So, which floor makes sense? When authentic material plus refinishing potential are what you want, consider hardwood. When budget, scratch resistance and easy maintenance come first, quality laminate is hard to beat.

Hardwood floors continues to be one of the features buyers love. Engineered hardwood delivers the same appeal and more flexibility for our climate. For a smaller budget, luxury vinyl plank can provide a similar wood look at a lower cost.

If you are planning to sell in the near future, or you simply want to make your home more comfortable, new flooring is one of the best investments you can make. Your floors cover most of the visible space of a house, so they have a major impact on the overall look.

Renovating a basement is a great way to add living space and resale value to your home. However basements bring unique challenges: cold concrete, dampness and chilly surfaces. Choosing the wrong flooring can lead to mold, warping and costly repairs.

Everything starts at the entrance. Use a rough outdoor mat plus a soft absorbent mat inside the main entrances. Using both stops the majority of the snow and grit before it gets to the rest of the house. Use a waterproof tray to make sure snowy boots aren’t left on the floor.

Toughness is also a reason to choose it. Most vinyl planks include a tough top coating that protects against everyday wear, stains and discoloration. Families with kids and pets love the low maintenance: a quick sweep and a damp mop keep it looking new.

Buyers notice floors immediately. Worn carpet, damaged wood floors or chipped tile send a signal that the home requires repairs. In contrast, new, consistent flooring makes a house feel bright and well-maintained, and that may help attract more buyers.

The biggest advantage of luxury vinyl is that many products are waterproof. Unlike solid hardwood, good vinyl flooring does not swell or cup after contact with spills. That makes it an excellent choice for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

Natural hardwood is the traditional favourite. It brings authentic grain that many buyers love, and it can be sanded and refinished more than once during its lifespan. This means a hardwood floor to last for generations. It usually adds the value of a home in most cities.

Comfort underfoot counts too, particularly during cold Canadian months. Luxury vinyl tends to feel softer and quieter underfoot than ceramic tile, while several products offer a built-in underlay for better sound absorption.

A key function is acoustic insulation. Floors that are not glued down may sound noisy if installed directly on the subfloor. The right underlay reduces footstep noise, which is especially important in multi-storey homes in which condo boards may demand minimum sound ratings.

When shopping for new floors, most of the attention goes to colour, style and price. However what you put under your planks matters just as much. The right underlayment can improve comfort, sound and protection against moisture, while can help your new floor stay beautiful for years.

Before choosing a floor, http://eetest.souzouzone.net/index.php/member/419777/ check the humidity in your basement. A simple test like taping a square of plastic onto the slab for a day or two can reveal any moisture problem. Fix drainage issues before you install new flooring.

De-icing salt leaves a hazy residue which may etch the protective layer of hardwood, laminate and vinyl. Clean salty puddles as soon as possible with a slightly damp cloth and a cleaner made for your type of floor. Stay away from soaking the floor on wood and laminate.

Winter in Canada can be magical, however it is hard on flooring. Snow, road salt, grit and dry heated air will dull even the best floors if you are not careful. With a few simple habits, you can protect your flooring in top shape through the winter.

Indoor humidity is also very important. When the furnace is running, the air inside gets very dry, which causes wood floors to shrink and gaps to form. A whole-house humidifier that keeps humidity at a stable level helps protect your floors and your health.

Laminate has improved a lot. High-quality laminate uses realistic printed designs and textures that follow the grain that feel very close to real wood. Its protective surface keeps it highly resistant to daily wear, and it comes in less. A growing number of laminates even provide improved water resistance.

When you are deciding on wood flooring, two products typically come up first: laminate flooring and natural hardwood. Each of them can look beautiful, yet they are very different in cost, durability and lifespan.

Installing it is generally straightforward. Floating planks can be installed over many existing floors, which saves both time and labour. Still, a flat, clean subfloor remains key for a long-lasting result.

A good underlay also smooths out slight unevenness in the subfloor and gives some softness underfoot. Note, however, that does not replace proper subfloor preparation: major unevenness must be levelled beforehand.