dmv gc logo
Get Free Estimate
Chat with us!
📍 Serving Kensington, MD & Surrounding Areas

Flooring Installation & Replacement in Kensington, MD

✓ Licensed & Insured✓ Free In-Home Consultation📞 240.730.1292

Looking for a flooring contractor in Kensington, MD? From the 1920s–40s bungalows and colonials along Connecticut Avenue to the newer homes in Woodland Hills, Kensington homeowners trust DMV-GC Group for hardwood refinishing, LVP, tile, and carpet installation. From Georgetown Prep to Garrett Park, our flooring team serves the greater Kensington area with a level of care that's becoming rare in the trades — we protect your home, we over-communicate, and we get the details right the first time. If it's a flooring project, we handle it. Licensed, insured, and rated 4.9 stars across hundreds of reviews.

🏗️
In-House TeamsNo subcontractor roulette — our own crews install
📋
Permits HandledTown of Kensington permits — fully managed
4.9-Star RatedTrusted by homeowners across Kensington
📞
Free ConsultationsIn-home estimates — no pressure, ever

Flooring Services We Offer in Kensington, MD

Every flooring project, from a single-room repair to a whole-home renovation, gets the same DMV-GC Group treatment: honest assessment, precise estimation, and flawless installation.

Hardwood floor installation & refinishing
LVP & luxury vinyl plank flooring
Tile flooring (porcelain, ceramic, natural stone)
Carpet installation & replacement
Subfloor repair & replacement
Floor leveling & concrete moisture testing
Engineered hardwood installation
Stair treads, risers & railings
Waterproofing & moisture barriers
Old hardwood floor repair (patch & weave)
Whole-home flooring packages
Free in-home consultation & measurement
Demolition & disposal of old flooring
Flooring for basements & below-grade areas
🏗️

Written by the DMV-GC Group Flooring Team

We're the licensed, in-house flooring installers serving Kensington, MD — no third-party subcontractors. The information on this page comes from real on-site experience with Kensington's older homes, and every project we complete is backed by our craftsmanship warranty.

MD Licensed ContractorIn-House Installation CrewsMHIC #1332114.9★ Google Rating

Kensington's Older Homes — Subfloor Realities Every Homeowner Should Understand

Before choosing a floor, it's essential to understand what's underneath it. Kensington's older homes were built with construction methods that differ fundamentally from modern homes — and the right flooring choice depends on your subfloor type.

😀 Diagonal plank subfloors

Found in many homes built before 1950. These provide a strong, stable base but require specific installation techniques — especially if you're installing tile, which needs a decoupling membrane to prevent cracking.

😀 Original hardwood over joists

¾-inch strip hardwood nailed directly over joists — the classic Kensington setup. These floors can almost always be refinished rather than replaced, saving thousands.

⚠️ Pine or softwood subfloors

Found in some 1920s–40s homes, particularly in bedrooms and closets. Softer woods dent and scratch easily, and may indicate there was carpet over them. More prep needed before installing new flooring.

😀 Concrete slab (first-floor or basement areas)

For slab-on-grade installations, moisture testing is essential before any flooring goes down. LVP or engineered wood is the recommended solution for these areas.

Why it matters: The single biggest mistake we see is homeowners selecting the floor first and ignoring the subfloor. Selecting the right flooring for your subfloor saves you from costly failures 6–24 months after installation.

Flooring Types We Install in Kensington, MD

Kensington homeowners have a wide range of flooring options — here's how we help you choose:

BEST MATCH FOR ERA

Hardwood Flooring

Restore, refinish, or install new ¾-inch solid hardwood. For Kensington's 1920s–40s homes, solid hardwood is the era-authentic choice and adds the most value.

Ideal For: Living rooms, dining rooms, hallways, bedrooms
WATERPROOF

LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank)

100% waterproof, scratch-resistant, and dimensionally stable. Perfect for suburban family living — kitchens, mudrooms, basements, and homes with kids and pets.

Ideal For: Kitchens, basements, mudrooms
GREAT VALUE

Laminate Flooring

Durable and budget-friendly. Modern laminates look and feel much better than older versions, with improved water resistance.

