What does the Alberta New Home Warranty cover for flooring defects?

The Alberta New Home Warranty Program (ANHWP) provides coverage for flooring defects in newly built Calgary homes, with different warranty periods depending on the type of defect — one year for materials and labour, two years for delivery and distribution systems, five years for building envelope, and ten years for structural defects. Understanding which flooring issues fall under which coverage period helps you file timely claims.

The ANHWP is mandatory for all new home builders in Alberta. Every new home built by a licensed builder must be enrolled in an approved warranty program before construction begins. The warranty is attached to the home, not the builder, meaning it transfers automatically if you sell the home during the warranty period.

Year 1 — Materials and Labour Warranty: This covers defects in materials and workmanship for the first year after possession. For flooring, this includes: improperly installed hardwood that squeaks, gaps, or cups beyond normal seasonal movement; tile with cracked grout, lippage, or hollow spots from inadequate thinset coverage; carpet that buckles, wrinkles, or shows premature wear at seams; LVP or laminate with clicking joints, peaking, or separation; and finish defects like peeling polyurethane on hardwood. Most flooring defect claims fall within this one-year period, so inspect your floors thoroughly in the first 12 months and document any issues.

It is important to understand what constitutes a defect versus normal behaviour in Calgary's climate. Some gapping in solid or engineered hardwood during Calgary's extremely dry winter months (when indoor humidity drops to 15–20%) is considered normal seasonal movement, not a defect. If the gaps close when humidity returns in spring, the warranty likely does not cover them. However, persistent gapping that does not close seasonally, cupping that remains year-round, or buckling at any time are defects that should be claimed. Similarly, minor grout cracking in tile over concrete slabs — particularly in basements where frost heave causes subtle slab movement — may be considered normal settlement rather than a defect, depending on severity.

Year 2 — Delivery and Distribution Systems: This covers defects in systems like plumbing and electrical. For flooring purposes, this is relevant if you have heated flooring — a radiant heat system that fails within two years of possession is covered under this provision. If the heating mat or cable malfunctions, the thermostat fails, or the electrical connections are defective, this warranty covers repair or replacement including any flooring that must be removed and reinstalled to access the heating system.

Year 5 — Building Envelope: This covers defects in the building envelope that allow water penetration. If a foundation defect allows moisture to migrate through the basement slab and damages your basement flooring, this coverage may apply. This is particularly relevant in Calgary where spring snowmelt and changes in the water table can expose foundation deficiencies that were not apparent at possession.

Year 10 — Major Structural: This covers major structural defects including foundation issues. If foundation settlement or frost heave causes significant slab cracking that damages flooring, the structural warranty may cover the underlying cause (though not necessarily the finish flooring replacement).

Filing a claim: Document flooring defects with dated photos, report them to your builder in writing first, and if unresolved, file a claim with your warranty provider. The ANHWP has specific timelines for reporting, so do not delay. For flooring guidance specific to your Calgary home, connect with flooring professionals through the Calgary Construction Network at calgaryconstructionnetwork.com/directory?trade=flooring.