Whether at home or the cottage, it’s hard to beat a wood floor. But with so many wood and faux-wood flooring options in the market today, it can be difficult to know just which one is best for you.
If you’re starting to explore your options, Peter Schultz of The Floor Shop suggests using technology to familiarize yourself with the materials and styles you like best.
“We are on Houzz and HomeStars, which have a large database of project images to browse and save as ideas,” says Peter. “Then, you can visit our suppliers’ websites, and use their virtual floor visualizers to superimpose their flooring options onto a photo of your space to bring each option to life.”
His son, James Schultz, says the newest tech is a great starting place for any flooring project. “These tools are fun, but they won’t capture the true colour, texture and tone of each sample. For that, you need to see the flooring samples in person.”
While you can browse through countless samples of traditional hardwood, engineered wood, luxury vinyl, cork and faux-wood tile at The Floor Shop’s three GTA locations, Marketing and Administrative Co-ordinator Jaclyn Schultz suggests booking an in-home consultation to get a better sense of which is best for your space.
For The Floor Shop team, these visits aren’t just about collecting measurements for your quote. They will bring samples so you can see them in your own space, with your home’s natural lighting, to get flooring that’s a good fit for your style and colour scheme.
“These consults are also a great way to have a flooring professional guide you to the best material for your home and your lifestyle,” says Jaclyn.
If you have a family cottage or an older home that has lasted more than one generation, your subfloor may not be even enough for certain materials.
“While we can install any floor you’d like, we want you to enjoy it years to come,” says Peter. “By seeing your floors in-person, we can navigate you to flooring options that are both beautiful and best suited for your subfloor.”
In-home consultations are essential for older homes and cottages, but they are also important for newer builds.
“They allow us to get an accurate snapshot of your lifestyle,” says James. “Whether you’re a dog owner, you like to wear your shoes around the house, love to entertain, or use your property as a three-season home – these are all important things to consider in determining which flooring material is for you.”
“No matter the size of your timeline or budget, we’re here to help you find the right floor for you.”
TEXT SHELANNE AUGUSTINE
PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN
