Lumber Liquidators

What's an AC Rating?

Considering some new laminate thanks to your coupon? You may think the thicker the laminate, the better, and the longer the warranty the longer it will last! That isn’t always the case, though. So how do you know which laminate will last in your home (or commercial space)? Luckily, the European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) developed the Abrasion Rating System to give us a way of determining durability and recommended usage level of different laminate floors. The common term used to denote the durability level of laminate flooring is the Abrasion Criteria or “AC” rating.

So, what exactly do AC ratings tell us? They represent a laminate’s resistance to abrasion, impact, stains and cigarette burns. AC ratings also indicate that the product has been tested for the effects of furniture legs, castors, and swelling along its edges. When a laminate flooring product has a rating, then it has passed all of the test criteria. Failing just one test will disqualify a product.

The AC rating levels are designated AC1 through AC5, each reflecting the product’s application and durability.

Application is divided into two groups: residential and commercial.

Each application is then divided by traffic intensity level: moderate, general or heavy.

Below is a breakdown of AC ratings. The left picture will be either a house (representing residential use) or a building (for commercial use). The picture to the right will show one, two or three people, depicting the traffic intensity level of moderate (1), general (2) or heavy (3).

 

An AC3 for residential use is perfectly adequate. Typically the higher the laminate flooring rating, the higher the price may be.

AC4 and AC5 products could also be used in all residential areas, but in some cases the course surface texture may be too rough for bare feet. In fact, there have been reports of people wearing holes in their socks from laminate with AC ratings higher than AC3! Ouch!

AC ratings allow you to compare products as you shop for the perfect laminate. If you’re tempted by some very cheap laminate flooring, be cautious! It might not have any type of AC rating, which indicates it failed to meet the minimum industry requirements. You can find the AC rating of Lumber Liquidators’ laminates by going to the product page and clicking on the “Specs” tab.

 

See you soon with your coupon for 12mm laminate flooring, found at lumberliquidators.com!

 

Installing Laminate

Laminate flooring is perfect for do-it-yourselfers because it’s easy to install! Here’s a quick guide to getting started with installing your new laminate floors.

 

Before you start:

Lay the flooring flat and leave it in the room it will be installed in to acclimate for at least 48 hours.

Clean the subfloor thoroughly, make sure it is completely level, and remove base moldings.

If installing over concrete, be sure it is completely cured before beginning the installation.

Next, put down a vapor or moisture barrier. Use plastic, vapor paper or underlayment, depending on the subfloor and level of your home (below grade, on grade, above grade). Consult a professional to determine which is best for your home!

Remember to account for door jambs. Place a piece of flooring against each door jamb, mark it, and then cut it so the flooring fits snuggly under the door jamb. This will give you a great professional look.

 

Now you’re ready to begin installation!

Start with the longest wall and place ½" or ¼" spacers along the wall with the first row of boards pressed firmly against them. Spacers create expansion gaps which allow the flooring to expand and contract naturally. The gaps will be covered by base molding.

For each row after the first, offset joints between six to eight inches.

Simply click the flooring together!

When you reach the last row, a plank or two might need trimming to fit. Remember to maintain expansion gaps across every edge of the room.

Finally, install base molding to cover gaps and any threshold molding to transition between rooms! 

 

For detailed instructions, check the Flooring 101 guide.

With questions, contact Tech & Installation at 800-366-4204.

 

Dream Home DIY: Glacier Peak Poplar Laminate

 

“Our old flooring was disgusting, and bad, and nasty, and embarrassing and we knew that wood just makes the room look warm, and natural, and inviting.” With the help of her family, Nicole from Colorado installed Glacier Peak Poplar Laminate in her kitchen. The product is from the Kensington Manor line by Dream Home, and is unique because of the handscraped texture you won’t find with many other laminates. Check out Nicole’s journey to an upgraded home:

  

In a home with two cats and two dogs, Nicole wanted something durable and easy to clean! We’re happy she ended up at Lumber Liquidators, but her journey didn’t begin there. Before settling on Glacier Peak Poplar, she shopped around at two big box stores that would have busted her budget. She didn’t pick out top-of-the-line flooring, and still couldn’t find something within the budget. Another issue? She was made to believe a DIY installation wasn’t possible.

