Sam’s Club laminate flooring is available in numerous durable, cost-effective, and visually pleasing options.
Whether you have pets, children who run around the house a lot, or heavy furniture, you needn’t worry about scratch marks, warped flooring, and noise complaints from your neighbors.
However, before you opt for Sam’s Club or laminate flooring in general, you should first learn more about this versatile flooring type and its positives and negatives.
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What Is Laminate Flooring?
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Laminate flooring is a composite flooring manufactured by fusing three layers in the process called lamination.
The first layer is the base and is made of particleboard wood.
Particleboard wood is engineered by heat-pressing and gluing wood waste like shavings, sawdust, wood chips, and the like. It’s what makes your laminate flooring strong and dent-resistant.
Did you know? Particleboard wood has extremely low density. It’s less dense and robust than plywood and fiberboard. However, despite that, it’s still heavy.
The second layer is the image layer you see when looking at your laminate flooring.
It gives the appearance of natural wood or any other material you want it to mimic.
As technology advances, these images become more and more realistic and can fool an onlooker into thinking that it’s real hardwood.
The third layer is the coating, i.e., the surface layer that protects the image and the base and adds to the realistic look of your flooring.
This durable protective layer prevents scratch marks from pets, chairs, shoes, etc.
Average Cost Of Sam’s Club Laminate Flooring
The average cost of installing laminate flooring is between $1,700 and $4,500 for a typical space of 200 square feet.
The labor typically accounts for $850 to $1,650 of the total cost.
That leaves the cost of materials at around $400-$600.
However, the price can soar to $4,500 with potential additional costs like removing old flooring, subfloor repair, underlayment installation, etc.
| Sam’s Club Laminate Flooring | Average Cost per 200 Square Feet |
|---|---|
| Installation Cost | $1,700-$4,500 |
| Material Cost | $400-$600 |
| Labor Cost | $850-$1,650 |
| Additional Cost | $450-$2,250 |
Sam’s Club Laminate Flooring Cost Breakdown
Naturally, the cost of your laminate flooring depends on many factors.
Some of them are:
- Type of laminate flooring. Laminate flooring varies depending on many factors like the material and image, pattern, thickness, finish, installation type, and more.
- The flooring space. The room shape, angles, and other complexities determine how much cutting is necessary to fit the tiles to resemble a consistent pattern. This ultimately affects the labor cost and the material waste.
- The time of purchase. The price of laminate flooring depends on the season. Most people plan their home improvement projects for warmer months. But this is where they make a mistake. The best time to save money on laminate flooring installation is right after the winter holidays.
- Your location. As with all home upgrades or renovations, materials, and labor costs depend on your area and how much your local contractors charge for their services.
Check out our laminate flooring calculator to get a better estimate on the cost to install laminate floors in your area.
Laminate Flooring Cost by “Material”
Considering that what gives laminate flooring the look of wood is a picture, laminate flooring can represent any material you want.
The usual ones are wood, tile, and stone.
| Cost by Material Type | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Wood Laminate Flooring | $1.25-$2.75 |
| Tile Laminate Flooring | $3.25-$4.50 |
| Stone Laminate Flooring | $3-$3.75 |
Wood laminate flooring is the most common choice as it’s the closest option to genuine (and much more expensive) hardwood.
The typical price range for wood laminate flooring is between $1.25 and $2.75 per square foot.
Another popular laminate look is tile.
But just because it looks like tile doesn’t mean it has the same characteristics.
For example, tile laminate flooring in your bathroom is not recommended, as laminate is generally not suitable for high-moisture environments.
The average price of tile laminate flooring is between $3.25 and $4.50 per square foot.
A similar but slightly rarer option is stone laminate flooring.
It can look like any stone you want, and each tile can look different.
The average price of stone laminate flooring is $3-$3.75 per square foot.
Laminate Flooring Cost by Finish and Texture
There are three types of finishes for laminate flooring and several kinds of textures.
Flooring finishes are available in glossy, matte, or semi-matte.
The glossy finish takes the most material and labor and is the most expensive at $1.70-$5.50 per square foot.
The semi-matte finish is somewhat less costly, with an average price of $1-$3.80, while the complete matte finish costs between $0.80 and $4.20 per square foot.
| Cost by Finish Type | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Glossy | $1.70-$5.50 |
| Semi-matte | $1-$3.80 |
| Matte | $0.80-$4.20 |
The least pricey is the smooth-textured type, which costs between $1.70 and $2.60 per square foot.
In contrast, the hand-scraped laminate flooring is the most expensive, at $3-$6 per square foot.
| Cost by Texture Type | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Smooth | $1.70-$2.60 |
| Hand-scraped | $3-$6 |
Laminate Flooring Cost by Thickness
Laminate flooring thickness ranges from 6mm to 15mm.
The average price of the thinnest laminate flooring is between $0.70 and $1 per square foot.
For thicker planks, the average cost is around $2.30-$6 per square foot.
| Cost by Thickness | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| 6-10mm | $0.70-$1 |
| 11-15mm | $2.30-$6 |
Sam’s Club Laminate Flooring Additional Costs
As with every project, there will be additional costs that you must take into consideration.
