Road salt can leave a hazy residue that can damage the finish of most floors. Clean salty puddles as soon as possible with a damp microfibre mop together with a floor-specific cleaner. Never use steam mops on wood and laminate.
What you get is flooring that feels exactly like solid hardwood but performs better in our climate. Because it moves less, engineered wood can be used in places where solid hardwood would struggle, like below-grade rooms or on concrete.
Canadian homes face significant humidity changes throughout the year. In winter, our heaters dry out the air; in the warm months, humidity climb again. For wood floors, this cycle often leads to gaps, warping and movement.
Installing it is usually easier. Based on the product, engineered wood can be installed as a floating floor, glued or nailed. This versatility makes it a top choice for contractors and families across the country.
Canadian winters can be picturesque, but winter is tough on floors. Slush, Wazap.com de-icing salt, grit and dry heated air can all wear out even the best floors over time. With the right routine, you can keep your floors looking great until spring.
Before buying, look closely at the thickness of the wear layer. A heavier top layer means you can sand it down the road, extending the floor’s lifespan. Don’t forget to control humidity in a stable range with a humidifier in winter.
The right underlay can also hides minor imperfections in the base and provides a bit of comfort and insulation. Note, though, that cannot replace levelling the subfloor: major unevenness should be corrected first.
Modern laminate has evolved dramatically. Premium laminate use detailed photographic layers and textures that follow the grain that appear remarkably close to real wood. Its protective surface makes it highly resistant to scratches, and it comes in less. Several laminates now include water-resistant cores.
That is exactly where engineered wood stands out. Rather than being made from a single solid piece of wood, engineered flooring consists of several layers: a genuine wood veneer bonded to a plywood or HDF core. That construction limits expansion and contraction.
LVP is often at the top of the list for families. It’s waterproof, so pet accidents become easy to clean up. A durable top layer will help reduce scratches from claws, and the cushioned feel is less noisy for kids playing on the floor.
When shopping for new floors, they usually focus on the colour, style and the price per square foot. However what you put under the floor matters just as much. Quality underlay improves comfort, sound and moisture protection, while it helps your new floor last longer.
A key function is noise control. Laminate and click vinyl can sound noisy if installed directly on the subfloor. A quality underlayment reduces that hollow sound, which is essential in apartments and condos where building rules may set a minimum IIC or STC rating.
Indoor humidity also matters and is critical. When the furnace is running, indoor air can become extremely dry, leading to natural wood to shrink and gaps to open. A humidifier to maintain indoor humidity in a moderate range protects your floors and your furniture.
Everything starts at the entrance. Place a sturdy outdoor mat plus a washable absorbent rug indoors every entrance. Two mats catches the majority of the salt and grit before it can scratch the rest of the house. Add a boot tray to make sure wet boots aren’t left on the floor.
Can you still have hardwood? It is possible, but be selective. Dense species such as hickory, maple and oak are more resistant, and low-sheen finishes or distressed or hand-scraped textures camouflage minor marks much better than a shiny finish.
Porcelain tile remain a classic choice. Tile is virtually waterproof, long-lasting and offered in countless designs, from wood-effect tiles and marble and stone looks. Choose a slip-resistant finish in bathrooms, and add heated floors for extra comfort.
Quality laminate makes a great option. The hard melamine surface stays very resistant to claw marks, in many cases even more than other floors. Select laminates with an AC4 or AC5 rating as well as good moisture protection for families with pets.
When your household includes dogs, cats or young children, you know that floors can get damaged. Paws, toys, spills and muddy boots quickly scratch a poorly chosen floor in no time. Luckily: modern flooring options are built to survive busy family life.
Vinyl plank and vinyl tile have quickly become the most popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms. Fully waterproof constructions guarantee that spills won’t damage your investment as long as you clean them up. LVP is also more comfortable under bare feet compared to stone, something a big bonus on cold Canadian mornings.
Hardwood is the traditional favourite. It offers warmth that no imitation fully matches, and it may be refinished many times during its lifespan. This allows a well-kept hardwood floor will last for generations. It also boosts buyer appeal in most cities.