Engineered Hardwood: The Ideal Choice for Canada's Climate

If you plan to put your house on the market in the next few years, or you just want to enjoy your home more, updating your floors is one of the best upgrades to consider. The floor cover almost every square foot in every room, which means they make a huge impact on how buyers feel.

When your household includes dogs, cats or young children, you have probably learned that floors can get damaged. Claws, toy cars and blocks, accidents and muddy boots will wear down a poorly chosen floor in no time. Luckily: current floor products are designed to survive busy family life.

Porcelain tile stays extremely durable, although it tends to feel cold underfoot unless you add a heated floor system. Carpet, meanwhile, feels warm but can trap moisture, which is why area rugs are usually a safer bet.

What you get is simply flooring that looks exactly like solid hardwood but stays more stable in Canadian conditions. Since it is more stable, engineered wood is often suitable in areas where solid hardwood is not recommended, including lower levels or on concrete.

Before buying, pay attention to the thickness of the wear layer. A deeper veneer allows refinish the floor later, adding to the life of your floor. Don’t forget to keep indoor humidity between roughly 35 and 55 percent all year long.

High-quality laminate makes a strong option. Its hard melamine surface is highly resistant to scuffs and scratches, often better than other floors. Select a laminate with a high AC rating as well as water-resistant features for families with pets.

Moisture levels is another key factor. In winter, indoor air often becomes too dry, leading to wood floors to contract and small gaps to form. A humidifier to maintain humidity in a moderate range helps protect your wood floors as well as your comfort.

Canadian homes experience significant seasonal swings every year. In the cold months, heating systems dehydrate indoor air; during summer, humidity rise quickly. For natural wood, that constant movement often leads to gapping, crowning and squeaks.

Everything starts at the entrance. Put a heavy-duty mat outside and a washable absorbent rug indoors each door. Using both catches most of the snow and grit before it reaches your flooring. Use a boot rack so wet boots don’t sit on your flooring.

Flooring is one of the first things buyers notice. Old, stained carpet, scuffed floors or cracked tile send the impression that the home has been neglected. On the other hand, fresh, modern flooring helps make a house look bright and well-maintained, and that often helps attract more buyers.

Hardwood is one of the features many buyers look for. Engineered hardwood offers the same appeal and better stability for our climate. If your budget is tighter, quality laminate is able to create a similar modern look at a fraction of the price.

First of all, test the moisture level of the concrete. A quick test like taping a square of plastic to the floor for 24 to 48 hours will indicate any moisture problem. Solve any leaks before you install anything.

What about hardwood? Absolutely, but be selective. Dense species such as hickory, maple and oak are more resistant, and matte finishes or distressed or hand-scraped textures disguise everyday wear better than glossy floors.

De-icing salt can leave white marks that can etch the surface of hardwood, laminate and vinyl. Remove salty puddles quickly with a soft mop and a pH-neutral cleaner. Stay away from soaking the floor on hardwood and laminate.

When planning a flooring project, they usually focus on the colour, style and price. However what goes under your planks plays an equally important role. A good underlayment improves comfort, noise levels and protection against moisture, while can help your flooring perform better.

Vinyl plank flooring is usually the number one pick for busy homes. It is waterproof, so pet accidents are simple to handle. A thick wear layer helps reduce scuffs, while the softer surface is more comfortable for kids playing on the floor.

That is exactly where engineered wood really shines. Instead of using a single solid piece of wood, engineered flooring is built from multiple layers: a genuine wood veneer glued pop over here a stable core. That construction reduces seasonal movement.

The right underlay can also hides small irregularities beneath the floor and adds a bit of softness underfoot. Keep in mind, though, that cannot replace proper subfloor preparation: big height differences need to be fixed before installation.

Canadian winters is beautiful, but winter is rough on your floors. Slush, road salt, sand and dry indoor air will dull even the best floors if you are not careful. With some simple precautions, it is easy to keep your floors in top shape through the winter.

One of its main jobs is noise control. Laminate and click vinyl may sound hollow without proper underlayment. The right underlay reduces impact sound, something that is especially useful in apartments and condos in which building rules may set minimum sound ratings.