If you live in one of the classic mid century bungalows in Alderwood, Long Branch, or New Toronto, you know that your basement is your home’s greatest untapped asset. Many of these post war homes were built with solid bones but unfinished lower levels that often remain damp or underutilized. Whether you are looking to create a cozy family rec room, a modern home office, or a high value rental suite to offset your mortgage, the foundation of a great renovation starts with the floor.
However, Etobicoke basements present unique challenges that vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. With older foundations sitting on clay heavy soil and the significant humidity swings caused by our proximity to Lake Ontario, choosing the wrong material can lead to warped wood, buckling planks, and costly mold remediation. As experienced flooring contractors in Etobicoke, we have spent years studying the local water table and soil conditions to determine what works best for our local architecture.
Top Flooring Choices for Etobicoke Bungalows
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): The Waterproof Champion
For the typical Alderwood bungalow, Luxury Vinyl Plank is our top recommendation for several reasons. Modern LVP features a Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) core that is 100% waterproof. This is a critical feature for local homes where an aging foundation or an older sump pump might struggle during a heavy spring thaw or those sudden summer downpours. LVP has evolved significantly in recent years. It now perfectly mimics the texture and grain of the hardwood on your main floor, allowing for a consistent design language throughout your home while remaining impervious to moisture and spills.
Engineered Hardwood: For High End Style and Resale Value
Many homeowners in South Etobicoke want the prestige and organic feel of real wood underfoot. While solid hardwood is not recommended for below grade projects because it expands too much, Engineered Hardwood is a fantastic alternative for a high end basement renovation. Its unique layered construction makes it much more stable against the expansion and contraction caused by Ontario’s fluctuating humidity. This is the choice for homeowners looking to maximize their property value before hitting the market.
Porcelain Tile: Indestructible and Elegant
If you are converting your basement into a high traffic laundry room or a legal rental suite with its own kitchen, porcelain tile is king. It is nearly impossible to scratch or stain, making it ideal for tenants or pets. To combat the cold feet feeling common in concrete slab basements, we frequently install electric radiant floor heating systems beneath the tile. This turns a once chilly basement into the warmest and most comfortable room in the house during a cold Etobicoke winter.
Our Professional Installation Process
When you work with a professional team like Rich by Design Inc., the process is designed to ensure your floor lasts for decades, not just a few seasons. We follow a strict multi step approach for every Etobicoke basement project:
- Site Assessment and Moisture Testing: We do not just look at the floor; we test the concrete slab for moisture levels using specialized meters to ensure the foundation is ready for installation.
- Subfloor Preparation and Leveling: Many older homes in Alderwood have settled over time, resulting in uneven concrete. We use self leveling compounds to create a perfectly flat surface, which is essential for a click lock floor.
- Moisture Barrier Installation: In older homes, we often install a dimpled membrane or a high grade moisture barrier. This creates an essential air gap that prevents mold growth and keeps the flooring material away from the cold concrete.
- Material Acclimation: We bring the flooring materials into your home 48 to 72 hours before installation. This allows the planks to adjust to your basement’s specific temperature and humidity levels, preventing gaps or buckling later.
- Precision Installation: Whether it is a floating click lock system for LVP or a glue down for engineered wood, we ensure every joint is tight and every edge is perfectly trimmed for a professional finish.
- Finishing and Transitions: We install matching baseboards and door transitions to ensure a polished look that increases the overall aesthetic of your renovation.
Typical Project Timeline and the Best Season to Renovate
A standard basement flooring project for a 1,000 square foot bungalow typically takes 3 to 5 business days to complete once the materials have properly acclimated to the environment. If your project involves extensive subfloor leveling or the installation of radiant heating, you should budget for an extra 2 days.
While we install flooring year round, many Etobicoke homeowners prefer to do basement work in the late spring or summer. During these months, the ground is generally drier, which makes it much easier for our team to address any foundation cracks or waterproofing issues before the new floor goes down. Additionally, summer humidity levels allow us to see exactly how the materials perform in peak moisture conditions, ensuring the installation is robust enough for any season.
Investment and Pricing Info for 2026
Pricing in the Toronto and Etobicoke area varies based on the quality of the material and the complexity of the preparation work. For 2026, you can expect the following estimated ranges for a professional installation:
- Luxury Vinyl Plank: $5 to $9 per square foot (fully installed)
- Engineered Hardwood: $8 to $15 per square foot (fully installed)
- Subfloor Membranes and Prep: $1.50 to $3 per square foot extra
- Radiant Heat Installation: $5 to $10 per square foot (plus electrical hookup)
Please keep in mind that removing old, glued down carpet or grinding down high spots in an older concrete floor can add to the initial labor costs.
Where to Buy: Best Flooring Shops in Etobicoke
If you want to see samples and feel the textures in person before your renovation begins, Etobicoke is home to some of the most impressive flooring showrooms in the GTA. Rich by Design Inc. has established great long term partnerships with these top local suppliers. These relationships allow us to ensure our clients receive special preferred pricing and priority stock access that is not available to the general public:
- AA Floors and More (Evans Ave): They offer a massive selection of engineered wood and LVP, and they are located right in the heart of the Etobicoke industrial area.
- The Floor Shop (Kingsway Location): This is a fantastic local choice for those seeking high quality hardwoods and expert design advice.
- Flooring and Home (The Queensway): This shop is excellent for homeowners looking for designer tiles and luxury vinyl options that stand out.
By sourcing your materials through our partners, you get the benefit of guaranteed quality control and significant savings on your total project cost.
Transform Your Basement Today
Flooring is just one piece of the puzzle, but it is the most visible and impactful choice you will make. From structural changes to legal second suite requirements and basement waterproofing, we specialize in home renovations in Toronto and the surrounding GTA neighborhoods. Whether you are in a cozy bungalow in Alderwood or a newer custom build in The Kingsway, we ensure your basement is dry, legal, and beautiful for years to come.
Contact Rich by Design Inc. today for a free consultation and to access our exclusive partner pricing for your upcoming flooring or basement renovation project.