Comfort with Bedroom Carpet

With its soft surface and welcoming warmth, it’s not hard to understand why carpet is the most popular choice for bedroom flooring. The last thing your feet will feel at the end of one day and the first thing they’ll feel at the start of the next should be surface that maximizes comfort.

While bedroom carpet offers the benefit of comfort, it has also, in recent years, earned the reputation of adding a “dated” effect to a home’s décor. While the coziness of carpet does often cause a sense of nostalgia, there are many cuts and styles of carpet that still have a decidedly modern flavor. Both plush and pattern (cut and loop) carpet offer the most on-trend marks, thanks to their neutral tones and distinct designs.

Believe it or not, bedroom carpet can also simplify cleaning and overall maintenance. Many modern carpet products are crafted with enhanced stain and soil protection, making it easy to take care of all sorts of messes—including pet accidents. These styles are perfect if your four-legged friends call your bedroom home too.

Hardwood’s Natural Beauty

With a warm, natural look that stands the test of time, hardwood is an ideal flooring choice for a bedroom. Made from real wood, solid and engineered hardwood floors are available in many species, such as oak, hickory, or maple, that can each add a special character to your floors. And the warmth goes beyond just aesthetics—walking across genuine wood in the middle of the night can be much more comfortable than many other hard surface floors.  Another great benefit of hardwood? It doesn’t trap dust, pollen, or other allergens, and it’s easy to clean those up when they do occur. Keeping the floors clean in your bedroom can help keep you breathing easier at night.

Laminate: Less Money, Less Maintenance

While genuine hardwood is great, it can be a bit pricey for some renovations. Wood laminate is a budget-friendly bedroom flooring option that provides realistic hardwood visuals at a much more attainable price point. Laminate flooring can also mimic the textures, grains, and feel of genuine wood—all in a product that’s easier to maintain than the real thing.

An added perk of laminate floors is that they are available in both water-resistant and 100% waterproof options. So if you accidentally knock that full glass of water off your nightstand, you won’t end up with nightmares about liquid-damaged floors. Cleaning up a spill is a simple and easy affair, avoiding permanent damage to the floors.

Versatility of Vinyl Flooring

Over the years, advancements in the manufacturing of vinyl flooring have led to increased durability and stunningly realistic wood and tile looks and textures. What used to be a last-resort choice is now one of the industry’s most popular products.  Vinyl plank, vinyl tile, and sheet vinyl are available in a vast range of styles, designed to complement everything from ultra-modern bedroom décor, to old-timey rustic looks. Plus, they all offer advantages that will make any homeowner happy: some of the best durability compared to other flooring options, easy maintenance, and an increase in underfoot comfort compared to real tile and many hardwood floors.

In the end, choosing the best bedroom flooring requires finding your ideal balance between comfort and style. Are you more interested in feeling warmth underfoot when you hop out of bed in the morning or are do you prioritize a modern design scheme? The good news is, you can often achieve both goals with the same floors!

This post only scratches the surface of what you should consider when trying to find the best bedroom flooring options for your home. Traffic volume, kids, pets, and how often you’ll be in your bedroom are all important factors that are specific to you and your household. For a more detailed rundown of flooring that fits your needs, contact us to schedule a free in-home estimate and a flooring professional will walk you through a wide range of options—all in the comfort of your own home.

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Flooring Protection Starts Outside

A major source of potential flooring damage is not simply your guests’ shoes as much as what might be stuck to the soles of those shoes when they step into your home. From muddy slush to abrasive rock salt, your guests’ walk from their car to your front door can be fraught with any number of potentially catastrophic contaminants that can stain carpet or scratch hardwood, laminate, and vinyl floors. By making sure you keep as much of their path possible as clean as possible, you’ll greatly cut down on the level of debris that gets tracked into your home.

First, ensure that there is a clear, clean walkway from wherever guests will be parking to your front door. Shovel it, scrape it—whatever you can do to keep it clean will help immensely. But even a perfectly dry path can be a problem. If it hasn’t snowed recently and there isn’t any in the forecast, consider sweeping up any rock salt that may be hanging around since you last spread it. Not only can those salt crystals quickly scratch up your floors, but the chemicals used in some snow-melt products can strip the finish from hardwood flooring.

On your front stoop, set out a robust door mat, the type with high bristles that can really get into all the nooks in the sole of a winter boot. You might even consider laying out an indoor/outdoor runner along your front walkway to give guests some extra foot-wiping area as they arrive.

