Lumber Liquidators

Understanding Underlayment

Underlayment can give you a more comfortable room, minimize airborne sound transmissions between floors, and even keep the floor warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. We have several underlayment products to choose from, so which one is right for you?

Eco-Silent Sound HD Underlayment

Square Feet per Roll: 100
Roll Size: 34” x 141’ x .078”
Flooring Applications: floating, glue-down, nail-down
Flooring Type: Hardwood, Laminate, Vinyl

Benefits:
Helps eliminate minor subfloor imperfections
Helps reduce floor noise by providing excellent sound absorption
Adds a thermal value
Can be used with radiant heat flooring
Made with 100% post consumer recycled granulated rubber tires and polyurethane foam

Installation Instructions: http://bit.ly/14p7jRb

 

Bellawood Premium Underlayment

Square Feet per Roll: 100
Roll Size: 3’ x 33.4’ x 0.11”
Flooring Applications: nail-down, glue-down
Flooring Type: Clic Vinyl, Engineered Hardwood, Laminate (floating)

Benefits:
Great acoustic benefits
Can be used with radiant heat flooring
Can be used over most industry-approved subfloors
The vapor barrier is specifically designed for optimal bond with adhesives and helps seal around mechanical fasteners in nail-down applications.

Installation Instructions: http://bit.ly/WsQjLG

 

Dream Home Insulayment

Square Feet per Roll: 100
Roll Size: 3’ x 33.4’ x 0.11”
Flooring Applications: glue-down, nail-down, floating
Flooring Type: Solid Hardwood, Engineered Hardwood

Benefits:
Excellent sound reduction
Helps keep flooring warm in the winter and cool in the summer
Cushions flooring
Has an antimicrobial structure
Can be used with radiant heat flooring
Made with 100% recycled fiber

Installation Instructions: http://bit.ly/WsTgvQ

 

Dream Home Quiet Walk Underlayment
Square Feet per Roll: 100
Roll Size: 3’ x 33.4’ x 0.125”
Flooring Applications: floating
Flooring Type: Laminate, Hardwood

Benefits:
Helps smooth out minor subfloor imperfections
Excellent sound reduction
Adds a thermal value
Can be used with radiant heat flooring
Has a moisture barrier with increased strength
Has an antimicrobial composition and attached vapor barrier
Made from recycled materials
QuietWalk® filaments are randomly air-laid creating a capillary affect to cushion the floor and absorb sound. When properly installed, QuietWalk can wick sub-floor or incidental perimeter moisture and disperse it through the pad. 

Installation Instructions: http://bit.ly/10a5XwJ

 

Elastilon Self Adhesive Underlayment

Square Feet per Roll: 107.64
Roll Size: 3.281’ x 32.81’ x 1/8”
Flooring Applications: floating
Flooring Type: Solid Hardwood, Engineered Hardwood

Benefits:
Excellent sound reduction qualities
Great thermal characteristics
Can be used with under floor heating systems
Resists mildew, mold and bacteria
Permanently elastic underlay that can be installed 50% to 70% faster…no more glue or nails!

Installation Instructions: http://bit.ly/XQLlXo

 

Dream Home 6mm Cork Underlayment Sheet

Square Feet per Roll: 150
Roll Size: 2’ x 3’ x ¼”
Flooring Applications: glue-down, nail-down, floating
Flooring Type: Hardwood

Benefits:
Excellent sound and insulation qualities
Cork is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to mold and mildew
Perfect as an isolation barrier to dampen impact noise between floor levels
Ideal for condominiums and building associations requiring sound control before allowing the installation of a hard surface floor

Installation Instructions: http://bit.ly/VAlraT

 

Dream Home Foam Underlayment

Square Feet per Roll: 100
Roll Size: 4’ x 25’ x 1/16”
Flooring Applications: Laminate with pre-attached pad, floating Engineered Hardwood

Benefits:
Helps even imperfections in the sub-floor
Helps muffle sound
Comes with adhesive tape for seams

Installation Instructions: Use with 6 mil poly moisture barrier when installing over concrete substrates. Heavier floating floors perform best applied over heavier, denser underlayments offering better support to the locking system.

 

Dream Home 6mil Poly Sheeting

Square Feet per Roll: 300
Roll Size: 10’ x 30’ x 0.006”
Flooring Applications: floating over concrete
Flooring Type: Laminate, Engineered Hardwood, Vinyl (installed on a slab)

Benefits:
Impermeable moisture barrier guaranteed to prevent moisture from getting to your new floor from the substrate when installed over concrete slabs

Installation Instructions: For best moisture protection, overlap seams 6-8”, tape seams well with duct tape or an aggressive plastic tape. Allow the vapor barrier to run up the walls 3-4”. The excess can be trimmed once the installation is complete. Do not use over wood subfloors!

 

15 lb Felt Paper

Square Feet per Roll: 432
Roll Size: 3’ x 141’ x 0.024”
Flooring Applications: nail-down, staple, floating
Flooring Type: Recommended to use over crawl spaces, basements, garages

Benefits:
Slows down the natural upward moisture vapor transmission
Can be used in layers to build up differences in subfloor irregularities

 

White Silicone Vapor Paper

Square Feet per Roll: 400
Roll Size: 34” x 141’ x 0.006”
Flooring Applications: nail-down, staple, floating over wood subfloors
Flooring Type: recommended to use over crawl spaces, basements, garages

Benefits:
Can be used in layers to build up differences in subfloor imperfections
Reduces squeaking
Slows down natural upward moisture vapor transmission
Made from 100% recycled paper
Best choice over radiant heat systems 

Adorable Animals

We love to see your new floors and cute pets! See some of our most charming customers, learn about Taber abrasion testing, and get advice for protecting floors in homes with pets.

“We have two Saint Bernards (150 lbs.), and the floors on our main level were installed by my husband and dad, a year and a half ago. The floor have been amazing. Easy to clean, and a great finish! We loved these floors so much that we are installing them on our second floor, too. All carpet is being replaced by these floors. In fact all of our friends are now considering this floor, too.” (Virginia Mill Works Old World Oak)

 

 

(Bellawood Golden Teak) 

 

(Virginia Mill Works Tobacco Road Acacia Handscraped)

 

“We Love this flooring! We installed it throughout our house and couldn't be happier with the product! The color is GORGEOUS. It is durable, easy to clean, and did I mention just gorgeous!” (Bellawood Brazilian Koa)

 

(Morning Star Horizontal Carbonized Bamboo)

 

(Virginia Mill Works Golden Teak Acacia Handscraped)

 

“We used this beautiful flooring in our den. We have a few big dogs and it stands up to their rough play perfectly. This floor has trasformed our room from boring to BUDDA BING! Everyone who walks in oohs and ahhhs.” (Morning Star Qing Xiamen Strand Bamboo)

 

(Virginia Mill Works Tobacco Road Acacia Handscraped)

 

(Morning Star Golden Zebra Strand Bamboo)

 

(Supreme Horizontal Carbonized Bamboo)

 

“We have four cats living here, so I had concerns about accidents. I am happy to say that that hairball messes sitting on the floor all day during work do not harm the floor at all. Overall we are extremely happy with the purchase and could not be happier with the appearance.” (Bellawood Natural Australian Cypress)

 

 

(Golden Teak Handscraped)

 

No wood flooring brand or finish is truly “scratch proof,” but if you have pets and worry about putting in new floors check out Bellawood. These floors are pre-finished with eight coats of an aluminum oxide water-base urethane. Our Bellawoods have a Taber Rating of over 2000!

Taber Testing is an abrasion testing method designed to measure the abrasion resistance of protective floor finishes. Flooring squares are secured to a turntable and then weighted with sandpaper. The turntable is rotated, causing the sandpaper to wear against the finish. Each full revolution of the turntable is counted as a Taber cycle. The number of rotations it takes the sandpaper to get through the finish becomes the ISP Taber Rating for that finish. Finish warrantees are established by this testing.

