5 Best Flooring Companies in Altadena, CA

Popular Types of Flooring

Whether you're looking for something lively and bold or subtle and elegant, there's a floor for you. Discover the most essential details about each type to guide your decision making.

Hardwood Flooring

The appeal of hardwood floors stands the test of time. With options including oak, cherry, maple, walnut, and more, it can fit any design without sacrificing durability. However, it's among the priciest of flooring materials and requires consistent maintenance. At a minimum, you'll need to use specialty cleaning products regularly and refinish the floor every few years. Since it's susceptible to water damage, it's also not suitable for bathrooms, laundry rooms, or basements.

Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood gives you the beauty of hardwood without the strict maintenance. They use a plywood foundation with a layer of real hardwood on top – ultimately saving you money. Despite the lower retail cost, it might feel more hollow to walk on, and the thin hardwood layer can only be refinished once. That said, its lower propensity to warp could still make it an intelligent investment.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate is another budget-friendly flooring option, consisting of a particleboard base, wood or tile finish, and protective plastic coating. It's scratch-resistant, easy to clean, and available in a variety of different styles and colors. However, it chips easily and is susceptible to moisture damage.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring has superior moisture and fading resistance and is easy to maintain. Popular options include luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT), with both having equal strength and longevity depending on the model you buy. Vinyl flooring installation cost sits comfortably between wood and laminate.

Tile Flooring

Tile flooring is another classy design that can last for years. Like vinyl, it requires minimal maintenance and is simple to clean. As such, it's perfect for areas prone to moisture like bathrooms and kitchens. However, it might not work well for bedrooms and living rooms since it's colder and more slippery to walk on. Pricing varies between styles, with porcelain carrying a higher price tag than ceramic.

Stone Flooring

Granite, travertine, marble, and sandstone aren't just for the outdoors. Inside, they can give you a bold look and unparalleled water resistance. Despite its unique flair, it's not easy to clean, and long-term maintenance could be a bit more expensive.

Linoleum Flooring

Linoleum is made from cork and linseed oil and can last for decades if maintained properly. It’s an economical option with many design possibilities. However, the softer material is easier to dent or scratch, and it's known to discolor with sun exposure. It’s also not suitable for areas with excess moisture like kitchens and bathrooms.

Carpet

Carpet is the most affordable flooring option. It can make a space feel more cozy and is great for muffling sound. You don’t have to fret about scratches or dents, and the cushioning makes it a safer choice for kids. However, the fibrous material easily retains moisture, odors, and stains, which isn't ideal for allergy sufferers in Altadena's perennially-high pollen levels.

How to Choose a Altadena Flooring Company

Choosing a flooring company is just as critical as choosing a design. To ensure you get the most value, consider each of the following criteria.

Reputation and Reviews

The most crucial thing to research about any flooring company is its reputation. Check review sites like Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, and Google to see what previous clients have to say. Even the most reliable flooring installers will have both positive and negative reviews. Look for how an installer handles complaints and interacts with others. If it strives for a satisfactory resolution and acts in good faith, that's an encouraging sign. However, if it's dismissive or has a high negative-to-positive review ratio, it's wise to avoid working with it.

Portfolio and References

A trusted flooring company will be eager to show you portfolios of its previous work. Closely inspect each listed project and ask questions as you have them. Portfolios might also include references from past customers. Request their contact information so you can discuss their interactions and thoughts about the company.

Specialization and Services

Look for an installer that specializes in the type of flooring you're interested in. For example, a crew might be experienced with carpet but not tile. An installer's service offerings can also make a difference. At the very least, you should choose a provider that offers to haul away your old flooring materials. However, providers can also offer refinishing services or design consultations.

Cost

Cost is important to consider, but it should be less important than quality in your selection process. We recommend getting three to five different quotes for your flooring job to compare pricing and workmanship. Many companies offer on-site and online estimates to streamline the process.

Warranties and Guarantees

Flooring services typically come with a pair of warranties. The first one, issued by the manufacturer, covers the floor itself. The other covers the installers' workmanship. Depending on the installer and flooring brand you choose, warranty protection could be limited to a fixed term. Other times, it lasts for the life of the floor. Ask an installer about its warranty terms, including extensions that could give you longer coverage.

Estimated Timeline

Time management is key to a successful flooring job. Before you agree to work with a company, ask for an estimated timeline and inquire about what issues could impact the project. If a company promises to finish the job by a certain deadline, get that guarantee in writing and state your expectations clearly as the work progresses.