Choosing a Carpet for a Pet-Friendly Home

Let’s clear this up right away. These days, pets and carpets can peacefully coexist in the same household. Thanks to continuous advancements in stain-resistant carpet fibers, overall durability, and other pet-specific features, you can now happily enjoy soft and cozy carpet floors without constantly worrying about your cat or dog ruining them.

Carpet with PUP® Pet Urine Protection

Perhaps the single biggest concern that pet owners have with carpeting is the issue of any “accidents” that will happen. Even the most dependably house-broken pets can have them, whether Spot gets nervous during a thunderstorm and leaves, well, some spots, or Nala gets lazy and misses her litter box. It’s almost an inevitability that every pet owner will, at some point, need to deal with pet urine on their carpet. This is where carpet with Pet Urine Protection (PUP®) saves the day.

PUP carpets from Empire Today® are specially crafted to resist the penetration of urine and other liquids into the padding underneath. When a pet accidentally goes to the bathroom on a typical carpet, even an immediate clean-up response might be too late because the urine has already begun soaking into the padding. Once that happens, it’s nearly impossible to fully clean—and it’s that soaked-in urine that ends up causing the lingering smells often found in pet-friendly homes. But because PUP carpet resists the soak-through of urine, you’ll have more time to thoroughly clean up any messes, greatly reducing the chances of any lingering smells. As an added bonus, PUP pet-friendly carpet will usually also have other valuable features, like enhanced resistance against stains and the formation of mold and mildew.

Today’s general stain-resistant carpet will go a long way towards preventing urine stains and can often be enough protection for the rare bathroom boo-boo.  But for households with pets that tend toward more frequent accidents, it’s worth upgrading to a PUP pet-friendly carpet from Empire®.

Odor Neutralizing and Hypoallergenic Carpets

A pet’s bathroom habits are only one aspect to consider when it comes to choosing carpets for cats or dogs. Regardless of how well-behaved they are when it comes to bathroom breaks, or if they never so much as roll around in the backyard, there will always be certain lingering odors that come along with owning a pet. A major source of these odors is pet dander—microscopic flakes of skin that are shed by your cat or dog. All animals that have fur release dander, and though regular bathing will reduce it, there’s nothing that can be done to totally prevent it. And what can be even worse than the resultant odor is dander’s effect on air quality.

Pet dander is a very common allergen and is, in fact, the underlying cause of the majority of pet allergies. After being shed, it floats in the air and then settles on every surface in your home, working its way into the nooks and crannies of your carpet. Once there, it can be hard to fully remove and gets thrown back into the air every time the carpet fibers are disturbed. The good news is that there’s a product that addresses both of the issues caused by pet dander.

Exclusive to Empire Today, HOME Fresh is a 100% hypoallergenic carpet with advanced odor-neutralizing capabilities. Its innovative design greatly increases airflow through the carpet and padding below, letting your vacuum’s suction reach deeper and remove more allergens like dander. Plus, an odor-neutralizing mineral is integrated into the fibers, actually canceling out the substances that cause odors once they hit the carpet. The result is cleaner, better-smelling air in your home—a must-have when it comes to pets and carpet.

Cut-Pile Carpets Keep Claws Comfortable

Choosing the best carpet for cats and dogs should be about more than just making coexistence more convenient. It’s also important to consider how your floors can impact your pets’ comfort and even health. Carpeted floors in a pet-friendly household often come with one major, unfortunate snag—pun intended. The loop-pile construction used in some of today’s popular carpets is notorious for ensnaring cat and dog claws, sometimes trapping their paws. When the pet reacts and pulls their paw away, the yanking can cause them great pain and, in some instances, actually tear their claw off.

So, if you’re shopping for carpet for cats or dogs, it’s highly recommended to stay away from loop carpets. A common misconception with new shoppers is that a low-pile product like Berber would be the best carpet for pets. While it’s true that Berber is well-equipped to stand up to wear and tear and some of the staining that often comes with pet life, it Is, in fact, a loop-pile carpet. And though they’re relatively low-profile loops, they still pose a risk to your pets. Instead, look for carpeting with cut piles, like plush or frieze carpet. As a plus, many of the frieze and plush carpets available from Empire offer the aforementioned benefits like PUP treatment or hypoallergenic construction, making them an ideal carpet for pet-friendly homes.

Waterproof or Water-Resistant Flooring

Waterproof or water-resistant floors offer a double-whammy of convenience when it comes to pet households. First is the protection they offer against the liquid messes caused directly by pets. Whether it’s a knocked-over water bowl, a potty accident, or a trail of wet footsteps tracked across the kitchen, knowing your floors won’t be damaged by that wetness is a huge stress reliever.

But the benefits of waterproof floors extend beyond just protecting against your pet’s liquid mishaps. They also make cleanup of all sorts of messes—liquid or solid—much easier. And that’s because a waterproof construction means you don’t have to be concerned with how wet your mop is or if you let a caked-on stain soak for a few minutes before you begin scrubbing. Even if your pet never has an accident and never plays in the mud, waterproof or water-resistant flooring can be a serious blessing when it comes to cleaning up after your pets.

