Best Flooring Companies

Flooring can make a huge difference in the aesthetic of your home and improve its overall value. To choose the right flooring for your home, start by evaluating each room and determining what type of flooring will best fit the space.

Hardwood

Hardwood is a classic flooring choice that can bring warmth and natural beauty into a space. It’s a highly customizable flooring option with many species, stains and features to choose from. The number of hardwood floor features available can be overwhelming, so here are some popular customizations to consider:

• Wood species: There’s a variety of tree species used to make hardwood flooring, including oak, walnut, ash and maple. Exotic woods like Brazilian cherry or teakwood, mahogany and tigerwood may be harder to access and more expensive.
• Plank size: Plank sizes used to be fairly straightforward, with 2- to 3-inch widths, but current flooring trends lean toward wider planks (anywhere from 4 to 6 inches, depending on the style and size of the space).
• Grain pattern: The grain of your floor is determined by the sawing method used to cut it, as well as the species. There are four different sawing methods used to slice hardwood floor planks: plain sawn, quarter sawn, rift sawn and live sawn. Each method results in a different grain pattern, so compare the styles and confirm that your flooring company offers the method you want before committing.

If you’re interested in hardwood flooring but want a more affordable option, consider installing engineered hardwood. It has the same look and finish as true hardwood floors but typically costs less for both materials and installation. While it’s generally cheaper, engineered flooring does have a shorter lifespan than true hardwood flooring, which may make true hardwood a better option if you’re looking to invest in flooring that will stand the test of time.

Best uses

Living rooms, entryways, bedrooms, dining rooms and offices are all great places to install hardwood floors. Spills might deter you from installing hardwood floors in your kitchen. There’s also the risk of nicking your floor by dropping pots and pans or other heavy objects, but hardwood is still a popular option if you’re willing to handle the upkeep. Exotic hardwood flooring is popular among upscale buyers with large budgets who want a statement-style, enduring flooring option.

Cost

$3 to $6 per square foot

Hardwood flooring FAQ

Laminate

Plastic laminate can be laid as a floating floor — no nails or glue required — for quick, easy installation. Each tongue-and-groove plank has a dense fiberboard core topped with resilient, scratch-resistant plastic laminate. It comes in many different faux finishes and colors that resemble natural wood and stone.

While laminate is definitely a more affordable alternative to hardwood or tile floors, it doesn’t have the long lifespan of other floor types because it’s prone to chipping. If you’re looking for a flooring option that can stand foot traffic from visitors, kids and pets for a solid 20 years, laminate flooring is definitely worth considering.

Best uses

Laminate flooring is a great option for homes with pets or kids — it’s durable, easy to clean and inexpensive. It’s susceptible to moisture damage, though, so you may want to avoid installing it in moisture-prone areas, like laundry rooms and kitchens, unless you invest in a waterproof or water-resistant option.

Cost

$1 to $5 per square foot

Laminate flooring FAQ

Tile

Tile comes in many forms and styles, from natural stone options like marble and limestone to decorative styles like cement or glass tiles. Each type has benefits and common uses, and some tiles are better suited for certain spaces. Some types of tile and their popular uses include:

• Cement tile is a popular modern flooring choice due in part to its repeated appearances on home renovation shows like “Fixer Upper” and “Home Town.” Typically, ceramic tiles feature art or designs with Mission- or Morroccan-style influences, making them a great choice for small spaces like laundry rooms or entryways.
• Ceramic tile is an affordable alternative to porcelain tile. However, ceramic tile isn’t as durable as porcelain. It’s also more porous, so installing it in a moisture-prone area like an outdoor living area isn’t advisable.
• Glass tile has a light-reflecting effect that can add airiness to a space, making it a great option for bathroom floors. It comes in an array of colors and patterns, including classic subway styles and intricate mosaic designs.
• Natural stone tiles are luxurious and fit a variety of spaces, from bathrooms to kitchens. Because they’re made of an all-natural material, they tend to be more expensive than other types of tile. Popular options include marble, limestone and slate.
• Porcelain tile is dense and less porous, so it’s popular for bathroom floors. Many porcelain floor tiles are manufactured to mimic the look of natural stone and wood, so it’s a durable alternative to flooring types that may not be suitable for high-moisture areas.

Best uses

With so many materials and styles to choose from, tile is a great flooring option for almost every room and space. For buyers who want to customize their flooring, tile offers variety and flexibility other flooring types can’t surpass.

Cost

$3 to $6 per square foot

Tile FAQ

Carpeting

Carpet is one of the most popular flooring materials. Fabric twist is a better indicator of carpeting quality than weight — uncut carpet piles are good for high-traffic areas and resist stains well. Some retailers also sell carpeting that can be used outdoors.

