Whether you're a homeowner, a contractor, or a designer, it's essential to understand the differences and similarities between these two brands regarding quality, durability, and style. Flooring Solutions is committed to providing you with resources and education so that you can make informed decisions about your project!
When you're shopping for flooring, online or in person, you'll hear about all the fierce competition between brands. You'll hear all kinds of information about one being better than the other based on information that may not mean anything to you. So let's discuss their differences and see if you can determine the best company and flooring product for your needs.
Who is Shaw Flooring
Shaw Flooring is one of the largest flooring manufacturers in the world. Like many brands, they started small and only supplied carpet products. As the demand in the marketplace grew, so did they. Shaw began to provide a wide range of flooring products, including many popular choices like hardwood, laminate, and luxury vinyl flooring.
Shaw is also known for their flooring brand being a "Floor for any kind of budget." They don't consider themselves a luxury brand, but if you're looking for a "step-up" for carpet products in terms of quality and design, they may still have what you're looking for. Shaw Flooring owns a privately labeled brand called Anderson Tufftex. They are known for their solution-dyed nylon carpet products that last in commercial and residential settings.
But being a large company doesn't automatically mean good or bad, so you should still know the advantages and disadvantages of working with Shaw, so you can see if they fit your needs. So let's dive in!
Advantages of Shaw Flooring Products
1. Commitment to sustainability
Shaw Flooring is passionate about its eco-friendly manufacturing process. They have taken strides and implemented strategies to minimize its environmental impact. Shaw has a unique recycling system to reduce waste and promotes better practices in their supply chain, and this shows in their product lines that feature luxury vinyl plank, laminate, hardwood and carpet. Sustainability is always a great goal, and our entire team at Flooring Solutions appreciates these initiatives.
2. Long-standing Reputation
Shaw Flooring has been in business since 1949. They quickly rose to the top of the global flooring manufacturers due to their great customer service, testimonials, and quality products. Shaw gained a lot of popularity through their carpet lines, and since have seen the opportunity for waterproof flooring options, durable laminate floors, and high-quality hardwood.
3. Various different floor coverings
Options, options, options! Shaw Flooring has thousands of products lines available in all of their flooring categories. They consistently source new materials and produce up-to-date product lines to fit design trends. Looking for Shaw LVP, laminate, tile-look planks? You will likely find just what you're looking for with having access to thousands of product lines.
4. Local Shipping Methods
Wait times for your products are significantly shorter than some manufacturers who ship from the West Coast. Though it's not always possible to ship more locally, Shaw does an excellent job keeping available inventory.
5. Technology Innovation
Shaw Flooring uses a virtual reality type technology that allows you to visualize flooring products in your room by simply uploading a photo. The software uses your room to digitally place the flooring you selected onto your photo, giving you an idea of how it would look in your space. If you currently having laminate, and want to see what luxury vinyl plank would look like, or maybe you have carpet and want to upgrade to hardwood. This would be a great resource for you. If you're looking for more information on Laminate vs. Luxury Vinyl Plank, we've got you covered with our comparison article.
What are the Disadvantages of Shaw Flooring Products
1. Limited availability
Certain styles and product lines may only be available to vendors and flooring retail stores. This means you may be unable to purchase it from big box stores, and if you need access to a local flooring store near you, it could present some challenges in availability. Given the popularity in waterproof vinyl plank, there could be some exclusive product lines not available in certain stores near you.
2. Installation challenges:
Depending on the style, product-specific installation guidelines may not be ideal for your home. For example, if you fell in love with engineered hardwood flooring, but one of the installation requirements was using a recommended glue. If that glue is unavailable, it may cause you to use a different, non-recommended glue and face some challenges during the installation process.
Who is Mohawk Industries
Mohawk is another major player in the flooring game! They also operate and manufacture flooring all over the world. Whereas Shaw was originally known for its carpet products, Mohawk is more widely known for its resilient products, which are laminate and luxury vinyl plank. These products have grown increasingly popular over the years, and Mohawk has been innovative in keeping up with the marketplace's demand.
Mohawk Flooring has product lines that work well in commercial and residential settings. From carpet to hardwood, they offer many different price points and styles. Like Shaw's private label brand, Mohawk has one of its own. Karastan Commercial carpet is their own privately labeled flooring brand designed to meet the needs of commercial customers interested in carpets.
Before knowing if Mohawk Industries fits your flooring needs, we will explore some advantages and disadvantages below, and you can decide for yourself.
What are the Advantages of Mohawk Flooring Products
1. Reputable Quality
Along with its eco-friendly manufacturing process, Mohawk has a lasting reputation for producing products that perform well over time. They definitely appeal to homeowners and listen to the frustrations and demands of the marketplace, with certain flooring products not holding up. Mohawk was able to produce products like Waterproof luxury vinyl plank, durable laminate options, and strong high-quality hardwood products that are meant to last.
2. Availability
Mohawk Industries doesn't exclusively focus on one product over the other. Though you'll find some exclusive lines and "trending" options, they have a wide array of product lines available in even some big box stores. They offer anywhere from carpet and hardwood, to commercial-grade products. This means you will likely find a product matching your design and style.
3. Customer Service
With a company as large as Mohawk Industries, an emphasis is placed on customer support. Mohawk is known to have a great claim-processing system and customer service team. When you or the professional flooring company you purchased your product from need support, Mohawk has a reputation for being there for its customers.
4. Manufacturing process
Mohawk sources raw materials from all over the world. These materials are carefully selected to ensure they are of the right quality for their customers. Another feature they implement is a quality control program throughout the manufacturing process. Products are tested for durability, color, and performance.
5. Affordability
Mohawk is known for its affordable products that fit any budget. Mohawk has a huge product inventory, some of which offer premium features and warranties. Flooring Solutions appreciates working with Mohawk due to its affordability even with its higher-end products.
Disadvantages of Mohawk Flooring Products
1. Maintenance concerns
Like with many flooring brands and manufacturers, there are limitations where you should install their products. Some Mohawk flooring products may require additional maintenance, such as professional cleaning or sealing. This especially matters if you install Mohawk flooring in high-traffic areas, as it can be prone to scratches if not correctly maintained.
2. Style Options:
This doesn't quite sound like a disadvantage, right? Some flooring manufacturers are not sold directly to the public. You have to purchase through a vendor, like Flooring Solutions. While Mohawk certainly has exclusive product lines that customers can only access through vendor relationships, they also have product lines easily found online and in big box stores that can be sold to the public. This might take away from the exclusivity and uniqueness of your flooring.
Which Flooring Company is Best For Me
As your research has likely told you, there is no clear answer to which company is best. Both companies have pros and cons, but ultimately, it will come down to what matters most to you. Shaw Flooring and Mohawk have similar products that appeal to different needs and prices. That is the beauty of both brands and why we want to help guide you to a wise decision.
There isn't a "right" choice, only what's right for you. If you're still unsure what exactly is right for you, Flooring Solutions can help you dive deeper into your lifestyle needs. Discovering your family's needs looks like determining how much traffic you have, any accidental spills from kids or pets, and figuring out your overall style ideas. It can even look like determining what price points Shaw & Mohawk offer, and helping work with your budget.
So, what styles, designs, and color options are best for your flooring project? Knowing these facts helps us advise you on which flooring company will provide you with the best results. We highly recommend scheduling your free design consultation, where we thoroughly cover these topics! To dive deep into What to Expect During Your Flooring Showroom Visit, head to our article for more tips to get prepared for your visit!
