JJ12-Cov.indd 1
www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com Imported WoodImported Flooring Tools + Supplies Product Focus FLOOR WOOD YEAR NWFA 2012
OF THE page 43 Recoating Prefi Cutting Odd Angles Cutting OddAngles nishedFloors June|July 2012 page 39 page 35 5/24/12 4:09PM HF11_3Mb1111.indd 1 10/25/11 10:46 AM HF06_Owens612.indd 1 5/22/12 7:42 AM The difference is clear. DuraClear™ is specially formulated to be non-ambering, making it appropriate for lighter colored wood. Yet it still offers the same beautiful, durable finish as the other great DuraSeal® products you know and trust.
UÊ-}iÊV«iÌÊ UÊ`i>ÊvÀÊÕÃiÊÛiÀÊ ÕÀ>-i>® QuickCoat UÊ >LiÀ}ÊÊ UÊ-Õ«iÀÀÊÜ>ÌiÀL>Ãi`ÊÌiV }Þ UÊ ÝVi«Ì>ÊyÜÊ>`ÊiÛi}ÊÊ UÊ iÃÃÊÌ >Ê£ÓxÊ6" Ê}É UÊ iÀV>Ê`ÕÀ>LÌÞ
For more information and to find your nearest distributor, visit duraseal.com or call 1-800-364-1359.
HF06_DuraSe612.indd 1 5/21/12 5:21 PM Contents June|July 2012 Features Vol. 25.3 Honored in Orlando By the HF Editors The winners of the 2012 NWFA Wood Floor of the Year Awards, announced during the NWFA Expo in Orlando in April, are profiled. page 43 Vartan Arutyunian 43 Your Business Live and Learn By Scott Tarpinian Tailoring estimates for each customer can build relationships. page 23
Legal 28 By Phillip M. Perry Sex bias in the workplace can carry a hefty toll. page 25 On the Cover: NWFA Wood Floor of the Year 2012 Members’ Choice and Best Residential winner Archetypal Money Imaginary Remodeling Corp. By Gene Siciliano Photo by Vartan Arutyunian Strategies to improve your accounts receivable record. page 28 PREMIUM PARTNERS: Management By Pam Lontos How to get testimonials and use them to better your business. page 31
www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com June|July 2012 Hardwood Floors 5
JJ12-TOC.indd 5 5/23/12 11:57 AM Contents On the Job Ask the Expert 20 Q&As on grade names, EMC and red rosin paper. page 33
In Every Issue From the Field Chairman’s Message By Joshua Crossman page 8 Do you have the best tools for cutting odd angles? page 35 NWFA News page 12 Troubleshooting By Mike Sundell Why does this finish have a milky cast and uneven sheen? Woodworks page 38 page 19
New Products Techniques page 64 By Kim M. Wahlgren Recoating prefinished floors doesn’t have to be a gamble. Ad Index page 39 page 66 39 Product Focus Tools & Supplies Special Advertising Section: page 56 Imported Wood Flooring page 63
At www.hardwood- At www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com/WFOYJJ12: floorsmag.com, read › See more photos from winning 2012 NWFA Wood Floor of the Year projects the CONTRACTOR, INSPECTOR, NWFA and GREEN BLOGS; see what everyone’s talking about on the FORUM; and check out the Web-only content from this issue:
6 Hardwood Floors June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-TOC.indd 6 5/24/12 10:08 AM HF04_Mercer412.indd 1 3/20/12 12:35 PM >>chairman’s message
The magazine of the National Wood Flooring Association
NWFA Rick Holden | Chairman NWFA Michael Martin | CEO 111 Chesterfield Industrial Blvd. • Chesterfield, MO 63005 (800) 422-4556 • (636) 519-9663 • F: (636) 519-9664 [email protected] • www.nwfa.org Editorial Advisory Committee Robert McNamara, Chair | Saint-Gobain Feedback, Jim Schumacher, Board Liaison | 3M Joe Boone Jr. | Wood Floors Online Inc. Howard Brickman | Brickman Consulting Rose Mary Cummings | Maxwell Hardwood Flooring Please Len Daubler | Anderson Hardwood Floors Galen Fitzel | 3M Chuck Garvey | Bona US By Rick Holden Avi Hadad | Avi’s Hardwood Flooring Chairman, NWFA Sprigg Lynn | Universal Floors Inc. Charles Peterson | CP Wood Floors Jim Powers | Saroyan Lumber Company John Shepard | Carpet One Floor & Home atching the 2012 Wood Flooring Expo unfold truly has Genia Smith | Accent Hardwood Flooring Inc. been exciting to see. This year’s Expo Committee liter- Tricia Thompson | Enmar Hardwood Flooring Inc. W ally rebuilt the entire show from the ground up, based HF Website on your ideas and suggestions. Never before have we imple- BLOGGERS mented so many new initiatives in just one year. More than 20 Scott Avery | Modern Tech Floors LLC Elizabeth Baldwin | Metropolitan Floors committee members were involved in every aspect of relaunching Howard Brickman | Brickman Consulting the show to meet your needs. Were they successful? You be the Wayne Lee | Cardinal Hardwood & Tile judge. FORUM MODERATORS Cort Dunlap | Hardwood Inspections You said you wanted industry-specifi c education. They deliv- David Harrison | Custom Wholesale Floors Inc. ered by adding tracks for management, marketing and technical Roy Reichow | National Wood Floor Consultants Inc. information that was specifi - Publication Staff cally geared toward wood fl ooring EDITORIAL processionals. You said you wanted Share your Kim M. Wahlgren | Editor Doug Dalsing | Associate Editor industry-relevant keynote speakers. Scott Maurer | Art Director They delivered with Harley-Da- impressions Marjorie Schultz | Digital Production Manager vidson’s Ken Schmidt, who talked Scott Packel | Production Assistant about branding your business in a with us about ATHLETIC BUSINESS MEDIA INC. Gretchen Kelsey Brown | CEO down market, and HGTV’s celebrity Peter Brown | President carpenter and designer Carter the show. Kara Clark | Controller/Circulation Director Oosterhouse, who talked about Sadye Ring | Graphic Designer Jodi Chamberlain | Sales Coordinator wood fl oors as an environmentally friendly design feature. Lisa Popke | Audience Development Coordinator You said you wanted to see more new and innovative products Erika Reise | Online Producers in the trade show. They delivered by adding 100 more booths on Kyle Wahlgren | Digital Marketing Manager Tricia Baden | Social Media Community Managerr the show fl oor than last year. You said you wanted to see new ADVERTISING SALES traffi c at the show. They delivered by adding four CEUs as an Shawn Gahagan | Group Publisher incentive for architects and designers to attend. Kendra Bjorklund | Account Executive Finally, you said you wanted the show to offer you real value. Editorial and Advertising Offices Here’s how they delivered. They brought you more events for free, Athletic Business Media Inc. | 4130 Lien Road • Madison, WI 53704 (608) 249-0186 • (800) 722-8764 • F: (608) 249-1153 like the opening and closing parties. They offered you a coupon [email protected] | www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com book fi lled with show specials that save you thousands of dollars on products you buy every day. They gave you discounts for both the show and your hotel room for signing up early. And they gave away more than $45,000 in attendance prizes at both the trade show demos and the closing party, which does not even include CHANGE OF ADDRESS: In order to ensure uninterrupted delivery of Hardwood Floors, notice of change should be made at least five weeks in advance. Direct all subscription mail to Hardwood Floors, P.O. Box 47705, Plymouth, MN 55447, call the new Harley-Davidson motorcycle. 800/869-6882 or fax 866/658-6156. For faster service, visit us online at www.nwfa.org/member/mag.aspx. Single-copy price is $8. Subscription price is $40 for seven issues in the U.S.A. and Canada. International subscriptions (via So let us know what you think. We look forward to getting your airmail) are $65. Hardwood Floors is published bi-monthly, plus the annual industry resource book, and distributed without charge to those active in the wood flooring industry. POSTMASTER: Send address feedback about what we did right, and what we need to improve. changes to Hardwood Floors, P.O. Box 47705, Plymouth, MN 55447. Publication Mail Agreement #40049791. Canadian mail distribution information: International Mail Drop us an email at [email protected] and share your impressions Express, Station A, P.O. Box 54, Windsor, ON N9A 6J5. Printed in the U.S.A. © 2012 Athletic Business Publications Inc. and National Wood Flooring Association. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. with us about the show—the good, the bad, and the ugly. ■ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. (ISSN 0897-022X) Periodicals Postage Paid at Madison, Wisconsin, and at additional mailing offices.
8 Hardwood Floors June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-ChairM.indd 8 5/21/12 1:19 PM HF06_Shamro612.indd 1 5/21/12 5:21 PM HF04_Garris412.indd 2 3/16/12 9:16 AM EZ-CLICK,EZ-CLICK, isis thethe “Saving“Saving Solution”Solution” forfor installinginstalling FINEST QUALITY HARDWOOD FLOORING solid hardwood flooring over concrete or raised solid hardwood flooring over concrete or raised 1 orange bead 2 green beads foundations!foundations! At one end of each clip is a orange Silicone Rubber and at the opposite end are 2 Green Silicone Rubber which are designed EZ-EZ-ClickClick SavesSaves Time,Time, SavesSaves Money!Money! to set an automatic expansion gap between the width of each row. Placing the clips green WithWith EZ-Click,EZ-Click, there’sthere’s NoNo Nails,Nails, NoNo Glue,Glue, silicon facing out wards. Flooring requires no nails NoNo Mess,Mess, NoNo Kidding!Kidding!
Placing the clear bead into No glue and no fuss TheThe bestbest answeranswer ever,ever, forfor solidsolid HardwoodHardwood the underside of the groove. Flooring!Flooring! Guaranteed!Guaranteed!
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CallCall forfor samplessamples andand information.information.
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(800) 300-5158 7751 Hayvenhurst Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406 www.thegarrisoncollection.com
HF06_GarrRt612.indd 1 5/23/12 6:20 AM >>ceo message
NWFAnews and information from the nationalnews wood flooring association | www.nwfa.org
A Vote of Confi dence
By Michael Martin CEO, NWFA
n a global economy, someone in Kentucky may install wood fl ooring made in Vietnam, while, at the same time, someone in China may be applying a U.S.-made fi nish to a fl oor made in Canada. I As more and more fl ooring products circle the globe before reaching their fi nal installation desti- nation, it’s imperative that there be a way of communicating that those products used in our industry meet some sort of common manufacturing standard for quality. Since adhesives have different standard-setting bodies from wood fl ooring or fasteners or fi nishes, the NWFA is the one common place where the products used to install and maintain wood fl ooring come together. For buyers of wood fl ooring products, the new NWFA Accepted Seal Program will be- come a standard bearer—a mark that says, “This product meets its own industry manufacturing stan- dards,” setting it apart from other products in its category that may not meet manufacturing standards. Developed with the help of leading manufacturers in each product category, the Board of Directors of NWFA Services Inc. has created this program to provide a vote of confi dence in the marketplace. The seal will help manufacturers create differentiation by showing in a visible way that they The new are committed to making the investments necessary to meet manufacturing standards. Standards are determined for several unique product categories, each with their NWFA Accepted own testing requirements and performance criteria. The product categories currently eligible for manufacturer participation are: Seal Program • Abrasives • Engineered wood fl ooring will become a • Finishes, stains and sealers • Moisture inhibitors for wood subfl oors standard bearer. • Solid wood fl ooring We’ve also had requests to include adhesives, fasteners, fi llers and noise supres- sors, which are under development or consideration. This program establishes comprehensive criteria by which all companies can manufacture their products for optimal performance. For the wood fl ooring and wood fl ooring products purchaser, this program offers the assurance that the product being purchased meets or exceeds industry manufac- turing performance standards. Participation in this program is voluntary and requires the following commitments: • NWFA manufacturer members must submit specifi ed test results to NWFA Services for review. • When approved, the NWFA manufacturer member must then submit an annual licensing fee for the use of the NWFA Accepted Product Seal logo. • The NWFA Accepted Product Seal logo can then be displayed on the evaluated product or material to identify it as meeting established industry standards. • Use of the NWFA Accepted Product Seal logo is effective for a period of one year. The NWFA Accepted Product Seal program is available to all NWFA manufacturer mem- bers. To receive more information about the program, or to find out how your company can participate, contact the NWFA at (800) 422-4556 (U.S. & Canada), or (636) 519-9663 (local and international). ■
12 Hardwood Floors June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-Michael.indd 12 5/24/12 5:13 PM Made in the USA
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HF06_OldeWo612.indd 1 5/23/12 6:18 AM >>education and training
NWFAnews and information from the nationalnews wood flooring association | www.nwfa.org
RECENT SCHOOLS & INSTRUCTORS INTERMEDIATE INSTALLATION, SAND & FINISH >> March 28-30 in St. Louis The association’s Director of Technical Training Frank Kroupa led the instruc- tion, along with these volunteer instructors: Chris Livingston (3M), Drew Steele (Basic Coatings), Roger Barker (Fortifiber Building Systems Group), Mi- chael Dittmer (Michael Dittmer Wood Floors), Bob Sweezey (Stauf Adhesives USA LLC), Todd McDonald (W•D Flooring) and Adam Martin (Woodwise/ Design Hardwood Products Inc.).
