Have you ever needed to replace a damaged section of flooring, extend flooring into another room, or find a match for the flooring already in your home? You’re not alone! It’s a common question homeowners ask when planning a renovation or tackling a flooring repair.
The good news is that finding a similar flooring product is often possible. However, finding an exact match can be more challenging than you might expect.
At Badger State Flooring, we help homeowners explore their options and find flooring solutions that work for their homes, lifestyles, and budgets. Here’s what you should know when trying to match existing flooring.
Why Is Matching Existing Flooring So Difficult?
Even when you know the brand or style of your current flooring, finding an exact match isn’t always straightforward. Several factors can affect whether the same product is still available and how closely a new floor will match what you already have.
1. Flooring styles and colors change over time
Manufacturers regularly update their product collections, discontinue older styles, and introduce new colors and designs. A flooring product installed just a few years ago may no longer be available.
Even if a collection is still being manufactured, the specific color or style you need may have been discontinued.
2. Colors can vary between production runs
Flooring produced at different times may have slight variations in color, texture, or appearance. This means that even if you locate the same product name and color, a new order may not be a perfect match for the flooring already in your home.
3. Existing flooring changes with age
Sunlight, everyday wear, cleaning products, and general use can gradually change the appearance of flooring. Older flooring may have faded, darkened, or developed a different sheen than a new product.
As a result, brand-new flooring can look noticeably different next to flooring that has been in place for years.
4. Product names and specifications matter
Two flooring products can look remarkably similar in a photo or showroom but differ in important ways, including thickness, dimensions, locking systems, edge profiles, and installation requirements.
These differences matter when you’re trying to connect new flooring to an existing floor or replace individual pieces.
What Information Helps Find a Match?
If you’re hoping to match existing flooring, a little information can go a long way. Before visiting our showroom or contacting us, gather whatever you can from the following list:
- Manufacturer and product name: Check old invoices, estimates, product labels, or leftover packaging.
- Color name or product number: Even a partial product number can help narrow the search.
- A sample of the existing flooring: A spare plank, tile, or carpet sample can be especially helpful.
- Photos of the flooring: Take clear pictures in natural light, including close-ups of the color, pattern, texture, and edges.
- Approximate installation date: Knowing when the flooring was installed can help determine whether the product may still be available.
Don’t have all this information? No problem. Start with what you have. A photo or physical sample can still provide a useful starting point.
Can You Replace Just a Section of Flooring?
Sometimes! Whether a partial replacement is possible depends on the flooring material, the condition of the existing floor, the product’s availability, and how the flooring was installed.
For example, some luxury vinyl plank (LVP) floors feature click-lock systems that may allow individual planks to be replaced. However, access to the damaged area, the installation method, and the condition of surrounding planks can affect how practical a repair will be.
Carpet repairs or partial replacements may also be possible, particularly if leftover material is available. However, differences in color, texture, wear, and pile direction can make a new piece stand out.
For hardwood, laminate, tile, and other flooring types, the feasibility of a partial replacement depends on the specific product and installation.
The important thing to remember is that finding a matching product and successfully replacing part of an existing floor are two separate challenges. Both need to be considered before deciding on the best solution.
What If an Exact Match Is No Longer Available?
If your original flooring has been discontinued or an exact match cannot be found, you still have options.
Find the closest available alternative. A similar color, pattern, texture, and overall style may work well, especially when the new flooring will be installed in a separate room.
Create a deliberate transition. Rather than trying to make two slightly different floors look identical, a coordinating flooring style or intentional transition can create a more finished appearance between spaces.
Replace flooring across a larger area. If a seamless appearance is important, replacing the flooring throughout the connected space may be worth considering. This isn’t always necessary, but it can be the best option when a close match isn’t available.
Explore a complementary design. Sometimes, the best solution isn’t an exact match at all. Choosing a flooring style that coordinates with your existing floors, cabinetry, trim, and overall color palette can create a cohesive look throughout your home.
The right approach depends on your space, your priorities, and how noticeable the difference would be.
Need Help Matching Your Existing Flooring?
Whether you’re replacing a damaged plank, updating one room, or trying to find a coordinating floor for an addition, Badger State Flooring is happy to help you explore your options.
Bring in a sample of your existing flooring, any product information you have, or a few clear photos. We’ll help you investigate potential matches and alternatives so you can make an informed decision for your home.
We’re proud to help homeowners throughout the Green Bay area and Northeast Wisconsin find flooring that fits their homes and their needs.
Stop by or contact Badger State Flooring to get started. Visit our showroom Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., or contact us to arrange an appointment. Sometimes the perfect match is out there. And when it isn’t, we’ll help you find the next best option!