Empire Today vs. Lowe's: Which Flooring Option is Best?

Comparing the costs, product selection, and installation process of two major national flooring providers.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:53pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic flooring material such as a wood plank or tile, repeated in a tight grid pattern to create a modern, abstract pop art composition.Vibrant, pop art-inspired visuals capture the competitive landscape of national flooring providers vying for the attention of homeowners seeking to upgrade their living spaces.NYC Today

Choosing new flooring for your home can be a daunting task, with many national providers offering similar services. The USA TODAY team has researched and compared Empire Today and Lowe's flooring to help you decide which option is the best fit for your next project.

Why it matters

With both Empire Today and Lowe's offering nationwide flooring installation services, it's important for homeowners to understand the key differences between the two providers in terms of product selection, pricing, and the overall customer experience.

The details

Empire Today and Lowe's both offer a wide range of flooring options including vinyl, laminate, hardwood, and carpet. While Lowe's provides upfront pricing information online, Empire Today requires an in-home consultation to receive a quote. Both companies outsource installation to third-party contractors, which can lead to variable quality of service. Lowe's has a significantly larger service area across all 50 states, while Empire Today is available in 27 states.

  • Empire Today has been in business since 1959, originally selling protective floor and furniture coverings before shifting its focus to flooring materials and installation.
  • Lowe's has been a home improvement retailer since 1921, and has more recently started connecting customers with flooring installation services.

The players

Empire Today

A national flooring company that provides in-home consultations, measurements, and installation services.

Lowe's

A major home improvement retailer that also offers nationwide flooring installation services, in addition to its core retail business.

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What they’re saying

“Overall, we recommend Lowe's flooring, as it takes second place on our list of the best flooring installers. Lowe's has a much larger service area that spans the entire country, and it offers a wide range of brands, plus its own in-house brands for flooring.”

— USA TODAY Team

What’s next

Homeowners should carefully consider their specific flooring needs, budget, and desired level of customer service when deciding between Empire Today and Lowe's for their next flooring project.

The takeaway

While both Empire Today and Lowe's offer national flooring installation services, Lowe's larger geographic footprint, wider product selection, and upfront pricing information make it the recommended choice for most homeowners, especially those who know exactly what type of flooring they want.