Flooring Store Near Scarborough: Prices, Products & What to Buy
The closest flooring store to Scarborough with a full showroom, real inventory, and in-house installation is BBS Flooring at 6061 Highway 7, Markham — roughly 15 minutes from Scarborough Town Centre via Highway 401. If you're comparing vinyl plank, engineered hardwood, and laminate for a Scarborough home, this guide gives you actual product prices, honest trade-offs, and the specific flooring decisions that matter in this part of the GTA.
What Flooring Options Are Available Near Scarborough?
Scarborough homeowners shopping for flooring typically need one of four categories: vinyl plank (LVP/SPC), engineered hardwood, laminate, or solid hardwood. Each has a specific use case, and the wrong choice for your subfloor or room will cost you money within 3–5 years. Here's a fast breakdown:
| Material | Cost/sqft (Material) | Waterproof? | Durability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl / SPC / LVP | $2.49 – $4.99 | Yes — 100% waterproof | High (20–30 yr wear layer) | Basements, kitchens, bathrooms, rental units |
| Engineered Hardwood | $3.49 – $7.99 | No — moisture-sensitive | Very High (refinishable) | Main floors, above-grade bedrooms, condos |
| Laminate | $1.79 – $3.99 | Water-resistant (not waterproof) | Medium (10–20 yr) | Bedrooms, living rooms, low-moisture areas |
| Solid Hardwood | $5.99 – $12.99 | No — not suitable for basements | Highest (multi-refinishable) | Main floor, above-grade only |
Vinyl Plank Flooring Near Scarborough: The Honest Case For It
Vinyl plank — specifically SPC (stone polymer composite) — is the most practical choice for the majority of Scarborough homes built between 1960 and 2005. Here's why: those homes often have concrete slabs in the basement, tile-over-concrete on the main floor, or original plywood subfloors that have seen 40+ years of seasonal movement. Vinyl handles all three subfloor types without glue, nails, or moisture barriers beyond a standard underlayment.
The Tulip by NAF AquaPlus Silver 6mm Vinyl Flooring at $2.99/sqft is one of the most-requested products in our Markham showroom for exactly this reason. It's 100% waterproof, installs as a floating floor over existing subfloors, and the 6mm thickness with attached underlayment handles minor subfloor imperfections without telegraphing every dip. For a 1,400 sqft Scarborough bungalow main floor, that's roughly $4,200 in material — add $2.50–$3.50/sqft for professional installation and you're looking at a complete job in the $7,000–$9,000 range.
See the full waterproof flooring collection if moisture is your primary concern — basements especially.
Engineered Hardwood Near Scarborough: Two Products Worth Knowing
If you're renovating the main floor of a Scarborough detached or semi-detached and want real wood character, engineered hardwood is the right call — not solid hardwood, and not laminate that mimics wood. The difference is structural: engineered hardwood has a real hardwood veneer over a plywood or HDF core, which means it handles GTA humidity swings (40–70% RH across seasons) without the gapping and cupping that solid hardwood is prone to.
Two products stand out at different price points:
- The Covelle by Lee Flooring — 6½" Select & Better Engineered American Oak at $3.49/sqft is a wide-plank American Oak in a Select & Better grade, meaning minimal knots and a clean, contemporary face. For a 1,200 sqft main floor, material costs run approximately $4,200. It's the entry point for real engineered hardwood without builder-grade appearance.
- The Simba Sicily Oak 3/4" Engineered Hardwood by Simba Flooring at $4.29/sqft steps up to a 3/4" total thickness, which gives you a more substantial feel underfoot and a thicker veneer that can be lightly sanded and refinished once. For a 1,500 sqft main floor, that's roughly $6,435 in material. This is the product we'd recommend if you're planning to stay in the home 10+ years and want the option to refinish.
Important: Neither engineered hardwood product should be installed in a below-grade basement or any room where moisture regularly exceeds 65% RH. For those areas, use SPC vinyl. Browse the full engineered hardwood collection for more options.
What Scarborough Homes Actually Look Like (And Why It Matters for Flooring)
Scarborough's housing stock is one of the most varied in the GTA. You have:
- Post-war bungalows (1945–1965): Concrete slab-on-grade basements, original hardwood on the main floor under decades of carpet. Subfloors are often 3/4" tongue-and-groove boards, not plywood. These need careful assessment before any floating floor install.
- 1970s–1980s splits and two-storeys: OSB or plywood subfloors, often with vinyl tile in the kitchen. Humidity control matters — these homes tend to run dry in winter (below 35% RH), which can cause engineered hardwood to gap slightly at the seams.
- 1990s–2000s builder homes in Malvern, Morningside, Highland Creek: Builder-grade laminate or carpet that's now 20–25 years old and due for replacement. Subfloors are typically 3/4" plywood over wood joists — ideal for engineered hardwood or SPC vinyl.
- Condos (Scarborough Town Centre area, Kingston Road corridor): Concrete slab subfloors. Floating SPC or engineered hardwood with proper underlayment is the standard. Check your condo's IIC sound rating requirements before purchasing — many buildings require 65+ IIC underlayment.