ADVANCED INSTALLATION >> April 25-27 in Las Vegas Kroupa led, along with volunteer instructors Dinu Luca (ADL Floors Inc.), Carlos Barrera (Casper Custom Hardwoods), Jeff VanDao (Dao Wood Flooring), Charles Day (Day Flooring Company LLC), Scott Stibbard (Lee Scott Enterprises Pty. Ltd.), and Timothy Chikwasa and Tim Chikwasa (T.R. Chikwasa Enterprise Ltd.). The floor in 6-year- SUBFLOOR PREPARATION/SOLID AND PREFINISHED INSTALLATION old Olivia’s play- >> May 16-18 in St. Louis house was created Kroupa led, along with these volunteer instructors: Cort Dunlap (Bamboo & during the associa- Hardwood Inspections), Dayle Moore (Bostik Inc.), Matt Crawford (Clarke tion’s Advanced In- American Sanders), Robert Belovicz (DRIcore), Barker (Fortifiber Building stallation School, Systems Group), Mark Lamanno (Franklin International), Steve Lima (MAPEI held Feb 22-24 in St. Corporation), Nick Motto (Motto’s Flooring), Mike Kearns (Primatech Inc.) and Louis. Maren Feindler (Sika Corporation).
JIGS/MEDALLION WORKSHOP >> May 21-23 in St. Louis Loving Her New Floor Kroupa and Robert Humphreys (Majestic Wood Floors Inc.) led instruction. NWFA 2012 TECHNICAL SCHOOL SCHEDULE he NWFA recently changed up the training For more information: (800) 422-4556 (U.S. and Canada) Tpanels used during its technical schools, [email protected] | www.nwfa.org eschewing the old subfl oor system of plywood Aug. 1-3 ...... Intermediate Installation, Sand and Finish (New York) over 2-by-4s for a new click system from DRI- Sept. 11-14 ...... Wood Flooring Basics (St. Louis) core. That meant that the old panels had to go, but they weren’t destined for the Dumpster. At Sept. 17-21 ...... NWFACP Wood Flooring Inspector School (St. Louis) the same time, Adam Reisz, an AV contractor for Sept. 26-28 ...... Intermediate Installation, Sand and Finish (Las Vegas) the NWFA, was planning to build a playhouse for his daughter, Olivia, so he repurposed the Sept. 29 ...... Field Equipment Repair Workshop (Las Vegas) panels and constructed the entire structure from Oct. 9-13 ...... Expert Installation (St. Louis) the discarded materials. Not surprisingly, the real prize is underfoot: The fl oor is a student panel Oct. 15-17 ...... Expert Sand and Finish (St. Louis) from the Advanced Installation school held in Dec. 4-8 ...... Expert Installation (Richmond, Va.) February. As you can see by the smile on Olivia’s face, she loves her new fl oor! Dec. 10-12 ...... Expert Sand & Finish (Richmond, Va.)
14 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-Schools.indd 14 5/23/12 4:08 PM Install with one wood adhesive, meet three needs
Moisture barrier, sound reduction and superior bonding through a single product
hen wood was selected as the fl oor covering for both levels of the Lüke WRestaurant at the Embassy Suites Riverwalk Hotel in San Antonio, Texas, Shelly Flooring took advantage of MAPEI’s complete line of products and used Ultrabond ECO ® 995 premium wood-fl ooring adhesive. “This adhesive worked very well with the wood,” said Project Manager Robert Cadenas. “It bonded well, and there were no hollow spots when we tested it after drying. The moisture-reduction barrier provided by the Ultrabond ECO 995 was an added benefi t in terms of protection for this building located on the banks of the river.” The sound-reduction qualities of Ultrabond ECO 995 were also a positive for a wood-fl ooring installation in a busy restaurant.
Ask your local wood-fl ooring distributor for the complete installation solution – Ultrabond ECO 995.
HF06_MAPEI612.indd 1 5/21/12 5:22 PM >>convention wrap-up
NWFAnews and information from the nationalnews wood flooring association | www.nwfa.org Renewed Energy In Orlando pirits were through the roof April 10-13 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Conven- tion Center in Orlando, Fla., when the wood fl ooring industry Sgathered for the re-launched 2012 NWFA Wood Flooring Expo.. ■
FormerFFormer HHarley-Davidsonarlleyy-DDaviiddson eexecutivexecutiive KKenen SSchmidtchhmiiddt pprovidedroviidded an oopeningpeniing keynote address with takeaway messages that apply to any business. “What’s the most magnetically attractive thing about humans?” he asked. “We could say the smile, but we gotta go deeper than that— it’s passion.” Schmidt encouraged attendees to use that passion to differentiate themselves from their competitors.
A festive opening party on the lawn at the host resort—the Gaylord Palms—set the tone for a totally Mickey Moore of Mem- renewed, re-energized NWFA Wood Flooring Expo. phis, Tenn.-based Wood Flooring Advisors, (at left, shown with NWFA Chair- man Rick Holden) received thet NWFA Honorary VanguardV Degree, which TheT show floor recognizes those who have wasw abuzz made significant contribu- withw activ- tionst to the NWFA and the ity, including woodw flooring industry. 218 exhibiting companies—a 20 percent in- crease over last year’sy count. All photos by David Stluka
16 Hardwood Floors June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-confwrap.indd 16 5/24/12 10:05 AM The show’s positive energy was not lost on NWFA CEO Michael Martin, who took the reins of the association after last year’s convention in San Diego. “The show went completely way beyond our expectations,” he said. “With the goals that we set, every single one of them was blown away. Everyone came and had a great experience.”
ForFFor thethhe fifirstrst titime,ime seseminarsmiinars aatt ththehe EExExpopo wwereere ofofferedfffered iin ffourour dedicated tracks—Technical, Sales/Marketing, Management and AIA/IDCEC, and many sessions were standing-room-only.
HGTV’s Carter Oosterhouse (at left), gave a keynote address and presented trophiest to this year’s Wood Floor of the YearY winners (shown here are Acme Floor Company Inc. winners Emily Kenney- Moore and Brian Moore). For complete coverage of the NWFA Wood Floor of the YearY winners, turn to page 43.
TensT of thousands of dollars in giveaways, from tool boxes to adhe- sives to a sander, were awarded to attendees during the closing party on thet show floor. But the main prize on everyone’s mind was the brand new 2012 Sportster from Harley-Davidson, whichw was awarded to John Shepard withw Carpet One Floor & Home (Panama City, Fla.).
www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com June|July 2012 Hardwood Floors 17
JJ12-confwrap.indd 17 5/24/12 10:06 AM HF06_Woodwi611.indd 1 5/25/11 1:45 PM WOOD ■works insights and information on the hardwood flooring industry
Black Belt Bamboo Teragren founders look to revive Alabama by planting bamboo Courtesy of Lewis Bamboo, Oakman, Ala.
n Alabama’s antebellum days, cotton was king and its “Black IBelt” region was flush; however, the strip of counties at the state’s center so named for the layer of dark, rich soil underfoot became mired in poverty in the wake of emancipation, and it remains impoverished to this day. The region still has a legacy of agriculture, though, and David and Ann Knight hope to see hundreds of thousands of acres of the Black Belt planted with moso bamboo, thus helping to lift the region from poverty and write a new chapter in its eventful history. Of course, the To grow its plantlets, Resource Fiber teamed with Roger Lewis of Lewis Bamboo in Oakman, Ala. The plantlets need Knights are no strangers to grow in a nursery until they’re big enough to withstand to bamboo; in 1997, they harsh weather and compete with native vegetation. founded flooring maker Teragren. Last year they took a step back from that company to form Resource Fiber/Alabama LLC, and, with the new venture, the couple hopes to foster a “bamboo epicenter” in the Black Belt, where they will manufacture products like flooring from bamboo grown right here in America. David Knight says until the first crop is ready to harvest in six years, Resource Fiber/Alabama LLC will manufacture products for Teragren with imported materials as soon as facili- Courtesy Resource Fiber/Alabama ties are ready. The way he sees it, this is the perfect time to launch such a bold The Resource Fiber/Alabama LLC team (left to right): Jonathan Scherch, endeavor. “This used to be one of the wealthiest areas in the United States, and David Knight, Ann Knight, Marsha now it’s actually one of the poorest. There’s a lot of fallow land and a need for Folsom and Craig Thomason. jobs,” David Knight says. “Everything is just aligning correctly.”—D.D. An SUV For Wood Fans Remove your shoes before getting into this vehicle, please
and Rover offers its four-wheel-drive Defender in about 11 different configu- L rations; buyers can choose to drive a Defender pickup, station wagon, chas- sis cab, utility wagon, and just about any option in between. But for all those choices, it still doesn’t offer a Defender with wood floorboards. Enter Vilner, a car customizer from Bulgaria renowned in car-geek circles for churning out vehicles dripping with gratuitous machismo. For the Defender, Vilner supplemented the leather dashboard, door panels, and sport seats with
wood floorboards and a 600-watt stereo bedecked in Photos courtesy Vilner wood paneling. And if the wood floorboards don’t get you excited, the soundproof Defender also comes with a DVD player and 15-inch LCD screen—perfect for keeping the kids amused while you’re yelling at them to keep it clean!—D.D.
www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com June|July 2012 ■ Hardwood Floors 19
JJ12-WW.indd 19 5/23/12 3:12 PM WOOD ■ works
Next Big Blog Praters launches website for sport court community
hat is TheEdgeGrain.com? Partly Wtechnical and partly humorous, the blog is entirely engaging for anyone inter- ested in sport courts—or even those who aren’t. A board repair video how-to in the vein of “Mission: Impossible”? Check. An action-packed video on making a rudimen- tary game-line roller? Check. A video where robot-humans stain a maple floor? Check. The website was the brainchild of Mark Frainie, creative director at Praters Flooring, and he hopes the site will become a community hub for the sport court world. “The athletic flooring community is so spread out,” Frainie says, “and there’s not a lot of conversation happening between the certain groups of companies.” Now, you might be thinking, Oh, that website is just a bullhorn for Praters—but you’d be wrong. The website is chock-full of blogs Photos courtesy Mark Frainie “Single Board Repair” on ½-inch maple and new construction, videos that offer valuable technical insight (and stars Praters’ Drew Lal- humor), as well as a PDF library for MSDS sheets, game-line markings from high school lament (above). The role to the NBA, and manufacturer manuals. In the end, it’s easier for Frainie to explain what required him to drop from TheEdgeGrain.com is by telling what it is not: “The website isn’t all serious, it isn’t all techni- the ceiling; he got the part cal, it’s not all humorous, and there’s no direct promotion involved—we just want to bring since he owns his own climbing gear. people together.” Mission: Accomplished.—D.D.
VINTAGE■ momentss
Family Business
ina Boone just laughs whenever she T hears the question, “How early were you on the job?” Here she is at age 5 alongg with her brothers and industry notables Joe Jr., 9, and Daniel, 7, outside a gym flooring job in Tallahassee, Fla., posed for a photo in front of Joe Sr.’s ’57 Chevy. All three of them are still part of the wood flooring industry today, and their dad remains in the mix, too: At far right, he’s
pictured re-upping his NWFA membershipp Courtesy Tina Boone David Stluka during this year’s Expo in Orlando, Fla., wwhilehile Joe Jr. looks on. Maybe the more apt question is, “How long will you stay on the job?”—D.D.
20 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-WW.indd 20 5/23/12 3:13 PM HF06_Urban612.indd 1 5/21/12 5:22 PM WOOD ■ works Green ■ speak Your guide to green vocabulary REDD: Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation
EDD is a UN program R (www.un-redd.org) designed to encourage more wealthy developed nations to financially compensate developing countries that reduce or eliminate defores- tation and forest degradation. The expanded version, REDD+, also encourages forest conservation, sustain- able forest management and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks. The UN has estimated that deforestation and forest degradation contribute to 17 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions—a greater percentage than transportation and third only to global energy and industrial sectors.