Scratch-Resistant Coatings

Hard surface floors have long been the favorite for pet-friendly homes, but even those don’t always play nicely with pets. Anyone who’s ever caught a stray claw during an aggressive play session knows how sharp they can be—and many flooring materials are no match. While ceramic and porcelain tiles are naturally scratch-resistant, they can be a little cold for many areas of the home. While materials that are slightly softer—like hardwood, laminate, or vinyl flooring—will be more comfortable, they’ll also be easier to scratch. That’s where scratch-resistant coatings come in.

Empire offers an extensive range of scratch-resistant laminate, vinyl plank, and hardwood flooring. These products are finished with an ultra-tough aluminum oxide top coat, which helps guard against the scratches and scuffs that would damage an unprotected floor. That means your pooch can run laps till through the house until he’s pooped, and you won’t have to worry about your new wood floors getting destroyed in the process. As an added benefit, this coating also protects against fading caused by the sun’s UV rays, and eliminates the need for any regular polishing or waxing.

The Best Flooring for Dogs and Cats Can Be the Best for Humans, Too

The great thing about all shopping for pet-friendly flooring today is that you don’t have to compromise on what you really want just to make life with a cat or dog a little easier. You can get all of the beneficial features discussed above, without sacrificing on style or comfort. We know there are a lot of factors to consider when shopping for flooring, and as always, we’re here to help. Give us a call or contact us online to set up a free in-home consultation, and you’ll quickly be on your way to finding the best floor for your pets—and the rest of your family.

The post Five Must-Have Flooring Features for Pet Owners appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

Stretch-In Carpet Installation

This is the most standard and practiced technique for installing carpeting in homes, which is typically called residential carpet. Strips of wood, called tack strips are nailed around the edges of the room. These strips have very sharp pins, or tacks, that will grip the back of the carpet and hold it in place. Padding is used in this type of installation to make the carpet feel softer underfoot, and to protect the back of the carpet from wear. One tack strips and padding are place, the carpet rolled out and then stretched to the edges and attached to the strips. There are special tools professional installers use in order to properly stretch a carpet, such as a knee kicker and power stretcher.  Carpet will not stay flat without getting lumps unless enough tension is place on the carpet to pull it close to the wall and fix it to a tack strip.

Your professional installer with Empire Today has the essential tools and expertise to properly complete stretch-in carpet installations.

Glue Down Carpet Installation

Used commonly in commercial spaces or special areas like your basement, a glue down installation is when the carpet is glued directly to the floor and without a pad. While this provides a solid base, the lack of a pad means less comfort and less durability. Also, the floor that the carpet is being glued to needs to be completely smooth otherwise you will feel (and maybe even see) imperfections through the carpet.

Wood Flooring Installation Methods

Nail Down Wood Flooring Installation

This flooring installation method is how it sounds, flooring is nailed or stapled to a subfloor. Solid hardwood is typically nailed down, while some engineered hardwood options may be stapled. In order to nail down a floor, there must be a suitable subfloor underneath. A floor cannot be nailed down to concrete, and the subfloor must be dry, level, and flat. This type of installation is considered to me more permanent because it is difficult to remove planks once their nailed down. 

There are also special tools needed to property perform a nail down installation, such as a specialty flooring nail/staple gun, jamb saw, and router. Your Empire Today installation contractor will have all the necessary tools to complete a nail down installation.

Glue Down Wood Flooring Installation

Like carpet, engineered hardwood and vinyl flooring can be glued down. This leaves no space between your floors and the subfloor, creating a cohesive surface. It also helps reduce bounce on the floor and helps deaden the sound of footsteps. Keep in mind, that while it’s possible to glue down laminate, it isn’t common since most laminate was built for a floating installation, which we will discuss next.

Floating Wood Flooring Installation

A floating floor installation does not require the floor to be nailed or glued down. Instead the floor planks are connected together using a click-and-lock system. The planks have tiny groves along the edges that allow them to be strongly joined together. An advantage of a floating floor is that it allows the floor to adapt by expanding and contracting to alterations in the room’s humidity.

Installing floors is a big job that requires tools, experience, and knowledge. Empire has been installing floors in homes for more than 65 years – it’s what we do… everyday. Avoid a DIY disaster and leave flooring installation to the pros.

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The Look of Laminate vs Hardwood Flooring 

When shopping for new flooring, achieving a particular look or style is the top priority for most customers. And if you’re reading a comparison of two different products whose main similarity is that they share the look of real wood, it’s safe to assume that you’d want to know everything possible about how they compare visually. So, in the battle of laminate vs hardwood floors, how exactly do looks factor in? Let’s find out. 

At first glance, most laminate flooring is visually indistinguishable from a real hardwood floor, and for good reason. Laminate products at Empire are crafted with a top layer that consists of a photorealistic wood grain image protected by a scratch-resistant wear layer. In short, the visible surface of every laminate flooring plank is essentially a photo of a real plank of wood. Close inspection will usually reveal laminate’s secret, but in regular use, most laminate floors will be indistinguishable from real wood to the untrained eye.  

Of course, the only thing more realistic than a picture-perfect copy of the real thing is…the real thing. Since every plank of hardwood flooring is hewn as one piece from a solid hunk of lumber, its appearance is as genuine as it gets. And this applies to engineered hardwood as well since the top layer of every plank of that material is also made from a solid piece of wood.  

