Flooring guides
How to Choose the Right Vinyl Flooring for Your Home
4 min read
Vinyl flooring has become one of Canada’s most popular flooring choices — and for good reason. It’s stylish, affordable, durable, and easy to maintain. But with so many types and brands available, how do you know which one fits your home best?
At ShopFlooring.ca, we help homeowners and contractors across Canada choose flooring that fits their lifestyle, design vision, and budget. Here’s your complete guide to picking the right vinyl flooring for your next project.
What Is Vinyl Flooring?
Vinyl flooring is a synthetic material made primarily from PVC (polyvinyl chloride). It mimics the appearance of hardwood or tile while offering superior water resistance and easy maintenance.
There are several types:
- Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) – Resembles hardwood planks, perfect for living areas and bedrooms.
- Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) – Mimics stone or ceramic tile, ideal for kitchens and bathrooms.
- Sheet Vinyl – Continuous roll for large spaces, often used in basements or commercial settings.
Step 1: Choose the Right Type for Each Room
Every space in your home has different needs.
| Room | Recommended Vinyl Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen / Bathroom | LVT or Waterproof LVP | Moisture-resistant, easy to clean |
| Living Room / Bedroom | LVP | Warm, cozy, natural look |
| Basement | Waterproof LVP or Sheet Vinyl | Handles humidity and cold |
| Laundry Room | Rigid Core Vinyl | Extra stability under heavy machines |
Step 2: Understand the Wear Layer
The wear layer is the protective top coat that determines how long your vinyl will last.
- 12 mil (Residential) – Suitable for light to moderate traffic.
- 20 mil (Heavy Residential / Light Commercial) – Ideal for families and pets.
- 28+ mil (Commercial) – Built for high-traffic areas or rentals.
At ShopFlooring.ca, where the manufacturer publishes a wear layer or a warranty, we list it in the product’s spec table — so check that table on any plank you are shortlisting, and ask us if the figure you need is not there.
Step 3: Look at Thickness and Core Construction
Vinyl thickness usually ranges from 4 mm to 8 mm.
A thicker plank offers better sound absorption and a more realistic feel underfoot.
SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) and WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) are two common core types:
- SPC: Rigid and durable — great for kitchens, basements, and condos.
- WPC: Softer, quieter, and warmer — ideal for bedrooms and living areas.
Step 4: Style & Aesthetics
Vinyl has evolved — modern options look incredibly realistic with embossed textures, matte finishes, and wide plank formats.
Choose based on:
- Color tones – Light oak brightens rooms; darker walnut adds elegance.
- Plank width – Wider planks create a spacious feel.
- Finish – Matte hides dust; gloss adds luxury.
- Patterns – Herringbone and chevron patterns add design flair.
ShopFlooring.ca’s collections include trending colors like “Natural Oak,” “Grey Driftwood,” and “Charcoal Walnut,” curated for modern Canadian homes.
Step 5: Consider Installation Type
Vinyl flooring comes in several installation formats:
- Click-Lock (floating floor): DIY-friendly, no glue required.
- Glue-Down: More permanent, great for high-traffic areas.
- Loose Lay: Heavy-backed planks that stay in place without adhesive.
If you’re renovating yourself, click-lock vinyl is often the easiest and most forgiving option.
Step 6: Evaluate Maintenance and Durability
Vinyl is known for being low maintenance — just sweep and mop occasionally.
However, the quality of the wear layer and UV protection can impact how well it holds up over time.
Look for:
- Scratch and stain resistance
- Waterproof certification
- Warranty coverage (some ShopFlooring collections offer up to 30 years residential warranty)
Step 7: Set Your Budget Wisely
Vinyl flooring offers great value — but pricing can vary:
- Basic LVP: $2.50 – $3.50 / sq.ft
- Premium SPC / WPC: $4.00 – $6.50 / sq.ft
- Commercial-grade: $7.00+ / sq.ft
ShopFlooring.ca makes comparing options easy, with transparent pricing and the ability to filter by price, color, brand, and installation method.
Bonus Tip: “Buy Now Pay Later” Is on the Way
ShopFlooring’s pay-over-time options are live at checkout — vinyl included — through Klarna, Afterpay and Affirm, subject to approval and to your order total.
The goal is to let you get your dream floors now and pay over time with interest-free monthly plans, available across Canada.
Shop what this guide covers
- vinyl planks (LVP and SPC) — LVP, LVT and rigid core, filterable by thickness and install method.
- sheet vinyl and linoleum rolls — the continuous-roll option for a basement or a laundry.
- underlayment — where a floating vinyl floor gets its quiet and its warmth.
- vinyl mouldings, vinyl stair treads and vinyl wall base — the pieces that finish the job, matched to the plank.
- the room visualizer — see a colour in a photo of your own room before you commit.