Lumber Liquidators

New Eco Friendly Underlayments

Here at Lumber Liquidators, we always are trying to come out with new and innovative products that are great for your home.  There are two new products that we have recently released that have so many great qualities about them.  First, they are green products.  Second, they are great for homes for people who are chemically sensitive.

Silicone Vapor Shield

This underlayment is  great alternative to some of the other products on the market today.  One of the best features of this product is that it protects the home environment by not relasing any toxic fumes after installation as some asphalt based products do.  Besides being good for you, it's good for the environment because it is 100% recylced and 100% recyclable.

It also doesn't fall apart underath the floor after intallation. As well, it protects hardwood flooring from moisturand helps planks slide easily for continuous moisture protection.

One of it's most unique features, however, is that it is the only underlayment paper that can be used over radiant heat. 

Definitely a product you should check into, and it can be found here for a great price.

Eco Silent Sound HD^TM

Some products really stand out, and Eco Silent is one of them.  It is made with 100% post consumer recycled granulated rubber tires and a high-density polyurethan foam.  Not only is it created with recycled product, it is also 100% recyclable.  This is a great "green" product for those looking to leave less of a carbon footprint.

It also reduces floor noise by providing excellent sound absiorption.  For those who worry about mold, it contains Ultra-Fresh^TM which is anti-microbial treatment to resist mold and mildew.

Eco Silent can be used with floating, glue down, and nail down wood, laminate, LVT and vinyl plank flooring.  It will also eliminate minor subfloor imperfections as well as provide cushioning under laminates. Plus, it can be used with radiant heat. 

Definitely a great product at a great value, and can be found here.

If you are planning on installing a new floor, make sure you consider what you put UNDER your floor as well.  It will help you have a better experience and can provide your family with a fantastic floor for years to come.

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!).

Cork Flooring in Restaurant, So Cool!!!

This past weekend I was up in Charlottesville, VA to do a little sight-seeing and to get away from my broken AC (our house was over 90 degrees!).   I have never been there before, but found it to be a very charming town.  Besides being the home of the University of Virginia and Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's home, which was beautiful by the way), it also has a very nice, historic downtown area. After dinner at a lovely steakhouse, we wandered down the street to meet up with friends for drinks.  We went to a restaurant called "Ten".  Besides serving delicious beverages and modern Japanese cuisine, they also had a very cool atmosphere. 

By working at Lumber Liquidators, I notice flooring everywhere I go.  I notice hardwood, distressed boards, handscraped, laminate, tile, marble, just about everything that comes under my feet.  This place was no exception. They had cork flooring and it was one of the first things that I noticed.  I probably looked silly as I was being led to our table, I couldn't help but admire the floor.  It took me a few minutes to look around at the rest of the atmosphere.  The dining room at Ten was designed by Formwork of Charlottesville and I think they did a great job (if you click the link, you can take a look at what Ten looks like).  The flooring went seamlessly from one side of the dining room to the other.  The reason I found this interesting is because one half of the dining area is very dark, emulating the night.  The other side, a very light, cloud-like atmosphere, also had the cork and it looked great in both settings.  It was definitely very versatile.  I am not positive what type of cork they used, but it looked very similar to our Van Gogh Cork by Lisbon Cork. 

As I commented about the floor to the friends we were with, we started to discuss how it was probably also insulating from noise.  Unknown to me, there was a club downstairs (you have to climb an indoor staircase to get up to Ten).  You couldn't hear a noise from below.  While the cork may have not been the only contributing factor, however, cork does have noise reduction qualities.  I could definitely tell this because while there were many people at the restaurant when we arrived, you could barely hear any of the conversations going on around us.  Although the restaurant was very modern, it also had a very cozy feeling.  I was surprised at this since most modern designs feel very sterile to me.  I definitely think the natural cork floor helped in the comfort factor.

