Why Luxury Vinyl Plank Is Taking Over in Canada

Real hardwood is the classic choice. It offers authentic grain that many buyers love, and it can be sanded and refinished several times during its lifespan. Being able to refinish it allows a hardwood floor can last for generations. Hardwood also boosts the value of a home in many markets.

De-icing salt often leaves a white film that will etch the finish of hardwood, laminate and vinyl. Wipe up residue promptly with a damp microfibre mop and a floor-specific cleaner. Stay away from steam mops on hardwood and laminate.

When your household includes little ones and four-legged friends, you know how quickly floors can get damaged. Claws, toys, spills and wet paws will stain a poorly chosen floor in a few months. Fortunately: today’s flooring products are built to survive busy family life.

Before you buy, pay attention to the thickness of the top layer. A heavier top layer means you can sand it later, adding to the life of your floor. Also keep indoor humidity at a steady level with a humidifier in winter.

Quality laminate makes a great option. Its tough wear layer is very resistant to scuffs and scratches, often better than vinyl. Choose a laminate with an AC4 or AC5 rating as well as water-resistant edges for busy homes.

When you are deciding on a classic wood look, two products almost always come up first: laminate flooring and real hardwood. Both can look beautiful, but they differ a lot when it comes to price, performance and maintenance.

Can you still have hardwood? It is possible, but choose wisely. Dense species like oak, maple or hickory resist dents better, and low-sheen finishes and distressed or hand-scraped textures disguise minor marks far better than high-gloss finishes.

Today’s laminate flooring has evolved a lot. Good laminate feature realistic printed designs and textured surfaces that appear surprisingly realistic. Its protective surface makes it very resistant to scuffs and scratches, and it costs at a fraction of the cost of hardwood. A growing number of newer products now include water-resistant cores.

Luxury vinyl plank is often the number one pick for pet owners. It’s waterproof or highly water-resistant, meaning spilled drinks are easy to clean up. A strong wear layer will help prevent scratches, and its softer feel is quieter for kids playing on the floor.

Humidity also matters and is critical. During the heating season, indoor air often becomes extremely dry, leading to natural wood to contract and small gaps to open. A whole-house humidifier to maintain indoor humidity at a stable level protects your floors as well as your furniture.

The biggest advantage of luxury vinyl is that many products are waterproof. Unlike natural wood, a quality vinyl plank will not swell when exposed to moisture. It is therefore a perfect fit for basements, laundry rooms and entryways.

One important note: many vinyl and laminate products already have an attached underlayment. If so, adding another underlay can cause problems and void the warranty. Make sure to read the installation guide.

That is exactly where engineered wood stands out. Instead of being made from a solid plank, engineered flooring is built from cross-layered plies: a real hardwood top layer glued over a plywood or HDF core. The cross-layered construction limits seasonal movement.

Winter in Canada is magical, yet winter is hard on flooring. Snow, de-icing salt, sand and dry heated air can damage your flooring if left unchecked. With the right routine, you can protect your flooring beautiful all season long.

When people shop for flooring, most of the attention goes to colour, the style and the price per square foot. Yet what you put under your planks matters just as much. The right underlayment can improve comfort, sound and moisture protection, and can help your new floor stay beautiful for years.

The right underlay also smooths out small irregularities in the base and gives a bit of comfort and insulation. Keep in mind, however, that cannot replace a flat subfloor: major unevenness should be corrected first.

Its first role is to provide acoustic insulation. Floating floors can sound noisy without proper underlayment. A quality underlayment absorbs impact sound, which is especially useful in condos in which building rules may set a minimum IIC or STC rating.

Long-term durability is also a major advantage. Most LVP products come with a protective wear layer that resists scratches, stains and spills and fading. Busy households appreciate the low maintenance: a quick sweep and a light mop are usually enough.

Houses across Canada experience big seasonal swings throughout the year. In the cold months, furnaces pull moisture from indoor air; in the warm months, moisture levels rise quickly. For wood flooring, these changes can cause gapping, warping and noise.

The result is a floor ONWAr.sE that feels exactly like solid hardwood but performs better in Canadian conditions. Because it moves less, engineered wood can be used in places in which solid wood is not recommended, including basements or on concrete.