Now, most people’s first instinct is to assume that real wood will automatically be the better choice when it comes to aesthetics, but that’s not always the case. When taking a critical look at the appearance of laminate vs hardwood flooring, we can see that each has its pros and its cons.  

Although wood laminate flooring can artificially create a visually perfect wood image on its surface, its main downside is that the grain variations are limited per product because the photorealistic image gets reused. That is, in an entire floor’s worth of wood laminate planks, there may be only a dozen or so unique grain patterns. While not usually an issue for the vast majority of customers who choose wood laminate, those who are particular about their aesthetics might find it bothersome.  

In contrast, real wood floors will have an infinite variation in their grain patterns—no two real hardwood planks will look exactly the same. But even that comes with its potential downsides. As every plank comes from a piece of solid wood, the natural variations within the lumber can sometimes be not aesthetically pleasing. It’s not uncommon to encounter knots, burls, or other irregularities. Extreme examples are discarded during the manufacturing process, but it’s possible that what passes the brand’s standards might not be up to yours. Overall, however, the unique look of a genuine wood floor is one of the product’s best features.  

Conclusion: When it comes to getting the look of wood, it’s difficult to beat the products whose surfaces are crafted from real wood. Real hardwood flooring is the winner in this category, though laminate flooring puts up a good fight. And for many customers, the slight ding in authentic visuals is an acceptable tradeoff for the many benefits of wood laminate floors. What are those benefits, you ask? Read on! 

Durability and Required Maintenance of Laminate Flooring vs Hardwood 

CARE: 

Low maintenance is one of the main selling points of wood laminate flooring. With its dense composite core and scratch-resistant wear layer, most laminate floor products from Empire are “set it and forget it” type material. Once installed, laminate floors will rarely need any attention beyond your typical cleaning schedule. As long as you regularly sweep up any abrasive dirt or debris and use care when moving heavy furniture, wood laminate floors should continue looking great through many years of typical use. As an added benefit, most laminate products at Empire are water-resistant—and there are even some fully waterproof laminate floors. This protection against the harmful effects of water has proven invaluable to many customers. 

Real hardwood floors are a little trickier. While day-to-day care isn’t all that different—just the regular sweeping and light mopping—there are a few things to be aware of. The major area where real wood floors fall short of laminate is in dealing with moisture, as no solid hardwood flooring products offer water resistance. That means that even the slightest spills, if not cleaned up quickly, can end up damaging your wood floors. It’s for this reason that Empire does not recommend installing hardwood in kitchens, bathrooms, or anywhere there is the potential for moisture collection. 

There is also an expectation that real hardwood floors will need to be refinished at certain long-term intervals in order to keep them looking their best. Usually recommended around every ten years or so, this process involves sanding off the topcoat, stain, and a very thin layer of the actual wood surface; a new stain and sealant is then applied to the entire floor. Refinishing hardwood floors introduces hassles and additional costs that you don’t get with laminate, but it does offer some serious advantages that we’ll look at in the next section. 
 

Conclusion: When considering just the maintenance aspect, laminate is the clear winner. It’s the better material for kitchens, bathrooms, or any room where you’ll expect your floors to encounter any exposure to wetness. 

LONGEVITY:  

Durability is a major factor to consider in the laminate vs hardwood flooring showdown, especially if you’re planning on staying in your home for the foreseeable future. New floors are one of the most significant renovation projects a homeowner can have completed. Updates like repainting walls, changing window treatments, or planting new greenery can be done with little planning and might happen every few years. But when you have new floors installed, it’s usually with the hopes that they’ll last a very long time. And while part of your floors’ longevity will come down to how well you care for them and how much foot traffic they experience, the material you choose will also be a significant factor. 

And this is where hardwood flooring really gets a chance to shine in comparison to wood laminate. Real hardwood flooring is typically considered to be one of the longest-lasting flooring materials a homeowner can choose. Its solid construction lends the material a certain durability and removes any chance of delaminating that can happen to laminate or vinyl flooring. While its surface is still as prone to knicks and scratches as laminate, those blemishes can often be easily repaired and touched up on a wood floor. In comparison, a significant chip in a laminate floor plank will reveal the fiberboard core and will usually not be possible to repair—requiring instead an entire new plank to be put in. 

Another benefit that hardwood has over laminate flooring is the way it wears its scars. Most customers don’t mind the patina that a hardwood floor will develop over years of use. In fact, many people actually look forward to seeing their hardwood floors age, with every scratch or scuff adding a unique bit of character to their home. And if those accumulated scratches get to be too much, the ability to fully refinish a hardwood floor becomes one of the material’s greatest assets—and a major perk when it comes time to sell your house.  

Now, this is not to suggest that wood laminate flooring isn’t capable of lasting the long haul. Wood laminate products at Empire are covered by some of the industry’s best warranties, and with integrated features like scratch-resistant wear layers and Aqua Defense waterproofing, they’ll have no problem enduring life in a typical household. With proper care, it’s not out of the question for wood laminate floors to last upwards of 20 years. However, unlike real wood floors, a laminate floor cannot be refinished when it starts to look worn. 

 
Conclusion: In a typical household, you can expect real hardwood flooring to last much longer vs. laminate flooring. Both materials should give you many years of use, but real wood’s ability to be repaired or refinished, combined with how it wears its scars, makes it the better choice for anyone looking to get the longest life possible out of their floors. 

