Flooring buying guide

LVP vs laminate: which is better?

This is the comparison homeowners search for most. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is waterproof all the way through, softer and quieter underfoot, and handles kitchens, basements and pets. Laminate has a hard, scratch-resistant surface on a fibreboard core and usually costs less, but most laminate is not waterproof — unless you choose a waterproof laminate. If the room can get wet, choose LVP (or rigid-core SPC). For bedrooms and living rooms on a tight budget, laminate is a smart pick.

Price levels are typical, material only. See real prices on our flooring pages.

Engineered hardwood vs LVP

Engineered hardwood is real wood on a stable plywood base — warm, natural and beautiful in living rooms and bedrooms. LVP gives you a wood look that's waterproof, pet-friendly and easier on the budget. Many homes use both: engineered hardwood on the main living areas, LVP in the kitchen, laundry room and basement.

Engineered vs solid hardwood

Solid hardwood is one piece of wood and can be sanded and refinished many times, but it moves with humidity and isn't recommended below grade. Engineered hardwood has a real wood top layer on a cross-ply core, so it stays more stable through Ontario's dry winters and humid summers, and it comes in wider planks.

Best flooring for dogs and pets

The best flooring for dogs is LVP or SPC with a thick wear layer — 12 mil for most homes, 20 mil or more for big dogs — or AC4 laminate. They're scratch-resistant, and waterproof vinyl shrugs off accidents and water bowls. A matte, textured, mid-tone floor hides claw marks and pet hair best. Real hardwood will show scratches over time.

Best basement flooring

The best basement flooring is waterproof LVP or SPC, ideally over a subfloor or insulated subfloor to keep it warmer and drier over concrete. Avoid solid hardwood and most laminate below grade. See our basement flooring project in Oshawa.

Waterproof flooring options

• LVP (luxury vinyl plank) — waterproof, soft underfoot, the most popular whole-home choice.
• SPC (rigid-core vinyl) — waterproof with a stone core that resists dents.
• Loose lay vinyl plank — waterproof vinyl that lies flat without glue or click joints.
• Waterproof laminate — the hard, scratch-resistant surface of laminate with added water protection.
• Tile — waterproof and the classic choice for bathrooms and entries.

Can you put wood flooring in a kitchen? Engineered hardwood can work if spills are wiped up quickly, but a leak can ruin it. Waterproof LVP gives you the wood look without the worry.

Is LVP flooring toxic? Formaldehyde and new-floor smell

LVP and SPC have no wood-based core, so there's no formaldehyde-based glue in the plank itself. Laminate and engineered hardwood use wood-based panels and glue — if that's a concern for your family, ask us about the floor you're considering. With good ventilation, most new-floor smell fades within a few days.

Flooring installation cost per sq ft

Flooring installation cost per sq ft depends on the floor and the job. Your total is the material price plus installation labour, plus what your home needs: old floor removal, subfloor leveling, underlayment, baseboards and stairs. Price your rooms with our free online flooring estimate — it takes about 3 minutes. Our minimum for installation labour is $700 before tax per project, plus materials and 13% HST. See our flooring installation cost page for starting prices per sq ft.

• Engineered hardwood cost per sq ft: see the price on each engineered hardwood product — material only.
• LVP installation cost: LVP is one of the most affordable floors to install. Get your total with the online estimate.
• Hardwood floor replacement cost: replacing an old floor adds removal and disposal of the old floor, and sometimes subfloor repair or leveling. Our estimate includes old floor removal.
• Cheap waterproof flooring: LVP and SPC are the best value waterproof floors. Check our current specials and how to renovate on a budget.

Light oak flooring, wide plank and matte finishes

• Light oak flooring / natural oak flooring: the most popular look right now — bright, calm and easy to decorate around. It makes small or dark rooms feel bigger. See the light natural oak in our Scarborough project.
• Wide plank flooring: fewer seams and a more open, high-end look, especially in large rooms.
• Matte finish hardwood floors: a low-sheen, natural look that hides scratches, dust and footprints far better than a glossy finish.
• Dark vs light hardwood floors: light floors make rooms look bigger and hide dust and pet hair; dark floors look rich but show dust and scratches. Mid-tones with visible grain hide everyday mess best.
• Choose your colour from large boards in daylight, next to your cabinets and stairs — come compare them in our Markham showroom.

Flooring store near me: Markham, Toronto and the GTA

Looking for a flooring store near me? Our flooring store, showroom and warehouse is at 615 Denison St #6 in Markham, open Monday to Saturday, 8:30 am – 6:00 pm. Call us to check availability on a specific floor.

Looking for the best flooring contractor near me? We supply and install with our own installation team across Markham, Toronto, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, North York, Vaughan and the GTA — see our finished projects and Google reviews.

Best LVP brands: in our showroom you can compare LVP and SPC from brands such as Vizion and Pangol side by side.

Subfloor leveling, squeaky floors and underlayment

• Subfloor leveling cost: click floors need a flat base. Dips and humps are fixed with floor leveling or self-levelling compound before the new floor goes down. The cost depends on how uneven the floor is, so we check it when we quote.
• Squeaky floor repair: squeaks usually come from a loose subfloor rubbing on nails or joists. They're best fixed before a new floor goes down — mention any squeaks when we quote.
• Floor underlayment options: foam underlay for most click floors, rubber or acoustic underlay to reduce noise (often needed in condos), and subfloor or insulated subfloor panels for basements. Many LVP and SPC floors come with underlay attached. See our underlay and subfloor.
• Can you install vinyl plank over tile? Usually yes, if the tile is solid and flat. Deep grout lines may need to be filled first, and the extra height has to clear doors and appliances. We check this when we quote.