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Ask Samantha: How to freshen up worn, outdated floors?

Sault Ste. Marie’s Heritage Home Hardware home flooring expert explains how to update your space
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What's the best type of flooring for my home? Sault Ste. Marie Heritage Home Hardware's resident flooring expert, Samantha Ciotka provides the details. (Submitted photo)

Flooring is often one of the first elements in our homes that begins to show its age.

If your floors are in need of a refresh, Sault Ste. Marie’s Heritage Home Hardware home flooring expert, Samantha, has some great advice.

The first step, she suggests, is deciding what kind of job lies ahead. Will you be refinishing existing floors or installing new ones? Next, consider what type of flooring will best fit your home and suit your family’s lifestyle. Finally, how much will you need? Are you re-doing the floor in a bedroom, in a main high-traffic area or throughout the home?

Before you get started, it can help to familiarize yourself with some of the most popular types of flooring that people are choosing to install in their homes today. 

The most popular types of flooring

SPC

SPC (stone plastic or polymer composite) flooring is extremely durable and has a rigid core for added strength. It has dimensional stability, so it won’t expand and contract like vinyl and laminate. It’s also waterproof and offers superior dent, scratch and stain resistance. SPC features an easy click-lock installation and comes in a range of textures and styles. 

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring costs much less than hardwood or ceramic flooring and it can mimic the appearance of hardwood or tile. It offers superior moisture resistance, is durable and wear-resistant but remains soft underfoot. Easy to install and maintain, vinyl flooring is ideal for those heavy traffic areas in your home, as well as those that are prone to moisture. You can even find press-and-go vinyl plank flooring and vinyl tile flooring, which are exclusive to Home Hardware.

Engineered hardwood

Engineered hardwood is comprised of layers and is topped with a layer of real wood. It is ideal for use in most rooms, including basements and condos. If you’re hoping to install radiant under-floor heating, engineered hardwood can sustain the heat. Many love the material as it looks like solid wood. This popular choice can even help boost the resale value of your home.

The Scott McGillivray Collection offers durable, high quality, engineered hardwood. You don’t need a subfloor and it has an easy, floating click system for installation. Use it anywhere in your home, including the basement. Options are available in a range of stains.

Hardwood

Hardwood flooring is known for its elegance and warmth. It is also extremely long-lasting and you can sand it and refinish it to update the look over time. It is challenging to install as a do-it-yourself project and it does require some effort to maintain. Hardwood is not recommended for bathrooms, kitchens or basements because of potential moisture damage. It has excellent resale value. 

Laminate

Hardwood is expensive and laminate flooring is a tried-and-true budget-friendly alternative. It is easy to install, it can imitate the appearance of hardwood or stone and it comes in a wide range of finishes. Laminate is ideal for high-traffic areas because it is extremely durable, resists scratches and dents, and is low maintenance. 

What’s the best flooring types by room?

That’s one way of thinking about your flooring: by material. Samantha explains the other approach is to consider the best options available to you by room. 

In kitchens, SPC, vinyl and laminate flooring work best. That’s because kitchens are definitely high-traffic areas and flooring needs to be durable and water-resistant. These options are also easy to keep clean, which is essential in one of the messiest rooms of the home. Trend-wise, many homeowners have been installing wood flooring in their kitchens so there is a cohesive look and continuity between rooms. The look is definitely high-end, just beware that hardwood may not be the most practical choice.

Bathrooms definitely require flooring that is moisture- and mould-resistant. It also needs to be able to withstand high levels of humidity. SPC and vinyl flooring are your best options in bathrooms, because they are water-resistant and extremely durable. They’re also easy to maintain.

Basements are particularly susceptible to moisture and humidity, so hardwood flooring isn’t the best choice. A great alternative is engineered hardwood; you get the same look, but it’s more durable and water-resistant. For an even budget-friendlier option, keep in mind SPC and vinyl flooring can also mimic the appearance of wood planks—you can get the same look for less.

In other rooms such as bedrooms, hallways, living rooms, dining rooms and family rooms, you have a bit more flexibility. Moisture isn’t a concern here. Many choose hardwood for its elegance and traditional, warm look; it also adds value to your home. You can go with hardwood or engineered hardwood in these spaces.

That said, SPC and vinyl are always excellent options in high-traffic areas like family rooms. They work in every area of your home and are durable and easy-to-clean.

If you have a seasonal property, such as a cottage or cabin, the conditions are typically a bit more rugged. SPC or vinyl is a great way to go as each is very well suited for use in a seasonal residence. They are durable, water-resistant and withstand temperature changes well. They’re also pretty tough, less prone to scratches and dents, and will last a lot longer than other types of flooring. 
 
For more information, visit Samantha at your Sault Ste. Marie Heritage Home Hardware (594 Second Line East) or call 705-759-5101.