Simba flooring in Edmonton

Simba's appeal is straightforward: floors that cope with water and everyday wear. Its SPC vinyl is presented with a waterproof, scratch-resistant surface, and its waterproof laminate is designed to handle spills and moisture. Those are the two things Edmonton families ask about most when they're replacing a kitchen, entry or basement floor.

Simba describes its SPC flooring as having a "waterproof, scratch-resistant surface" that is "designed to withstand everyday wear and tear." Its SPC range is organized into named collections, including Universe, Galaxy, Planet, Venus and Yellowstone.

SPC, or stone plastic composite, is a rigid core vinyl. It's the floor we recommend most often for rooms that see water, pets and kids, such as basements, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Waterproof doesn't mean preparation can be skipped, though: in a basement we check the concrete before anything goes down.

Simba's laminate comes in two kinds: waterproof laminate, which Simba says is designed to withstand spills and moisture, and water-resistant laminate. Laminate gives a wood look with a hard surface, and it usually feels more like wood underfoot than vinyl. It's a good fit for main floors, hallways and bedrooms.

Both work well in a busy home. If the room sees water, SPC vinyl is usually the safer pick. If it stays dry and you want the most wood-like feel, compare the laminate. We'll lay both out next to each other so you can decide with the samples in your hands. Our luxury vinyl plank flooring page explains how vinyl compares with other materials, and our residential flooring page walks through a whole home room by room.

Our dry winters are part of why many families choose vinyl or laminate over solid hardwood. A rigid floor also needs a flat subfloor to feel solid and stay quiet, so we check for dips and squeaks before we start.

A few questions make a visit faster and the choice easier. Which rooms are you doing, and do any of them see water, such as a kitchen, bathroom, laundry room or basement? Do you have pets or young kids? Is the subfloor wood or a concrete slab, and does any part of it squeak or dip? Are stairs part of the job? Bring rough room sizes or a floor plan if you have one, and a photo of the room in daylight. With those answers we can usually narrow a wall of samples down to three or four that genuinely fit.