When your household includes little ones and four-legged friends, you know that floors suffer. Pet nails, toy cars and blocks, accidents and snow and slush will scratch a delicate surface in no time. Luckily: today’s flooring materials are built to stand up to busy family life.
Its first role is sound reduction. Floating floors can sound loud if installed directly on the subfloor. The right underlay reduces impact sound, something that is especially important in condos where condo boards frequently set a minimum IIC or STC rating.
The right underlay also smooths out small irregularities in the base and gives a bit of softness underfoot. Remember, though, that does not replace proper subfloor preparation: major unevenness should be fixed before installation.
The outcome is simply flooring with the look identical to solid hardwood but performs better through the seasons. Since it is more stable, engineered wood can be used in places where solid hardwood would struggle, such as below-grade rooms and on concrete.
Humidity is also critical. When the furnace is running, indoor air often becomes extremely dry, causing wood floors to contract and small gaps to appear. Using a humidifier to maintain humidity around 35 to 50 percent protects your floors as well as your furniture.
The Canadian climate has a major role. Natural hardwood shrinks and swells with changes in humidity, so it should be installed with proper acclimatization and a good humidifier in winter. Engineered hardwood provides an authentic wood surface with improved dimensional stability, which makes it a smart option for Canadian homes.
Canadian homes experience dramatic changes in temperature and humidity every year. In winter, our heaters pull moisture from the air; in the warm months, moisture levels go up again. For wood floors, that constant movement may cause gaps, warping and movement.
LVP is often the go-to floor below grade. Most vinyl products are completely water-resistant, grAtiSAFhalen.bE so they won’t swell or rot if a small leak happens. Rigid core vinyl can also tolerate slight unevenness in the subfloor.
High-quality laminate is another good contender. Its tough wear layer is tough against scratches, in many cases better than vinyl. Look for laminates with a high abrasion rating as well as good moisture protection for the best performance.
Important: some vinyl and laminate products include an attached underlayment. When that is the case, adding another underlay can cause joint failure and void the warranty. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines.
This is where engineered wood really shines. Instead of using a solid plank, engineered flooring is built from cross-layered plies: a top layer of real wood glued over a dimensionally stable base. The cross-layered construction reduces expansion and contraction.
Installing it is usually more versatile. Depending on the product, planks can be floated, glued and also stapled. This versatility makes it a favourite for contractors and homeowners across the country.
The first step is to think about the purpose of each room. A high-traffic hallway needs a durable, easy-care surface, whereas a master bedroom can focus more on comfort and warmth. Kitchens are best served by water-resistant materials such as LVP or tile.
Winter in Canada are picturesque, but they are tough on floors. Snow, de-icing salt, gravel and low indoor humidity can damage even the best floors if left unchecked. With the right routine, it is easy to keep your flooring in top shape until spring.
Your budget is another key factor. Modern laminate provides a realistic wood look for less money, and luxury vinyl blends affordability and outstanding water resistance. Keep in mind to include underlayment, trims and moldings, and professional installation in your total cost.
When people shop for flooring, most of the attention goes to the colour, the style and price. However what you put under your planks matters just as much. The right underlayment improves comfort, sound and moisture protection, and can help your new floor last longer.
Selecting the right floor is one of the biggest decisions homeowners make during a renovation. Across Canada, the choice is especially critical because our homes have to handle freezing winters, muggy summers, melting snow and de-icing salt tracked in at the door.
Porcelain tile is virtually waterproof, but it tends to feel chilly unless install radiant floor heating. Carpet, meanwhile, feels warm but can trap moisture, so area rugs tend to be a more practical choice.
First of all, check the moisture level in the slab. A simple test such as taping a square of plastic onto the slab for a day or two can show if moisture is rising. Solve water problems prior to installing new flooring.
Engineered hardwood is another option if you want real wood. Because of its cross-ply structure, it handles humidity changes much better than solid wood, and solid wood is not recommended on concrete. Use a moisture barrier for long-term performance.