Elizabeth Baldwin is environmental compliance offi cer at Metropolitan Hardwood Floors; this was adapted from her HF Green Blog at www.hardwood- CartoonStock fl oorsmag.com/blogs. Photo by Tim Cronin/CIFOR
HARDWOOD FLOORING ■ mini-quiz 1. True or False? Moisture-cure finish is likely 5. If the contractor below switched to using a to dry more slowly in Louisiana than in New heavyweight T-bar, would the finish spread rate Mexico. increase or decrease? 2. A Janka test measures wood’s resistance to ... a. scratches b. shear c. stains d. indentation 3. True or False? Relative humidity depends on the temperature of the air. 4. Fill in the blank from the choices below: Tangential shrinkage in wood is about ______as great as radial shrinkage. a. half b. twice c. three times
d. four times 1. False 2. d 3. True 4. b 5. Increase 5. b 4. True 3. d 2. False 1.
22 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-WW.indd 22 5/23/12 3:13 PM Your Business Live and Learn Bidding the Customer Tailoring estimates for each customer can build relationships
By Scott Tarpinian
very wood flooring contractor can tell you that From the initial phone call with a customer, you start when you walk up to someone’s house for the first getting important clues about the job and what’s important E time, you never know just what to expect. Every to them. I start by asking basic questions. For example, on job and every customer is different, but some contrac- a call about refinishing: Are you in this area? When were tors try to do all their estimates the same way—get in, the floors last refinished? (You’d be surprised how many measure, and get out. If you’re charging $4 for refinish people have no idea, even if it was five years ago.) Did we (for example), you are probably losing jobs that you do your floors? If people would have got at $3.50, but you’re missing out on extra say they don’t know, right From the initial profit, because someone was willing to pay $4.50. What away that tells me price I’ve found over the years is this: Don’t just bid the job, may be their No. 1 con- phone call with bid the customer. cern. Refinishing hardwood floors, even for a small job, a customer, you is going to cost a couple start getting BUSINESS BRIEFS thousand dollars at least. I remember everybody in important clues Motivate Top Talent my life to whom I’ve paid a couple thousand dol- n difficult times, motivating top tal-l- about the job. lars, so if they spent $5,000 ent is critical to success. Focus I and they can’t even remember the company they gave the on these six areas: money to, that tells me they aren’t trying to worry about 1) A performance-based culture. quality or establishing an ongoing relationship. There must be clearly defined goals, Once I arrive for an estimate, I am looking at the neigh- so when they are reached, employees borhood, looking at the house, and looking at the car in feel a sense of accomplishment. the driveway for clues about the customer. It’s almost like 2) Dysfunctional culture. You can’t claim to have a culture you need to get inside the minds of the customers and of teamwork if the manager’s idea of teamwork is, “As long find out what their concerns are, so I never know exactly as we do things my way, you can be on my team.” what I’m going to talk about at the estimate until I meet 3) Respect and appreciation. This is probably the least the homeowner. Some people think there is going to be expensive and least used method to motivate talent. an inch of dust all over their house and as soon as you 4) Consistent feedback. This includes regular and struc- say, “I’m going to handle that for you—don’t worry about tured one-on-one feedback sessions. it,” they’re fine. For other people, it’s about how they are 5) Praise. Do you think, “Why should I thank them? They going to get their furniture out, so your conversation is should thank me for having a job”? How would you like that? about calming them down and telling them you’ve got a 6) Education and growth. Give your best people the op- moving company you recommend. portunity to be challenged with new opportunities. With some customers, you can guess what their con- Brad Remillard is a speaker, author and trainer, and is the co- cerns will be. If you’re at a bid and the lady has three founder of Impact Hiring Solutions and coauthor of “You’re young kids running around and bothering her, you prob- NOT the Person I Hired: A CEO’s Guide to Hiring Top Talent.” ably don’t want to get into the details of describing the For more information, visit www.bradremillard.com. chemistry of different finishes; she’s probably going to
www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com June|July 2012 Hardwood Floors 23
JJ12-LLearn.indd 23 5/24/12 10:46 AM Your Business | Live and Learn
care more about you reassuring her that you’re going to get it done on time and leave the job clean. When you’re at an estimate with people who are around retirement age, they tend to do business in more of an old-fashioned way. These are people who want someone to take the time with them; they will often offer that you sit at the table and have a cup of coffee while you talk about the job. You might be thinking about what a rush you’re in, but you need to take the time. Also, they tend to like to do business on a handshake, and they might not be used to things like email. First-time homebuyers tend to have some characteristics in common. In gen- eral, they tend to need a lot of education; many don’t even know that a wood floor can be refinished, much less how much it typically costs or what the op- tions are. Oftentimes it seems they want to itemize out their bids by room and might want to do the work piecemeal. In cases like that I try to educate them People who just don’t that if I have to do just 150 square feet of sand and finish, that’s going to cost listen tend to be the more per square foot than if I’m doing 500. Customers appreciate when you ones who tell me are trying to help them get the best value; I’ll tell them, “If this were my something ridiculous house, this is what I would do.” When bidding, there are also red after the fact. flags. A classic one every wood floor contractor knows is when you walk into an immaculate house and the hom- eowner apologizes for the mess. Another one for me is when people ask you a question, you start to answer, and they interrupt you and start talking again. People who just don’t listen tend to be the ones who tell me something ridicu- lous after the fact like, “You said you would move my furniture”—something we have never done and I would never say. Another thing that sends up flags for me is when you’re dealing with a single-income family and the decision- maker in the family doesn’t want to bother being home when I do the esti- mate—you better really impress the spouse you did meet, or the decision-mak- er in the family is going to just look at price. No matter who the customer is, I do know one thing when I get to an estimate: it’s about engaging the customer. One of the most important things I try to do is start a conversation with them about something other than floor- ing. You have to make some kind of a connection, because you’re only in there from 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the job. Sometimes I’m in there for 15 minutes and it’s 10 minutes too long, because it takes me 5 minutes to measure and they don’t really have any questions. If I don’t take an extra 10 minutes to just start a conversation with them, they have nothing else to go on besides price when they start comparing bids, and we typically are more expensive than the competition. At the NWFA Expo in Orlando, the keynote speaker, Ken Schmidt, talked about how people need a story to tell about you—how you have to engage your customer—and I totally agree with him. If you go in and bid every job the same, then you are the same when the customer is comparing bids. Spending that extra half hour just chatting with a customer at the estimate can pay off big-time in the end. Sometimes you will get burned, but more often than not, you will be rewarded with the job and a lifetime customer.
Scott Tarpinian is project manager at Boulder, Colo.-based Berlin Flooring.
24 Hardwood Floors June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-LLearn.indd 24 5/23/12 11:32 AM Your Business | Legal Brief
Avoiding Harassment Claims Sex bias in the workplace can carry a hefty toll
By Phillip M. Perry
s your business safe from lawsuits as 1.5 million female workers, was the importance of due diligence in as- for sex harassment or discrimination? eventually thrown out. But today, suring gender-free employment prac- I That question has become top the lawyers representing the women tices. Failure to take sex bias seriously of mind for many employers, and for are working to bring similar lawsuits can have costly consequences. good reason: Last year, the nation’s against Walmart on a state-by-state “The typical harassment case that largest private employer, Walmart, basis. The ramifications for other goes to trial can cost from $300,000 was involved in the largest-ever private employers are clear. to $500,000, just in attorneys’ fees class-action lawsuit after female and litigation costs,” says James J. employees claimed it had systemati- Costly Consequences McDonald Jr., managing partner at cally underpaid and under-promoted Whatever the final decision in the the Irvine, Calif., office of Fisher & them; the case, involving as many Walmart case, the litigation highlights Phillips. “Normally in these cases, the accused harasser is also sued. And in many states the employer is obligat- TECHNOTIP ed to provide a defense attorney for that individual, so you end up paying Music Mobility two lawyers.” In most sex discrimination cases hey’re touted as tiny, but when you’ve got there is a good bit of discovery and Tthousands and thousands of them on your depositions, and trials often take two smartphone, the luster of mp3s starts to fade. to three weeks to complete. Because Nowadays, the most convenient way to access the cases are fact-specific, it’s difficult music is through mobile streaming apps, and for employers to obtain summary they come in two flavors: the kind that’s free judgments. and the kind that you pay for. Here are the best Litigation can strike employers of options: Pandora Radio is the main player in the Internet radio realm. Users any size, warns McDonald. Federal create “stations” that play music from and similar to their favorite artists and anti-discrimination law covers busi- songs; type in “Pink Floyd” and you’ll get music from that band as well as The nesses with as few as 15 employees. Beatles and The Who. There is a free version and a paid version sans advertis- Moreover, most states have laws ing for $3.99 a month. With Google Music, you upload your music to a cloud that apply to smaller organizations. server—for free—and then listen to it on your phone using the free Google Play California, for example, covers busi- app. Using the mobile Spotify app costs $9.99 a month. Unlike Google Music, nesses with only one employee for there is no uploading music when using Spotify—the music is already in the harassment claims and employers cloud, and you just type in any artist or song you want to listen to, regardless of with five employees for discrimina- whether you already own the album. The best part? Since you can stream these tion claims. right to your smartphone, you can spare your co-workers from having to listen “Even the smallest of employers to you cranking “Friends in Low Places” for the thousandth time on the job. needs to have some prophylactic programs in place,” says Jay W. Hardwood Floors’ TechnoTip offers advice on using emerging technology to improve Waks, chair of the labor and employ- your business. Got a tip you’d like to share? Send it to [email protected]. ment law department at New York’s
www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com June|July 2012 ■ Hardwood Floors 25
JJ12-Legal.indd 25 5/23/12 10:59 AM Your Business | Legal Brief
Kaye Scholer LLP and head of the firm’s national employ- online sensitivity training and tests to employees. Such ment practice. “Employers of all sizes should have clear programs often facilitate the maintenance of computer- and unambiguous policies against discrimination and ized records that demonstrate an employer has taken all harassment.” reasonable steps to prevent sex-based discrimination and harassment. Harassment is Discriminatory Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. That’s Establish Multiple Channels because individuals who engage in sexist remarks, or Establishing multiple channels of communication is a great more serious activities, are picking on an individual be- idea for reporting any discriminatory practices. cause of gender alone. “Give employees a number of outlets to use for com- “Federal, state and local laws all prohibit sex discrimi- plaints and reports if they are the subjects of discrimina- nation in every aspect of employment,” says Nancy Wil- tion or harassment or they observe that kind of activity,” liams, a partner in the Seattle office of Perkins Coie LLP. suggests Waks. “Multiple outlets for workplace complaints “One such aspect is the set of terms and conditions of can be useful if an employee feels uncomfortable going the job. If sexist remarks rise to the level of being terms to one office or manager as opposed to another.” and conditions of employment—in other words, some- At the same time, make sure you are adequately thing employees have to accept if they want to remain at informed when more than one employee, perhaps in work—then those remarks violate their rights and they different departments, file complaints about the same in- constitute discrimination.” dividual. “Establish a mechanism to aggregate claims from Severity depends to some extent on frequency. “Most different parts of your business,” suggests Waks. courts have said a very minor or infrequent comment might be offensive but probably not severe and pervasive Take Complaints Seriously enough to alter the terms and conditions of employ- Once you receive complaints, take them seriously. “The ment,” Williams notes. most common error by employers is overlooking a com- plaint of harassment or pay-based discrimination,” says Protect Your Business Waks. “A failure to investigate complaints is often not So what can you do to protect your own business? Here done out of avarice. Rather, if an employee has estab- are some suggestions: lished a reputation as a whiner, a complaint about harass- Policies. “First, make sure every employee, on the ment may not be taken as seriously as it should be.” first day of work, receives and signs for a copy of your Often an employer will chalk up a complaint to bad company’s policy against harassment,” says McDonald. management rather than discrimination. “Sometimes “Provide a copy in the employee’s native language.” employers view complaints as instances of workplace Hotline. Large companies can maintain a hotline at unfairness due to a bad boss rather than harassment the corporate office or with an outside HR consulting based on sex.” That can lead to a false sense of secu- firm that an employee should call to report harassment, rity: “The law in most of the United States is that bad discrimination, retaliation or other illegal activity. “This bosses are not banned. Maybe being a bullying boss third-party channel is important because employees will is bad for business and productivity, but it is still not a otherwise claim they were too afraid to complain to their violation of law.” direct supervisors,” says McDonald. Your goal is to assess the legitimacy of the complaint Communication. Post information in the employee with an investigation. In sensitive employment situations, break area about your company’s policy against harass- consider getting the advice of outside counsel. If that’s ment, and display the hotline number mentioned above. time consuming, it’s time well spent—in light of the con- Training. All individuals in a management position sequences, it is in everyone’s best interest to be sure the should receive training on harassment immediately upon employer gets all the facts. hire or promotion into management, and they should Establish a system for to review your workplace anti- receive refresher training every year or so. This should bias policies and continue periodic communications to include an explanation of not just the law against harass- your supervisors, says Waks. “You need to make it clear ment but also the kinds of scenarios that arise that lead to to your organization that you have zero tolerance for any harassment complaints, such as dating relationships with type of sex-based discrimination and harassment, that it is subordinates, drinking or socializing with subordinates against company policy and that it is unproductive.” ■ after hours, and careless use of email, text messaging and social media. Phillip M. Perry is a frequent contributor to Hardwood Consider utilizing web-based programs that give Floors.
