Protecting Your Flooring from Snow, Salt and Slush

Underlayment also smooths out slight unevenness beneath the floor and provides a bit of comfort and insulation. Note, however, that cannot replace a flat subfloor: big height differences need to be corrected first.

If you live with dogs, cats or young children, you have probably learned how quickly floors suffer. Pet nails, toy cars and blocks, accidents and wet paws will wear down the wrong floor in a few months. Luckily: today’s flooring options are built to stand up to busy family life.

Tile stay a timeless choice. It is virtually waterproof, long-lasting and offered in a huge variety of styles, from wood-effect tiles and natural stone visuals. Look for a textured or matte surface for safety, and add heated floors to keep tile warm.

The cold season in Canada is beautiful, however winter is hard on flooring. Snow, calcium chloride, sand and dry heated air will dull your flooring over time. With a few simple habits, it is easy to keep your floors beautiful until spring.

When shopping for new floors, they tend to focus on the colour, style and price. Yet what lies beneath the floor matters just as much. Quality underlay can improve comfort, sound and protection against moisture, while it helps your flooring perform better.

One of its main jobs is noise control. Floating floors may sound hollow without proper underlayment. A good acoustic underlay dampens impact sound, which is especially important in multi-storey homes in which condo boards often require specific acoustic ratings.

Salt residue leaves a hazy residue that will damage the protective layer of most floors. Remove salt marks as soon as possible with a slightly damp cloth together with a cleaner made for your type of floor. Stay away from steam mops on wood-based floors.

Moisture levels is also critical. In winter, indoor air gets very dry, leading to hardwood to contract and cracks to appear. A whole-house humidifier keeping humidity in a moderate range helps protect your wood floors and your comfort.

If you plan to put your house on the market soon, or you just want to refresh your living space, replacing old flooring is easily one of the best investments available. Your floors take up most of the visible space of a house, so they make a big effect on the overall look.

The first line of defence is the entrance. Put a sturdy outdoor mat plus a soft absorbent mat inside the main entrances. Using both traps much of the snow and grit before it reaches the rest of the house. Add a waterproof tray to make sure dripping shoes never sit on your flooring.

Luxury vinyl have quickly become a favourite for both rooms. Fully waterproof constructions guarantee that standing water cannot harm the floor as long as you clean them up. Vinyl stays warmer underfoot than ceramic, something a big bonus in the cold season.

What about hardwood in a kitchen or bathroom? Newer water-resistant laminates can work well for kitchens, provided that water is cleaned up quickly. Engineered hardwood may also work in kitchens if you are careful, however in full bathrooms, tile and vinyl remain the recommended options.

Flooring is one of the first things buyers notice. Old, stained carpet, damaged wood floors or chipped tile send the impression that the home has been neglected. Meanwhile, fresh, modern flooring can make a Visit Home Page feel clean and modern, and that may help it sell faster.

The first thing to do is to look at how each room is used. A mudroom calls for a durable, easy-care surface, whereas a master bedroom may prioritize warmth underfoot. Kitchens benefit from waterproof products such as luxury vinyl plank or porcelain tile.

What about hardwood? It is possible, though make careful choices. Harder species such as hickory, maple and oak hold up better, and matte finishes or natural grain patterns disguise everyday wear far better than high-gloss finishes.

Kitchens and washrooms are the most demanding spaces in a household. They see splashes, steam, heavy foot traffic and constant cleaning. The floor you install here needs to be moisture-resistant, hard-wearing and low maintenance and still deliver great design.

Vinyl plank flooring is often the first recommendation for families. It is waterproof, so spilled drinks become easy to clean up. A durable top layer will help resist scratches from claws, while its softer feel is quieter for kids playing on the floor.

The Canadian climate has a big role. Traditional solid wood shrinks and swells as humidity rises and falls, so it is best installed once it has acclimatized and a stable indoor environment. Engineered wood offers the same natural look but with much better stability, making it a popular choice for Canadian homes.

Selecting new flooring is one of the most important decisions homeowners make during a remodeling project. In Canada, the choice is even more important because our homes have to handle cold, dry winters, warm and humid summers, snow and road salt carried in from outside.