If you’re replacing your flooring, you must remove old flooring first.
This could cost around $450 for a 200-square-foot room.
Of course, you can always place new planks on top of the old ones, but doing so sometimes results in uneven surfaces.
Moreover, your subfloor might need repair or replacement.
If the previous flooring has suffered any damages, it could’ve also transferred onto the subflooring.
Damaged subfloors could add another $350 to your overall cost.
If you add an underlayment, expect it to cost around $40 per roll on average.
Underlayment provides better security for your floor, especially if it’s on the thinner side.
Furthermore, many homeowners opt for underlayment when they want to reduce noise.
Pro Tip: Opt for foam or cork when choosing laminate flooring underlayment, and avoid carpet padding. Although some may believe it’ll make laminate flooring more comfortable, it may make it bend and loosen at its joints.
You must also consider the flooring’s warranty, maintenance fees, and additional features like a waterproof or scratch-resistant finish if the laminate flooring doesn’t already come with it.
When Does Sam’s Club Flooring Go On Sale?
Sam’s Club products fall under different promotional categories.
Some are Scan & Go Offers, Instant Savings, Curbside Savings, etc.
However, most of these come with the membership.
Several Selects Surfaces laminate flooring have an Instant Savings promotion when you purchase it online.
Cost savings can vary depending on the product.
Many sales occur during the off-season, between December and January.
The off-season isn’t an ideal time for installation, but you can secure the laminate flooring for a lower price and wait until spring to install them.
What Types Of Laminate Flooring Does Sam’s Club Sell?
Sam’s Club sells Selects Surfaces’ SpillDefense laminate flooring and Elite laminate collection.
The second one isn’t much of a “collection” as it includes only one product, Urbanwood laminate flooring.
In addition, there’s one Traditional Living product.
The products mimic different types of wood, such as oak and hickory, and come in various colors like Antique Brown, Pearl Grey, Sand Dune, Toffee, etc.
Flooring thickness is either 10mm or 14mm with a 2mm attached foam backer.
Who Manufactures Sam’s Club Laminate Flooring?
The Select Surface flooring is made in Germany.
However, Sam’s Club occasionally sells smaller brands like Traditional Living Golden Amber Oak II laminate flooring.
This laminate flooring is made and assembled in the U.S.
Sam’s Club Laminate Flooring Pros And Cons
To help you get a clearer picture of why Sam’s Club laminate flooring might be for your home, here’s a list of pros and cons to consider.
Sam’s Club Laminate Flooring Pros
- Its SpeedLoc design, attached foam backing, and no underlayment requirement ensure easy installation.
- It’s inexpensive.
- It’s easy to clean.
- Its GreenGuard Gold Certification guarantees low chemical emissions.
- It has an AC4 rating, promising great durability.
- It comes in a wide variety of styles.
- It has a decent residential and commercial warranty.
Sam’s Club Laminate Flooring Cons
- Its water resistance is debatable.
- Its 14mm-thick products are actually only 12mm thick.
- Its samples are only available for online orders.
- You can find mixed reviews about its products.
Sam’s Club Laminate Flooring vs Engineered Wood
Sam’s Club doesn’t actually offer engineered wood flooring, but considering the differences between laminate and engineered wood flooring, in general, will be valuable in your final flooring choice.
Laminate is typically less expensive than engineered wood flooring.
While they both boast good scratch resistance, engineered wood generally lasts longer than laminate flooring, sometimes even by 30 years.
Both laminate and engineered wood also provide nearly the same visual appeal.
However, upon closer inspection, it’s evident that engineered wood looks more like real wood than laminate flooring.
This visible difference might be because engineered wood has actual wood in its top layer as a veneer.
Laminate, on the other hand, is simply an image of real wood covered with a protective coating.
In laminate’s defense, it’s much easier to install than engineered wood.
Engineered wood usually has a tongue-and-groove mechanism, while laminate can simply be snapped into place.
This makes laminate flooring a more attractive DIY project than engineered wood flooring.
As for maintenance, both flooring types require similar cleaning methods.
A broom or a damp mop is enough to eliminate all the dust and dirt accumulating on top.
That being said, avoid harsh chemicals and cleaners like steamers.
Pro Tip: If you’re deciding between laminate flooring or engineered wood for your bathroom or basement, you’re better off with vinyl or tile than either of these options.
Sam’s Club Laminate vs Vinyl Plank
Sam’s Club laminate and vinyl flooring both equip your house with a natural-wood-looking floor.
Their materials are equally durable and resistant to scratches and other damage.
In addition, both have GreenGuard Gold Certification, which ensures good air quality for your family.
You’ll also get a limited lifetime residential and 10-year warranty for light commercial use of both floorings.
Both laminate and vinyl plank products promise easy installation with no underlayment necessary.
However, there are some significant differences between these two flooring types.
Firstly, the price of laminate flooring at Sam’s Club is considerably lower than vinyl flooring.
For example, the least expensive laminate flooring costs $1.96 per square foot, while the cheapest vinyl flooring costs $3.86 per square foot.
