Popular Types of Flooring
Whether you're looking for something bold and lively or elegant and subtle, 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 walnut, maple, cherry, oak, and more, it can fit any design without sacrificing durability. However, it's one of the most expensive 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 basements, bathrooms, or laundry rooms.
Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered wood gives you the charm of hardwood without the demand for regular maintenance. They use a plywood base with a layer of real hardwood on top – ultimately saving you money. While it's more resistant to warping versus 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 easy to clean, scratch-resistant, and available in countless different colors and styles. However, it chips easily and is susceptible to moisture damage.
Vinyl Flooring
Maintenance with vinyl floors is as simple as it gets. You can purchase them in luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or luxury vinyl tile (LVT) styles, with each option equally resilient. They also come at a reasonable price point, somewhere between laminate and engineered wood.
Tile Flooring
Tile flooring is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and other moisture-prone areas. It offers years of life with minimal maintenance needs, and is available in many colors, materials, and patterns. However, it might not work well for living rooms and bedrooms since it's cooler and more slippery to walk on. Pricing varies between styles, with porcelain carrying a higher price tag than ceramic.
Stone Flooring
Stone floors are among the most waterproof available. You can choose from a variety of bold design options, including granite, travertine, marble, and sandstone. Despite its unique flair, it's not easy to clean, and long-term maintenance could be a bit more expensive.
Linoleum Flooring
With attentive maintenance, linoleum floors can last for decades. It is a budget-friendly choice with many possibilities for adaptation. However, it can readily get dented or scratched and has been known to fade when exposed to direct sunlight. Direct sunlight also leads linoleum to fade over time, and it might not work well for areas with excess moisture.
Carpet
Of all flooring options, carpet is one of the most affordable. It lends a cozy feel to a room and absorbs noise effectively. Unlike hard floors, carpet gets rid of concerns about scratches or dents, and the extra padding is much safer for young children. However, carpet requires considerable effort to keep clean, especially if you have pets. The fibrous material retains stains, dampness, smells, and pollen, making it less suitable for allergy sufferers.
How to Choose a Napa Flooring Company
Choosing a floor installer 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 the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google, Yelp, and Trustpilot to see what previous clients have to say. Even the best flooring installers will have both positive and negative reviews. Look for how an installer handles complaints and interacts with others. If it works toward a satisfactory resolution and acts in good faith, that's a good 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 past projects. We recommend requesting a copy so you can examine the crew's workmanship. It's also customary to ask for references from past customers. Once you have their contact information, contact them to ask about their experiences.
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. Equally important is an installer'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 color, style, and material choices, you can also look for contractors with design teams.
Cost
Cost is crucial to consider, but it should be less important than quality in your decision-making 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 product itself. The second covers the installation crew's workmanship. Depending on the installer and flooring brand you select, warranty protection could be limited to a fixed term. In other instances, it continues for the life of the floor. Ask a company about its warranty terms, including extensions that could give you additional coverage.
Estimated Timeline
Time management is critical for a successful flooring job. Before you agree to work with a company, request an estimated timeline and inquire about what hurdles 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Flooring in Napa
What are the best flooring installation prices?
See our guides to how much each flooring type typically costs:
What are some of the most popular types of flooring in Napa?
What are the licensing laws for Napa flooring companies?
Are there environmentally friendly flooring options in Napa?
What are the signs it's time to replace my old flooring?
- Uncontrollable mildew or mold growth
- Holes, scratches, or dents
- Increasing space between tiles or planks
- Spots that feel loose or unstable
- Water damage
- Heightened squeakiness
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.