Natural hardwood remains the classic choice. It offers warmth that no imitation fully matches, and it can be sanded and refinished more than once during its lifespan. Being able to refinish it means a well-kept hardwood floor can last for decades. It also adds the value of a home across Canada.
Turning a basement into living space is a great way to increase the usable space and resale value in your house. But basements bring unique challenges: cold concrete, humidity plus colder floors. A poor flooring choice often causes mold, swelling and wasted money.
And what about laminate in a kitchen or bathroom? Water-resistant laminate can work well for kitchens, if water is cleaned up promptly. Engineered hardwood can also work in a kitchen with care, however in full bathrooms, vinyl or tile stay the better options.
The first line of defence is the entrance. Put a sturdy outdoor mat plus an absorbent mat inside every entrance. This combination catches much of the snow and grit before it can scratch your floors. Add a waterproof tray to make sure dripping shoes don’t sit directly on the floor.
Hardwood floors continues to be a feature buyers love. Engineered hardwood gives you the same natural look with greater stability for our climate. If you need to control costs, LVP or laminate will provide a similar wood look at a fraction of the price.
Porcelain tile stay a timeless option. Tiles are extremely water-resistant, very durable and offered in a huge variety of designs, including wood-effect tiles to marble and stone looks. Choose a textured or matte surface in bathrooms, and add heated floors to keep tile warm.
Vinyl plank and vinyl tile have quickly become a top choice for kitchens and bathrooms. Waterproof cores ensure that standing water cannot harm the planks as long as you clean them up. Vinyl feels more comfortable underfoot compared to stone, which is much appreciated on cold Canadian mornings.
Winter in Canada is beautiful, yet they are tough on floors. Slush, road salt, gravel and dry indoor air can all wear out even the best floors if left unchecked. With a few simple habits, you can keep your flooring in top shape all season long.
The kitchen and the bathroom count as the hardest-working rooms in a household. They see splashes, steam, dropped dishes and daily cleaning. The flooring you choose for these rooms must stay moisture-resistant, hard-wearing and low maintenance without sacrificing style.
Ceramic and porcelain tile is very water-resistant, but it tends to feel chilly unless you add in-floor heating. Wall-to-wall carpet, on the other hand, feels warm yet can trap moisture, so carpet tiles tend to be a more practical choice.
Engineered wood can also work for those who want real wood. Thanks to its stable core, engineered wood resists humidity changes much better than solid hardwood, which is a poor choice on concrete. Use an appropriate underlay for long-term performance.
A key function is to provide noise control. Laminate and click vinyl may sound loud without a good underlay. A good acoustic underlay absorbs footstep noise, something that is especially important in condos where condo boards frequently set specific acoustic ratings.
Flooring is one of the first things buyers notice. Dated carpet, scuffed floors or mismatched flooring send the impression suggesting that the property needs work. In contrast, new, consistent flooring helps make a home look move-in ready, and that may help attract more buyers.
If you plan to put your house on the market in the next few years, or you just want to refresh your living space, updating your floors is one of the most effective upgrades you can make. Your floors take up most of the visible space of a house, so they create a big effect on how buyers feel.
Before choosing a floor, evaluate the humidity in the slab. A simple test like taping a plastic sheet onto the slab for Continuing 24 to 48 hours will indicate if moisture is rising. Solve water problems before installing anything.
Consistency also counts. A patchwork of different floors throughout the house can make a space appear smaller. Running the same floor in open-concept spaces produces a clean, open feel that feels more modern.
LVP is usually the go-to floor below grade. Most vinyl products are completely waterproof, meaning they won’t swell or rot when humidity shows up. SPC and WPC vinyl can also bridge minor imperfections in the subfloor.
When planning a flooring project, they tend to focus on the colour, style and price. However what you put under the boards matters just as much. The right underlayment improves comfort, sound and protection against moisture, and can help your flooring perform better.
A good underlay also hides minor imperfections in the subfloor and gives a bit of comfort and insulation. Remember, though, it does not replace a flat subfloor: big height differences must be levelled first.
Humidity also matters and is another key factor. In winter, the air inside gets very dry, leading to wood floors to shrink and small gaps to appear. A whole-house humidifier to maintain indoor humidity in a moderate range protects your wood floors and your health.
How New Flooring Can Increase Your Home’s Value: What Homeowners Should Know