5 Best Flooring Companies in Gary, IN

Installing new flooring is a big undertaking, and it's easy to get lost in all the various design and material options. A local expert in Gary can help you choose the right floor and install it to last. See which flooring companies in the Gary, IN area offer the best service, pricing, and selection.

Popular Types of Flooring

Whether you're looking for something bold and lively 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

Homebuyers across Gary seek out hardwood flooring for its beauty and durability. It's available in several varieties to accommodate different designs, from maple and oak to walnut and cherry. However, it's one of the most expensive flooring materials and requires significant upkeep. 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 bathrooms, basements, or laundry rooms.

Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood gives you the charm of hardwood without the strict maintenance. They use a plywood foundation with a layer of real hardwood on top – ultimately cutting your costs. Despite the lower retail cost, it might feel more hollow to walk on, and the slender hardwood layer can only be refinished once. That said, its lower propensity to warp could still make it an intelligent investment.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate is another 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 a variety of different styles and colors. However, it's more susceptible to water damage and chipping.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring has excellent water and fading resistance and requires minimal upkeep. Popular options include luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and luxury vinyl plank (LVP), with both having equal strength and long-lasting nature depending on the model you buy. Vinyl flooring installation cost sits comfortably between wood and laminate.

Tile Flooring

Tile flooring is perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, and other moisture-prone areas. It offers years of life with little need for maintenance, and is available in many patterns, materials, and colors. However, it requires intensive prep work before installation and can be cold and smooth to walk on. Pricing relies on the material you pick, 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 decades. It is a cost-effective choice with numerous alternatives for customization. However, it can readily become damaged and has been known to lose its original coloring when exposed to direct sunlight. Direct sunlight also leads linoleum to fade over time, and it may not be suitable for areas with excess moisture.

Carpet

Carpet is the most affordable flooring option. It can make a space feel more comfortable 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 kids. However, the fibrous material easily retains stains, odors, and moisture, which isn't ideal for pet owners or allergy sufferers.

How to Choose a Gary Flooring Company

Choosing the appropriate installer significantly affects your new floor's quality. We recommend evaluating 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 Trustpilot, Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Google. Even the most reliable flooring installers will have both positive and negative reviews. Look for how a company deals with 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 wise to avoid working with it.

Portfolio and References

Most floor installers keep portfolios of their past projects. We recommend requesting a copy so you can study the crew's workmanship. 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 company 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 style, color, and material choices, you can also look for companies with design teams.

Cost

While price shouldn't be the most important factor when choosing a flooring provider, it's still important to find one that respects your budget. We recommend getting quotes from three to five companies to compare rates. You can do this fully online or by requesting free in-home estimates.

Warranties and Guarantees

Flooring services typically come with a pair of warranties. The first one, issued by the manufacturer, covers the floor itself. The second covers the installers' workmanship. Depending on the installer and flooring brand you choose, warranty coverage 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 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 assures you it'll finish the job by a certain deadline, get that guarantee in writing and state 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