Shaw Floors has been in the news recently for a number of initiatives that the company is launching or has previously launched. For example, in April Shaw and Versatile Systems Inc. announced they will be working alongside CitiFinancial in a consumer credit financing arrangement. The plan entails a joint partnership to simplify and streamline the credit application process for flooring retailers and consumers. This will be accomplished by way of an attractive and easy-to-use in-store kiosk. This will be the first time a flooring company will offer two different models of Versatile’s kiosks. The models will include the Rockland and the Madison. The combination was demoed at the Shaw Design Center Convention which was held in April of 2008 in Palm Coast, Florida. It appears that Shaw was motivated to embark on this project in light of the current credit crunch. According to marketing manager, Scott Humphrey, “during this challenging market, it’s more important than ever to make the credit application process simple and accessible.” The company is hoping that they can swing people into making a flooring purchase with the newfound credit application ease. This move has been referred to as a “forward-thinking strategy” which Versatile is happy to assist with. Versatile is particularly experienced with providing technology solutions that drive operational efficiency while enhancing the customer experience.

As a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Shaw Floors is the world’s largest carpet manufacturer. The company is a leading floor covering provider with more than $5 billion in annual sales. With approximately 31,000 associates, the company is well positioned to meet demands as the home improvement and construction markets improve. Headquartered in Dalton, Ga., the company manufactures and distributes carpeting, rugs, hardwood, laminate and ceramic tiles making its product offerings expansive enough to meet the needs of all consumers. They tailor to both residential and commercial customers.

Shaw is also positioned to capitalize on the environmental stewardship movement. Shaw has implemented hundreds of sustainability initiatives and more information about such initiatives can be found by visiting www.shawfloors.com. In January of 2008, Shaw received the first ever Vendor Green Steps Award, which was presented by Sherwin-Williams. According to the president of marketing at Sherwin-Williams, “Shaw’s admirable and aggressive green efforts have set an industry standard for sustainability.” The award was presented to Shaw’s national accounts team and environmental team in recognition of its recycling post-consumer carpet, development of sustainable products and continuous improvements in energy conservation.

Popularity: 57% [?]

There exists flooring that owns two names known and associated with rustic beauty, a floor that stands out against other domestic hardwood flooring and accentuates any home with homely patterns or rich, decorative atmosphere. This flooring is known both as hickory and as pecan flooring. In truth, Pecan is the more specific name, classifying into the category of hickory. Neither name is technically false, only that one is more accurate, botanically, than the other.

Hickory flooring is known for its unique characteristics. No other flooring has such a variation in natural colors. The sapwood is a white to light cream color, often times with a slight pink variation. In contrast, heartwood has a rich, reddish brown coloration. The two colors are often placed directly next to each other; working together to give a very natural feel to the room it is laid in. Colors can change from plank to plank, but also from section to section. Hickory and Pecan’s natural coloring varies so widely than one piece of wood can darken dramatically from one inch to the next. This sense of amorphism emphasizes the natural colors of the wood, and is the popular factor in deciding on this type of floor.

With an outstanding hardness rating of 1820, hickory and pecan flooring excels above many types of flooring, competing with exotic hardwood flooring for durability. Hickory is also a flexible wood, used in many applications where durability is valued. Walking canes, golf clubs, tool handles, even drumsticks are all often composed of hickory wood, and much for the same reason as flooring is: superior longevity. The abuse a drumstick or baseball bat takes is nothing for solid, hard hickory and this reflects superbly into this wood’s flooring applications.

Popularity: 44% [?]

In recent years, exotic hardwood flooring has become quite prosperous, in part due to the prevalent reviews it receives for quality, durability, and beauty. Popular species include Tigerwood, Jatoba, Ipe, and a species that can at times be overlooked – Amendoim. Like many South American hardwoods, Amendoim flooring has a plethora of names, ranging from common tongue names to botanical recognitions – this species is known as Pterogyne Nitens, a name that refers to the “winged ovary” appearance of the seeds – such as viraro, ibiraro, and pau fava. More commonly, Brazilian Oak is used to reference this species, although it can at times be confusing as Tauari is sometimes referred to as Brazilian Oak as well. How or where this connotation comes from is a nuance yet discovered within the flooring industry – although speculations are abound.

The Amendoim tree grows most successfully in Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, and can grow to an average height of 25 meters (about 75 – 80 feet), although individual specimen have been recorded in excess of 100 feet tall. The tree itself is usually about 90 centimeters in diameter (about 35 inches) but have been known to grow as wide as 120 CM thick (almost 50 inches).

In addition to uses as a flooring product, Amendoim shows a fine workability feature for cabinetry and furniture as well. The wood itself sands and finishes exceptionally well, making it a good choice for practical uses, as well as for home-finishing products. Because of the receptive quality of Amendoim to common finishes, installers and customers interested in finishing the flooring will find a relative ease compared to more difficult products. Amendoim sands well, making it less problematic to sand and refinish five or ten years into the lifespan of the floor.

