The Three Main Flooring Types
For most Ontario homeowners, the decision comes down to three categories: hardwood (engineered or solid), vinyl (LVP/SPC), and laminate. Each has a fundamentally different construction, a different feel underfoot, and a very different relationship with moisture — which matters enormously in a Canadian climate where basements flood, kitchens steam, and humidity swings 40% between July and January.
Hardwood (Engineered + Solid)
528 options from $2.49/sqft
Real wood — either a solid plank or an engineered core topped with a genuine wood veneer. Nothing replicates its warmth, character, or how it lifts a home’s resale value. Engineered handles moisture better; solid is refinishable for generations.
Browse →Vinyl (LVP/SPC)
233 options from $2.19/sqft
100% synthetic, 100% waterproof. Luxury Vinyl Plank is built from multiple PVC layers printed with hyper-realistic wood or stone visuals. The fastest-growing category — handles moisture, pets, and heavy traffic without flinching.
Browse →Laminate
145 options from $1.49/sqft
A high-density fibreboard core with a photographic wood layer sealed under a tough wear surface. Budget-friendly and scratch-resistant, but not waterproof — placement matters. Best for bedrooms, offices, and dry living spaces.
Browse →Head-to-Head Comparison Table
Every number below is real — pulled from the BBS Flooring catalogue and installation pricing. Use this as your quick-reference before diving into the individual deep dives.
| Feature | Engineered Hardwood | Solid Hardwood | Vinyl (LVP/SPC) | Laminate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price at BBS | $2.49–$8.99/sqft | $5.10–$7.25/sqft | $2.19–$3.59/sqft | $1.49–$3.29/sqft |
| Options at BBS | 348 products | 81 products | 233 products | 145 products |
| Waterproof | ❌ Moisture-resistant | ❌ No | ✅ 100% waterproof | ⚠️ Water-resistant only |
| Durability | 25–50 years | 50–100 years | 15–25 years | 10–20 years |
| Refinishable | ✅ 1–3 times | ✅ 5–7 times | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Over concrete | ✅ Glue-down or float | ❌ Not recommended | ✅ Float or glue-down | ✅ Float over underlayment |
| Radiant heat | ✅ Yes | ❌ Not recommended | ✅ Most products | ✅ Most products |
| Condo-friendly | ✅ With underlayment | ⚠️ Check building rules | ✅ With underlayment | ✅ With underlayment |
| Installation cost | $2.25–$4.25/sqft | $2.25–$3.25/sqft | $2.00/sqft | $2.00/sqft |
| Pet-friendly | ⚠️ Scratches on soft species | ⚠️ Scratches easily | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Good |
| Resale value | ★★★★★ Highest | ★★★★★ Highest | ★★★ Good | ★★ Modest |
| Sound underfoot | 🔊 Warm, natural | 🔊 Solid, premium | ⚠️ Can sound hollow | ⚠️ Can sound hollow |
| DIY difficulty | Moderate (float) / Hard (glue) | Hard (nail-down only) | Easy (click-lock) | Easy (click-lock) |
| Eco-friendliness | ✅ Real wood veneer | ✅ Solid natural wood | ⚠️ PVC-based | ⚠️ HDF + resin |
Engineered Hardwood Deep Dive
Engineered hardwood is the most popular flooring category at BBS — and the most popular in Canada, period. It delivers authentic wood look and feel at better dimensional stability than solid hardwood. The construction is a real hardwood veneer (2–6mm thick) bonded to a cross-ply plywood or HDF core. That layered core resists the expansion and contraction that causes solid wood to cup and gap during Ontario's extreme humidity swings.
BBS stocks 348 engineered hardwood products from 8 brands: Northernest (71), NAF (63), Canadian Standard (48), Woden (46), Simba (45), Vidar (36), Falcon (25), and Lee (14). Species range from White Oak and Hickory to European Oak, Maple, Walnut, and Birch. Widths span 3¼" to 9½" — with wide plank (7"+) dominating 2026 sales.
✅ Pros
- • Real wood appearance and feel
- • Installs over concrete, radiant heat, in condos
- • Refinishable 1–3 times (thick wear layers)
- • Highest resale value impact
- • More dimensionally stable than solid
- • Wide variety of species, widths, and finishes
❌ Cons
- • Not waterproof — spills must be cleaned quickly
- • Softer species scratch easily (Walnut, Birch)
- • Higher cost than vinyl or laminate
- • Glue-down installation costs more than floating
- • Thin wear layers limit refinishing
💡 Best for
Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, hallways, open-concept main floors. The go-to choice for homeowners who want real wood and plan to stay in their home long-term. Browse all 348 options →
Solid Hardwood Deep Dive
Solid hardwood is a single piece of wood from top to bottom — typically ¾" thick. It's the original, the benchmark, and still the gold standard for homes with wood subfloors. Nothing matches its longevity: a solid hardwood floor can be sanded and refinished 5–7 times over its life, meaning it can literally last a century.