Our team handles carpet removal before installation — a step that often reveals subfloor conditions that change the product recommendation. Don't skip this step when budgeting.
Real Pricing: What a Scarborough Flooring Project Costs in 2026
Here's what a realistic project budget looks like for a typical Scarborough home. These numbers include material, installation labour, and basic prep — not subfloor repairs, stairs, or trim, which are add-ons.
- 1,000 sqft vinyl plank (SPC): $2.99–$4.99/sqft material + $2.50–$3.50/sqft install = $5,490–$8,490 total
- 1,200 sqft engineered hardwood (entry-level): $3.49/sqft material + $3.00–$4.00/sqft install = $7,788–$8,988 total
- 1,500 sqft engineered hardwood (premium): $4.29/sqft material + $3.00–$4.00/sqft install = $10,935–$12,435 total
- 1,000 sqft laminate: $1.79–$3.99/sqft material + $2.00–$3.00/sqft install = $3,790–$6,990 total
These ranges are GTA-current as of 2026. For a project-specific number, use our quote calculator or book a free in-home measurement. For a full breakdown of what drives cost up or down, read the Toronto flooring cost guide.
Stairs, Transitions, and the Details Most Stores Skip
A flooring project in a Scarborough two-storey or split-level isn't just about the main floor. Stairs are a separate scope of work — and they're where many budget estimates fall apart. Stairs require nosing pieces (the rounded front edge), risers, and precise cuts around balusters. Expect $60–$120 per stair for a full wrap in matching hardwood or vinyl, depending on material and complexity.
We offer dedicated stair installation services matched to your main floor product. If you're installing the Simba Sicily Oak on your main floor, we can match the stair nosing to the same species and finish. If you're doing SPC vinyl throughout, we carry coordinating stair nose profiles.
Transitions between rooms, from flooring to tile, and at doorways are also often underquoted. Budget $15–$30 per transition piece in material, plus labour.
Clearance and Budget Options Worth Checking
Not every Scarborough flooring project needs top-of-line product. Rental units, basement rec rooms, and secondary bedrooms are legitimate use cases for clearance flooring — discontinued runs, overstock, and end-of-line products at 30–50% off regular pricing. Our clearance section rotates regularly and includes both vinyl and engineered hardwood. If your project is flexible on exact colour and you have standard room dimensions, clearance stock can cut material costs significantly.
One note on clearance buying: always buy 10–15% more than your measured square footage. Discontinued products won't be restocked, and you'll need extra for cuts, waste, and any future repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is BBS Flooring from Scarborough?
BBS Flooring is located at 6061 Highway 7, Markham — approximately 15–20 minutes from Scarborough Town Centre via Highway 401 East to Kennedy Road or Markham Road. It's the closest full-service flooring showroom to Scarborough with in-house installation services.
What's the best flooring for a Scarborough basement?
SPC vinyl plank is the correct choice for most Scarborough basements. Basements in this area are typically concrete slab-on-grade with variable moisture levels — especially during spring thaw. SPC vinyl is 100% waterproof, floats over concrete without glue, and won't swell or buckle if minor moisture intrudes. Solid hardwood and standard laminate are not suitable for below-grade installation. Engineered hardwood can work in a finished, climate-controlled basement but carries more risk.
Can I install flooring over existing tile in my Scarborough home?
Yes, in most cases — provided the tile is fully adhered (no hollow spots), the grout lines are less than 3mm deep, and the total floor height after installation won't create a trip hazard at transitions. SPC vinyl at 6mm floats cleanly over tile. Engineered hardwood can also float over tile but requires a moisture check first. We assess this during our free in-home measurement.
What's the difference between Select & Better and standard grade engineered hardwood?
Grade refers to the appearance of the wood face veneer. Select & Better (like the Covelle by Lee Flooring) has minimal knots, tight grain, and consistent colour — it's the cleaner, more uniform look. Lower grades include more natural character: knots, mineral streaks, colour variation. Neither grade affects structural performance. See our grade guide for a full breakdown with photos.
Does laminate flooring work in Scarborough kitchens?
Standard laminate is water-resistant, not waterproof — meaning it can handle spills wiped up promptly, but laminate WILL swell and delaminate if water sits for 72+ hours or seeps into seams repeatedly. For kitchens with a dishwasher, sink, or any history of leaks, SPC vinyl is the safer choice. If you prefer the look of wood in a kitchen and want real hardwood character, engineered hardwood in a well-sealed finish is an option for above-grade kitchens with good ventilation.
Do you offer white oak flooring for Scarborough homes?
Yes. White oak is one of the most requested species right now — it's more neutral than red oak and pairs well with the greige and warm-white interiors common in renovated Scarborough homes. Browse the full white oak flooring collection for current inventory in both engineered and solid formats.
Ready to move forward? Call us at (647) 428-1111 or visit the showroom at 6061 Highway 7, Markham (open 7 days). If you'd prefer we come to you, book a free in-home measurement — we travel to Scarborough regularly and will measure your space, assess your subfloor, and give you a written quote with no obligation.