Popular Types of Flooring
Flooring varies greatly in price and design. Here's what to know about each type.
Hardwood Flooring
Homebuyers across Huntington Beach seek out hardwood flooring for its beauty and durability. It's available in several varieties to accommodate different designs, from walnut and cherry to oak and maple. 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 restore its finish every few years. Since it's susceptible to water damage, it's also not suitable for laundry rooms, bathrooms, or basements.
Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered wood provides you the timeless look and resilience of hardwood without the extra maintenance. Typically, it consists of a layer of real hardwood attached to a plywood substrate. While it's less likely to warp than true hardwood, it sounds more hollow to walk on and can't be refinished more than once.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate is another more affordable 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 requires minimal upkeep. Popular options include luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT), with both having equal strength and long-lasting nature depending on the model you buy. Their price point sits comfortably between wood and laminate.
Tile Flooring
Tile flooring is suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and other moisture-prone areas. It offers years of life with little need for maintenance, and is available in many colors, patterns, and materials. 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, marble, travertine, and sandstone aren't just for the outdoors. Inside, they can give you a bold look and unparalleled water resistance. However, like hardwood, it can be expensive and difficult to clean.
Linoleum Flooring
With attentive maintenance, linoleum floors can endure for years. It is a cost-effective choice with various possibilities for adaptation. However, it can readily get dented or scratched and has been known to lose its original coloring when exposed to the sun's rays. Direct sunlight also leads linoleum to lose color over time, and it might not work well for areas with excess moisture.
Carpet
Carpet is the most affordable flooring option. It can make a space feel more homey and is great for absorbing sound. You don’t have to be concerned with 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 Huntington Beach's perennially-high pollen levels.
How to Choose a Huntington Beach Flooring Company
Choosing the proper installer makes all the difference for your new floor's longevity. We recommend screening different companies using the following criteria.
Reputation and Reviews
The most crucial thing to research about any flooring company is its reputation. You can learn more about previous clients' experiences from review sites like Yelp, Trustpilot, Google, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Even the best flooring installers will have both positive and negative reviews. Look for how an installer deals with 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 argumentative or has a high negative-to-positive review ratio, it's advisable to avoid working with it.
Portfolio and References
Most flooring contractors keep portfolios of their previous work. We recommend requesting a copy so you can examine the crew's handiwork. It's also customary to ask for references from former customers. Once you have their contact information, get in touch and ask about their experiences.
Specialization and Services
Look for a provider that specializes in the type of flooring you're interested in. For example, a crew might be experienced with carpet but not hardwood. Equally important is a company's service offerings. At the very least, it should offer cleanup and haul-away for your old flooring materials. However, if you're feeling lost in all the material, style, and color choices, you can also look for companies with design teams.
Cost
Cost is key to consider, but it should be less important than quality in your selection process. We recommend getting multiple different quotes for your flooring job to compare pricing and workmanship. Many companies offer on-site and online estimates to ease the process.
Warranties and Guarantees
You should look for two different warranties in your company search. A manufacturer's warranty protects you in case of a product defect, while an installer's warranty covers workmanship. Depending on the installer and flooring brand you select, warranty protection could be limited to a fixed term. Other times, it continues for the life of the floor. Ask an installer about its warranty terms, including extensions that could give you additional coverage.
Estimated Timeline
Time management is essential for a successful flooring job. Before you sign a contract, request an estimated timeline and inquire about what issues could impact the project. If a company assures you it'll finish the job by a certain deadline, get that guarantee in writing and communicate your expectations clearly as the work progresses.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Flooring in Huntington Beach
How much will it cost to install a new floor in Huntington Beach?
See our guides to how much each flooring type typically costs:
What's the most popular flooring material in Huntington Beach?
What are the licensing laws for Huntington Beach flooring companies?
Is it cheaper to buy flooring online?
If I'm replacing a kitchen floor, what material should I buy?
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