Vinyl plank and vinyl tile have become a favourite for both rooms. Waterproof cores ensure that splashes cannot harm the floor when wiped up quickly. LVP is also warmer underfoot compared to stone, which is much appreciated in the cold season.
If you live with pets and kids, you have probably learned how quickly floors can get damaged. Paws, toys, our homepage accidents and wet paws quickly stain the wrong floor faster than you think. Luckily: current flooring products are built to handle everyday chaos.
Everything starts at the entrance. Put a sturdy outdoor mat and an absorbent mat inside each door. Two mats traps much of the salt and grit before it reaches the rest of the house. Use a waterproof tray to make sure dripping shoes don’t sit on the floor.
Natural hardwood is the traditional favourite. It brings warmth that no imitation fully matches, and it can be refinished several times during its lifespan. This means quality hardwood can last for generations. It usually increases resale value in most cities.
Can you still have hardwood? Yes, though make careful choices. Harder woods like hickory and white oak resist dents better, and wire-brushed textures or natural grain patterns disguise small scratches far better than a shiny finish.
Road salt often leaves a hazy residue which may damage the surface of most floors. Wipe up salt marks quickly using a slightly damp cloth together with a pH-neutral cleaner. Stay away from soaking the floor on wood and laminate.
Installation is generally straightforward. Floating planks can be installed over many existing floors, cutting down on both time and labour. That said, proper subfloor preparation makes all the difference for a long-lasting result.
The cold season in Canada are magical, however it is rough on your floors. Slush, de-icing salt, sand and dry indoor air can all wear out your flooring if left unchecked. With a few simple habits, you can protect your flooring looking great through the winter.
Luxury vinyl plank is the number one pick for busy homes. It’s waterproof, so water bowls become no big deal. A strong wear layer helps resist scratches, while its softer feel is less noisy for running feet and paws.
Its first role is acoustic insulation. Laminate and click vinyl often sound noisy without a good underlay. A quality underlayment reduces impact sound, which is essential in condos where strata rules frequently require a minimum IIC or STC rating.
When shopping for new floors, most of the attention goes to the colour, the style and price. However what lies beneath the boards is just as important. A good underlayment can improve comfort, noise levels and protection against moisture, and can help your new floor perform better.
Whatever floor you go with, pay attention to proper installation: sealed edges, good thresholds and solid subfloor preparation. Those small details make a huge difference for how long the floor stays beautiful.
Durability is another reason to choose it. The best vinyl planks include a wear layer on top designed to resist everyday wear, marks and fading. Homes with dogs and cats value how easy it is to maintain: regular sweeping and a light mop are usually enough.
Humidity is critical. In winter, the air in your home can become too dry, leading to wood floors to contract and gaps to appear. Using a humidifier that keeps indoor humidity in a moderate range helps protect your wood floors as well as your health.
Laminate makes a strong option. The hard melamine surface stays highly resistant to scuffs and scratches, in many cases more than vinyl. Look for products with a high AC rating plus water-resistant features for the best performance.
The kitchen and the bathroom are the busiest rooms in a household. They see spills, humidity, heavy foot traffic and constant cleaning. The floor you install in these spaces must stay moisture-resistant, durable and easy to clean and still deliver style.
The right underlay can also hides slight unevenness in the subfloor and gives a bit of comfort and insulation. Note, however, it is not a substitute for proper subfloor preparation: major unevenness must be corrected beforehand.
In the end, what option is right for you? When the real thing and the ability to refinish are your priority, consider real wood. When budget, scratch resistance and easy maintenance are more important, laminate makes a lot of sense.
Today’s laminate flooring has come a long way a lot. Premium laminate uses realistic printed designs and textured surfaces that feel very close to real wood. Its protective surface keeps it highly resistant to scuffs and scratches, and it comes in lower. A growing number of collections even provide better moisture protection.
In recent years, luxury vinyl plank has turned into one of the best-selling floor coverings for Canadian homeowners. It is easy to see why: it delivers a beautiful wood look, it stands up to spills, and it works with most budgets.
First of all, what does underlayment do? Underlayment is a layer of material placed over the subfloor and under the floor. Based on the material, it may be made from felt or equipped with a vapour barrier.
