Before buying, pay attention to the thickness of the top layer. A deeper veneer means you can sanding and refinishing in the future, increasing the floor’s lifespan. Also control humidity at a steady level for best results.
Kitchens and bathrooms count as the busiest rooms in a household. They get water, humidity, falling objects and frequent mopping. Your flooring choice for these rooms has to be water-resistant, tough and easy to clean without sacrificing good looks.
One of its main jobs is acoustic insulation. Laminate and click vinyl often sound noisy if installed directly on the subfloor. A good acoustic underlay dampens footstep noise, which is especially useful in condos in which strata rules often set specific acoustic ratings.
The Canadian climate plays a major role. Solid hardwood moves with changes in humidity, which means it is best installed after proper acclimatization and a stable indoor environment. Engineered hardwood provides the beauty of real wood with improved dimensional stability, making it a favourite in our climate.
When people shop for flooring, most of the attention goes to colour, style and the price per square foot. Yet what goes under the floor is just as important. Quality underlay can improve how the floor feels, noise levels and protection against moisture, and can help your flooring perform better.
Homes in Canada experience big changes in temperature and humidity from season to season. During winter, furnaces pull moisture from indoor air; in the warm months, moisture levels rise again. For wood flooring, visit these guys changes may cause cracks, warping and movement.
One important note: many vinyl and laminate products come with a built-in underlay. In that case, adding a second layer may lead to movement and cancel your warranty. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
This is where engineered hardwood stands out. Rather than using a single solid piece of wood, engineered flooring consists of several layers: a top layer of real wood glued over a stable core. This layered structure limits seasonal movement.
De-icing salt can leave a white film which may damage the finish of your floor. Clean salt marks promptly with a soft mop together with a cleaner made for your type of floor. Never use steam mops on wood and laminate.
Underlayment also smooths out small irregularities beneath the floor and adds a little softness underfoot. Note, though, that is not a substitute for a flat subfloor: major unevenness need to be fixed first.
Winter in Canada are magical, but winter is tough on floors. Snow, de-icing salt, sand and dry heated air can dull your floors if left unchecked. With the right routine, it is easy to keep your floors beautiful through the winter.
Choosing new flooring is one of the most important decisions you will make during a renovation. Across Canada, the decision is particularly demanding because our homes have to survive long winters, humid summers, slush and salt tracked in at the door.
Last but not least, make sure you bring samples home in your own lighting. Finishes may appear quite different in natural light. If you are looking for helpful advice and a wide selection of hardwood, laminate and vinyl, check out Canada Floors Depot to find the floor that fits your home.
And what about wood in a kitchen or bathroom? Some modern laminates can be a good fit in kitchens, provided that water is cleaned up right away. Engineered hardwood can also be used in kitchens if you are careful, but in bathrooms with a shower or tub, vinyl or tile stay the safer choices.
The outcome is a floor that feels just like traditional wood but behaves better in our climate. Because it is more stable, engineered wood is often suitable in rooms in which solid wood is not recommended, like below-grade rooms or over radiant heating.
Today’s laminate flooring has come a long way dramatically. High-quality laminate feature high-definition images and textured surfaces that feel very realistic. The protective surface makes it highly resistant to scratches, and it is priced at a fraction of the cost of hardwood. A growing number of newer products even provide better moisture protection.
Humidity is also another key factor. During the heating season, the air inside gets very dry, causing hardwood to contract and gaps to form. A humidifier keeping humidity in a moderate range benefits your floors as well as your comfort.
Vinyl plank and vinyl tile are now a top choice for kitchens and bathrooms. Waterproof cores guarantee that standing water cannot harm your investment if cleaned up promptly. LVP stays more comfortable under bare feet than tile, which is much appreciated in the cold season.
Porcelain tile remain a timeless solution. It is extremely water-resistant, very durable and available in countless patterns, from wood-effect tiles to concrete-style finishes. Look for tiles with good slip resistance in bathrooms, then think about in-floor heating for extra comfort.