 
The Costs of Laminate vs. Hardwood Flooring

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, is the expected cost of laminate vs hardwood flooring. By and large, a laminate wood floor will almost always be significantly more affordable than a genuine hardwood floor. While the most basic hardwood might cost less than the most advanced laminate products, when comparing equal grades of each product (say, the most affordable laminate vs the most affordable hardwood floor), the laminate floor installation tend to be less expensive.  

However, for many homeowners, the price premium of real wood is worth the benefits. Those who have found their “forever home” are often attracted to the idea of having floors that last for a long time, aging with the home and becoming almost an heirloom in the process. Many people feel that there is a certain character in real wood flooring that simply can’t be recreated by synthetic products, and the extra cost is worth it. Plus, there is the practical value of real wood’s ability to be refinished. When the time comes, whether due to accumulated wear or simply the need for a stylistic refresh, refinishing a hardwood floor can be much more affordable than completely replacing the floor—even if you replaced it with a low-cost material like sheet vinyl flooring.  

And finally, it’s commonly accepted that a real hardwood floor can add value to your home. When it comes time to sell your home, buyers are more likely to react positively to old hardwood floors than to old laminate floors. 
 

Conclusion: We’re going to call this one a draw because it is the one aspect that is greatly dependent on your personal needs and preferences. Based simply on the initial investment, laminate flooring will hands-down be the better value. But if you plan to spend decades in your current home, or are already thinking about maximizing your resale value, hardwood floors can be the better long-term investment. 

So which material wins overall? Like just about any major decision in life, there’s no clear-cut winner when comparing laminate to hardwood flooring. If your initial budget is a major factor, you prize versatility and easy maintenance, or you know you may want to completely change your floors out in just a few years, wood laminate will be the better choice. But if you’ve settled into your forever home and are willing to make a bigger upfront investment for floors that could last a lifetime while aging gracefully, hardwood floors might be exactly what you need. 

Still having trouble deciding between laminate and hardwood flooring? We’re here to help take the guesswork out of getting new floors. When you Schedule a FREE In-Home Consultation, a flooring pro will walk you through every facet of new flooring, from helping you find the right product to making sure your home’s current subfloors are suitable for having new floors installed. Give us a call or click any of the “Schedule Now” buttons on this page to set up your appointment today. 

The post Laminate vs Hardwood: Which Flooring Should You Choose? appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

For a wealth of reasons, laminate and luxury vinyl plank are among the most popular choices for wood-look flooring. But, what’s the difference between these types of floors? Keep reading for our full comparison of the two products, and to learn which may be the best choice for your next project. 

Laminate vs Vinyl Flooring: The Similarities 

While we’ll be focusing mainly on the differences between laminate and vinyl flooring, it’s important to note that there are also quite a few similarities between these two flooring types. Let’s do a comparison of those first. 

Both Alternatives are More Affordable than Genuine Hardwood 

Genuine hardwood has a timeless appearance that can add long-lasting style and warmth to any home. But it’s not without its disadvantages, and cost is at the top of that list. Real wood floors will typically be significantly more expensive than wood-look alternatives. So, to get the look of wood without the price premium, many customers opt for either laminate or vinyl plank flooring. If you have a tight budget but are hooked on the hardwood look, these two flooring options will be your best options. 

Lower Maintenance and Fewer Worries 

Both laminate and vinyl flooring are stain-and scratch-resistant. This means they’ll be easier to clean than hardwood floors, and you’ll probably be a lot less stressed next time something is spilled or dropped on your floors. Of course, it’s still possible to damage both laminate and vinyl flooring with very heavy wear, so we wouldn’t suggest you try testing the limits of either material’s durability! 

Another advantage offered by both vinyl plank and laminate flooring is that each is available in fully waterproof options. That’s right—you can enjoy the look of genuine hardwood flooring, even in water-prone areas of your home, like your bathrooms, kitchen, or laundry room. Some of these products are even rated for installation directly onto a concrete slab, making them suitable for the basement. Even if you select an option that isn’t 100% waterproof, most laminate and vinyl floors today are water-resistant, making them less susceptible to damage from light exposure to water and moisture. 

Realistic Hardwood Visuals 

Today’s wood floor alternatives have evolved to closely mimic the look and feel of genuine hardwood. When it comes to laminate vs vinyl flooring, most people can’t tell the difference between the two, and without close examination, they often won’t even realize that the floors are not actual wood. The grains, textures, and looks of laminate flooring and vinyl plank flooring have been designed with incredible detail, giving homeowners the real feel for less cost—and with less long-term worries. 

Differences Between Laminate and Vinyl Plank Flooring 

Laminate vs Vinyl Flooring Construction and Appearance 

Homeowners tend to choose vinyl plank flooring or laminate flooring for the same primary reasons: they want wood-look flooring but need a product that’s more affordable and durable than genuine hardwood. Both alternatives offer water resistance, resistance to mold and mildew, scratch and stain resistance, and are durable enough for high-traffic areas. But although they offer similar advantages and a similar look and feel, each product is crafted from very different materials. 

