Ottawa & the National Capital Region

New floors, done right — for Ottawa homes and winters.

Your floor is the one surface you touch every single day. We install hardwood, vinyl, laminate and tile — and get the subfloor, moisture control and acclimatization right, so it still looks flawless five winters from now.

Book a no-cost assessment (613) 324-9141
  • Fixed-price, in writingAfter an on-site measure
  • Subfloor tested firstMoisture & levelling checked
  • Acclimatized to your homeStable before it's fastened
  • Written guaranteeDelivered on completion
Warm parquet hardwood floor in a bright Ottawa living room with white walls
One trade Flooring is all we do — every working day.

Your floor is the one surface you touch every single day. It sets the tone of a room, carries the weight of family life, and either holds up beautifully for decades or starts to cup, gap and squeak within a season. In a climate that swings from humid July afternoons to −25 °C January mornings, getting flooring right in Ottawa is as much about the subfloor, the moisture control and the acclimatization as it is about the plank you fall in love with in the showroom.

Floors Ottawa installs hardwood, engineered hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, laminate and tile throughout the National Capital Region. We handle the parts most homeowners never see — subfloor levelling, moisture barriers, transitions and expansion gaps — because those are the parts that decide whether a floor still looks flawless five winters from now.

  • A written, fixed-price quote after an on-site measure — no surprises after the crew arrives.
  • Moisture testing and subfloor assessment before a single plank is cut.
  • Manufacturer-specified acclimatization so your floor is stable before it is fastened.
  • A written workmanship guarantee delivered on completion.
Minimalist Ottawa living room with warm wooden flooring and neutral furnishings
1 trade, done well
About Floors Ottawa

The trade we practise, and nothing else.

Flooring installation is the only trade we practise. A general renovator installs floors between framing, drywall and finish carpentry; we do it every working day, across every material and every subfloor condition Ottawa housing stock throws at us — from century homes in the Glebe with plank subfloors that have never been flat, to concrete slabs in Barrhaven new builds, to below-grade basements in Orléans where moisture management is the whole game.

Why homeowners choose us

Reasons rooted in process — not promises.

Every reason below is something we do on every job, phrased so it is true by construction. That is how flooring should be bought.

01

Flooring is our only trade

We are not a general contractor who also does floors. Every crew member spends their working life installing flooring, which means faster, cleaner, more precise work and fewer of the callbacks that come from unfamiliarity.

02

The subfloor gets solved first

Before we talk about finish, we assess and correct the substrate: moisture testing, levelling and repair. A beautiful plank over a bad subfloor is a failure waiting to happen, and we will not install over one without addressing it.

03

Built for the Ottawa climate

Our region's humidity swing — muggy summers, bone-dry heated winters — is hard on flooring. We acclimatize wood products to your home's conditions before installation and detail expansion gaps for seasonal movement, so your floor stays flat and gap-free year-round.

04

Documented quality steps

Moisture readings, subfloor prep, layout and final walk-through are all part of a repeatable process. Project documentation is available on request, so you know precisely what was done beneath your floor.

05

A fixed price, in writing

After an on-site measure we deliver a written, fixed-price quote. Your price is the number on that quote — not an hourly meter that climbs while the crew is in your home.

06

A written workmanship guarantee

Every installation is backed by a written workmanship guarantee delivered on completion, alongside the manufacturer's product warranty for the flooring you selected.

Flooring services in Ottawa

Every material we install — and what it's for.

Each service shows an indicative installed range based on published 2025 Ottawa-market pricing. Your actual price is the written quote after an on-site measure.

Warm hardwood plank flooring in an Ottawa home

Solid & Engineered Hardwood

Hardwood remains the benchmark for warmth and resale value in Ottawa homes, and it handles our cold climate beautifully when installed correctly. Solid hardwood suits above-grade living spaces; engineered hardwood is the right choice over concrete slabs, in basements and over radiant heat, because its layered construction is far more stable against Ottawa's humidity swings. We nail, glue or float depending on your subfloor and product.