26 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-Legal.indd 26 5/23/12 10:59 AM TRAINING WITHIN YOUR REACH
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HF12_NWFAsch212.indd 1 1/17/12 11:07 AM Your Business | Money
Collecting On Time Strategies to improve your accounts receivable record
By Gene Siciliano
few years ago, your business was probably running pretty smoothly, with sales and profits growing. And then the recession and credit crunch hit—a brutal double-whammy—and ev- A erything started slowing down almost overnight, including your accounts receivable collec- tions. Whether commercial or consumer accounts, your customers started paying later and later, as if they are now using your money to fill their own credit gap. Well, they probably are. Most of us don’t realize how dependent we are on credit to run our businesses. Vendor open account credit—the kind you extend to your customers—is by far the largest source of borrow- ing power in our economy. When you sell your products and services on credit, you are making interest-free loans to your customers, even if you are financing those loans with a bank loan on which you pay interest every month. When accounts receivable collections roll in on time, it all works out nicely. But when accounts receivable slow down, you still need to replace goods you’ve sold, pay your employees (on time), and pay the rent and all the other expenses of running a business.
Strategies That Work Your best bet is to encourage your customers to pay accounts receivable on time. “That’s helpful,” you’re probably thinking, “but how do I do that, exactly?” Here are five ideas that will help improve accounts receivable collections: 1. Improve your credit-granting practices. On the front end, screen new customers more closely before granting them credit lines. Spend a few dollars actually obtaining a credit report and a few minutes calling a couple of credit references to get a sense of the relation- ship they have with your potential customer. You might ask about their payment patterns when the economy slows, which could be different from when times are good. A comment that “they sometimes struggle to keep current but they always manage to get caught up” could be a red flag these days. Also, be watchful of a prospect that has changed suppliers more than once in the past year. If you can learn the name of their previous supplier, that’s someone you should talk to, as well. 2. Make a committed collection effort—all the time. At least one person in your company should be
Scott Maurer responsible for collections follow-ups. Don’t make the
28 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
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HF04_Norton412.indd 1 3/16/12 9:18 AM Your Business | Money
mistake of giving the job to your Consider creating a program for “spe- controller to handle in her “spare” cial” customers that offers services like time. She likely doesn’t have any free overnight delivery on rush orders, spare time, and besides, accounting extra discounts, advance notice of personnel are not typically the best in price changes, special sales, etc. Pro- customer communication, especially mote this as a customer benefit and if the subject is touchy. Assign the job make it available only under certain to someone who is a good negotia- conditions, one of which would be tor, has an amiable but firm phone consistent payment in accordance personality, and who understands this with your terms. Don’t make sheer is a critical job. Most importantly, do order volume a condition if your low- what you say you’re going to do: If volume customers produce higher you promise something in return for margins, as is often the case. A small prompt payment, make sure you de- invoice that gets paid on time is a liver. If you say you must deny future blessing compared with a large one shipments until an account is brought that takes 90 days to come in. Make current, stick to it—every time. the conditions list beefy enough that 3. Call customers before the it doesn’t look like a poorly disguised payment due date. Have your col- collection program. lections person call the customer’s accounts payable department a few Meeting Expectations days before the payment’s due date While you can appreciate your as a courtesy to make sure everything customers’ dilemma in trying to is in order and that the check will be stretch their cash, that’s not the same going out on time. This little reminder, as agreeing to be their interest-free when positioned with friendliness and banker. You can extend their payment a desire to help, can make a friend terms, as many companies do during of the person who actually cuts the times like these, but in the end you check. still need to collect your money by a 4. Offer discounts for prompt date you can plan on. Of course, you payment. This is a proven technique also need to avoid alienating your that worked well years ago but has customers in the process. But if you become less common in recent years do everything you said you would— as business practices evolved. The provide quality products at competi- old “2/10 net 30” was, and still is, a tive prices with prompt delivery—then fantastic deal if explained to custom- it’s reasonable to expect your custom- ers clearly. Consider that a 2 percent ers to do everything they agreed to, discount for paying 20 days earlier including paying you on time. than normal amounts to an annual However, the fact is that most sup- return of 36 percent. That’s not a bad pliers will get paid late by many of yield for a customer whose savings their customers during tough econom- account is probably earning 2 percent ic times. By following these sugges- a year or less. Even if your custom- tions, you can be the exception to the ers planned to pay in 45 days, getting norm, and be better positioned when them to pay in 15 days instead repre- the economy turns around again. sents an annual return of 24 percent. You can juggle the numbers any way Gene Siciliano, CMC, CPA, is an that makes sense for you, but the author, speaker and fi nancial con- key is getting the customer to under- sultant who works with CEOs and stand the value they get from paying managers to achieve greater fi nancial promptly. success in a dramatically changing 5. Create a “Preferred Customer” economy. For more information, visit plan. Want to think out of the box? www.GeneSiciliano.com.
30 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-Money.indd 30 5/23/12 10:55 AM Your Business | Management
Leveraging Testimonials How to get them and use them to better your business
By Pam Lontos
hich are you more likely to believe? A company representative telling you how great his product or service is, or a recommendation from another person about how it worked for W them? If you’re like most people, the words from a fellow consumer pull more weight than even the best-written ad copy. That’s why no matter what product or service you’re selling, you need to use testimonials from satisfied customers in every ad and marketing piece you create.
How to Get Them Choose satisfied customers who represent your target demographic. The best testimonials are written by people who are similar to your ideal customer. Therefore, be specific about who you solicit a testimonial from. Look over your customer files and choose the people who exemplify the best-case scenario for your product or service. Say to them, “I’d love for you to share your experience with Prod- uct A. Would you please write a short testimonial?” Most people will cheerfully say yes. Since you want more happy customers just like these, let their words sell for you. Offer to write the testimonial for them. Often, if someone declines your request to write a tes- timonial, it’s because they’re too busy or they feel they don’t have adequate writing skills. In that case, offer to write the testimonial for them. Simply say, “I’ll be glad to write the testimonial for you. Just tell me what you’d like to say about the product. You can review what I write and we can use it as-is or you can change it.” Most people will leave the testimo- nial as-is, happy they didn’t have to take the time to write it.
How to Write Them Show results. Whether you write the testimonial or your customer does, it needs to specifically show what results the person experienced from the prod- uct or service. A testimonial that simply says what a wonderful company you have or how nice you are is not saying anything meaningful for the reader. A specific testimonial will speak to results, for example: “Company A installed a beautiful floor in my foyer, and I love it”; “To repair a section of wood floor, Com- pany B showed up at my house on time and cleaned before they left”; or “Company C was professional and courteous while resanding my wood floor.” The more specific a testimonial is, the stronger it sells for you. Specific testimonials take away the fear of making the wrong decision. Keep it short. Each word of the testimonial should
Yukchong Kwan | Dreamstime.com have value. Therefore, if someone writes you a page-
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JJ12-Mgmt.indd 31 5/23/12 10:06 AM Your Business | Management
long testimonial, edit out any words that don’t directly include your website, brochures, direct mail pieces, post- address the end result he or she received from your service cards, billboards, newsletters and even social media updates. or product. This doesn’t mean you change the meaning of Create a book of testimonials. Each time you receive a what someone writes; you simply edit out the parts that kind letter from a customer or client, highlight the key parts don’t contribute to the meaning. For example, if someone (the parts that state benefits to the customer), put the letter writes a page about everything your company did to help in a clear plastic sleeve, and compile it in a big binder. Keep them save 30 percent on her new foyer floor, you can con- this book or binder of testimonials in your store or office for dense it to one sentence, as in “As a result of Company D’s customers to browse through while they’re waiting. Or, if work, we saved $1,500 and get to look at a gorgeous floor your business is online, create a page where you feature all every day in our foyer.” Often, the more words you take out, your testimonials. There’s no limit to how many testimonials the stronger the testimonial becomes. Also, it’s easier to read you can include in your book or on your page. and will stand out more. The next time you’re writing copy for an advertisement or marketing piece (and struggling with what information to in- How to Use Them clude), simply go to your past testimonials. It’s always better Include a testimonial or two in your ads and market- when someone else sings your praises, so let your customer ing pieces. Whether you’re doing a print, online, radio or sell for you. The sooner you start using testimonials in every TV ad, be sure to include some testimonials. For print, it’s marketing message you create, the sooner you’ll realize that best to have testimonials stand alone from the text rather testimonials really are the ultimate sales tool. ■ than try to weave them into the ad copy. For radio and TV, either the announcer or an actor can recite the testimonial, Pam Lontos is president of Pam Lontos Consulting. Pam or, if your customer is agreeable, have him or her appear consults with businesses and experts in the areas of sales, in your radio or TV spot to give the testimonial personally. marketing and publicity, and she operates www.PamLontos. Other marketing pieces that should feature your testimonials com. She can be reached at [email protected].
32 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-Mgmt.indd 32 5/24/12 10:44 AM On the Job Ask the Expert Grading, EMC and More
Making the Grade say, “Ooo, it’s red, I like it!”—which Every floor installer and inspector I recently purchased some is the approach some people seem should know about the magic phrase select grade oak, and after the to take with hardwood flooring. Help “equilibrium moisture content” and floor was installed, I felt as your customers do the research prior what it means. The EMC is the mois- though the wrong material was to their actual purchase. Grading of ture content when wood is stable—it installed. Don’t all select floors wood is a very complex, often-over- is neither gaining nor losing moisture. have to be about the same? looked part of buying a wood floor, The EMC changes depending on the and that can lead to a lot of buyer’s relative humidity and temperature. Cort Dunlap, owner at Seattle- remorse. Comparing the actual moisture con- based Bamboo & Hardwood Inspec- tent to the equilibrium moisture con- tions and an NWFACP-certified Seeking Balance tent indicates if a wood floor is stable, inspector, answers: I keep seeing references to a or if it will lose or absorb moisture, No, they don’t. Although “select” wood floor’s EMC—what is that, leading to shrinking or swelling. has had a specific grading definition exactly? Is it important? You can predict whether a floor for many decades, manufacturers are will change (or move or shrink or Grete Heimerdinger, vice president only held to that if their flooring is swell) using an EMC chart—you can at moisture meter manufacturer Lig- certified under NOFMA/NWFA stan- match up the temperature and rela- nomat, answers: dards. Those products will adhere to tive humidity to see what the EMC of strict grading rules and be consistent; if a product is certified and it is “se- TRICK OF THE TRADE lect,” you know what you are getting. If manufacturers are not NOFMA/ NWFA-certified, they may use the Stop Being Drippy name “select” but have their own proprietary grades—so what one Heda manufacturer calls “select” may not look like what another manufacturer sells as “select.” Basically, from a legal standpoint, manufacturers could sell bark with a tongue and groove on it and call the material “select” if they wanted to. Since the rules are not printed and sent with the floor- ing, oftentimes the end user just gets a sample to look at and picks the flooring grade. Not infrequently, the sample does not reflect the content of the actual grade, and this leads to a lot of confusion. hen you are rolling finish on a wood floor, the finish can pool inside the end Oftentimes, consumers seem to buy W of the roller and splatter little drips on the floor as you roll. An easy fix for this wood flooring on a lark, even though is to use blue tape wrapped around the ends of the roller as shown above. it may be the largest purchase in their home. When you buy a car, you do This tip came from the NWFA Wood Flooring Expo seminar “Be a Smooth Operator— Avoid Sand and Finish Callbacks” by presenter Daniel Boone of Jacksonville, Fla.- lots of research about the car and based Daniel Boone WFT Inc. Do you have a Trick of the Trade? Send it to editors@ know what you’re getting before you hardwoodfloorsmag.com. spend $25,000 or more. You don’t just
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JJ12-Ask.indd 33 5/23/12 3:14 PM On the Job | Ask the Expert
the wood should be (an easy way to reference this is in the U.S. Forest Product Laboratory’s Wood Handbook; the chapters are available for free online and the EMC chart is Table 4-2). According to the chart, for example, we could look at the case of a “perfect” floor installed when it has a moisture content of 6.9%, the relative humidity in the home is 35%, and the temperature is 70 degrees—it is installed at its EMC. In the dry winter months, with the heat on, the humidity inside the home falls to 20%. The wood floor will consequently lose moisture down to 4.5%, and gaps may occur. In the moist summer months, the same floor could pick up moisture to a moisture content of 10.1% if the rela- tive humidity stays around 55%.
