The flooring market is full of products that look similar in a showroom and perform very differently in a home. Wear layer thickness in LVP, species and grade in hardwood, PEI rating in tile — these specifications determine how a floor holds up over 15 or 20 years of use. A contractor who can speak to these details with specificity is a contractor who knows their trade. One who can’t is selling you on appearance alone.

“The question I wish every homeowner asked is: what is the wear layer thickness on that LVP? Because there’s a product at 6 mil that looks identical to one at 20 mil in the showroom, but performs completely differently over five years with dogs and kids. That’s the kind of specification that separates products — and contractors who know the answer from ones who are just selling whatever has the best margin.”

— Finlay Morrison, certified flooring specialist and product consultant with 13 years of experience in residential flooring sales and installation across the Toronto and Hamilton areas

Hardwood Flooring Questions

Smooth light brown wooden flooring with natural texture and patterns.

Is this solid hardwood or engineered hardwood?

These are fundamentally different products:

Solid hardwood: A single plank of wood throughout its thickness. Can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its life. Cannot be installed below grade (basement) or over radiant heat without significant risk of movement. Sensitive to humidity fluctuations.

Engineered hardwood: A real hardwood veneer (the top layer you see) bonded to a plywood or HDF core. More dimensionally stable than solid hardwood, can be installed over concrete and below grade (with appropriate moisture management), and can be installed over radiant heat. The veneer can typically be refinished 1–3 times depending on thickness.

Ask which is being proposed and whether it’s appropriate for your location and subfloor.

What species and grade is being proposed?

Wood species vary enormously in hardness — a critical factor for durability in high-traffic areas. The Janka hardness scale measures resistance to denting and wear:

  • Brazilian cherry/Jatoba: very hard (~2,350 Janka)
  • White oak: hard (~1,360) — the current most popular choice
  • Red oak: hard (~1,290) — a classic North American standard
  • Maple: hard (~1,450)
  • Pine: soft (~870–1,000) — beautiful but dents easily
  • Bamboo: varies widely by processing method

Ask specifically what species and what Janka rating, and whether it’s appropriate for the traffic level in your space.

What is the wear layer thickness (for engineered)?

For engineered hardwood, the wear layer is the thickness of the real wood veneer on top. Thicker = more refinishing potential.

  • 2 mm: typically one light refinishing
  • 3–4 mm: one to two refinishings
  • 6 mm+: multiple refinishings, approaching solid hardwood performance

Ask the specific wear layer thickness and how many refinishings it supports.

What finish is on the hardwood?

Prefinished hardwood is sanded and finished at the factory. Installation is cleaner (no sanding dust) and the floor is immediately usable. Finish quality is typically very high, but the factory beveled edges create V-grooves that can accumulate dirt.

Site-finished hardwood is sanded and finished after installation. Creates a seamless surface with no edge bevels, but the process creates significant dust and the floor is unusable for 24–72 hours while the finish cures.

Ask which is being proposed and why.

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) and Tile (LVT) Questions

Spacious modern kitchen with a wooden staircase and minimalistic design.

What is the wear layer thickness?

This is the single most important specification for LVP/LVT durability. The wear layer is the clear protective coating on top that resists scratches, dents, and stains.

  • 6 mil (0.15 mm): light residential use, no pets
  • 12 mil (0.3 mm): residential standard, some pets
  • 20 mil (0.5 mm): heavy residential use, pets and kids
  • 28 mil+ (0.7 mm+): commercial-grade, maximum durability

For a home with dogs, children, or heavy foot traffic, 20 mil minimum is the right recommendation. Ask specifically what the wear layer thickness is in mil.

What a good answer looks like: A specific mil thickness that matches your traffic level, with a rationale.

What is the overall plank thickness?

LVP plank thickness affects underfoot feel, sound, and the floor’s ability to span minor subfloor imperfections. Thicker planks (6–8 mm) feel more substantial and bridge minor subfloor variations better than thin planks (4–5 mm). Ask the total plank thickness.

Is this product waterproof or water-resistant?

True waterproof LVP means the core material itself does not absorb or be damaged by water — making it appropriate for bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements. Some products are water-resistant at the surface but can be damaged if water infiltrates seams. Ask specifically whether the product is 100% waterproof core and appropriate for wet areas.

Does this product qualify for radiant heat installation?

If you have or plan to add radiant in-floor heating, confirm the product is rated for use over radiant heat systems, and ask what the maximum subfloor temperature is.

Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Questions

Is this ceramic or porcelain?

Ceramic tile: Made from clay, softer and more porous than porcelain. Easier to cut and install. Appropriate for most residential floor applications in dry areas.

Porcelain tile: Denser, harder, and less porous than ceramic. More resistant to moisture, staining, and freeze-thaw cycles. Required for outdoor applications and recommended for all wet interior areas.

Ask whether the proposed tile is ceramic or porcelain, and whether it’s appropriate for your application.

What is the PEI wear rating?

The Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) rating classifies tile by scratch resistance:
– PEI 0–1: wall tile only, not for floors
– PEI 2: light residential floors with minimal traffic
– PEI 3: standard residential floors
– PEI 4: heavy residential and light commercial
– PEI 5: heavy commercial — maximum durability

Ask specifically what PEI rating the proposed tile carries and whether it matches the expected traffic level.

What grout is being used, and should it be sealed?

Grout color, width, and sealing all affect appearance and maintenance. Unsanded grout is for joints under 3mm; sanded grout for wider joints. Ask whether grout will be sealed after installation and what the recommended maintenance routine is.

Carpet Questions

What is the carpet fiber?

Nylon: The most durable and stain-resistant fiber. Best for high-traffic areas and homes with pets or children.

Polyester: Softer and more affordable than nylon, good stain resistance but less resilient — fibers crush more easily under heavy traffic.

Wool: Natural, durable, and sustainable. Expensive and requires more care.

Triexta (PTT): A newer fiber with excellent stain resistance and durability, similar to nylon in performance.

Ask specifically what fiber the proposed carpet is made from.

What is the face weight and density?

Face weight (ounces per square yard) and density (how tightly fibers are packed) together determine carpet durability. Higher face weight and higher density = better wear resistance. For high-traffic areas, look for 40+ oz face weight with high density.

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