Agustin Stinson

De-icing salt can leave a white film that will dull the finish of most floors. Remove residue as soon as possible using a slightly damp cloth and a pH-neutral cleaner. Stay away from steam mops on hardwood and laminate.

Canadian winters is beautiful, however winter is rough on your floors. Slush, calcium chloride, gravel and dry indoor air can all dull your flooring over time. With the right routine, you can protect your floors looking great until spring.

Kitchens and washrooms rank among the hardest-working rooms in a household. They deal with water, steam, falling objects and daily cleaning. The floor you install in these spaces has to be waterproof, durable and easy to clean and still deliver great design.

Hardwood continues to be one of the features many buyers look for. Engineered hardwood delivers the same appeal with more flexibility in Canadian conditions. If your budget is tighter, luxury vinyl plank is able to create a similar wood look for less.

Humidity also matters and is critical. In winter, the air inside can become too dry, leading to natural wood to contract and cracks to form. A humidifier keeping humidity around 35 to 50 percent protects your wood floors as well as your furniture.

Can you use hardwood in these rooms? Some modern laminates can be a good fit in kitchens, provided that moisture is dealt with quickly. Wood may also work in a kitchen with caution, however in full bathrooms, tile and vinyl are the better options.

This is where engineered hardwood stands out. Instead of being made from one solid board, an engineered plank consists of cross-layered plies: a top layer of real wood on top of a plywood or HDF core. The cross-layered construction minimizes seasonal movement.

If you are thinking of selling soon, or you simply want to make your home more comfortable, new flooring is one of the most effective upgrades you can make. Your floors make up nearly the entire surface of your home, which means they have a major impact on how buyers feel.

Start at the door. Put a sturdy outdoor mat plus an absorbent mat inside each door. Using both traps most of the salt and grit before it reaches your flooring. Add a waterproof tray to make sure snowy boots aren't left on the floor.

Vinyl plank is often the best choice below grade. Many LVP collections are fully water-resistant, meaning they won't be damaged when moisture appears. Rigid core vinyl also tolerate minor imperfections in the subfloor.

When shopping, check the thickness of the top layer. A thicker top layer lets you refinish the floor down the road, extending the floor's lifespan. Remember to keep indoor humidity between roughly 35 and http://www.digital-marketing.ipt.pw/user/brianflack/ 55 percent all year long.

Ceramic and porcelain tile is virtually waterproof, though it tends to feel cold underfoot if you do not you add in-floor heating. Carpet, on the other hand, is cozy yet can trap moisture, which is why area rugs are usually a more practical choice.

Houses across Canada experience significant humidity changes every year. In winter, furnaces pull moisture from indoor air; during summer, moisture levels go up quickly. For natural wood, this cycle often leads to cracks, crowning and squeaks.

Continuity also counts. Too many different floors in connected spaces often makes rooms look smaller. Running the same floor through the main living areas creates a more spacious look that looks great in listing photos.

Engineered hardwood is a possibility when you prefer natural wood. Because of its cross-ply structure, engineered wood handles humidity changes much better than solid hardwood, and solid wood is a poor choice on concrete. Always use an appropriate underlay for the best results.

Renovating a basement is an excellent way to gain extra square footage and comfort to your home. But below-grade spaces come with unique challenges: concrete slabs, moisture plus chilly surfaces. The wrong floor often causes mold, buckling and costly repairs.

Tile are still a classic solution. It is extremely water-resistant, long-lasting and available in a huge variety of designs, from wood-look planks and concrete-style finishes. Select a slip-resistant finish for bathrooms, then consider in-floor heating for winter comfort.

Luxury vinyl plank and tile have become a top choice for kitchens and bathrooms. Water-resistant cores mean that splashes won't damage the planks when wiped up quickly. Vinyl is also warmer under bare feet than ceramic, something a big bonus during winter.

Flooring is one of the first things buyers notice. Old, stained carpet, scuffed floors or chipped tile give a message that the property requires repairs. In contrast, beautiful updated floors can make a house look clean and modern, which may help it stand out.

Modern laminate has improved a lot. Good laminate uses detailed photographic layers and textures that follow the grain that feel surprisingly realistic. The protective surface keeps it highly resistant to scratches, and it costs lower. Several laminates now include water-resistant cores.