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Buying Guides

In the early stages of shopping for new floors? Empire’s buying guides will teach you the ins and outs of each type of flooring, helping you be best informed before your in-home consultation.

Our Flooring Buying Guides Have the Answers  

Picking out new floors sounds pretty simple – until you start shopping. Carpet, hardwood, vinyl, tile, and laminate… then there are the colors, patterns, finishes, textures, even thicknesses. And since flooring isn’t something you’ll be swapping out every year, the stakes feel even higher. You know you’re picking a specific look, but also deciding how your home will feel for the next decade or more.  

That’s why Empire has created these exceptional flooring buying guides to help you make an informed choice.  

Why You Should Read a Guide First 

The flooring you choose for your home is personal. You likely know already that the best option isn’t always the most expensive one. It’s the one that suits your space, lifestyle, and expectations. The floors that work perfectly in a quiet guest room probably won’t last nearly as long in a busy hallway with pets and kids rampaging around every day. And the bold colors that look amazing in photos may feel overwhelming once they’re actually in your rooms.  

We’ve created these flooring buying guides to help you think beyond the showroom and into your real life. We touch on everything from durability and maintenance to design flexibility and long-term comfort. We want you to feel confident that you made the right choice, so you’ll hopefully never ask yourself, “Did I pick the wrong floors?” 

What You’ll Find in Every Flooring Buying Guide 

Each buying guide is tailored specifically to one type of flooring. We skip the unnecessary fluff and sales talk to focus on what matters: cost, comfort, and aesthetics. In our guides, you’ll find: 

  • Pros and cons of different flooring materials and how they hold up over time. 
  • Where each type of flooring works best, and where you’ll want to avoid installing them. 
  • A variety of style choices and design trends so you can match your floors to your vision. 
  • Installation information whether you’re handling it DIY or hiring a professional team. 
  • Tips on maintenance and what you can expect long-term. 

We’ll also cover other important questions homeowners ask. Expect answers to questions like, “How will this feel underfoot?” and “Is this flooring pet-friendly?” 

Making the Big Decision 

Flooring might just be the most important choice you make for your home’s interior. It affects how sound travels through your home, how easy it’ll be to clean up after dinner, and even how your furniture looks in the light. It even changes how warm or cool a room feels, and how long your guests will want to spend in it. Doing a little research upfront pays off later in peace of mind.  

That’s why our flooring buying guides are easy to read and explore, no matter where you are in the decision-making process. You may be just browsing or ready to place your order – either way, there’s still time to use our guides to help you narrow your options and clarify your priorities.  

Let’s Get Started 

This page works like a roadmap in a few different ways. Below, you’ll find floor buying guides for each type of flooring you might be considering. Whether you want modern laminate, classic hardwood, or carpet in every room, our guides will walk you through all the details. You’ll find answers to questions you didn’t even know you had – that way, you won’t miss something big before you make the commitment. 

Once your floors are in, they’re in. So, take your time, explore the guides, and get to know your floors before you meet them in person. You won’t regret it.