Place Rugs and Runners Everywhere

That flooring protection should extend indoors, of course.  If the area inside your front door allows it, consider a two-stage floor protection system. First, place a robust rubber or bristled floor mat in the area where your guests will initially step. These are great for removing and collecting dirt and packed snow from shoes but often don’t do much for any lingering wetness on the sole.

The second layer of flooring protection should be a highly absorbent mat. These are often made of a microfiber or terrycloth material and are designed to soak up water from pets’ paws and people’s shoes. A few good stomps on the first mat and a quick shuffle on the second mat should greatly reduce the gunk and slush stuck to most shoes, greatly reducing the likelihood that any of it ends up on your floors.

Turn the Heat Up!

This one might not make sense at first, but hear us out. For most of the country, holiday celebrations involve coming in out of the cold, wet weather and into the formal areas of a home. One of the best ways to keep your floors from getting dirty or scratched up by dirty shoes is to completely eliminate shoes from the equation. Asking your guests to remove their shoes at the door is a simple way to keep dirty soles off your floors, and will greatly reduce the odds of mud getting tracked onto carpet or stray bits of sidewalk salt scratching up your hardwood floors. The problem with going shoeless in the winter is that it can be quite uncomfortable if you don’t have carpeted floors. No one likes walking on a cold tile floor while they’re trying to party!

By making sure your home is a comfortable temperature, your guests will be more likely to happily oblige your request to go shoeless. And depending on your crowd, you might even consider making a trip to your local discount dollar store to pick up a selection of fun holiday socks to give out to those who get cold toes. The rugs and runners mentioned earlier will also help keep feet nice and toasty on tile or vinyl floors.

Protect Floors from Chair Legs and Other Furniture

You should also consider more than just your guests’ footwear when prepping for a party. An important part of your plan should be to protect your floors from chair legs and other pieces of furniture that will get shuffled around as guests eat and mingle. For many homeowners, hosting a holiday party means breaking out the fine China and fully utilizing the formal dining room—a room that may seldom be used otherwise. Before the crowds arrive, take a closer look at the seating in the rooms where guests will be dining and hanging out.

It’s not uncommon for formal dining sets to be a bit on the old side, perhaps even family heirlooms. As a result, any chair leg floor protectors that may have been installed on them are often worn away to the point that they provide minimal protection. This is especially important if your dining room has hard surface floors. Even scratch-resistant hardwood is not impervious to damage from a sharp wood or metal chair leg. Check the feet of all of your dining chairs to make sure they’re adequately protected to minimize the potential for scratching or scuffing your floors. Spending a few dollars on flooring protection for your chairs, like plastic sliders or felt pads, can save you the headache and expense of repairing badly scratched hardwood.

Simple Floor Protection Tactics can Prevent Significant Headaches

Taking the proper precautions before a big gathering—and even in everyday living—can go a long way toward protecting your floors and keeping them looking great for the long haul. Of course, despite your best efforts, your floors will probably encounter their fair share of muddy boots and spilled drinks. If you can’t prevent mishaps, the next best thing is to make sure you deal with them properly. Check out our Flooring Care page to learn about the best ways to clean each type of floor. And if your existing floors are showing their age and you’re thinking about replacing them, contact us to set up a FREE In-Home flooring shopping experience to learn about the variety of flooring products offered by Empire Today®.

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When Should You Refinish Hardwood Floors?

There’s no set interval that determines when hardwood floors should be refinished because that can be determined by many variables. In short, you should consider refinishing your hardwood floors when they have scratches, fading, and/or discoloration that cannot be removed by thorough cleaning or polishing. And, of course, you can always refinish perfectly good hardwood floors if you simply want to change their stain color.  

Perhaps the most  important bit of info to know is how often you will be able to refinish hardwood flooring. That will depend on the flooring’s thickness and how many times it has been refinished before. In general, your hardwood must have 1/8-inch or more material above the tongue and groove  to safely be refinished. When new, a solid hardwood plank is typically at least 3/4 inches thick and can likely be refinished at least four to six times during its total lifespan. It’s commonly accepted that you should expect to refinish a hardwood floor every seven to ten years. 

Important notes: some hardwood is only 1/4 inch thick even when new. In this case, attempting a refinish could catastrophically damage your floor. Additionally, these guidelines do not apply to engineered hardwood floors, which are constructed of a real wood layer on top of an engineered plywood core. Engineered hardwood can be refinished, but usually only once or twice in its lifetime. 

