Why name brand flooring matters
A floor goes in once and lasts for years. Here is what a proven brand gets you, and the specs to check on every kind of flooring.
What a proven brand gets you
Flooring is hard to judge by looking at a sample. Two planks can look the same on the shelf and wear very differently after five years. A name brand takes much of the guesswork out, because the maker puts its reputation and its specs behind the product.
Published specs you can check
A proven brand tells you what the floor is: wear layer, thickness, hardness, slip rating. You can compare one product to another instead of guessing.
Consistent quality
Established manufacturers test their products and hold them to a standard. That means fewer surprises with warped planks, uneven tile sizes or weak finishes.
Boxes that match
Brands track production in batches, so boxes from the same run match in color and size. It is the best protection against a visible shade change in the middle of a room.
A way to find it again
If a plank or tile is damaged years from now, a real product name and number gives you the best chance of finding a match. An unknown product usually cannot be traced.
Instructions and support
Name brands publish installation guides and care instructions, and many have a manufacturer warranty. Follow the guide for your product, because installation matters as much as the floor.
The specs to check on any floor
A brand is only part of the picture. Whatever you buy, look for these numbers on the box or the product page.
Tile
- PEI rating, from 1 to 5, shows how well the glaze handles foot traffic. Higher is for busier floors.
- DCOF slip rating. A DCOF of 0.42 or higher is a common benchmark for wet areas.
- Shade variation, which tells you how much the tiles differ from one another.
Vinyl plank
- Wear layer thickness, in mils, which is the main sign of how well it handles wear.
- Total thickness and whether the core is rigid and waterproof.
Hardwood
- Species and hardness. The Janka rating compares how well different woods resist dents.
- For engineered wood, the thickness of the real wood layer on top, which decides how often it can be refinished.
Laminate
- AC rating, from 1 to 5, shows how well it handles traffic.
- Thickness and whether the product is water resistant at the edges.
Name brand at a clearance price
Everything we sell is new, name brand flooring. Clearance and closeout prices come from discontinued lines and extra stock, which is how a quality floor can cost less than you would expect. Because closeout stock may not come back, buy everything you need at once, and add an extra box or two for future repairs.
Read how to buy clearance and closeout flooring or work out how much to order.
Questions people ask
- What does name brand flooring mean?
- It means the floor is made by an established manufacturer that publishes its specs, stands behind its product and can be traced and matched later. It is about knowing what you are buying, not about paying for a logo.
- Is name brand flooring always better?
- Not automatically, and the right floor depends on the room. But a proven brand gives you real specs and a track record to compare, which makes it much easier to pick the right floor for the job.
- Why is name brand flooring on clearance cheaper?
- Clearance and closeout prices usually come from discontinued lines or extra stock, not from lower quality. That is how a name brand floor can cost less than you would expect.
- Does the warranty apply to clearance flooring?
- Warranty terms depend on the manufacturer and the product, so ask us before you buy and we will go over what we can about your floor.
- What if the box does not show the brand?
- Some boxes only carry a product name or number. Ask us about any product you are considering, and we can tell you more about it before you buy.
Ask us about any product
9206 United Dr, Austin, TX 78758. Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. 512-339-4145