When shopping, look closely at the thickness of the wear layer. A deeper top layer lets you refinish the floor later, adding to the floor’s lifespan. Remember to maintain humidity at a steady level for best results.
If you share your home with little ones and four-legged friends, you already know that floors can get damaged. Pet nails, toy cars and blocks, accidents and muddy boots quickly stain a poorly chosen floor in no time. The good news: current floor materials are made to stand up to real life.
Humidity is another key factor. When the furnace is running, the air in your home gets extremely dry, leading to hardwood to contract and small gaps to open. Using a humidifier keeping humidity around 35 to 50 percent benefits your wood floors and your furniture.
This is where engineered wood really shines. Rather than being made from a solid plank, engineered wood consists of cross-layered plies: a top layer of real wood on top of a plywood or HDF core. This layered structure limits the natural movement of wood.
The number one selling point of vinyl plank is that many products are waterproof. Unlike traditional laminate, a well-made LVP does not swell or cup after contact with spills. It is therefore a perfect fit for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
Homes in Canada go through dramatic seasonal swings throughout the year. In winter, our heaters pull moisture from the air; in summer, moisture levels rise again. For wood flooring, that constant movement may cause cracks, warping and noise.
The kitchen and the bathroom count as the most demanding spaces in any home. They see water, humidity, dropped dishes and daily cleaning. Your flooring choice for these rooms needs to stay waterproof, durable and low maintenance and still deliver great design.
Long-term durability is one more strong point. Most vinyl planks come with a protective wear layer designed to resist everyday wear, stains and spills and discoloration. Homes with dogs and cats appreciate how easy it is to maintain: a quick sweep and occasional damp mopping are all it takes.
High-quality laminate makes a good contender. The tough wear layer is highly resistant to scuffs and scratches, sometimes even more than vinyl. Look for products with a high AC rating plus water-resistant features for families with pets.
The cold season in Canada can be magical, however they are rough on your floors. Snow, de-icing salt, sand and low indoor humidity can dull even the best floors over time. With some simple precautions, you can keep your flooring in top shape all season long.
The result is a floor with the look just like real hardwood but behaves better through the seasons. Since it is more stable, TW.8fUN.NEt engineered wood can often be installed in areas in which solid hardwood would struggle, such as basements and over radiant heating.
Over the past few years, luxury vinyl plank has become one of the best-selling floor coverings for Canadian homeowners. There are good reasons for that: it delivers a beautiful wood look, it stands up to spills, and it suits almost any budget.
What about hardwood? Yes, but choose wisely. Harder woods like hickory and white oak resist dents better, and matte finishes or textured surfaces camouflage everyday wear much better than a shiny finish.
Vinyl plank flooring is often the number one pick for busy homes. It is waterproof, meaning water bowls are simple to handle. A thick wear layer will help reduce scratches from claws, while the softer surface is quieter than tile.
If you are considering vinyl plank flooring for your home, make sure to compare thicknesses and look at real samples. You can explore a great selection on canadafloorsdepot.com and find the right floor for your space.
A good underlay also compensates for small irregularities in the subfloor while gives some cushioning and warmth. Note, however, that does not replace a flat subfloor: large dips and bumps should be corrected beforehand.
When shopping for new floors, most of the attention goes to the colour, the style and the price per square foot. Yet what you put under the floor matters just as much. A good underlayment improves comfort, sound and moisture protection, while it helps your new floor last longer.
Road salt often leaves a white film that can etch the surface of your floor. Wipe up salt marks as soon as possible with a damp microfibre mop and a floor-specific cleaner. Avoid excess water on hardwood and laminate.
Comfort is also important, particularly in Canadian winters. LVP tends to feel softer and quieter under your feet than tile or stone, and several products include an attached pad that adds extra comfort.
A key function is acoustic insulation. Floating floors may sound noisy without a good underlay. The right underlay reduces footstep noise, which is especially useful in condos in which condo boards may require a minimum IIC or STC rating.
Everything starts at the entrance. Place a rough outdoor mat and a washable absorbent rug indoors the main entrances. Two mats catches much of the dirt and salt before it reaches your flooring. Add a boot tray to make sure snowy boots never sit directly on the floor.
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