Hi all, I'm going to install a floor for my first time. Downstairs, 725 sq. ft., solid prefinished. Are there any manufacturers out there that have reputations for inferior products? 2nd question, I want to order online and get it shipped to me. Bad idea? Any distributors I should avoid? (I'm looking at iFloors right now...)

Much thanks for the anticipated help.

John

 

Greetings....I ordered mine online also. If you do, make SURE you order enough plus 10% for waste and mistakes and when you get them, check each box for any damage. Personally, I don't think I would order flooring again online. I would check for the "on sale" from local area dist. Just do a little research and go for it! Need any help...plenty of people here for that.

 

I agree with lefty. You don't necessarily have to go to the big box stores. I'm sure you have plenty of flooring companies around you that sell hardwood/ laminate flooring.

Best case scenario would be to find what you like first. Get a couple of different products. Then do your research online. reviews, how-to's, etc...

Flooring is weird. I once installed an engineered floating floor for some friends. It was and is a good product. But while researching it online (after it was installed, mind you) I came across some reviews.

Every single review that was 5 star (there were lots) was about how they had just installed it and how great it looked, etc.

then you got down a little deeper. It seemed as if after several months of wear, the owners didn't quite like it.

Flooring is made for different types of traffic. High traffic, low traffic, kitchens, dining rooms, etc.

Find what you like, and research. Then choose. Best advice I can give you. I certainly wouldn't order it online unless you knew you could drive a little down the road to get more, or exchange, etc. at one of their brick and mortar locations.

 

Never been a big fan of ordering online. Would highly recommend visiting several local retailers/dealers and speak to someone in person, where you can SEE and TOUCH samples and compare products in person. Shopping online for price cheats the consumer out of valuable feedback.

You look online, you read their information, but there's no give and take. The website doesn't ask what kind of traffic you expect to have, what type of substrate you are going over, what type of seasonal swings do you experience in your geographic area, etc., etc. There are many things to consider when purchasing a hardwood floor, and finding a local experienced flooring professional to help you through the process is well worth any additional cost.

For example...you say you are installing "downstairs". Downstairs, as in the first floor of a house over a crawlspace, or downstairs as in a basement area below grade? Solid flooring shouldn't be used for basements.

There are other issues to consider as well. What is the websites return policy? Can you return it if it's not what you expected? If they allow returns, do you have to pay the shipping? (most make you). How do they handle warranty claims? Many manufacturers have strict policies when it comes to internet sales, and getting support from the website can be a PAIN IN THE A## if you ever have a problem.

For the record, I am not a retailer and don't care where someone purchases their flooring, but I am a certified inspector and have seen the pitfalls associated with purchasing online because it may be a little cheaper than purchasing locally. You have expectations that you expect your flooring to live up to. Speak to the people around you that sell it and installl on a daily basis and let them direct you to the right floor for your needs.

That's my two-cents for the day!