How long do different types of flooring last in a New Brunswick home?

Solid hardwood is the longevity champion at 50-100+ years, but only if you control indoor humidity year-round. NB homes that maintain 35-55% relative humidity through winter humidification and summer dehumidification can expect their oak, maple, or birch floors to outlast the house itself, with professional refinishing every 10-15 years adding decades of life. Without humidity management, expect accelerated gapping, cupping, and finish breakdown that shortens practical lifespan to 25-40 years. Engineered hardwood lasts 25-50 years and handles NB's humidity swings significantly better than solid, though it can only be refinished 1-3 times depending on the wear layer thickness (look for at least a 3mm wear layer if you want multiple refinishing cycles).

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) with an SPC or WPC core is the rising star in NB and typically lasts 15-25 years, with premium brands like COREtec and Mannington pushing toward the upper end. LVP is completely unaffected by NB's moisture fluctuations, which gives it a practical advantage — it maintains its appearance and structural integrity without any humidity management. Laminate flooring lasts 10-20 years depending on quality. An AC4 or AC5-rated laminate in a low-moisture area can reach the upper range, but standard HDF-core laminate in a humid NB kitchen or basement may fail in under 10 years if moisture penetrates the core.

Porcelain tile is essentially permanent at 50-75+ years when properly installed on a well-prepared substrate. The tile itself will not degrade in NB conditions, but grout requires periodic resealing (every 1-3 years) and the substrate preparation is critical — cracked tiles at the 5-10 year mark almost always indicate a substrate failure, not a tile failure. Carpet has the shortest lifespan at 8-15 years for residential nylon broadloom, with high-traffic areas showing wear sooner. NB basement carpet faces additional challenges from moisture migration through concrete, which can cause mould and odour issues that end the carpet's useful life well before physical wear would.

The most cost-effective approach in New Brunswick is matching the flooring material to the room's moisture conditions. Put hardwood on main floors with humidity control, LVP or tile in basements and bathrooms, and quality carpet in bedrooms. This strategy maximizes each material's lifespan by placing it where NB's conditions work with it rather than against it.