The Janka rating system offers a numerical value to the specific hardness of hardwood flooring that can be comparatively used in different species of wood. More often, exotic species boast higher Janka ratings, and Amendoim is no exception. With nearly 50% more rating than Red Oak, Amendoim is a natural choice for a hard floor. Amendoim’s tentative value is 1912, putting it above even hard maple.

The color variation that Amendoim offers ranges from a yellowish brown to a reddish brown depending on the wood used. Heartwood is the darker, bearing an often red streak to it, while the more yellow-tan colorations denote the sapwood. Like most floors, Amendoim will darken with exposure to sunlight and oxygen, however the change in color is often less sharp than some of its other Brazilian cousins.

So you can see that while Amendoim may not get the center spotlight in the Brazilian Exotic flooring category, it is certainly a well-deserved supporting role.

Popularity: 47% [?]

The boom in eco-friendly products has reached nearly every branch of the economy, from children’s toys to home improvement and interior décor. Homes are being produced on general “green” guidelines. Cars are being built on more environmentally sound guidelines. Virtually any product has a green counterpart somewhere. In flooring, there are several obvious choices for the green consumer, including cork, bamboo, and any product endorsed by the FSC. It is not any of these that we focus on here today, though its environmental benefits are significantly of note. Of course, Lyptus Flooring is what I refer to.

As the name implies, Lyptus is made from a Eucalyptus tree – two, actually. Lyptus woods are produced from a hybrid species of tree resulting from the natural conjoining of Eucalyptus Grandis and Eucalyptus Arophylla. As far as sustainable forests go, the plantations that Lyptus is harvested from are relatively unique. Located in Brazil, these plantations demote the clearing of old-growth forests. The plantations are entirely sustainable, and play off of Lyptus’ natural ability to reproduce independently. Saplings will normally sprout straight from the stump of the tree fallen.

A great advantage to Lyptus’ environmental standpoint is the time it takes to produce a growth of forest. Lyptus trees mature in about fifteen years – a full 45 years shorter than most other hardwood trees. A customer might think then, that this is a softer, less durable option for flooring. In fact, Lyptus’ Janka rating is 1550 – almost three hundred points higher than Red Oak, the benchmark hardwood used in referencing hardness.

Lyptus refers to the hybrid species used for hardwood flooring, but it also refers to Weyerhauser’s brand name for the line of Lyptus products. At the moment, Weyerhauser’s Lyptus line offers both engineered and solid hardwood flooring, in addition to lumber, plywood, and veneer. Since Aracruz Produtos de Madeira – a subsidiary of Aracruz Celulose – bred the hybrid species, they own the rights to it, as well as several plantations for its sustainable growth in Brazil. Aracruz abides by its own environmental standpoints, and is not FSC certified.

It is undeniable, however, that Lyptus is indeed a solid choice for green flooring, with much respect given to our global ecosystem.

Popularity: 77% [?]

In the flooring industry, no other wood beats Brazilian walnut flooring in terms of outright hardness. With an unmatched 3680 Janka rating, Brazilian walnut, or Ipé, excels in durability. Decking is a good use to put it to, as pressure washing can bring back the full, dark coloring of Ipé from graying. Unfortunately for woodworkers, this hardness also impedes the ability of this wood to be worked. It has a resistance to shaping and tends to dull blades quickly.

South American Ipé is particularly resistant to both fire and insects. Grade A – the fire-resistance grade assigned to cement – also applies to Ipé. Even in the natural form, a towering 140 foot tall, 6 foot wide tree, Tabebuia Serratifolia shows moderate aversion to flame.

The dark brown, chocolate coloring of this specie seems to entice people towards it, eliciting a positive response in any atmosphere. Like most hardwoods, Ipé darkens over time. It should be noted that decking is the popular choice for this wood because of its hardness. Finishing can be difficult due to the density, and outdoor use eliminates the need to apply extensive coating. The weathering process of outdoors negates quickly any finishing applied, especially in damp or wet regions. If indoor flooring is the intended use, it is recommended to compare pre-finished Brazilian Walnut with the added trouble of finishing at home. The overall durability, however, supercedes many finishes.

Engineered hardwood flooring may be preferred over solids for the simple reason of workability. Ipe is notorious for being difficult to nail. Most professionals recommend pre-drilling holes for the nailing process: yes, this wood is that hard.

Popularity: 80% [?]

The massive Amazon rainforest is home to thousands upon thousands of different specie of plant life. It is known as the most expansive collection of life on the planet, housing so many plants, insects, and animals that humans have not even recorded much of what lies within. Those we have identified are rare and beautiful specimen, renowned for their individual qualities. Amongst these, few stand out above the rest, and it is on one of those that we now home in on.

