Floor Talk!

Terra Mai reclaimed hardwoods has just moved into a new location that is helping contribute to making NYC a greener place. TerraMai shares the space with two other progressive green companies, YRG Consultants and Deep Green Living. Sharing space with two of the top sustainability consulting firms in the country helps keep them connected to the latest and greatest in sustainable design and building. Setting up shop in Manhattan also allows them to better serve their growing group of New York and other East Coast clients.

You can give them a call at 800.220.9062 to schedule a presentation at your firm or to visit their new office.

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History

• Cork is not a new fad, it can be traced back to ancient Egypt. In the 18th century, Dom Perignon used cork for champagne making it a significant discovery that would lead to many other uses of cork.

• A law in the 1930’s called “The 9 Year Law” was passed to keep cork from being harvested any sooner than every 9 years. The tree has to reach 60 cm in circumference before it can be harvested. The first harvest from a cork tree can only occur at age 25.

• Portugal is the largest producer of cork today.

Harvesting

• Cork is harvested by hand from the bark of the cork oak tree (Quercus Suber) that grows primarily around the Mediterranean Basin no less than every 9 years.

• After the cork is stripped, the planks are sorted and stacked for 6 months in the forest. The exposure to air, sun, rain and wind during this time trigger chemical transformations that improve the quality of the cork. Then the bark of the mature cork trees are ground up, mixed with resin, processed into blocks, baked, compressed and cut into tiles or planks.

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RESPECT FOR NATURE AND PASSION FOR WOOD
MAKE FOR BEAUTIFUL FLOORS

I’m Lindsay Barczuk with the Denver Office of Carlisle Wide Plank Floors. I have to be honest and tell you that when I started with Carlisle, I didn’t know the difference between oak and birch, a strip hardwood floor or a wide plank floor. Now after more than three years, I’ve learned so much about how trees grow, how to selectively harvest timber, and what goes into making a long-lasting and beautiful floor.

Stable Boards Come From Responsible Harvesters

I’d like to take this opportunity to write a little about custom crafted wide plank floors and, more importantly, what you need to know when you are looking to find a responsible provider of wide plank wood floors. Many consumers view wood as a commodity, and while some companies treat it as such, others recognize that this natural resource is much more than that. When you find a company that understands the value and beauty of wood, you will most likely find that their procurement, manufacturing, and finishing techniques differ from the mass producers. (more…)

One of the greatest benefits of laminate flooring is that it requires so little care, upkeep and maintenance. The very best laminate floors feature special “wear layers” that prevent scratches, dents, dings and fading from exposure to sunlight. So they are perfect for busy families and high-traffic living spaces.

Although laminate floors are extremely durable, they are not indestructible. Keeping these tips in mind will ensure your laminate floor will look newer, longer.

Take this true/false quiz to test your knowledge on laminate maintenance!

1. Doormats are needed only at the front door.

False. Place doormats or walk-off mats at each entryway to collect excessive moisture and dirt. Place doormats or walk-off mats at each entryway to collect excessive moisture and dirt.

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TRENDS IN HARDWOOD AND LAMINATE

Just like more color seen in tile, wonderful ranges of color were shown in hardwood. Lauzon’s new products were the most appetizing colors. Coffee and chocolate colored stains with a pearl or low luster finish were so refreshing from the sea of golden colored hardwoods.

In the new product pavilion, Harris Wood showed painted hardwoods with the edges randomly sanded to look like old worn painted boards. The beauty of it is, with this product you get the look of painted boards, but with the strength of aluminum oxide on the finish.

Similar to the painted woods are the Olde Paint line from Anderson. They did a great job of making the boards look authentically old and worn. It reminded me of cottages and old historic homes in South Carolina.

Rustic and handscraped hardwoods are even on the texture bandwagon. One company showed a product with the look of texutre, wire brushing, reclaimed and handscraped properties all in one irresistible product. Creatively, they used the flooring boards to create a door. It got so much attention they wised they were in the door business as well!