Next, the thickness of laminate flooring is at least 8mm, while vinyl flooring is 5mm on average.
But it’s important to mention that the thickness of vinyl flooring is not as important.
The 5mm thickness is generally the recommended thickness for vinyl flooring.
Possibly the most important difference is in water resistance.
Waterproof flooring is crucial in bathrooms, basements, and kitchens. So this aspect alone might be the tipping point in your flooring decision.
Sam’s Club vinyl floors guarantee water resistance with no time limit, while the laminate floors can withstand spillage for up to 24 hours.
Costco vs Sam’s Club Laminate Flooring
Both Costco and Sam’s Club are reputable sellers that offer high-quality laminate flooring options.
Both retailers have flooring options with AC4 grade, 12mm thickness, and an easy installation technique.
The main difference is in the brands they offer.
Sam’s Club offers Select Surfaces, while Costco offers Mohawk and Shaw.
Both companies also offer different product availability.
Some Sam’s Club products are available online, while others are only purchasable by going to a physical store.
As for Costco’s brands, only Mohawk is actually available for purchase.
Costco is only a mediator that provides consultation services for Shaw products.
Another difference is where the flooring is manufactured.
Sam’s Club offers Selects Surfaces laminate flooring imported from Germany and only one Traditional Living product made in the U.S.
Meanwhile, Costco only offers U.S.-made laminate flooring.
The last difference worth considering is the price and the number of laminate flooring types.
Sam’s Club laminate flooring is generally less expensive and offers at least 10 more options than Costco with its Mohawk lines.
Sam’s Club Laminate Flooring Reviews
Most customers who’ve purchased and installed Sam’s Club laminate flooring, i.e., Select Surfaces laminate flooring, have left good reviews regarding its scratch resistance, installation, and maintenance.
The overall score on the official website is 4.6/5 stars.
Multiple homeowners claim to have had the flooring for over 10 years and say it still looks brand new.
Nearly all of them would recommend and repurchase the same flooring.
Some clients have also praised the short delivery time and the overall look it gave their home.
The low project cost for a high-quality service was frequently emphasized among Sam’s Club laminate flooring’s good points.
Most customers are also happy with Sam Club’s return policy on their laminate flooring, which guarantees a refund or replacement if you’re not satisfied with the product.
Pro Tip: Most Sam’s Club purchases can be returned without issues and in multiple ways. It’ll usually be noted on the product’s page when the online purchase can be returned to a nearby location. However, purchases made in the retail store can’t be returned like online purchases.
A few reviews complained about chipping during installation.
Several dog owners also had to replace their flooring due to a pet’s “accidents.”
Furthermore, while some claimed that working with Sam’s Club laminate flooring was a delight for their installer, others complained about the tiles not clicking together when they tried installing them.
What Thickness Laminate Flooring Does Sam’s Club Sell?
As mentioned, laminate flooring thickness typically ranges from 6mm to 15mm.
On the Sam’s Club website, you’ll find laminate flooring with 14mm overall thickness.
However, this includes a 2mm attached foam backer, so the thickest laminate flooring offered by Sam’s Club is 12mm.
What Is a Good Laminate Flooring Thickness to Get?
The ideal thickness is around 12mm.
Thicker flooring will be more expensive, and you’ll still probably get 12mm flooring just with attachments like foam and pad.
Sam’s Club 14mm Laminate Flooring
As mentioned, Sam’s Club laminate flooring is actually 12mm flooring with an extra 2mm of foam.
What Is Sam’s Club’s Best Grade Of Laminate Flooring?
The grade of laminate flooring is expressed in Abrasion Criteria (AC).
It refers to the flooring’s durability, more precisely, the resistance of its wear layer.
The AC scale goes from 1 to 5.
The best grades are AC5 and AC4, recommended for areas with a lot of foot traffic.
An AC1 grade is recommended for residential areas with low foot traffic.
The best AC grade at Sam’s Club is AC4, recommended for residential and light commercial use.
How Much Does It Cost To Install 1,200 Square Feet Of Sam’s Club Laminate Flooring?
Sam’s Club laminate flooring prices vary depending on whether you buy it online through the official website, have it delivered, or pick it up from a store.
Some products aren’t available for online purchase.
Based on the online prices, the average cost of installing Sam’s Club laminate flooring is $2,352 – $2,724 for 1,200 square feet.
Boxes generally come with around 10 planks; you can cover 15-30 square feet with them.
Is Sam’s Club Laminate Flooring Good?
Sam’s Club laminate flooring has some good reviews and boasts various benefits for your home and your family.
Yet, your specific household needs will decide whether it’s the right choice for you.
If you’re looking for stylish wood flooring for your bathroom, laminate flooring isn’t the best choice.
On the other hand, if you need durable flooring for a room you and your family spend the most time in, this AC4-grade laminate flooring could be the answer.
No More Creaky Floors
Sam’s Club offers a variety of laminate flooring options for your home.
There are many pros, but also some cons to choosing this type of flooring, and specific details to consider regarding Sam’s Club products in particular.
Review all your options well before settling on your new flooring.
