Shop All
Store Locator
Search
Order Status
Log In
List
CartHere’s How to Choose the Right Flooring
Flooring is the anchor of any room. It’s as much about form as it is function. If you’re looking to refresh your floors, consider your space and lifestyle so you can make a choice that looks beautiful and withstands daily use. Read on for flooring options for every room in your home.
Our full assortment of building supplies is available at Home Building Centre and Home Hardware Building Centre locations. To unlock our catalogue of building supplies online, please select your local Building Centre.
Common Flooring Materials
There are many types of flooring to choose from, each with its own unique characteristics. Features to consider include a material’s durability, water-resistance, flexibility and appearance. Here are some popular options worth considering.
Buying Considerations
Flooring can be a major investment, in terms of cost and labour, so weigh these considerations when choosing between flooring materials.
Foot Traffic
Consider foot traffic when weighing your flooring options. Low-traffic areas like bedrooms can do without hard- wearing flooring materials, whereas durability is essential in a busy foyer or mudroom, which is subject to heavy foot traffic, wet footwear, dirt and grit.
Humidity
Splashes, spills and humidity affect some flooring materials more than others. Water resistance, dimensional stability and proper installation/sealing are crucial in kitchens, baths and basements.
Budget
From inexpensive vinyl to premium stone, flooring comes in at every price point. Some homeowners opt to save in utility areas and splurge in social spaces, while others make choices depending on whether they’re living in their “forever home” or not.
Room-by-Room Flooring Recommendations
Here are some flooring recommendations based on common room-use patterns. Every household is unique, however, so consider your own lifestyle when weighing flooring materials. If you’re willing to provide extra care and maintenance, you can expand your flooring options in any given room.
Kitchens | Kitchens face heavy use and are the social HQ of many busy households. Best choices: SPC or laminate. Other options: Engineered hardwood, stone or ceramic tile. |
Baths | Bathrooms experience splashes, spills and general humidity. Best choices: SPC or laminate. Other options: Engineered hardwood, stone or ceramic tile. |
Hallways | Main floor halls tend to see heavy traffic, while second-floor hallways are less busy. Best choices: SPC, laminate or engineered hardwood. Other options: Hardwood, broadloom or carpet tiles. |
Bedrooms | Bedrooms are private, low-traffic areas where style and comfort reign supreme. Best choices: hardwood, engineered hardwood, broadloom or carpet tiles. Other options: SPC or laminate. |
Living Spaces | Social spaces are about comfort and warmth. Traffic and wear vary by lifestyle. Best choices: hardwood, engineered hardwood, broadloom or carpet tiles. Other options: SPC or laminate. |
Basements & Utility Areas | Basements and work areas like laundry rooms, mudrooms and foyers can experience traffic, moisture and messes. Best choices: SPC or vinyl. Other options: Engineered hardwood or laminate. |
