Blog > How to choose the best laminate flooring for your Edmonton home

How to Choose the Best Laminate Flooring for Your Edmonton Home

You’re not just picking out a floor, you’re laying the foundation for your lifestyle.

When it comes to laminate flooring, most homeowners think of colour, wood look, and price.

In fact, choosing the right laminate floor for your Edmonton home goes much deeper. In a city known for its long winters, dry air, and vibrant local styles, there are important considerations you don’t want to overlook.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, beyond the basics, so you can choose a laminate floor that looks stunning, performs beautifully, and lasts for years in your home.

Why Laminate Flooring is a Smart Choice for Edmonton Homes

Let’s start with the “why.” Laminate flooring offers the luxurious look of hardwood without the higher price tag or maintenance demands. But it’s not just about affordability:

Durability: High resistance to scratches, dents, and wear
Easy Maintenance: Great for busy families and pet owners
Style Options: From light maple to deep walnut, textures, and wide plank designs
Climate Compatibility: Great performance in dry, cold climates like Edmonton’s, if you choose the right construction

Start With a Reality Check: What Does Your Home Really Need?

Many homeowners begin with a Pinterest board. That’s fine, but function should always come before fashion.

Ask yourself:

Do you have kids or pets?
Is this a high-traffic area like the kitchen or hallway?
Do you use radiant heating?
What’s the humidity level like in your home year-round?

💡 Tip: Edmonton’s winter heating can dry out indoor air to below 30% relative humidity. This can affect how laminate flooring expands or contracts. Look for products rated for low-humidity performance.

Thickness Isn’t Just About Durability, It’s About Feel

You’ll often hear 8mm, 10mm, or 12mm when shopping for laminate flooring. But what do these numbers mean?

8mm: Budget-friendly, lighter use areas
10mm: Standard for most residential spaces
12mm: Feels more like hardwood, adds sound dampening, better for uneven subfloors

💡 Tip: Heavier, thicker laminate boards reduce that “click-clack” sound underfoot and offer better acoustic insulation, especially important in two-story homes.

🎧 If you hate echoing footsteps, thickness matters.

Edmonton-Proof: Look for an AC Rating That Matches Your Lifestyle

Laminate floors are rated for durability using the AC (Abrasion Class) system:

AC1–AC2: Not recommended for residential floors
AC3: Great for moderate traffic (bedrooms, dining rooms)
AC4: Ideal for busy homes, kitchens, hallways
AC5: Commercial-grade, perfect for high-traffic entrances or home offices

Most Edmonton homeowners will benefit from AC4-rated laminate, especially in high-use spaces that deal with winter boots and slush.

Moisture Resistance: Don’t Assume All Laminate is Waterproof

This is a huge one for Edmonton homeowners.

Even though many laminates advertise “water resistance,” not all are created equal. Here’s what to know:

Water-resistant = Will withstand minor spills but not standing water
Waterproof = Can handle moisture better, often featuring tight-lock seams and treated core boards
Not rated = Risky in kitchens, bathrooms, and mudrooms

Look for laminates with a hydrophobic coating and tight click-lock system to keep moisture out of the seams.

✅ Pro Tip: Ask us about laminate flooring with 72-hour or longer water protection, perfect for Edmonton winters and spring thaws.

Choose a Texture That Matches Your Style and Hides Dust

Edmonton's dry climate means dust builds up fast. Here’s how texture can help:

Smooth Finish: Sleek, contemporary look, but shows dust easily
Embossed-in-Register (EIR): Matches texture to the wood grain print, looks and feels like real wood
Handscraped / Sawmark Finish: Rustic, hides debris, great for active households

EIR and handscraped finishes are extremely popular for busy Edmonton homes because they look upscale but are easier to keep looking clean.

Edges Matter More Than You Think

It’s easy to overlook edge design, but it plays a big role in how your floor looks once installed:

Square Edge: Flush look, best for modern interiors
Beveled Edge: Creates realistic plank separation, helps hide minor gaps
Micro-Bevel: Subtle depth without being too rustic

If you want the look of real hardwood, opt for beveled or micro-beveled edges, especially in wider planks.