Hear from animal-loving Facebook fans, who have tips for how to keep your floors safe and clean!

“Swiffers”  -Tiffany S. (We would advise against using any wet mop, but a dry Swiffer mop should work well!)

“We replaced our carpet with hardwoods. It’s so much easier to clean. I vacuum and use the libman freedom mop” –Lisa V.

“I’m constantly sweeping my hardwoods or using the swiffer vacuum. To wash it I use the Bellawood floor cleaner in the Rubbermaid revel mop. It’s great!” –Lisa S.

“…Two big dogs, no issues. They adjusted to walking on it rather quickly. I think the handscraping helps. Easy to clean, I just use my micro fiber mop every day and once a week, twice if necessary, I use the hard wood cleaner from LL, Piece of cake!” –Terrie D.

“I have an Irobot roomba. I call her Rosie. Best investment I ever made. Great on dog hair and all the sandy dirt that gets tracked in…” –Jill O.

 

Thanks for sharing your tips with us! Have another? Leave it in the comments!

Customer Projects: Fall 2012

Lumber Liquidators customers were busy this fall! Whether you are interested in installing new floors, need some design ideas, or just like looking at what other people have done with their homes, we’re bringing you some fall “Brags,” Before and After shots, and other customer photos.

Your “Brags”

Schön Quick Clic Engineered Canadian Maple

 

Tobacco Road Acacia

Builder’s Pride Millrun Maple

 

Before and After

This customer used Chesterfield Forest Oak to brighten up her hallway.

Another customer used this laminate in a different setting:

“All my clients are impressed.”

This couple turned their home office into a brighter, warmer looking room with the help of Gunstock Oak.

“Attached is the before and after pictures of my spare bedroom turned home office. My husband and I are planning on renovating the entire upstairs of our home with 3/4" by 3  1/4" Gunstock Oak.. we chose this room as practice in hopes of working out any problems before starting installation on the other rooms and the hallway! It looks great and we are very excited to see the finished project! We used the Bella premium underlayment.”

Handscraped Golden Teak Acacia looks great with these light cabinets.

“The Floor is Fabulous!!!!! My whole house is now hardwood floor, thank-you Lumber Liquidators”

Kensington Manor Golden Teak laminate

 

Strand Natural Bamboo

“We installed a little over 400sq. Ft. of Strand Natural Bamboo. It was our first time installing hardwood flooring, hard work, but well worth it. Very hard flooring which should stand up to our 80 lb. Doberman. Thanks to the Ontario, OH store for all their help…”

Images We Love

Virginia Mill Works Matterhorn Birch Handscraped

 

Morning Star Tiger Strand Bamboo

Lisbon Cork Medina

Dream Home- Nirvana PLUS Lake Toba Teak laminate

New Customer Projects

Every now and then we love to show off what our customers have done.  Here are some beautiful floors for you to enjoy!

Blacksburg Barn Board

Brazilian Koa Laminate

Schon Horizontal Carbonized Quick Clic Engineered

Natural Hickory

Qing Spyder Strand and Carbonized Strand Bamboo

Somerton Plank Handscraped

Tobacco Road Handscraped

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.

Common Hardwood Myths - Part Two

Here's part two of our series on common hardwood myths.  The first one can be found HERE.

20.  Wood floors that are sanded and finished at the job-site are more durable than a factory manufactured finished floor.

     A pre-finished floor gives you the added benefit of a perfect finish applied under dust-free, ideal conditions at the factory.  Ours include from five to eight coats with aluminum oxide suspended in the finish.  The only thing harder is diamonds! Factory finishes are much harder than any product site-applied, requiring air-drying.

21.  Repairs are easier to make on a sanded and finished floor than a pre-finished floor.

     If needed, pre-finished boards can be replaced one at a time.  Job site finished boards require four or five days of sanding, staining, finishing and then waiting for the finish to dry.  After that, it may still not match the sheen of the floor.

