Agustin Stinson

If you plan to put your house on the market in the near future, or even if you simply want to refresh your living space, new flooring ranks among the best renovations you can make. Your floors cover almost every square foot of a house, so they have a major impact on how buyers feel.

Renovating a basement is a great way to gain extra square footage and resale value to your home. But basements present unique challenges: concrete slabs, dampness plus chilly surfaces. The wrong floor may result in mildew, buckling and wasted money.

What you can try here get is a floor with the look just like real hardwood while performs better through the seasons. Since it moves less, engineered hardwood can be used in rooms in which solid wood is a risk, such as basements or on concrete.

Start at the door. Put a sturdy outdoor mat and a soft absorbent mat inside every entrance. This combination catches much of the snow and grit before it can scratch your floors. Add a waterproof tray so dripping shoes never sit on the floor.

Indoor humidity is also very important. When the furnace is running, indoor air often becomes extremely dry, which causes hardwood to shrink and cracks to appear. Using a humidifier that keeps humidity around 35 to 50 percent benefits your floors as well as your health.

Modern laminate has come a long way a lot. Good laminate uses detailed photographic layers and embossed textures that appear surprisingly close to real wood. Its protective surface makes it very resistant to scuffs and scratches, and it is priced lower. Many newer products also offer improved water resistance.

Luxury vinyl have quickly become a favourite for kitchens and bathrooms. Water-resistant cores ensure that splashes won't damage the planks as long as you clean them up. LVP is also more comfortable underfoot compared to stone, which is much appreciated during winter.

Hardwood remains the classic choice. It offers authentic grain that is hard to copy, and it may be refinished many times during its lifespan. Being able to refinish it means quality hardwood to last for generations. Hardwood also boosts resale value across Canada.

First of all, check the humidity of the concrete. A basic moisture test like taping a plastic sheet onto the slab for 24 to 48 hours can show whether moisture comes through. Solve water problems prior to installing new flooring.

LVP is usually the best choice below grade. Several LVP collections are fully water-resistant, so they won't swell or rot if humidity appears. Rigid core vinyl can also hide small irregularities in the slab.

Engineered wood can also work for those who want a genuine wood surface. Thanks to its stable core, engineered wood handles humidity changes far better than solid wood, which should generally be avoided on concrete. Install it with an appropriate underlay for the best results.

That is exactly where engineered hardwood makes a difference. Rather than using one solid board, engineered wood is built from multiple layers: a real hardwood top layer on top of a dimensionally stable base. The cross-layered construction minimizes the natural movement of wood.

What about hardwood in wet areas? Some modern laminates can be a good fit in kitchens, if water is cleaned up right away. Engineered hardwood may also work in a kitchen with care, but in full bathrooms, vinyl or tile are the better options.

Hardwood is one of the most requested features many buyers look for. Engineered hardwood delivers the same natural look and more flexibility in Canadian conditions. If you need to control costs, LVP or laminate is able to provide a comparable wood look at a lower cost.

Porcelain tile is extremely durable, but it feels cold underfoot unless combine it with in-floor heating. Carpet, on the other hand, feels warm but may hold moisture, which is why carpet tiles are often a safer bet.

Consistency matters too. Too many different floors throughout the house can make rooms appear choppy. Using a single floor through the main living areas gives a sense of flow that looks great in listing photos.

Road salt can leave a white film that will damage the surface of hardwood, laminate and vinyl. Wipe up salt marks quickly using a slightly damp cloth together with a cleaner made for your type of floor. Stay away from soaking the floor on hardwood and laminate.

Canadian winters are beautiful, however winter is hard on flooring. Slush, road salt, sand and dry heated air can all damage your flooring if you are not careful. With a few simple habits, it is easy to keep your floors in top shape until spring.

Flooring is one of the first things buyers notice. Old, stained carpet, scuffed floors or chipped tile send the impression that the house has been neglected. On the other hand, beautiful updated floors can make a home look move-in ready, and that can help it sell faster.

When it comes to wood flooring, two products almost always lead the conversation: laminate and natural hardwood. Each of them can look stunning, but they are very different in price, durability and long-term value.