Flooring Installation in Toronto: What to Expect from Start to Finish

Whether you’re upgrading a single room or renovating your entire home, new flooring can completely transform the look and feel of your space. But beyond choosing the perfect material and style, understanding the flooring installation process is key to a successful project—especially in a city like Toronto, where older homes, changing weather, and local regulations can affect every step.

At The Floor Shop, we’ve been providing expert flooring services across the Greater Toronto Area for over 30 years. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what to expect when having your flooring professionally installed, from the initial consultation to the final finishing touches.

#1. Initial Consultation and Planning

The flooring installation journey begins with a consultation. This is where our team at The Floor Shop gets to know your goals, preferences, and space.

What to Expect:

Assessment of the space: We’ll take accurate measurements, assess the condition of your current flooring, subfloor, and structure, and identify any problem areas (like moisture, uneven surfaces, or squeaks).
Material recommendations: Based on your needs—whether it’s engineered hardwood for a living room, luxury vinyl for a basement, or cork for a cozy bedroom—we’ll recommend the best options from our extensive showroom selection.
Budget discussion: We’ll provide transparent pricing, including materials, underlayment, installation, and any prep work.
Scheduling: Once you’re ready to proceed, we’ll schedule a time that works for you, with consideration for material delivery and acclimatization (if required).

This planning stage sets the tone for a smooth, stress-free installation.

#2. Preparing Your Home

Proper preparation is essential. Before our installation team arrives, there are a few things homeowners can do to help the process go smoothly.

What You Can Do:

Clear the area: Remove furniture, rugs, décor, and any personal items from the room(s) being renovated.
Plan for pets and children: Flooring installation involves tools, adhesives, and movement. Keeping kids and pets safely away from the work zone is crucial.
Disconnect electronics and appliances: If flooring is being installed in kitchens or media rooms, unplug and move devices out of the way.

Climate control: For some materials (like hardwood or cork), maintaining indoor temperatures and humidity within recommended ranges is necessary for stability.

Don’t Forget the Underlayment

No matter which flooring you choose, underlayment plays a huge role in how quiet your floors are.

Types of sound-absorbing underlayment include:

Foam or cork pads: Ideal for vinyl and laminate flooring.
Rubber underlay: Great for soundproofing between floors.
Felt or fiber pads: Often used under engineered hardwood.

Some luxury vinyl and laminate products come with built-in underlayment, but others will need a separate layer. Our experts at The Floor Shop can help you choose the right one for your floor type and installation style.

#3. Subfloor Preparation

One of the most important steps—often overlooked—is subfloor prep. The quality of your subfloor impacts the performance, longevity, and appearance of your new flooring.

What Our Team Does:

Remove existing flooring: Old carpet, tile, or laminate will be removed unless pre-agreed to be installed over.
Inspect the subfloor: We’ll check for moisture, damage, or uneven surfaces and address any issues on the spot.
Leveling: If there are dips or uneven areas, we’ll use leveling compounds or sanding to ensure a flat, stable surface.
Install underlayment: Depending on the flooring type, we’ll install an underlayment to help with soundproofing, moisture resistance, and comfort.

Especially in Toronto homes with older construction or concrete slabs, this step is critical for proper installation.

#4. Material Acclimatization (When Needed)

Some flooring types—especially hardwood and cork—require time to adjust to your home’s indoor environment before installation. This prevents expansion, contraction, or warping later.

What to Expect:

Materials may need to be delivered 48-72 hours in advance.
Boxes will be opened and left in the space where they’ll be installed to equalize temperature and humidity.
Your installer will guide you if acclimatization is necessary based on your chosen product.

Engineered hardwood, vinyl, and laminate usually have shorter or no acclimation needs, depending on the manufacturer.

#5. The Installation Process

Now comes the main event—your flooring is installed by our professional team with precision, care, and attention to detail.

Installation Methods Vary:

Floating floors: Common with laminate and vinyl, these click-lock floors are not attached to the subfloor and are quick to install.
Glue-down floors: Used for vinyl tiles or some engineered wood. Adhesive is applied to secure flooring directly to the subfloor.
Nail/staple down: Typically for hardwood, this method requires a wooden subfloor and provides a permanent, sturdy installation.
Custom stair work: If you’re replacing stair treads or adding new ones to match your flooring, we custom fabricate and install stair components for a seamless look.

The Floor Shop’s installers work efficiently, cleanly, and safely. We’ll also ensure that transitions between rooms and trims (like baseboards and quarter round) are carefully handled to maintain a polished finish.

#6. Cleanup and Inspection

Once installation is complete, our team takes care of post-project cleanup.

What’s Included:

Removal of debris and packaging
Final vacuuming or dusting of the installed area
Walk-through with you to review the finished product

We’ll also provide specific care instructions for your new floor, including how to clean it and which products to avoid.

#7. Aftercare and Maintenance Advice

After installation, it’s important to know how to care for your new floors so they look beautiful and last for years.

General Tips:

Use felt pads under furniture to prevent scratches.
Clean spills immediately, especially on wood or cork.
Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dust and debris.
Use a slightly damp mop—never soaking wet—especially for hardwood, laminate, or cork.
Avoid harsh cleaners and wax-based products.

At The Floor Shop, we’re happy to provide long-term care advice and recommend the best cleaning products for your specific flooring type.

Final Thoughts: What to Expect from a Trusted Toronto Flooring Installer

Flooring installation doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right materials, proper planning, and a team of experienced professionals, the process can be smooth, efficient, and even exciting.

At The Floor Shop, we walk with you every step of the way—from showroom to installation. Whether you’re upgrading your floors in an older Toronto home, renovating a condo, or refreshing a commercial space, we’re here to deliver expert guidance, quality craftsmanship, and long-lasting results.

Visit The Floor Shop Today

Ready to upgrade your floors? Contact The Floor Shop or visit one of our Toronto showrooms to explore flooring options, ask questions, and book your installation. Our team is here to make your flooring project a success—from start to finish.