How to Buy the Best Hardwood or Engineered Flooring in Toronto

Are you planning to switch to hardwood flooring for your Toronto home? Considering the many options on the market, choosing the right hardwood (or engineered hardwood) flooring can be a challenge. This means you should give it careful thought.

Fortunately, The Reno Superstore has a large selection of the best engineered and real hardwood flooring in Toronto in different price ranges and styles.

But those should not be your only deciding factors. Knowing the type of flooring you install is essential. So, let’s jump right into this topic.

Guide to Purchasing the Best Engineered or Real Hardwood in Toronto

Although choosing a flooring material is never simple, if you are well-informed, you can make a good decision for your space. Use this guide to find the best hardwood and engineered hardwood flooring in Toronto.

1. Decide Between Hardwood and Engineered Hardwood Flooring

If you have already decided that “wood” flooring is what you want, consider the differences between solid hardwood and engineered flooring before looking. Both are similar on the surface, but there are still certain aspects to consider.

Where do you intend to install the flooring? If it is for spaces with higher moisture instances, consider engineered flooring. For high-traffic areas, consider traditional hardwood flooring with a suitable thickness. They are more durable and can be refinished several times. You should understand the differences between solid and engineered flooring and choose accordingly.

2. Decide on The Species

Various wood species are available for engineered wood flooring and solid hardwood. The look and feel of each varies thanks to its unique characteristics.

The hardness, finish, and price will vary depending on the species you select. For busy areas of your home, it is best to select hardwood with a high Janka scale rating.

Here is a table with some of the most popular hardwood species.

3. Select Pre-finished or Site Finish Flooring

Pre-finished and site-finished flooring are the two main finishes available. Prefinished hardwood flooring already has the sanding, staining, and coating done, so it is finished and ready for installation more quickly. Additionally, you will get a warranty from the manufacturer.

Site finish flooring is good for getting a more personalized finish for your floors. These flooring planks are unfinished, so they will be sanded, stained and coated on the job site. This is time-consuming and may add to your costs, but, as mentioned, are best for a more personalized finish.

Choose according to your budget and timeline.

4. Decide on Grain Pattern and Appearance

Do you adore wood flooring designs? This is one of the aspects you should consider. The grain pattern is essentially the pattern created by how the wood is cut. Different cutting techniques will result in different patterns on the wood. The grain pattern will also impact the product’s price.

Here are some basics about grain patterns.

• Plain-sawn wood is the most common and widely used wood grain. The easiest way to spot it is to watch out for cathedral patterns on the wood. It is easily identified by the loop or “cathedral” in the center, with straighter grain along the edges.
• Rift-sawn wood typically has a cathedral-free, long-lasting grain pattern. Additionally, it is among the most expensive grain patterns.
• Quarter-sawn wood is a pattern similar to rift-sawn but differs slightly. It has more irregular specs that produce a distinct 3D-like pattern.

This characteristic is also common in engineered wood flooring. If you want a unique floor pattern, you can choose multiple grains, which are available from some manufacturers. If you have special requirements, do not hesitate to speak to the experts at The Reno Superstore; they can help you find the best hardwood or engineered wood flooring in Toronto within your budget.

5. Understand Your Installation Options

This is something you are unlikely to hear much about, but it is an important consideration. The type of flooring you select will determine your installation options. Also, make sure you know the subfloor type you have because you may have to prepare it before installing your flooring.

If you plan to install hardwood flooring by yourself, pick the flooring with locking or floating planks. This may be more commonly found in engineered wood flooring. This will be easier to install as there is no need for glue, staples, or nails.

We highly recommend installing your flooring professionally. Installing it yourself may save you money, but you will need prior experience and tools.

6. Consider Plank Length, Width, and Thickness

When shopping for hardwood or engineered wood flooring in Toronto, you should know that they come in various lengths, widths, and thicknesses. Compared to narrow planks or strips, wide planks are simpler to install. Since they are typically made of heartwood, they are also more durable than narrow planks. This is why the length and width of the product are important to know.

The thickness of the planks comes next. It affects the product’s wear layer and durability. The long-term durability of the plank increases with the thickness of its wear layer. Choose a wear layer that is greater than 3/16 inches (0.188 inches), if possible. A thick wear layer guarantees more refinishing options and greater durability.

7. Determine Your Budget

Your budget is an important deciding factor. It should be considered with care, and it is important to be as realistic as possible. Hardwood flooring is not inexpensive, and its cost will vary depending on the type of wood, its size, and its availability. Exotic wood tends to be the most expensive.

Hardwood flooring can cost anywhere between $5 and $20 per square foot in Toronto. Please make sure you add certain factors, like preparation of the subfloor, grain, length of the planks, delivery charges, and installation costs to the final budget.

If you want to make a more budget-friendly purchase, engineered wood flooring is the better choice, costing anywhere between $5 and $15 per square foot.

Please note that these are not final prices. Prices may vary depending on availability and other factors. At The Reno Superstore, we offer high-quality engineered and hardwood flooring in Toronto at the best prices.

Clever Tips to Shop for Hardwood or Engineered Wood Flooring

Here are six ways to save money when shopping for hardwood or engineered wood flooring in Toronto.

1. Consider prefinished hardwood flooring: Because it has already been sanded, stained, and sealed at the factory, itis typically less expensive than unfinished hardwood flooring. This saves you the time and money of hiring a professional to finish the flooring after it has been installed.

2. Look for sales and promotions: Throughout the year, many flooring retailers offer sales and promotions.Check their websites and social media pages for deals. You can also join their email lists to receive notifications about upcoming sales.

3. Buy in bulk: If you are installing hardwood floors in several rooms, consider buying in bulk. For large purchases, many merchants provide discounts. To get a better deal, you can also join forces with friends or neighbours who are also installing hardwood flooring.

4. Consider engineered hardwood:If cost is an issue, engineered hardwood is less expensive than solid hardwood. It has a plywood or MDF composite core with a thin hardwood veneer. Engineered hardwood flooring is just as durable as solid hardwood flooring and is less prone to warping and cracking.

5. Install it yourself: If you know how to install hardwood flooring, you can save a lot of money. However, if this is your first time doingit, please hire professionals as poor installation can cause damage and lead to spending more. The Reno Superstore offers affordable flooring installation services.

6. Consider buying reclaimed hardwood floors: Reclaimed hardwood flooring is taken from historical residences and structures. In addition to being more economical, it is a more environmentally friendly choice than brand-new hardwood flooring. Reclaimed hardwood flooring is available from salvage yards and many flooring retailers. Note: although this is a fantastic money-saving tip, there is no guarantee on the quality of these products. Also, you will receive no manufacturer warranty.

By following these suggestions, you can reduce the cost of hardwood or engineered hardwood flooring without sacrificing quality or style.

Now, you can shop for the best hardwood flooring in Toronto or anywhere else. When shopping for solid or engineered hardwood flooring, be sure to understand your needs to find a product that works for your home. Take your time; do not rush the process. You can always visit our store or shop online for Toronto’s best hardwood and engineered wood products. We also offer easy financing options.