Road salt can leave a white film that will etch the surface of most floors. Remove salty puddles as soon as possible using a damp microfibre mop and a pH-neutral cleaner. Avoid soaking the floor on hardwood and laminate.

Canadian winters can be beautiful, however winter is hard on flooring. Slush, de-icing salt, sand and low indoor humidity can all dull your flooring if you are not careful. With some simple precautions, you can keep your flooring beautiful until spring.

When planning a flooring project, they usually focus on colour, style and the price per square foot. But what you put under the floor matters just as much. Quality underlay can improve how the floor feels, noise levels and moisture protection, and can help your flooring perform better.

The right underlay also compensates for minor imperfections in the subfloor and gives a bit of cushioning and warmth. Remember, however, it is not a substitute for a flat subfloor: large dips and bumps must be levelled first.

Engineered wood can also work for those who want a genuine wood surface. Due to its layered construction, it handles moisture swings much better than solid wood, which is not recommended in basements. Always use a moisture barrier to protect it.

Finishing a basement is an excellent way to add living space and value in your house. But below-grade spaces bring specific problems: cold concrete, moisture and chilly surfaces. A poor flooring choice may result in mildew, swelling and expensive replacements.

Cost remains a deciding factor. Laminate delivers convincing wood visuals at a lower price, and luxury vinyl combines value and outstanding moisture protection. Don’t forget to factor in underlayment, trims and moldings, and installation in your total cost.

Tile remains extremely durable, although it tends to feel cold underfoot if you do not combine it with a heated floor system. Carpet, on the other hand, feels warm but may hold moisture, so carpet tiles tend to be a more practical choice.

One of its main jobs is to provide sound reduction. Floating floors may sound noisy without proper underlayment. A quality underlayment reduces that hollow sound, something that is essential in condos in which condo boards frequently set a minimum IIC or STC rating.

Before choosing a floor, check for moisture in the slab. A simple test like taping a square of plastic to the floor for a day or two can reveal any moisture problem. Fix water problems before installing new flooring.

Indoor humidity is also very important. During the heating season, indoor air often becomes very dry, causing wood floors to contract and cracks to appear. A humidifier keeping humidity in a moderate range helps protect your floors and your furniture.

Everything starts at the entrance. Put a rough outdoor mat plus a soft absorbent mat inside every entrance. This combination stops much of the snow and grit before it reaches your floors. Add a waterproof tray to make sure snowy boots aren’t left on your flooring.

Vinyl plank is usually the best choice below grade. Several vinyl products are completely water-resistant, http://www.weather.sbm.pw/user/cleomaitla/ meaning they will not swell or rot when a small leak happens. Rigid-core planks can also hide minor imperfections in the concrete.

Flooring is one of the first things buyers notice. Dated carpet, scuffed floors or mismatched flooring create the impression suggesting that the house has been neglected. In contrast, beautiful updated floors can make a property look bright and well-maintained, and that can help attract more buyers.

Continuity is also important. Too many different floors from room to room tends to make a space appear disjointed. Using a single floor across the main floor gives a clean, open feel that feels more modern.

Hardwood continues to be one of the most requested features buyers ask for most. Engineered wood gives you that same premium look with better stability for our climate. If your budget is tighter, luxury vinyl plank will provide a comparable modern look at a fraction of the price.

If you are thinking of selling in the next few years, or you simply want to make your home more comfortable, updating your floors ranks among the best upgrades available. Floors take up almost every square foot of your home, which means they create a big effect on how buyers feel.

Canadian homes go through dramatic changes in temperature and humidity throughout the year. In the cold months, heating systems dehydrate indoor air; in the warm months, humidity go up again. For wood floors, these changes often leads to gapping, cupping and noise.

Before you buy, make sure you see samples under your own lights. Colours often look quite different in natural light. If you are looking for expert advice and plenty of options of floors for every room, check out quality flooring in Canada to find the floor that fits your home.

The outcome is a floor that looks identical to traditional wood while performs better in our climate. Because it moves less, engineered wood can often be installed in rooms where solid hardwood would struggle, such as below-grade rooms and over radiant heating.