22.  I have heard the oil-soaps are the best way to clean my wood floor.

     Soaps and detergents can leave a harmful film causing the top finishes to yellow, alligator or crack. Consult the product labeling for its expressed warranties.

23.  My wood flooring can be delivered and installed the same day.

     The industry and most wood manufacturers recommend that solid wood flooring be delivered to the job site at least 3-5 days before the installation. This properly acclimates the wood to "normal living conditions'. Temperature of 60F to 80F and a relative humidity of 30% to 50% with the HVAC fan left in the “on” position to provide a continuous flow of air across the floor are ideal.  Most engineered wood floors require about one day for acclimation. Be sure to check our installation guidelines for various products on our web site.

 24.   I only have white oak and red oak to choose from.

     Although White and Red Oak is still very popular, we have hundreds of beautiful Exotic wood species along with Cork and Bamboo from forests from all over the world. Many are offered in wider widths of 3”, 4”, 5”. The choice is yours.

 25.  When my wood is delivered can I store it in the garage, out of the weather?

     No. Wood flooring should never be stored in a garage, in a basement, directly on cement or in out buildings. No exposure to moisture of any type should be permitted.  Uncontrolled humidity or moisture vapors can penetrate into the wood flooring, causing it to swell or cup.

 26. Wood floors cannot be installed in a basement on a concrete floor.

     Not so.  We offer many fine quality engineered wood floors that feature cross-grain ply construction.  These floors are very stable and resist expansion and contraction.  Be sure to test your concrete floor for excessive levels of moisture over 3%.  Concrete installations (Gluedown or Floating) normally require moisture barriers.

27. I expect to get a wood floor to be all the same color, like the store sample.

     Wood is a natural product with patterns and color variations created in a living tree, like all of nature never to be repeated.  A small sample containing only a few grain patterns and shades of a species could never completely represent a fully installed floor with hundreds of pieces. If you prefer more uniformity in color and shade exotics may not be for you, consider our Dura-wood stained products.

 28. I expect my floor to have a “table top finish”.

      Wood floors are not tabletop material.  Hardwood floors that are pre-finished are milled to exacting specifications.  However, you may feel a slight variation from plank to plank, when walking across the floor in your bare feet. We offer both micro bevel and square edged materials.

 29. Hardwood floors are indestructible.

      Despite today's advanced technology, water spills, dirt and other abrasive substances can damage a wood floor's finish.  Location, traffic patterns, how often the floor is vacuumed and cleaned, children and/or pets are all factor that influence wear.

 30. Engineered floors are not “real wood” floors.

           Engineered floors have a real hardwood veneer wear layer with a multi-layer cross grain construction, perfect for at-grade or below-grade cement installations. These can be re-sanded about two times.

 31. If I get down on my hands and knees, I can see all kinds of small defects.

     Product claims are viewed/determined from a standing position.

 32. My basement, crawl space, or concrete slab looks dry so I should not have any problems with a new wood floor.

 About 90% of installation complaints are due to moisture, your installer should always check the subfloor and protect against moisture before installing the floor. Moisture issues are job site related.

 33. I have radiant heat, so I can't install a new wood floor.

     Many of our floors work well over radiant heat such as Floating, Laminates and Engineered. For solid wood, always shop for stability. Ask your sales assistant about this. Be sure to follow the radiant heat manufacturer’s guideline for thermostat controls. Do not exceed 85F surface temperatures.

 34.   I was told to re-seal my  hardwood or bamboo after installation to protect it against pet urine, vomit or spills.                                                                                                              

      Regular cleaning is always recommended however applying another sealer over the original finish will void the warranty. Once between the boards sealers can promote gapping and act as an adhesive preventing normal expansion of the flooring.

 35.  The area is prone to moisture and/or high humidity, can I still have a wood floor?

              If using wood, Engineered is the floor of choice. However Ceramic tiles and  Vinyl may be best.

