Best National Flooring Companies & Retailers
In the U.S., the biggest flooring companies fit into two main groups. Some are full-service installers that manage everything from your first consultation to the final cleanup. Others are retail chains that sell flooring materials in bulk and may offer installation as an extra service, or let you handle it yourself. Deciding which type matches your project is the most important first step.
This guide looks at eight national companies, highlighting what each does best, where they have weaknesses, and which homeowners they suit best.
Quick Comparison: National Flooring Companies at a Glance
Use this table to compare company type, best fit, average project cost, and overall reach.
| Company | Type | Best for | Average project cost | Nationwide? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empire Today | Full-service installer | Speed and convenience | $2,500 to $9,000 | Yes (60+ markets) |
| Floor Coverings International | Full-service installer | Personalized design | $3,000 to $10,000 | Yes (franchise) |
| 50Floor | Full-service installer | Fast turnaround | $2,000 to $7,000 | Yes (30+ markets) |
| Floor & Decor | Retailer + install referral | DIY and pro buyers | $2,000 to $7,000 | Yes (200+ stores) |
| LL Flooring | Retailer + install referral | Value and selection | $2,000 to $8,000 | Yes (400+ locations) |
| Home Depot | Retailer + install | One-stop convenience | $1,500 to $6,000 | Yes (2,300+ stores) |
| Lowe’s | Retailer + install | Broad material selection | $1,500 to $6,000 | Yes (1,700+ stores) |
| Menards | Retailer (materials only) | Budget material pricing | Varies | Midwest only |
Which Type of Company Is Right for You?
The best choice depends on how much help you want with design, purchasing, installation, and warranty support.
Pick a full-service installer like Empire Today, Floor Coverings International, or 50Floor if you want one company to handle everything from choosing materials to installation. This is a good option if you do not want to manage separate purchases or need new flooring quickly. You will usually pay more for this convenience, but the work is warrantied and the process is handled for you.
Choose a retailer that refers installers, like Floor & Decor, LL Flooring, Home Depot, or Lowe’s, if you want more control over picking materials, prefer to shop at your own pace, or are willing to find your own installer to save money. These stores usually have bigger product selections and better material prices than full-service installers.
Go with a materials-only retailer like Menards or Floor & Decor for DIY buyers if you are comfortable doing the work yourself or already have a contractor and just need to buy materials at bulk prices.
Full-Service Flooring Installers
These companies are best for homeowners who want a simpler, more managed experience from start to finish.
1. Empire Today
Best for: Nationwide convenience and fast installation
Coverage: Operates in 60+ U.S. markets
Empire Today is the biggest full-service flooring installer in the U.S. by coverage area. The company focuses on speed. A consultant brings samples to your home, you choose what you want, and installation is usually scheduled within a few days. Empire installs carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl, and tile, and it offers a lifetime installation warranty.
Average cost: $2,500 to $9,000, depending on material and square footage
- Carpet: $4 to $9 per square foot installed
- Vinyl plank: $3 to $6 per square foot installed
- Hardwood: $6 to $12 per square foot installed
What Empire Does Well: Empire stands out for speed, convenience, and reliability. If you want everything managed by one company without dealing with several vendors, Empire is often a strong choice in larger cities. The lifetime installation warranty is a major advantage.
What to Watch For: Empire usually costs more than buying materials and hiring a local installer yourself. Its product selection is limited to its own catalog, which is solid but not as wide as Floor & Decor or LL Flooring. Customer reviews also vary by region, so it is smart to check local feedback before deciding.
Pros: True nationwide service, same-week installation in most markets, lifetime installation warranty, all-inclusive pricing with no separate contractor coordination
Cons: Premium pricing for the convenience, limited to Empire’s proprietary product lines, review quality varies by market
2. Floor Coverings International
Best for: Personalized design and certified installation
Coverage: Franchise network operating across the U.S. and Canada
Floor Coverings International brings a mobile showroom to your home, with a van full of samples for hardwood, vinyl, laminate, carpet, and tile. Its design consultants help you choose materials that fit your space, lighting, and lifestyle, then arrange installation with certified franchise professionals.
