The main benefit of vinyl plank is that many products are waterproof. Compared with traditional laminate, a quality vinyl plank does not swell or cup when exposed to water. It is therefore an excellent choice for basements, laundry rooms and entryways.
Important: many vinyl and laminate products include a pre-attached pad. When that is the case, adding another underlay may lead to joint failure and cancel your warranty. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Laminate has come a long way significantly. Good laminate products uses realistic printed designs and embossed textures that appear very realistic. The protective surface makes it resistant to scuffs and scratches, and it is priced lower. A growing number of newer products now include better moisture protection.
So, which one makes sense? If long-term value and the ability to refinish are your priority, consider hardwood. When budget, durability and easy maintenance are more important, laminate makes a lot of sense.
First of all, check the moisture level of the concrete. A simple test such as taping a square of plastic onto the slab for a day or two will indicate any moisture problem. Solve drainage issues before installing anything.
Renovating a basement is one of the best ways to increase the usable space and value in your house. However lower levels come with special challenges: concrete slabs, humidity and colder floors. A poor flooring choice may result in mildew, buckling and wasted money.
Start at the door. Use a heavy-duty mat outside plus a washable absorbent rug indoors each door. Using both traps the majority of the snow and grit before it gets to your floors. Add a waterproof tray so dripping shoes aren’t left on your flooring.
Lately, vinyl plank flooring has become one of the best-selling floor coverings for Canadian homeowners. There are good reasons for that: it delivers a beautiful wood look, it resists moisture, and it suits almost any budget.
If you are planning to sell soon, or even if you just want to make your home more comfortable, new flooring ranks among the smartest investments to consider. The floor make up most of the visible space in every room, so they make a big effect on the overall look.
A cohesive look is also important. Too many materials in connected spaces tends to make a space look disjointed. Running the same floor across the main floor produces a clean, open feel that looks great in listing photos.
Tile stays extremely durable, but it tends to feel cold if you do not install radiant floor heating. Wall-to-wall carpet, meanwhile, feels warm but may hold moisture, which is why rugs over a hard floor are usually a safer bet.
Buyers notice floors right away. Old, stained carpet, damaged wood floors or mismatched flooring send the impression suggesting that the home requires repairs. In contrast, fresh, modern flooring helps make a home feel bright and well-maintained, which often helps it sell faster.
Real hardwood is the classic choice. It offers natural character that no imitation fully matches, Bookmarkingcentrals.com and it can be refinished many times over the decades. This means quality hardwood will last a very long time. Hardwood also boosts resale value in many markets.
Long-term durability is also a major advantage. The best vinyl planks include a wear layer on top that protects against scuffs and scratches, stains and spills and fading. Busy households love how little care it needs: a quick sweep and a light mop keep it looking new.
Engineered hardwood is a possibility when you prefer real wood. Because of its stable core, it resists humidity changes far better than solid hardwood, and solid wood is not recommended in basements. Use a proper vapour barrier for long-term performance.
Winter in Canada can be magical, but they are tough on floors. Melting snow, calcium chloride, gravel and low indoor humidity can all damage your floors if you are not careful. With a few simple habits, you can keep your flooring looking great all season long.
One of its main jobs is to provide noise control. Floating floors often sound loud without a good underlay. A quality underlayment reduces impact sound, which is especially useful in apartments and condos where building rules may demand minimum sound ratings.
Humidity also matters and is another key factor. During the heating season, the air inside often becomes extremely dry, leading to natural wood to contract and gaps to form. A whole-house humidifier to maintain indoor humidity around 35 to 50 percent protects your floors and your furniture.
When shopping for new floors, they tend to focus on colour, style and the price per square foot. Yet what goes under the floor plays an equally important role. A good underlayment can improve comfort, noise levels and protection against moisture, and can help your flooring perform better.
LVP is often the best choice below grade. Many LVP collections are waterproof, so they won’t be damaged when a small leak shows up. SPC and WPC planks can also tolerate slight unevenness in the subfloor.