At Lumber Liquidators, she found an amazing, “off the charts” selection and ended up with the perfect floor within the budget. “I felt completely confident with all of the information that he was able to give us.” Eric at her local store gave detailed DIY installation instructions, including transition pieces to connect an adjoining room with different flooring. 

“The installation process was a lot easier than we expected. We finished everything in just one day, and once we got the first couple pieces down it just flowed all the way through the kitchen”

Now, Nicole enjoys the handscraped texture that feels great under bare feet. It is easy to keep clean, (especially with the cleaning kit she purchased) so there are no worries about what her four rescue animals might leave behind.

“There’s a lot of pride with us just having this in our home and then by having our family help install it, it really gave everyone a sense of pride.”

 

What's the Difference? Choosing the Right Floor

New flooring is a big investment. Hardwood, bamboo, cork, laminate, vinyl…what’s the difference? Finding the right product can be tough, so here is a basic guide to help you choose the right floor for you and your family!

Hardwood

Solid Hardwood- milled from solid wood and comes unfinished (apply your own stain) or prefinished (one less step, easier installation).

Engineered Hardwood- real hardwood layers with a plywood fiberboard backing. Extremely stable, which means it can take on wood’s natural movement in high-moisture areas.

"Hardwood flooring is renowned for its natural beauty and durability. Its classic good looks harmonize with any architectural theme or interior design, and it’s an especially good choice to create visual room-to-room continuity for homes with open floor plans." (HGTV Flooring Guide)

Bamboo

"Bamboo is tough and durable. Because it comes from plants that are easy to grow and regenerate quickly, bamboo is considered a sustainable material and an environmentally friendly flooring choice." (HGTV Flooring Guide) 

Bamboo produces new shoots without the need for replanting, and gives you a stunning, unique look. For increase durability, try strand bamboo. It’s twice as hard as oak, making it an optimal choice for busy homes. It stands up to the wear and tear of foot traffic, active kids and even pets.  

Cork

Cork is produced by peeling away bark without destroying the tree.

"Cork has a warm, natural appearance and is comfortable underfoot." (HGTV Flooring Guide)

Plus, the benefits are awesome! Cork is resilient which relieves stress in the back and legs when standing. Spend a lot of time in the kitchen? Cork might be right for you! It also takes on the temperature of the room, so it’s warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It is great for sound deadening, reducing sound between rooms and floors. Maintenance is simple. Just sweep and spot clean!

Laminate

Laminate is a fiber core board with a photo on top. It’s easy to install, comes in array of colors and varies in thickness. You can even get that handscraped, rustic look. It’s very scratch resistant, which is great for those who are tough on floors.

"Low-maintenance laminate flooring offers an enormous variety of styles, colors and patterns." (HGTV Flooring Guide) 

Vinyl

Vinyl has a natural looking grain, is extremely water-resistant, and easy to install! Simply peel and stick or click-together and you’re done.

"Vinyl tiles…are called resilient flooring – they’re flexible and slightly soft underfoot. They’re tough, durable and virtually maintenance-free. Vinyl comes in an array of colors and patterns at relatively modest cost." (HGTV Flooring Guide) 

Keep your style and preferences in mind when choosing flooring. Some other things to consider are color, width, texture, species and grade. What do you like?

Color: light, medium, dark

Width: 2¼”, 3 ¼”, 5”

For larger rooms, some advise that you use a wider plank, and for a smaller room, a narrower plank. Another consideration is fixed-width or variable plank width for a more dramatic appearance. It’s all about what you like!

Texture: smooth, handscraped

Handscraped or distressed selections are available for almost every type of floor (except cork).

Species: tree type

Pattern, lines, swirls, overall character and grain…everyone’s taste varies. Australian Cypress Hardwood has a variety of tones with exquisite dark knots for a rustic feel. Qing Spyder Strand Bamboo is simple and dark. What’s your style?

Grade: Select, Natural, Rustic

Select- most uniform plank, smallest knots, longest average length

Natural- some color variation, mineral coloring, small pin knots

Rustic- large knots, most color variation

 

For more assistance picking out your floor, visit your local store or call Sales at 800-476-0007 and a representative can help!

 

 

Top 3: Dream Home Laminate

 Taking advantage of the 20% discount you'll get on all Dream Home Laminate until March 18? Dream Home Laminate offers a regal alternative to hardwood. These are three of our best selling laminates from the St. James collection by Dream Home, found at your local Lumber Liquidators!!

