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Installing new flooring can be an expensive and time-consuming process, which is why it’s important for customers to do their research before deciding on the best flooring company for their needs. National Floors Direct and Empire Today are both leaders in the flooring industry, each offering a large selection of options, available next-day installation, and nationwide service. It’s no wonder that Empire Today and National Floors Direct are both considered some of the best carpet installation companies, the best vinyl plank flooring installers, and the best hardwood flooring installation companies in the nation.
However, when comparing National Floors Direct versus Empire Today, customers will find that one floor installation company stands out. This article will compare the two companies in several different categories to determine which one may be the better choice for a customer’s needs.
Carpet, hardwood, tile, vinyl, and laminate flooring.
Bob Vila has partnered with Empire Today® to help you easily get beautiful new floors at a great price.
Free In-Home Estimates
How We Compared Flooring Companies
- Service area: When researching flooring companies, customers will want to make sure the options they’re considering offer service in their area.
- Flooring types, features, and customizations: The top flooring companies typically offer numerous flooring options such as carpet, hardwood, and laminate. Some can also have options for custom flooring, so customers can find their perfect match.
- Installation services: Most flooring companies offer installation services, allowing customers to have their flooring professionally installed by an expert.
- Shopping options: When it comes to buying flooring, customers can often choose between shopping online, in a physical store, or having a company representative come to them for an in-home shopping experience.
- Estimate process and cost: The price of new flooring is typically one of the most important factors for customers to consider when choosing a flooring company. They’ll also want to look into the estimate process to see how it works.
- Warranty: A lengthy warranty is a good indication that a company stands behind its products and/or installation services.
- Customer reviews: Reading reviews helps prospective customers get an idea of what they can expect from the flooring company they’re considering. Although an abundance of negative reviews can be a red flag, it’s important for customers to take them with a grain of salt as people are generally much more likely to leave a review after a poor experience than after a positive one.
National Floors Direct vs. Empire Today: Service Area
When comparing flooring companies, customers will want to ensure that the options they’re considering offer service in their area. Luckily, both National Floors Direct and Empire Today service the entire nation. No matter their location within the U.S., customers will be able to schedule flooring installation services through either company (although the exact nature of the services may depend on location).
Verdict: Both National Floors Direct and Empire Today have extensive footprints, offering flooring installation services throughout the United States.
Winner: Tie
National Floors Direct vs. Empire Today: Flooring Types, Features, and Customizations
When it comes to flooring options, both National Floors Direct and Empire Today have an abundance of choices. Both offer hardwood, vinyl, laminate, tile, and carpet options for customers to choose from. However, the selections do differ slightly at each company.
National Floors Direct has around 40 choices of carpeting, with each option having numerous color choices. Customers can choose from cut pile (textured), loop pile, frieze (twist), and cut and loop pile (pattern) carpets, meaning they’re almost certain to find an option to suit their needs. In addition to carpet, National Floors Direct offers engineered or solid hardwood flooring, 3D-printed luxury vinyl flooring, traditional or wood-look tile, and durable laminate flooring.
Empire Today offers a similar selection, albeit with slightly more options. For example, the company has several proprietary flooring choices such as the following.
- Odor-neutralizing Carpet: This type of carpet is ideal for those who suffer from allergies, asthma, or nasal issues; is mold- and mildew-resistant; is made from 100 percent recyclable materials; and contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- WhisperHOME: Designed to be quieter than regular wood flooring when walked upon, this hardwood flooring feels warmer underfoot due to a unique installation method that improves airflow under the wood. Also offers a more durable topcoat than other types of hardwood flooring and contains no VOCs.
In addition to these unique flooring options, Empire Today offers berber and indoor/outdoor carpet (which is not offered by National Floors Direct), wood laminate, engineered or solid hardwood, vinyl plank or tile, and porcelain or ceramic tile flooring. Empire Today’s wide selection and unique flooring options make it stand out against National Floors Direct.
Verdict: National Floors Direct and Empire Today offer a wide variety of hardwood, vinyl, laminate, tile, and carpet flooring. However, Empire Today stands out with some unique offerings such as reduced-noise WhisperHOME hardwood and odor-neutralizing carpet.
Winner: Empire Today
National Floors Direct vs. Empire Today: Installation Services
Both floor installation companies offer professional installation services by experienced flooring installers to customers who purchase flooring from them. Both also offer installation as soon as the day after the customer places their order—but National Floors Direct limits its next-day installation services to customers in most of the Northeast U.S. Customers in other regions will not be able to take advantage of this service and will wait longer for their installation project, whether they’re waiting for vinyl floor installers or installers for vinyl plank flooring to schedule with them.
Empire Today’s next-day installation services are available for more customers. In order to qualify, the flooring must be in stock and the customer must live in a select location. Although Empire Today doesn’t specify which locations are eligible for next-day installation, the service is not limited to one region like with National Floors Direct. Customers will want to check with their Empire Today representative to see whether this is an option for them.
Verdict: National Floors Direct limits its next-day installation to customers in the Northeast. On the other hand, Empire Today can offer next-day installation for in-stock flooring at select locations throughout the country.
Winner: Empire Today
National Floors Direct vs. Empire Today: Shopping Options
When it comes to shopping for flooring, customers will have a similar experience at both National Floors Direct and Empire Today. Both websites have floor visualizer tools that allow the customer to upload a photo of their space and see what different flooring will look like in their room. This can help customers narrow down their choices and get a realistic idea of which options will work in their home. While researching, customers will also be able to utilize written resources on both websites. National Floors Direct offers guides on choosing different types of flooring and how customers can choose the best one for their home. Empire Today has a carpet-buying guide to help customers understand the different types and styles of carpet so they can make an informed decision before proceeding with an estimate.
