Agustin Stinson

When shopping for new floors, they usually focus on colour, style and price. However what lies beneath the boards is just as important. The right underlayment improves how the floor feels, noise levels and protection against moisture, and it helps your flooring last longer.

If you are shopping for LVP for your renovation, it is worth taking time to compare collections and see samples in person. You can browse a wide range on canadafloorsdepot.com before making your final choice.

Your starting point is to consider the purpose of each room. A high-traffic hallway needs a durable, easy-care surface, while a bedroom can prioritize comfort and warmth. Wet areas work best with water-resistant products such as LVP or porcelain tile.

Is hardwood an option? Yes, but choose wisely. Harder species such as hickory, maple and oak resist dents better, while low-sheen finishes and textured surfaces hide small scratches better than high-gloss finishes.

Over the past few years, vinyl plank flooring has grown into one of the most requested types of flooring in Canada. The reasons are easy to understand: it looks great, it resists moisture, and it suits almost any budget.

Luxury vinyl plank is often at the top of the list for busy homes. It's waterproof or highly water-resistant, so spilled drinks are simple to handle. A durable top layer will help reduce scuffs, while the cushioned feel feels less noisy for running feet and paws.

If you are planning to sell in the near future, or even if you just want to enjoy your home more, new flooring ranks among the most effective upgrades to consider. Your floors take up nearly the entire surface in every room, so they have a huge impact on the overall look.

Laying it tends to be more versatile. Depending on the collection, engineered wood can be installed as a floating floor, glued down or stapled. Such flexibility helps make it a go-to option for contractors and DIYers across the country.

If you share your home with pets and kids, you know how quickly floors can get damaged. Pet nails, toy cars and blocks, accidents and muddy boots will scratch the wrong floor in a few months. Fortunately: today's flooring materials are built to survive everyday chaos.

One of its main jobs is to provide acoustic insulation. Floating floors often sound noisy if installed directly on the subfloor. The right underlay reduces that hollow sound, something that is essential in multi-storey homes where building rules frequently set a minimum IIC or STC rating.

The right underlay can also smooths out minor imperfections beneath the floor while provides some cushioning and warmth. Keep in mind, however, it cannot replace levelling the subfloor: big height differences should be corrected first.

The result is simply flooring that feels just like traditional wood while behaves better in our climate. Since it is more stable, engineered hardwood can be used in places in which solid hardwood is not recommended, such as below-grade rooms or over concrete slabs.

Comfort counts too, especially in Canadian winters. LVP tends to feel softer and quieter under your feet compared to ceramic tile, while many collections come with an attached underlayment that adds extra comfort.

Long-term durability is another strong point. The best vinyl planks include a protective wear layer that resists everyday wear, stains and spills and UV fading. Busy households value how little care it needs: a quick sweep and a light mop keep it looking new.

High-quality laminate is another good contender. Its protective top layer is highly resistant to scuffs and scratches, sometimes even more than other floors. Look for a laminate with an AC4 or AC5 rating and water-resistant features for families with pets.

Choosing new flooring is among the most significant decisions you will make during a remodeling project. In Canada, the decision is particularly important because our interiors need to survive freezing winters, warm and humid summers, snow and road salt tracked in at the door.

That is exactly where engineered wood really shines. Instead of using a single solid piece of wood, an engineered plank is made of multiple layers: a top layer of real wood glued over a dimensionally stable base. That construction minimizes seasonal movement.

The Canadian climate has a major role. Solid hardwood expands and contracts between seasons, which means it is best installed after proper acclimatization and a stable indoor environment. Engineered wood offers the same natural look with improved resistance to movement, which makes it a favourite in our climate.

The number one selling point of vinyl plank is that many products are waterproof. Unlike solid hardwood, a well-made LVP does not swell or cup after contact with moisture. This makes it a perfect fit for kitchens, bathrooms and basements.

Before buying, pay attention to the thickness of the top layer. A thicker top layer allows refinish the floor in the future, increasing the floor's lifespan. Also keep indoor humidity at a steady level for PUNBb.sKYnEtTEChNOlOGiES.uS best results.