$9–$23 / sq ft Species, grade & site conditions
Luxury vinyl plank flooring in a modern Ottawa interior

Luxury Vinyl Plank & Tile

Waterproof, durable and quieter underfoot than laminate, luxury vinyl is the fastest-growing choice in Ottawa — ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms and basements where moisture rules out wood. Click-lock floating systems install quickly; glue-down suits high-traffic and commercial spaces.

$3.50–$10 / sq ft Click-lock vs. glue-down
Light oak laminate flooring planks

Laminate Flooring

Laminate delivers a convincing wood look at the friendliest price point and stands up well to kids, pets and heavy foot traffic. It suits dry areas — hallways, family rooms, bedrooms — and many products now include built-in underlayment for comfort and sound insulation.

$3.50–$9 / sq ft Dry areas; plank thickness
Patterned tile flooring detail

Tile (Porcelain & Ceramic)

Tile is the most durable and moisture-resistant option available, well suited to entryways, kitchens, bathrooms and anywhere that meets Ottawa slush and salt. Because installation is precise and labour-intensive — proper substrate, cement board where required, layout, setting and grouting — it sits at the higher end for labour.

$9–$22 / sq ft Pattern complexity drives labour
Warm room interior with soft flooring underfoot

Carpet Installation

Carpet still earns its place in bedrooms, rec rooms and basements — especially for families with young children and for the warmth it adds through a long Ottawa winter. We install wall-to-wall carpet with quality underpad for comfort and insulation.

$3.50–$12 / sq ft With underpad; fibre & pile
Close-up of wood grain during hardwood refinishing

Hardwood Refinishing

If your existing hardwood is sound but tired, refinishing restores it for a fraction of replacement cost. We sand, repair, stain to your chosen tone and seal.

$2.50–$5 / sq ft Sand, stain & seal existing wood
Wood staircase and structural detail representing subfloor work

Subfloor Levelling & Removal

The prep that protects everything above it: levelling uneven or sloped subfloors, replacing damaged panels, installing moisture barriers, and removing and disposing of old flooring. Old-floor removal runs roughly $0.50–$2 per square foot, with subfloor repair and levelling from about $1–$5 depending on condition.

$1–$5 / sq ft Removal from $0.50/sq ft
Sunlit wood floor suitable for radiant heat systems

Radiant-Heat-Compatible Floors

Planning in-floor heating? The flooring finish changes both comfort and heat output — tile transfers heat superbly, engineered hardwood performs well within manufacturer temperature limits, and carpet reduces output. We install the finish layer to suit a properly designed radiant system and its temperature targets.

Priced by finish Plus any substrate work
Indicative pricing

What flooring costs in Ottawa.

These figures describe the local market — not a quote for your specific project. They're based on published 2025 Ottawa-market pricing.

Engineered & solid hardwood

The premium choice for warmth and resale value, installed for Ottawa's climate. Ranges combine typical material and labour and vary by species, grade and install method.

$9–$23 per square foot, installed
Luxury vinyl (LVP / LVT)
$3.50–$10
Click-lock vs. glue-down
Laminate
$3.50–$9
Dry areas; plank thickness
Tile (porcelain / ceramic)
$9–$22
Pattern drives labour
Carpet (with underpad)
$3.50–$12
Fibre, pile, stair work
Hardwood refinishing
$2.50–$5
Sand, stain, seal
Old-floor removal
$0.50–$2
Disposal included
Subfloor repair / levelling
$1–$5
By condition
Installer labour
$50–$100
Per hour; 30–50% of a job

What moves your price

The material and grade you choose; total square footage (larger open areas usually cost less per square foot than small, cut-heavy rooms); subfloor condition and any levelling needed; install complexity such as herringbone, diagonal or intricate tile patterns; stairs and transitions; and removal of existing flooring. Your price is the written, fixed-price quote we provide after measuring on site.