 36.  Full bathrooms and laundry rooms are fine for wood floor installation.

      Engineered types of flooring can be used in full bathrooms because these are less susceptible to moisture fluctuations, however users should take reasonable precautions against steam and high humidity common with hot showers. Added ventilation can serve to alleviate excess humidity build-up in any room while mats placed around tubs to catch water spills are also recommended.

      37.  Is your Aluminum Oxide floor finish harmful?

There are no issues with Aluminum Oxide floor finish. These microscopic  Aluminum Oxide crystals are added into the finishes. Once cured, it is completely safe for our children and pets.

 

It is recommended, however, to do all board cutting outside in order to protect against breathing even normal wood dust. It is in this dust state that Aluminum Oxide and wood fibers can have a respiratory effect on people.

  38. Do I have any way to get my technical installation questions answered?

     Yes, you do.  Just call 1-800-366-4204 and ask to speak with our installation specialists or leave a message. You can also go online and visit our web site and receive installation instructions and advice.

 

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

Moisture Test! Water & Wood Don't Mix

Approximately 85% of all installation failures are resulting from moisture problems. Therefore, the purpose of this post is to outline typical moisture testing, planning and procedures designed to help your installation be a successful one.

The installation of Lumber Liquidators, Inc.("LLI") wood flooring should not commence until conditions are determined to be "dry" according to industry moisture testing standards. Testing is to include, (a) the new wood flooring, (b) the wood subfloor or cement slab.

It is the responsibility of the professional flooring contractor or the Do-It-Yourselfer (DIY) to inspect and test jobsite moisture conditions prior to the commencement of any flooring system to ensure compliance with established hardwood industry standards. It is understood that moisture testing only establishes the existence of moisture at the time of testing and does not forecast future moisture issues. Installers would not be held responsible for moisture problems arising after the installation providing testing was conducted and normal moisture remediation was completed before installation. The point of moisture testing is to establish when the new flooring and substrate is actually ready for installation or the need to reschedule the work until conditions are acceptable.

Testing concrete

Common testing methods for moisture

THE CALCIUM CHLORIDE TEST

THE POLYFILM TEST

THE PHENOLPHTHALEIN TEST

Testing new wood flooring and subfloors

Moisture Meters: probe and pinless

Testing concrete
LLI does not recommend installation of any flooring system over a newly-installed concrete slab within 60 days of pour. Concrete slab drying time is affected by the type of construction, concrete formulation, location of the building and climatic/environmental conditions. Vapor barriers or under-slab membranes, while recommended, can increase slab-drying times, therefore accurate testing should not commence until after some 90 days of cure time. When conducting slab moisture testing, conduct tests in several areas regardless of the age of the slab. If the test(s) indicate a wet slab, document the results and delay installation of the flooring until corrected.
The use of an electronic concrete moisture meter to determine slab moisture emission is not reliable nor recommended. This is because electronic meters measure moisture content in the slab, usually in terms of an overall percentage and register moisture content only at 1% of the surface, while other meters register an average only in a vertical downward direction where placed. Metered moisture content values may indicate degree of saturation of a slab, but not the on-going emission rate that is occurring at the time.

The Following are several industry-recognized concrete slab moisture tests that provide quantitative measurements of moisture emission. All tests should be conducted at several different locations in a room--typically along exterior walls and walls with plumbing enclosures.

Common testing methods for moisture

THE CALCIUM CHLORIDE TEST: The calcium chloride test is one of the oldest and most legally recognized concrete moisture tests. This test has been used most often by flooring retailers and contractors. The cost can run about $50 or $60 per test. Depending on the kit purchased results can be acquired immediately, or sent away for documentation and reading. The calcium chloride test works by measuring changes in weight of anhydrous calcium chloride crystals.

