Recently Asked Questions
Browse the latest questions from Ottawa homeowners.
Every winter our hardwood develops small gaps between boards and then they close up in summer — is that just normal seasonal movement here or a sign of bad install?
This is completely normal seasonal movement - exactly what you should expect with hardwood flooring in Ottawa's climate....
Is tile or vinyl better for resale in a condo kitchen?
For condo kitchen resale value, tile generally has a slight edge over vinyl, but high-quality luxury vinyl plank (LVP) i...
What warranty should I expect from an Ottawa installer?
Reputable Ottawa flooring contractors typically offer 1-2 year installation warranties, with material warranties varying...
There's hardwood under the carpet in our bungalow — is it usually worth pulling it up in older homes?
In most Ottawa bungalows, the hardwood under carpet is absolutely worth uncovering - these homes typically have solid 3/...
Our house was built in the 70s and the oak floors look orange — can refinishing modernize the colour without replacing everything?
Yes, refinishing can absolutely modernize those orange-toned oak floors without replacement. That orange look is typical...
We want to install luxury vinyl in a sunroom that gets very hot in summer — will that cause expansion issues?
Yes, extreme heat in sunrooms can definitely cause expansion issues with luxury vinyl flooring, but proper product selec...
Our vinyl plank edges look slightly white after wear — is that surface layer wearing through?
Yes, white edges on vinyl plank flooring typically indicate the wear layer is being compromised, though it's not necessa...
We're renovating a 70s bungalow and wondering if keeping some original flooring adds character.
Absolutely - original 1970s flooring can add tremendous character and value when it's in good condition. Many 70s homes...
Is it normal for contractors to separate underlayment and labour as line items?
Yes, it's completely normal and actually preferred for flooring contractors to separate underlayment and labor as distin...
How much should I budget for a kitchen floor retile?
Kitchen floor retiling in Ottawa typically costs $12-22 per square foot installed, depending on tile choice and complexi...
Is it realistic to expect 20+ years from mid-range vinyl?
Mid-range vinyl flooring can realistically last 15-20 years with proper installation and care, but expecting 20+ years r...
What's the cleanest way to remove old tile without wrecking subfloor?
The cleanest tile removal method depends on your tile type and adhesive, but proper tools and technique can minimize sub...
Why does my new hardwood smell after installation?
New hardwood flooring odors are completely normal and typically fade within 2-4 weeks after installation. The smell come...
Can hardwood be installed perpendicular to joists in every case?
Hardwood flooring should generally be installed perpendicular to floor joists for maximum structural support and stabili...
We're keeping original hardwood in our older home — does that help or hurt value during a modern reno?
Keeping original hardwood floors typically adds significant value to your home, especially in Ottawa's mature neighborho...
Our hardwood has tons of surface scratches — would a screen and recoat fix that or is sanding required?
A screen and recoat can fix light surface scratches, but deeper scratches that catch your fingernail will need full sand...
What tools do I need to install laminate myself?
Installing laminate flooring requires several specialized tools, though it's one of the more DIY-friendly flooring optio...
Our vinyl transitions to tile awkwardly — can that be corrected without replacing both floors?
Yes, awkward vinyl-to-tile transitions can often be corrected without replacing either floor. The solution depends on th...
The contractor mentioned moisture readings before installing hardwood — how critical is that step?
Moisture testing is absolutely critical before hardwood installation — skipping this step is one of the leading causes o...
The laminate edges are chipping — is that product quality or installation issue?
Laminate edge chipping is typically an installation issue rather than product quality, though both factors can contribut...
Should hardwood run the same direction on every floor?
Hardwood direction should generally be consistent throughout your home for the best visual flow and highest resale value...
What does stair carpeting cost for a standard two-storey?
Carpet installation on a standard two-storey staircase in Ottawa typically costs $800 - $1,800, depending on carpet qual...
We're planning a phased reno — should all flooring be purchased at once to avoid dye lot issues?
Yes, purchasing all flooring materials at once is highly recommended to avoid dye lot variations, even for phased renova...
The floors aren't level between rooms — can that be corrected before new install?
Yes, uneven floors between rooms can absolutely be corrected before your new flooring installation. This is actually a c...
The LVP near the entry constantly gets hit with salt and grit — how do we prevent long-term edge damage?
Luxury vinyl plank edges are vulnerable to salt and grit damage, but proper protection and maintenance can prevent long-...
