Floor installation

Have you ever walked on a floor that creaks with every step? Or vinyl planks that peel away at the corners? Or laminate flooring that warps after just one winter?

It's incredibly frustrating. And it's almost always because the floor was installed incorrectly in the first place.

A good floor isn't just beautiful—it's durable, comfortable, and completely changes the atmosphere of a room. But for it to last, the foundation must be perfect and the installation must be done according to best practices.

At Solutions Rénovation Québec, we have been installing floors for years. We know the pitfalls, the mistakes to avoid, and above all, we know how to do a job that will stand the test of time.

Why So Many Floors Have Problems

We see the same mistakes repeated over and over again:

Poorly prepared subfloor

If your subfloor is uneven, with bumps or dips, your flooring will eventually crack, warp, or come loose. It doesn't matter how good the material you lay on top of it is.

No acclimatization of materials

Wood and floating floors expand and contract with humidity. If you install your floor straight out of the box, there's a good chance it will shrink or expand after installation.

Wrong choice of floor for the room

Put hardwood in a bathroom, is asking for trouble. Or for carpet in a damp basement. Each room has its own specific needs.

Forgotten expansion space

All floating floors need space to move around the walls. Without this, the floor pushes against the walls and creates bumps in the middle of the room.

Uncontrolled humidity

In Quebec, humidity is our number one enemy. A floor laid on a damp concrete slab will eventually swell, warp, or develop mold underneath.

The Types of Flooring We Install

We work with all types of coatings. Here's what we do:

SPC (Stone Polymer Composite) vinyl

This is our top recommendation for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and high-traffic areas.

• Why it's good: 100% is waterproof, ultra-scratch resistant, easy to maintain, and perfectly mimics wood or ceramic. Perfect for families with children or pets.
• Where to place it: Everywhere - kitchen, bathroom, entrance, basement. It really is the most versatile floor.

Floating Floor (Laminate)

Economical, attractive, and easy to repair if a board is damaged.

• Why it's good: Affordable, wide variety of styles, quick installation. Highly scratch resistant.
• Where to place it: Bedrooms, living room, office. Avoid very humid areas such as the bathroom.

Important: Always choose AC3 or better (commercial grade) flooring. Cheap AC1-AC2 flooring doesn't last.

Hardwood

The timeless classic. Warm, elegant, and it adds real value to your home.

• Why it's good: Natural beauty, can be sanded and refinished several times, lasts for decades if well maintained.
• Where to place it: Living room, dining room, bedrooms upstairs. Never in the basement or bathroom.
• Types we install: Maple, red oak, white oak, cherry. We can pre-varnish or varnish the wood on site.

Ceramics & Porcelain

Perfect for wet or high-traffic areas.

• Why it's good: Waterproof, ultra-durable, easy to clean, retains its color forever.
• Where to place it: Bathroom, kitchen, entryway, laundry room. Also in showers and behind vanities.
• We also do: Radiant floor heating underneath—a real luxury for your feet in winter.

Carpet

Comfort and warmth, especially in the bedrooms.

• Why it's good: Soft on the feet, absorbs noise, creates a warm atmosphere.
• Where to place it: Bedrooms, offices, dry basements (never in a damp basement).
• We recommend: Medium to high-quality carpet. Cheap carpet quickly wears out and ends up looking shabby.

How to Install Flooring Correctly

Subfloor evaluation

Check that everything is flat, solid, and dry. Measure the moisture content with a tester if necessary. If any repairs are needed, make them before installing anything.

Surface preparation

We level out bumps, fill in holes, and clean thoroughly. If your subfloor is old or damaged plywood, we can replace it.

Acclimatization of materials

All our flooring remains in the room for 48-72 hours before installation. This allows the material to adjust to the temperature and humidity of your home.

Installing the underlay

Vapor barrier membrane if necessary (especially on concrete), acoustic underlayment to reduce noise, or thermal underlayment for insulation.