Typical procedure: a small plastic dish of anhydrous calcium crystals is weighed to determine moisture content. 1st, after sanding or scarifying the cement surface (fig 1) the entire dish is weighed on a gram scale prior to placement and the weight, date and time the test was started must be recorded. The lid is then opened, and the dish of crystals is carefully set down on the concrete for 60 to 72 hours. The dish is enclosed within a 7-by-10-inch cover, which is then sealed with plastic tape to the concrete (fig 2). During this time, the only source of moisture being absorbed by the anhydrous crystals is what can evaporate out of the covered concrete surface area. A note of caution: Use care in lid dealing and removal of the dish, and weighing as exposure to atmosphere will dramatically effect the results.

At the end of the test, the dome is removed and the lid is placed back on the dish and sealed. Again the dish is weighed on the gram scale and the date and time are marked. The change in weight is multiplied by a constant and divided by hours to provide an estimated rate of evaporation, in pounds.

(fig1)
(fig2)

For example, water weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon. Pounds, is the equivalent weight of water that evaporates out of a 1,000-square foot surface area during 24 hours. If the test reports 8.3 pounds emission, then one-gallon of water is leaving a 1,000 square foot surface area in 24 hours. A conservative but generally recommended allowable amount of moisture emission as expressed by the calcium chloride test is 3.0 pounds per 1,000 square feet per 24 hours at the time of the installation of the flooring.

THE POLYFILM TEST: Several pieces of plastic film, 18”- 24” squares of are placed at key points on the cement, seal all four sides with silver duct tape. After 24 hours, the plastic film is removed and inspected for signs of condensation. If beads of water are found on the subfloor or the concrete appears darker this is a heads-up that further testing is necessary. If there is no indication of moisture under the plastic film, one can assume the installation may proceed. The reading is valid at 24 hours, but it's even better if the test can stay in place until 72 hours have passed. The plastic film test can also be "accelerated" by using a heat source such as a 40 to 60 watt light bulb safely placed 18” above the plastic.

PHENOLPHTHALEIN TEST: This moisture test uses a 3 percent phenolphthalein solution (fig1) in water-free ethyl alcohol. Dime sized holes,1/4-inch deep, are drilled in various areas of the slab, particularly around walls. Then two drops of the solution are applied into each of the drilled areas. If there's no color change in the solution, there should not be enough moisture and the alkalinity is not high enough to affect the installation. But if the phenolphthalein turns pink or dark red within five minutes and the pH is 9.0 or higher, further testing must be done with a more precise method. This should NOT be the only method used for testing moisture. Color of concrete surfaces: The "proper" color of concrete should be a light yellowish-grey (similar to limestone) not sugar white. In fact, a sugar-white surface usually means the concrete was improperly cured and can create a severe moisture problem later on (usually months later). This is due to the poor hydration of cement within the surface, creating a disproportionately high water to cement ratio...that appears white.
(fig1)
(fig2)

pH paper or litmus paper test:
Both the phenolphthalein and litmus paper tests measure the alkalinity of the surface of the concrete. Determining if cement is alkali free is important for glue down installations on concrete. Excess alkalinity(salts) can contribute to adhesive failure. Alkali can be visible as a white powder on the surface of the concrete. However, it is the excess salt contained within the concrete that can cause adhesive failure over time. This problem is magnified if moisture is present and passing through the concrete, as this condition will deposit the excess salt on the concrete surface. A simple pH test (fig2) will determine the presence of alkali on a slab surface. Apply a few drops of distilled water to a small thoroughly clean and scraped concrete surface area and apply a strip of pH paper to the wetted area. The paper will change color within 5 minutes. Compare the color change to the chart standard supplied with the paper to indicate the pH of degree of alkalinity. A pH range from 5 to 10 is acceptable. Corrective measures must be taken with any concrete slab that measures a pH reading above10.

Testing new wood flooring and subfloors

Moisture Meters: probe and pinless Probe or pin-type meters (fig1) are fast and easy to use. They come with different measurement indicators. The lower-cost units have L.E.D. display lights indicating different moisture levels; the better-quality units have analog or digital displays and provision for different species and wood temperatures.