So how do laminate and vinyl plank differ when it comes to achieving their realistic wood looks? Let’s break down what the two are made of: 

Laminate flooring is built on a core of dense wood composite (also known as hardboard or high-density fiberboard). This wood composite core gives laminate flooring its impressive durability, and when compared to vinyl plank flooring, it provides more of a wood “feel” when you walk or knock on it. Atop the core is the photographic grain image, which looks nearly indistinguishable from the grain of a real plank of wood and allows laminate flooring manufacturers to reproduce the appearance of nearly any wood species. The final component of wood laminate flooring is the wear layer. This clear topcoat gives laminate its resistance to staining, scratching, fading, and overall wear, helping it look great for years to come. 

Vinyl plank flooring is constructed in similar layers but with one key difference—its core is made of dense vinyl, a type of plastic. But vinyl flooring is also finished with a realistic wood look top layer that closely mimics the look of real hardwood. Plus, vinyl plank flooring often features a textured surface that matches the wood grain pattern, offering a convincing replica of the real thing. 

In the past, laminate was the gold standard for mimicking the genuine looks and textures of hardwood. However, with updated technology, vinyl plank styles now also achieve a look and feel that is very close to real hardwood. As a result, when pitting laminate vs vinyl flooring in a battle of aesthetics, the result is essentially a draw. 

Vinyl Plank Has Better Durability 

Long-term durability is often at the top of shoppers’ wish lists when searching for new flooring. Overall, both vinyl plank and laminate flooring are highly durable and built to stand up to the traffic typical in a busy home. And within each category, different products will offer different levels of durability. Many laminate and vinyl plank floors are covered by limited lifetime warranties for staining, fading, wearing, and more.  

However, overall, vinyl plank is commonly considered to be more durable than laminate flooring. If your household is consistently filled with the sounds of active kids, energetic pets, and a generally dynamic atmosphere, vinyl plank flooring will probably be the better option for long-term durability.  

Water Resistance Can Make a Difference 

This is one area where vinyl plank truly shines. While laminate flooring is often water-resistant, and there are even some waterproof laminate styles now available, you’ll find a deeper selection of water-resistant or fully waterproof flooring if you choose vinyl plank. An important point to consider is that it’s not just surface water that can be harmful to flooring, but also the moisture in the air. In fact, because the core is made from a wood product, some laminate products can swell and buckle in extremely humid environments. Vinyl plank’s non-porous synthetic core is more likely to hold its shape when exposed to excessive moisture. 

This means that vinyl plank floors are usually the superior choice for moisture-prone areas, such as humid basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. And if you live in a high-moisture area of the country, vinyl will probably be a better choice—unless you select a waterproof laminate. 

Care and Maintenance

Both laminate and vinyl plank are known for being easy to clean. It’s one of the top reasons that homeowners have increasingly been opting for these products over solid or engineered hardwoods. 

However, when it comes to cleaning wet messes, each flooring material requires slightly different care. While cleaning laminate flooring, you generally need to be more mindful of how wet a mop you use, because even water-resistant laminate can still be damaged by excessive water buildup. It’s recommended to use only a damp mop and never let any liquids stand on a laminate floor. You should also use specific laminate flooring cleaners to ensure you don’t damage the topcoat. For more flooring care and maintenance tips, see our laminate flooring care page. 

Since vinyl plank is inherently more resistant to water, you can use a slightly wetter mop for cleaning. But you should still be careful to not totally soak the floors because water can seep underneath the planks and deteriorate the adhesives. Additionally, vinyl plank floors generally don’t require special cleaners, which makes vinyl plank slightly easier to maintain. Just remember not to use ammonia, bleach, detergents, or abrasive cleaners, as these may leave a dull film on your flooring. For more vinyl flooring tips, check out our page on vinyl flooring maintenance and care. 

Where Can They Be Installed?

Laminate or vinyl plank floors are both prized for their versatile installation capabilities. Both can be installed on stairs, below grade, directly onto a concrete slab, or over a standard subfloor material. The wealth of water-resistant and waterproof options means that there are laminate and vinyl products appropriate for the bathroom, laundry room, or basement.   

Wrapping It All Up

We hope this was a helpful comparison of laminate and vinyl plank flooring options. If you’re looking for a more affordable and versatile alternative to hardwood flooring, you’re on the right track. And if durability and ease of cleaning and maintenance are of high importance to you, then laminate or vinyl plank may be great choices worth looking into. For even more personalized recommendations we welcome you to schedule a free in-home consultation, and a flooring professional will come and talk you through all your options. 

The post Laminate vs Vinyl Plank Flooring: What’s the Difference? appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

Solid Hardwood Flooring

This option may appear a bit obvious. If you want the natural wood look, why not go with the real thing? Today’s solid hardwood flooring brings an unmistakable rich look.

Solid hardwood is milled from a single piece of wood and you can pick from a variety of natural wood species like oak, maple, cherry, hickory and plenty of others. You can go for a hand-scraped look and some people even like the natural changes in hardwood as it wears and is exposed to the elements. And once a hardwood floor looks like it needs some sprucing up, you can sand and refinish it, in some cases multiple times.

Chateau Solid Hardwood. Color: Cabernet

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Busy households often appreciate the durability and natural look of engineered hardwood floors. This option is actually made with a real hardwood surface but has a uniquely engineered core to prevent it from expanding with temperature and moisture changes. It can be installed on a variety of different subfloor types, too.

