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5 Best Flooring Companies in Palo Alto, CA
The best flooring company in Palo Alto is LL Flooring.
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- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
The sunny and bright weather makes Palo Alto a beautiful place to live, but it can cause fading if you have a hardwood or linoleum floor. A local flooring expert can help keep your existing coverings vibrant or install a newer solution. Begin your flooring company search with these Palo Alto, CA providers.
5 Best Flooring Companies in Palo Alto
Brands are algorithmically curated from a database of local service providers near you. We require a minimum number of Google reviews and average ratings for provider inclusion.
LL Flooring
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
WHITE OAK HARDWOOD FLOORS
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Elephant Floors
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Abbey Carpet & Floor
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Peninsula Hardwood Floors
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Facts about Palo Alto
- Average Max Temperature:71°F
- Average Min Temperature:50°F
- Average Daily Precipitation:0.06”
- Median Home Size:1,638 sqft
- Homeownership Rate:56%
- Most Popular Flooring Type:Hardwood
Popular Types of Flooring
There's a flooring material for every design preference and price point. In this section, we'll break down the most common types.
Hardwood Flooring
Homebuyers across Palo Alto seek out hardwood flooring for its beauty and durability. It's available in several varieties to accommodate different designs, from oak and maple to cherry and walnut. 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, laundry rooms, or bathrooms.
Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered wood offers 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. Despite the lower retail cost, it might feel more hollow to walk on, and the thin hardwood layer can only be refinished one time. That said, its lower propensity to warp could still make it a good investment.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate floors come in wood and tile finishes, but they all have a particle board base. A strong plastic coating gives them scratch resistance and simplifies cleaning. However, it's more susceptible to water damage and chipping.
Vinyl Flooring
Maintenance with vinyl floors is uncomplicated. You can purchase them in luxury vinyl tile (LVT) or luxury vinyl plank (LVP) styles, with each option equally strong. They also come at a cost-effective price point, somewhere between laminate and engineered wood.
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 an ideal choice for moisture-prone spaces like bathrooms and kitchens. However, it requires intensive prep work before installation and can be cool and sleek to walk on. Pricing relies on the material you pick, with porcelain being more expensive 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 proper maintenance, linoleum floors can endure for decades. It is an affordable choice with numerous methods for personalization. However, it can easily get dented or scratched and has been known to lose its original coloring when exposed to sunlight. Direct sunlight also leads linoleum to fade over time, and it may not be suitable for areas with excess moisture.
Carpet
Of all flooring options, carpet is one of the most affordable. It lends a comfortable feel to a room and muffles 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 grips stains, dampness, smells, and pollen, making it less suitable for allergy sufferers.
How to Choose a Palo Alto Flooring Company
Choosing a floor covering provider 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, Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), 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 a provider responds to 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 dismissive or has a high negative-to-positive review ratio, it's advisable to avoid working with it.
Portfolio and References
A good flooring company will be happy to show you portfolios of its previous work. Examine 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
No two companies have the same experience or product offerings. You should find one that specializes in the material or type of floor you're interested in. 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, color, and style choices, you can also look for installers with design teams.
Cost
While cost shouldn't be the most important factor when choosing a flooring installer, it's still important to find one that respects your budget. We recommend getting quotes from at least three companies to compare rates. You can do this fully online or by requesting free in-home estimates.
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 choose, warranty protection could be limited to a fixed term. In other instances, it continues 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 essential for 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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions about Flooring in Palo Alto
Palo Alto contractors typically charge between 60 cents and $4 per square foot for a floor replacement. Your costs will reflect the type of floor you choose and what other work is involved, such as structural preparations, grouting, cleaning up, and removing old flooring.
Most homes in Palo Alto have a mix of different flooring types, but the most popular in the area is hardwood.
The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) requires flooring companies to hold a C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering license. Each businessowner seeking a license must pass trade, legal, and asbestos safety exams. They must also clear comprehensive background checks.
If you're updating a kitchen floor, we suggest choosing a moisture-resistant option like tile or vinyl.
Some Palo Alto flooring companies offer eco-friendly coverings made from reclaimed, sustainably harvested and recycled materials. However, sustainability doesn't end with the products themselves. You should also ask how company practices minimize waste, such as through recycling old coverings.