Unsure how thick your hardwood is? Consider measuring board thickness by removing an air vent in the floor to expose a side view of the board. Another option, which requires a bit more effort, is to remove a section of the baseboard where your floor meets the wall, which should also allow a similar view of the hardwood’s edge. quarter round. Usually, either of these methods will let you accurately measure hardwood thickness without tearing up the room too much. 

Problem #1: Excessive Dents and Scratches

Although it’s a tough material, a hardwood floor will still pick up its fair share of scratches and dents—especially if you have kids or pets. While many homeowners actually prefer the patina of a timeworn floor, ignoring serious scratches or wear spots can lead to real problems. Refinishing hardwood floors can be a great way to remove surface scratches that are not yet deeply embedded in the wood. 

Problem #2: Fading and Discoloration from Sunlight Exposure

Direct sunlight can also negatively impact hardwood floors. Too much exposure to UV rays and your hardwood floor can eventually fade and/or become discolored. You can try to prevent this by blocking or diffusing the sun during peak hours with blinds and shades. But if your floors are already showing significant fading, a refinish may help restore their original color. 

Problem #3: Water Damage on Hardwood

If a protective hardwood finish wears off, your floors can become susceptible to water damage. You can determine if your finish is worn by performing a water drop test. Put a small drop of water on the suspect section of your hardwood floor. If the water soaks into the wood immediately rather than resting on top, it’s likely time for a refinish. Another sign? Water-damaged hardwood often turns a shade of gray. The darker the boards become; the more damage is occurring. Once black, your floors probably need to be replaced altogether. 

Refinishing Hardwood Floors Isn’t Always Enough

Hardwood flooring is a major investment that should last for many years. Discoloration, scratches, and even signs of water damage can be reversed if hardwood floors are properly refinished. However, there are a few signs (some more obvious than others) to look for that indicate a need for a full flooring replacement, such as: 

• Boards have turned extremely dark or black compared to the original color 
• Gaps between planks, loose planks, or any other kind of significant movement 
• Deep gouges or scratches that go below the surface layer 
• Warped or buckled planks 

Many of the above scenarios can be avoided with preventative hardwood flooring care. Like many home improvement projects, being proactive before real problems occur is the best way to avoid expensive, stressful repairs. 

How to Refinish Hardwood Floors

Refinishing hardwood floors yourself can be time-consuming, costly, and frustrating. Worst of all, you risk damaging your investment and making the condition of the floor worse. While we’re not here to scare you, we do want to stress the importance of having realistic expectations before taking on a DIY project. Here’s what refinishing hardwood involves: 

• Moving all furniture, pictures, curtains, and personal items out of the room 
• Covering all air conditioning units, windows, and doorways with plastic to help contain dust. 
• Cleaning the floor thoroughly to prepare for sanding. 
• Renting a professional sander, and often a handheld detail sander for edges and corners. 
• Removing all baseboards.  
• Completing three separate passes with the floor sander: first with coarse-grit sandpaper, then medium-grit, and a final pass with fine-grit.  
• Filling in dents and scratches with wood putty or other wood repair compound. 
• Vacuuming dust and debris, and then wiping the entire floor with a tack cloth. 

And that is likely going to be a full day’s work—before you even get to restaining and resealing your hardwood floor. After those steps are completed, you can apply the wood stain as directed by the manufacturer and then finish up with a coat of polyurethane sealer.

Refinishing Hardwood is Not for Everyone

Refinishing a hardwood floor is not an impossible DIY task, by any means. But it’s also not a project for everyone, and that’s okay. You can read articles or watch how-to videos, but nothing can compare to the years of knowledge and expertise that a professional, experienced contractor will have. 

Remember, if the damage to your hardwood is extensive, unsafe, and impossible to ignore, it may be time to replace your flooring completely. Empire Today® makes the whole process easy. Schedule a FREE In-Home Estimate to see high-quality hardwood samples in the natural light and context of your home.

The post Refinishing Hardwood Floors 101: When, Why, and How appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

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.

The great news is that you have many high-quality options when it comes to kid-friendly floors. Here are some popular options families love, along with a few tips for how you should go about choosing the right one for your home.

Before You Get Started

Before you choose a kid-friendly floor, it’s important to assess your family’s needs. Some things to consider:

• How much water, scratch, and stain resistance do you need? Make sure a sales representative explains the level of protection each flooring type offers.
• Where are your major traffic areas? Will you need two flooring types? One for high-traffic and one for lower-traffic areas?
• Do you have pets? If not, will you have them in the future?
• Consider the age of your children. With a new baby, you may be more concerned about a soft surface, but what about when the baby is older?
• How often will you have time to clean? Some floors take more effort and time to maintain their beauty.