Pricing disclosure

Indicative ranges above are for general budgeting only and are not an offer to contract. Ranges exclude: building permits at cost where required; engineering or structural assessment at cost where required; HST; and unforeseen conditions discovered once existing flooring is lifted (for example hidden subfloor rot, moisture, or asbestos-containing materials in older homes). Your binding price is the written quote issued after an on-site assessment.

Common problems we solve

The failures we're built to prevent.

Each is tied to a real local condition — Ottawa's climate, its housing stock, or the code your floor has to meet.

Cupping, gapping & buckling hardwood

Ottawa's humidity swing is the usual culprit. Wood installed without acclimatization or without proper expansion gaps cups in humid summers and gaps in dry, heated winters. We test conditions, acclimatize the product, and detail movement correctly so the floor stays flat through the seasons.

Moisture & cold in basements

Basements in Orléans, Barrhaven and across the region push moisture up through the slab and stay cold underfoot. Solid hardwood is not code-appropriate below grade; we specify engineered hardwood, luxury vinyl or tile with the right moisture barrier and, where present, a radiant-ready assembly.

Uneven & sloped subfloors

Century and pre-war homes in the Glebe, Old Ottawa South and Hintonburg rarely have flat subfloors. Installing a rigid click floor over a wavy substrate creates flex, hollow spots and separation. We level first, so the finished floor is solid and quiet.

Squeaks, hollow spots & movement

Squeaks come from movement — loose subfloor fasteners, inadequate underlayment, or a floating floor with no room to expand. We diagnose the source and correct the assembly rather than covering the symptom.

Water damage in wet rooms

Ottawa winters mean salt, slush and meltwater at every door. In wet-prone rooms we steer homeowners toward waterproof luxury vinyl or tile and detail the transitions and perimeters to keep water out of the substrate.

Mismatched transitions

Moving from tile to wood, or across a doorway between rooms, needs proper transition strips at the correct heights — both for looks and to meet transition-height expectations under the Ontario Building Code. We plan transitions before install, not as an afterthought.

Homeowner checklist

Questions to ask any flooring contractor.

Flooring is bought infrequently and hard to compare fairly. Use this to protect yourself — whether you hire us or anyone else.

The standard we work to

  • Moisture-test the subfloor before installing over concrete or below grade.
  • Level and repair the subfloor rather than installing over an uneven surface.
  • Acclimatize wood products to the home before fastening.
  • Leave manufacturer-specified expansion gaps at every perimeter and transition.
  • Put the full price in writing before work begins.
  • Provide a written workmanship guarantee on completion.

Questions to ask before you sign

  • Is the quote fixed-price and in writing, or an hourly estimate that can climb?
  • Do you moisture-test and assess my subfloor as part of the job?
  • Is this material code-appropriate for below grade or over radiant heat in my case?
  • How will you handle expansion gaps and transitions between rooms?
  • What's included in your workmanship guarantee, and is it in writing?
  • Who handles removal and disposal of my old flooring, and is it in the price?

A contractor who answers all of these clearly, in writing, is one you can trust with your floor. We're always glad to walk through every one of them before you commit.

How it works

Six steps, each with a commitment we control.

No surprises between them. You always know what's next and what we've promised.

1

On-site assessment & measure

We measure precisely, check the subfloor and moisture conditions, and talk through material options for how each room is used. No cost, no obligation — we aim to respond within one business day.

2

Written, fixed-price quote

You receive a written, fixed-price quote — typically within two business days of the measure — itemizing materials, prep, installation and any removal. It's the price you pay.

3

Material selection & ordering

We help finalize product, colour and finish to suit each room's traffic and moisture, then order and schedule delivery so materials can acclimatize on site.

4

Subfloor prep & acclimatization

We remove old flooring as needed, level and repair the subfloor, set moisture barriers, and let wood products acclimatize to your home's humidity per specification.

5

Professional installation

Our crew installs to manufacturer specification with correct expansion gaps, underlayment, fastening and transitions — protecting the rest of your home and keeping the site clean.

6

Walk-through & written guarantee

We complete a final walk-through with you, address any detail, clean up fully, and deliver your written workmanship guarantee alongside the manufacturer's product warranty.