I definitely think the cork gave Ten a very warm feeling and I give a lot of credit to Formwork.  The fact that the floor worked so well in two very different design schemes and helped make the restaurant feel comfortable (without having to yell over other conversations) really capped off a great weekend. 

What WOOD You Like to Hear About?

Hello out there in the blog-o-sphere.  This post is for you.  Actually, all of these posts are for you, that's why I'm here!!!  This blog has been around for a few weeks now and I've had a lot of fun deciding on topics and posts.  However, I want to know what YOU want to hear about.  Leave some comments and let me know what you'd like to get out of this blog.  Want to hear about products? Installation techniques? Happenings around the Lumber Liquidators offices?  Customer Interviews?  The recipe for my world famous Texas Sheet Cake (well, it's my aunt's and it's not world famous...yet)?  I really am here for you and I will try to respond to suggestions and incorporate them into the blog over time.  And please be nice, we do moderate the comments that come in so don't put anything that is spam, profane, or nonconstructive. 

And in case you love the blog the way it is, here are some fun sites that I love that you may enjoy too!

http://www.lumberliquidators.com/ (<--You knew this would be at the top of the list!)

http://www.hgtv.com/

http://www.diynetwork.com/

http://www.foodnetwork.com/ 

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/  (My dad watched this show when I was a kid and I find myself watching too!)

Going Green? Try Bamboo Flooring!

Many people are moving towards using green products in their homes, such as energy efficient appliances, CFL light bulbs (you know, the funny looking curly ones), and more efficient windows to keep energy costs low.  You can go green with your flooring options also.  A very popular trend in the past few years has been bamboo.  While bamboo is a grass, not a wood, it is stable and strong and a good alternative to actual hardwood floors.  Bamboo is fast growing and has an extensive root system that creates new bamboo shoots and requires no replanting!

Before you run out and choose bamboo because it is green (not the color, but we do have a Blue Ash if you’re looking to make a statement), take a look at the different types and what may be best suited to your lifestyle.  Similar to hardwood, bamboo can still scratch and dent.  The more mature a bamboo is, the harder it is.  When looking at a brand, check the age of the bamboo.  Different brands have different harvesting schedules.  Specification sheets should give you this information.

Below are some terms you should understand before purchasing your bamboo.  These can help you choose the floor that is best for your needs. 

Horizontal – Horizontal bamboo describes the direction of each of the bamboo pieces used in making the flooring.  The pieces of bamboo are arranged in a horizontal direction, lying on their widest edge, and joined side by side with adjacent pieces.  Horizontal bamboo is considered to be slightly harder than Red Oak.

Vertical – Vertical bamboo has the pieces of bamboo arranged in a vertical direction, standing on their narrow edge and then pressed together with other pieces.  Vertical bamboo is also slightly harder than Red Oak.

Strand – Strand bamboo is neither vertical nor horizontal, but woven pieces of fibrous bamboo strips.  These strips undergo high-pressure heat pressing that produce a heavier bamboo product.  Strand bamboo is significantly harder than horizontal and vertical bamboo.

Natural – Natural bamboo is just that, natural looking. Nothing has been done to the grass itself so it is a lighter, brighter color.  Most natural bamboo will be pretty consistent in color.

Carbonized – Carbonized bamboo is not a stained bamboo but rather it has gone through a process where the bamboo is steamed or boiled in a giant bath, heating up the sugars.  The sugars turn a darker, richer color that permeates the entire board throughout.  Carbonized bamboo can vary slightly in color depending on how long the bamboo was treated and how much sugar the bamboo has in it.  If you choose carbonized bamboo, you or your installer may want to work out of several boxes at a time in case there are any color variations between boxes.

Tiger Strand – Tiger Strand bamboo is strand bamboo that has pressed natural and carbonized bamboo together, creating stripes similar to that of a tiger’s, hence the name.  

There are also stained options if you are looking for a lighter or darker option compared to the natural or carbonized variety.  Bamboo is a unique and green flooring option that can really make a statement in a room.  Beautiful, green, unique, what more do you need in a floor?