5 Best Flooring Companies in San Rafael, CA

If you're one of the many San Rafael residents with kids, you might be considering a new floor that can resist messes and stand up to after-school hijinks. With an expert local flooring installer by your side, you'll feel more confident choosing materials and designs. Begin your flooring company search with these San Rafael, CA providers.

Popular Types of Flooring

Flooring varies greatly in price and design. Here's what to know about each type.

Hardwood Flooring

Homebuyers across San Rafael seek out hardwood flooring for its beauty and durability. It's available in several varieties to accommodate different designs, from cherry and walnut to oak and maple. Despite its charm, hardwood is associated with a higher cost. You also need to stick to a consistent refinishing schedule every few years, filling in the gaps with specialty wood cleaners. The more time you invest in maintenance, the longer your floors will last.

Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood offers you the resilience and timeless design of hardwood without the extra maintenance. Typically, it uses a layer of real hardwood fused with a plywood substrate. Despite the lower retail cost, it might sound more hollow to walk on, and the slender hardwood layer can only be refinished one time. That said, its lower propensity to warp could still make it an intelligent investment.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate is another cost-effective 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 a variety of 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 durable. They also come at a reasonable price point, somewhere between laminate and engineered wood.

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 materials, colors, and patterns. However, it requires intensive prep work before installation and can be cold and smooth to walk on. Pricing relies on the material you choose, with porcelain being more expensive than ceramic.

Stone Flooring

Granite, sandstone, travertine, and marble 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 last for years. It is a cost-effective choice with various possibilities for adaptation. However, it can easily get dented or scratched and has been known to lose its original coloring when exposed to sunlight. The sun's rays also lead linoleum to lose color over time, and it may not be suitable for damp locations.

Carpet

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

How to Choose a San Rafael Flooring Company

Choosing the right installer significantly affects your new floor's quality. We recommend assessing 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, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google, and Trustpilot. Every flooring contractor will have a mix of positive and negative feedback online. If a company handles negative feedback in a constructive and satisfactory way, it's generally a good sign. However, if you find more outright complaints than compliments, it's better to avoid working with it.

Portfolio and References

Most flooring companies keep portfolios of their past projects. We recommend requesting a copy so you can look over the crew's craftsmanship. Portfolios might also include references from past customers. Ask for their contact information so you can discuss their interactions and thoughts about the company.

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 color, style, and material 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 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 two warranties. The first one, issued by the manufacturer, covers the product itself. The second backs the installation crew's workmanship. While a few manufacturers and contractors have lifetime warranties, most are still tied to a specific time period (often ten years.) If you'd like additional coverage, you might be able to pay extra for an extended warranty.

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 promises to finish the job by a certain deadline, get that guarantee in writing and convey your expectations clearly as the work progresses.

Other Flooring Resources

• Best Flooring for Kitchens
• Best Laminate Flooring
• What Is the Cost to Refinish Hardwood Floors?

Sources

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics