Q1: Floating wooden flooring has become the answer to everyone’s decorating do-over, what can you tell us about how to buy this?
This product took off with condo development where they needed a floor that could be laid over cement and still be viable with our huge climate variations considering humidity, electrical heating and air conditioning factored in. For these solutions, some need no glueing and others can be snapped together like lego.
Q2: What different kinds are there?
Wood laminated floating floors (photos of wood), wood engineered floating floors (for condos, basements) and real wood planks. Even good old wooden strips have been upgraded in that the wood is pre-finished and no longer need to be sanded and varnished after being installed. Remember when you used to have to move out for days?
Floating fiber floor which could have on its surface ( instead of a photo of wood), a digital photo of anything. Your floor could look like metal, cork, or have wild colorful 70’s designs. The finish withstands wear and tear. It needs no glue to install, so its great for apartments and is waterproof for kitchens and basements. Fiberglas gives it its stability.
Q3: What qualities affect the price of the wood floors?
– what kind of wood is it – maple, Brazilian redwood, etc.
– what grade of wood is it – select, rustic, etc.
– what is the thickness of top layer of wood – could be 1/4″ or ½”
– how long are the pieces of the planked flooring – 18″ are called shorts
– what is the core made of – can be wood dust laminate or plywood
– has it been dried properly for our climate – those made in other countries may not hold up properly
don’t forget: Provincial and Federal government grants are available until February
Q4: This is pretty confusing so where can we go to get good advice, good service and pricing?
The stores selected today are all family owned business which have been operating for 30 to 60 years, where service is number one (that’s what has kept them around all these years) and prices are always competitive. Feel free to ask questions and you too will become part of the generations that shop here.
Tapis Lanctot 148 Boyer, St-Isidore (Chateauguay) St-Regis, Hours: Regular plus Sun 11-5. Phone: 514-875-1954.
Other location: Longueuil, 2025 ch. Chambly (450-647-1571). www.lanctot.qc.ca
Don’t be put off by the location – it’s only 15 minutes across the Mercier bridge, and the sheer volume (100,000 sq. ft.) of merchandise is worth the ride. The Lanctots have been around for 125 years selling floating and hardwood floors (look for the bargain bins starting at $.89) including condo solutions, ceramic tiles (starting at $1.25), about 500 area rugs, carpeting, vinyl flooring (lots of remnants too). They’re known for choice and service, and their prices are low all year round.
Other vendors are inside their building selling wallpaper, paint, bedding, blinds, furniture, kitchen cabinets, plumbing, windows and doors.
Million Tapis et Tuiles, 15 Bernard Ave. E. at St. Laurent Blvd. Phone: 514-273-9983. Hours: Monday and Tuesday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday to Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For shop at home call 514-273-9983.
Other locations: Laval, 175 de la Concorde e. (450-663-9870); Ville St-Pierre, 170 St-Jacques (514-365-1652). www.millioncarpets.com
Since 1937, this 3rd generation company has been selling flooring. An unbelievable 21 family members are working in the business, which now offers wood floors, floating fiber floors (great for apartments), carpeting (in any width), rugs (width to 4 metres) and tiles.
Grandpa Skoda Joseph started out working in the coal room of Congoleum, and convinced them to sell him their seconds. He then installed Stephen Skoda at the tender age of 14 in a store on Bleury, and without knowing English or French, Stephen managed to make a go of it.
Besides making your selection from sample catalogues from every major mill in N. America, there are ends of rolls and ends-of-lines. The prices are usually discounted. They’ve been in business a long time, so there are many satisfied customers.
Normandy Carpets, 950 boul. St-Jean, Pointe Claire at boul. Brunswick. Phone: 514-426-7847 Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-8, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5 (seasonal)
For designer products, this boutique-like carpet showroom is known by word of mouth – and that’s a good sign. For 40 years, this family-run business has been selling quality carpeting from major Canadian, American and European mills. They also carry wood floors, wood laminates, runners, area rugs and exclusive designer lines, and can do custom bordering and create designer rugs.
Since they buy in volume for their commercial sales, they can meet and beat the prices of their competitors. Once you’ve entered, expect the friendly staff to give you an education on flooring.
