When it comes to a wood-look floor, two materials almost always top the list: laminate flooring and real hardwood. Each of them are stunning, but they have important differences when it comes to price, durability and lifespan.

Vinyl plank and vinyl tile are now a favourite for both rooms. Fully waterproof constructions ensure that splashes won't damage the floor as long as you clean them up. LVP is also softer under bare feet than tile, something much appreciated on cold Canadian mornings.

Installing it is also more versatile. Depending on the collection, planks can be installed as a floating floor, glued down or stapled. That flexibility makes it a favourite for renovators and homeowners across the country.

Porcelain tile are still a classic solution. Tile is virtually waterproof, scratch-resistant and offered in a huge variety of designs, including wood-look planks to marble and stone looks. Choose a textured or matte surface in bathrooms, then consider in-floor heating to keep tile warm.

Finishing a basement is a great way to gain extra square footage and resale value to your home. Yet basements present specific problems: concrete slabs, moisture and colder floors. The wrong floor can lead to mildew, swelling and wasted money.

This is where engineered wood makes a difference. Rather than being made from a solid plank, engineered flooring is built from multiple layers: a top layer of real wood glued over a plywood or HDF core. This layered structure limits the natural movement of wood.

Whatever material you choose, don't overlook proper installation: sealing around fixtures, clean transitions between rooms and a flat, dry subfloor. These details make a huge difference in how long the floor stays beautiful.

What about laminate in a kitchen or bathroom? Water-resistant laminate can be a good fit in kitchens, provided that spills are wiped up quickly. Engineered hardwood can also be used in kitchens with caution, however in bathrooms with a shower or tub, vinyl or tile remain the recommended options.

If you are thinking of selling in the next few years, or even if you just want to refresh your living space, new flooring ranks among the best upgrades you can make. The floor make up most of the visible space of your home, which means they have a major impact on first impressions.

Flooring is one of the first things buyers notice. Old, stained carpet, scuffed floors or cracked tile send the impression that the property needs work. On the other hand, new, consistent flooring can make a home look clean and modern, which can help attract more buyers.

Canadian homes experience dramatic humidity changes throughout the year. In the cold months, furnaces pull moisture from indoor air; in the warm months, moisture levels go up again. For wood flooring, these changes may cause gaps, cupping and squeaks.

Hardwood floors continues to be a feature many buyers look for. Engineered hardwood delivers that same premium look and better stability across the seasons. If you need to control costs, quality laminate can create a comparable wood look at a lower cost.

When shopping, check the thickness of the top layer. A deeper veneer allows refinish the floor down the road, increasing its lifespan. Also maintain humidity between roughly 35 and 55 percent all year long.

What you get is simply flooring with the look just like traditional wood while behaves better through the seasons. Because it moves less, engineered hardwood is often suitable in places where solid wood would struggle, such as below-grade rooms and over radiant heating.

Porcelain tile remains virtually waterproof, although it tends to feel cold underfoot unless install radiant floor heating. Carpet, on the other hand, is cozy but can absorb humidity, which is why rugs over a hard floor tend to be a safer bet.

Before anything else, test for moisture of the concrete. A quick test like taping a square of plastic onto the slab for http://livewebmarks.club/story.php?title=canada-floors-depot-6 24 to 48 hours can reveal any moisture problem. Fix water problems before installing any floor.

Kitchens and bathrooms count as the busiest rooms in the house. They get spills, steam, dropped dishes and daily cleaning. The floor you install in these spaces must be water-resistant, hard-wearing and simple to maintain without sacrificing great design.

Continuity also counts. A patchwork of different floors throughout the house can make rooms look smaller. Running the same floor through the main living areas gives a sense of flow that looks great in listing photos.

Engineered hardwood can also work for those who want real wood. Because of its stable core, it resists humidity changes better than solid hardwood, and solid wood is a poor choice below grade. Always use an appropriate underlay to protect it.

Vinyl plank is widely considered the best choice for basements. Most LVP collections are waterproof, meaning they will not swell or rot when humidity appears. Rigid-core planks also tolerate minor imperfections in the subfloor.