Our NWFA Installation Guide- lines explicitly state that you should not use red rosin paper for installing wood flooring.
Is Red Rosin OK? We’ve been using red rosin paper on our ply- wood subfloors for many years before we install hardwood, but someone recently told me that it isn’t acceptable. What’s wrong with it? Don Conner, technical director at NWFA, answers: Our NWFA Installation Guidelines explicitly state (in Appendix C, page 10, note 4) that you should not use red rosin paper for installing wood flooring, and I’m not aware of any U.S. manufacturer that recommends it; the reason is that it’s not a moisture inhibitor. In fact, it holds moisture—if you put a drop of water on red rosin paper, it soaks in like it would on a paper towel. What you need is a product that reduces moisture vapor migration from the subfloor, and there are many products on the market today that will do that. When you’re choosing a product, check the perm rating—that tells you how much moisture it will allow through—to make sure it’s in the right range for the wood flooring and the subfloor on the job. Some people also use red rosin paper to cover an installed floor to protect it from other trades, but that isn’t recommend, either, because it can leave a residue on the floor. On a prefinished floor, you can actually see a haze that the paper leaves behind on the surface of the floor, and on an unfinished floor, it could inhibit finish adhesion. The best way to make money in this business is to get training, because best practices and products change. Make sure you’re up to date on the latest products that will work the best for your jobs. ■
34 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-Ask.indd 34 5/23/12 3:15 PM On the Job | From the Field
Getting the Right Angle Do you have the best tools for cutting odd angles?
By Joshua Crossman
f you do enough installations, installer. But, there is an easier, faster, A very basic description of a track you’re bound to come across some and better way. saw is that it is a circular saw that Icuts that are too steep to cut on One of my favorite tools for custom rides along a track, keeping your cut your chop saw. If the cut is up against or odd cut work is a track saw (the very straight and smooth. Most of the a wall that will be covered with trim, one most contractors are familiar time you do not even need to clamp you can get away with just tracing with is made by Festool). I also like the track your line and using a jig or table saw to use it for cutting in stair treads down, as it to cut it out. However, let’s say you and risers, because I find it to be has strips of have a precise cut you need to do up faster than a sliding compound miter rubber on This type against a header. Yes, if you have a saw. If you’re unfamiliar with one of the bottom steady hand and you have the time, these pieces of equipment, you need to keep it of saw also a table saw will get the job done. to visit your local woodworker store from sliding. And yes, putty can be your buddy if or an NWFA installation school and Another works well you want to be a less-than-average get acquainted. very nice feature is to cut out an that you TALES FROM THE FRONT can connect existing
a vacuum hose to it floor. That Sinking Feeling and have This isn’t the way you want to start a job nearly dust- free cutting capabilities. This type of ontractor John Blesing in Clifton, saw also works well to cut out an C N.J., had an estimate recently existing floor if you plan to run a that provided more excitement than border around the perimeter. Multiple he would have liked. As he stepped tracks can be connected together to on the front steps of the home to provide any length necessary. leave, the concrete landing imploded, One other tool you need is just a and he fell 10 feet into a hole. Thank- basic angle gauge/finder. It doesn’t fully, all he got from the fall was a jolt have to be one of those fancy ones of adrenaline—and the job. “He’s got with a digital readout of the angle. a new patio, I got paid and I’ve got You want one that can tighten and no bumps or bruises on me,” Blesing lock the angle in place so you can says, adding a big understatement: transfer the line over to your board “That was a weird estimate.” that needs to be cut. If you have a true (and printable) story to share, e-mail it with your name and phone Take your angle finder and place number to [email protected]. it on the floor next to your already installed floor, then swing the arm out
www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com June|July 2012 ■ Hardwood Floors 35
JJ12-FTF.indd 35 5/23/12 11:48 AM On the Job | From the Field
5 6 7
to your angled header board and tighten it down to save and you don’t want to use any putty to fill imperfections. the angle (photo 1). Next, bring it to the board you want Clean, sharp-angle cuts at headers are a mark of someone to cut and transcribe that angle (2). Take the board over who cares about their work and has a passion for qual- to your cutting area and just lay the track on your board, ity. It’s the little details that can make or break you. The lining it up along the line you marked (3). Cut it with average homeowner probably won’t notice what a profes- the track saw and you have a perfectly clean cut (4) that sional job you did, but they would notice if you didn’t do will fit beautifully into place (5). Before you install it, you a high-quality job. ■ should run the board through a router, putting a groove into it so you can spline it for better holding power. Joshua Crossman is operations director at Puyallup, This is a great way to install up against angled head- Wash.-based Maxcare Hardwood Floors and is NWFACP- ers, especially if you are installing a prefinished product certifi ed in Installation and Sand & Finish.
For ASTM F2170, Total Check For Total Quality
877-DELMHORST (335-6467) www.delmhorst.com
36 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-FTF.indd 36 5/23/12 11:48 AM On the Job | From the Field
❹ WHAT’S WRONG?
❺
The gypcrete in this condominium is full of pock marks from a contractor who had stapled the previous wood floor di- rectly to the gypcrete. (Courtesy of Joe Rocco, Artistic Floors by Design Inc., Parker, Colo.) Have a photo for What’s Wrong? Email it with your name, company name and location to [email protected].
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www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com June|July 2012 ■ Hardwood Floors 37
JJ12-FTF.indd 37 5/24/12 11:46 AM On the Job | Troubleshooting
Losing its Luster Why does this finish have a milky cast and uneven sheen?
By Mike Sundell
The Problem ping the water and co-solvent would also keep the film I got a call about a floor with finish that showed a definite wet longer, allowing it to soak in differently in different milky cast—sometimes described as a hazy look—in the places on the floor. This would account for the uneven overall appearance of the floor. In addition, there were luster when the finish dried. differences in luster throughout the floor. How to Fix the Floor The Procedure If this is truly only in the final coat, a good screening to The 2¼-inch red oak floor was installed and sanded. A open up the surface and allow the trapped solvent and catalyzed water-based finish in a satin sheen was applied. water to come out for 24 hours before applying finish will The first two coats were applied and dried normally. They help clear the film. Then, a good wet coat of finish should were clear and even in be applied, allowing the proper drying conditions and With satin finishes, appearance. ventilation. When the final coat was Remember that with satin finishes, the heavier the coat, the heavier the applied, the floor was nor- the shinier the finish, and the thinner the coat, the duller mal looking. A day later, the finish. So, apply the finish very evenly and with a coat, the shinier the contractor received a uniform wet film thickness, and make sure there is good complaint that the floor ventilation for drying. the finish. was hazy-looking. When If the haze is in more than one coat, the contractor he went back and looked must start over by sanding off the finish. Screening deep at the floor, there was a definite white, hazy cast to the enough to take out more than one coat is possible but is floor, and he noticed the floor had an uneven luster. not an efficient use of time. Also, screening that deep is hard to do without leaving severe scratches that would The Cause have to be removed by starting over anyway. So, it’s best In discussing the finishing process with the contractor, it to bite the bullet, dig out the drum, and start sanding. was discovered that on the day the final coat was applied, it was raining outside, so the contractor couldn’t open any In the Future of the windows. The humidity On those cold wet days when the windows cannot be was high and the air was cool, opened for proper ventilation, there are two ways of pre- although the house had heat venting this condition from happening (sometimes both and the floors were not cold. may be necessary): By not opening windows or 1) Set some 20-inch box fans around the house on tim- adding ventilation, the moisture ers set to turn on slow speed a half hour after you leave. from the water-based finish This circulates air throughout the house and helps pick up was trapped in the house. The moisture everywhere in the building. finish could not dry properly, 2) Relative humidity is just that—relative to the tempera- as the drying process of the co-solvent and water in the ture. Turning the heat up to 90°F would allow the air to finish were slowed down dramatically. pick up more water, since the warmer the air, the more Additionally, the extra trapped water hydrolyzed the water it will hold. ■ catalyst in the coating, preventing it from curing the finish. In cases like this, not only is the film hazy, it also is usu- Mike Sundell is a wood fi nishing consultant in ally soft enough to put a fingernail into the surface. Trap- Hedgesville, W.V.
38 Hardwood Floors June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-Troublesh.indd 38 5/23/12 2:12 PM On the Job | Techniques
Luck of the Draw? Recoating prefinished floors doesn’t have to be a gamble
By Kim M. Wahlgren
or wood flooring contractors, doing a recoat on a factory-finished floor can feel like play- ing the slots—when you arrive at the job site, you never know whether you’re walking into F a straightforward job with a nice profit or stumbling into a complicated mess. Can the floor be recoated at all? Can the floor be abraded easily? What is the finish on it? Is it contaminated with maintenance products? Will new finish adhere to the textured surface or bevels? Can the floor be recoated at all? What does the customer expect? With the right education, products, techniques and experience, recoating these floors should feel less like a risky gamble and more like a solid bet. Here are 10 key factors to know about when recoating prefinished floors:
1) You might be dealing with upset customers. Many customers are sold on the beauty and durability of prefinished wood floors without being informed about the details of the warranties and the simple maintenance necessary to ensure perfor- mance and satisfy expectations. Perhaps they thought their floor would look brand-new for 30 years and have since been informed that their warranty doesn’t cover general wear and tear. The good news is that you often can help make their floors look much better. The bad news is that sometimes you just can’t. Sometimes, the wear layer on such a floor is so thin it can’t be resanded, and the finish is worn so badly that a recoat won’t give it the ap- pearance the customers want, so a new floor is the only option. This is also the case with some new floors that simply can’t be recoated. (For more on that, see #6).
2) Try to figure out what the product is. Before you do anything, try to find out as much as possible about the floor, and ask if the customer has any leftover flooring. If you can find out the manufacturer of the flooring and its age, that will give you valuable clues as to what the finish is and how difficult it may be to recoat, or if recoating is even possible (in the case of wax or most natural oils, for example, the floor usually must be either recoated with the same product or resanded). While When this prefi nished fl oor was recoated, the fi nish formed a nice, even you are asking questions, ask what maintenance fi lm, and abrasion marks on the bottom of the peeling indicated plenty products and tools have been used on the floor (but of abrasion, but this was one of those fl oors that simply could not be re- don’t take that as fact—oftentimes they may tell you coated. No pre-test for adhesion had been done before coating. (Photo courtesy of Bona US) what they think you want to hear). Ask to see the maintenance area or closet.
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JJ12-Techn.indd 39 5/24/12 11:19 AM On the Job | Techniques
out, but eventually you realize that the finish wasn’t actually stuck very well to the floor— gravity is the only thing holding it down. There are many possible pitfalls that can lead to these scenarios. One of the most com- mon is contamination from a buildup of main- tenance products, including overspray from maintenance products used on wood furni- ture, stone counters, appliances, etc. Some maintenance products, such as oil soaps, are usually relatively easy to remove from the floor with a strong wood floor cleaner from a finish manufacturer. Others—a notorious one is Orange Glo—say they are recommended for wood floors but leave an acrylic or oily residue that sticks and smears on wood floors, actually attracting even more dirt. One recom- mendation from Orange Glo is to remove such residue using a mixture of ammonia and water. Also, at least one of the chemical/abra- sino recoating system manufacturers available in the industry guarantees successful removal of all contaminating residues on the floor. If you aren’t going to use a chemical recoat- ing system, another important step in fact- This was a test area on a prefi nshed fl oor that showed that the fi nish would not finding is figuring out how difficult the finish be compatible with the existing fl oor. (Photo courtesy of Bona US) is to abrade. An older floor with a standard urethane finish may abrade just as easily as a typical site-finished floor, but many newer 3) You don’t always have to abrade. floors have finishes—contrary to popular belief, regard- For decades, the industry standard for recoating wood less of whether they have aluminum oxide or ceramic in floors involved screening with a buffer and recoating. them—that are extremely difficult to abrade. Abrading them will require more effort and many more or different abrasives, so that must be factored into the bid. Last, some floors can be abraded but still won’t take a new coat of fin- Doing a recoat without ish, as they are simply incompatible with recoating (see #6). trying a test area first is a 5) Choose your test area carefully. Selecting a test spot can be tricky. It needs to be in an reckless gamble. inconspicuous area, but also in a place on the floor where cleaning products have been used on a regular basis. So, inside a closet or under a rug won’t work, but an area These days, there are several options available to recoat out of direct sight—under a kitchen cabinet toekick, for the floor using a chemical recoating system or a chemical/ example—might do the trick. abrasion combination recoating system. For some floors Of course, your one test area isn’t a guarantee—be that are difficult to abrade, such as distressed floors, bev- aware of the risk of spot contamination from products eled floors or older cupped floors, one of these newer like furniture polish, glass cleaner and even fabric softener systems may be the best or, in some cases, the only option. sheets. And, even if the finish on your test area looks like it went down well, once the film is formed, do an adhesion 4) Doing a test area minimizes the gamble. test to see how well the finish is stuck to the floor. You Doing a recoat without trying a test area first is a reckless should be able to scrape the floor hard enough with a coin gamble. The recoat may go well … or you may discover to almost dent it while the finish stays firmly adhered. If it that the finish won’t flow out. Or, the finish may flow doesn’t, consider the recoat process you tried a no-go.
