Flooring 101
Everything you need to choose the right floor
Buying new floors should be exciting, not overwhelming. Here is how to narrow the options, plan your budget and get a result you will love for years.
- Free samples & advice
- Every product explained
- No-pressure guidance
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Your flooring starts here
A friendly guide to buying new floors
Free samples & adviceNew flooring is one of the biggest upgrades you can make to a home. It changes how a space looks, feels and functions every single day.
With so many materials, styles and price points, the process can feel overwhelming. This guide is here to make it simple.
You never have to figure it out alone. As a locally owned store in Tempe, State 48 Floors pairs this knowledge with real samples and free in-home estimates.
- Choose the right product
- Plan a realistic budget
- Understand measuring & install
- Care for floors long-term
What's inside
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The buying process
Four simple steps to new floors
- 1
Think about how you live
Kids, pets, high traffic and moisture all point to different products. Waterproof vinyl and tile shrug off spills, while carpet adds warmth and quiet to bedrooms.
- 2
Set a realistic budget
Factor in the flooring, subfloor prep, removal and installation. We carry options at every price point and give you a clear, itemized quote up front.
- 3
See samples in your space
Lighting changes everything. During your free in-home estimate we bring samples so you can see colors against your walls, cabinets and natural light.
- 4
Let the pros install it
A great floor is only as good as its installation. Our insured crews prep the subfloor and install with precision, backed by a workmanship guarantee.
Room by room
Which floor works in each room?
A quick map of where each material shines and where it fights the space. Use it to shortlist, then confirm the details with us.
Kitchen
Spills & traffic
Bathroom
Standing water
Bedroom
Comfort first
Living room
Looks & wear
Entry
Grit & sun
Stairs
Grip & safety
Laundry
Moisture & appliances
Patio-adjacent
Heat & UV
5
Avoid the pitfalls that cost homeowners the most
Five mistakes turn a great floor into an expensive redo. Here is how to sidestep every one of them.
Avoid these pitfalls
Common flooring mistakes and how to avoid them
Choosing on looks alone
A floor that photographs beautifully may not suit a busy household. Balance the look you love with the durability, water resistance and comfort the room needs.
Forgetting the subfloor
Even the best flooring fails over a poor subfloor. Skipping prep leads to squeaks, gaps and premature wear. Proper prep is not a place to cut corners.
Underestimating the total cost
Material price is only part of the picture. Pad, prep, removal, trim and installation all factor in. An itemized quote up front prevents surprises.
Ordering too little material
Running short can mean dye-lot mismatches and delays. A proper measurement with a waste allowance ensures enough, plus extra for future repairs.
Skipping professional installation
Installation quality determines how long a floor lasts and often protects the warranty. Experienced, insured installers are well worth it.
Still weighing your options?
Let a local specialist walk you through it in person with a free in-home estimate.
Made to last
A little upkeep goes a long way
The right routine keeps a new floor looking new for years. A few simple habits protect both the surface and the subfloor underneath.
Care & maintenance
Keep your new floors looking new
- Sweep or vacuum regularly to keep grit from scratching the surface.
- Wipe spills promptly, even on waterproof floors, to protect subfloors.
- Use felt pads under furniture legs and area rugs in high-traffic zones.
- Follow the manufacturer cleaning guide for your specific product.
Budgeting and measuring
How much flooring will you need, and what will it cost?
A flooring budget is about more than the price per square foot. It also covers pad, subfloor prep, removal, trim and professional installation.
When we visit, we measure every room and evaluate your subfloor. You get an accurate, itemized quote with no surprises before you commit.
We also offer financing, so you can get the floors you want now and pay over time.
The full picture
Pad, prep, removal, trim and install all factor in, not just the price per square foot.
Measure it right
Length times width per room, added together, plus a waste factor of around ten percent.
Plan for waste
Diagonal layouts, patterns and lots of angles call for a larger allowance to avoid shortfalls.
Flexible financing
Get the floors you want now and pay over time in comfortable monthly payments.
Repair or replace?
Do you need new floors, or just a refresh?
Not every worn or dated floor needs to be torn out. Solid and many engineered hardwoods can be sanded and refinished to erase years of wear.
Loosened carpet can often be restretched, and damaged planks swapped out without disturbing the rest of the floor.
During a free in-home visit we explain your options in plain language. Then we help you decide on a refresh or a replacement, with no pressure.
Refinish hardwood
Sand and recoat solid and many engineered floors to erase scratches and refresh the color.
Restretch carpet
Loosened or rippled carpet can often be re-tensioned rather than fully replaced.
Spot repairs
Swap out individual damaged planks or tiles without disturbing the surrounding floor.
When to replace
Water damage, end-of-life wear or a layout that no longer fits calls for a fresh start.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Ready for new floors?
Book your free in-home estimate today. We bring the showroom to your door with a huge inventory and everyday low prices.