Dream Home- St. James African Mahogany Laminate

4.6 stars

97% would recommend to a friend 

Pros:

attractive finish, beautiful color, easy to clean, durable, easy to install

Customers Say:

“The floor looked easy to install, however, a professional contractor installed it for us. They did a beautiful job and it took them only one day.”

 “We ordered over 900 sq feet on Weds. Our installer ( for a small fee) delivered it to the house on Friday. On Monday we had beautiful new floors in the bedrooms and office. Lumber Liquidators delivered spot-on service, product and a great price. I'd buy from them again.”

“Great product, easy to install and planks that fit like a glove. Shines beautiffully and looks wonderful.”

“We needed to take out the carpet in our living room and den and to our surprise it only took us 2 weekends and a few weeknights to finish both rooms. They looked so beautiful we decided to do the entire house. As one of the reviewers stated, the room entrances do require more work, but the rest of the work went pretty quickly as my husband was installing as I laid out the planks. We absolutely love the results - our house looks brand new! I would recommend this product to anyone who is thinking of replacing their carpet with flooring.”  

The Look:

Dream Home- St. James Nantucket Beech Laminate

4.6 stars

98% would recommend to a friend

 Pros:

attractive finish, beautiful color, easy to clean, easy to install, durable 

Customers Say:

“We love the color, finish, and durability of this floor. It looks much more expensive in person and we've had several people compliment us about our choice and ask for info on how they can get it for themselves.”

“I used this laminate in my bedroom and it's beautiful! The high gloss is unbelievable. It looks as if I just had the floor buffed. Everyone who sees it says the same thing:"It doesn't look like laminate!" To my surprise, it really does look like good quality wooden flooring. What a great investment!”

“I've had them down in a home office for a couple of weeks now and could not be happier.”

“The floor far exceeded our expectations. I will never buy another floor anywhere but lumber liquidaters. My friends and family are very impressed and my daughter and son-in-law are going to purchase the same floor we did. I am very pleased.”

The Look:

Dream Home- St. James Brazilian Koa Laminate

4.3 stars

92% would recommend to a friend

 Pros:

attractive finish, beautiful color, easy to install, durable, easy to clean

Customers Say:

“I love my new floor. I wish I continued it in our bedrooms that is how much I love it!”

“I feel as if I have new home. The floor is perfect for the earth tones I use throughout the living, dining and sun rooms. Love it. I have no complaints!”

“We are so happy with the product.”

“Our house feels like new! I am so glad we went with the 12mm laminate over our old wood floors.The house is quieter, cleaner and looks great. The St James Brazilian Koa looks great!The sale price was incredible, and we plan to do our bedrooms next.”

The Look:

 

 

Get these and ALL Dream Home Lamiantes for 20% off until March 18, 2013! Visit www.lumberliquidators.com for details!

Featured Floor: Vintner's Reserve Laminate

Vintner’s Reserve is one of our most raved about laminates! It’s unique, rich looking and a regal alternative to hardwood.  

Vintner’s Reserve comes from the St. James Collection by Dream Home! What’s so great about that?

St. James Collection's Advantages:
- No glue and no nails needed
- Easy Click Installation
- Moisture resistant board
- Pre-glued underlayment (12mm + 3mm [1/8"])
- AC Rating: 3   
- 30 Year Warranty

See what Wade from our Tech and Install team has to say about it:

 

91% would recommend this floor to a friend.

What have reviewers said about it?

Pros:

Beautiful color
Attractive finish
Easy to install
Easy to clean
Durable 

Best Uses:

Living room
Family room
Dining room
Bedroom
Office 

It’s even our most popular photo on Houzz!

And one of the top 10 most pinned photos on our Pinterest!

Installation Tips:
- Store flooring flat for 48 hours in its original packaging at room temperature. 
- Must be installed over a clean, stable, flat, smooth, and dry surface.
- Moisture barrier is recommended for installations over concrete.
- Make sure the panels are mixed sufficiently when you install them so that you do not end up with too many identical, light or dark panels next to each other.
- Plank lengths are equal and not random lengths.

If you choose to use additional padding:
Laminates having pre-attached padding can also be installed over an underlayment. When doing so, Lumber Liquidators recommends the use of our Bellawood Premium underlayment or ECO Silent Sound underlayment. These quality underlayments will best support the joints while ensuring superior thermal sound reduction qualities and are highly recommended for use with condominium associations, project planners and building specifiers.