The pinless meters (fig2) are also referred to as "non-destructive" because these don't leave small testing holes in the wood. Signal penetration for pinless meters is up to 1 inch for both hardwood and softwood. The meter can be moved across the surface to identify pockets of moisture in a wood block or plank. It is relatively unaffected by temperature. Rough surfaces have very little effect on the reading. Measurements can also be taken through coating, varnish or paint without damage to the surface.

One advantage of probe type meters is that those with insulated pins can measure moisture content at varying depths--you can tell whether the moisture content near the bottom of a board is higher than near the top.

Deciding which kind of moisture meter to buy is a matter of sorting through the features you think you will need, and how often you may use it, and then understanding the various features and benefits. It is important that the meter you choose offers the following:

• A clear analog or digital dial.
• A moisture content range from at least 6 percent to 30 percent.
• The necessary adjustment tables for various species; (some meters have a built in adjustment for this function)

(fig1)

(fig2)

Testing Wood Subfloors: Wood subfloors are actually easy to check for moisture content. Just test for moisture at several locations in the room and average the results (fig1). In most regions of the country, a "dry" wood subfloor that is ready to work has a moisture content of 12 percent or less, or down to about 7% in states with low (RH) relative humidity. If excessively high readings are obtained, installation should not proceed until the origin of the moisture is identified and moisture problems are remedied. During the winter, an overly moist subfloor can be dried out by running the heat for a few weeks. Air conditioning during the summer will do the same thing.
Before installation, the moisture content of the subfloor should be within 4% percentage points of the new flooring (fig2). If the moisture content between the new flooring and subflooring varies more than 4 percentage points or 2% for boards wider than 2 1/2” the flooring should not be installed.
fig1) 

(fig2)

Please direct inquiries to Lumber Liquidators Technical Department at 800-366-4204

Hey vets, come home and don't go anywhere else.

How to Install Williamsburg Butcher Block

Looking for something unique for your kitchen and more affordable than granite? Have you considered butcher blocks?  Lumber Liquidators carries two types of butcher blocks, Maple and American Cherry.  It can give a great country or homey feel to a kitchen.

Here are steps from our Tech & Install team helping you with your Butcher Block Installation.

1.) Measure the depth of your cabinet, adding desired about of overhang.

2.) Cut Butcher Block panel to size

    - Cut Butcher Block panel to the width you want if desired width is less than 25 inches

    - Cut Butcher Block panel to the length you wan if desired length is less than purchased length

3.) Ease front edge of counter top

    - Select router bit for desired profile

    - Sand edge smooth

4.) Prepare cabinets to accept Butcher Block panel.

    - For open-top cabinets, install blocking across cabinet width, approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch from        top of cabinet

        - Pre-drill pilot holes through blocking and fasten to cabinet with wood screws

    - For solid-top cabinets, install furring strips across cabinet length

        - Bond strips to cabinet with construction adhesive/sealant

5.) Drill holes (1/4 to 1/2 inch diameter) through either blocking installed on open-top cabinets or top of solid-top cabinets.

6.) Apply bead of construction adhesive/sealant to either blocking or furring strips

7.) Position counter top on cabinet.

8.) Drill smaller diameter pilot hole into underside of counter top through larger holes previously drilled in blocking or top of cabinet.

    - Use caution not to drill through top of counter top

9.) Secure counter top to cabinet

    - Fit a wood screw with washer that is wider in diameter than holes in blocking or top of cabinet

    - Insert screw through hole and fasten to underside of counter top until cabinet fits snugly against        top of cabinet (Select screw length that will not penetrate counter top face)

10.) Finish your countertop as desired.

    - Treat with food-grade mineral oil for use as working food preparation surface.

    - Finish with other product approved for intended use.

 

 

Bellawood Customer Testimonial

Want to see what actual customers are saying about their fooring?

Then check this video out and find out why Terri is a fan of her Bellawood Brazilian Koa.