Average cost: $3,000 to $10,000
- Hardwood: $6 to $15 per square foot installed
- Vinyl or laminate: $3 to $8 per square foot installed
- Carpet: $2.50 to $6 per square foot installed
What FCI Does Well: FCI’s in-home consultation is more personalized than what you get from Empire or 50Floor. Seeing samples in your own space and lighting can help you make better choices. Well-run franchises also tend to deliver strong installation quality.
What to Watch For: Because FCI is a franchise, quality can vary more than with a company like Empire. One city’s franchise may be excellent, while another may not be. Be sure to check reviews for your local franchise, not just the national brand.
Pros: Mobile showroom eliminates guesswork, certified installers, strong design consultation, wide material range
Cons: Higher cost tier, franchise quality varies significantly by location, limited online catalog for pre-shopping
3. 50Floor
Best for: Fast installation and flexible financing
Coverage: Operates in 30+ U.S. markets
50Floor focuses on speed and simplicity. A flooring expert brings samples to your home, you make your choice, and for most projects, installation is finished in one day. The company offers carpet, vinyl, hardwood, and laminate, and it often promotes installation deals.
Average cost: $2,000 to $7,000
- Carpet: $3 to $6 per square foot installed
- Vinyl: $3 to $7 per square foot installed
- Hardwood: $6 to $10 per square foot installed
What 50Floor Does Well: If you want a service similar to Empire Today but at a lower price, 50Floor is a strong option. One-day installation is a meaningful advantage, and the company offers flexible financing.
What to Watch For: 50Floor is available in about half as many markets as Empire, so check service availability first. Its product selection is smaller than that of major retailers, and luxury hardwood options are more limited.
Pros: One-day installation for most projects, in-home sample presentation, good financing options, all-inclusive pricing
Cons: Smaller coverage area than Empire, more limited product selection, fewer premium hardwood lines
Retailers With Installation Services
These companies are better for homeowners who want more material choices and are comfortable comparing products more independently.
4. Floor & Decor
Best for: DIY buyers and contractors seeking broad selection
Coverage: 200+ warehouse stores nationwide
Floor & Decor operates large warehouse stores stocked with tile, stone, hardwood, vinyl, and laminate. Its in-stock selection is much bigger than what full-service installers usually offer. Prices are competitive, especially for tile and stone, and the company serves both homeowners and professionals.
You can get installation through Floor & Decor’s Pro Services network, which connects you with local contractors. This is a referral model, not an in-house installation service, so you are hiring a local pro with Floor & Decor acting as the middleman.
Average cost: $2,000 to $7,000, including materials and installation
- Tile or stone: $4 to $15 per square foot for materials
- Vinyl plank: $2 to $5 per square foot for materials
- Hardwood: $5 to $10 per square foot for materials
What Floor & Decor Does Well: Floor & Decor’s biggest strengths are its wide selection and competitive pricing. If you know what you want or enjoy comparing options, you will usually find more choices and better deals here than with full-service installers. DIY buyers can often save 20% to 40% by installing the flooring themselves.
What to Watch For: The referral model offers less accountability than an in-house installation team. If problems come up between materials and labor, it can take more work to sort out responsibility. Also, first-time buyers may find the warehouse setup overwhelming.
Pros: Large in-stock selection, competitive bulk pricing, serves both DIY and trade buyers, 200+ locations
Cons: Installation is a referral, not an in-house service; no design consultation; can feel overwhelming for buyers who want more guidance
5. LL Flooring
Best for: Value across hardwood, vinyl, and laminate
Coverage: 400+ locations nationwide
LL Flooring, formerly Lumber Liquidators, rebranded in 2022. The company focuses more on wood, vinyl plank, and laminate than competitors like Floor & Decor, which has a stronger emphasis on tile. LL Flooring sells its own brands, including CoreLuxe, Bellawood, and Duravana, as well as other brands.
Installation is available through a third-party contractor network, similar to Floor & Decor’s model.
Average cost: $2,000 to $8,000, including materials and installation
- Hardwood: $5 to $12 per square foot for materials
- Vinyl plank: $3 to $6 per square foot for materials
- Laminate: $2.50 to $5 per square foot for materials
What LL Flooring Does Well: LL Flooring offers strong value on hardwood and luxury vinyl plank. Its Bellawood line is a standout because it is made from American hardwood and backed by a 100-year transferable finish warranty. Because the store focuses on fewer product categories than Floor & Decor, shopping can feel simpler if you mainly want wood-look flooring.
