Lumber Liquidators

Recent Customer Projects

We love seeing how awesome our customer's projects have turned out. We're going to show a few off so everyone can see how amazing they look!

 

Bellawood Brazilian Cherry

 

Bellawood Brazilian Walnut

Builder's Pride Red Oak

Glacier Peak Poplar

Horizontal Carbonized Bamboo

Natural Hickory

Vintner's Reserve

Lumber Liquidator Laminate Categories

Hey everyone, sorry that we've been on a blogging break.  With the holidays, a wedding, and a honeymoon, i haven't been able to give you great information for a couple weeks.

Well, we're back and we have a great video today.  John Jakob is here to tell you about the three categories of laminate that we offer: Value, Better, and Best.

Take a look to learn more information about the different types of laminate that we have for you.

 

 

If you want to know which brands fall in which categories, we have it broken down below so it's easier to determine which brands you'll want to look at.

Value

Utopia - 6 mm, Multi-strip, 10 Year Warranty

Charisma - 7mm, Multi-strip, 20 Year Warrany

Charisma Plus - 8mm, Single Strip, 20 Year Warranty

Better

Nirvana - 8mm, Multi-strip, Pre-attached underlayment, 25 Year Warranty

Nirvana V3 - 8mm, Single-strip, Pre-attached underlayment, 25 Year Warranty

Nirvana Plus - 10mm, Single-strip, Pre-attached underlayment, 25 Year Warranty

Best

Ispiri - 12mm, Single-strip, Pre-attached underlayment. 30 Year Warranty

Kensington Manor - 12mm, Single-strip, Pre-attached underlayment. 30 Year Warranty

St. James Collection - 12mm, Single-strip, Pre-attached underlayment. 30 Year Warranty

One Project Closer: Brazilian Walnut Installation & Review

Hey guys, we love when people actually show us what they did with their wood floors.  The folks over at One Project Closer installed Bellawood Brazilian Walnut and a couple of months later, reviewed us & the flooring.  To see more about their project visit HERE.

To see their review, click HERE.

We want to thank them for being honest and doing a great job installing.  Their floors look amazing and they really took the time and effort necessary to install flooring correctly.

My Hardwood Floor is Changing Colors, What's Wrong?

Here's the situation:  You spend months and months deciding on what flooring you want.  You've finally chosen a beautiful Bellawood Brazilian Cherry.  After having it installed and replacing your furniture, you love your new room.  Fast forward six months.  You decide it is time to do some redecorating so you rearrange the furniture.  When you move your area rug you see that the color underneath is much lighter than where the rug wasn't.  Does this mean that there was something wrong with your wood?  Did the rug have something that effected your floor?  How could this have happened?

There is actually a very simple explanation to all of this.  It is called "patina" which can happen as your floor ages.  This process can be rapid during the first three months, less in six months, and finishing in about one year.  Moving furniture and rugs around helps to even out areas where light is not exposed to.  Try to avoid large area rugs for the first three months if you can.

All wood species can change color over time due to oxidation or when exposed to light.  In some species, the change can be more dramatic and may darken in color over time, while others tend to lighten.  Currently, there is no known value set for Patina, or color change, of a species so contractors and or customers should be aware of this normal condition.  The patina process is unrelated to the urethane finishes.

Some hardwoods that are known to make a dramatic difference are typically the exotic species, most notably Brazilian Cherry.  Others that may change include Brazilian Koa, Purpleheart, and several others.  Before you purchase a floor, ask if it patinas and if it gets lighter or darker.  If you like the color of the flooring when it is first laid down and don't want any change, they may be able to guide you in the direction of a product that has a less likelihood to change color or a product that has a less dramatic change.

You can click on the link below to download a picture (and explanation) of the patina that may be experienced by putting an area rug over new hardwood floors. 

Download Patina process-1

 

Pumpkin Carvings from This Old House

I love fall.  It is my favorite season.  The colors, the smells, Halloween, Thanksgiving, apple cider, and of course, pumpkins!!!  I am actually going to get my pumpkins this week.  I'm not sure how I will carve it, but I'm sure it won't be as good as these amazing creatings that are being featured on This Old House.  Talk about artistic.  It would take me weeks to do one of these unbelievale carvings.  I have to say, the Cannibal pumpkin made me laugh out loud!  Take a look, maybe they'll inspire you for this Halloween!

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20314743,00.html

Wood Width Gauge Guide

Did you know that different board width can give you very different feels for a room?  Some smaller boards give a feeling of a bigger space and of a more classic look.  A larger board can make room feel more modern.  Have you ever wondered what the difference is without just having a ruler and guessing what it will look like?  Well, here's a little tool that you can download to give you an idea of what a board width is.  I was playing with it this morning and it's neat to see how big of a difference there is between 2-1/4" and 4-3/4".  Have fun and hopefully it can help you determine which board width is best for you!

Download Wood_width_gauge_guide_vert

Fast Fixes for Foreclosed Homes

Here is an ARA article where we are mentioned and I wanted to pass it along!

The high volume of foreclosed homes on the market is allowing some astute buyers to turn eyesores into eye-catching properties with only minimal investment. While not every property can be fixed up affordably, there are some common projects that dramatically improve a foreclosed home’s appeal and value.

“Many people are finding huge opportunities in fixing up foreclosures,” says Tom Sullivan, founder of Lumber Liquidators, the nation’s largest specialty retailer of hardwood flooring. “Most of these houses can be completely transformed with just a few improvements. Often, the fixes are easy enough to be do-it-yourself projects.”

Below are some popular cost-effective options for breathing new life into a home in need:

Add new countertops. The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in any home, since it is a space where people spend a lot of time—from cooking dinner to entertaining friends. One of the most dramatic changes that can be made to a kitchen is adding new countertops. It alters the appearance of the space by changing the color scheme, depth and texture of the whole room.