We're in a townhouse in Orleans and wondering if laminate upstairs will annoy the neighbours below more than carpet would.
Laminate flooring will definitely create more noise transmission to neighbors below compared to carpet, especially impac...
Our tile floor feels icy in winter — are there underlayments that help without full radiant heat?
Yes, there are several underlayment options that can significantly reduce the cold feeling of tile floors without instal...
We want to change from glossy to satin finish — does that mean a full refinish?
Yes, changing from glossy to satin finish requires a full refinish - you cannot simply apply satin polyurethane over an...
The floors were refinished about 10 years ago and already look dull — is that normal lifespan?
Ten years is on the shorter side for a floor refinish to look dull, but it's not uncommon depending on traffic and maint...
Our laminate started swelling near the dishwasher — can that be fixed locally?
Laminate swelling near appliances typically requires replacement of the affected planks, as swollen laminate cannot be r...
The carpet stains easily even after cleaning — are stain-resistant fibres actually effective?
Stain-resistant carpet fibers are effective, but their performance varies significantly by fiber type and treatment meth...
Can we stain pine floors dark without it turning blotchy?
Yes, pine floors can be stained dark without blotchiness, but it requires proper preparation and technique. Pine is a no...
What's a realistic budget to refinish around 800 sqft of hardwood?
For 800 square feet of hardwood refinishing in Ottawa, expect to budget $2,400 to $4,800 for professional work, with mos...
We're debating laminate vs vinyl for bedrooms — which feels warmer underfoot?
Vinyl flooring feels warmer underfoot than laminate, especially luxury vinyl plank (LVP) with rigid cores. Vinyl's compo...
We're considering herringbone pattern vinyl — does installation cost jump a lot for that layout?
Yes, herringbone vinyl installation typically costs 25-40% more than standard plank installation due to the increased co...
We're thinking about cork flooring — does that hold up in this climate?
Cork flooring can work well in Ottawa's climate, but proper installation and moisture control are essential for long-ter...
Should sagging floor joists be corrected before any new flooring goes down?
Absolutely yes - sagging floor joists must be corrected before installing any new flooring. Installing flooring over sag...
Our hardwood feels rough after refinishing — is that a sanding issue?
Yes, rough hardwood after refinishing is typically a sanding issue - either incomplete sanding progression, contaminated...
Should flooring contrast with cabinets or try to match them?
Flooring should generally contrast with cabinets rather than match exactly. Perfect matching often looks flat and monoto...
We want to go much darker with our existing oak — is that realistic without it looking muddy?
Yes, you can absolutely go much darker with oak flooring without it looking muddy, but success depends on proper prepara...
We're over in Alta Vista and considering tile that looks like concrete — will that date quickly?
Concrete-look tile is actually a smart long-term choice - it's part of the broader industrial and minimalist design tren...
There's old adhesive residue stuck to the concrete — how is that removed properly?
Old adhesive residue on concrete requires mechanical removal and chemical stripping to create a proper surface for new f...
Some areas of our vinyl floor feel slightly spongy — could that be underlayment choice?
Spongy areas in vinyl flooring are typically caused by subfloor issues rather than underlayment choice. While underlayme...
Our kitchen dishwasher leaked last year and now a few hardwood boards are slightly darker — is that surface damage or rot underneath?
Darker hardwood boards from dishwasher leaks typically indicate water penetration into the wood, which can range from su...
We're in Barrhaven and constantly deal with spring humidity swings — which flooring handles that best without gapping?
Engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) handle Ottawa's humidity swings best, with LVP being completely immune...
The contractor quoted us $14 per sqft for engineered click-lock — is that actually in the right ballpark for Ottawa right now or are we overpaying?
$14 per square foot for engineered click-lock is on the higher end but not unreasonable for Ottawa's current market, esp...
How do we prevent furniture dents on vinyl plank?
Furniture dents on vinyl plank flooring are preventable with the right protective measures and proper installation techn...
Our floor slopes toward one corner — is that normal settling or serious?
Floor slopes are rarely "normal settling" and usually indicate a structural issue that needs professional evaluation. Wh...
Our laminate feels cold compared to carpet — is that just perception?
Laminate flooring does feel significantly colder than carpet, and this isn't just perception. The difference comes down...
Is it weird to run hardwood in the kitchen and tile in the mudroom without a transition?
Not weird at all - this is actually a smart design choice that many Ottawa homeowners are making. Running hardwood throu...
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