Your starting point is to look at the way you live in each space. A high-traffic hallway needs a hard-wearing floor that cleans up in seconds, whereas a guest room can prioritize comfort and warmth. Kitchens benefit from waterproof options such as vinyl plank or tile.
When shopping for new floors, they tend to focus on the colour, style and the price per square foot. Yet what goes under your planks plays an equally important role. Quality underlay can make a big difference in comfort, noise levels and moisture protection, while it helps your new floor stay beautiful for years.
Vinyl plank is usually the top option below grade. Most vinyl products are fully water-resistant, so they will not swell or rot when a small leak shows up. SPC and WPC vinyl also tolerate slight unevenness in the concrete.
Laminate is also a good contender. Its tough wear layer is very resistant to claw marks, in many cases even more than vinyl. Choose products with a high AC rating as well as water-resistant edges for the best performance.
Renovating a basement is an excellent way to gain extra square footage and comfort to your home. However lower levels bring specific problems: cold concrete, humidity and colder floors. The wrong floor often causes mildew, swelling and costly repairs.
Cost is another major consideration. Laminate offers a realistic wood look at a lower price, while vinyl blends affordability with excellent moisture protection. Remember to budget for underlayment, trims and moldings, and labour when comparing prices.
What about hardwood? Yes, though make careful choices. Harder woods such as hickory, maple and oak resist dents better, while low-sheen finishes and textured surfaces disguise minor marks better than high-gloss finishes.
When it comes to a wood-look floor, two materials almost always come up first: laminate and natural hardwood. Each of them are attractive, but they differ a lot when it comes to cost, durability and long-term value.
Modern laminate has evolved significantly. Good laminate products feature detailed photographic layers and textures that follow the grain that look surprisingly close to real wood. Its wear layer keeps it resistant to scuffs and scratches, and it costs at a fraction of the cost of hardwood. Many laminates also offer water-resistant cores.
A good underlay also smooths out small irregularities in the base while provides a little cushioning and warmth. Keep in mind, though, it is not a substitute for proper subfloor preparation: large dips and bumps need to be levelled first.
The Canadian climate has a big role. Natural hardwood shrinks and swells with changes in humidity, so it is best installed after proper acclimatization and a good humidifier in winter. Engineered hardwood provides the beauty of real wood with improved dimensional stability, which makes it a popular choice for Canadian homes.
Porcelain tile stays extremely durable, though it can feel cold underfoot if you do not install in-floor heating. Wall-to-wall carpet, on the other hand, adds comfort yet can trap moisture, so area rugs are usually a more practical choice.
In the end, which one makes sense? When the real thing plus the ability to refinish are what you want, choose real wood. When budget, durability and easy maintenance top your list, quality laminate is a smart choice.
Vinyl plank flooring is often at the top of the list for busy homes. It is waterproof or highly water-resistant, so water bowls are simple to handle. A strong wear layer will help prevent scuffs, while its softer feel feels quieter than tile.
If you share your home with dogs, cats or young children, you already know that floors take a beating. Pet nails, toys, juice spills and snow and slush will stain the wrong floor in a few months. Luckily: today’s flooring materials are built to handle everyday chaos.
Last but not least, be sure to see this page samples in your own lighting. Tones often look completely different than they do in a showroom. For expert advice and a large selection of quality flooring products, take a look at this Canadian flooring store to find the floor that fits your home.
Before choosing a floor, test for moisture in the slab. A simple test for example taping a square of plastic onto the slab for a day or two will indicate if moisture is rising. Fix any leaks before you install new flooring.
One of its main jobs is sound reduction. Floors that are not glued down often sound hollow without a good underlay. A quality underlayment absorbs footstep noise, something that is especially useful in condos in which condo boards may set a minimum IIC or STC rating.
Natural hardwood remains the traditional favourite. It adds authentic grain that many buyers love, and it may be refinished several times over its life. Being able to refinish it means quality hardwood to last for decades. It usually adds the value of a home in most cities.
If you are planning to sell in the next few years, or you are looking to make your home more comfortable, new flooring is easily one of the smartest investments available. Floors cover almost every square foot of a house, which means they have a huge impact on the overall look.