40 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-Techn.indd 40 5/24/12 11:19 AM On the Job | Techniques
6) Beware: Some factory-finished floors are how important cleaning the floor is to any recoat, even impossible to recoat. one with a standard abrade-and-recoat process. Contrac- For years, contractors have been wary of trying to recoat tors may think that they don’t have to clean the floor newer prefinished floors because many have finishes that when they’re doing a standard buffer abrasion—“I’ll just are difficult to abrade. Now there are some prefinished sand it off”—but that doesn’t work and, in fact, can make floors that simply cannot be recoated. For example, prefin- any problems worse. If all the dirt and contamination ished wood floors that have well-known brand names for aren’t removed from the floor before buffing, both will non-stick and anti-stain ingredients (Teflon and Scotch- be ground into the floor, scratching the floor and driving gard, to be exact) may not accept a new coat of finish, contaminants into the soft grain and gaps. Instead, use no matter what abrasion or chemical recoating product is a high-quality cleaner from a finish manufacturer, and if used. Of course, this can come as a shock to customers if you really want to clean deeply, consider using techniques they weren’t informed of this when they bought the floor common to gym floor contractors: using a small autoscrub- … and are now told that if they want their floor to look ber or “wet-screening,” in which the cleaner is applied to better, it must be totally resanded (if the wear layer is thick the floor, buffed with a screen or pad and then vacuumed enough) or replaced. up with a wet vac. Whatever method is used, completely When testing finish on these floors, depending on the removing the contamination from the floor is critical. chemistry of the UV finishing system, the finish applied may crawl immediately, or it may flow out and appear to 8) There are many different products avail- dry fine but have no adhesion. able to help with recoating. You need all the weapons possible in your arsenal to 7) Cleaning is crucial. handle the situations you come across, so make sure you Detailed cleaning is a critical step in the chemical recoat- are up-to-date on the latest products available specifically ing products available on the market, and that speaks to for recoats. They range from chemical recoating systems, Discover...
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www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com June|July 2012 ■ Hardwood Floors 41
JJ12-Techn.indd 41 5/24/12 11:19 AM On the Job | Techniques
(notorious for sticking to almost anything and drying rapidly), or it may mean adding some dye to a finish coat to help blend a worn area. Specialized wood repair kits and color matching kits, wood-tone permanent markers, graining pen- cils and epoxies mixed with color powders are among the techniques sometimes used to help disguise blemishes before recoating, and amber tints/dyes or aging some poly are techniques to match the appearance of an older wood floor. Be confident in any “creative” finish process you use, because if something goes wrong, you’re on your own. Also, remember that using a low-gloss finish helps dis- guise scratches and dents.
10) Leave your contract open and your customers This prefi nished, hand-scraped walnut fl oor was cleaned and recoated using a chemical informed. recoating system; the fl oor had extensive surface scratches and excessive grime build- Since you don’t know what to up after fi ve years of use. (Photo courtesy of Basic Coatings and Provo, Utah-based Jerry expect on a recoat, the language Nielson Hardwood) in your contract has to be flexible enough to leave your options open, and the customer must be aware of to kits that test for contaminants on the floor, to sanding what could happen. Just as important, be clear about real- machines equipped specifically for abrading recoats, to istic expectations for a recoat. Customers may expect that floor scrubbers specifically for wood floors. One size does a fresh coat of finish will make the floor look new but, of not fit all when it comes to recoats, so being familiar with course, that isn’t usually the case. A new coat won’t totally all the options will increase your chances of success. disguise gouges from pet claws, for example, and some factory-applied finishes turn white when scratched and 9) You may need to get creative. stay white, even with a new finish coat. If there are traffic Finish manufacturers may shudder when the words “get patterns down to bare wood but the customers won’t or creative” are in the same sentence with “wood floor finish,” can’t have the floor resanded, explain that you’ll do your best to clean the area and build up the finish, but it prob- ably won’t look the same. Finally, it can’t be said enough: Since you don’t know Go over basic maintenance practices with the customer so they can keep your new finish coat looking as good what to expect on a recoat, as possible. (Consider giving them the maintenance PDF formatted for customers at www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com/ the language in your contract Maintenance101.) If you can get customers to be in contact with you for maintenance products, you will be the first has to be flexible. person they call when their floors need a recoat. ■
but some contractors have experimented with their own Sources and reviewers for this article included: Don Con- techniques enough to feel confident using them on a cus- ner, NWFA; Len Daubler, Shaw Industries Inc.; Galen Fitzel, tomer’s floor—even knowing that if something goes wrong 3M; Steve Marley, Johnson Premium Hardwood Flooring; they won’t be able to turn to the finish manufacturer for Brett Miller, Basic Coatings; Kelsey Quigg, UFloor Systems help. That may include using a coat of de-waxed shellac Inc.; and Todd Schutte, Bona US.
42 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-Techn.indd 42 5/24/12 11:19 AM Honored in Orlando
ITH A NEW NWFA EXPO comes new excite- ment as people speculate which companies will take home the industry’s much-coveted NWFA Wood Floor of the Year awards. The Wwinners were revealed at the Expo in Orlando at the awards
David Stluka luncheon on the second day; this year’s presentation had the added prestige of a celebrity presenter: HGTV’s Carter Avedis Duvenjian of Wood Floor of the Oosterhouse did the honors. Year Members’ Choice winner Archetypal Imaginary Remodeling Corp. and his son Tigran with HGTV celebrity Carter Winners for all categories except Designers’ Choice were Oosterhouse (left) at the 2012 NWFA Expo in Orlando, Fla., on April 12. voted on by NWFA members online before the show.
THE 2013 WOOD FLOOR OF THE YEAR CONTEST will open this fall; entries will be due by Jan. 7, 2013. To view all the entries in the 2012 Wood Floor of the Year contest, go to www.nwfa.org. And to see more photos from the winning projects, go to www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com/WFOYJJ12.
www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com June|July 2012 Hardwood Floors 43
JJ12-WFOY.indd 43 5/24/12 9:36 AM Archetypal Imaginary Remodeling Corp. Little Neck, N.Y. BEST RESIDENTIAL/MEMBERS’ CHOICE
44 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-WFOY.indd 44 5/24/12 9:37 AM The height of the mosaic pieces 3 ranged from ⁄4 inch to 1 inch, with taller pieces used to accent certain patterns in the floor.
Exceptional End-Grain VEDIS DUVENJIAN LOVES end-grain flooring. Ask him what makes end-grain flooring so great and he’ll rattle off a list of ways people have used this type of wood surface to great effect in the past. He’ll tell you Ahow the renowned Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí insisted on end-grain flooring in his home so that he could bring his horses inside. He’ll tell you about centuries-old end-grain streets in Munich and even end- grain parking lots in Chicago that remain in use today. He’ll remind you that the lowly butcher’s block is actu- ally a beautifully crafted utensil because it incorporates end-grain wood: “They are extremely durable and extremely strong,” he says of anything made using end-grain blocks. Duvenjian and his team of artisan craftsmen at Little Neck, N.Y.-based Archetypal Imaginary Remodeling Corp. don’t install end-grain floors for their durability alone. They take things a step further and make 1 1 “mosaic end-grain” floors by using hand-cut pieces that are ⁄4 inch by ⁄4 inch, much smaller than the typical 3-inch- or 4-inch-square sizes for end-grain. By making the pieces smaller, they can turn a floor into a blank canvas on which they can place any mosaic design, an artistic technique that typically calls for ceramic tile. This floor, installed in a home in Middle Asia, was designed by Archetypal’s Vartan Arutyunian with help from Nashville, Ind.-based Custom CAD Design LLC. After the design was finalized, the flowing pathways of wood were sketched onto a plywood backing, and then Archetypal’s installers individually placed each hand- cut piece into a layer of adhesive. Encircled by a woven-patterned border is a field of dots, six-point stars and a large, six-point Arabic ornament. The entire floor was made using solid white oak and American walnut pieces. After each piece was in place, the entire floor was hand-scraped. To finish the floor, Duvenjian and his crew burnished it with hardening oil and then applied a custom-formulated beeswax filler. The crucial component of this floor, in Duvenjian’s opinion, was its penetrating oil finish. Whereas a sur- face finish would eventually break down to reveal bare wood, this oil finish penetrated at least halfway through the pieces. As the wood wears away, Duvenjian says, the color will be altered some, pathways will form, and, over time, it will take the look of an antique floor. Whenever he discusses a particularly beautiful floor or his company in general, Duvenjian is certain to attribute his ability to the NWFA and its technical schools. “I made an end-grain floor that will not break down,” he says. “The color is penetrated so deep that the more it wears, the better it will look, and this is exactly the kind of thing that I learned from the NWFA schools.” With additional offices in Moscow and Dubai, Duvenjian, who was born in Armenia and raised in New York City, is showing the world what the NWFA is capable of.—D.D.
Advertisers in this issue appear in all caps. Adhesive: BOSTIK INC., Sika Corporation | Finish: Woca Denmark | Moisture Meter: Tramex Ltd. | Saws: Festool | Wood: Distinctive Hardwood Floors
www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com June|July 2012 Hardwood Floors 45
JJ12-WFOY.indd 45 5/24/12 11:27 AM Yantarnaya Pryad-Parquet Khimki, Russia BEST CNC/LASER CUT
Masterpiece in Moscow T IS SAFE to say that this type of floor is the modus operandi for installation company Yantarnaya Pryad- Parquet of Khimki, Russia. The company’s style is intricate, often relying on a deliberate assortment of Inatural forms and geometric shapes displayed in a diverse range of wood species, a tactic that lends its floors a rich palette and leaves onlookers with the impression the company’s works are teeming with life. This particular floor was installed in a residence in suburban Moscow. Giving the floor its palette of browns, oranges and blacks is a selection of solid Karelian birch, oak, wenge, walnut, lemon tree, maple, jato- ba, olive tree and jarrah—nine species in all. The medallion comprises concentric circles of parquet arrange- ments: There are leaves, stars, diamonds, twigs, squares, buds and ribbons; the shoots twist in paths echoing the golden ratio, yet they seem to be growing in no particular direction. “The style of the medallion is close to Rococo,” Natalia Lebedeva, import manager at Yantarnaya Pryad, says. The medallion here is one of two Yantarnaya Pryad installed in the home’s grand hall. To complement the marble encircling the medallion, Yantarnaya Pryad incorporated small, circular marble accents in the spiral- patterned section near the center. After the medallion was glued down and site-finished, the marble accents were glued into holes left in the floor. Last came application of a water-based glossy finish. With this project, Yantarnaya Pryad displayed its preeminence in the field of elaborate CNC-cut wood flooring, and it took home its third Wood Floor of the Year award. With no shortage of well-heeled clients— the company works for anyone from private homeowners to the Russian government—it’s likely we’ll see this company add to this total in the future.—D.D.
Advertisers in this issue appear in all caps. Abrasive, Buffer: 3M | Adhesive, Filler, Finish: Chimiver Panseri S.p.A. | Edger: Mafell | Sander: Eugen Lagler GmbH | Saws: Leitz Tooling Systems
To see more photos from this project, go to www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com/WFOYJJ12.
46 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-WFOY.indd 46 5/24/12 9:37 AM Acme Floor Company Inc. Lenexa, Kan.