Service areas

Where we work across Ottawa.

We install throughout the City of Ottawa and surrounding communities. A few of the neighbourhoods we serve:

Downtown & Centretown The Glebe Old Ottawa South Old Ottawa East Hintonburg Westboro Wellington West Sandy Hill Vanier Rockcliffe Park Alta Vista Riverside South Barrhaven Nepean Bells Corners Kanata Stittsville Orléans Blackburn Hamlet Gloucester Cumberland Manotick Greely Osgoode Metcalfe Richmond Carp Dunrobin Kars Findlay Creek Leitrim Carlington Overbrook Beacon Hill

Not sure if we reach your neighbourhood? Call (613) 324-9141 and ask — if you're in the National Capital Region, we most likely install where you live.

Ottawa flooring guide

Codes, climate & local realities.

The rules and conditions that actually shape a flooring project in the National Capital Region.

Do you need a permit?

For most homeowners, no. The City of Ottawa and the Ontario Building Code treat like-for-like replacement and installing new flooring over an existing surface as cosmetic work that doesn't need a permit. A permit is triggered when work affects structure, plumbing, electrical or a change of use — like finishing a basement or altering stairs.

What the OBC says about your floor

The OBC's Part 9 governs the assembly underneath your finish — subfloor thickness, moisture and vapour barriers, and transition heights — even when no permit is needed. Solid hardwood isn't appropriate below grade (engineered is the compliant alternative), and tile assemblies generally need a thicker or reinforced substrate than wood.

Radiant floor heating

Installing in-floor radiant heat? The OBC requires rigid insulation beneath a heated slab (a minimum of R-10 under in-floor radiant is standard), and hydronic loops should be pressure-tested before they're covered. Your finish then needs to suit the system: tile transfers heat best, engineered hardwood works within limits, carpet reduces output.

The Ottawa climate challenge

Ottawa's continental climate — humid summers and long, dry, heated winters — drives significant seasonal movement in wood and demands moisture discipline in basements. This is the single biggest reason local floors fail. Acclimatization, correct expansion gaps and moisture barriers aren't optional extras here; they're the difference between a floor that lasts and one that cups or buckles.

Older homes & hidden surprises

Parts of the Ottawa Valley and eastern Ontario have known radon levels, and the 2024 OBC requires a sub-floor depressurization rough-in for radon in new homes. When we lift old flooring in older properties we occasionally find asbestos-containing tile or adhesive, hidden moisture, or subfloor rot — conditions that need remediation before we proceed, which is why they're flagged as at-cost items.

Booking inspections

On the occasions a permit is involved — usually a basement finish rather than the flooring itself — the City of Ottawa asks that inspections be booked 48 hours in advance, and plans must be on site for the inspector. We coordinate our flooring stage around those inspection points so nothing is buried before it's been checked.

What homeowners say

Work that speaks for itself.

"

They found moisture in our basement slab that two other quotes completely missed. We went with engineered hardwood and a proper barrier instead of the solid wood we'd planned — and a year later it still looks perfect.

— Homeowner, Orléans
"

Our century home in the Glebe had floors that sloped every direction. They levelled everything before laying the new white oak. No squeaks, no gaps, and the price was exactly what the written quote said.

— Homeowner, The Glebe
"

Fast, clean, and genuinely knowledgeable about what works over radiant heat. They talked us out of a product that would have voided the warranty and into one that performs. That honesty sold us.

— Homeowner, Kanata
"

We did luxury vinyl through the whole basement and mudroom. Waterproof, warm, and it handles the kids and the dog. The crew protected the rest of the house the entire time.

— Homeowner, Barrhaven
"

Refinished our existing maple instead of pushing us to replace it — saved us thousands. Straightforward people who clearly do this all day.

— Homeowner, Westboro
"

Tile in the entryway and kitchen came out flawless, and the transitions between rooms are seamless. You can tell the prep work underneath was done right.

