Recently Asked Questions
Browse the latest questions from Ottawa homeowners.
Our laminate near big windows faded unevenly — does UV affect it much?
Yes, UV exposure is one of the most common causes of uneven fading in laminate flooring, especially near south or west-f...
Is it better to do all floors at once or room by room?
For most homes, installing all floors at once is typically better - it ensures consistent material batches, better workf...
Are flush transitions possible instead of raised metal strips?
Yes, flush transitions are absolutely possible and often preferred for their clean, seamless appearance. Modern flooring...
Can I put laminate in the laundry room safely?
Yes, you can install laminate in a laundry room, but you need waterproof laminate and proper installation to handle mois...
Our vinyl plank feels a bit clicky and hollow when we walk — is that normal for floating floors?
Some clicking and hollow sounds are normal for floating vinyl plank floors, but excessive noise usually indicates instal...
Is embossed-in-register laminate worth the upgrade?
Embossed-in-register (EIR) laminate is typically worth the upgrade if you want the most realistic wood appearance possib...
Our vinyl floors look streaky after mopping — are we using the wrong cleaner?
Streaky vinyl floors are usually caused by using the wrong cleaner or too much product, leaving behind a film that creat...
A couple tiles feel slightly uneven underfoot — what causes lippage?
Tile lippage occurs when adjacent tiles sit at slightly different heights, creating an uneven surface you can feel when...
Our tile floor sounds hollow when tapped — is that a sign it's going to fail?
Hollow-sounding tiles are a warning sign that shouldn't be ignored. This typically indicates the tile has lost adhesion...
We're debating wool carpet — is it worth the cost difference?
Wool carpet is absolutely worth considering if you value longevity, natural comfort, and indoor air quality. While it co...
What humidity level should we aim for year-round to protect floors?
Maintaining 30-50% relative humidity year-round is ideal for protecting most flooring types, with hardwood being particu...
We're debating mosaic tile for the bathroom floor — is grout maintenance significantly worse?
Mosaic tile grout maintenance is definitely more intensive than larger format tiles due to the dramatically increased gr...
Do rubber-backed mats stain vinyl or hardwood floors?
Rubber-backed mats can definitely stain both vinyl and hardwood floors, especially when left in place for extended perio...
How do I fix a single damaged laminate board mid-floor?
Replacing a single damaged laminate board in the middle of your floor requires disassembling the flooring from the neare...
Our condo board requires specific underlayment thickness — how do we verify compliance before install?
Work directly with your contractor to obtain manufacturer specifications and have them provide written confirmation that...
The grout lines in our kitchen are uneven width — is that poor workmanship?
Uneven grout lines are typically a sign of poor workmanship, especially if the variation is noticeable and consistent th...
Does self-leveler work on a cracked basement slab?
Self-leveling compound can work over a cracked basement slab, but the cracks must be properly prepared first. Simply pou...
Does wire-brushed hardwood hide scratches better?
Yes, wire-brushed hardwood flooring does hide scratches significantly better than smooth-finished hardwood. The textured...
We're thinking about vinyl on the stairs — is that safe and durable long term?
Vinyl on stairs can be safe and durable when properly installed with the right products, but it requires careful materia...
Our basement slab feels cool and slightly damp — should we install a vapour barrier under vinyl?
Yes, you should definitely install a vapour barrier under vinyl flooring on a basement concrete slab, especially with th...
How long should new carpet smell last after install?
New carpet odor typically lasts 1-3 days with proper ventilation, though some sensitive individuals may notice faint odo...
My 1960s split-level still has the original parquet floors and they look tired but not totally destroyed — can those realistically be saved or is that wishful thinking?
Parquet floors from the 1960s can absolutely be saved in most cases - they're often made from solid hardwood and built t...
Our hardwood looks slightly cloudy after cleaning — could that be product buildup?
Yes, cloudiness on hardwood floors is typically caused by product buildup from cleaning solutions, especially those cont...
What colour flooring makes a small room feel bigger?
Light-colored flooring is your best choice for making a small room appear larger. Light tones reflect more natural light...
Can reclaimed barn wood safely be used as flooring?
Reclaimed barn wood can absolutely be used as flooring, but it requires careful preparation and professional installatio...