Carpet: Comfort for Playtime

Little ones usually love a fresh, new carpet for the many soft landings it offers, especially those kids who love to wrestle, play, and roughhouse. The great news is that many of today’s plush carpets are also tough enough to handle heavy use, making it the perfect nursery or playroom flooring for your little one.

The health of your children is another thing to consider. You can also find hypoallergenic and odor-neutralizing offerings as well, such as HOME Fresh. It doesn’t trap dirt, is mold and mildew resistant, contains no VOC’s, and is 100% recyclable!

Damage Doesn’t Come Easy with Vinyl Plank

The most popular flooring choice today in pretty much every area of the home, vinyl plank flooring mimics the look of real hardwood, but is softer under the feet and very low maintenance.

A number of vinyl plank products are also built with cork or rubber backings that help block out noise. Vinyl plank, in general, laughs off large spills – there are also 100% waterproof varieties – and it’s great for wet areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Vinyl plank flooring also tends to be more affordable than real hardwood, and if you’re little ones love to play with pets, it handles a dog or cat’s nails well. As far as maintenance, simple sweeps and an occasional damp mop and you’re done!

Laminate for a Low Cost, Low Maintenance Wood Look

One of the most cost-friendly options out there, today’s wood laminate comes in a variety of attractive natural wood looks. Families love how quick and easy installation crews can re-make a space, and laminate is also great for those with allergies who need to keep dust and dander at bay.

Super low maintenance, wood laminate comes in a variety of plank widths, is very scratch and fade resistant, and considered by many as one of the best for high-traffic areas. You’ll also find 100% waterproof options, so it can handle juice spills and the splashes that come with bath times. If you’re looking for something that looks just like natural hardwood but is a lot easier to maintain, laminate may be for you.

Hardwood Comes with Long-Lasting Perks

Not too sold on wood looks and want to shoot for the real deal? No worries! Hardwood flooring can still be a suitable option for a household with kids.

Engineered hardwood’s layered construction gives it a strong durability and higher water and moisture resistance than solid hardwood.

However, solid hardwood is milled from a single piece of wood and offers plenty of durability, too. The biggest plus about this choice is that when your kiddos have been too rough over the years, you can refinish it for a fresh look that doesn’t require completely new floors.

If you don’t mind a little extra maintenance for something that’s designed to last for many years and age with character along with your family, hardwood might be for you!

Look of Tile with the Ease of Vinyl 

Combine the beauty of natural stone or wood looks with durability in today’s vinyl tile. With the emergence of improvements in different types of vinyl products, vinyl tile is no longer viewed as an old-school option.

Today’s vinyl tiles are water and stain-resistant, and excellent for busy areas. They offer a contemporary look and some are even installed with grout lines to look like real ceramic or porcelain tiles. Vinyl tile is also a warmer, softer floor than traditional porcelain or ceramic tile. Many people comment on how great it feels under their feet. At the same time, it resists scuffs, stains, and moisture and wipes up super easily!

Ceramics can Also Be Kid-Friendly Flooring

Porcelain and ceramic tiles are also popular for families because these surfaces are, hands down, the hardest out there, which means it takes a lot to stain or damage them.

The trade-off, however, is in how hard these surfaces really are. Little ones should be careful about slips and falls on these slick surfaces. And while they’re cool in the winter, some families also appreciate how cool the surface feels in the summer, too!

If your kids are older and durability is the top priority, porcelain and ceramic tiles offer unmatched scratch, stain and moisture resistance. They likely won’t scuff or dent, and an occasional sweep or mop keeps them looking great for years to come.

As we said, when it comes to kid-friendly floors, you’re always weighing comfort and durability. Let a professional help you decide. Schedule a FREE In-Home Estimate to find the perfect kid-friendly floor today!

The post Kid-Friendly Flooring Options You Should Consider 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. Light Colors Will Remain Popular

It’s tough to overlook the warmth and elegance of an old walnut or other darker hardwood flooring. But in the past decade, with contemporary and transitional interior design elements dominating, more people have dared to experiment with light colors.

White oak is one popular example. It’s a neutral tone that invites casual sophistication and it’s great for large, expansive floors. Gray tones are also hot. In living rooms, they’ll settle into the background for dark furniture or colorful wall art, and, in kitchens, the right cabinets will stand out beautifully against gray.

