LL Flooring Review: A Comprehensive Look at Quality, Installation, and Value
After years of renovating my 1980s home, it was finally time to tackle the floors in my home office. With high ceilings, dormer windows, and a desire for a fresh look, I turned to LL Flooring to help me achieve my vision.
Updating your floors can significantly enhance your home’s appearance, increasing its overall value and marketability. Alex Veit, owner of Oakerds Flooring LLC, a flooring installation company with years of experience, notes that modern flooring materials often provide improved durability and easier maintenance, reducing long-term upkeep costs for homeowners. He adds that upgrading floors can also contribute to a more comfortable living environment through better insulation and soundproofing.
This review explores my experience with LL Flooring, focusing on the quality, appearance, and installation of their engineered hardwood flooring. Specifically, I chose the Builder’s Pride Misty Brazilian Oak, and this article will share my insights.
What is LL Flooring? A Flooring Retailer Overview
If you’re considering a home remodel, updating your flooring is likely on your list. A new floor can transform an outdated room into a modern space. LL Flooring is a prominent flooring retailer established in 1993. The company boasts over 400 stores across 47 states, offering a diverse selection of flooring options. Their product range includes hardwood, engineered wood, waterproof vinyl, bamboo, laminate, tile, cork, and carpet.
LL Flooring provides a comprehensive selection, and also offers the necessary tools and accessories for installation, including underlayment and molding. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a professional installer, LL Flooring is a valuable resource. For my office, I chose Builder’s Pride Misty Brazilian Oak engineered hardwood for its real wood veneer and user-friendly tongue-and-groove design.
How We Tested LL Flooring: Our Experience
For this LL Flooring review, we put the Builder’s Pride Misty Brazilian Oak engineered hardwood floors to the test. Our selection was influenced by its real wood veneer, tongue-and-groove installation, and the overall aesthetic.
According to Veit, “Engineered hardwood floors offer several advantages, including greater dimensional stability compared to solid wood floors, making them less prone to warping and shrinking due to changes in humidity.”
Because the floors were going into our loft, rather than a basement, we knew that engineered hardwood would be better suited to handle seasonal changes. We were also drawn to the wider planks, which offered a more impactful look compared to the thinner bamboo floors on our main level.
Quality of LL Flooring’s Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood is a composite wood made by bonding layers of hardwood together with plywood or MDF. It closely resembles solid hardwood because of its thin hardwood veneer top layer. However, it’s a cost-effective option, utilizing tongue-and-groove installation.
Veit explains that “Engineered hardwood often features a real wood veneer top layer, providing the natural beauty and warmth of hardwood while being more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable than solid wood options.” Oak is known for its durability and longevity. Its high quality complements its overall aesthetic appearance.
These Greenguard Gold-certified floors feature a premium aluminum oxide fortified finish, making them resistant to stains, scuffs, and scratches. The floors are 9/16 inches wide and 7.5 inches thick, with a 3-millimeter veneer and stained finish. LL Flooring offers a 50-year residential warranty for lasting peace of mind.
Grain Pattern and Appearance
Our Misty Brazilian Oak floors feature a Tauari design with a light appearance. The color range is typically from cream to tan to medium-brown, with a medium-grain pattern. In natural lighting, the floors have gray with brown undertones and a matte finish. An interesting detail is the speckled blue design etched into the grain pattern, adding character to the veneer.
LL Flooring Installation Process
Various engineered hardwood options are available, including water-resistant styles, those with extra-wide planks, and even those with pre-applied adhesive. Our Builder’s Pride Misty Brazilian Oak features a tongue-and-groove, floating-floor installation. Each plank has a protruding tongue on one end and a groove on the other, allowing the planks to slide together and lock in place. This method simplifies installation and makes it less expensive and semi-permanent.
Veit notes that “Tongue-and groove-installation is often less expensive than other methods because it allows for faster and easier installation, reducing labor costs. Additionally, the precise fit of tongue and groove boards minimizes the need for additional materials such as adhesives or fasteners, further contributing to cost savings.”
Before installation, all furniture was removed from the office, with the exception of the computer desk. The old laminate floors were removed by professional installers subcontracted through LL Flooring. Some of our underlayment was replaced by a framing company due to water damage and an uneven base.
According to Veit, “A good floor installation begins with thorough preparation of the subfloor, ensuring it is clean, level, and dry to prevent issues such as squeaking or unevenness. Next, precise measurement and layout planning are crucial to minimize waste and achieve a professional finish. Finally, attention to detail during the installation process, including proper adhesive application or fitting of interlocking pieces for floating floors, ensures a seamless and long-lasting result that enhances the overall look and functionality of the space.”
