Choosing a floor starts with the room. Kitchens, basements and laundry rooms need waterproof flooring. Bedrooms and living rooms can use almost anything. Busy homes with kids and pets need a scratch-resistant, pet-friendly floor with a tough wear layer. Below is a quick guide to each type we carry, with the products we carry at our Markham flooring showroom and warehouse. Not sure which to choose? Read our flooring buying guide — LVP vs laminate, engineered hardwood vs LVP, the best flooring for dogs and the best basement flooring.
Not sure which one is right? Visit our Markham showroom to see and feel the samples, or get an installation estimate online in a few minutes.
Vinyl / SPC / LVP
Waterproof flooring for the whole home. SPC (stone plastic composite) and LVP (luxury vinyl plank) are waterproof vinyl plank floors with a click-lock system. SPC has a rigid stone core that resists dents and stays stable when the temperature changes; LVP is a little softer and quieter underfoot. Both are popular for kitchens, basements, laundry rooms and busy family homes. Look at the wear layer (in mil): the thicker it is, the better it stands up to traffic. We also carry loose lay vinyl plank, which lies flat without glue or click joints.
Laminate / Waterproof Laminate
Laminate has a high-density wood-fibre core with a printed wood look and a hard protective top layer. It resists scratches well and is one of the most affordable ways to get a wood look. Most laminate is water-resistant rather than waterproof, so it's best for bedrooms, living rooms and hallways — or ask about our waterproof laminate.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood has a real wood top layer on a layered core, which makes it more stable when humidity changes than solid wood. Wide plank and light oak looks are popular for living rooms and bedrooms.
Common questions
LVP vs laminate: which is better?
LVP (luxury vinyl plank) is waterproof, softer and quieter, and suits kitchens, basements and pets. Laminate has a very hard surface and usually costs less, but most laminate is not waterproof.
Engineered hardwood vs LVP: which is better?
Engineered hardwood is real wood and feels warmer underfoot. LVP is waterproof, more pet-friendly and costs less. Many homes use engineered hardwood in the living areas and LVP in the kitchen, laundry room and basement. Compare every type in our flooring buying guide.
What is the best flooring for dogs and pets?
LVP or SPC with a thick wear layer — 20 mil or more for big dogs — or AC4 laminate. They resist scratches and dents, and a matte, mid-tone finish hides marks and pet hair.
Can you put wood flooring in a kitchen?
Engineered hardwood can work in a kitchen if spills are wiped up quickly, but a leak can ruin it. Waterproof SPC or luxury vinyl plank gives you the wood look without the worry.
Is SPC flooring toxic?
SPC has no wood-based core, so there is no formaldehyde-based glue in the plank. With good ventilation, most new-floor smell fades within a few days.
What's the difference between SPC and LVP?
Both are waterproof vinyl floors. SPC has a rigid stone core, so it resists dents and stays flat through temperature changes. LVP has a more flexible core that feels softer and quieter underfoot.
Is laminate waterproof?
Most laminate is water-resistant, not waterproof. For kitchens, basements and laundry rooms, waterproof vinyl, SPC or tile are the safer choice.
What is the best basement flooring?
Basements can get damp, and most laminate swells when it gets wet. Waterproof SPC or luxury vinyl plank is the safer choice, and a subfloor or insulated subfloor panel keeps the floor warmer and drier over concrete. See basement subfloor.
Can you replace carpet with hardwood or vinyl plank?
Yes. Carpet to hardwood and carpet to vinyl plank are two of our most common jobs. We remove and dispose of the old carpet and underpad, prepare the subfloor and install the new floor. Carpeted stairs can be converted too — see stair renovation.
How much is flooring installation cost per sq ft?
It depends on the floor type, the rooms and whether old flooring has to be removed. Our online estimator gives you the installation price for your rooms in about 3 minutes.
How much flooring do I need?
Measure the length and width of each room, multiply to get square feet, and add 5–10% for cuts and waste. Our online estimator adds up several rooms for you.
Do you install the floors you sell?
Yes. Our installation team can remove your old floor, install the new one and finish the baseboards, nosing and stairs. Get an estimate online.
Can I see the floors before I buy?
Yes. Visit our showroom at 615 Denison St #6 in Markham to see and feel the samples.
See it in person
Visit our Markham showroom at 615 Denison St #6 or call us. We speak English and Chinese.
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