Engineered hardwood flooring comes in wire-brushed, distressed or hand-scraped finishes and is versatile enough to add classic or contemporary touches to just about any space in a house.

Because of its durable construction, engineered hardwood is a popular option for areas of the home that can see heavy traffic. Engineered hardwood can stand up to the punishment and moisture in these parts of the home. While some are designed to handle extreme moisture, a lot of people stop short of putting them in bathrooms.

Whether you love a classic hickory or oak, or a muted gray for contemporary cool settings, you can rest assured, an engineered hardwood flooring option is available to you.

Encore Engineered Hardwood. Color: Gunstock

Laminate Flooring

If you’re looking for some amazing wood looks that are budget-friendly, wood laminate may be the choice for you! Like engineered wood, laminate offers a variety of plank widths with great stain, scratch and fade resistance.

With wood laminate, you can find hand-scraped textures, traditional oak, Brazilian Cherry and other popular colors and styles. There are even some 100% waterproof options available too! With so many styles, it’s easy to add sophistication to a den or study with an aged oak or enliven a living room with a contemporary ash gray. Only your imagination can stop you as far as real wood look options on this one.

Ellington Laminate Wood. Color: Huntington

Vinyl Plank Flooring

For many people looking for a very realistic wood look, but who are on a budget, vinyl plank floors have been the answer. Today’s vinyl plank floors come in a wide range of unique grain patterns, colors and textures.

This super durable option will get you the wood beauty any room wants with tremendous stain and water resistance, even having 100% waterproof options. Busy families love how they can add a natural look to a kitchen space and not need to worry about the floor being able to handle a large spill. Some options also come with unique backings that dampen noise in a room and some people also appreciate a vinyl plank’s softness compared to hardwood for added comfort.

Studio Reserve Vinyl Plank. Color: Canyon

Vinyl Tile Flooring

To many people’s surprise, vinyl tile floors are another budget-friendly way to add a realistic wood aesthetic to a room. Dark and light gray and greige shadings are sometimes used to add an industrial or farmhouse look to a space, and certain homeowners really love that unique creative touch of having a grout line with a wood-look tile.

Vinyl tile is great at resisting stains and water, so busy households love it in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms, but you don’t need to limit yourself to those areas of the home.

Canal Pier Vinyl Tile. Color: Farmhouse Linen

Sheet Vinyl Flooring

You can still enjoy the scuff, stain and scratch resistance of vinyl sheet flooring and a natural wood look, too! Today’s designs can look like you just had a fresh wood floor installed in your home. When looking down at the floor, the wood can look so real, the eye can be tricked into seeing actual wood plank seams and a wood grain look.

Today’s vinyl sheet flooring can give the look of real hardwood and it’s still as budget-friendly as ever, and very easy to clean.

Wood-Look Porcelain Tile

When you think of porcelain tile, the first rooms that may come to mind are the bathroom or the kitchen. However, wood-look porcelain tile means you can add ceramics to other spaces such as the living room. What makes this wood look so special? Well, you get the beauty of hardwood with the high durability and easy maintenance of porcelain tile, giving you the best of both worlds.

Timber Falls Porcelain Tile. Color: Apache

Many people will start with the idea of transforming one space in their home, then they realize that the wood look they fell in love with actually looks great in other rooms. With so many great options, you don’t have to stick to just one type, style, or color. Assess each room and pick the flooring that’s best for those specific needs.

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1. Waterproof Vinyl Plank flooring

Vinyl plank flooring is one of the top-requested waterproof floors available today because homeowners can enjoy a natural wood look without the maintenance worries. Vinyl planks are softer, too, for added comfort, noise reduction and they’re a cost-effective option as well. They’re especially popular in kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways, but many homeowners will go all out and use it in bedrooms and beyond.

This popular option can easily handle the spills, resist scratches and can look fresh and new in high-traffic areas for years. Pet owners love them, too! Vinyl planks can be installed on a variety of sub-floors, including concrete slabs. They come in wider planks, usually between four and eight inches, for a modern look, too.

Product: Grand Junction; Style: Aspen

2. Waterproof Laminate Flooring

Wood laminate flooring has been popular for a long time, and, like vinyl plank, offer a realistic wood look for a fraction of the cost. While vinyl plank has been at the forefront for waterproof wood-look flooring options for a while, there are waterproof laminate wood options that are great at handling big spills. These tough laminates look more like real wood than ever, and they’re a great long-term investment for any home.

Laminates, in general, are also popular for the wide range of colors and wood-grain types they offer. Waterproof laminates are no exception. You can find everything from unique grays and whites to natural traditional colors, and just about any other style or color you can imagine.

3. Waterproof Vinyl Tile

Vinyl tile is a more affordable option than authentic wood, stone, and ceramic tile and is almost impossible to distinguish from the real thing.

Just like vinyl planks, vinyl tile is softer for added comfort and warmth. It’s UV resistant, easily handles moisture and is attractive to those wanting all the beauty at the right price. These features combined with waterproof capabilities makes vinyl tile a fantastic option for your home.