Laying the floor

We respect expansion spaces, cut cleanly around door frames, and ensure that everything is perfectly aligned.

Finishing and mouldings

We install baseboards, quarter rounds, or transitions between rooms. Everything must be clean and finished properly.

Complete cleaning

We leave your house clean. No sawdust, no scraps lying around.

How much does it cost?

It depends on the type of floor and the surface area, but here are some realistic estimates:

• SPC vinyl: 8-12$ per square foot installed
• Floating: 6-10$ square foot installed
• Hardwood: 12-18$ square foot installed
• Ceramics: 10-15$ per square foot installed
• Carpet: 5-8$ per square foot installed

These prices include materials, underlayment, installation, and basic finishing. If your subfloor needs major repairs, we will let you know during the assessment.

How Long Does It Take?

For a standard room (12×15 feet), allow one day for vinyl or laminate flooring. For hardwood or ceramic tile, it can take 2-3 days.

For an entire house, it depends on the size, but generally 3-7 business days.

We give you a clear timeline from the start and stick to it.

How to Maintain Your New Floor

Vinyl and floating

Sweep or mop regularly. Use a mild cleaner designed for these floors. Avoid excess water.

Hardwood

Sweep often. Avoid getting water directly on the wood. Use a cleaner specifically designed for oiled or varnished wood. Consider re-varnishing every 5-7 years.

Ceramics

Wash with an all-purpose cleaner. Clean grout joints once a year to keep them looking good.

Carpet

Vacuum once a week. Have it professionally cleaned every 12-18 months.

Why Choose SRQ for Your Flooring?

We've been installing floors for years. We know what works, what lasts, and what will cause you problems.

Preparing the base properly

This is where most contractors cut corners. Not us. If your subfloor isn't perfect, we fix it before laying anything down.

We guide you honestly

If you want to install hardwood flooring in your basement, we will advise against it. We tell you what will really work for your situation, not just what will make us the most money.

5-year warranty on labor

If our installation has a problem, we will come back and repair it free of charge. Period.

Clean, fast work

We protect your furniture, close off rooms to limit dust, and clean thoroughly afterwards.

Ready to Change Your Floors?

Call us for a free assessment. We will come to your home, examine the condition of your subfloor, and discuss what you want.

After that, you will receive a clear quote with all the details. No surprises.

Contact us at 418-476-1747 or via the form on our website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best flooring for the kitchen?

SPC vinyl, without hesitation. It's waterproof, ultra-resistant to damage, and easy to clean. If your budget allows, ceramic is also excellent—even more durable, and you can add underfloor heating underneath.

Can you lay flooring directly on top of old flooring?

It depends. If your old floor is flat, solid, and clean, then yes, in some cases. But often, it's better to remove it to start with a clean slate. We'll assess this during our free visit.

How long before you can walk on the new floor?

For vinyl and laminate flooring, you can walk on it immediately after installation. For ceramic tile, wait 24 hours for the mortar to dry. For hardwood flooring that has been varnished on site, wait 48-72 hours before replacing furniture.

My current floor creaks a lot. Why is that?

Either your subfloor is moving (loose screws, sagging joists), or the floor was installed incorrectly (not enough expansion space, insufficient nailing). We can diagnose the problem and fix it before installing your new floor.

Which flooring should you choose for a basement?

SPC vinyl is perfect—waterproof and moisture resistant. Floating flooring can also work if your basement is dry, with a good vapor barrier. Hardwood and carpet are not recommended in basements unless moisture is perfectly controlled.

Do I need to be present during installation?

Not necessarily, but it's better to be there at the beginning to confirm the details and at the end for the final inspection. In between, we can work without you being there if you trust us.

How much does it cost to remove the old floor?

Between $1.501 and $3.10 per square foot, depending on the type of flooring to be removed. Ceramic tiles are more expensive to remove than vinyl or laminate flooring. This is included in the quote if necessary.