5 Best Flooring Companies in Athens, GA

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 maple, cherry, walnut, oak, and more, it can fit any design without sacrificing durability. Despite its charm, hardwood comes with a higher price tag. You also need to follow a consistent refinishing schedule every few years, filling in the gaps with specialty 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 consists of a layer of real hardwood bonded over a plywood substrate. Despite the lower retail cost, it might sound 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 an intelligent investment.

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's more susceptible to water damage and chipping.

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. Their price point sits comfortably between wood and laminate.

Tile Flooring

Tile flooring is a great choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and other moisture-prone areas. It provides years of life with low upkeep requirements, and is available in many materials, colors, and patterns. However, it might not work well for living rooms and bedrooms since it's colder and more slippery to walk on. Pricing fluctuates between styles, with ceramic less expensive than porcelain.

Stone Flooring

Stone floors are among the most waterproof available. You can choose from a variety of bold design options, including granite, travertine, sandstone, and marble. However, like hardwood, it can be expensive and difficult to clean.

Linoleum Flooring

Linoleum is made from linseed oil and cork and can last for decades if maintained properly. It’s an economical option with many design possibilities. However, the softer material is easier to damage, and it's known to fade with sunlight exposure. It’s also not suitable for moisture-prone spaces like kitchens and bathrooms.

Carpet

Carpet is the most affordable flooring option. It can make a space feel more homey and is great for reducing sound. You don’t have to be concerned with scratches or dents, and the cushioning makes it a safer choice for young children. However, the fibrous material easily holds onto odors, moisture, and stains, which isn't ideal for pet owners or allergy sufferers.

How to Choose a Athens Flooring Company

Choosing the proper installer significantly affects your new floor's longevity. 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. Check review sites like Trustpilot, Yelp, 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 an installer responds to complaints and interacts with others. If it works toward 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 best 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 handiwork. Portfolios might also include references from past customers. Request their contact information so you can discuss their experiences 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 style, material, and color choices, you can also look for installers with design teams.

Cost

Cost is important 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. In other instances, it lasts for the life of the floor. Ask an installer about its warranty terms, including extensions that could give you a few more years of coverage.

Estimated Timeline

Time management is key to a successful flooring job. Before you sign a contract, request an estimated timeline and inquire about what hurdles 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.