— Homeowner, Nepean
"

Booked an assessment, got a written fixed price two days later, and there were zero surprises on install day. Exactly how a renovation should go.

— Homeowner, Stittsville
"

Subcontracted them for flooring on a client's basement finish. Clean work, on schedule, and their documentation made the inspection painless.

— Local Renovation Contractor
Frequently asked

Ottawa flooring questions, answered.

Usually no. Like-for-like replacement and installing new flooring over an existing surface are treated as cosmetic work that does not require a building permit in Ottawa. A permit is triggered only when work affects structure, plumbing, electrical, or changes the use of a space — such as finishing a basement or altering stairs.
Below grade, avoid solid hardwood — it is not code-appropriate there. Engineered hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, and tile are the right choices, installed with a proper moisture barrier over the slab. Luxury vinyl is especially popular for basements because it is waterproof and warmer underfoot than tile.
Based on published 2025 Ottawa-market pricing, installed ranges are roughly: hardwood $9–$23/sq ft, luxury vinyl $3.50–$10/sq ft, laminate $3.50–$9/sq ft, tile $9–$22/sq ft, and carpet $3.50–$12/sq ft with underpad. These are indicative only; your price is the written quote after an on-site measure.
Wood expands and contracts with humidity, and Ottawa swings from humid summers to dry, heated winters. Letting the product sit in your home to reach equilibrium with its conditions before fastening prevents cupping in summer and gapping in winter. Skipping this step is the most common cause of floor failure locally.
Yes — engineered hardwood in particular — provided the radiant system is designed and controlled to respect the manufacturer's temperature and moisture limits. The finish should be chosen alongside the heating design, not assumed to be compatible after the fact. Tile transfers heat best; carpet reduces output.
Both give a wood look affordably. Choose luxury vinyl for anywhere moisture is a factor — kitchens, bathrooms, basements, mudrooms — because it is waterproof and quieter. Choose laminate for dry areas like bedrooms and hallways, where it offers excellent scratch resistance at the lowest price point.
Most residential rooms install in a few days once materials have acclimatized, though subfloor repair, tile setting and grouting, or intricate patterns add time. We give you a realistic schedule with your written quote.
Yes. Removal and disposal are quoted as part of the job, typically around $0.50–$2 per square foot depending on the material being removed. In older homes, note that old tile or adhesive can contain asbestos, which requires separate remediation if found.
We assess and, where needed, level and repair the subfloor before installing. A rigid floor over an uneven substrate flexes, squeaks, and separates. Levelling costs roughly $1–$5 per square foot depending on condition — and it is what makes the finished floor solid and quiet.
Tile is the most durable and moisture-resistant, ideal for entryways and kitchens that meet winter slush and salt. Luxury vinyl is close behind and warmer underfoot. For living areas, quality engineered hardwood balances durability with the warmth and resale value of real wood.
Yes. You receive a written workmanship guarantee on completion, in addition to the manufacturer's product warranty for the flooring you selected. Project documentation is available on request.
Our quote is written and fixed-price after an on-site measure. The only items that sit outside it are the at-cost exceptions in our pricing disclosure — permits or engineering where required, HST, and genuinely unforeseen conditions found once the old floor is lifted.
We install throughout the City of Ottawa and surrounding communities, including the Glebe, Westboro, Barrhaven, Kanata, Stittsville, Orléans, Nepean, Manotick, and many more. If you are in the National Capital Region, call and ask — we most likely reach you.
Call (613) 324-9141 or use our contact form to book a no-cost, no-obligation on-site assessment. We aim to respond within one business day and to deliver your written quote within about two business days of the measure.
Book your assessment

Your new floor starts with one call.

Tell us how each space is used and what you have in mind. We'll recommend materials that suit your rooms, your climate and your budget — then put a fixed price in writing.

(613) 324-9141 We aim to respond within one business day
  • No-cost, no-obligation on-site assessment and measure.
  • Written, fixed-price quote, typically within two business days.
  • Materials matched to how you actually live in each room.
  • Written workmanship guarantee on completion.
Call now Get quote