Best Flooring Companies: Top Brands and Retailers Ranked

With hundreds of flooring manufacturers and dozens of national retailers competing for your money, figuring out which best flooring companies actually deliver quality products at fair prices takes more research than most homeowners have time for. Some brands sell direct, others only through authorized dealers, and retailer-exclusive lines make apples-to-apples comparisons nearly impossible. This guide cuts through the noise and ranks the top flooring brands and retailers based on product quality, warranty strength, availability, and real-world customer satisfaction.

Top Flooring Manufacturers by Category

Shaw Industries

Shaw is the largest flooring manufacturer in the world, headquartered in Dalton, Georgia. They produce hardwood, LVP, laminate, tile, and carpet under the Shaw, Anderson Tuftex, and COREtec brands. Their COREtec waterproof vinyl line essentially created the rigid-core category and remains the benchmark for quality. Shaw products are available at specialty flooring dealers, Costco (select lines), and through their website. Pricing covers every tier from builder-grade to luxury, typically $2.00 to $10.00 per sq ft depending on the product line.

Mohawk Industries

Mohawk is Shaw’s primary competitor and the second-largest flooring company globally. Their brand portfolio includes Mohawk, Pergo (the original laminate brand), Karastan (premium carpet), and Daltile (ceramic and porcelain tile). Mohawk’s RevWood laminate and SolidTech vinyl lines offer excellent performance at competitive prices. Distribution is broad: Home Depot, Lowe’s, specialty dealers, and direct online. RevWood Select laminate at $2.50 to $4.00 per sq ft represents one of the best values in waterproof laminate.

Armstrong Flooring / Mannington

Mannington acquired portions of Armstrong’s residential business and continues to produce high-quality vinyl, hardwood, and laminate from their Salem, New Jersey headquarters. Their Adura Max LVP line consistently wins design awards for visual realism. Mannington products are sold primarily through independent flooring retailers, which means less aggressive discounting but better in-store expertise. Expect to pay $3.50 to $7.00 per sq ft for their vinyl lines.

Lumber Liquidators / LL Flooring

LL Flooring positions itself as a value-focused flooring specialist with an emphasis on hardwood, engineered wood, and vinyl. Their house brands, including Bellawood (prefinished hardwood) and CoreLuxe (vinyl), offer solid quality at prices typically 15 to 25% below equivalent products from Shaw or Mohawk. Bellawood hardwood at $4.00 to $8.00 per sq ft with a factory-applied finish is a strong choice for budget-conscious buyers who want real wood.

Best National Flooring Retailers

Home Depot

Home Depot offers the largest selection of in-stock flooring at any big-box retailer, with exclusive brands like LifeProof (vinyl), Malibu Wide Plank (hardwood), and Home Decorators Collection (laminate). Their LifeProof LVP at $2.50 to $3.50 per sq ft is one of the best-selling vinyl products in the country, and it performs well in independent testing. Installation services through licensed local contractors typically run $1.50 to $4.00 per sq ft for labor. The biggest advantage is immediate availability: most products are in stock and ready to take home the same day.

Lowe’s

Lowe’s carries Pergo, Mohawk, Shaw, and STAINMASTER branded flooring. Their selection skews slightly more toward premium products than Home Depot, and their installed flooring program includes free measurement with purchase. Pergo Outlast+ laminate, a Lowe’s staple, offers SpillProtect technology and runs $2.50 to $4.00 per sq ft. Lowe’s seasonal sales (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday) frequently discount installed flooring packages by 20 to 30%.

Floor & Decor

Floor & Decor operates as a warehouse-style specialty retailer focused exclusively on flooring and tile. Their selection of porcelain tile, natural stone, and waterproof vinyl rivals or exceeds what Home Depot and Lowe’s offer, often at lower per-sq-ft prices. The trade-off is fewer locations (200+ stores versus 2,000+ for Home Depot) and limited installation support. Floor & Decor is best for DIYers and contractors who know what they want and do not need hand-holding.

Best Online Flooring Companies

Online flooring retailers have grown rapidly, offering lower overhead costs that translate to competitive pricing. BuildDirect, Flooret, and Cali (formerly Cali Bamboo) are the best flooring companies operating primarily online.

• Flooret: Specializes in engineered hardwood and LVP. Their Modin Rigid vinyl at $3.00 to $4.50 per sq ft includes free samples and ships direct to your door. Customer reviews consistently praise visual quality and customer service.
• Cali: Known for bamboo flooring but has expanded to vinyl, hardwood, and decking. Their GeoCore LVP uses an innovative limestone core and is priced at $3.50 to $5.00 per sq ft. Available at Lowe’s and direct from their website.
• BuildDirect: A marketplace connecting buyers with manufacturers. Prices can be 30 to 50% below retail, but quality varies by vendor and returns can be complicated. Best for experienced buyers who know exactly what specifications to look for.

How to Evaluate a Flooring Company

Brand reputation matters, but it does not guarantee every product in a company’s lineup is worth buying. Use these criteria to evaluate specific products regardless of brand name.

1. Warranty specifics: Read the fine print. A “lifetime warranty” often covers only the original purchaser, excludes commercial use, and requires professional installation. Look for warranties that cover wear-through, staining, and waterproof performance specifically.
2. Independent certifications: FloorScore certification verifies low VOC emissions. GREENGUARD Gold is stricter. These third-party tests confirm that the manufacturer’s claims about indoor air quality hold up.
3. Sample testing: Always order samples before buying. Check the locking mechanism by clicking two pieces together and tugging them apart. Scratch the surface with a coin to gauge wear layer hardness. Pour water on the joint and leave it for 24 hours to verify waterproof claims.
4. Dealer network: Brands sold through specialty dealers (Mannington, Anderson, Karastan) offer better in-store guidance. Brands sold through big-box stores offer convenience and competitive pricing. Neither distribution model is inherently better.

Installation Services Compared

Home Depot, Lowe’s, and LL Flooring all offer installation through networks of licensed contractors. Pricing is generally competitive, ranging from $1.50 to $4.00 per sq ft for standard installations. The quality of the installation depends entirely on the local crew assigned to your job, not the retailer’s brand.

Ask these questions before booking retailer-arranged installation: Does the price include furniture moving? Is old flooring removal included or extra? Who handles subfloor leveling if needed? What is the warranty on the labor itself, separate from the product warranty? Getting clear written answers prevents surprises on installation day.

Final Recommendations by Budget

• Budget ($1.50-$3.00/sq ft): LifeProof LVP from Home Depot, Pergo laminate from Lowe’s, CoreLuxe vinyl from LL Flooring
• Mid-range ($3.00-$5.00/sq ft): COREtec vinyl, Mohawk SolidTech, Flooret Modin, Bellawood hardwood
• Premium ($5.00-$10.00+/sq ft): Mannington Adura Max, Anderson (by Shaw) hardwood, Karastan carpet, Daltile porcelain

Regardless of budget, always order samples, read the warranty document cover to cover, and verify the product’s FloorScore or GREENGUARD certification before committing. The best flooring companies make this information easy to find. If a brand makes it difficult to access specifications and warranty details, consider that a red flag.