When shopping for new floors, most of the attention goes to the colour, the style and price. Yet what goes under the boards plays an equally important role. A good underlayment can improve comfort, sound and moisture protection, while it helps your flooring stay beautiful for years.
Today's laminate flooring has come a long way a lot. Premium laminate feature realistic printed designs and textures that follow the grain that look surprisingly realistic. The tough top layer keeps it resistant to scuffs and scratches, and it is priced at a fraction of the cost of hardwood. Many collections also offer better moisture protection.
Whatever material you choose, don't overlook the details: sealing around fixtures, clean transitions between rooms and solid subfloor preparation. Such details make all the difference for how long the floor oTt2.coM stays beautiful.
Renovating a basement is a great way to gain extra square footage and comfort in your house. Yet lower levels bring special challenges: cold concrete, humidity plus colder floors. Choosing the wrong flooring can lead to mildew, warping and costly repairs.
Humidity is another key factor. When the furnace is running, the air inside gets too dry, causing natural wood to shrink and small gaps to appear. A whole-house humidifier keeping humidity in a moderate range benefits your floors as well as your health.
Kitchens and bathrooms rank among the busiest rooms in a household. They see water, steam, heavy foot traffic and daily cleaning. The floor you install for these rooms needs to stay moisture-resistant, tough and low maintenance and still deliver great design.
And what about wood in wet areas? Some modern laminates can work well for kitchens, if moisture is dealt with quickly. Wood can also be used in kitchens with caution, however in full bathrooms, vinyl or tile stay the safer choices.
Laying it tends to be more versatile. Depending on the product, engineered wood can be installed as a floating floor, glued down or nailed. This versatility makes it a favourite for renovators and homeowners across the country.
Tile are still a classic option. Tiles are extremely water-resistant, very durable and offered in endless styles, from wood-look planks to marble and stone looks. Select tiles with good slip resistance for safety, then think about heated floors to keep tile warm.
When you are deciding on a wood-look floor, two options usually top the list: laminate flooring and natural hardwood. Each of them can be attractive, but they are very different in cost, performance and long-term value.
This is where engineered hardwood makes a difference. Instead of using a solid plank, an engineered plank consists of several layers: a top layer of real wood bonded to a plywood or HDF core. That construction minimizes seasonal movement.
Real hardwood remains the classic choice. It adds natural character that no imitation fully matches, and it can be sanded and refinished more than once over its life. Being able to refinish it allows quality hardwood to last for decades. It also increases resale value in many markets.
Canadian winters can be picturesque, but winter is tough on floors. Melting snow, de-icing salt, gravel and dry heated air will wear out your flooring if left unchecked. With some simple precautions, it is easy to keep your flooring looking great all season long.
Houses across Canada go through big seasonal swings throughout the year. During winter, our heaters dehydrate indoor air; in summer, humidity rise sharply. For wood flooring, this cycle may cause gaps, cupping and noise.
Its first role is noise control. Laminate and click vinyl often sound hollow without a good underlay. The right underlay reduces that hollow sound, which is essential in apartments and condos where condo boards frequently require a minimum IIC or STC rating.
Everything starts at the entrance. Place a heavy-duty mat outside plus an absorbent mat inside each door. This combination traps most of the snow and grit before it can scratch your floors.
16
Report this page