The Best Flooring Options for Condo Living in Toronto
Living in a Toronto condo comes with unique benefits—like vibrant city access, modern amenities, and compact, efficient spaces. But when it comes to flooring, condos have their own set of considerations. From soundproofing to subfloor restrictions and building bylaws, selecting the right flooring is about more than just style.
At The Floor Shop, we help Toronto condo owners find flooring solutions that are functional, beautiful, and compliant with condo regulations. Here’s your complete guide to the best flooring options for condo living in the city.
What Makes Flooring “Condo-Friendly”?
Before diving into materials, here’s what you should be looking for when choosing flooring for a condo:
- Sound absorption – Essential in multi-unit buildings to reduce noise between floors.
- Moisture resistance – Especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and units with concrete subfloors.
- Building code compliance – Many condos require specific underlayments or sound ratings.
- Easy maintenance – Condo living often means less storage and cleaning space, so low-maintenance options are ideal.
- Space-enhancing visuals – Lighter tones, wider planks, and sleek finishes can make smaller spaces feel bigger.
Top Flooring Options for Toronto Condos
1. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
Why it’s great for condos:
Luxury vinyl plank has become a condo favorite for good reason. It mimics the look of hardwood, is soft and quiet underfoot, and it’s completely waterproof—perfect for high-rise living.
- Pros: Sound-absorbent with the right underlay, waterproof, low-maintenance, budget-friendly.
- Style Bonus: Comes in a wide variety of colors and wood textures.
- Best for: Kitchens, living areas, bedrooms, and even bathrooms.
2. Engineered Hardwood
Why it’s great for condos:
Engineered hardwood offers the warmth and elegance of natural wood with added stability, making it ideal for buildings with concrete subfloors or radiant heating systems.
- Pros: Real wood veneer, more moisture-resistant than solid hardwood, condo-approved with proper underlayment.
- Considerations: Choose wider planks to create an open feel in smaller spaces.
- Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways.
3. Laminate Flooring
Why it’s great for condos:
Laminate offers the look of wood at a more affordable price point and holds up well in busy households. With a high-quality underlayment, it can also meet sound insulation requirements.
- Pros: Durable, scratch-resistant, easy to clean, cost-effective.
- Pro Tip: Choose water-resistant or waterproof laminate for added peace of mind.
- Best for: Bedrooms, offices, dining areas.
4. Cork Flooring
Why it’s great for condos:
Cork is a soft, eco-friendly option that’s naturally quiet—an excellent fit for shared living environments. It’s also hypoallergenic and comfortable underfoot.
- Pros: Sound-dampening, sustainable, antimicrobial, warm to the touch.
- Care Tip: Requires sealing to protect against moisture.
- Best for: Bedrooms, home offices, quiet living spaces.
Condo Flooring Regulations: What You Need to Know
Toronto condo boards often have rules in place to ensure harmony among residents. Always check your building’s bylaws before committing to a flooring material.
Things to verify:
- Sound transmission class (STC) and impact insulation class (IIC) requirements.
- Approved types of underlayment.
- Whether professional installation is required.
- Guidelines for flooring changes near shared walls or wet areas.
At The Floor Shop, we’re familiar with many Toronto condo regulations and can help guide you through what’s allowed in your building.
Smart Tips for Choosing Condo Flooring
Choosing the right flooring for a condo isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s also about making the most of a smaller, shared-living space. These smart design tips can help you create a more cohesive, comfortable, and visually spacious home.
- Use one flooring type throughout to create the illusion of more space. Continuity in flooring helps reduce visual breaks between rooms, making your condo feel larger, more open, and well put together. It also simplifies transitions and makes maintenance easier.
- Avoid high-gloss finishes that reflect light unevenly and can highlight every scuff, scratch, or speck of dust. Instead, opt for a matte or satin finish that feels modern and is much more forgiving—especially in high-traffic areas.
- Choose click-lock or floating floors when adhesives aren’t permitted by your condo board. These options make installation easier and allow for future changes without damaging the subfloor—ideal for condo living.
- Prioritize sound-reducing underlayments even if your building doesn’t require them. Not only will it help you meet condo regulations if they change in the future, but it also makes daily life quieter and more comfortable—for you and your neighbors. A little extra sound insulation goes a long way in a shared building.
Why Work with The Floor Shop?
As Toronto’s flooring experts for over 30 years, we specialize in helping condo owners make smart, stylish, and regulation-compliant flooring choices. We offer:
- Personalized guidance based on your condo’s rules and layout.
- High-quality flooring materials designed for urban living.
- Expert installation services with clean, efficient turnaround.
- Solutions for soundproofing, transitions, and custom trims.
Final Thoughts: Floors That Fit Condo Life
The right flooring can elevate your condo living experience—offering comfort, quiet, and style in one cohesive package. Whether you prefer the clean lines of engineered hardwood, the durability of vinyl, or the eco-friendliness of cork, there’s a perfect flooring solution for every Toronto condo.
Visit The Floor Shop Today
Looking for flooring that’s perfect for your Toronto condo? Visit one of our showrooms or contact us for a personalized consultation. At The Floor Shop, we’ll help you find stylish, practical, condo-approved flooring you’ll love coming home to.