Each company offers in-home shopping, where a company representative will visit the customer’s home with samples and come up with an in-home estimate. This allows customers to better visualize what each flooring option will look like in their home, as colors in showrooms and online can be misleading. In-home shopping allows the customer to check how their favorite flooring options look in different lights and with the decor in their home. This can help them feel confident in their flooring choice—which is important when planning a relatively expensive home project such as new floor installation.
As both companies offer in-home shopping services, customers who prefer to shop online or go to a physical showroom to view their options will need to look elsewhere. However, many will find that going with in-home shopping is more convenient, and overall a better experience than more traditional methods of shopping for flooring.
Verdict: National Floors Direct and Empire Today both offer in-home shopping, allowing customers to save time by not traveling to a showroom and letting them see a wide variety of flooring options in their own homes. Additionally, both companies offer an array of tools and resources that allow customers to make the best flooring choices for them.
Winner: Tie
National Floors Direct vs. Empire Today: Estimate Process and Cost
National Floors Direct and Empire Today have similar processes for customers when it comes to getting an estimate. They’ll need to schedule an appointment for a company representative to come to their home for an in-home consultation and estimate; this allows the companies to price the project accurately, taking into account any unusual room shapes or other factors that can affect the cost of materials and installation. Unfortunately, customers will not be able to get an idea of pricing before their in-home consultation, as neither company lists its prices online. However, in-home estimates are free with both National Floors Direct and Empire Today, so customers aren’t obligated to choose either company if they’re not happy with their estimate.
Although neither company is transparent about pricing, National Floors Direct has the edge over Empire Today thanks to its low-price guarantee. The company guarantees that its prices are at least 15 percent lower than its competitors—if a customer has a valid quote that is less than 30 days old from a competitor that uses an in-stock comparable flooring type and the same room dimensions as National Floors Direct’s quote, the customer’s floor will be free. This helps give customers assurance that they’re getting the best deal possible on their new floor—which can potentially include free flooring installation.
Verdict: Neither National Floors Direct nor Empire Today offers pricing information online or over the phone; customers will need to receive a custom estimate based on their flooring choice and home dimensions. However, National Floors Direct’s prices are likely to be lower, as the company guarantees to have the lowest price by 15 percent—if not, the customer’s flooring is free.
Winner: National Floors Direct
National Floors Direct vs. Empire Today: Warranty
A warranty on installation services helps customers feel confident that their flooring has been installed correctly by the flooring installation contractors. National Floors Direct doesn’t include any warranty information on its website, so customers will need to ask for details if they decide to get an in-home estimate.
Empire Today is much more transparent about its warranty. The company offers a limited installation warranty that promises the flooring will be free of defects due to workmanship for 1 year from the date of purchase. Customers who notice issues within that time frame can submit a claim by phone. Empire Today will then come out to the home to perform an inspection and determine whether the issue is caused by poor workmanship and therefore covered by the warranty; if it is, the company will repair or reinstall the flooring or offer the customer a refund.
Empire Today also lists product warranty information on its website. For example, carpet from the Aberdeen range has a 10-year warranty on soiling, staining, and wear, while natural engineered hardwood has a lifetime structural warranty and a 25-year warranty on wear.
Verdict: National Floors Direct does not specify its warranty information, so customers will need to ask specifically about those terms when receiving an estimate. Empire Today offers a 1-year limited workmanship warranty, and customers can further protect their purchases with a comprehensive service plan that covers damages not typically covered by manufacturer or installer warranties.
Winner: Empire Today
National Floors Direct vs. Empire Today: Customer Reviews
Customer reviews can give prospective customers a glimpse into others’ experiences with companies they’re considering hiring. Many customers choose to read online reviews of flooring companies to gauge their reputation and see which of their shortlisted choices will be the best option for them.
When it comes to online reviews, National Floors Direct and Empire Today both have their share of positive and negative reviews. Customers praise National Floors Direct for its streamlined process, from the in-home estimate to the actual installation of the flooring. Empire Today reviews mention the company’s helpful customer service representatives, which appear to be responsive and easy to reach. While both companies have some negative reviews, it’s important for prospective customers to remember that an individual is often more likely to leave an online review after a poor experience than after a positive one. Prospective customers can look into whether each company responds to negative reviews and attempts to make things right for the customer—this can be a good sign that, even if something goes wrong, the customer can count on the flooring company to work with them so they are satisfied.
Verdict: National Floors Direct and Empire Today receive comparable customer reviews online. Positive reviews of National Floors Direct cite the company’s straightforward communication and installation process, while Empire Today customers compliment the company’s prompt and polite service.
Winner: Tie
Verdict: Empire Today offers a wide variety of flooring options with next-day installation available nationwide, making it a top choice for many homeowners looking for new floors. National Floors Direct may not offer as much choice, but its low prices make it an excellent pick for homeowners searching for a bargain on flooring installation.
While Empire Today and National Floors Direct are both solid options for customers planning a flooring installation project, Empire Today comes out slightly ahead thanks to its wide selection of flooring options (including two proprietary choices), nationwide next-day installation for in-stock products, and transparency regarding its product and installation warranties. Most customers will likely find their ideal flooring choice within Empire Today’s large catalog.
Carpet, hardwood, tile, vinyl, and laminate flooring.
Bob Vila has partnered with Empire Today® to help you easily get beautiful new floors at a great price.
Free In-Home Estimates
However, customers won’t want to discount National Floors Direct. Although its flooring selection isn’t quite as wide as Empire Today’s and there’s no information available on warranties, National Floors Direct’s low-price guarantee makes it an excellent choice for those who want to install a quality new floor at a lower price, and potentially even flooring with free installation if the customer can find a lower price with a competing company within the parameters set by National Floors Direct.
