Start at the door. Use a sturdy outdoor mat and a soft absorbent mat inside each door. This combination catches most of the snow and grit before it can scratch your floors. Set up a boot rack to make sure snowy boots never sit directly on the floor.

Engineered hardwood is a possibility when you prefer natural wood. Because of its stable core, it resists humidity changes much better than solid wood, and solid wood is a poor choice below grade. Use an appropriate underlay for the best results.

Luxury vinyl plank is usually the best choice for lower levels. Most vinyl products are waterproof, meaning they won't swell or rot when a small leak happens. Rigid core planks can also bridge small irregularities in the concrete.

Salt residue often leaves a hazy residue that can etch the finish of hardwood, laminate and vinyl. Wipe up salty puddles promptly using a damp microfibre mop together with a floor-specific cleaner. Never use soaking the floor on hardwood and laminate.

Canadian winters are beautiful, however they are rough on your floors. Snow, calcium chloride, grit and low indoor humidity will dull your floors if you are not careful. With some simple precautions, you can keep your floors looking great through the winter.

Tile remains very water-resistant, but it can feel cold underfoot unless combine it with in-floor heating. Wall-to-wall carpet, meanwhile, feels warm but may hold moisture, which is why area rugs are often a better solution.

Indoor humidity is also another key factor. When the furnace is running, the air in your home can become too dry, leading to hardwood to contract and small gaps to form. A whole-house humidifier that keeps indoor humidity in a moderate range benefits your wood floors as well as your furniture.

That is where engineered hardwood really shines. Instead of being made from a single solid piece of wood, an engineered plank is made of multiple layers: a real hardwood top layer on top of a stable core. The cross-layered construction minimizes the natural movement of wood.

Vinyl plank flooring is often at the top of the list for busy homes. It is water-resistant, meaning water bowls are easy to clean up. A thick wear layer will help prevent scratches from claws, while the cushioned feel is less noisy for kids playing on the floor.

Laminate is another good contender. Its tough wear layer stays tough against scratches, in many cases even more than vinyl. Select a laminate with a high AC rating plus water-resistant features for busy homes.

When your household includes dogs, cats or young children, you know how quickly floors can get damaged. Pet nails, toy cars and blocks, spills and wet paws quickly scratch a delicate surface in a few months. Luckily: current flooring products are built to stand up to busy family life.

Warmth and comfort counts too, especially in Canadian winters. Luxury vinyl feels softer and quieter under your feet compared to tile or stone, while several collections offer an attached pad that adds extra comfort.

Laying it tends to be more flexible. Depending on the collection, it can be installed as a floating floor, glued or nailed. That flexibility helps make it a go-to option for contractors and families across the country.

Finishing a basement is an excellent way to increase the usable space and comfort to your home. But below-grade spaces bring unique challenges: concrete slabs, humidity and chilly surfaces. A poor flooring choice may result in mildew, buckling and expensive replacements.

Before choosing a floor, test for moisture of the concrete. A basic moisture test for example taping a plastic sheet onto the slab for Bookmarkingcentrals.com a day or two will indicate if moisture is rising. Address any leaks before installing any floor.

Consistency is also important. Too many different floors in connected spaces often makes a space appear choppy. Installing one continuous floor through the main living areas creates a more spacious look that feels more modern.

Buyers notice floors right away. Worn carpet, damaged wood floors or mismatched flooring send a signal that the property has been neglected. Meanwhile, fresh, modern flooring makes a property feel clean and modern, and that may help it sell faster.

Hardwood continues to be one of the most requested features many buyers look for. Engineered hardwood offers that same premium look with greater stability for our climate. If you need to control costs, quality laminate is able to deliver an equally attractive modern look at a fraction of the price.

Before you buy, check the thickness of the wear layer. A heavier veneer means you can sanding and refinishing in the future, extending the floor's lifespan. Remember to keep indoor humidity at a steady level for best results.

The biggest advantage of luxury vinyl is that many products are waterproof. In contrast to natural wood, a well-made LVP does not swell or cup after contact with spills. That makes it a perfect fit for kitchens, bathrooms and basements.