Popular in beach houses and Brownstones, natural blonde flooring still has its followers, too. These light hardwoods welcome light into a room, but are also versatile and work great in kitchens, with dark cabinets, and against accent walls.

Urban Edge Engineered Hardwood. Style: Skydeck

2. It’s the Wild West of Plank Sizes

Thin, two to three-inch, hardwood slats aren’t out of the picture, but wider planks have been the big request for the past five years. They can open up a room and make it look more spacious, and, with fewer seams, the patterns and grain in the wood can be seen more clearly. Hardwood lovers are also starting to request longer planks, too!

Wider widths, longer lengths, and did we mention, some ambitious customers are also dabbling in varying widths for their installations? It’s too early to call that one as a hot trend, but don’t be surprised to hear about a neighbor or two experimenting with the idea.

County Line, engineered hardwood with wide planks. Style: Crossroads

Cambridge Engineered Hardwood

3. Keeping it Real with Texture and Sheen

We all remember those thin, super-glossy oak slats at grandma’s house. Those hardwood glory days still have a place in homes today, but just as colors have undergone a transformation, the matte sheen has taken over today’s hardwood floors, too. Matte brings a more natural look that today’s eco-conscious homeowners love.

Texture is also a big part of the hardwood flooring conversation as well. Expect to see more hand-scraped, wire-brushed and ceruse textures going forward. They add depth and character to hardwood, and interior designers enjoy their flexibility to handle both contemporary or more traditional furnishings and room designs.

County Line Engineered Hardwood. Style: Boundary

4. Hardwood Flooring as a Contrasting Tool

While light colors are more popular today, it’s important not to forget those amazing foyers, dining rooms or family rooms with dark hardwood that make light walls and furnishings sing!

Hardwood flooring colors can often be used to highlight and contrast parts of a room, whether it’s a photo, unique furnishing, bold art piece or something else. Don’t forget, the right floor can stand out but it’s also a tool to help start conversations about other elements in a space as well.

Manchester Solid Hardwood. Style: Oceanside Gray

5. The Best Trend is the Look You Choose

Your home will outlive any trend. Sure, your neighbor’s house may look great with a trendy gray or white oak. But does that match the furniture and feel of your home?

The hardwood floors you choose will need to suit your durability and aesthetic needs. That’s why it’s best to consult with a professional who will take the time to understand your situation.  Just remember to stay true to your personal taste!

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With hundreds of suggestions out there on how to remove stains, it’s hard to understand exactly how you should care for your floors. At Empire Today®, we know a thing or two when it comes to flooring, including how to keep your floors in tip-top shape in the long run. Here are a few easy tips to keep in mind for those annoying flooring stains:

1. Use the Correct Cleaning Technique

Anyone who has needed to know how to get stains out of carpet knows how frustrating they can be. While it’s important to remove a stain as quickly as possible, make sure to follow the right technique and manufacturer recommendation for how to remove set in stains. Be careful not to scrub the area too hard—being overly aggressive can cause your carpet fibers to fuzz and stand out from the rest. It’s also important to start from the outside of the stain and work your way in (not the other way around). This helps prevent the stain from spreading further.

2. Be Careful with At-Home Chemistry Experiments

Many of the tips you hear in social media posts and blogs suggest how to get stains out of carpet, like mixing hydrogen peroxide and soap, but be careful—mixing chemicals incorrectly can damage your floors. If you’re considering trying one of these sorts of tips look at what the manufacturer recommends first, then use caution, and run a test on a small, discrete portion of the carpet before trying it out on the actual stain. If you’re not sure, call a professional for help or try a safer DIY option. We suggest a couple safer at-home DIY solutions below in #5.

3. Make Sure to Use the Right Tools for Your Floors

It may come as a surprise, but high-tech cleaning tools aren’t always a good idea for all flooring. For example, high temperatures generated from steam mops can cause irreparable damage to certain types of floors. Make sure you check the manufacturer to see if a steam mop is safe for your specific floors. And if you’re not sure, steer clear.

4. Choose Quality Cleaning Products and Follow Directions

When it comes to mystery stains on your floors, the best course of action is to use a quality, name-brand floor cleaner designed for the specific flooring type you have. Remember, when it comes to cleaners, stronger is not always better. Be sure to read the directions on the bottle of cleaner and follow them carefully, and use the applicator recommended for the cleaner being used.

5. Consider Using Supplies from Around Your House

A sticky stain like chewing gum can be a real pain. But did you know that an ice cube can do the trick to remove it on laminate flooring? Instead of reaching for a sponge and scrubbing it away, you can place an ice cube directly on the sticky spot. As it cools, the gummy substance will typically harden—making it a lot easier to remove in one go with a dull plastic scraper.