Water-Resistant Flooring vs Waterproof Flooring Options

With so many features available for flooring, it’s easy to be confused. But you want to make sure you have the proper knowledge when searching for flooring that can handle moisture and spills. The biggest thing for you to know is the difference between water-resistant and waterproof flooring options. What’s the dividing factor?

Well, water-resistant flooring does as the name suggests: it “resists” water penetration to a certain extent, but not completely. A water-resistant floor works for topical exposures that are quickly wiped up and allowed to dry. A truly waterproof floor is impermeable to liquid. Naturally, if you’re expecting water “proof” but only get a water “resistant” product, you might be disappointed.

In the end, you have a varied range of styles, colors, and flooring types to find the perfect waterproof flooring option for your home. It’s all about preference and knowing what’s best for you. Are you more interested in durability or affordability? A wood look or a stone look? The choice is yours! What’s most important is that you have the proper installation and knowledge of whatever flooring you choose!

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Vinyl Flooring

First, is vinyl flooring. Vinyl plank, vinyl tile, and sheet vinyl are all great options when you have a pet, as they are highly resistant to staining, soiling, and scratches. And when accidents happen, vinyl flooring is easy to clean. Finally, vinyl floors can be more comfortable and more slip resistant than other flooring options available. As an added bonus too, vinyl is made to mimic the look and feel of real wood and tile, so it looks great in any home.

Laminate Flooring

Wood-look laminate flooring is also a good option for homes with pets. The finish on laminate flooring can help resist scratches, stains, and soiling. Look for laminate floors with a textured finish, as smooth finishes can be slippery for our furry friends.

Hardwood Flooring

If you want real wood in your home, opt for engineered hardwood, which is constructed with a thick solid wood veneer and a sturdy engineered backing to make it stronger than solid wood. Look for an engineered hardwood with a textured finish to help with slips.

Tile Flooring

Porcelain and ceramic tile are both good options to help prevent scratches and lasting damage from liquids. Be sure to look for a tile flooring that is slip-resistant, so you don’t need to worry about kids and pets running around, especially if there’s a wet area.

Carpet

Carpet and pets can co-exist! Not only is it soft and comfortable for pets, there are some great carpet options with added stain and soil resistance. Plus, Empire carries carpet with added PUP® Pet Urine Protection that helps protect carpet fibers from stains due to pet urine. If you’re looking for a carpet, keep in mind pet’s nails can snag and cause damage to carpet. We recommend keeping your pet’s nails trimmed or look for a carpet that won’t snag – the best carpet types for pets is plush, frieze, or HOME Fresh – an Empire exclusive.

Having a pet means loving them every day, from dirty paws, pee stains, and nail scratches – pets are family, and when you come home from a long day, they are the first ones to greet you with a wagging tail or soft cuddle. Whether you’re looking for carpet, vinyl, tile, laminate, or hardwood, finding floors that make you and your pet happy is easy when you work with Empire. Schedule a FREE In-Home Estimate to see our pet friendly flooring options in your home.

The post A Quick Guide to Choosing the Best Flooring for Pets appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

Here’s What to Look For in the Best Laminate Flooring

You want every room of your home to look beautiful. Heavy traffic from kids, pets, and daily chaos has other ideas. Visible wear and tear will show up if your floors aren’t durable enough to withstand your lifestyle.

Laminate may be known as a more durable option than other wood look options, but some laminate flooring is more durable than others. Check for the abrasion criteria (AC) rating to make sure you are choosing the right one that’s fit for your family’s lifestyle. AC ratings can range from 1-5 and the higher the better.

Another feature to watch out for is scratch resistance. Laminate with protective treatments such as Aluminum Oxide as well as industry-leading wear warranties will be your best bet. The same goes for stain resistance. The easier it is to maintain your investment, the happier you will be in the long term.

What Room(s) are You Remodeling?

Laminate’s beautiful look can run into issues in the wrong room. Wood doesn’t mix well with standing water or consistent moisture. In fact, laminate can very easily warp and buckle if it’s installed in a bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room. Luckily, laminate has evolved over the years.

The best laminate flooring will be 100% waterproof, like Empire Today’s Beach House or Sunset Drive.

Not only does its waterproof feature make a wood look possible in any room, it’s also resistant to mold and mildew.

It’s also important to consider the number of windows in the room. More windows mean more sunlight, which can cause fading and discoloration. Finding a laminate floor with UV protection can help prevent color changing in rooms with lots of windows! (Bonus tip: window treatments can help, too).

Choosing a Laminate Style

Like hardwood, laminate has many style options. From plank width, to grain color, to texture, here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the best laminate flooring style.

Plank Widths

Narrow floor boards can add character to the room. However, they might contradict a room with busier decor. If you’re going for a more open, minimalistic look, wide laminate planks might be a better option for your space.

Realistic Laminate Textures

There are many textures for you to choose from. Empire Today offers 4 realistic laminate textures:

Texture Embossed – A high level of realism, this texture has an aesthetic that matches the décor beneath the design paper. This means wood marks, wood grain, and marks are all incorporated into this look.

Smooth – This texture has a smoother touch that’s soft and subtle. It doesn’t have a deep grain texture,    which can help make cleaning easier.

Hand Scraped – A similar texture to hardwood, hand scraped laminate can range from soft scraped to heavy scraped. They can sometimes come with marks for a more authentic, handcrafted look.

