Installing new floors is one of the most dramatic changes a homeowner can make to improve the look and feel of their living space.
But unlike a fresh coat of paint, laying down a brand new floor is a relatively costly decision that homeowners will likely live with for years to come. With so many products on the market, choosing something as visible and long-lasting as flooring can be overwhelming.
"It comes down to the flow of the home and really what the homeowner's intentions are for each of the spaces in the home," says John Allison, office manager at Lonsdale Flooring in North Vancouver. "What you're starting to see a lot more on the market now is hard surfaces in the main common areas."
Today, many homeowners are leaning toward engineered hardwood floors, which are a more durable alternative to solid hardwood. "It's still by definition a hardwood floor at the end of the day, and once it's installed you can't tell the difference visually," explains Allison. Engineered hardwood is more stable than solid wood because there is less room for expansion and contraction. That's an especially important quality on the North Shore where moisture is a year-round issue. Wide planks are a popular look right now, and the engineered hardwood variety is available in up to a seven-inch width, says Allison.
A finishing topcoat is crucial to prevent scratching, especially in homes with small children and pets.
"Anything with a titanium or acrylic finish usually stands up a little bit better. It's a little bit more of a flexible finish so it moves with the damage that occurs," says Allison.
For high-activity spaces, such as a basement that doubles as a kids' play area and billiards room, a popular flooring option is vinyl planking, which Allison says is starting to pick up a larger share of the market.
"Vinyl planking achieves that hardwood look, but it's a much more durable product," he says.
Meanwhile, the environmentally conscious homeowner might gravitate toward floors made from cork, a renewable resource
made of tree bark that can be re-harvested every nine years. Despite the growing popularity of solid surfaces, Allison says many homeowners prefer a cosy surface in the bedroom.
"To get up in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning, people still like the feel of carpet under foot."
For thrifty homeowners who want to save on installation costs, there are plenty of do-it-yourself flooring products on the market. Synthetic tiles are one of the simpler items a non-professional can lay down.
"They adhere to the floor with a pressure-sensitive glue, and the grout that you use is an acrylic sand-based grout," says Allison. "It's easy for end users to work with the product.
The glues change colour, telling you when it's ready to work with the tile. The tiles don't require any special tools."
Once installed, the key to any floor's longevity lies in preventative maintenance.
"You want to keep as much dirt and grit off the floors as you possibly can," says Allison.
He recommends placing floor mats in high-traffic areas and sweeping regularly to remove rough-edged debris.
