Road salt leaves a hazy residue which may damage the surface of your floor. Remove residue as soon as possible with a damp microfibre mop together with a pH-neutral cleaner. Avoid steam mops on hardwood and laminate.
One of its main jobs is to provide acoustic insulation. Laminate and click vinyl may sound loud without proper underlayment. A quality underlayment reduces footstep noise, which is especially useful in condos where condo boards may demand specific acoustic ratings.
Toughness is one more strong point. The best vinyl planks feature a wear layer on top that resists scratches, marks and discoloration. Busy households appreciate how easy it is to maintain: regular sweeping and occasional damp mopping are all it takes.
Hardwood floors remains a feature buyers ask for most. Engineered hardwood gives you the same natural look and more flexibility across the seasons. If you need to control costs, quality laminate is able to provide an equally attractive wood look at a lower cost.
The outcome is flooring that feels exactly like real hardwood while performs better in Canadian conditions. Since it moves less, 93.Cholteth.com engineered wood is often suitable in rooms where solid hardwood would struggle, like below-grade rooms and on concrete.
When people shop for flooring, they tend to focus on colour, the style and the price per square foot. Yet what you put under your planks plays an equally important role. A good underlayment improves comfort, sound and protection against moisture, and it helps your flooring perform better.
If you are thinking of selling in the next few years, or even if you are looking to refresh your living space, replacing old flooring is easily one of the most effective renovations available. Floors cover nearly the entire surface of a house, so they make a big effect on first impressions.
Houses across Canada face dramatic humidity changes every year. In winter, our heaters pull moisture from indoor air; in summer, moisture levels rise again. For natural wood, this cycle often leads to gapping, cupping and movement.
Important: some vinyl and laminate products include an attached underlayment. In that case, adding another underlay can lead to problems and affect the warranty. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Before you buy, look closely at the thickness of the wear layer. A deeper top layer allows refinish the floor later, increasing the floor’s lifespan. Also control humidity in a stable range with a humidifier in winter.
The first thing to do is to think about how each room is used. A mudroom requires a hard-wearing floor that cleans up in seconds, whereas a master bedroom can focus more on comfort and warmth. Kitchens and bathrooms work best with moisture-resistant materials such as LVP or tile.
A good underlay also hides small irregularities in the subfloor while gives some cushioning and warmth. Remember, though, that cannot replace levelling the subfloor: big height differences must be fixed beforehand.
This is where engineered wood makes a difference. Instead of using one solid board, an engineered plank consists of several layers: a top layer of real wood bonded to a plywood or HDF core. This layered structure limits expansion and contraction.
The Canadian climate plays an important role. Natural hardwood moves with changes in humidity, which means it is best installed once it has acclimatized and a good humidifier in winter. Engineered wood provides the beauty of real wood but with greater stability, which makes it a favourite across the country.
Moisture levels also matters and is very important. During the heating season, indoor air gets extremely dry, which causes natural wood to contract and small gaps to form. Using a humidifier that keeps indoor humidity at a stable level benefits your wood floors and your health.
Budget is also a key factor. Laminate delivers convincing wood visuals at an affordable cost, while vinyl blends affordability and excellent moisture protection. Keep in mind to budget for the underlay, trims and moldings, and labour in your estimate.
Flooring is one of the first things buyers notice. Worn carpet, scratched hardwood or cracked tile send a message that the home requires repairs. On the other hand, fresh, modern flooring can make a property look move-in ready, and that can help it sell faster.
Picking new flooring is one of the biggest decisions you can make during a home renovation. In Canada, the decision is especially demanding because our floors have to withstand freezing winters, warm and humid summers, slush and salt brought in from outside.
Everything starts at the entrance. Put a sturdy outdoor mat plus an absorbent mat inside the main entrances. Two mats stops the majority of the snow and grit before it gets to your flooring. Use a waterproof tray to make sure snowy boots don’t sit on your flooring.
The main benefit of luxury vinyl is that many products are waterproof. Compared with traditional laminate, a well-made LVP will not swell because of water. This makes it an ideal option for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
