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Selecting flooring that is durable. attractive and easy to maintamcanbemerwhehningbemuseofthenumerous goodcholcesnwavajlabteinthematketplaca Solidwnodfloodngandengineetedwoodfloorimeach have many benefitswhich can makeanydecision a bit con- MMdethatlmnmatesmwoodstylesandevenwydâ€" efiectvinylanditgetsevenhudex, With Its crisp. Clean lines and elegance. solid wood floor. ing. the tongUe-in-groow boards that have been standard for centuries. continue to be the choice for many homeowners because it increases not only the look but me value ofynur living space. ' , But‘mom and more buyers are turning to engineered mmdfioomâ€"whichusealaycrofrealwoodovusmmural plywood. With top lilyers made of hardwood and up to one- quarter-inch thick. they are a more stable product than the original hardwood. “Engineered flooring is structurally more stable,” says kannie Speny of Floors Direct North in Newmartet "lt’s great for condos. basements or anyplace with concrete floors. Andodaydiereamn1any momflyiesandvaflety.” Those seeking wider ' planking are also turning , to engimemd floors. amending l0 Derrick Chapman of Rowan Hardwood Floors in Newmaxta. “With anything wide: than six inches in solid haxdwuwd. you'relookingfor uoublewithmoistmefisofldmodfloor composed of too my wide boards may become‘unsmbk: through «pension and ‘contncdon’ floors aren't subject to expansion and contac- u'on. making them valuable in places with much moisture and in new condos “hey can also be pre-cut to fit rooms PM I 'lhen there are the environmental benefits. Because the top layer of an engineered floor is one-quaner-inch thick. a piece of wood that would produce one solid floorboard can yield fun: or more engineered bounds. Other flooring mterifils growing in popularity these days include bamboo. cork and even leather. Cork provides a thermal and acoustic insulation. is comfortable to walk on and provides a unique design. it is extremely durable and recovers fmm marks made by furniture. Then there is the whole world of laminates. “If someone tells me that durability is their main concern -iftheyhavethreekidsandtwobigd0§.forinstame,l'm golngvto be talking to them about laminates.” says Derrick Ctmpman. Russ Gale. manager of Klein Horsman Carpet One in Nemharket agrees. but warns that not all laminates are Bamboo is strong and is move durable than many other woods. It's easy to clean and is ideal {oraller sufferers because it does not harbour dust mites. created equal. “Benermnalitylanunates have a finish similartowood and engineered wood and am: really durable. but there are a lot of inecpensive laminates oh the market today and you hm to askypurselflnv longthey’fl stapd up” When it comes 16 another flooring standard â€" carpets â€" ourcxpemamsonwfimesatodds. 'Carpeting is harder to it holds din and mois- But Jeannie Sperry diagram ‘ "People still lave that feeling of hxxury under their feet. especiaflyMIentheygetout ofbed,”shesays 'Andm'ththe quality of carpa fibres these days. they hold up better and you get giveawammies."