Ideal For: Bedrooms, home offices, lower-traffic spaces
PET & KID FRIENDLY

Tile Flooring

Porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone. Timeless and durable — the best choice for bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways.

Ideal For: Bathrooms, kitchens, entryways
SOFT & COZY

Carpet Flooring

Soft underfoot, insulates, and reduces noise. Ideal for bedrooms, stairs, and playrooms.

Ideal For: Bedrooms, stairs, playrooms
MODERN LUXURY

Engineered Hardwood

Real wood veneer over plywood core. Resists moisture and temperature changes better than solid hardwood — great for basements and condos.

Ideal For: Basements, condos, over radiant heat

Hardwood Floor Refinishing in Kensington — The Honest Assessment

Kensington's 1920s–40s homes were built with old-growth ¾-inch hardwood — denser, more durable, and more valuable than most new flooring. Refinishing your existing hardwood is usually the smartest move.

Hardwood refinishing vs. replacement: If your Kensington hardwood floors are structurally sound and have sufficient thickness, refinishing typically costs $3–$6 per square foot — a fraction of the $15–$20 per square foot for new hardwood. Refinishing also preserves the original old-growth wood that adds character and value to your home.

Best Flooring by Room — Guide for Kensington Homeowners

Choose the right flooring for every room with this at-a-glance guide:

RoomBest FlooringWhyCost/SF
Living Room / Dining RoomHardwood (refinish preferred)Era-authentic for 1920s–40s homes, high value$3–$6
KitchenLVP or Porcelain TileWaterproof and easy to clean$5–$10
BathroomsPorcelain TileWaterproof, durable, no swelling$8–$18
BasementLVP or Engineered HardwoodMoisture-resistant, won't warp$5–$10
BedroomsHardwood or CarpetWarm, quiet, comfortable$3–$8
Hallways & StairsHardwood (hallways) / Carpet (stairs)Durable traffic areas$3–$8

Our Flooring Installation Process in Kensington

We follow a simple, proven process that keeps your project on schedule and on budget:

1

Free In-Home Consultation

We visit your Kensington home, assess your subfloor, measure accurately, and discuss your goals and budget.

2

Detailed Written Estimate

You get a precise, itemized estimate with no surprises — including material options at multiple price points.

3

Subfloor Preparation

We inspect, repair, and level the subfloor before any new flooring goes down.

4

Expert Installation

Our in-house crews handle the installation meticulously — from acclimation to the final trim.

5

Final Walkthrough

We walk through your finished floors together and make sure everything is perfect.

Flooring Installation Cost in Kensington, MD

Here's what Kensington homeowners typically pay for common flooring projects:

ProjectPrice RangeNotes
Hardwood refinishing$3–$6 / SFSand, stain, seal with Bona or similar
New hardwood installation$8–$15 / SFMaterial and labor
LVP installation$5–$10 / SFClick-lock or glue-down
Porcelain tile$8–$18 / SFMaterial and labor
Whole-home flooring package$10,000–$28,000Typical 1,500–2,000 SF home
Cost note: These are general estimates. Your project cost depends on materials, square footage, subfloor condition, and scope. We provide free, itemized estimates for every Kensington project.

Why Kensington Homeowners Choose DMV-GC Group for Flooring

🏗️
In-House InstallationNo subcontracted crews — our own licensed installers do the work.
🔍
Honest AssessmentWe'll tell you if refinishing beats replacement — even if it means a smaller invoice.
📋
Permits & ComplianceTown of Kensington permits handled by our team.
4.9-Star RatedHundreds of reviews across Kensington and the DMV.
📞
Responsive SupportReal humans answer the phone — no call centers.
🛡️
Craftsmanship WarrantyOur work is backed by a written workmanship warranty.

What Kensington Homeowners Say About DMV-GC Group

★★★★★

"DMV refinished our original 1940s oak floors and they look incredible — like new, but with the warmth of the old wood."

Sarah M. — Kensington, MD
★★★★★

"They installed LVP in our basement and tile in both baths. Professional, punctual, and the cleanest crew we've ever had."