Wire Brushed – This soft texture gives the impression of being brushed with a metal wire. This choice will be great for a vintage look, adding character to your floors with its worn appearance.

No matter the texture you prefer, your laminate flooring will have a realistic touch and feel that mimics genuine hardwood.

Choosing a Finish 

Glossy finishes have a traditional, smooth look. However, they also show more dust, scratches, and imperfections. Matte and satin finishes are more trendy and modern and can hide imperfections better than glossy finishes.

All finishes can give your home a clean look. It’s best to choose the one that’s best for your personal style and home décor.

Laminate Flooring Colors

When choosing the best laminate flooring style, color is one of the most important factors. Red and yellow undertones are still a beautiful look, but cool tones are the latest trend. Dark tones can offer a sophisticated look, but if you have a small room, they can make it appear even smaller. Lighter tones give the illusion of open space while brightening the ambiance.

The Best Laminate Flooring Should Perfectly Complement Your Home and Lifestyle

In the end, the best laminate flooring is the flooring that fits your specific needs. With a plethora of styles and features you’re sure to find one that’s best suited for your household. If you want even more insight, Schedule an Estimate today to have a Flooring Professional help you pick the best laminate flooring for your home.

The post How to Choose the Best Laminate Flooring for Your Home appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

Lasting USA Quality

The quality of this Laminate speaks for itself in the natural light of your living room or in the halls of your office (the latest high resolution print technology and embossing techniques allows it to closely mimic genuine Hardwood). The price tag is generally lower than Hardwood, and it can be installed in more places throughout a home than other floors. But the real kicker? This new Laminate is manufactured exclusively for Empire in the USA.

Any flooring company can claim a floor is “Built to Last.” We back this claim with 5 different industry-leading warranties, including 30 year limited wear, stain, fade, topical moisture, and structural warranties.

No Added Formaldehyde

Reports of formaldehyde found in overseas laminate products further drive home the need for flooring solutions that are manufactured in the USA – with no added formaldehyde. Because of strict regulations in place for American manufacturers, you can have peace of mind knowing new laminate is one of the safest laminate floors available. Empire Today® is committed to selling some of the safest, strongest laminate flooring that will stand up to life’s challenges for decades to come. An added bonus: you’re supporting American families and keeping jobs close to home.

We’re Kind of Obsessed

Picking out a brand new floor is a major investment of time, resources, and dollars. We know it can be stressful with hundreds of products to choose from, each claiming to be better than the next. If you made us pick one new product, though, these new laminate styles add incredible value, stunning wood looks, and unmistakable durability to your home. American manufacturing, quality materials, and no added formaldehyde deliver peace of mind for you and your family.

Stay tuned for more information on our new collection – where durability and safety matter just as much as style. Better yet, why not schedule a FREE In-Home Estimate with an experienced Sales Representative to see manufactured in the USA Laminate in person?

The post Why Manufactured in the USA Laminate is So Important appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

Depending on where you live, summertime might mean more than backyard BBQs, pool parties and fun in the sun. Summer can also bring high humidity. And, with summer, there are a few things you might need to know about how humidity can affect hardwood and laminate flooring. Here are some tips on how to keep your floors in tip-top shape this summer.

Hardwood Floors and Humidity

If humidity hits above 55%, you might be opening up a chance for moisture to seep into the wood. Too much moisture in your home, and the floorboards might begin to swell. This swelling can create pressure between the boards, which can cause the boards to warp or cup. This is true for both solid hardwoods and engineered hardwoods. Remember, while engineered hardwoods may tend to be more stable than solid hardwoods, they are still susceptible to moisture.

Laminate Floors and Humidity

Laminate flooring is held together by a mechanical click system made out of wood products. If this wood dries out excessively, the clicking system may fail. Humidity levels in your home are often affected by seasonal changes, and laminate Flooring responds by expanding and contracting. During warm, humid weather, Laminate might expand to give the floor a crowned look. During dry, cold weather, laminate might shrink causing cracks to appear between each plank. While this seasonal movement is a normal characteristic of laminate flooring, these effects can potentially be reduced by following a few guidelines.

Protecting Your Floors

To help protect your floors from cracks, cupping, crowning, and buckling, try to follow these guidelines:

• Clean your hardwood or laminate floor with a cloth lightly dampened by a recommended cleaning product. We recommend using the manufacturer’s directions.
• Do not clean your floors with water or water-based products on a daily basis—only clean when necessary and clean only the soiled areas.
• Never use a damp mop on a Hardwood floor, as the water may deteriorate the wood and finish.
• Don’t let a water spill dry on the floor—this can cause more damage to your flooring. Instead, try to clean up the spill immediately.

Try to keep the relative humidity in your home between 35% and 55%–you can measure humidity levels with a humidistat or a hydrometer. If the humidity levels go beyond this range, make adjustments, such as the use of a dehumidifier or turn your air conditioning colder. And, if you need to raise your humidity level, try using a humidifier to boost the overall moisture in the room.

By maintaining humidity levels in your home, you can help ensure your hardwood or laminate flooring remains covered by warranties, while also helping to keep your floors in shape to perform their best. A consistent, stable environment can result in a more stable, dependable hardwood and laminate floor.

If you need help with your flooring, Schedule a FREE In-Home Estimate with our flooring experts.

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