It is known in South America as Jatobá, but in North America, it is called Brazilian Cherry. In fact, this tree is not a cherry tree at all, but is a legume, the branch of plants responsible for things like peanuts, peas, and lentils. The rationalization for this seems to be a strategic marketing technique without any specific origin. Saying that Jatobá is Brazilian Cherry may make some potential customers feel somehow inclined to purchase something familiar. Everyone knows what a cherry tree is, but not many know Jatobá is, and thus a relationship is built and established. Since the inception of the name itself, it has simply become the most common title used in North America. There are dozens of other names as well, dependent on the region one is referring to. Hymenaea Courbaril is the botanical name, but this tree is also known as South American Locust, and Brazilian Copal.

Jatobá boasts one of the highest Janka ratings available at roughly 2800 Lbf (pounds-force), over double Red Oak’s rating. Because of this durability, Jatobá is used in many different fields. In addition to hardwood flooring, products are produced as furniture and in construction. The exotic coloring makes it a popular choice for any application in your home. It actually takes the role of the most imported from Brazil to the United States. Coloring crosses the spectrum from salmon pink and light brown in the heartwood, to a darker, streaked reddish-brown that darkens with exposure to sunlight, as so many woods do. Needless to say, the unique coloring adds to its appeal. Jatobá stands out as one of the more beautiful flooring products available today.

Popularity: 71% [?]

In contemporary flooring styles, there are many options to choose from. Virtually hundreds of different styles and types of wood are available, but few stand out so much as the ever-popular Tigerwood Flooring. Produced from the species branch Astronium it has gained a large preference where both interior flooring and decking are concerned. Tigerwood boasts a light background wood, enriched with stripe-like veins resembling brushstrokes that accentuate the overall exotic look. The backgrounds range in color, depending on what portion of tree is used. Sapwood is generally lighter, ranging from a pale tan to middle tones of brown, while heartwood is darker, making the contrast between striping and background more subtle. The aging quality that comes from exposure to sunlight darkens the lighter colors to more rustic reds.

Tigerwood is an excellent choice for the environment as well. With certification from the FSC – the Forest Stewardship Council – Tigerwood has a record of being less strenuous on the Brazilian neotropical forests it is harvested from. This moderation, of course, means preservation of the Earth’s natural resources.

As appealing to the eye as Tigerwood may be, in truth it may be the durability that leads the customer to decorate their home with this remarkable wood. Tigerwood is incredibly durable, with a Janka rating ranging between 1700 and 1900. It also boasts a natural resistance to both decay and insects, making it preferable for outdoor use. Even before preservation methods, the lifespan extends well past twenty years. This only reinforces the sense that this is a perfect choice for long-lasting beauty, inside and out.

Popularity: 97% [?]

Hardwood flooring installation can be a challenging DIY project for those with little experience. The first step for anyone attempting to install their own hardwood floors is to choose the most appropriate method of installation for the specific job.

Nail down hardwood flooring installation is most commonly used when installing ¾ inch solid wood floors. However, adapters are available for thinner floors as well. Two inch nailing cleats are used with a wood flooring nailer and mallet to attach the hardwood flooring to the sub floor. Solid strip floors, or plank floors can only be installed on wooden sub-floors on grade or above grade.

A staple down hardwood flooring installation uses staples instead of nailing cleats to fasten the hardwood flooring to the wood sub floor. A pneumatic staple gun is used to drive the staples into the tongue of the wood planks and into the wood sub floor underneath. The staple down installation procedure is less complicated than the nail down for DIY installations. Be aware, not every hardwood flooring company recommends the same size staple or appropriate staple gun. Read the manufacturers installation manual to be sure you are using the right type of staple gun and right size staples for your hardwood flooring installation.

With the glue down installation method, the hardwood flooring installer glues the wood planks directly to the subfloor. The recommended adhesive is spread onto the sub floor using an appropriate notched trowel. The flooring planks are then set into the adhesive. Glue down hardwood floor installation of engineered wood floors can be accomplished on sub-floors and dry, fully cured concrete slabs.

It is important that the installer use the manufacturer’s recommended adhesive with the appropriate notched trowel when gluing down a hardwood floor. You do not want to void any warranties you might have with your hardwood flooring product by not using the manufacturer’s recommended adhesive and trowel size.

The glueless hardwood flooring installation method is popular thanks to flooring manufacturers including Kahrs, Award and Mohawk, who have introduced engineered wood floors with a special glueless locking system, much like the clic laminate floors. These floors can be installed over a range of sub floors such as wood, concrete slabs and even some types of existing floors. These are relatively simple to install and may offer the best option for a DIY installer.

Finally, with the floating installation method the floor is not mechanically fastened to any part of the sub floor. There is a thin pad that is placed between the wood flooring and the subfloor. A recommended wood glue is applied in the tongue and groove of each plank to hold the planks together. The padding protects against moisture, reduces noise transmission and makes the floor softer under foot. Some engineered floors and all longstrip floors can be floated. This is a very fast, easy and clean method of installation. Please consult the manufacturer installation instructions to see if your flooring can be floated. Most glueless hardwood flooring installations can be floated.

Popularity: 85% [?]

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