After seeing the same flooring questions repeatedly, here’s a comprehensive breakdown for Toronto homeowners in 2026.
Cost Comparison (Supply + Install, per sq ft)
| Flooring Type | Low | High | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid hardwood | $10 | $20 | Main living areas |
| Engineered hardwood | $8 | $16 | Basement-adjacent |
| Luxury Vinyl Plank | $5 | $10 | Wet areas, rentals |
| Porcelain tile | $8 | $18 | Kitchen, bath |
| Carpet | $4 | $8 | Bedrooms |
Key Toronto Considerations
Basements: Never install solid hardwood below grade. LVP or engineered are the right call.
Radiant heat: Engineered and some LVP work. Tile is the best conductor. Solid hardwood performs poorly over in-slab heat.
Heritage homes: Original fir floors can often be refinished 2–3 more times if they’re thick enough.
Questions to Ask Your Flooring Contractor
- What acclimation period do you allow before installation?
- What moisture reading is your cutoff for concrete slab installs?
- Do you include 10% overage in the quote?
Drop your own experiences below — what worked, what didn’t, who you hired.