5 Best Flooring Companies in Duluth, MN

Popular Types of Flooring

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

Hardwood Flooring

Homebuyers across Duluth seek out hardwood flooring for its beauty and durability. It's available in several varieties to accommodate different designs, from cherry and walnut to maple and oak. However, it's among the priciest of flooring materials and requires consistent maintenance. 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 basements, bathrooms, or laundry rooms.

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. 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 floors come in wood and tile finishes, but they all have a particle board base. A strong plastic coating gives them defense against scratches and simplifies cleaning. However, it chips easily and is susceptible to moisture damage.

Vinyl Flooring

Maintenance with vinyl floors is uncomplicated. You can purchase them in luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or luxury vinyl tile (LVT) styles, with each option equally strong. They also come at a budget-friendly price point, somewhere between laminate and engineered wood.

Tile Flooring

Tile flooring is suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, and other moisture-prone areas. It offers years of life with little need for maintenance, and is available in many colors, patterns, and materials. However, it might not work well for living rooms and bedrooms since it's colder and more slippery to walk on. The cost differs 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 marble, travertine, granite, 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 last for decades. It is a budget-friendly choice with many alternatives for personalization. However, it can easily get dented or scratched and has been known to lose its original coloring when exposed to the sun's rays. Direct sunlight also leads linoleum to fade over time, and it might not work well for moisture-prone spaces.

Carpet

Carpet is the most affordable flooring option. It can make a space feel more homey and is great for muffling sound. You don’t have to worry 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 Duluth 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. You can learn more about previous clients' experiences from review sites like Trustpilot, Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Even the best flooring installers will have both positive and negative reviews. Look for how a company responds to complaints and interacts with others. If it strives for a satisfactory resolution and acts in good faith, that's an encouraging sign. However, if it's dismissive or has a high negative-to-positive review ratio, it's wise 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 craftsmanship. Portfolios might also include references from past customers. Don't hesitate to 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 provider'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, style, and color choices, you can also look for companies with design teams.

Cost

While cost 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 multiple companies to compare rates. You can do this fully online or by requesting complimentary on-site estimates.

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. While some manufacturers and contractors have lifetime warranties, most are still restricted 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 critical for a successful flooring job. Before you sign a contract, ask for an estimated timeline and inquire about what hurdles could impact the project. If a company commits to finishing the job by a certain deadline, get that guarantee in writing and state your expectations clearly as the work progresses.