Lumber Liquidators

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."

What is a Floating Floor?

When you hear about different installation methods, the two most common that you probably hear are glue down and nail down.  Nail down is often used for 3/4" hardwood over a wooden subfloor.  Glue down is great for a product that has a thinner profile or for being applied over cement (but don't forget the moisture barrier!)

The other type of installation method is a floating floor.  Not sure what a floating floor exactly is?  Well, a floating floors generally click or snap together and float above the sub-floor instead of being nailed or glued into place.  Floating wood floors make an excellent choice over radiant heat, concrete, linoleum, and hard to remove or correct surfaces.

Not all floating floors click together, however.  Some floating floors require a tongue & groove adhesive so that they will stay together after you have installed and won't shift. When choosing your floor, check with your local staff so they can help you understand which products click together and which will need to be glued.

Floating floors are great because if they are the click variety, they can be pulled up an used somewhere else.  All of Lumber Liquidators laminate floors, many of vinyl wood plank flooring, and most of our engineered hardwood floors can be used as floating floors. 

If you are unsure whether a floating floor is right for you, either speak with the staff at your local Lumber Liquidators or contact our Tech & Install department at 1-800-366-4204 to help decide what is best for your application and project.  They're more than happy to help and if you want to tackle the project yourself, they'll help you with tips & tricks to laying your own floor beautifully.

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 Liquidators Laminate Choices

Have you ever been curious about the differences in laminate that we offer?  Well, here is John telling you about the differences between our Value, Better, and Best laminates.

 

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

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.

Moisture Barrier and Underlayments, Don't Leave It Out

When installing hardwood floors, you want to protect your investment whether it's a $0.69 laminate or a $6.69 exotic hardwood.  Moisture is a big concern for flooring, you definitely don't want it!  And we're not just talking about some water spilling or snow being tracked through the house (although, to help with that, we do recommend putting down rugs at home entrances and in front of sinks).  Moisture can come up through your subfloor, especially if you are installing over concrete or below-grade.  A moisture barrier is need to protect the flooring against moisture or moisture vapor.  Along with the moisture barrier, you may want to install an underlayment.  It insulates and cushions the flooring, making it more comfortable to walk on. 

For moisture barriers, there are three basic methods of protection:

• Nail Down Installations - In crawl spaces under the subfloor, 6 mil poly sheeting plastic should be placed over the dirt.  IN addition, a 15 lb felt paper should be placed between the sub-floor and the new hardwood flooring.
• Glue Down Installations - When gluing down wood to concrete, a moisture barrier is almost always needed, especially below-grade.  Usually, a trowel applied product is recommended, such as Bostiks MVP or Mapei's WFM.
• Floating Floor Installations - When installing laminate or other floating floors over cement, VCT, ceramic tiles, or kitchen vinyl, use 6 mil poly sheeting plastic as the moisture barrier.  Omit plastic when covering bare wood subfloors thereby allowing the subfloor to breathe.

Some underlayments have a built in moisture barrier.  These are typically used for floating floor applications.  If you live in a condo, many have association rules regarding noise levels.  Underlayments can really help absorb sound.  As well, they can insulate the floor, leaving it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.  Cork is especially popular for these types of applications. 

One thing to consider when choosing an underlayment is that in this case, too much can be a bad thing.  Installing laminate that already have a pad pre-attached over another underlayment is not recommended.  Too much padding material can actually lead to a weakening of the joints from the underside resulting in the floor seperating.  Our laminate that have a pad pre-attached have been tested for both sound suppression and support of the locking system and are sufficient.  However, for customer wanting extra sound isolation and thermo properties, our cork underlayments are perfect for use under laminates with or without a pre-attached pad.  The Quiet Walk (which has a built in moisture barrier) and Insulayment underlayment would also be appropriate.

Both moisture barriers and underlayments are important parts of your floor.  Make sure you find out what works best with your needs to have the best experience you can with your beautiful new floors!

Choosing the Right Saw Blade For Your Flooring Project

As a general rule, the more teeth on the blade, the smoother the cuts.  However, more teeth always means slower cutting and more load stress on the saw motor.  Fewer teeth means faster cutting speed, a reduction in force required and more chance for wood tear-out or splintering. Here are a few tips in choosing the right saw blade for the job.  Carbide tipped blades are best when cutting laminates and harder exotics. Quality blades can be re-edged or sharpened several times saving money. Blades having expansion slots are designed to greatly reduce heat-warping allowing the metal to cool thereby extending the life of the blade. There are many blade versions, each designed for cutting different materials.

                     
Blades for Laminate Flooring

With laminates, it’s not the hardness of the high density fiber core (HDFC) that causes saw blades to wear down but actually the abrasion and heat from repeated cutting of the aluminum oxide micro-chips applied to the wear-layer. Interestingly the same aluminum oxide is used to make industrial grade sandpaper! In view of this, a thin kerf, 80 to 100 tooth, carbide-tipped blade is most effective for cutting laminates and will last for about 1000 sft before needing to be re-sharpened. 

Blades for Hardwood Flooring

Blade dulling is common with the denser exotics, especially prefinished aluminum oxide coated floorings. Professionals often use paper patterns to trace or transfer special shapes and angles onto the new flooring for cutting.

1. The Plywood Blade is a very popular blade usually made from High-Speed Steel with 100 or more fine teeth.  Recommended for clean cutting paneling, moldings, and engineered flooring. Usually costs between $30-$40.
2. The Combination Blade is usually made up of 80 to 100 teeth.  This versatile blade cuts a variety of materials very quickly and smoothly, with a minimal amount of splintering.  Recommended for cutting laminates, harder exotic hardwood, and precision miter cutting.  Usually costs between $30-$50.
3. The All-Purpose Steel Blade is the most commonly used blade.  These blades can do a little of everything and normally have about 40 teeth, are inexpensive, and tend to warp quicker.  Usually costs between $20-$30.
4. A Cut-Off Blade is recognized by its 60 and 80 spaced teeth and 10 degrees of hook or angle.  The tooth count allows for making quick rough cuts of plywood and 2x4s.  Recommended for fast rough cutting.  Usually costs between $8-$15.

 

Tips to Get the Most From Your Blades

• Carbide blades last 30% longer and can be re-sharpened for about $10
• Dedicate one blade for laminates, another for hardwood
• Old blades can be saved and used to cut through nail heads when removing existing plywood
• Get money back from worn-out blades at your local scrap yard

Blade Anatomy

• Expansion Slots - Laser cuts in saw blade sides designed to dissipate heat when cutting.  Also allows expansion and reduces warping.
• Kerf - Blade thickness
• Gullets - The space cut out from blade plates between the teeth of the saw blade.  The gullets provide room for chips and waste to safely exit the cut.
• High-Speed Steel Blades - Less expensive than Carbide-Tipped, harder than steel blades and stays sharp longer. 
• Carbide-Tipped Blades - More expensive than steel and High-Speed Steel blades, but they stay sharp much longer than steel or High-Speed Steel blades.
• Steel Blades - Basic economy, works well for cutting softwood, dulls quickly.

 

Power Saw Tips

• A 10” table saw will complete about 90% of flooring cuts, “rips or fill-ins” around the walls.
• 10” to 12” miter or chop saw is used for quick straight cuts or mitering
• A Jigsaw fitted with a tine toothed blade is used to cut special shapes (vents, support beams, etc.)

CUT FLOORING OUTSIDE!!!

Blade sparks are common and can ignite a build-up of gas fumes.  Do what the pros do.  Set up a fan next to your saw to blow dust away from your body.  You will be cleaner and safer with each cut.

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!)