Best uses

Carpet is a great flooring choice for bedrooms, closets and living rooms. Unlike hardwood, carpet absorbs sound. The installation is typically fast, and you might be able to get a good deal through a wholesale or discount carpet company because it’s such a popular flooring choice.

Cost

$2 to $15 per square foot

Carpet FAQ

Vinyl flooring

Vinyl flooring is waterproof and comes in a variety of looks and styles, including wood and tile lookalikes. There are even scratch-resistant varieties, making vinyl a great flooring choice for heavy-traffic rooms. It has a long life span — up to 25 years, if properly cared for. Vinyl flooring can be purchased in a variety of forms, including:

• Sheet
• Plank
• Tile

Best uses

Because it’s waterproof and easy to clean, vinyl flooring is great for laundry rooms, kitchens, game rooms, living rooms and other areas with a lot of foot traffic.

Cost

$1 to $5 per square foot

Vinyl flooring FAQ

1. Determine your budget

While some flooring and carpet companies specialize in discount products, others position themselves in the upscale market. When determining your budget, be sure to understand all pricing considerations.

• Seasonal sales: Smart shoppers can take advantage of seasonal sales to purchase materials for less.
• Measurements: Be aware that carpet was traditionally priced by the square yard (there are nine square feet in one square yard), but in recent years many retailers are advertising square-foot prices. When shopping, make sure all products are priced with the same square-area calculation.
• Resale value: Solid hardwood floors, if maintained in good condition, typically add more to the resale value of a home than any other type of flooring. Natural stone tiles are also highly desirable to homebuyers.
• Energy bills: Most flooring has little insulation value, so it won’t dramatically affect your energy savings. Carpeting has an R-Value of about 1.0, but when installed over dense polyurethane-foam padding it can triple the insulating value to about 3.0. Stone and tile feel cool underfoot in summer and will hold and radiate heat in winter if installed over a radiant-heat system.

2. Take home flooring samples

Flooring samples let you see the color, thickness, construction and quality of the flooring before purchasing it. Samples are especially important for customers who shop for flooring online.

• Price: Flooring samples are free from many companies, while others charge a nominal fee — usually less than $5. Of course, you can view and handle flooring samples at flooring stores and home improvement centers, and some retailers will let you take samples home if you promise to return them.
• Analysis: You should consider texture, style and color when comparing samples; you can also test them to see how easily they scratch, dent and stain.
• Availability: Most retailers have flooring samples on hand for you to take home, while manufacturers and online sellers will ship samples to you.

3. Compare flooring material options

Some manufacturers make just one or two types of flooring, while others offer a broader range of products. And although there are retailers who focus on one product category — tile, for example — most stores sell and install virtually every type of flooring.

• Hardwoods: You can sand and refinish solid hardwood floors so they don't have to be replaced. Engineered hardwoods are easier to install and come in more wood species and colors.
• Ceramic, porcelain and stone tile: These materials are extremely durable and, when properly installed, waterproof. Tile is most popular in bathrooms, kitchens and foyers.
• Carpet: Carpeting offers soundproofing, insulation, affordability and a soft, cozy feel for bare feet. It also goes down quickly with a minimal amount of mess and disruption to your home.

4. Consider custom flooring

Homeowners increasingly have the option to design their own flooring, but expect to pay more for this privilege.

• Design floors yourself: Online tools and in-store design help can assist in custom-designing the style, color and pattern of your new floor. Just be sure to check the flooring samples before ordering.
• Have a company design your floors: Several dealers customize flooring using photos, sketches and artwork provided by homeowners.
• Best materials for customizing: Carpet tiles and ceramic and porcelain tile are ideal for customization. This is done by placing the tile in unique designs, patterns and colors.

5. Compare flooring installation options

Several companies offer free flooring installation as part of a deal, while others subcontract the job to third parties. Never assume a seller will take care of the flooring installation; get it in writing and ask about the following:

• Insurance: Installers should be insured and bonded to show homeowners they meet minimum standards and have coverage in the case of a faulty installation or worker injury. Being bonded offers protection if an installer fails to finish the job.
• Fees: Be sure to ask about any additional charges for delivery, moving of furniture or removal and disposal of old flooring.
• Warranty: Many installations come with warranties. As with all warranties, these provide varying levels of coverage for various lengths of time. For example, if a homeowner makes an alteration to the flooring after installation or improperly cleans it, they risk voiding their warranty.

6. Decide if you should finance

Dealers frequently offer financing through specialty credit cards. Others provide financing through loans — either their own or through local banks.

• Interest-free offers: Interest-free offers are a good idea if you know you can pay off the bill before the term expires; otherwise, expect hefty interest charges.
• Interest rates: Local flooring and carpet companies often charge higher interest rates than national companies, so read the terms of the loan carefully.
• Requirements: A down payment from 1% to 10% and a minimum purchase amount are common prerequisites for financing through a loan; store credit cards tend to require minimum purchase amounts but no down payments.