How To Get Free Flooring Samples A Comprehensive Guide To Pergo And Other Brands

Oct. 13, 2025, 5:12 a.m.

Tags: pergo

Flooring samples provide an essential resource for homeowners planning renovation or new construction projects. They offer the opportunity to see and feel materials before committing to a purchase. Among the many brands available, Pergo stands out as a popular choice for laminate, luxury vinyl, and other flooring options. This article explores how to obtain free or low-cost flooring samples from various sources, with a focus on Pergo and other major brands.

Retail Store Sample Programs

Home Depot's Sample Selection

Home Depot represents a top option for obtaining cheap or free flooring samples. In their physical stores, customers can access hundreds of free samples, particularly for laminate, LVT (luxury vinyl tile), and LVP (luxury vinyl plank) flooring. For those willing to order online, Home Depot provides over 1,000 options between hardwood, laminate, and luxury vinyl flooring.

Currently, Home Depot offers more than 100 laminate flooring samples, with most coming from the Home Decorators collection. Other brands include Pergo, TrafficMaster, Mohawk, and Hampton Bay, though only the store brands and Pergo offer more than a dozen styles. The available styles include planks that mimic Oak and Hickory, along with more exotic options like Koa or Eucalyptus. Additionally, there are stone and slate-like alternatives. Most laminate boards feature textured finishes, though smooth options are also available, with several techniques represented including hand-scraped and embossed.

When visiting a physical Home Depot location, the actual samples in stock may vary from what's available online. While many samples are free in-store, online orders typically cost $2.99 per sample on most styles. Some products have quantity restrictions, limiting orders to 2, 3, or 10 samples per order, while others appear to have no limitations.

Lowe's Sample Offerings

Lowe's provides a competitive selection of flooring samples that rivals Home Depot's. They carry hardwood, laminate, and luxury vinyl samples from various brands, including Pergo. Unlike Home Depot, Lowe's doesn't rely as heavily on store brands.

Lowe's offers approximately 150 engineered hardwood options and over 70 solid hardwood samples. Major brands include Mullican, Bruce, Natural Floors, Pergo, and SmartCore. Oak is the most popular material, followed by Hickory and Maple. Bamboo makes up more than half of the remaining samples, though it's not technically a hardwood.

For laminate flooring, Lowe's provides around 130 samples from Pergo, QuickStep, Allen & Roth, and Style Selections, among other brands. The majority of planks range from medium to dark colors, though lighter options like Waterford Oak and Studio Vailmont Chestnut are available. All species are domestic except for Acacia, and approximately 30 samples come with a pre-attached pad.

One area where Lowe's has an advantage over Home Depot is pricing. Their samples range from just $0.25 to $1, with nothing listed higher than that for these three materials. Additionally, there appear to be no restrictions on how many samples customers can purchase, though some online listings may show as out of stock with shipping unavailable.

Online Flooring Sample Sources

When local stores don't meet specific needs or preferences, online alternatives become valuable resources. However, online sample shopping can be more expensive due to shipping costs and various restrictions. Several companies offer straightforward sample programs with reasonable terms:

Build Direct

Build Direct provides an excellent option for DIY enthusiasts interested in building materials, including flooring. Their sample program allows customers to request 5 free samples of any style from their catalog, with free shipping. Each sample measures approximately 4" x 6", and customers can order additional samples for a minimal fee if needed.

Lumber Liquidators

Lumber Liquidators stands out as one of the few companies that allows both in-store and online sample requests. Customers can visit a local Lumber Liquidators location and pick up 3 samples for free. Online, they can purchase 3 samples for $10 with free shipping, plus receive a $10 credit. Each additional sample costs $1.

iFloor

iFloor offers a wide selection of flooring materials including hardwood, cork, bamboo, laminate, and vinyl. The company currently allows customers to order 5 free flooring samples from their catalog, which are express shipped to their door at no cost.

Elmwood Reclaimed Timber

For those interested in eco-friendly options, Elmwood Reclaimed Timber provides reclaimed hardwood flooring. Their website permits customers to request up to 4 free samples from their catalog, with free shipping. The process requires only filling out a quick form to get started.

Armstrong

Armstrong flooring samples are available through local flooring stores, Lowe's, and Home Depot, or directly from the company. Armstrong offers hundreds of options, with samples generally measuring at least 7" wide. However, they aren't free, costing $5 each with shipping starting at around $8.

Pergo's Sample Program

Pergo, a leading brand in flooring, offers samples through various channels. At Home Depot, Pergo is one of the brands with more than a dozen styles available, including options that mimic Oak and Hickory, as well as more exotic varieties. Lowe's also carries Pergo samples as part of their laminate flooring selection.

For those interested in ordering directly from Pergo, the company has an online system that allows customers to create a My Pergo account. This account enables users to save favorite items and order product samples. The log-in system works across Pergo's various brands, providing a convenient way to manage flooring selections and sample requests.

While the specific details about free Pergo samples directly from the company aren't provided in the source material, the official Pergo website does have a sample registration process through their My Pergo account system. This suggests that interested consumers should visit Pergo's official website to explore their current sample offerings and any potential promotional deals.

Comparing Sample Programs

When evaluating different sample programs, several factors should be considered:

Cost: Free samples are available from multiple sources, including Build Direct (5 free samples), iFloor (5 free samples), Elmwood Reclaimed Timber (up to 4 free samples), and in-store options at Home Depot and Lumber Liquidators. Paid samples range from $0.25 at Lowe's to $5 at Armstrong.
Sample Size: Armstrong provides the largest samples at 7" wide, while most other companies offer smaller samples around 4" x 6".
Shipping: Many companies offer free shipping with their sample programs, though some may charge additional fees for expedited service.
Brand Selection: Major retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's offer the widest variety of brands, while specialized companies may focus on specific materials or styles.
Convenience: Physical stores allow immediate access to samples, while online programs offer the convenience of home delivery.

Tips for Ordering Flooring Samples

When requesting flooring samples, consider the following tips based on the available information:

Compare multiple brands and styles to make an informed decision
Take advantage of free sample offers when available
Consider the size of samples - some companies provide larger samples (like Armstrong's 7" wide samples) which may better represent the final product
Note shipping costs and policies, as some companies charge for shipping even when samples are free
Check if samples come with attached pads, which can affect the installation process and final appearance
Be aware of quantity restrictions at some retailers
Consider visiting physical stores to see samples in person and potentially obtain free samples on the spot

Conclusion

Flooring samples provide an invaluable resource for homeowners planning renovation projects. Whether obtained from major retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's, or directly from manufacturers like Pergo, samples allow consumers to make informed decisions about their flooring investments. While some samples are free, others may involve minimal costs, typically ranging from $0.25 to $5 per sample. By taking advantage of the various sample programs available, consumers can compare multiple options without committing to a full purchase before seeing and feeling the materials firsthand.