More Than Floors

Step into a new year with some customers who updated more than just the floor of a room. Spiced up stairs and redone hallways can make a big difference in the look and feel of your home. See the spaces you can redo for a total transformation! 

Stairs:

“I LOVE my new floors! I replaced the carpeting throughout my home with the Spyder Strand Bamboo. I am very pleased with the size and color selection that I made. It adds such an elegant, rich feel to my home. It is like having a new house!”
(Qing Spyder Strand Bamboo)

 

 (Qing Scorpion Strand Bamboo)

 

“I wanted a real wood look for my basement floor. I was reluctant so I started with the stairwell into the basement. I can't believe how beautiful it turned out. I have received only the best compliments on the floor and I can't wait to finish the rest of the basement!”
(North Perry Pine Resilient Vinyl)

 

(Golden Zebra Strand Bamboo)

 

(Golden Zebra Strand Bamboo)

 

"...When you are going to be in the kitchen for hours you can almost forget how sore your feet used to be with tile or laminate. Also, I have cathedral ceilings, but experience no echoes when walking across the floor. With vinyl flooring that was not the case. I keep my thermostat low throughout the year, but the floors stay relatively warm..." (Lisbon Cork Castelo)

 

(Morning Star Strand Carbonized Bamboo)

 

(Tanzanian Wenge Laminate)

 

Hall/Entryways

“We put the floor in our entryway and dining room. It makes such a grand entrance. Installation was very easy.” (Tobacco Road Acacia Handscraped)

 

(Tobacco Road Acacia Handscraped)

 

(Schon Quick Clic Honey Red Oak)

 

Ceilings

“I bought this product to use on the ceiling of our Great Room and it was a fantastic idea! My ceiling has gone from very drab and un-noticable to being the room's show piece! It's really helped us give our home the "ski lodge" style we were looking for! It looks even better than I had hoped and was easy to install." (Matterhorn Birch Handscraped)

 

(R.L. Colston Utility Oak)

 

Walls

(Utility Oak)

 

Cabinets

 

"I used this pine to reface kitchen cabinets. Good quality #2 pine. 3 coats of clear semi gloss polycrilic were applied and made them look great." (New England White Pine)

 

Tree Houses!

(R.L. Colston Utility Oak)

 

Where have you uniquely used our floors? Let us know!

Fix It Fast

Your floor can take a beating over the holidays. Whether it’s visiting family, holiday parties or winter weather, we have easy solutions for some of your biggest problems and advice from our installation professionals!

For Scratches and Gouges

Scratches can happen on all wood flooring. Luckily, our installation pros have a few ideas for getting rid of physical damage. First, repairs should be made immediately to fend off potential water damage. Second, always make sure the repair products you use are compatible with clear waterbase urethane finishes. For hardwood or bamboo:

Is it a surface scratch? Try a scratch cover, spray concealer or lotion to camouflage the scratch (but not remove it). There are also color satin markers which have a satin and urethane mixture, giving the repair a shine.

Is it a deep scratch? Wax color-fill sticks might work, which you can find at home repair stores. Just rub into the scratch and buff with a cotton rag. To see instructions for a light sanding and recoating, and for more detailed directions on scratch repairs check here.

Lumber Liquidators offer repair products that can help you, too:
Engineered Flooring Repair Kit
Solid & Bamboo Flooring Repair Kit
Engineered Repair Adhesive 

 

For Squeaky Floors

 

Squeaks are a result of board movement, whether wood-to-wood or wood-to-nail. If the cause is environmental, humidity can bring about noise. Humidity over 55%, for example, can cause boards to expand and rub. Always try to keep indoor humidity before and after installation between 30-50% with temperatures between 60 and 80. Another easy solution is to sprinkle baby powder in squeaky areas, as Bob tells us in the video above. Silica talc in the baby powder will work as a dry lubricant to lessen minor squeaks.

To learn more about squeaks and humidity, check here. 

 

Removing Marker

If you have laminate flooring, you’re in luck! Here’s one easy way to remove marker from your floor.

 

We hope some of these flooring fixes will help keep your floors safe and beautiful over the holidays! If you know of some others, share in the comments with your fellow floor fans!

