Most flooring failures start under the flooring
A floor is only as good as what it sits on. ADH Canada Inc. installs hardwood, engineered wood, laminate, luxury vinyl plank and tile in homes, condo units and commercial spaces throughout the GTA, and we spend real time on the subfloor before a single plank goes down. Cupping, gapping, hollow tiles and cracked grout lines almost always trace back to moisture, flatness or preparation rather than to the product itself.
Subfloor preparation, moisture and acclimatisation
Preparation starts with measuring, not assuming. We check the subfloor for flatness and correct deviations by grinding high spots or applying a levelling compound, refasten any squeaking or loose sheathing, and test moisture in both the subfloor and the material being installed. Concrete slabs, common in condos and basements, need a moisture assessment and usually a vapour barrier under wood products. Solid and engineered wood are delivered ahead of installation and left to acclimatise in the conditioned space, since a floor laid at the wrong moisture content will move once the heating season arrives. Expansion gaps at walls and around fixed elements are left for the same reason.
- Solid hardwood, nailed or stapled over an appropriate wood subfloor
- Engineered wood, floated, glued or nailed depending on the substrate
- Laminate and luxury vinyl plank with underlay suited to the room and the level
- Porcelain, ceramic and natural stone with uncoupling or waterproofing membranes in wet areas
- Heated floor systems installed and tested before the finish goes over them
- Stairs, nosings, transitions, thresholds and baseboard or quarter round to match
Choosing the right product for the room
The choice depends on where the floor is going. Below grade, wood species that swell, and rooms that get wet all narrow the options quickly, and vinyl plank or tile often make more sense there than solid hardwood. Above grade, the questions become finish durability, whether you may want to refinish in future, board width and how much seasonal movement you will accept. Condominium buildings usually specify a minimum sound rating for underlay and require approval before hard surface flooring is installed, which is worth confirming before ordering anything.
Layout matters too — plank direction, where the run starts, how it meets adjoining rooms, and where transitions land at doorways all get set out before installation begins.
Request a quote or contact us to measure your rooms and compare flooring options.