Our dog keeps digging at carpet edges — is there reinforced carpet for that?
Yes, there are several carpet options specifically designed to handle pet damage, including reinforced edges and more du...
We're over in Stittsville and wondering if low-pile carpet works better with a rolling office chair.
Yes, low-pile carpet is definitely better for rolling office chairs compared to high-pile or plush carpets. The shorter,...
Is hickory overkill for a busy family home or is it worth paying more for the added durability?
Hickory is absolutely worth the investment for busy family homes - it's one of the most durable domestic hardwood specie...
Should I use furniture pads on every piece of furniture?
Yes, you should use furniture pads on every piece of furniture that sits on your floors. This is one of the most cost-ef...
Should I do flooring before or after painting walls?
Install flooring after painting the walls. This is the standard sequence that protects your new floors and ensures the c...
How often should marble floors be resealed?
Marble floors should typically be resealed every 6-12 months, though this can vary significantly based on the type of ma...
How do you know when hardwood is too thin to refinish again?
Hardwood floors become too thin to refinish when there's insufficient wood thickness above the tongue-and-groove joint -...
Should baseboards be removed by me or the installer?
Most professional flooring installers prefer to remove and reinstall baseboards themselves to ensure proper fit and fini...
The stairs are worn down to bare wood — can those be refinished separately from the rest?
Yes, stairs can absolutely be refinished separately from your main floors. This is actually a common approach since stai...
Is it worth upgrading to thicker engineered hardwood for longevity?
Yes, thicker engineered hardwood is absolutely worth the investment for longevity. The wear layer thickness directly det...
Our hardwood feels slightly bouncy — does that mean subfloor issues?
Bouncy hardwood flooring usually indicates subfloor problems, though the severity can range from minor deflection to ser...
The basement smells dusty after removing carpet — how should the slab be prepped before new flooring?
Dusty basement odors after carpet removal are common and indicate the concrete slab needs proper cleaning and preparatio...
The laminate colour looks dated already — do flooring trends shift that quickly?
Yes, flooring trends do shift relatively quickly, especially with laminate where manufacturers constantly introduce new...
Does removing old flooring add a lot to the total cost?
Yes, removing old flooring typically adds $1-4 per square foot to your total project cost, depending on the type of floo...
A tile in the middle of the floor cracked with no impact — is that usually subfloor movement?
Yes, a tile cracking spontaneously in the middle of the floor is typically caused by subfloor movement or deflection. Wh...
Is vinegar safe for cleaning tile and grout?
Vinegar is generally safe for cleaning most ceramic and porcelain tiles, but it should never be used on natural stone ti...
There's old wax buildup from years ago — does that complicate refinishing?
Yes, old wax buildup significantly complicates refinishing and must be completely removed before any sanding begins. Wax...
We're redoing the main floor of our house in Orleans and torn between hardwood and tile in the kitchen — what would you recommend?
For a kitchen in Orleans, I'd lean toward tile or luxury vinyl plank over hardwood, primarily due to moisture concerns a...
Our main floor slopes slightly — does that need structural correction before installing new hardwood?
Minor sloping in older Ottawa homes is common and doesn't always require structural work before hardwood installation. T...
Can I install flooring over old asbestos tile safely?
Installing flooring over intact asbestos tile can be done safely, but requires specific precautions and professional ass...
We're in Barrhaven and our main floor hardwood has slight movement near the kitchen — is that normal in open concept layouts?
Slight hardwood movement near kitchens in open concept layouts is common, especially in Ottawa's climate, but it shouldn...
We're in Nepean in a 70s bungalow and wondering if slate at the entry can handle years of wet boots.
Yes, slate can absolutely handle wet boots and is actually one of the best natural stone choices for Ottawa entryways. S...
We're in a condo in Centretown and wondering if adding thicker underlayment under vinyl helps with sound complaints.
Yes, thicker underlayment can significantly help with sound transmission in condos, but the type matters more than just...
Can I install tile in my sunroom that freezes in winter?
Yes, you can install tile in a sunroom that freezes, but you need freeze-thaw resistant materials and proper installatio...
Our carpet padding feels thin — does upgrading padding make a noticeable difference?
Absolutely yes - upgrading your carpet padding makes a dramatic difference in comfort, carpet lifespan, and even energy...
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