Costco is a one-stop shop for homeowners who want to install new laminate flooring at an affordable price.
Costco laminate flooring products from Mohawk Home are high-quality. The company also offers professional installation services from third-party contractors.
Costco is committed to customer satisfaction and provides a generous return policy, so customers can rest assured that someone will help them if any issues arise.
Does Costco Sell Laminate Flooring?
Yes, Costco sells laminate flooring.
It partners with Mohawk Home, a US-based flooring company, to provide its customers with high-quality laminate floors.
Mohawk Home is a brand name you are probably familiar with because they are the world’s largest flooring manufacturer.
They produce hardwood, vinyl, carpet, and laminate flooring.
Does Costco Carry Laminate Flooring In-Store?
Yes, Costco carries laminate flooring from Mohawk Home in their stores.
However, you must purchase other items online, such as trims and transitions.
How Much Does Costco Charge To Install Laminate Flooring?
The total cost of installing laminate flooring through Costco varies depending on a number of factors, such as the state you live in, the rates of the contractor you’re working with, the amount of work required, and the size of the installation project.
But the average cost ranges between $1.70 and $2.50 per square foot.
So, the total cost of installing laminate flooring on a 1000-square-foot space will be from $1,700 to $2,500.
The above cost strictly accounts for the installation of the product.
Homeowners who require additional work, such as removing heavy furniture and appliances from the installation space, uninstalling and disposing of the old flooring, and preparing the subfloor, will likely pay more than the above estimate.
Pro Tip: Costco flooring laminate has an interlocking installation system making it very easy to install. Therefore, you can install the flooring yourself and save on the cost of labor. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully because improper installation can void the warranty.
Costco Laminate Flooring Cost Breakdown
Below is an in-depth breakdown of the cost of laminate flooring materials, installation materials, and the cost of labor.
| Costco Laminate Floors | Cost per Square Foot | Cost per 1000-Square-Foot Space |
|---|---|---|
| Flooring Materials | $1.80-$2.59 | $1,800-$2,590 |
| Labor to Install | $1.70-$2.50 | $1,700-$2,500 |
| Installation Materials | $0.30-$0.60 | $300-$600 |
| Average Total Cost | $3.80-$5.69 | $3,800-$5,690 |
Cost of Costco Laminate Flooring Materials
The average cost of Costco laminate floor material ranges between $1.80 and $2.59 per square foot.
That means a homeowner will spend anywhere from $1,800 to $2,590 on a 1,000-square-foot space home for materials alone.
Cost of Costco Installation Materials
Most of the Mohawk Home laminate floors available at Costco are equipped with a pre-installed underlayment, saving you the additional cost of purchasing the material separately.
However, some options do not include an underlayment, meaning you will need to pay an additional $0.30 to $0.60 per square foot.
This additional cost can amount to roughly $300 to $600 per 1000-square-foot area.
Cost of Labor
If you are replacing your floors, removing the old floors will cost you between $0.70 and $2 per square foot.
Another hidden cost is that of disposing of old flooring. The disposal typically costs between $200 and $400 depending on the amount of flooring being disposed of.
Installing new floors will cost between $1.70 and $2.50 per square foot.
That means the total labor cost for replacing your floors with laminate flooring from Costco will range from $1,700 to $2,500 for a 1,000-square-foot space.
If you’re installing the floors on a new build, subtract the amount you would spend on removing and disposing of old floors.
From the above estimates, the total cost of installing Costco flooring laminate on a 1000-square-foot space ranges between $3,800 and $5,690.
Pro Tip: When working on a laminate flooring project, it’s always a good idea to add approximately 20% to the final budget to cushion yourself against unexpected costs and market changes.
Does Costco Install Laminate Flooring?
Yes, Costco provides laminate flooring installation services.
However, they do so through third-party contractors.
In other words, the retailer does not have their own team dedicated to installing flooring.
Installing laminate flooring through Costco contractors averages between $1.70 and $2.50 per square foot.
However, this range can go up to $7 per square foot, depending on the rates of the contractor you’re working with and the complexity of the project.
How To Install Costco Flooring Laminate
To install laminate flooring, follow the steps below:
- Inspect and prepare the subfloor: The subfloor must be clean, flat, dry, and free of debris. If there is old flooring, it is recommended that you remove it. If the subfloor is not level, use a self-leveling tool to even it out. The subfloor should also meet all the local building codes to ensure the safety of the household.
