Start with the slab
Whatever goes down, the concrete decides how it behaves. Many Winnipeg houses sit on clay that swells and shrinks, and basement slabs can crack and shift with it. Slabs can also give off moisture, even when they look dry. So before choosing a floor, check two things: is the slab moving, and how much moisture is coming through it?
Room by room
- Bathroom, laundry, utility room: porcelain tile. Water is a given in these rooms, and porcelain absorbs 0.5 percent water or less.
- Rec room, bedroom, home office: vinyl plank. It’s warmer and quieter underfoot, and more forgiving if the slab moves a little.
- Entry from the outside: porcelain with a matte or textured finish, because of the salt and meltwater.
- Home gym: vinyl plank or rubber. Tile can chip if a weight lands on it.
Where each one falls short
Tile is rigid. Over hairline cracks or small sideways movement it needs an uncoupling membrane and movement joints, and even those won’t save it from a slab that lifts or drops. Tile on concrete also feels cold unless there’s a heating mat under it.
Vinyl plank isn’t a moisture barrier. The planks don’t mind water, but moisture trapped under them can still bring on mould and lift the floor, so the slab and the underlay need the same attention. Heavy furniture and a very uneven slab can also show through.
Can you use both?
Yes, and it’s often the best answer: porcelain in the bathroom and vinyl plank everywhere else. What matters is the doorway where they meet. The two floors have different thicknesses, so the height and the trim should be planned before either goes down. That’s easier when the same crew does both.
What about a heated floor?
A heating mat under basement tile makes the coldest floor in the house comfortable. You can work out what it costs to run at Manitoba Hydro’s rates. Some vinyl plank can go over floor heating too, but check the maker’s limits first.
If you’re not sure
Send us a photo of the slab, any cracks and the rough size of the rooms. We’ll come by, measure, check the floor and tell you what we would put down.