWood Premier. The premium pays off on print authenticity and acoustic backing, but for budget-driven projects the domestic alternatives deliver 90% of the performance at a lower price point.
Cost Per Square Foot in 2026
- Apollo Hybrid Oak entry: $3.49 to $4.49
- Apollo Premium 30 mil: $4.49 to $5.49
- Apollo Wide Plank XL: $4.99 to $5.99
- Apollo Commercial Plus: $5.49 to $6.99
- Floating installation labor: $2.49 to $3.49
- Subfloor leveling and trim: $0.99 to $1.99
Installation Notes
Apollo planks ship with a 5-G angle-tap click profile that drops in faster than older systems. Acclimate cartons flat for 48 hours at 65°F to 85°F before opening. Sweep the subfloor and check flatness with a 10-foot straightedge — Apollo tolerates 3/16 inch over 10 feet without telegraphing, but flatter is always better. Self-leveling compound from Mapei or Ardex handles anything beyond that.
The Premium and XL ranges include attached acoustic backing, so skip separate underlayment unless installing over radiant heat. For radiant installs, confirm the specific Apollo SKU certifies for in-floor heating above 85°F surface temperature. Apollo publishes a current compatibility list with their dealer network — the wrong product over radiant voids the structural warranty.
Hybrid vs Engineered Hardwood Tradeoffs
For wet rooms, basement installs, kitchens, and rental properties, Apollo hybrid wins decisively over engineered hardwood. The 100% waterproof core handles spills and floods that would destroy engineered planks within hours, and the lower price point ($3.49 to $5.99 vs $5.99 to $9.99 for engineered) saves $2,000 to $4,000 on a 1,000 square foot install.
For primary living areas in homes priced above $750,000, engineered hardwood may still win on resale. Real wood under a UV-cured urethane finish ages with patina that SPC cannot replicate, and home appraisers credit hardwood differently than rigid LVP. The decision depends on whether the room receives waterproof exposure (favoring Apollo) or primarily aesthetic and resale value (favoring engineered wood).
Where to Buy Apollo Hybrid Flooring
Specialty flooring dealers carrying premium SPC ranges like Karndean and Coretec often also stock Apollo. The brand’s US distributor lists current dealers by zip code through Apollo’s North America website. Online retailers like BuildDirect and FloorMall ship Apollo SKUs from West Coast warehouses with 1 to 2 week lead times. Order an extra 10% to 15% for future repairs since import lot matching can be slow, and pull a 4-board sample carton home before committing — the print tones shift noticeably between LED, halogen, and daylight, which matters for matching with existing trim and cabinetry.
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