Countertops range in price depending on room size, type of material and mode of installation. In an average kitchen, a new laminate countertop starts at around $1,000, with granite or quartz ranging from $3,000 to $6,000. Butcher-block countertops are another attractive, yet cost-effective option. Williamsburg Butcher Block Company offers options in both Maple and American Cherry starting around $310.

Replace the bathtub. Foreclosed houses frequently come with water stains left by standing water in sinks, toilets and bathtubs. Updating a bathroom by installing a new bathtub not only removes the problem, but, because the tub is a core item, it creates a more pleasant feeling in the room. Bathtubs are available in many different styles and sizes, so there is likely to be one that suits any taste, from traditional to contemporary.

Bathtubs start at around $300, depending on the size and type of bathtub.

Trade carpeting for new wood flooring. Foreclosed houses are frequently abandoned with soiled carpet that continues to gather buildup over time. Mold is also common in homes that have been left bare for extended periods. To get rid of hidden odors, allergens, irritants and mold, replace carpet with wood, particularly in high-traffic areas such as living rooms and great rooms.

In addition to reviving these common areas, swapping carpet for wood adds style and creates a more spacious feel. The choice of wood can also make a big difference. Light wood colors can make a room appear larger, medium-toned woods can make a room appear more traditional and dark flooring can make a room appear warmer.

 “The introduction of so many new species, colors and types of wood flooring in recent years gives homeowners a lot of options when renovating a room at different price points,” says Sullivan.

 Laminate flooring can deliver the appearance of solid hardwoods, but costs less than $1 per square foot at places like Lumber Liquidators. This allows budget-DIYers the ability to transform a 400-square-foot area for as little as $750.

 In addition to making a foreclosed home look new again, completing these easy and affordable updates can go a long way in restoring the value of the property when it comes time to sell.

A Little Background About Cork

Recently, cork has become a much more popular product for flooring.  Most people, when they hear cork, they either envision the stopper that is between them and a nice bottle of Shiraz or a bulletin board with pushpins and "To-Do" lists.  However, cork comes in different colors and designs and can create a very interesting feel in a room.

We have had many people ask what the pros and cons of cork are.  I will post about that another day, but before that, I wanted to give a little bit more information on cork.

Cork is harvested from the outer bark of the cork oak tree found in the Mediterranean region of the world. Cork has natural sound isolating and thermal insulating properties. AKA, it makes a room sound quieter and your feet won't freeze in the winter!  It is considered a green product because the same tree can be harvested numerous times without tree destruction. As a natural product, color and shade variations can be expected.  Cork can usually be harvested every 9-12 years and it doesn't harm the tree at all!  Typically it is harvested by hand, similar to the way it has been harvested since people first discovered the many uses of cork. 

While the look of cork isn't for everyone, it definitely can make a statement.  And it doesn't need to look like you have a giant cork board on your floor.  We offer many varieties of cork to fit your home and decor.  

If you are interested in cork for your flooring, make sure you speak with your salesperson about the benefits of cork (if you decide to buy before my next article on the subject!).

Floor Medallions, Something Unexpected and Beautiful

You can make a statement in your home with a beautiful piece of art on your walls, a classic piece of furniture, or unique accessories.  You can also make that statement with your flooring.  Our in-house installer, Bob, went to an NWFA Advanced Installation School to learn about custom medallion and border inlays that included brass, aluminum, and granite.  Take a look at some of the pictures, it's really great work!

 

Busy gluing and inserting Walnut into a Heart Pine floor.

Bob is ready to start sanding and finishing their project!

 

The finished work.

 

Detail of a Hickory floor with a medallion, aluminum, and granite.

 

Same medallion, bigger picture.

 

A maple floor with an intricate rhombus design with a border and brass finished medallion.

 

The finished product, it really does make a statement, doesn't it!

 

A hickory floor with a floral medallion, boarder, and brass.

I hope you enjoy, and if you have any questions, make sure you ask Bob all about it!

What Do You Need From a Home Office?

Now a days, people seem to have one room in their house devoted specifically to a home office.  But what does that mean?  Is it a room where the computer is or is it where the kids to their homework?  Is it a place to do crafts or is it truly a home office because you telecommute?  Whatever your office's function is, it doesn't have to just be a place where you play on the computer or where you work on scrapbooks.  Your office could be made to fit the rest of the decor in your house to be contemporary, modern, or traditional. 

Do you need more storage space?  Add some woven baskets.  Not only do they look good, they're a great way to hide some of that extra stuff you have lying around.  We use baskets on a book shelf and they hold games, sewing supplies, and old CDs.  Plus, they match the colors on our couch. Are there a couple of school aged kids in your house?  Try a long desk against a wall where two can work simultaneously.  Do you use a rolling chair to get from your desk to your filing cabinet 72 times a day?  Consider putting down a bamboo floor for easy rolling and a zen like atmosphere. 

The reason that this thought popped into my head is because I was on HGTV.com this morning looking for ideas to freshen up our office.  Some of the ideas were really great.  If it would fit our decor (and budget!) here are a few that I would love to have. 

Wood Paneled Walls

High Tech but Cozy

Geometric and Simple

Clean Spaces

Lots of Surface Space <---Plus, I couldn't resist this one because all I could image was Cherry Butcher Block as the counter!

What would be some of the things you would have in your perfect office?  If I could build a home office from scratch, my wish list would be at least a whole wall covered with bookshelves, enough space for two computer work stations, plus enough room to work on my sewing projects but also storage for the sewing machine and table to be hidden away when I'm not using them.  Hmm, maybe that's asking a lot.  One can always dream.