Free Floor Samples A Guide To Choosing The Right Flooring For Your Home

Free floor samples are an excellent way for homeowners and contractors to make informed decisions when selecting flooring for a space. These samples allow individuals to see, touch, and even test how a particular flooring option will look and feel in their environment. This article explores the benefits of free floor samples, the process of ordering them from various brands, and the considerations one should keep in mind when using them to make a final decision. All information is based solely on the provided source material, which includes details from Lumber Liquidators, Porter Craft, BuildDirect, Havwoods, and Twenty & Oak.

The Value of Free Floor Samples

Flooring is a long-term investment that affects both the aesthetics and functionality of a space. Making the right choice requires more than just visual appeal; it also involves understanding how the flooring will interact with lighting, furniture, and other design elements. Free floor samples provide a tangible and practical way to assess these factors before committing to a purchase.

For example, Havwoods emphasizes that physical samples help users see how lighting impacts the appearance of wood flooring throughout the day. Unlike digital swatches or showroom displays, physical samples allow for side-by-side comparisons in the actual environment where the flooring will be installed. This helps eliminate uncertainty and ensures that the final choice aligns with the homeowner's vision.

Porter Craft also highlights the importance of seeing samples in one's home. The company states that floors can look very different in a showroom or online than they do in a real space. By allowing customers to order up to three free samples that are shipped directly to their homes, Porter Craft simplifies the decision-making process and ensures that customers can evaluate the flooring in the context of their specific environment.

How to Order Free Floor Samples

Each brand offers a slightly different process for ordering free floor samples. However, most follow a similar structure involving browsing the product catalog, selecting preferred options, and completing a sample request form.

Lumber Liquidators

Lumber Liquidators offers free flooring samples that can be obtained either online or in-store. The first sample is priced at $15, with additional samples costing $5 each. However, these fees are fully refunded once a customer proceeds with a purchase through the company. This model encourages customers to order samples while also providing an incentive to make a purchase.

The company provides a range of sample options, including engineered hardwood, rigid vinyl planks, and laminate flooring. Examples include the 5/8 in. Amsterdam White Oak Engineered Hardwood Flooring and the 5mm w/pad Yorkshire Cottage Oak Waterproof Rigid Vinyl Plank Flooring. These samples give customers a realistic sense of the product before making a decision.

Porter Craft

Porter Craft allows customers to order up to three free samples online, with no charge for the samples or shipping. The process is straightforward: customers can browse the flooring catalog, filter by preferences such as color, texture, and wood species, and add their selections to a sample cart. Once the order is placed, the samples are shipped directly to the customer's home.

The company also offers a feature that allows customers to order samples for someone else, such as a client or another homeowner. This is particularly useful for interior designers or contractors who work with multiple clients and need to provide accurate visual references for flooring options.

BuildDirect

BuildDirect offers the ability to order up to five free samples, with no credit card required and no shipping fees. The samples are shipped overnight via FedEx and typically arrive within 1–2 business days. If a customer wants more than five samples, they can contact a sales representative to cover the additional shipping costs.

Each sample is approximately 4"x6" and serves as an exact replica of the full flooring product. BuildDirect encourages customers to test the samples by scratching them with keys, placing water on them, or otherwise simulating everyday use. This helps customers evaluate the durability and practicality of the flooring in real-world conditions.

Havwoods

Havwoods allows customers to order free wood floor samples directly from their website. The samples are delivered free of charge and arrive quickly, typically within a few business days. The company also offers personalized support through phone consultations or showroom visits, where flooring consultants can help customers narrow down their options and recommend a curated set of samples based on their preferences and the specific needs of their project.

The samples provided by Havwoods are designed to give customers a comprehensive understanding of how the flooring will look and feel in their space. They recommend placing the samples in multiple rooms and testing them at different times of the day to account for variations in natural light.

Twenty & Oak

Twenty & Oak offers free floor samples to customers whose installation locations are within specific U.S. states, including Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, and Washington D.C. The company provides a step-by-step process for ordering samples, which includes creating an account, selecting favorite flooring options, and adding them to a sample cart. Once the order is placed, the samples are delivered within 2–3 business days at no cost.

In addition to the sample ordering process, Twenty & Oak also offers a "Floor Genius Quiz" to help customers narrow down their preferences and receive personalized flooring recommendations. This tool is particularly useful for individuals who may not know where to start when selecting flooring.

Key Considerations When Using Free Floor Samples

While free floor samples are a valuable tool in the flooring selection process, there are several key considerations to keep in mind to ensure that the samples are used effectively.

Quantity and Quality of Samples

Most companies limit the number of free samples a customer can order at one time. For example, BuildDirect allows up to five samples, while Porter Craft allows up to three. These limits are in place to prevent abuse of the sample program and to ensure that customers focus on the most relevant options for their project.

It is important to carefully select the samples that are most relevant to the project. Customers should consider factors such as color, texture, wood species, and installation method when making their selections. This helps ensure that the samples provide meaningful insights and reduce the need for multiple rounds of sample requests.

Testing and Evaluation

Once the samples arrive, it is important to test them thoroughly. This includes evaluating how they look in different lighting conditions, how they feel underfoot, and how they interact with existing furniture and decor. Some companies, such as BuildDirect, even encourage customers to test the samples by simulating everyday use, such as scratching them with keys or placing water on them.

This hands-on evaluation helps customers make a more informed decision and reduces the risk of design regrets after the flooring is installed.

Shipping and Delivery

Most companies offer free shipping for free floor samples, but it is important to note any exceptions or limitations. For example, Twenty & Oak only ships samples to customers in specific U.S. states, and Havwoods offers free next-day delivery for most samples across the U.S. Customers should also be aware of the delivery times for each company, as this can affect the overall project timeline.

Return Policies

Some companies require customers to return the samples after evaluation, while others allow customers to keep them. For example, BuildDirect states that there is no need to return the samples, as they are provided for the customer to keep. This policy encourages customers to take their time with the evaluation process and ensures that they are not rushed into a decision.

Conclusion

Free floor samples are an essential tool for making informed flooring decisions. They provide a tangible and practical way to assess how a particular flooring option will look and feel in a specific environment. By ordering samples from companies such as Lumber Liquidators, Porter Craft, BuildDirect, Havwoods, and Twenty & Oak, customers can eliminate uncertainty and ensure that their final choice aligns with their vision.

Each company offers a slightly different sample ordering process, but most follow a similar structure involving browsing the product catalog, selecting preferred options, and completing a sample request form. It is important to carefully select the most relevant samples, test them thoroughly, and be aware of any shipping or delivery limitations.

By using free floor samples, customers can make confident decisions that result in beautiful, durable, and long-lasting flooring solutions for their homes or projects.

Sources

1. Lumber Liquidators Sample Page
2. Porter Craft Sample Program
3. BuildDirect Flooring Samples
4. Havwoods Free Samples
5. Twenty & Oak Free Samples