What to Watch For: Installation quality depends on the third-party contractor you get. Carpet choices are limited, so LL Flooring is not the best fit if carpet is your main priority.
Pros: 400+ locations, strong hardwood and LVP value, Bellawood warranty is industry-leading, more focused selection than many big-box competitors
Cons: Installation handled by third-party contractors, limited carpet options, store quality and service vary by location
Big-Box Retailers
Big-box stores work well for homeowners who value convenience, broad availability, and easy side-by-side comparison shopping.
6. Home Depot
Best for: One-stop convenience and widest geographic reach
Coverage: 2,300+ stores nationwide
Home Depot is the easiest flooring retailer to find, with the most stores nationwide. It sells a wide range of carpet, vinyl, laminate, tile, and hardwood at budget and mid-range price points. Installation is available through its Home Services division, which uses vetted third-party contractors.
Average installed cost: $1,500 to $6,000
- Carpet: $2.50 to $6 per square foot installed
- Vinyl plank: $3 to $7 per square foot installed
- Tile: $5 to $12 per square foot installed
What Home Depot Does Well: Home Depot stands out for accessibility and convenience. Almost every homeowner has one nearby. If you want to see materials in person, buy supplies the same day, and arrange installation without searching for a contractor, Home Depot is tough to beat for the price.
What to Watch For: Home Depot uses third-party contractors for installation, so quality can vary more than with flooring-only companies. For premium or specialty products, you will usually find better options at Floor & Decor or LL Flooring. Staff expertise in flooring can also vary, so in-store help may not match what you would get from a specialist.
Pros: 2,300+ locations, installation scheduling through Home Services, broad material selection across price points, competitive promotions
Cons: Installation through third-party contractors, inconsistent staff expertise, limited premium and specialty product lines
7. Lowe’s
Best for: Comparable big-box alternative with strong carpet selection
Coverage: 1,700+ stores nationwide
Lowe’s works much like Home Depot, with a broad range of materials, third-party installation through Lowe’s Home Services, and competitive prices on entry-level to mid-range products. Lowe’s stands out for its carpet selection, offering more Stainmaster and mid-range choices than Home Depot.
Average installed cost: $1,500 to $6,000
- Carpet: $2.50 to $6 per square foot installed
- Vinyl plank: $3 to $7 per square foot installed
- Hardwood: $5 to $10 per square foot installed
What Lowe’s Does Well: Lowe’s is often a better choice than Home Depot for homeowners who want carpet, especially for families or people updating bedrooms. Prices are similar in most markets, and Lowe’s often promotes installation deals.
What to Watch For: Lowe’s has many of the same limitations as Home Depot. Installation is handled by third-party contractors, premium product options are more limited, and staff expertise can vary.
Pros: 1,700+ locations, strong carpet selection, competitive installation promotions, integrated scheduling through Lowe’s Home Services
Cons: Third-party installation contractors, similar limitations to Home Depot, limited premium specialty lines
8. Menards
Best for: Budget material pricing in the Midwest
Coverage: 350+ stores across 15 Midwest states
Menards is not a national chain because it only operates in the Midwest, including states like Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio. If you live in this region, Menards often has some of the best prices on materials, especially vinyl, laminate, and tile. However, it does not offer installation, so it is a materials-only option.
Average material cost: $1 to $5 per square foot, depending on product type
- Vinyl tile or plank: $1 to $4 per square foot
- Laminate: $1 to $3 per square foot
- Tile: $1 to $5 per square foot
What Menards Does Well: Menards is hard to beat on material prices, especially when it runs its frequent 11% rebate promotions. If you are a confident DIYer or already have a contractor who buys materials for you, Menards is a strong way to keep costs down.
What to Watch For: Menards does not offer installation or design help, and its least expensive products are basic quality. It is a useful source for materials, but it is not a full-service flooring option.
Pros: Low material pricing in its footprint, frequent rebate promotions, broad Midwest store network
Cons: Midwest only, no installation services, entry-level product quality at the lowest price points
How We Evaluated These Companies
We rated each company on five factors: how many U.S. markets it serves, whether it uses in-house or third-party installers, the range of flooring types and prices, warranty quality, and overall value. Only companies serving a large part of the U.S. were included. Regional chains operating in fewer than 10 states were excluded.
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