How to Protect Your Flooring in Winter

De-icing salt leaves a hazy residue that can damage the finish of your floor. Clean salty puddles as soon as possible using a slightly damp cloth together with a cleaner made for your type of floor. Avoid steam mops on wood-based floors.

Moisture levels also matters and is very important. When the furnace is running, the air inside can become very dry, leading to hardwood to shrink and cracks to form. A whole-house humidifier to maintain humidity at a stable level helps protect your floors and your health.

If you live with dogs, cats or young children, you know that floors suffer. Paws, toy cars and blocks, spills and wet paws can stain a delicate surface in a few months. Fortunately: http://42.Staikudrik.com/index/d1?diff=0&utm_source=ogdd&utm_campaign=26607&utm_content=&utm_clickid=uskkokskw44sooos&aurl=http://Www.Weather.Sbm.pw/News/canada-floors-depot-130/ modern floor materials are built to handle busy family life.

Laminate makes a strong option. Its protective top layer stays very resistant to claw marks, sometimes even more than vinyl. Choose laminates with an AC4 or AC5 rating plus water-resistant edges for busy homes.

And what about wood in wet areas? Water-resistant laminate can be a good fit in kitchens, if moisture is dealt with right away. Wood can also work in a kitchen if you are careful, but in full bathrooms, waterproof vinyl or tile are the recommended options.

The first line of defence is the entrance. Use a heavy-duty mat outside plus a soft absorbent mat inside each door. Using both stops the majority of the salt and grit before it can scratch your flooring. Set up a boot rack to make sure snowy boots aren’t left on your flooring.

Canadian winters can be magical, but they are tough on floors. Slush, calcium chloride, grit and dry indoor air can all dull your floors if you are not careful. With a few simple habits, you can protect your floors looking great through the winter.

Vinyl plank and vinyl tile are now a top choice in wet areas. Water-resistant cores mean that standing water won’t damage the planks when wiped up quickly. LVP stays softer underfoot than ceramic, something a big bonus during winter.

The result is flooring with the look identical to traditional wood but behaves better through the seasons. Because it moves less, engineered wood is often suitable in places in which solid wood is a risk, like lower levels or over radiant heating.

Engineered wood can also work if you want natural wood. Due to its layered construction, it resists moisture swings much better than solid hardwood, and solid wood is not recommended on concrete. Install it with an appropriate underlay for the best results.

Houses across Canada experience dramatic humidity changes every year. In the cold months, our heaters dehydrate the air; in summer, humidity rise quickly. For natural wood, that constant movement can cause gaps, crowning and movement.

The kitchen and the bathroom count as the busiest rooms in the house. They deal with spills, humidity, falling objects and constant cleaning. The flooring you choose for these rooms has to be waterproof, hard-wearing and easy to clean and still deliver style.

Turning a basement into living space is a great way to add living space and value in your house. But lower levels present specific problems: cold concrete, humidity and colder floors. Choosing the wrong flooring may result in mildew, swelling and wasted money.

This is where engineered wood makes a difference. Instead of being made from a solid plank, engineered wood is built from several layers: a top layer of real wood glued over a plywood or HDF core. The cross-layered construction minimizes expansion and contraction.

First of all, check for moisture in your basement. A simple test such as taping a square of plastic to the floor for a day or two can reveal if moisture is rising. Address water problems before you install any floor.

When shopping, look closely at the thickness of the top layer. A thicker veneer means you can sanding and refinishing down the road, increasing its lifespan. Also keep indoor humidity at a steady level for best results.

What about hardwood? It is possible, but make careful choices. Dense species such as hickory, maple and oak hold up better, while matte finishes or natural grain patterns camouflage small scratches much better than a shiny finish.

Luxury vinyl plank is at the top of the list for busy homes. It’s water-resistant, so spilled drinks become easy to clean up. A strong wear layer helps resist scratches, and its softer feel feels more comfortable for running feet and paws.

Porcelain tile remain a timeless choice. Tiles are nearly impervious to water, scratch-resistant and comes in endless patterns, from wood-look planks and marble and stone looks. Select tiles with good slip resistance for bathrooms, then think about heated floors for winter comfort.

Vinyl plank is widely considered the best choice for basements. Many LVP collections are fully water-resistant, meaning they won’t be damaged if humidity happens. Rigid core vinyl also bridge small irregularities in the subfloor.

Porcelain tile is virtually waterproof, but it tends to feel cold if you do not you add in-floor heating. Wall-to-wall carpet, meanwhile, adds comfort yet can absorb humidity, so area rugs are often a safer bet.