If you’re looking to take on a home renovation or decor project, you’re likely considering shopping at Floor & Decor or Home Depot.
As two of the most popular home improvement retailers, Floor & Decor and Home Depot have some overlaps but also key differences that set them apart.
Understanding the pros and cons of each can help you determine which store may be a better fit for your specific needs.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Category | Floor & Decor | Home Depot |
| Business Focus | Flooring materials and accessories | Entire home improvement |
| Store Layout | Warehouse style with tall displays | Wider aisles, neatly organized |
| Product Selection | Broad and deep flooring selection | Huge range of home improvement products |
| Pricing | Very competitive, frequent sales | Frequent promotions, can price match |
| Installation Services | Pro Network of pre-vetted contractors | Managed through Home Depot’s installation partners |
| Brand Exclusives | Some exclusive tile and flooring collections | Typically, all major national brands |
| Shopping Experience | High energy, flooring-focused | Polished experience for whole home projects |
Overview Of Floor & Decor
Floor & Decor is a specialty retailer focused exclusively on hard surface flooring and related accessories. They carry a wide selection of in-stock, affordable flooring options including tile, wood, laminate, vinyl, and natural stone.
Beyond just flooring, they also offer everything you need to complete your flooring project including underlayment, grout, tile backer boards, tools, and installation accessories.
The company was founded in 2000 and has grown rapidly across the United States. Today, Floor & Decor has over 160 warehouse-format stores across 33 states. Their focus is on providing a one-stop shop for flooring projects with excellent customer service.
Some key things to know about Floor & Decor:
- Extensive flooring selection, with most materials in-stock for immediate purchase. Materials are sourced directly from manufacturers.
- Store layout is warehouse-style with tall racks displaying product. Flooring is sold by the carton with special equipment to load materials.
- Features Pro Network of installers that customers can hire to complete flooring projects. Removes hassle of finding reputable local contractors.
- Prices are competitive, focusing on high volume sales direct from manufacturers. Sales and promotions offered frequently.
- Knowledgeable flooring experts on staff at each location to guide customers. Focus is on convenience and project completion.
Also Read: Comparison Between Floor & Décor And Lumber Liquidators
Overview Of Home Depot
In contrast to Floor & Decor, Home Depot takes a more expansive approach as a home improvement mega-store. While Home Depot does sell flooring, it offers everything needed to build, renovate, or maintain your home. This includes building materials, home decor, appliances, tools, outdoor living items, and more.
Founded in 1978, Home Depot is the largest home improvement retailer worldwide with over 2,200 stores across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. They offer both professional contractor services and DIY-focused guidance.
Some key things to know about Home Depot:
- Massive selection of home improvement products, from basic materials to high-end fixtures. Items stocked in stores or available via special order.
- Store layout has wide aisles with products organized by department. Employees available to assist.
- Professional installation can be arranged for flooring, appliances, windows, and more. Network of contracted services.
- Frequent sales and promotions, special buying programs offered for contractors and pros. Extensive online shopping and delivery options.
- Home services desk available in stores to connect customers to both independent contractors and The Home Depot’s installation experts.
Comparing Flooring Options
When it comes to flooring, the selection at Floor & Decor and Home Depot has some clear similarities and differences.
Both retailers offer all the most popular flooring types including carpet, vinyl plank, laminate, hardwood, tile, and stone. Brands carried include major manufacturers like Shaw, Mohawk, Armstrong and more. You’ll find essential materials like underlayment and installation supplies as well.
Where they differ is Floor & Decor’s flooring-focused model allows them to offer a noticeably broader and deeper inventory of tile, stone, and wood materials. Their stores display much more product on the sales floor. Floor & Decor also sources some exclusive collections you won’t find elsewhere.
Home Depot has a strong flooring selection as part of their wider home improvement lineup, but Floor & Decor dedicates their entire business to floors. If you’re looking for an expanded in-stock selection of the latest tile, hardwood, or vinyl flooring, Floor & Decor is hard to beat.
Also Read: Comparison Between Hearth And Greensky.
