Protecting Hardwood Floors During a Move

Why Floor Protection Matters in Montreal Apartments

Montreal is famous for its gorgeous original hardwood floors — the warm oak and maple that runs through Plateau duplexes, Mile End walk-ups, and Outremont heritage homes. These floors add character and value to your apartment, but they're also vulnerable to scratches, dents, and gouges during a move.

Floor damage can cost you your security deposit equivalent (through deductions for repairs) or lead to expensive refinishing bills if you own the property. A single heavy dresser dragged across bare hardwood can leave a scratch that costs $200+ to repair. Prevention is always cheaper than the fix.

Best Floor Protection Methods

The most effective protection is a combination of floor runners, moving blankets, and furniture pads. Lay down heavy-duty floor runners (available at Home Depot or Rona) along every path movers will use — from the front door to each room. Secure them with painter's tape (never duct tape, which leaves residue on hardwood).

For high-traffic areas like hallways and doorways, use Masonite boards or Ram Board — these create a rigid, scratch-proof walking surface. At Up & Out, our crews carry professional-grade floor protection and lay it down before moving a single piece of furniture.

Place felt pads or furniture sliders under the legs of every heavy piece — dressers, sofas, dining tables, bed frames. These small adhesive pads cost a few dollars and can save hundreds in floor damage. For items being slid across the floor, use heavy-duty moving sliders rather than dragging.

Common Mistakes That Damage Hardwood Floors

The biggest mistake is dragging furniture instead of lifting it. Even a light chair dragged across hardwood can leave visible scratches. Always lift furniture fully off the ground, or use a dolly with rubber wheels.

Another mistake: leaving shoes on. Small rocks, gravel, and dirt embedded in shoe soles act like sandpaper on hardwood. On rainy or snowy days in Montreal — which is most of the year — wet boots track in salt and grit that scratch and stain. Ask everyone to wear clean indoor shoes or use shoe covers.

Don't overlook box corners. A heavy box set down on its corner concentrates 50+ pounds on one tiny point and can dent hardwood. Always set boxes down flat, and never slide them across the floor.

Protecting Floors at Both Locations

Floor protection isn't just for your new place — protect the floors at your old apartment too. Damage to your old place on moving day can lead to deductions when your landlord does the exit inspection. Document floor condition with photos before the movers arrive at both locations.

If you're moving into a condo, your building likely has floor protection requirements in its moving rules. Many Montreal condos require specific materials in hallways and elevators. Check with your syndicat de copropriété for their requirements — failing to comply can result in fines or loss of your moving deposit.

At Up & Out, floor protection is standard practice on every move. Our crews are trained to handle Montreal's beautiful but delicate hardwood floors with care — because we live here too, and we know how much these floors matter.