BBS carries 81 solid hardwood options from 4 Canadian brands: Wickham (29 options, $5.50–$7.25/sqft), Appalachian (18 options, $5.99–$6.39/sqft), Northernest (18 options, $5.10–$6.50/sqft), and Sherwood Forest Products (16 options, $5.99–$6.99/sqft). Species include White Oak, Red Oak, Hard Maple, and Hickory.
✅ Pros
- • Longest lifespan (50–100+ years)
- • Refinishable 5–7 times
- • Highest resale value
- • Solid, premium feel underfoot
- • ¾" thickness matches existing floors easily
❌ Cons
- • Cannot install over concrete
- • Not suitable for basements or radiant heat
- • Expands/contracts with humidity changes
- • Higher price point ($5.10–$7.25/sqft)
- • Requires nail-down on wood subfloor
- • Limited width options vs engineered
💡 Best for
Traditional homes with wood subfloors, homeowners who want maximum refinishing potential over decades, and anyone who values the authenticity of a single-piece wood floor. Browse all 81 options →
Vinyl (LVP/SPC) Deep Dive
Vinyl flooring has undergone a revolution. Today's luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and stone polymer composite (SPC) products look remarkably like real wood, are 100% waterproof through the core, and handle the abuse of pets, kids, and heavy foot traffic without showing damage. It's the single most practical flooring type for Canadian families — and at $2.19–$3.59/sqft, it's more affordable than hardwood.
BBS stocks 233 vinyl options from 6 brands: NAF (69 options, $2.49–$3.59/sqft), Woden (49, $2.29–$3.19/sqft), Triforest (44, $2.29–$3.19/sqft), Simba (42, $2.29–$3.59/sqft), Falcon (19, $2.19–$2.59/sqft), and Lee (10, $2.29/sqft). Wear layers range from 12mil to 28mil, with click-lock installation standard across all products.
✅ Pros
- • 100% waterproof — basements, kitchens, bathrooms
- • Most affordable installed cost ($4.19/sqft total)
- • Extremely pet and kid friendly
- • Easy DIY click-lock installation
- • Comfortable and warm underfoot
- • No subfloor restrictions — works everywhere
❌ Cons
- • Cannot be refinished — replace when worn
- • Lower resale value perception than hardwood
- • Can sound hollow without quality underlayment
- • PVC-based (environmental concern for some)
- • Shorter lifespan (15–25 years) than hardwood
💡 Best for
Basements, kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, rental properties, pet-owner homes, and anyone on a budget. The practical all-rounder. Browse all 233 options →
Laminate Deep Dive
Laminate is the budget champion. A high-density fibreboard (HDF) core supports a high-resolution photographic layer that mimics wood grain, sealed under a transparent melamine wear layer rated on the AC scale (AC3–AC5). Modern laminate has come a long way from the shiny, plasticky floors of the 2000s — today's products feature embossed-in-register textures that feel remarkably like real wood.
BBS carries 145 laminate options from 9 brands: NAF (32), Tosca Floors (21, from $1.49/sqft), Simba (18), Northernest (18), Triforest (16), Evergreen (16), Falcon (12), Woden (6), and Golden Choice (6). AC ratings range from AC3 (residential) to AC5 (heavy commercial). Water-resistant cores are available but laminate is NOT waterproof — standing water will damage the HDF core.
AC Rating Guide
AC3 — Residential
Bedrooms, low-traffic rooms
AC4 — Heavy Residential
Living rooms, hallways, kitchens
AC5 — Commercial
Offices, retail, highest traffic areas
✅ Pros
- • Lowest cost — from $1.49/sqft material
- • Highly scratch-resistant (melamine layer)
- • Easy DIY click-lock installation
- • Fades less than real wood in sunlight
- • Wide range of looks and textures
❌ Cons
- • NOT waterproof — moisture swells the HDF core
- • Cannot be refinished or repaired
- • Lower resale value perception
- • Can sound hollow without thick underlayment
- • Shorter lifespan (10–20 years)
💡 Best for
Bedrooms, home offices, dry living areas, rental properties on a tight budget, and anyone who wants the wood look at the lowest possible cost. Keep it away from water. Browse all 145 options →
Best Flooring for Every Room
Most homes use 2–3 flooring types. Here's what works best in each space.
🏠 Living Room
→ Engineered HardwoodThe living room is where you see the most flooring and where resale value matters most. White Oak in 7" wide-plank with a matte finish is the 2026 standard. From $2.49/sqft at BBS.