The installers glued the boards directly to the subfloor to prevent any movement. The entire process, including demo and completion, took around four hours, not including the framework. Post-installation, the office felt significantly brighter with the lighter oak tone. The floors were also level and gave the room a more high-end appearance.
Key Features of LL Flooring
LL Flooring simplifies the flooring selection process with a four-step approach. First, you can visit their website to choose the material based on the room type or your lifestyle. Remember, the right flooring can increase your home’s value. Shop by category, like a hybrid waterproof floor or stone-look tile. If you’re unsure, try the floor finder quiz for recommendations based on your style preferences.
Next, browse the available options and utilize their floor visualizer to see how a specific floor might look in your space. For a more hands-on approach, you can order up to four free samples. Once you’ve decided, consult with a flooring expert online, by phone, or in-store to address any remaining questions.
The final step involves preparing for installation. LL Flooring offers guides for DIY installations, or you can use one of their licensed contractors. “Investing in professional installation by experienced contractors can help ensure a high-quality finish and minimize the risk of issues down the line,” Veit adds. You can schedule a free in-home assessment for an accurate installation plan that considers subfloor preparation, acclimation, molding, underlayment, and furniture moving.
LL Flooring: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Offers vinyl, solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, laminate, bamboo, cork, tile, and carpet options.
- Over 400 stores across 47 states.
- Provides options with wood or stone-look finishes.
- Features a floor visualizer tool.
- Offers up to four free samples.
- Installation materials are available.
- Products are Greenguard Gold or FloorScore Certified.
- Includes 30-, 50-, and 100-year residential warranties.
- Financing options are available for 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.
Cons:
- Free shipping is only available for local store pickup.
- No store locations in Alaska, Hawaii, or Wyoming (though shipping is available to Wyoming).
What Other Reviewers Are Saying About LL Flooring
LL Flooring generally receives positive feedback, with a 4.6-star rating on ConsumerAffairs based on over 4,550 reviews. Luis from Richland, Washington, shared that “Lumber Liquidators exceeded my expectations with their professionalism and expertise.” He added that “They installed vinyl plank flooring in my basement, and the result is stunning. I highly recommend their services.”
Elizabeth from Washington, D.C., wrote, “Lumber Liquidators did an excellent job installing laminate flooring in my home. The installation process was smooth, and the final result looks fantastic. I would highly recommend their services!”
LL Flooring vs. Floor & Decor: Key Differences
LL Flooring and Floor & Decor are two popular choices when searching for flooring online. Both offer a variety of flooring options, installation materials, and resources. You can shop at both through their websites or in-store. The key differences are price and specialization.
LL Flooring is often less expensive because of its direct partnership with manufacturers. Unlike Floor & Decor, which sells flooring, fixtures, and backsplashes, LL Flooring focuses solely on flooring. The company also offers solid hardwood flooring with a transferable 100-year warranty.
Final Verdict on LL Flooring
As I spend a significant amount of time in my home office and walk on my engineered hardwood floors daily, I can confidently say that after almost a month, these floors have held up well. They’ve handled everything from constant chair movement to morning coffee spills. If you’re concerned about durability, longevity, price, or selection, don’t be. LL Flooring offers a solution for every budget, style, and project, whether it’s a DIY project or a professional installation.
Where to Purchase LL Flooring
If you’re ready to improve any room in your home and want a range of affordable options, consider shopping at LL Flooring. You can shop directly on the company’s website or visit one of their 400+ retail stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is LL Flooring cheaper?
LL Flooring is cheaper than other companies because it cuts out the middleman and works directly with suppliers and manufacturers. Depending on the wood type, you could pay as little as $0.18 per square foot for tile or $0.69 per square foot for laminate. The company also offers a best-price guarantee to match or beat competitors’ prices.
According to Veit, “The average cost of floor installation varies depending on factors such as the type of flooring material, the size of the area to be covered, and labor costs in your region. On average, homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $2 to $10 per square foot for basic materials and installation of common flooring types such as laminate, vinyl or carpet. However, more premium materials like hardwood or tile can range from $5 to $15 or more per square foot, including installation.”
Where is LL Flooring headquarters located?
LL Flooring, formerly Lumber Liquidators, is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. The company was founded in Stoughton, Massachusetts.
The Family Handyman has personally tested hundreds of products to help you enhance your home. We’ve covered a wide range of products, from various household items. Our goal is to help you make informed shopping decisions based on real-life testing. We are committed to providing honest feedback and will not recommend any product that does not meet or exceed our expectations.