- Acclimate the flooring: Place the unopened boxes of laminate flooring in the room where it will be installed for up to 48 hours to acclimate to the temperature and humidity levels of the environment.
- Lay the underlayment: Roll out the underlayment and cut it to size. Then, overlap the seams and tape them together with underlayment tape.
- Begin the installation: Start in the corner of the room and lay the first plank with the tongue facing the wall. Use spacers to create a 3/8 expansion space between the flooring and the wall on all sides of the room.
- Install the planks: Click the next plank into the previous plank and lock it in place. Continue installing planks row by row, cutting the last plank in each row to fit using a saw.
- Cut around obstacles: Use a jigsaw or handsaw to cut the flooring to fit around any obstacles, such as doorways or pipes.
- Finish the installation: Once all the planks are installed, inspect them to ensure they are laid correctly. Then remove the spacers and install trim and molding around the room’s perimeter to cover the expansion gap.
- Run a bead of 100% silicone along the top of the foam backer rod to ensure the edge of the planks is covered. The foam backer rod allows the floor to expand and contract, and the silicone prevents any moisture from penetrating the subfloor.
Pro Tip: Before installing your laminate flooring, it’s recommended to inspect the planks of each box to check for any damage. This will ensure that you have sufficient undamaged planks for your project. Additionally, when installing the planks, it’s best to pull them from different boxes to create a more realistic wood floor appearance and avoid pattern repeats.
Besides the installation manual, YouTube videos are another great resource for those who want to learn how to install laminate floors. They give you an up-close look at the entire process, making it less daunting.
When Does Costco Laminate Go On Sale?
The laminate flooring at Costco usually goes on sale during holidays and winter months when the demand is low because many homeowners avoid home renovation projects during cold months.
This includes late December to early January and mid to late June.
If you have good storage, we recommend buying flooring during these months to reduce the final budget of your project.
Unfortunately, Costco does not alert its customers when its flooring products go on sale. You will have to manually check the website to see if there is a sale or promotion.
When the laminate flooring is on sale, the company automatically discounts the product at checkout.
Pros Of Costco Laminate Floors
- Offers high quality: One of the major pros of Costco is that it offers high-quality products. All the laminate flooring materials listed from Costco are carefully selected to meet high standards of quality. This means that you don’t have to compromise on quality when choosing a laminate flooring option from Costco.
- Made in the USA: Another advantage of Costco laminate floors is that it is made in the USA. Homeowners who prefer products made in the USA can purchase laminate flooring materials from Costco without worrying about the quality or safety of the products. The fact that these products are made domestically also means that they are readily available, reducing the wait time for delivery.
- Affordable: The company’s bulk purchasing power allows them to negotiate lower prices from manufacturers and pass these savings on to its customers. Additionally, Costco offers discounts on their products every few months, allowing customers to save even more money on their flooring purchases.
Cons Of Costco Laminate Floors
- Limited design options: The fact that Costco only sells laminate flooring from Mohawk Home means that they have few design options compared to other big-box retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s, which offer flooring options from various brands across the country.
- Longer delivery times: Costco takes approximately three weeks to deliver their laminate flooring. If your flooring project is time-sensitive, we recommend beginning the process earlier to avoid inconvenience. Also, leave some wiggle room for a delay in case of unavoidable circumstances with the company.
- Poor installation from contractors: Costco offers laminate flooring installation services through third-party contractors. There have been complaints from previous customers regarding poor-quality installation. To ensure high-quality work, we recommend installing the flooring yourself or hiring a reputable, independent contractor with a proven track record of high-quality work. Poor installation can void the manufacturer’s warranty, leaving homeowners without any recourse if issues arise.
Costco Laminate Flooring Reviews
Overall, Costco laminate floors has received a positive reception from the consumers. Some of the good reviews left include:
- The laminate flooring is high quality and worth the price.
- The laminate flooring mimics real hardwood, and it’s difficult to tell them apart.
- The click-lock technology makes it quick and easy to install.
- Each box has nine planks with pattern variations, making mixing and avoiding repeats easy.
The main complaint about the products is the poor installation by the third-party installers that the company works with.
This complaint is surprising because laminate is one of the easiest flooring options to install.
Other customers have also complained that they did not find matching transition and trim pieces on the website and were forced to return the whole product.
Costco Laminate Floors vs Home Depot
Home Depot is the largest home improvement store in the world.
