Short answer: for basements, choose SPC (stone-plastic composite) vinyl plank. It is 100% waterproof, handles the humidity swings of an Ontario basement and survives a minor leak. Laminate is a great choice for main floors and bedrooms where you want a thicker, more wood-like feel at a lower price.
Why SPC wins below grade
- Waterproof core — spilled, flooded or just damp, the planks will not swell.
- Floats over concrete with an attached pad; no subfloor needed.
- Dimensionally stable through winter furnace heat and summer humidity.
- Warm and quiet compared to tile, and no grout to clean.
When laminate still makes sense
Upstairs. 12 mm laminate with an attached pad feels more like hardwood underfoot, comes in wide planks and herringbone, and costs less per square foot. New water-resistant laminates handle kitchens and entryways — just not standing water.
What else you need
Vapour barrier over concrete, matching stair nosing for the basement stairs, transitions at doorways and baseboard or quarter-round to finish. We bundle all of it on the Flooring flyer — and our installers cover the GTA.