Here's How to Freshen Up Your Flooring

Freshen Up Your Flooring

Whether you’re installing new floors or refreshing existing ones, it’s important to decide what type best fits your home and lifestyle. Are you updating the hallway, kitchen or bathroom? Is it a high-traffic area?

Consider the following flooring types, tips and installation techniques before kicking off your flooring installation project.

Popular Types of Flooring for Home Installation

When it comes to flooring, there are many types to choose from, each with their own unique characteristics. Features to consider include a material’s durability, water resistance, flexibility and appearance.

Popular flooring types include SPC, vinyl, laminate, engineered hardwood and hardwood flooring. Read on to discover which one is right for you.

Vinyl Flooring

Qualities of vinyl flooring include:

Vinyl flooring is a budget-friendly alternative to hardwood and ceramic flooring
Can imitate the appearance of hardwood or tiles
Superior moisture resistance
Durable and wear resistant but soft under foot
Easy to install and maintain
Ideal for heavy-traffic areas and areas prone to moisture

Exclusive to Home Hardware, these press and go vinyl plank flooring and vinyl tile flooring products are durable, easy to install and waterproof.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood flooring is built in layers and includes a layer of real wood. Qualities of engineered hardwood include:

Creates the appearance of solid wood flooring
Ideal for most room types including basements, and in condos
Suitable for use with radiant under-floor heating because of its stability against heat
Can help boost the resale value of your home

Check out the Scott McGillivray Collection of Advanced Engineered Hardwood. It offers durable, high-quality engineered hardwood with the benefits of a floating click system.

You can install it anywhere in your home, including below-grade living spaces, without the need for a subfloor. The collection includes a range of stain colours that exude a warm, luxurious look.

Kitchen Flooring

Since they experience plenty of foot-traffic, kitchens benefit from durable flooring. SPC and Vinyl flooring are great choices thanks to their durability and water resistance. Laminate flooring is also a durable option, just make sure the style you choose is water resistant. SPC, vinyl and laminate are easy to clean, come in a wide variety of styles and coordinate seamlessly with a tile backsplash.

Although it’s not as water-resistant as SPC and vinyl, more people are installing wood flooring in their kitchens for continuity between rooms.

Flooring for Bedrooms, Basements, Family Rooms and More

With hallways, bedrooms, family rooms, living rooms and dining rooms, you have a lot more flooring options as these areas are not generally affected by moisture. Hardwood flooring is a traditional favourite and adds to your home’s value. Both hardwood and engineered wood create an upscale, elegant look.

SPC and vinyl are also great options, especially for high traffic areas like family rooms. In fact, they are a durable, comfortable and easy-to-clean choice for just about any room in your home.

Basements are below-grade, which makes them susceptible to moisture and humidity. This means that hardwood flooring is a risky choice. Engineered wood is a great alternative, as it stands up better to moisture and can be used both above and below grade. Durable and water-resistant, SPC and vinyl flooring are always reliable, and can also mimic the appearance of wood planks.

Flooring for Seasonal Residences

If you’re looking to add durable flooring to your cottage or cabin, SPC vinyl is a great choice. Its extreme durability and water resistance makes it the perfect fit for any seasonal home. SPC flooring also holds up well to temperature changes and is resistant to scratches and dents so it will last a lot longer than other types of flooring, especially under rugged conditions.

Flooring Tips, Tools and Techniques

Before you get started, make sure you’re armed with the information you need for a successful flooring installation.

Tips for Trouble-Free Flooring Installation

The following tips will help to prevent problems during click system installation.

Place the unopened boxes of planks in the room where you are going to install them at least two days prior, so they can adjust to the room’s temperature and humidity
Plan the installation before you begin. Multiply the width by the length to determine the square footage. Purchase 5-10% extra material for irregular boards and potential mistakes
Inspect all planks for damage and defects
Lay planks perpendicular to the floor joists for a solid base

Flooring Installation Overview for DIYers

Click-lock flooring installation systems make it easy to do it yourself. You can get them in various materials such as engineered hardwood, SPC and vinyl. They require no glue or nails. A tongue-and-groove design allows boards to click together and “float” over the subfloor.

PRE-INSTALLATION

If necessary, remove all trim including baseboards and door trim. If any trim cannot be removed, you can cut the flooring to fit around it.
Prep the subfloor. Ensure it’s smooth, flat, dry, clean and solid before you start. Remove any staples, adhesive, etc. Fill in any holes or low-lying areas.
Decide the direction you want to install the planks. The longest wall is often the easiest place to start and creates a more spacious feel.
Start a ¼ inch away from the wall to allow the wood to expand and contract. NOTE: The recommended gap may vary by manufacturer and flooring type.
Dry-fit at least some of the material as a test run, and to ensure that you have enough flooring to get the job done.
Use planks from several boxes to ensure the best overall appearance.

IMPORTANT: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the floor properly.

You’re now on your way to a successful flooring installation. Browse our selection of durable and stylish flooring, pick the perfect product for your living space, and get to work!