Edmonton Style Trends: What Local Homeowners Are Loving in 2025

Trends in Edmonton are leaning toward warmer, earthy tones and Scandinavian-inspired simplicity. Here’s what’s popular now:

Wide Planks (7–9"): Make rooms feel bigger
Natural Oak, Maple, and Hickory Finishes: Warm and timeless
Matte and Low-Gloss Finishes: Hide dust, low maintenance
Grey Tones: Still in, but shifting toward greige (grey + beige)

Think Like a Designer: Use Laminate to Elevate Your Home’s Flow

Laminate flooring can do more than cover a surface, it can transform the feel of your home. Consider:

Running planks lengthwise to elongate narrow rooms
Using herringbone or chevron patterns for visual interest
Continuing the same floor between rooms to create cohesion

You can even transition between laminate and tile using modern flush transitions, creating a seamless look in open-concept spaces.

Underlayment: The Unsung Hero of Laminate Flooring

In Edmonton, where basements and cold floors are common, choosing the right underlay is essential:

Basic Foam: Standard choice, minimal insulation
Acoustic Underlayment: Great for second floors and condos
Moisture Barrier Underlay: A must for basements or concrete slabs
Thermal Insulating Underlay: Keeps floors warmer in winter

🏠 Ask us about underlays that combine sound, moisture, and heat insulation in one.

Installation Options: DIY vs. Pro in Edmonton

Laminate flooring is often marketed as DIY-friendly, but installation quality impacts longevity. Consider:

Subfloor leveling
Moisture testing
Expansion gap precision
Warranty protection

A professional installation by a local team (like ours at Monarch Floors 1953) ensures your floor looks perfect and performs as it should for years, especially important with Edmonton’s temperature swings.

Budgeting the Right Way: Value vs. Lowest Price

The best laminate flooring isn’t the cheapest one, it’s the one that holds up, looks great, and performs well for your space.

Here’s what affects laminate flooring price:

AC rating
Thickness
Waterproofing
Underlayment
Installation

🧮 A $2/sq. ft. floor that lasts 5 years is far more expensive long-term than a $4/sq. ft. option that performs for 15 years.

Why Local Matters: The Monarch Floors 1953 Advantage

As a family-owned flooring store in Edmonton since 1953, we know what works in our climate. Our team offers:

No-obligation quotes and measurements
Access to top-tier Canadian laminate brands
Design consultations in-store or at your home
Award-winning service (2023 Consumer Choice Award)
An in-house installation team for full accountability

More than that, we help you experience the product in person so you can touch the texture, compare finishes, and see how it reacts to real light. That’s not something you can do with a screen.

The 3-Step Process to Finding Your Perfect Laminate Floor

Book Your Visit or Quote
Come by our showroom or request an in-home consultation.
We Bring the Options
Get personalized recommendations, samples, and expert advice tailored to your space.
Enjoy a Seamless Installation
Our experienced installers bring it to life, with follow-ups to ensure your satisfaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use laminate flooring in my kitchen or bathroom?

Yes, but only if it’s specifically rated as waterproof or has extended water resistance. Ask us about suitable options.

What’s the difference between laminate and vinyl?

Laminate has a wood-based core and feels more like real hardwood, while vinyl is fully synthetic and better for fully wet environments.

How long does laminate last?

With the right choice and installation, 15–25 years is typical.

Will it increase my home’s resale value?

High-quality laminate installed professionally can absolutely enhance resale appeal, especially if it’s modern and cohesive.

Can I install it over my existing floor?

In some cases, yes! It depends on the condition and type of the existing floor. We’ll help you assess it.

Your Perfect Floor Starts with One Visit

Choosing laminate flooring isn’t just about colour or price. It’s about finding a solution that fits your lifestyle, your home, and your city.

At Monarch Floors 1953, we’re here to help you make the right choice, confidently.

👉 Visit us at 14240 118 Avenue, Edmonton, AB or call (780) 454-0717 to book your consultation today.

Let’s find the perfect floor for your Edmonton home.

More Laminate Flooring Information Found in Our Flooring 101 Guides

Introducing RevWood Select
How to Clean Laminate Floors? The Ultimate Guide!
A Home Update with RevWood
Does Laminate Flooring Need to Acclimate
Choosing the Best Laminate Floors for Families with Children
Working from Home: Six Multi‑Tasking Spaces that Need Laminated Wood Floors
Cleaning and Maintaining Laminate Floors
Laminate Styles: What are My Options?
What's the Difference Between Laminate and Vinyl Flooring?
What to Know Before Buying Laminate Flooring
Is Laminate Flooring Waterproof?
Are Laminate Floors Environmentally Friendly?
The Benefits of Laminate Flooring