Hardwood, engineered, or laminate: which floor is best?

The four main flooring types, compared

Most flooring decisions in Ontario come down to four options. Here is how they stack up on the things that matter.

Cost per square foot is installed. The right choice depends less on price and more on the room, the moisture, and how long you plan to stay.

Solid hardwood: the premium main-floor choice

Solid hardwood is a single piece of real wood, prized for its look, longevity, and resale appeal. Its big advantage is that it can be sanded and refinished many times over its life, so it can last generations. The trade-off is that it reacts to humidity, expanding and contracting with Ontario's seasons, so it is not ideal for basements or over concrete. It is the floor buyers most want to see on a main level.

Engineered hardwood: the best all-round for Ontario

Engineered hardwood has a real wood top layer over a stable plywood core. That core resists the expansion and contraction that our humid summers and dry, heated winters cause, so it is more stable than solid wood and can be installed over concrete, including many basements. It looks the same as solid hardwood underfoot, which is why it is our most-recommended floor for whole-home projects in Ontario. Higher-quality versions can be refinished once or twice.

Laminate and luxury vinyl: budget and water resistance

Laminate is a printed image over a dense fibreboard core, sealed with a tough wear layer. It is affordable, scratch-resistant, and good for busy households, though it cannot be refinished. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is the fastest-growing option because it is fully waterproof, comfortable underfoot, and very durable, which makes it ideal for basements, kitchens, bathrooms, and homes with kids and pets.

Which floor is best for a basement?

Basements are the one place where the choice is clear. Because concrete slabs carry moisture and basements are prone to the occasional leak, luxury vinyl plank is usually the best pick, with engineered hardwood a good second choice on a properly prepared subfloor. Solid hardwood should be avoided below grade. Whatever you choose, a moisture check and the right underlay come first.

Which flooring adds the most resale value?

Real wood floors, whether solid or engineered hardwood, add the most resale appeal in Ontario, and buyers consistently rank them above carpet and laminate. Consistent flooring flowing through the main level makes a home feel larger and more finished. See our guide to renovations that add the most value.

Zeybek Construction

General contractors, Ontario

Written by the Zeybek team from more than two decades of renovation and construction work across Ontario, from Toronto and the GTA to Kitchener, Waterloo, and beyond. We build kitchens, bathrooms, whole homes, additions, and commercial spaces, and we handle permits and inspections as part of the job.

Related guides

Buyer's guide

What home renovations add the most value in Ontario?

Kitchens

Quartz vs granite countertops: which is better?

Basements

How much does it cost to finish a basement in Ontario?

Last updated July 1, 2026. This guide is general information for Ontario homeowners and is not a substitute for a site-specific quote or municipal advice. Costs and rules vary by municipality and project.