Over the past few years, luxury vinyl plank has turned into one of the most popular flooring options for Canadian homeowners. It is easy to see why: it looks great, it handles water, and it fits a wide range of budgets.
The right underlay can also hides small irregularities in the subfloor and adds a little cushioning and warmth. Remember, though, it cannot replace a flat subfloor: big height differences should be levelled beforehand.
A cohesive look is also important. A patchwork of flooring types in connected spaces can make rooms appear smaller. Using a single floor across the main floor gives a clean, open feel that feels more modern.
A final tip: some planks already have an attached underlayment. In that case, adding a second layer could create joint failure and cancel your warranty. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Winter in Canada are picturesque, but winter is tough on floors. Melting snow, de-icing salt, gravel and low indoor humidity can all dull your floors over time. With the right routine, you can protect your flooring beautiful all season long.
Start at the door. Place a heavy-duty mat outside plus a washable absorbent rug indoors each door. Using both stops much of the snow and grit before it gets to the rest of the house. Set up a boot rack to make sure dripping shoes never sit directly on the floor.
Houses across Canada go through big changes in temperature and humidity from season to season. In winter, our heaters pull moisture from indoor air; in summer, moisture levels climb again. For wood flooring, these changes may cause cracks, crowning and squeaks.
When shopping for new floors, they usually focus on the colour, style and price. Yet what you put under the boards plays an equally important role. A good underlayment can improve comfort, noise levels and moisture protection, and can help your flooring stay beautiful for years.
Its first role is to provide sound reduction. Laminate and click vinyl often sound hollow without a good underlay. A quality underlayment reduces footstep noise, which is especially useful in multi-storey homes in which condo boards frequently demand a minimum IIC or STC rating.
The result is simply flooring with the look exactly like solid hardwood while behaves better in Canadian conditions. Because it moves less, engineered wood can be used in rooms in which solid hardwood is not recommended, super fast reply including basements and over concrete slabs.
Salt residue often leaves white marks that will etch the finish of hardwood, laminate and vinyl. Remove salt marks promptly using a slightly damp cloth together with a floor-specific cleaner. Avoid steam mops on hardwood and laminate.
That is exactly where engineered hardwood really shines. Rather than using a solid plank, an engineered plank is built from several layers: a top layer of real wood bonded to a dimensionally stable base. The cross-layered construction reduces seasonal movement.
Indoor humidity also matters and is critical. When the furnace is running, indoor air can become extremely dry, which causes wood floors to contract and small gaps to open. A whole-house humidifier to maintain indoor humidity around 35 to 50 percent benefits your wood floors as well as your health.
Vinyl plank flooring is the first recommendation for busy homes. It’s waterproof, meaning water bowls are easy to clean up. A thick wear layer will help reduce scratches from claws, and its softer feel feels less noisy for running feet and paws.
Before you buy, pay attention to the thickness of the top layer. A thicker top layer means you can sand it later, extending its lifespan. Remember to keep indoor humidity between roughly 35 and 55 percent for best results.
If you are thinking about LVP for your next project, make sure to compare thicknesses and look at real samples. You can explore many styles on this Canadian flooring retailer to find a style that matches your home.
The main benefit of LVP is that many products are waterproof. In contrast to solid hardwood, good vinyl flooring will not swell when exposed to moisture. This makes it a perfect fit for basements, laundry rooms and entryways.
Buyers notice floors immediately. Old, stained carpet, scratched hardwood or cracked tile give a message suggesting that the property has been neglected. Meanwhile, new, consistent flooring makes a house look clean and modern, and that may help attract more buyers.
If you are planning to sell soon, or even if you simply want to enjoy your home more, updating your floors is easily one of the most effective upgrades to consider. Floors make up nearly the entire surface of a house, which means they have a big effect on the overall look.
Real wood continues to be one of the most requested features buyers ask for most. Engineered hardwood delivers the same appeal with more flexibility for our climate. If you need to control costs, LVP or laminate is able to create a comparable modern look at a fraction of the price.