Duchateau is a special high-end flooring brand based in San Diego, California, founded in 2007. All of their flooring is manufactured in their home-based California workshop. What makes them different is that they aim not to simply create a flooring product but a work of art; each plank is unique. The brand mainly specializes in Hardwood flooring but also makes Luxury Vinyl floors. In this Duchateau Flooring Review, we are going to be examining all aspects of the brand in detail to see what makes this brand so unique. Let’s start with their flooring range.
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Product Range
Duchateau boasts a great selection of unique hardwood and luxury vinyl floors. Some of their styles are very different from the market’s standards, such as their burned oak floors. Let’s dive into their Hardwood catalog first.
Hardwood
Duchateau’s large Hardwood selection consists of 3 sub-collections; Atelier, Signature, and The Guild. In total, we have found over 60 styles/designs in their Hardwood section. Some of their styles look phenomenal and really highlight the beauty of real wood.
One of our favorite Duchateau styles is the Golden Eye design from their Atelier Series. GoldenEye features oak boards that are burned, most likely with fire; the fire creates a beautiful burnt look to the wood. The floor is then finished with an oil finish which Duchateau says allows the wood to breathe more than urethane finishes.
The plank sizes vary depending on style, anywhere from 3 inches to 9.5 inches in width and an average of 15mm in thickness. Most of the hardwood options can be installed using the easy floating method or using nail/staple methods.
All in all, Duchateau has a very elegant high-end worthy Hardwood selection, which we think most consumers would be impressed by.
Luxury Vinyl Tile
With its Vinyl flooring, Duchateau aims to combine its character with the high performance of vinyl flooring. The brand’s vinyl range consists of two collections, Luxetech and Vinyl Deluxe Classic; these total over 30 different styles. Duchateau’s vinyl range offers different shades and colors of wood-look finishes, nothing special in terms of style, similar to those of other LVP brands.
The brand’s Luxetech collection offers planks between 7 and 9.25 inches wide with a thickness of 8mm and a 0.5mm wear layer. Luxetech 20 planks even come with their own attached underlayment and can be installed using the floating method with their 5G click system.
The other vinyl collection offered by Duchateau Vinyl Deluxe Classic is slightly different. The flexible planks in this collection are only 3mm thick but have a 0.55mm wear layer and can only be glued down for installation. Duchateau doesn’t state on their website that their vinyl is 100% waterproof but does say they are ultra-resistant to water.
In summary, Duchateau’s Vinyl Plank range is fairly ordinary and, in our opinion, not as special and unique as their Hardwood Floors.
Durability
When looking at the durability of the brand’s hardwood, we can say that their range is fairly durable. Duchateau Hardwood is 12-15mm thick on average, which ranks it high compared to some other hardwood brands. The Brand adds a coating of different protective finishes such as urethane or oil, most well-maintained hardwood floors can last over 10 years.
Duchateau Luxetech LVP is similar in terms of durability when compared to other vinyl plank brands. Moreover, the vinyl has an 8mm thickness and 0.5mm wear layer; this is the high-performance luxury vinyl plank normal.
Warranty
Duchateau Hardwood comes with a Limited Lifetime Structure Warranty and a 25-year residential finish warranty, which’s quite decent. Furthermore, all Duchateau vinyl products come with a 20-year residential and a 10-year commercial warranty.
Duchateau Flooring Reviews
After researching Duchateau Flooring Reviews online, we found over 140 different reviews from three different websites. The average rating of these reviews is 4 out of 5 stars definitely a good result.
Most of the reviews were 5-star, accompanied by a small number of 1-star reviews. This means most people that buy from the brand are very satisfied, but on the other hand, 15-20% are not satisfied at all. We must point out that under every 1-star result, we found comments from the Duchateau inviting the client to discuss the issue. This shows that the brand isn’t hiding away from unhappy customers.
“We have had our Duchateau “Maddie” engineered wood floors for over a year. Our 1992 house had carpeting throughout when we bought it. I was worried that the coziness of the space would lessen with wood floors. I have been pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the floors feel and look. In fact, I believe the beauty of these floors has enhanced our living space in many ways; warmth, color, and comfort.”
One of the 5-star reviews we found.
Pricing & Availability
Pricing of Duchateau engineered hardwood floors is definitely on the higher end of the scale; Duchateau hardwood prices stand at $7-$20 per square foot. One of the most expensive designs is the burnt oak Golden Eye design, currently priced at $18 per square foot.
Duchateau’s Vinyl flooring is much cheaper and can compete on affordability with other flooring brands. The cheaper vinyl collection Vinyl Deluxe Classic sells for as low as $3.66 per square foot. However, this selection is only 3mm thick and less durable than their other vinyl product Luxetech. Luxetech is also fairly affordable, with pricing at around $5.28 per square foot. It has its own underlayment and is the equivalent of Coretec with similar pricing.
| Duchateau Product | Price per square foot | Flooring Type |
|---|---|---|
| Atelier Series – Golden Eye | $18 per square foot | Engineered Hardwood |
| Lineage Series – Ashley | $7 per square foot | Engineered Hardwood |
| The Strata Collection – Fossil | $10.30 per square foot | Engineered Hardwood |
| Vinyl Deluxe Classic Collection | $3.70 per square foot | Glue On Vinyl |
| Luxetech LVP | $5.30 per square foot | Luxury Vinyl Plank |
Where to Buy Duchateau Flooring?