Most Loved Laminates

We’re sharing our most popular laminates, customer reviews and more! If you want to know all about our top customer-rated laminates, this post is for you.

Customers love Dream Home Nirvana PLUS 10 mm laminates!

Rolling Falls Oak (4.6 stars)

What You're Saying:

Replaced wall-to-wall carpeting with this beautiful oak floor with area rug. The room has a warm, lovely new look, yet it seems like it's been this way forever. Love it. 

It really is beautiful once installed. We put it in the 3 bedrooms and hallway in the upstairs of our home. With attached padding and moisture barrier it is really quiet. We tested it with 3 grandkids and their parents visiting. Can't say how pleased we are.

 I wanted a floor that would withstand the constant use of people in and out. My den has three entries; back door, den opens to kitchen, & entry. All three areas are tromped thru with family & friends. Shouldn't have waited so long. Got is at great price. Looks smashing!

 Flooring looks good and fits good. Easy to install. We put it in daughters’ bedroom, they helped, it turned into a great family project. Doing another room soon.

 The Pros:

easy to install, easy to clean, beautiful finish, scratch resistant, feels great

The Look:

 

Hot Springs Hickory (4½  stars)

 What You're Saying:

The flooring was easy to install, not that it still wasn't hard work. I love my new floors. Makes the whole house seem more spacious.

Quality product, durable and attractive.

Great product. Easy to install. Since this was our first laminate floor to install, it took a while to finish the first room, but my husband and I were experts by the second room. It's very hard to mess up. The only time consuming part was try to match up patterns, but you probably don't have to. That's just me :-)

Very happy with laminate. Oh so needed, Oh so beautiful!

 The Pros:

easy to install, good price, great color, not super high gloss, great textured look 

The Look:

 

Boa Vista Brazilian Cherry (4.2 stars) 

What You're Saying:

Great flooring. My contractor had no issues putting this down.

Great look and feel

This is the first time I have ever ordered laminate flooring. I ordered it on line and hired someone to install it. Once the floor was installed I was very impressed with the look. The floor looks better in person once installed then in the pictures some people have posted...The planks are wide and have a beveled edge with a 2mm underlayment already attached. I also purchased the ECO Quiet Underlayment which makes walking on the floor very quiet.

We used about 300sqft for our living room and a small hallway in our condo. It turned out great. Wife was very pleased. Some of the boards were hard to snap in place, but it only took two days and two people (me being one of them who has never done this before) to finish. Very pleased with the quality and definitely would recommend this product to others.

The Pros:

easy to install, high quality, rich color, very scratch resistant, very affordable 

The Look:

Madison River Elm (4.2 stars)

 What You're Saying:

Great floor, great price. Also used a recommended installer, stiles flooring. Love the floors. Great job on install. Saved about $400 over big stores and got better floor. 12mm with padding.

Looks clean and brightens the room

This flooring is AMERICAN made, is very easy to install and really looks great!!!

I used it for the upstairs bedrooms, hallway and livingroom. Its not as bright as others, but not too formal as the darker woods, its a nice in-between pattern.

Product in easy to move cartons, easy to install, large planks look great, surface cleans easily - even paint glue or food spills!

The Pros:

easy to install, looks like real wood, durable, beautiful wood grain, pre-attached pad

The Look:

 

Lake Toba Teak (4 stars) 

What You're Saying:

I have been wanting a new floor in my kitchen for quite a few years and when this was put down I was not disappointed. Looks great and makes my kitchen look amazing.

It went down relatively fast for the first time ever laying down laminate. The hardest part was removing tile that we had in our house. That was horrible!!! But once that horrendous task was done, the laminate went down easy. It brighten up the room and what a difference it makes. The room picture is pretty accurate, but it looks even prettier in person. You won't be disappointed.

This is a very, very good wood laminate product. We put it in our kitchen and utility room. I really like the warm background colors and darker wood grain/striations.

We chose Lake Toba Teak for our attic floor. It was our first time installing a floor on our own, and while there was an initial period of trial and error, the installation was smooth and easy once we got the hang of it. We love the way it looks --- it has a bit of a rustic feel and complements the room perfectly. Very pleased.

The Pros:

durable, beautiful, easy to install, pad attached, simple locking mechanism

The Look:

Dream Home Nirvana PLUS 10 mm laminates aren’t the only floors our customers love. See the rest of the top-picked laminates, as well as other popular hardwood, bamboo, cork, vinyl and tools!

