Flooring for Older Toronto Homes: What to Know Before Renovating 

Toronto's older homes, particularly those built before the 1970s, offer charm that modern builds cannot replicate, but they come with unique flooring challenges. One of the biggest issues is uneven subfloors—decades of settling create dips and slopes that require levelling before installation to avoid squeaks, gaps, and premature damage. Moisture is another factor, as older basements and main floors often experience humidity swings or minor leaks, making luxury vinyl plank or tile strong choices for their stability and moisture resistance. If original hardwood floors exist, refinishing can reveal beautiful red oak or maple while maintaining historic charm through modern stains and finishes. When replacing floors entirely, wide plank engineered hardwood in natural tones complements older architecture without appearing overly modern, and adding proper underlayment improves comfort, soundproofing, and energy efficiency in homes with drafty floors or minimal insulation.