Duchateau products are available on Google Shopping from several vendors. Alternatively, you can visit the brand’s website to find a list of local dealers.
Installation
Installation of Duchateau hardwood can be done using all 3 main installation methods Floating, Glue Down and Nail-down.
Duchateau’s cheaper vinyl range Vinyl Deluxe Classic can only be installed using the glue-down method, whereas Duchateau Luxetech can be installed using the floating method (5G click).
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Care & Maintenance
Duchateau Flooring does maintenance differently; the brand sells a range of products specifically designed for cleaning and protecting your floor. This care range includes clear maintenance oil, premium floor cleaner, and floor adhesives for the repair and replacement of planks.
As with all flooring types, care and maintenance are key to your floor’s durability and performance. To extend your floors lifetime and avoid costly damages, you should follow these recommendations:
Rules of Cleaning
- Vacuum your floor regularly, perhaps even every day. Dirt and dust are abrasive to hard-surface flooring and can cause scratches and scuffs.
- Use a hard-surface-approved vacuum. Most vacuums are not suited for hard floors and can potentially do more bad than good. We recommend the Dyson V15 Cordless Stick Vacuum.
- Mop your floors at least once a week to remove dust. When mopping, it’s crucial not to over-saturate your floor, hence why you should use a damp mop that is not dripping with water.
- Alternatively, you can use a spray mop. Spray mops release a fine mist of cleaning solution with the touch of a button, which prevents over-saturation.
- Speaking of cleaning solutions, make sure you use a PH-neutral one. Dish soap and vinegar are acceptable as long as you don’t use too much of them. You can add a few drops of essential oils for a pleasant room odor.
- If you want to take a professional approach, use a cleaning solution specifically designed for flooring. We recommend Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid vacuuming too fast. Take it slowly. If you go too fast, you may end up scratching your floor and even damaging furniture corners.
- Don’t use vacuums with beater bars.
- Do not use a steam mop. Although some brands allow it, we found that using a steam mop causes your floor to lose its shine faster than usual due to the high steam temperature.
- Don’t use all-purpose or multi-purpose cleaning solutions.
- Don’t use scouring pads or steel wool for cleaning. These two will certainly scratch your floor.
Protection
- It’s well known that furniture legs can damage the flooring. Attach large-diameter felt pads to them so they can glide smoothly when moved around and don’t cause dents.
- Place walk-off doormats at house entrances to prevent bringing in dirt from the outdoors.
- Avoid wearing shoes indoors, as these can bring in a lot of dirt and debris. Wear socks instead.
- Office chair casters are notorious for scratching floors. Invest in a protective chair mat or rubber blade casters to prevent this problem.
- Maintain a room temperature between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This prevents moisture problems.
- If you have a dog, nail trimming will prevent them from scratching the floor. Plus, most dogs like their nails to be trimmed now and then.
- Place rugs in high-traffic areas, such as the living room couch area.
Pros & Cons
Duchateau Pros
- Duchateau’s design and style are major pros. Unique designs not found anywhere else and a high-end look.
- Both of the brands’ vinyl collections are actually quite affordable. Moreover, their vinyl prices start as low as $3.70 per square foot.
- The brand has a positive online review profile. The brand’s score averages 4 out of 5 stars, with over 100 reviews in total.
- Decent Warranties across all products.
Duchateau Cons
- Expensive hardwood selection means some buyers cannot afford to buy some of their best styles.
Our Verdict
Affordability – 7.5 out of 10
Although Duchateau’s vinyl range is quite affordable, we can’t give high scores due to the brand’s high-end hardwood pricing. Some styles go as high as $18 per square foot.
Durability – 8.5 out of 10
Hardwood flooring supplied made by Duchateau is quite thick compared to market leaders, therefore, durable. In Addition, vinyl flooring is known for its high performance.
Style – 9.6 out of 10
The brand outshines its competitors with character, beauty, and originality. Duchateau has some of the most phenomenal hardwoods on the market.
Overall Score – 8.5 out of 10
Conclusively, in this Duchateau Flooring Review, the brand scores a respectable 8.5 out of 10. Duchateau is definitely good for those who want the best hardwood floor, no matter the price. The brand’s online reviews are respectable. Without a doubt, the brand’s high-end quality comes at a premium.
Good Alternatives to Duchateau
Mohawk – Mohawk is one of America’s top flooring manufacturers. The brand’s floors are known for their high quality and longevity. Mohawk offers an extensive range of vinyl, laminate, carpet, and hardwood flooring. They give you an option of both traditional and modern styles. Most of Mohawk’s floors are made in the US, which always helps. However, Mohawk isn’t the cheapest; most of their lines are priced at just above average compared to the rest of the market. If you’re looking for a trusted brand with lots of reviews and long-lasting floors, Mohawk is certainly one worth considering.
Shaw – Shaw is one of the largest flooring manufacturers in the United States. The brand has been around since 1967 and offers many types of flooring, including carpet, hardwood, and luxury vinyl plank. Shaw is known for their style and a vast arsenal of products. What we like about Shaw is its diversity. They offer both premium flooring lines as well as budget options. However, you should be wary of buying their cheapest lines. We always recommend going for the thickest and most scratch-resistant options, especially when shopping for laminate and vinyl plank.
Duchateau FAQs
Where is Duchateau Flooring Made?
Duchateau flooring is manufactured at the company’s workshop in California, US. The brand was founded in 2007 and has its home base in San Diego.
What do you think of Duchateau? Share your experiences and opinions in the comment section at the bottom of the page.