Flooring FAQs: Laminate

If you have questions about laminate flooring, we have the answers! Laminate can be confusing, so here is Part One of your Frequently Asked Questions and answers.

 

1.  What is laminate flooring? Laminates are made of wood and plastics compressed and bonded under high pressure. The result is an extremely hard plank! Laminates are made by bonding photograph paper to a fiberboard with heat and pressure, which is then covered with polyurethane to protect from fading, scratching and general wear.

2. What’s an underlayment? Any roll or sheet product designed to be installed between the sub-floor surface and laminate flooring material.

3. Why do I need an underlayment? It's used to improve acoustical properties, smooth out minor sub-floor imperfections, improve insulation properties, reduce walking fatigue, and help to protect the material from sub-floor moisture. Sound isolation can be increased with an additional Cork underlayment. Some laminates come with pre-attached foam pads, and in this case you wouldn’t need any other underlayments.

4. How does Laminate flooring measure up? Compared to other flooring types, laminate is typically more durable, less prone to indent, has better stain resistance, resists shrinkage and swelling due to seasonal changes, and is easier to install.

5.  How do I know the laminate I want is a good quality? Lumber Liquidators’ laminates are manufactured to stringent requirements and most carry an AC rating of 3.

6.  I have kids and pets. How would laminate flooring perform in my house? Laminate flooring is recommended for an environment where the "challenges" of children and pets exist! It’s not significantly noisier than other hard flooring surfaces. The underlayment chosen will have the greatest effect in reducing noise from foot traffic. We offer laminates with pre-attached foam backing, or you may want to use our Bellawood Premium  and Eco Silent Sound HD underlayments for additional sound deadening qualities.

7. Can I install laminate flooring on walls? Although laminates and wood flooring are primarily used on the floor, many DIY’ers have successfully applied flooring to ceiling and wall applications! When doing so it is best to first think safety and to consult with your local building codes.

8. Can I install laminate flooring in an unheated space (e.g., garage, cabin, porch)? Laminates like cork and wood flooring need to be installed in climatically stable environments, avoiding extreme temperature swings and excessive humidity. Ideal acclimation values are between (55°-85°) temperatures and (20% - 70%) humidity.

9. Can laminate floor be installed in a basement? Yes, laminate flooring may be installed in a basement in accordance with the manufacturer product specific installation recommendations. Always use a 6mm-8mm plastic moisture barrier over cement.

10. How long will a laminate floor last? It depends on the product you choose, the use it sees, and how well it is cared for.

11. Can laminate flooring be installed over a radiant heated floor? Yes. However, there are special installation procedures required for radiant heated sub-floors. The manufacturer's installation recommendations must be followed to ensure a successful installation! Most laminate flooring can be used in combination with many types of in-floor heating. The heating system can be embedded in a concrete floor or in a thin layer of filler on the surface of a concrete subfloor. It can also be installed retro fitted under a wood subfloor or installed on the surface of a subfloor as matting, electric or hydronic. Note the instructions from the supplier of the floor heating system. Before installation, the heating system must be in operation for at least 2 weeks prior to the installation of laminate flooring, this helps to dry out any remaining hidden residual moisture. The system may be turned off or set to a suitable installation temperature (65 – 72 degrees F.) After installation, the temperature may be increased slowly at the rate of approximately 5 degrees per day, and should not exceed 85 degrees F. Follow the instructions from the manufacturer of the floor heating system that do not conflict with the above requirements. 

12. Can laminate flooring be installed in a bathroom? Most manufacturers offer laminate products for use in ½ bathrooms. However due to high humidity, Lumber Liquidators recommends against laminates in full bathrooms.

13. Will laminate flooring fade? Not Normally. It is possible that over the years you may find a small difference under rugs and furniture due to UV light or cleaning products.

Right now, through December 17, 2012, you can get 20% off ALL Dream Home laminates!

Dream Home Nirvana PLUS Springer Mountain Oak is one of our highest customer-rated laminates. One fan wrote, "I laid about 400 sq ft of this in one day at one of my rehab homes and it came out great. Matched my standard builder grade trim very well and feels very solid with it being 10mm. Easy to cut, easy to work with and the number of 'misfits' in the box was very low, almost non existent. I would highly recommend this to others and I will certainly use it again."