Condo renovations can be an exciting time as new furnishings, new appliances, and new flooring is in order! There are endless options to meet the needs of your household while providing an aesthetically pleasing look.
Best Types of Flooring for a Condo Renovation
One thing to pay close attention to is the flooring. Choosing the right material, colour, style, and design is important. The flooring selected for a condo renovation in Toronto should be based on the amount of foot traffic the room has on a daily basis. Here are some other things to consider.
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood is a popular style that condo owners choose to install during renovations. Most manufacturers of hardwood claim it can be refinished up to five times to cover dents and scratches made from the usual wear and tear over the years.
A downside of hardwood is that it the wood can be suspectable to fading from direct ultraviolet light and it can dent easily, which is why some condo owners opt for more durable flooring options during their renovations.
Cork Flooring
Cork flooring can be an excellent choice for condo renovations as it provides a quiet cushion to prevent you from being the “noisy upstairs neighbours”. As a natural material, cork offers a warm and soft footing.
Cork is not considered an advantage for rooms where moisture can settle into the absorbent material. Heavy furnishings can also leave markings in the cork similar to carpeting.
Laminate Flooring
More homeowners are choosing laminate flooring. The affordability, durability, and resilience to moisture, staining, and fading have kept this Swedish invention at the top of renovators’ lists.
Despite the popularity, some homeowners dislike the harsh coldness and hard laminate flooring offers. This and the fact that it cannot be easily repaired if damaged could lower the resale value of a home.
Vinyl Flooring
A favorable selection for kitchen and bathroom flooring, vinyl offers an affordable option. Available in a variety of styles, designs, and colors, vinyl flooring has been found in homes for more than 15 years.
While vinyl lasts for years, it cannot be repaired if any damage or fading appears. Marks, indentations, and scratches easily show on this type of flooring.
Engineered Wood Flooring
The design of engineered wood gives the same look as hardwood but it is more durable and moisture-resistant. Unlike hardwood, this flooring has less chance of expanding and contracting due to temperature fluctuations.
Hardwood can be refinished over and over but engineered wood can only withstand striping and finishing once or twice. The material makes the floor noisy underfoot and is prone to damage from liquids.
Carpet Flooring
Condo owners still enjoy the soft, warm feeling of carpeting under their feet. Working as a noise buffer for the downstairs residents, the carpet offers a luxurious aesthetic addition to family rooms and bedrooms.
The drawback is carpeting becoming a health hazard for young children that suffer from respiratory issues such as asthma or allergies. This is especially concerning in homes with pets as pet fur and dander can become clogged within the fibers.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Flooring
The style of the flooring can complement the aesthetics of the room or condo. When choosing the best flooring for your condo, consider these factors:
Family Type & Members
Young children and/or pets may require a more realistic flooring that have scratch, water, or slip-resistant characteristics. Soundproofing flooring such as cork or carpeting may also be in order.
Work Needed Before Installation
There is usually a certain amount of preparation work to be completed before the new flooring is installed. Removal of the old floor material may require leveling and/or installation of underlayment padding.
Cost Estimation
Each flooring option comes with a different price tag. Before choosing a floor type, consider how much it will cost you based on the size of the room(s), the material chosen and if any other preparation work is required.
Flooring Maintenance
Each type of flooring materials requires a certain amount of maintenance commitment to extend the lifespan and aesthetics of the particular material. Choose wisely!
Contact Lampert Renovations for Condo Renovation Work
Condo renovation services in the GTA require the touch of experienced professionals such as the team at Lampert Renovations. Our years of experience working with various condominium boards has gained us valuable knowledge on how to offer excellent customer service while adhering to local by-laws. Call us today for a free in-home consultation.