Below are a few differentiating factors between these two companies that may help you decide which one to use for your next laminate flooring project:
- Various design options: Home Depot offers laminate flooring from various brands, including Pergo, Home Decorators Collections, and TrafficMASTER. Therefore, you’ll find a wide variety of colors and patterns. Such a wide variety of products also means that the quality varies significantly, and it’s easy to get a product that fits your budget.
- Quality of the flooring installation service: Unlike Costco, many homeowners are happy with the installation service they received from Home Depot. This is attributed to the fact that Home Depot requires contractors to have the EPA LEED certification and a minimum of 10 years of experience before accepting them into their partnership program. So, if you don’t have contractor referrals and want to buy flooring from a retailer that offers installation services, we recommend choosing Home Depot.
The above are the main differences between these two big-box retailers with regard to laminate flooring.
Other factors, such as quality, shipping, financing options, and customer service, are comparable.
Ultimately, the final choice depends on your preferences and needs.
How To Clean Costco Laminate Flooring
To care for your Costco laminate floors, regularly vacuum, dust, or sweep it.
Use the hard floor attachment to prevent the accumulation of grit and sand that can scratch or dull the finish.
Laminate flooring is sensitive to water, so avoid using wet mops or steam cleaners to clean it.
These can cause swelling and permanent damage.
If you accidentally spill something, use a clean, dry mop to clean it up immediately.
Leaving water on the floor can also cause permanent damage.
For tough stains, such as paint, markers, oil, lipstick, or ink, use a small amount of nail polish remover or acetone and a soft cloth to remove them.
What Is The Difference Between Cheap And Expensive Laminate Flooring?
Quality is one of the main differentiating factors between expensive and cheap laminate flooring.
High-quality laminate flooring involves a time-intensive process of layering multiple sheets of timber, sealant, and wax to create a visually appealing and durable product.
Reputable manufacturers ensure that the product mimics the natural patterns of real wood, capturing even the slightest differences in features and colors.
Low-quality laminate flooring often has repetitive patterns and artificial-looking colors, detracting from the aesthetics of the room. It may also contain harmful substances that can lead to poor air quality and potentially be irritating to the occupants.
Durability is another factor that differentiates low-quality from high-quality laminate flooring.
The lifespan of a quality laminate is much longer than that of a low-quality product.
Low-quality laminate flooring may last only a few years before flaking, chipping, and fading.
High-quality laminate flooring does not flake, chip, or fade and can last up to 25 years. Some companies even offer warranties of up to 20 years.
Investing in high-quality laminate flooring is a worthy long-term investment, as the flooring will last longer and look as good as new for many years.
What Is A Good Grade of Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring is graded according to its AC (abrasion coefficient) rating.
AC 5 is the most durable and suitable option for high-traffic commercial areas. A laminate flooring rated AC 3 or 4 is suitable for most residential areas with low to medium foot traffic.
The Mohawk Home laminate flooring sold at Costco has an AC 4 rating, making it an excellent choice for residential use, but it may not be suitable for commercial applications.
In addition to the AC rating, a good grade laminate flooring should have a thick wear layer, with a thickness of at least 12mm.
Higher laminate thickness means more durability and scratch resistance.
Also, look for laminate flooring with a warranty of at least 15 years because longer warranties mean the manufacturer is confident in the product’s quality and durability and is willing to stand behind it.
How Good Is Costco Flooring Laminate?
There are several reasons why this laminate flooring may be a good choice for your home:
- The laminates resemble real hardwood.
- The laminate flooring is made in the USA, so homeowners who love USA-made products will be happy with their purchase.
- The laminates are thick, so they are guaranteed to last long.
- Most of the laminates come with an extra 2mm pad for extra comfort and noise reduction.
- They have an interlocking system that makes them easy to install.
Conclusion
Costco is a great place to purchase high-quality laminate flooring at an affordable price.
The products are also durable, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to clean and maintain.
In fact, some of them are marketed as waterproof, but we wouldn’t recommend leaving standing water on your floor for too long because laminates are not inherently waterproof.
On the downside, we wouldn’t recommend using Costco’s third-party contractors for laminate flooring installation due to complaints from previous customers.
The company does not take responsibility for any issues that may arise from using these contractors, leaving customers stuck with poor-quality work and voided warranties.
We recommend installing the laminate flooring yourself or hiring a reputable, independent contractor with a proven track record of high-quality work.
