Quick Answer
Small chip samples are free at Home Depot, both in store and shipped from HomeDepot.com (you pay only shipping when ordering online). Larger 5 by 7 inch swatches and full-plank samples typically cost $5 to $15, and many lines credit the sample cost back if you proceed with installation.
LifeProof, Pergo Outlast Plus, Lifeproof Rigid Core LVP and TrafficMaster all participate in the in-store free chip programme.
What You Get For Free
- LVP and laminate chips: 3 by 4 inch hangtag-mounted swatches. Free, take what you need.
- Carpet chips: small swatches at the carpet rack. Free.
- Tile chips: 2 by 2 or 3 by 3 inch single tiles. Free.
- Vinyl sheet chips: rolled swatches at the sheet vinyl display.
What Costs Money
- Full-plank LVP samples (typically 9 by 60 inch): $5 to $10. LifeProof and Pergo charge similar prices.
- 5 by 7 inch hardwood samples: $5 to $10.
- 12 by 12 inch carpet swatches: $5 to $10.
- Shipped samples from HomeDepot.com: chip free, shipping $4 to $7.
Sample Credit Programme
Home Depot's "Try Before You Buy" programme refunds the sample cost when you place an installation order through Home Depot Home Services. The credit is typically applied at quote stage, not at purchase. Confirm with the installation sales associate before signing.
Online Sample Shop
HomeDepot.com has a dedicated sample-ordering flow on most flooring product pages. Click "Order a Sample," pay only shipping, and the chip arrives in 5 to 7 business days. The chip is mailed directly from the manufacturer, not the local store.
How Many Samples to Order
Most pros recommend ordering 3 to 5 samples in a tight colour range, then narrowing to your top 2. Looking at 10+ samples at once is paralysing and rarely productive. Take the top 2 home and live with them in the actual room for 48 to 72 hours under different lighting before committing.
Lighting Matters More Than Colour
The single biggest mistake first-time buyers make is choosing a colour under store fluorescent lighting. Take samples home and look at them under:
- Morning daylight through east-facing windows.
- Afternoon daylight through south or west windows.
- Warm-white evening lamp light.
- Whatever overhead light your room actually uses.
How It Compares to Lowes
The Home Depot and Lowes sample policies are essentially identical in 2026 , small chips free, large samples paid, online shipped chips with a small shipping fee. Floor and Decor tends to have more generous in-store sample boards but limited take-home programmes. For Home Depot's full flooring catalogue and sample ordering, see homedepot.com.
What Home Depot's Free Chips Actually Look Like
The free in-store chips at Home Depot are typically 2 by 3 inch swatches glued to a small hangtag. They show the colour and texture but only one or two repetitions of the print pattern. To judge how repetitive the pattern looks across an entire floor, you need either a full-plank sample or a careful look at the in-store display board.
Pro Programme Differences
Pro Xtra members get expedited sample shipping and sometimes free upgrades to full-plank samples. If you're a contractor or designer doing more than 2 jobs a year, the Pro programme is worth registering for.
Returning Unwanted Samples
Free chips don't need to be returned. Paid samples can be returned within 90 days with the receipt if unused, though most buyers keep them as a reference for matching wall paint or trim later. Stash chips in a labelled envelope by room so you can revisit them when you redecorate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this answer change in 5 years?
Pricing and product lines drift, but the underlying physics of flooring (moisture, expansion, wear layer) does not. The buying principles in this guide hold long-term.
Is the answer different in the UK and Europe?
Mostly the same. Retailers like B&Q, Wickes and Carpetright sell equivalent product categories, and EU EN standards mirror North American ASTM tests closely.
What about commercial settings?
Commercial floors use the same materials but higher wear ratings (AC5 laminate, 28 mil vinyl, commercial-grade epoxy). Spec sheets state the heaviest foot traffic the product is rated for.
Where can I get a second opinion?
The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI), and World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) all publish free consumer guidance and certified-installer locators.
Pro Tips From the Trade
- Order 10 percent extra. Cuts, mistakes and future repairs add up. One spare carton stashed in the basement is cheap insurance.
- Photograph every layer. Subfloor, vapour barrier, expansion gap, transitions. Warranty claims hinge on documentation.
- Save the lot number. Replacement planks must match the production run or the colour will not line up.
- Acclimate before installing. 48 hours minimum in the room of installation for click-lock products; 7 to 14 days for engineered or solid hardwood.
Bottom Line
Flooring decisions are part budget, part lifestyle, part long-term resale. Prep the subfloor properly, match the product to the room, and follow the manufacturer's install spec, and even a mid-tier material will outperform a premium one that was rushed in. Cut corners on prep and even a top-shelf plank will telegraph every flaw underneath.