A Preeminent Project BEST COMMERCIAL HAT’S MADE OF wood, sounds Wgreat and seats 1,600? That would be Helzberg Hall, a music venue inside Kansas City’s Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. This floor in the hall’s seat- ing area, installed by Lenexa, Kan.-based Acme Floor Co., had the right stuff to take home the Best Commercial category during the NWFA Wood Flooring Expo in Orlando, Fla., and you might have noticed it featured on the cover and in a feature story in the December 2011/January 2012 issue of Hardwood Floors. “When we got out there, we saw that there were so many other great projects entered in that category,” says Emily Kenney-Moore, the company’s vice president and chief finan- cial officer, of the trip to Orlando for the Expo. “I never really thought that we would win.” In the end, though, Emily and her brother, Brian Kenney—the fourth generation at Acme Floor Co.—got to accept the award and bask in the glory of strolling the Expo floor with the trophy. Really, though, the proj- ect—and the credit, in Emily’s eyes—belongs to her father, Bob Kenney. “It was my father’s project. It was his baby, and it’s something our family is really proud of,” Emily says of her father, the company’s president and owner. Acme Floor Company won the contract for this floor—about 20,000 square feet of quartersawn red oak for the hall’s seating area—back in 2006. That lead time ensured Acme would be well-prepared when it came time to install the project in 2011, and Emily says that preparation was crucial for her company’s keeping its quality consistent over such a large installation. “It was the largest project Acme had ever done, and we didn’t want our part to cause a lag in the schedule,” Emily says. “As soon as we were done accepting the award,” Emily says, “Brian looked at me and said, ‘Why haven’t we ever entered this before!? This is awesome!’ So, most definitely we’ll be entering again in the future. We’re already on the hunt to find that particular project.”—D.D.
Advertisers in this issue appear in all caps. Abrasive: 3M | Adhesive: BOSTIK INC. | Buffer, Edger: Clarke American Sanders | Fastener, Nailer: Bostitch | Filler: WOODWISE/DESIGN HARDWOOD PRODUCTS | Finish: Bona US | Router: Bosch | Sander: Hummel (Palo Duro) | Saws: Fein | Wood: Frank Miller
See the full feature on this project from the December 2011/January 2012 issue at www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com/DODJ12.
www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com June|July 2012 Hardwood Floors 47
JJ12-WFOY.indd 47 5/24/12 12:45 PM Majestic Wood Floors Frederick, Md. BEST EXTREME MAKEOVER
Dazzling Do-Over HIS IS ACTUALLY probably my favorite category, because if you design something from the start and think later, ‘I should have done this or done that,’ this category gives you the opportunity to “Tdo that,” says Bob Humphreys, president at Majestic Wood Floors, of the category that requires contractors to do a “makeover” on an existing wood floor while leaving at least 50 percent of the original floor intact. It’s also a category that’s been particularly successful for Majestic: This is the second time the company has won the Wood Floor of the Year award in this category—the first was for the company’s showroom—and the company also won twice when there was an Xtreme Makeover competition on-site at the convention. This year’s award proved particularly meaningful for Majestic and Humphreys, who says this award “was almost like our phoenix out of the ashes.” After the company won its last Wood Floor of the Year award in 2009, Humphreys tried to take the company in a new direction and get big fast. It proved to be a painful but valuable lesson for Humphreys: “We’re much better in the niche market, where I can focus on big proj- ects and larger-sized homes,” he says. Now the business is smaller again and focused back in Humphrey’s wheelhouse—projects just like this winning floor. Humphreys had installed the original floor, which is in a theater room in an upscale home in Maryland, and although he entered it in the Wood Floor of the Year Limited Species category in 2009, he wasn’t entirely happy with it. “I just didn’t like it much; it didn’t look complete,” he says. So when the client said he was doing some remodeling work, Humphreys jumped at the opportunity to have a second crack at the floor. When he showed the client a handful of CAD drawings, the client chose Humphreys’ favorite, which added medallions, diamonds, rectangles and squares to the floor of overlapping circles. It took three weeks of just routing to add the more than 500 individual inlays, all of which were designed using CAD and cut in the Majestic shop using sleds and table saws. Because of the sharp points on some inlays, par- 1 ticularly on the diamonds, the crew used two different routers, then a Rotozip with a ⁄8-inch blade, and then a drywall knife cut to be 1 inch long and sharpened on a grinder to act as a chisel. That high level of custom work at the shop and at the job site may sound both intense and arduous, but this time around, Humphreys is positive that’s exactly how he likes it.—K.M.W.
Advertisers in this issue appear in all caps. Abrasive: 3M | Buffer, Edger: Clarke American Sanders | Distributor: Long Floor Supply | Filler: Timbermate | Finish: LENMAR | Router: Festool | Wood flooring: Allegheny Mountain Hardwood Flooring
48 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-WFOY.indd 48 5/24/12 9:37 AM WOOD FLOOR FINISHES
unquestioned
quality
Let our products floor you
A Benjamin Moore® Company
101 Paragon Drive Montvale, NJ 07645 www.lenmar-coatings.com
HF04_Lenmar412.indd 1 3/16/12 9:17 AM Artistic Floors by Design Inc. Parker, Colo. DESIGNERS’ CHOICE
A Vision Comes to Life OE ROCCO HAD a great week in Orlando at the NWFA Expo in April: He earned his NWFA Craftsman degree, was elected to the board of directors and, to top it off, his company won its first Wood Floor of the JYear award. Appropriately, the design for the winning floor was one that originated when Rocco was a student at an NWFA Expert Installation School in St. Louis. He didn’t end up having the opportunity at the school to execute the design, but when he got home, he explained his idea to his wife, and in his spare moments, over a period of two months, the idea came to life in their dining room. Rocco wanted to incorporate many of the techniques he learned at the Expert School into the floor. The final design has sculpted red oak squares—some pyramids, others topped by smaller squares created using a router template—that were cut out of 6 quarter material, then run through a band saw to get the general shape. “The real tricky part was getting the right height elevation on those squares,” Rocco notes. Before installation, Rocco scraped the squares’ edges and dyed their edges black. Once the field was glued in place on the plywood subfloor, he palm-sanded the floor and dyed the squares again (the same dye with different intensity was used two create two colors for the squares). With the field complete, he custom-cut the sapele border, which free-flows all the way around the perimeter, hand-brushed on two coats of a water- borne sealer and rolled on a waterborne topcoat. The final custom touch was crafting sapele vents to match by hand. Although the shadows make it appear more dramatic, the height in the final sculpted floor varies by 3 only ⁄8 inch. Now, the floor is a family favorite. Rocco’s boys use the floor as terrain for their remote control cars, and his wife loves to host events at their home. “People come in and say, ‘I didn’t know you could do that,’” Rocco says. “You can do quite a bit; you just have to have the vision.” —K.M.W.
Advertisers in this issue appear in all caps. Adhesive: Bruce | Finish: Basic Coatings | Router, Sander: Festool | Saws: Grizzly Industrial Inc., Hitachi
50 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-WFOY.indd 50 5/24/12 9:37 AM HF06_612.indd 1 5/22/12 7:12 AM Czar Floors Inc. Newtown, Pa.
Timeless Style INCE WINNING ITS
first Wood Floor BEST RESTORATION Sof the Year award in 2007, Newtown, Pa.-based Czar Floors Inc. has estab- lished itself as one of the pre- eminent companies installing wood floors that bear influ- ence from Europe’s Middle Ages. The company’s latest award winner fits that bill, although it was installed in a country club about a stone’s throw away, in New Jersey. The country club’s operators wanted Czar Floors to re-cre- ate an ornate wood floor in the club’s foyer; first installed in the 1920s, the floor had fallen into disrepair as a result of water damage and decay. “There weren’t any original photos or designs left, so we transferred the original design to rice paper, and then we transferred that drawing into AutoCAD,” Edward Tsvilik, the vice president of Czar Floors, explains. “The country club managers wanted the new floor to have the exact design as the old floor.” First, Czar Floors presented a CNC-cut prototype to the club. The club operators, how- ever, said the edges produced using the CNC cutter were too round. “The client wanted it to look like it was made in the ‘20s,” Tsvilik says. So Czar Floors made a second prototype cut using scroll saws, which could have been used to make the original floor and produced sharper edges. The client approved the second prototype, and Czar Floors constructed the solid 3-by-3-foot panels that would comprise the floor; for species, they used walnut, wenge, maple and purpleheart. Before they installed the floor, Czar Floors repaired the concrete subfloor, which was broken down and out of level in some parts. Next, the panels were installed using adhesive, and then Czar Floors sanded them down and applied a water- based finish on the surface. In the end, this floor proves that client service, contractor innovation and European-influenced flooring will never go out of style.—D.D.
Advertisers in this issue appear in all caps. Abrasive: 3M | Adhesive: BOSTIK INC. | Buffer, Edger: Clarke American Sanders | Finish: Bona US | Router: Bosch | Sander: Eugen Lagler GmbH | Saws: Festool
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JJ12-WFOY.indd 52 5/24/12 9:37 AM MP Caroll Hardwood Cheektowaga, N.Y. BEST MANUFACTURER FACTORY FINISHED
That Winning Feeling ACK WHEN THE Wood Floor of the Year awards began—when there were only two categories and the con- test was called simply “Floor of the Year”—Mike Caroll and his brother, Jim, collected trophies for four Bconsecutive years for his brother’s company, Buffalo Hardwood. Jim has since sold Buffalo Hardwood, and Mike Caroll now has his own company, MP Caroll Hardwood, but the thrill of winning remains the same. “I still am just as excited today as I was in my late 20s when we were winning those awards,” Caroll says. The floor that won this year’s honor for Caroll originated when the designer on the project showed him a photo of a parquet pattern he liked. Caroll set about creating and sizing the pattern in CAD so that there would be no partial cuts in the room. Factory-finished hand-scraped hickory and Samoan mahogany from two manufacturers were used to make the pattern come to life. “We basically had a big puzzle to put togeth- er when we got on site,” Caroll says. “I really feel that 99 percent of the work was done in our shop fabricat- ing and cutting all these little pieces.” Because the factory-finished flooring was stained and hand-scraped, a labor-intensive part of creating the floor in the shop was disguising all the freshly cut edges on the flooring. Caroll himself took on the task of sanding, staining and finishing all the freshly cut edges—a task that suited his experience in furniture restora- tion. “With my wood finishing background, I really love doing specialty projects like this,” Caroll says. Caroll’s most recent award is adding to the positive momentum surrounding his company, which started in 2003 and is moving to a new, larger showroom this year. “The whole company—from the office staff to the warehouse to the men out in the field—everybody is super excited that we won the award … There is so much good positive buzz going on in the company. This award helped us put a feather in our cap, and we don’t have many feathers, because we’re a new company,” Caroll says.—K.M.W.
To see the winning projects from Buffalo Hardwood that Caroll was a part of in the early 1990s and more photos from this winning project, go to the online version of this article at www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com/WFOYJJ12.
Advertisers in this issue appear in all caps. Adhesive: BOSTIK INC. | Distributor: Installers Warehouse Inc. | Wood Flooring: Johnson Premium Hardwood Flooring, Shaw Industries Inc.
www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com June|July 2012 Hardwood Floors 53
JJ12-WFOY.indd 53 5/24/12 9:37 AM Schmidt Custom Floors Inc. Waukesha, Wis.
Pub Fare HINGS ARE GOOD for Tim Schmidt and T Schmidt Custom BEST RECLAIMED Floors Inc. in Waukesha, Wis. In addition to the com- pany’s retail, installation and distribution services, the company branched into sport court installation in the past few months and also recently launched a division specializing in hand-scraped wood flooring. Headed by Tim Schmidt’s sons Austin and Taylor, the new division, dubbed Handcrafted by Schmidt, has already made an impact in the wood floor- ing industry by helping win the company’s second Wood Floor of the Year award. Made from reclaimed equine fencing from Berryville, Va.- based Cochran’s Lumber & Millwork Inc., this herring- bone floor was installed and finished by Schmidt Custom Floors with hand-scraping by Austin and Taylor. It resides within the Rumpus Room, a new gastropub in downtown Milwaukee that specializes in locally sourced pub fare, and the antique-looking wood floor dovetails nicely with the res- taurant’s European-influenced décor. In addition to looking fabu- lous and bearing the fingerprints of the Schmidt family’s third generation of wood flooring contractors— the business was started by Tim’s father, Bob, in 1968—this floor is unique because it marks the first time Schmidt Custom Floors installed directly over ceramic tile; this was done to save the client from having to pay to have the tile removed. Thoroughly testing the process before putting it into practice, the company started with scarifying the tile, then glued the solid red and white oak directly to the tile. Then came the hand-scraping and last was an oil finish. By Tim Schmidt’s account, the company’s new hand-scraping division is paying off. “Today we have a three-month backlog of projects,” he says. “Ever since we started it, it’s been a huge hit.”—D.D.
Advertisers in this issue appear in all caps. Adhesive: Chemque Inc. | Filler: WOODWISE/DESIGN HARDWOOD PRODUCTS | Finish: DURASEAL | Router: Porter Cable | Saws: DeWalt | Wood: Cochran’s Lumber & Millwork Inc.