Pricing And Affordability
One of the most frequently asked questions is how the prices compare between the two retailers. Because of Floor & Decor’s business model focused on high-volume flooring sales, their prices are often more affordable than Home Depot.
However, Home Depot does frequently run promotions that make their flooring very competitively priced. It’s a good idea to compare item by item, but generally expect Floor & Decor to offer some cost savings especially on tile, wood, and vinyl plank flooring. Their prices can be 10-20% below other big box retailers.
For big ticket purchases or whole home projects, both Floor & Decor and Home Depot have pro desks to work with contractors on quantity discounts and special rates. Floor & Decor also features a finance program that allows approved customers to make payments over 6 or 12 months. This can help make large renovations more affordable.
Store Experience
When you walk into these two retailers, the store experiences are quite different. Floor & Decor locations have that bright warehouse feel with flooring displays stacked high to the ceiling. You can watch training demonstrations, see new products being unloaded, and there’s always activity.
Home Depot stores feel more polished with wide aisles and measures taken to make their vast selection feel organized. There may be classes or demonstrations related to DIY home improvement. The environment is less industrial, quieter, and products are neatly displayed.
At Floor & Decor, you’re very aware you’re in a flooring store. Home Depot aims to make you forget your original errand and tempt you to buy more. Depending on your project, one setting may feel more suited to your needs.
Project Services
A major distinction between these retailers is the installation and support services offered around your flooring project.
Home Depot has an extensive installation network that can handle flooring jobs along with other home remodeling services. Scheduling is handled through the stores and you work with Home Depot to manage the contractor.
Floor & Decor takes a different approach with their Pro Network, which pre-vets flooring installers that customers can independently contact and hire. You arrange scheduling and payments yourself directly with the contractor.
Floor & Decor stand behind their network to deliver quality installation services. But Home Depot’s end-to-end project management through their stores provides a higher level of service and accountability if that is important to you as a customer.
Also Read: Comparison Between Floor & Decor And The Tile Shop
Additional Offerings
Beyond flooring, Home Depot stores are one-stop shops for all home improvement and decor. You can purchase appliances large and small along with thinking ahead to needs like storage solutions, bathroom fixtures, lighting, and more. Their online presence and mobile apps make shopping even easier.
Floor & Decor sticks close to their core mission of providing affordable, on-trend floors to customers. If you’re on a budget or have a flooring-focused project, their stores keep you on target without the temptation to overspend on extras. But they don’t offer the full product selection or household services you’ll get from Home Depot.
Watch this video to know more about Floor & Decor!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Floor & Decor is able to offer low prices in a few key ways:
Direct sourcing from manufacturers
Operating warehouse-style stores with lower operating costs
High volume sales approach keeps prices low
Specialized flooring focus allows competitive pricing
Promotional discounts offered frequently
No, Floor & Decor and Home Depot are completely separate companies and competitors in the home improvement retail market. Floor & Decor was founded in 2000 while Home Depot has been around since 1978.
Yes, Floor & Decor is generally well-regarded especially amongst flooring professionals and contractors. They are seen as a reputable supplier of quality flooring materials across many categories with good customer service. Their Pro Network of installers is a popular service.
Some other home improvement retailers that sell flooring include:
Lowe’s Home Improvement, Menards, Lumber Liquidators, Best Buy Flooring, Flooring America, The Tile Shop, Independent flooring stores.
For tile specialists, stores like Bedrosians Tile & Stone and Tile Shop of Corona are alternatives.
Also Read: Comparison Between Conn’s And Aaron’s.
Conclusion
When tackling a flooring or home project, both Floor & Decor and Home Depot have helpful products and services to offer. Floor & Decor brings excellent prices, selection, and materials to flooring projects. Home Depot excels at broad inventory and whole-home services.
Consider what your requirements are in terms of budget, scope of project, required materials, and installation help. This can guide you to pick the home improvement retailer that best fits your upcoming needs, whether that’s Floor & Decor, Home Depot, or another option. With the right store choice, you’re on your way to a home space you’ll love.
