If you are choosing wood flooring, two products almost always lead the conversation: laminate flooring and real hardwood. Both are attractive, however they are very different in price, durability and lifespan.
Natural hardwood remains the traditional favourite. It adds warmth that many buyers love, and it can be refinished many times over the decades. That ability means a hardwood floor will last for decades. Hardwood also boosts buyer appeal in most cities.
When shopping, check the thickness of the wear layer. A heavier veneer means you can sanding and refinishing in the future, increasing its lifespan. Also keep indoor humidity between roughly 35 and 55 percent for best results.
Lately, luxury vinyl plank has turned into one of the best-selling types of flooring for Canadian homeowners. There are good reasons for that: it looks great, it resists moisture, and it fits a wide range of budgets.
If you live with dogs, cats or young children, you have probably learned how quickly floors can get damaged. Paws, toy cars and blocks, accidents and snow and slush can wear down the wrong floor in a few months. Luckily: modern flooring options are designed to stand up to real life.
Porcelain tile is extremely durable, but it can feel cold underfoot if you do not combine it with radiant floor heating. Wall-to-wall carpet, meanwhile, is cozy but can absorb humidity, so rugs over a hard floor tend to be a more practical choice.
Luxury vinyl plank is widely considered the best choice for basements. Most LVP collections are completely waterproof, so they won’t swell or rot when humidity happens. SPC and WPC vinyl also tolerate small irregularities in the slab.
Important: some vinyl and laminate products include an attached underlayment. When that is the case, adding a second layer can cause joint failure and void the warranty. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
The right underlay also hides slight unevenness in the base and provides some comfort and insulation. Keep in mind, though, it is not a substitute for levelling the subfloor: big height differences should be corrected before installation.
If you are considering LVP for your renovation, make sure to compare wear layers and see samples in person. You can explore a great selection at canadafloorsdepot.com and find the right floor for your space.
In the end, which one should you choose? If long-term value and the ability to refinish are your priority, choose real wood. When budget, durability and easy maintenance top your list, laminate is hard to beat.
High-quality laminate makes a good contender. The protective top layer stays highly resistant to scuffs and scratches, in many cases more than other floors. Choose products with a high AC rating as well as good moisture protection for the best performance.
When shopping for new floors, most of the attention goes to colour, the style and price. Yet what lies beneath the floor matters just as much. Quality underlay can make a big difference in comfort, sound and protection against moisture, and it helps your new floor last longer.
Today’s laminate flooring has evolved dramatically. Good laminate uses realistic printed designs and textured surfaces that feel very natural. Its wear layer keeps it highly resistant to scuffs and scratches, and it comes in at a fraction of the cost of hardwood. Read A lot more growing number of laminates now include improved water resistance.
First of all, check for moisture in the slab. A simple test like taping a plastic sheet onto the slab for 24 to 48 hours can show whether moisture comes through. Solve water problems before installing any floor.
This is where engineered wood stands out. Rather than being made from one solid board, engineered wood is built from cross-layered plies: a real hardwood top layer glued over a plywood or HDF core. This layered structure minimizes the natural movement of wood.
Renovating a basement is an excellent way to add living space and value in your house. Yet basements come with special challenges: concrete slabs, moisture and colder floors. Choosing the wrong flooring may result in mildew, buckling and costly repairs.
Engineered hardwood can also work when you prefer a genuine wood surface. Due to its stable core, it resists moisture swings far better than solid wood, which is a poor choice on concrete. Use a moisture barrier for long-term performance.
Can you still have hardwood? Absolutely, but choose wisely. Harder woods like oak, maple or hickory are more resistant, while matte finishes or distressed or hand-scraped textures disguise minor marks better than a shiny finish.
LVP is the number one pick for families. It is waterproof or highly water-resistant, meaning water bowls are simple to handle. A durable top layer helps prevent scratches, while the softer surface feels less noisy for kids playing on the floor.
The result is simply flooring that feels exactly like solid hardwood while stays more stable in Canadian conditions. Because it moves less, engineered hardwood can be used in rooms where solid wood is a risk, such as basements and over radiant heating.