Downtown Toronto Condo Flooring Replacement: 650 Sq. Ft. of Water-Damaged Laminate Replaced With Vinyl Plank Flooring
A downtown Toronto condo owner near Bay Street and Harbour Street needed to replace approximately 650 square feet of water-damaged laminate flooring before welcoming new tenants. Parqueteam Hardwood Flooring removed the damaged material and supplied and installed a 10 mm click-lock vinyl plank flooring product with attached cork underlayment. The renovation included new square shoe moulding, floor transitions and final cleanup, and was completed over two days.
Project at a Glance
Location: Bay and Harbour area, downtown Toronto
Property: Residential rental condominium
Area: Approximately 650 square feet
Original floor: Water-damaged laminate flooring
Replacement: Grandeur Supreme X Lemon Zest vinyl plank flooring
Thickness: 10 mm overall, including attached cork underlayment
Scope: Removal, off-site disposal, vinyl flooring supply and installation, new square shoe moulding, floor transitions and cleanup
Duration: Two days
Why the Existing Laminate Flooring Had to Be Replaced
The client contacted us because the existing laminate flooring had sustained water damage. Repairing only the affected boards might have been possible if compatible replacement planks were available, but the owner had no leftover material from the original installation.
Matching older flooring requires more than finding a similar colour. Board dimensions, thickness, surface finish and locking profile must also work with the existing flooring. Without matching planks, a partial repair was not a practical option for this unit.
We discussed the available choices with the owner, who planned to rent the condominium to new tenants. Together, we decided that a full replacement with moisture-resistant vinyl plank flooring would be a more practical long-term choice.
Why We Selected Vinyl Plank Flooring for a Rental Condo
The homeowner wanted a refreshed appearance and a floor that would be easier to maintain between tenancies. Unlike conventional laminate flooring, a waterproof-core vinyl flooring product can better tolerate everyday surface spills. That was relevant given the previous water damage.
Waterproof planks do not make an entire condominium waterproof. A major plumbing leak or water trapped beneath floating flooring can still require investigation and remediation. Our choice was about improving resistance to normal household moisture—not guaranteeing protection against future leaks.
Owners weighing similar options can compare materials in our guide to the best flooring options for Toronto condos.
Selected Product: Grandeur Supreme X Lemon Zest
We supplied and installed Grandeur Supreme X in the Lemon Zest finish, a light wood-look click-lock vinyl plank flooring product. Its overall 10 mm thickness includes an attached cork layer.
10 mm total construction with attached 1.5 mm cork underlayment
WPC vinyl plank construction
22 mil (0.55 mm) wear layer
Wide-plank, light wood-look appearance
Välinge 5G click-lock installation system
The attached cork backing was important because condominiums often require acoustic underlayment. For this particular building, the selected floor met management’s underlayment requirements; management was reasonable and approval did not create major obstacles.
We followed the selected flooring system rather than assuming an additional layer of cushioning would be appropriate. Exact manufacturer specifications and the building’s requirements always determine which underlayment combinations can be used.
See the manufacturer’s Lemon Zest specifications for product details.
Day One: Removing Damaged Flooring and Bringing in New Materials
Our first day focused on removing and disposing of the damaged laminate flooring and bringing the replacement vinyl plank flooring into the condominium. We handled removal and off-site disposal rather than leaving debris in common areas.
The main logistical challenge was access to the service elevators. This downtown property regularly accommodated deliveries for commercial spaces as well as residents moving in and out, making elevator availability less predictable.
We worked with building management, security and the homeowner to coordinate the elevator schedule. This allowed us to remove the old flooring and deliver the new material on day one without major disruption.
Installing the New Vinyl Plank Flooring
With the old laminate flooring removed, we installed the new 10 mm vinyl plank flooring across approximately 650 square feet using its click-lock floating system and factory-attached cork backing.
The objective was a consistent finished appearance throughout the project area, with properly fitted planks and attention to perimeter details. We supplied both the replacement flooring and the installation labour.
We also replaced the existing square shoe moulding with new pieces and supplied and installed the necessary floor transitions. These finishing details helped the updated floor connect neatly to the edges of the rooms and adjacent surfaces.
For details about installation choices, see our vinyl flooring installation services in Toronto.
Day Two: Finishing, Cleanup and Elevator Coordination
On the second day, we completed the remaining installation and finishing work. We then removed the remaining construction waste and brought our tools downstairs, again coordinating elevator access with the building.
Once the installation was finished, we cleaned and vacuumed the condominium so the owner was not left dealing with flooring debris.
The actual flooring requirements were straightforward in this building. Unlike some Toronto condos with difficult acoustic documentation requirements, this property accepted the selected underlayment system. The elevator schedule was the more demanding part of coordinating the job.
For owners planning renovations, our Toronto condo flooring rules and acoustic underlayment guide covers questions to resolve with building management before starting.
The Final Result
The project was completed in two days: approximately 650 square feet of water-damaged laminate flooring was replaced with new Grandeur Lemon Zest vinyl plank flooring, along with new square shoe moulding and transition pieces. All old flooring and remaining debris were removed off-site, and the condo was cleaned and vacuumed when we finished.
The owner was very happy with the completed flooring. There were no significant installation issues or complaints, and the renovated unit could move forward in the owner’s plans to rent it again.
What Other Condo Owners Can Learn From This Project
Keep spare flooring planks after an installation: matching material can make future localized repairs much easier.
For rental properties, balance appearance with maintenance and everyday moisture resistance.
Check condominium acoustic requirements before buying a flooring product, even when underlayment comes attached.
Coordinate service elevator access for deliveries and disposal, particularly in mixed-use downtown buildings.
Budget for finishing trims and transitions, not only the main flooring material.
Need Condo Flooring Replacement in Toronto?
Parqueteam Hardwood Flooring LTD provides condo flooring removal, replacement and installation, including vinyl plank flooring, laminate flooring and engineered hardwood flooring in Toronto and the GTA. We coordinate flooring requirements and finishing work according to each project.
Learn more about our Toronto condo flooring installation services or call 416-305-2256 to discuss a condominium flooring replacement estimate.
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