I know we said to be careful with DIY solutions (and that’s still true), but not all are created equal. There are some helpful at-home remedies that are generally regarded as safe. For example, for rust stains on your vinyl flooring, a simple tip is using lemon juice and cream of tartar to help remove the stain. Afterwards, clean up with simple rinse with water and you’re done. For more general cleaning tips and maintenance ideas for your specific type of floors, see our Product Care section.

6. To Extend the Life of Your Carpet, Hire a Professional Carpet Cleaner

Hiring a professional carpet cleaner isn’t just about refreshing the look and feel of your carpet (though it’s helpful for this, too). Getting your carpet professionally cleaned using hot water extraction every six to 12 months can help remove set-in or fresh stains. The professional carpet cleaner can also re-apply soil and stain protectants to help avoid future carpet stains. This makes maintenance easier, as well as providing you with additional peace of mind about your carpet’s longevity.

7. Consider a Flooring that Resists Stains and Cleans Easily

What’s better than getting stains out of your flooring? Preventing them before they even happen! Flooring options from Empire that resist stains and clean effortlessly make it easy.

For a softer option, HOME Fresh is a one-of-a-kind carpet that’s not only comfy but also helps keep your home cleaner! How? Its one-of-a-kind construction with a built-in premium padding provides better airflow, allowing dirt and dust to be vacuumed up easier. HOME Fresh’s fibers don’t absorb moisture, helping prevent the growth of mold, mildew, and allergens (the most common sources of a bad carpet smell). Plus, HOME Fresh comes with Scotchguard Protector 3M with Advanced Repel Technology, providing long lasting stain protection that helps keep spills from seeping into the carpet.

For a hard surface option, look into vinyl plank flooring. Also known as luxury vinyl plank, some vinyl plank flooring options are 100% waterproof, so they can stand up to large spills, dampness, moisture, or flat-out wetness. With the look and feel of natural hardwood flooring, vinyl plank flooring will keep your mind at ease and your house looking great for years to come.

8. If It’s Time to Update Your Stained Flooring, Empire Can Help

If professional cleaning isn’t doing the trick anymore, or the old stains keep piling on, it might be time to replace your floors. Schedule a FREE In-Home Estimate with an Empire flooring professional to see all the beautiful options you can choose from. From carpet to hardwood, laminate, vinyl, and tile, Empire Today has hundreds of choices. You might be surprised by the types of flooring you can get that give you the look you want with the convenience you need to stand up to spills, messes, and stains.

Even those of us who do our very best to keep our flooring clean and without stains will likely end up with a spill or mystery spot on our floors from time to time. It happens! We hope these tips give you the confidence you need to remedy the situation when stains do show up on your floors—keeping them, and your home, looking beautiful!

The post How to Remove Stains from Your Floors: The Dreaded Mystery Stains appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

Flooring Types: Vinyl Plank; Engineered Hardwood

Products/Colors: Vallette—Acacia Samba Brown; Ocean Villa—Acacia

Rooms: Second Level; Stairs

Because of their previous experience with Empire Today, this homeowner knew just how much we’re dedicated to ensuring customer satisfaction. They wanted wood looks that were durable for their stairs and the second level of the home. For the flooring on the second level, they chose Vallette vinyl plank in the Acacia Samba Brown color. To coordinate with this alluring color, they chose Ocean Villa engineered hardwood in the Acacia color for the stairs.

The landing of the stairs was initially round, but the team did a great job boxing it out to meet the needs of the homeowner with an entirely new design. The team’s overall efforts did not go unnoticed, and the homeowner was thrilled to have such beautiful wood looks in their home.

Schedule your FREE In-Home Estimate to get a beautiful wood look the easy way.

The post Wood Look Flooring Gives Florida Home an Impressive Update appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

Flooring Type: Engineered Hardwood

Product/Color: Accolade—Honeytone

Rooms: Bedroom

We try to give our customers the best, and this homeowner was no exception. They wanted a change from their carpet, and during their consultation decided to go with Accolade engineered hardwood in the Honeytone color. With innate durability and easy maintenance, this was a great option for a timeless style.

The team carefully removed the carpet, and with great detail, installed the beautiful wood look in their master bedroom. The homeowner was amazed and loved how easy it was to transform their floors.

Let Empire Today give your home the flooring it needs. Schedule your FREE In-Home Estimate today.

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