David R. — Kensington, MD
★★★★★

"We had a subfloor issue that two other contractors missed. DMV caught it, fixed it, and the floors are perfect."

Priya K. — Kensington, MD
★★★★★

"The estimate was accurate to the dollar. No surprises, no upselling — just great work."

James T. — Kensington, MD

Get your free quote: We offer free in-home consultations for all Kensington flooring projects. Call 240.730.1292 or request your consultation online.

Get a Free Flooring Estimate in Kensington

Licensed flooring contractor serving Kensington, MD. Free consultation, honest pricing, in-house installation.

Get Free EstimateCall 240.730.1292

Serving Kensington and Surrounding Areas for Flooring

DMV-GC Group proudly provides flooring services across the greater Kensington area — from the historic heart of Kensington to the neighborhoods that surround it.

KensingtonNorth KensingtonSouth KensingtonWoodland HillsRock Creek HillsThe Park at KensingtonGeorgetown PrepGarrett ParkChevy ChaseBethesdaSilver SpringWheatonPotomac

Also serving Silver Spring, MD — just south of Kensington

Silver Spring's housing stock mirrors Kensington's — split-levels, colonials, and an active ADU market. If you're just over the border, DMV-GC Group can help there too. View our Silver Spring flooring page →

Frequently Asked Questions — Flooring in Kensington, MD

Flooring in Kensington typically costs $3–$18 per square foot depending on material and zone. Hardwood refinishing costs $3–$6 per square foot. New hardwood installation runs $8–$15 per square foot. LVP for kitchens and basements costs $5–$10 per square foot. Porcelain tile runs $8–$18 per square foot. A typical Kensington home package — refinishing original hardwood in the main living areas and installing LVP or tile in kitchens and baths — runs $8,000–$18,000 for a 1,500–2,000 sq ft home. DMV-GC Group provides free, itemized zone-by-zone estimates.

The key factor is remaining wood thickness above the tongue. Original ¾-inch strip hardwood needs at least 3/16" above the tongue to safely sand without compromising the mechanical connection. DMV-GC Group checks remaining thickness during the free in-home consultation using a thickness gauge. If sufficient thickness remains and the wood is structurally sound (not cupped, rotted, or buckled), refinishing is almost always the right choice — more authentic and significantly less expensive than replacement.

The most common cause of tile failure in older Kensington homes is installation directly over diagonal plank subfloor boards without an uncoupling membrane. Diagonal plank subfloors have joints between boards that move seasonally — when the boards expand and contract, that movement telegraphs through a rigid tile installation and cracks the tiles or grout joints. An uncoupling membrane (such as Schlüter DITRA) absorbs this movement and prevents it from reaching the tile above. DMV-GC Group installs uncoupling membrane as a standard part of every tile project on older Kensington subfloors — the step that determines whether tile lasts 50 years or 2.

Yes — LVP is often the best choice for first-floor rooms in Kensington homes with crawlspace foundations where moisture is a concern. Because LVP is 100% waterproof and dimensionally stable regardless of humidity, it will not cup, buckle, or squeak in response to seasonal moisture changes. DMV-GC Group recommends a vapor barrier under LVP in crawlspace homes and uses an embedded moisture meter to check humidity levels in the wood subfloor before installation.

Every Kensington flooring project follows this same five-step process: free in-home consultation, detailed written estimate, subfloor preparation, expert installation by our in-house crews, and a final walkthrough. Most projects — from simple refinishes to full installations — complete in 3–10 days. Larger whole-home projects can take 2–4 weeks. All permits are handled by our team, so you don't have to deal with the Town of Kensington or Montgomery County directly.

Yes. Every DMV-GC Group flooring project includes our workmanship warranty — we guarantee our installation work for one full year with no proration. Material warranties are provided by the manufacturer and vary depending on product (typically 15–50 years for hardwood and LVP, lifetime for some tile). We also offer maintenance guidance so your warranty stays valid.

Ready to Start Your Kensington Flooring Project?

Join hundreds of Kensington homeowners who trust DMV-GC Group for beautiful, durable floors.

Get Free EstimateCall 240.730.1292