🍳 Kitchen
→ Vinyl (LVP/SPC) or Engineered HardwoodKitchens see water spills, dropped utensils, and heavy foot traffic. Vinyl is the safest bet — 100% waterproof from $2.19/sqft. Engineered hardwood works if you wipe spills quickly.
🏚️ Basement
→ Vinyl (LVP/SPC)Below-grade moisture makes vinyl the only worry-free choice. 233 waterproof options from $2.19/sqft. Engineered hardwood is possible in dry basements with moisture barriers. Never use solid hardwood.
🛏️ Bedroom
→ Engineered Hardwood or LaminateLow traffic and no moisture — any type works. Hardwood maximizes resale value. Laminate from $1.49/sqft is the budget pick. Both install with underlayment for sound dampening.
🚿 Bathroom
→ Vinyl (LVP/SPC) OnlyThe only option from BBS suitable for bathrooms. 100% waterproof, comfortable on bare feet, and won’t warp from shower steam. Never install hardwood or laminate in a bathroom.
🚪 Hallway & Entryway
→ Engineered Hardwood (Hickory)High-traffic zones need the hardest species. Hickory (Janka 1820) handles shoes, pets, and kids. Wire-brushed finishes hide wear. From $3.49/sqft at BBS.
🏢 Condo
→ Engineered Hardwood (Glue-Down)Most Toronto condos have concrete subfloors and acoustic requirements. Glue-down engineered hardwood eliminates hollow sounds and meets STC/IIC ratings. BBS installs glue-down at $3.25/sqft.
Full Cost Comparison (Material + Labour)
Real installed costs using BBS Flooring material prices and professional installation rates. No hidden fees — what you see is what you pay.
| Flooring Type | Tier | Material/sqft | Labour/sqft | Total/sqft | 500 sqft Room |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineered Hardwood | Budget | $2.49–$3.99 | $2.25 | $4.74–$6.24 | $2,370–$3,120 |
| Engineered Hardwood | Mid-Range | $4.19–$6.19 | $2.25–$3.25 | $6.44–$9.44 | $3,220–$4,720 |
| Engineered Hardwood | Premium | $6.19–$8.99 | $3.25–$4.25 | $9.44–$13.24 | $4,720–$6,620 |
| Solid Hardwood | Standard | $5.10–$6.39 | $2.25 | $7.35–$8.64 | $3,675–$4,320 |
| Solid Hardwood | Premium | $5.99–$7.25 | $2.25–$3.25 | $8.24–$10.50 | $4,120–$5,250 |
| Vinyl (LVP/SPC) | Budget | $2.19–$2.49 | $2.00 | $4.19–$4.49 | $2,095–$2,245 |
| Vinyl (LVP/SPC) | Mid-Range | $2.49–$3.19 | $2.00 | $4.49–$5.19 | $2,245–$2,595 |
| Vinyl (LVP/SPC) | Premium | $3.19–$3.59 | $2.00 | $5.19–$5.59 | $2,595–$2,795 |
| Laminate | Budget | $1.49–$2.39 | $2.00 | $3.49–$4.39 | $1,745–$2,195 |
| Laminate | Mid-Range | $2.39–$2.89 | $2.00 | $4.39–$4.89 | $2,195–$2,445 |
| Laminate | Premium | $2.89–$3.29 | $2.00 | $4.89–$5.29 | $2,445–$2,645 |
* Labour: nail-down $2.25/sqft, glue-down $3.25/sqft, herringbone $4.25/sqft, vinyl/laminate $2.00/sqft. Old flooring removal additional ($1.00–$3.00/sqft). Free in-home measurement included with all BBS installations.
5-Question Decision Helper
Answer these five questions and your ideal flooring type will be obvious.
1. What's your budget per square foot (material only)?
2. Will the floor be exposed to moisture?
3. Are you installing yourself or hiring a pro?
4. Do you have pets or young children?
5. Is resale value a priority?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most durable type of flooring?▼
Is hardwood or vinyl better value for money?▼
What is the cheapest flooring option at BBS?▼
Can you mix flooring types in the same house?▼
Which flooring is best for pets?▼
What flooring adds the most home resale value?▼
Is vinyl flooring really 100% waterproof?▼
How long does each flooring type last?▼
What flooring is best for a rental property?▼
Does BBS carry all four flooring types?▼
Ready to Choose Your Flooring?
BBS Flooring stocks 807+ options across hardwood, vinyl, and laminate — starting at $1.49/sqft. Visit our Markham showroom, get a free quote, or book a free in-home measurement.
📍 6061 Highway 7, Unit B, Markham · 📞 (647) 428-1111 · Mon–Sat 10am–5pm