If you've turned the calendar on 2025 with an eye to sprucing up your home, one of the most sought-after improvements this year will likely be flooring.
Not only can a new floor give your home an instant facelift, it's an improvement that offers a wide variety of possibilities and price points, depending on your style, your family needs and your budget.
At the same time, new floors aren't something you invest in every day, so if it's been a few years – or longer! – since you've selected new flooring, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the wide variety of options.
To help, we checked in with the Alberni Valley's experts at United Floors, part of Pacific West Home Solutions, to see what's new, what's trending, and what you might consider for your floors this year.
First, whether you're considering tiles, vinyl or laminate, expect to see larger-format options. Instead of 12x12-inch tiles, for example, 12x24-inch or 24x24-inch tiles or even larger are increasingly popular, notes store manager Jon Lauener.
For those opting for the wood-look boards, whether in vinyl, laminate or engineered hardwood, longer boards are increasingly common – in the 7x48-inch range, or even as long as 87 inches, Lauener says.
As for colours, especially in the wood-look options, expect to see more lighter, natural tones, instead of the greys.
For versatility, it's tough to beat vinyl, which is resilient, water-resistant and can replicate a host of looks, including stone, tile and wood. However, while durable and easy to clean, vinyl can scratch, so it's important to use safeguards like furniture pads.
If you love the look of real wood, engineered hardwood is the go-to choice for many renovations and new home builds, both for its attractive appearance and its practicality, Lauener says, noting it's also one of the three additions that often adds value to your home.
"It's beautiful, soft and warm to walk on, and adds lots of value," he notes.
Typically a hardwood veneer over a multi-layered plywood, engineered hardwood withstands the temperature and moisture changes without expanding and contracting like hardwood. It also comes in an array of colours, textures and board lengths to suit a variety of home styles.
For timeless elegance, hardwood also remains a sought-after option, and while usually the most expensive flooring, United Floors currently has a significant sale underway, with as much as 60 to 70 per cent off select hardwoods.
You’ll also find additional discounts throughout the store, including tile, vinyl, engineered hardwood and more, and for those who love cosy-on-the-toes carpet, there’s lots in store.
Installation considerations
Beyond trends, installation is worth considering. Innovations over the last decade or so have made some products easier for the homeowner to install than others, so depending on your abilities, the flooring chosen and the current substrate in your home, an expert, warranty-approved installation may offer the best result, Lauener notes.
Start planning today at unitedfloors.ca/en/cp-port-alberni-bc or stop by the store at 3540 3rd Ave. in Port Alberni.