54 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-WFOY.indd 54 5/24/12 11:29 AM Distinctive Hardwood Floors Nashville, Ind. Going to Great Lengths ISTINCTIVE HARDWOOD FLOORS’ Dan Antes is Dno stranger to win- ning Wood Floor of the Year awards—he’s just usually in the background as a supplier and fabricator of the high-end wood flooring the contrac-
tors in the spotlight use (in BEST LIMITED SPECIES fact, he supplied the flooring for the winner on this year’s cover). This job, however, was right in Antes’ backyard, and this year, for the first time, it’s Antes who is front and center with a floor unlike any that has won before. The winning floor, an L-shaped catwalk hallway with white oak planks, is only 300 square feet of the 5,000 that Distinctive Hardwood Floors installed over a year-and-a-half in the new $10 mil- lion home. Antes suggested a “live edge” design (leaving the bark on) inspired by famous furniture maker George Nakashima, which the owner agreed to. However, the homeowner didn’t want any butt joints in the floor, meaning most of the planks would have to be an astounding 27 feet long. Being located in the middle of the one of the largest remaining contiguous hardwood forests in the country, Antes was able to procure the necessary logs within 50 miles of his location; he sliced them sequentially at his shop and then sent them to be dried (since his facility can’t handle such long lengths). Once the flooring was on the job site, the crew realized there was no way to get the planks through the house, so a crane company had to be hired to use a telescopic handler to maneuver them into the upstairs through a window. Installer Kevin Zobott led the installation of the planks, which ranged from 15 to 24 inch- es wide and were glued down over radiant heat. “We took a jig saw and cut down the live edge to take the actual bark off but followed a grain line so it still looked live edge and still had the heart and sap line,” Antes explains. Where there were voids between the live edges of the planks, they took rubbings of the voids, used spray adhesive to stick those impressions to quartersawn material from the center cuts, and used a jig saw to cut the “filler” boards out. “You’d be surprised what kind of tolerance you can get with a Festool jig saw and a lot of patience,” Antes says. Once everything was scribed together, the floor was hand-scraped on site, dyed and coated with a lightly pigmented tung oil finish. Amazingly, the floors in the rest of the house are all different but just as complex as this winning floor; Antes didn’t enter them in the contest because they would have been in categories competing with his own customers. And although he’s usually happy to be in the shadows, this is a once-in-a-lifetime job Antes was thrilled to handle himself. “I was pretty happy to get the big fish that was my own,” he says.—K.M.W.
Advertisers in this issue appear in all caps. Abrasive, Buffer, Sander: Ceno | Adhesive: BOSTIK INC. | Distributor: Wooley Lumber | Filler: Sculptwood | Finish: The Real Milk Paint Company | Moisture Meter: WAGNER | Nailer: POWERNAIL COMPANY | Router, Saws: Festool | Shop Production/ Management: Richard Antes | CAD, Finishing: Christopher Antes
To see more photos from this project, go to www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com/WFOYJJ12.
www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com June|July 2012 Hardwood Floors 55
JJ12-WFOY.indd 55 5/24/12 9:37 AM ProductFocus Tools + Supplies THE RIGHT TOOLS hether searching for the perfect scraper, vacuum or belt sander, we always weigh options and compare features. To Wmake that job a little easier, once again, Hardwood Floors has compiled its annual Tools & Supplies Product Focus. Read on and make good buying decisions.
abrasives
3M 3M’s Easy Change disc buffer system makes blending scratches and chatter marks or sanding patterned hard- wood floors easier than ever, the company says. Contractors can now quickly change from one 3M Hook-it II abrasive grit to another without tools. The discs are available in grades 20 to 150. www.3m.com
Bona US Bona’s Sport Platinum Floor Sanding Roll abrasive was specifically developed for coarse sanding on the first cut. The optimized blend of ceramic and aluminum oxide provides unprecedented performance in removing urethane finishes, Bona says. www.bona.com
Mercer Abrasives, a Division of Mercer Tool Corp. Mercer Abrasives offers heavy-duty belts and pads of various grits and sizes. Mercer says they are cool-cutting and long-lasting. Its Premium Zirconia Floor Sanding Belts feature Zirconia grain, a resin-on-resin bond and a butt-tape joint for bidirectional sanding. www.mercerabrasives.com
Sungold Abrasives Sungold Abrasives offers a full line of floor sanding abrasives. The company says its pre- mium green belts have the strength and durability needed for any job, and that its screens and edger discs provide a superior finish. Also, Sungold adds that its Tweeners are excellent for between coats on stairs, corners, vents and hard to reach areas. www.sungoldabrasives.com
56 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-toolsPF.indd 56 5/23/12 3:34 PM ProductFocus Tools + Supplies applicators
Bona US Mercer Abrasives, a Bona US offers a European nap roller Division of Mercer for waterborne finishes. The specially Tool Corp. designed roller is for use with Bona finishes, and it features a candy stripe Made of premium, thick that shows if the roller is dragging. lambskin, Mercer’s applicators www.bona.com are available up to 18 inches in size, with or without a wooden applicator block. Thumbscrews hold the 6-inch-wide pad in place between two 2¼ -inch-wide blocks. They can be used to apply stain, sealer and surface finish. www.mercerabrasives.com
Padco Inc. Woodwise/Design Padco says its Nylfoam T-bar floor coater Hardwood Products is an industry standard for the application The Woodwise Nap Saver suspends an applicator of floor coatings. With 20,000 fibers per pad inside a polycarbonate housing so the nap square inch, they apply waterborne and doesn’t get crushed. Since the nap never touches solvent-based finishes to large areas with the sides, it keeps applicator pads like new even, consistent coverage. Its cushioned so they can be used again and again without squeegee action provides a smooth, streak- compromising quality, Woodwise says. and bubble-free finish, Padco says. www.woodwise.com www.padco.com/floortools
t$PNQMJFTXJUI"45.'
t5JNFT'"45&3 The Moisture Measurement Leader t-PXFTU$PTUUFTU RapidRH.com 1-800-505-1283 t4JNQMFTUUP6TF 1.800.207-2478 U.S. Patent 7,231,815 & 8,047,056 . Additional patents pending
www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com June|July 2012 ■ Hardwood Floors 57
JJ12-toolsPF.indd 57 5/23/12 3:35 PM Product Focus | Tools + Supplies floor manufacturing equipment
Deimco Finishing OgdenO Group Equipment OgdenO Group’s thin-cutting frame makes Deimco Finishing Equipment’s lineal finish- veneer slats/lamellas for the wear layers used on engineered flooring. The saw uses ing systems are designed for wide-plank 9 flooring at rates to 300 feet per minute. multiple blades as thin as ⁄250 inch to Systems include cross-transfer capabilities, produce a smooth finish that is ideal for improved stain wipers, integral sanders and face-gluing. The saw channel option al- automatic guns. Also, its combination ovens lowsl for a significant increase in production work across a variety of substrate and coat- byb feeding up to five blocks of wood through ing combinations. thet machine simultaneously. www.deimco.com www.ogden-group.comw
RfsProtech SuperMaxSupe Tools RfsProtech manufactures turnkey flooring SuperMaxSup Tools’ SuperBrush gives production lines. The company builds a texture to flooring material. The variety of presses for engineered flooring, SuperBrush utilizes wire and including radio frequency presses, and hot nylon brushes individually or in and cold presses. The company also builds combination for a vast array of polyvinyl urethane reactive (PUR) presses textures. It can also be used to smooth and that feature a continuous roll feed, flying defuzzdefuzz,, or iitt can be used to clean and sand cut-off saws (for cutting either random or rre-e- clclaimeda flooring. When prefinishing, fixed lengths) and automatic wear-layer tthe SuperBrush can do sealer and hopper feeders. pprimer sanding. www.ogden-group.com www.supermaxtools.com
moisture meters
DelmhorstDe Instrument Co. Lignomat USA Ltd. HT-4000HT-4 is a versatile thermo hygrometer for floor- Lignomat’s VersaPak includes all the inging installers. HT-4000’s detachable sensor makes moisture measuring tools a wood it ideal for monitoring the RH in a structure flooring installer needs. With this kit, or for ASTM F2170 concrete slab testing, installers can measure concrete (by which is gaining widespread acceptance taking an in-depth RH reading), sub- from flooring manufacturers and installers, floor and floor (hardwood and bam- Delmhorst says. boo) components. The Ligno-Versatec www.delmhorst.com meter features pin, pinless and RH measuring modes, and it includes a bevy of accessories for installers and inspectors. www.lignomat.com
TramexTramex Ltd. Wagner Meters TramesTrames says itsi Hygro-i RH testing system Designed for industry professionals, the MMC isis thethe most advanced,ad reliable and cost- 220 can instantly and accurately measure effefficienticient metmethodh of subfloor RH testing moisture content in rough- to finish-grade that conforms to ASTM F1270; what’s wood, Wagner says. The MMC 220 features a mmore,ore, the HyHygro-igro RH can measure ambient moisture content range from 5 percent to 30 conditions,conditions, as well.w The probe is not only percent, selectable species settings—includ- re-usablere-usable but alsoal capable of being checked ing “extended range” exotic species—and no for calibration beforeb or after each job. manual correction tables. www.tramexltd.comwww.tramex www.wagnermeters.com
58 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-toolsPF.indd 58 5/23/12 3:35 PM Product Focus | Tools + Supplies
nailers sanding equipment Carolina Nail Systems Bona US This nailer from Carolina Nail Systems The Atomic 600 DCS (pictured) and Bona Atomic works with all brands of 16-gauge T 300 DCS combine high-performance HEPA filtra- and L cleats, and it can be used to nail tion and portability, providing the ultimate in dust 5 any ½-, ⁄8- or ¾-inch solid wood floor. evacuation for all sanding equipment, Bona says, This professional-grade tool features an adding that these products deliver performance ergonomic handle (with optional short and efficiency installers demand, as well as the handle available), non-marring mallet dust containment homeowners demand. and a swiveling air connector. www.bona.com www.carolinanail.com
ET&F Fastening CDCLC arue Industries Inc. Systems Inc. CDCLarue’sC Pulse-Bac PB-565 HEPA-certified dust vacu- umu with universal bagger uses a 6-mil OSHA-approved The Aerico 90 pneumatic fastening tool attaches rere-sealable bag that can be removed and replaced while plywood, OSB or 2X sleepers to concrete substrates. It the vacuum operates. Its automatic pulsing system pre- uses high-carbon, ballistic-pointed collated pins that vents filters from clogging, and a sensor warns when come 25 per strip; they are available in lengths rang- the tank is full. Its HEPA filter exceeds EPA’s RRP rule ing from 1¼ to 2¼ inches. The Aerico 90 tool drives standard, CDCLarue says. fasteners ¾ inch deep into concrete for maximum www.cdclarue.com holding strength. www.etf-fastening.com
Porta-Nails Inc. Clarke American Sanders Porta-Nails’ Portamatic Evolution is an 18-gauge 3 Clarke’s OBS 18 and OBS 18DC random-orbital sanders flooring cleat nailer. It is designed to install ⁄8- to remove scratch patterns left by drum and rotary sanders. The ¾-inch-thick engineered and solid wood flooring, company says these tools leave the floor smooth, flat and ready including bamboo products. It features an ergonomic for refinishing, and that they’re perfect for the interim screen and design and fully adjustable shoe base for increased recoat process. stability. www.americansanders.com www.porta-nails.com
Powernail Company Inc. GalaxyGala Floor Powernail’s PowerPalm pneumatic cleat nailer lets SandingSa Machines an installer blind nail starting rows, final rows and BreakingB the traditional mold of a any tight space. Powernail says it virtually elimi- belt sander being only a finish- nates the need for top-nailing. The PowerPalm ing machine, Galaxy’s Omega 8 uses 16- or 18-gauge PowerCleats, is pressure- combines power and refinement, the activated, and has a rotating tip and magnetic company says. With an optimum cleat holder. balance of drum speed and pres- www.powernail.com sure plus the company’s patented belt-tension mechanism, Omega 8 delivers ooptimum performance every time, the comcompanypany aadds. www.galaxymachines.comwww.galaxy Woodwise/DesignW Hardwood Products Klindex America Woodwise makes a rectangular-head nail set for L or Klindex says its Timba machine does the work of T cleats. This tool, which is made from case-hardened three traditional sanding machines. It smooths impact-tool steel, sets the nail below the wood surface. like a belt sander, sands up to baseboards like an www.woodwise.com edger and can finish a sanding job like a buffer. What’s more, the machine can remove glue and level cement. www.klindex.it
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JJ12-toolsPF.indd 59 5/23/12 3:36 PM Product Focus | Tools + Supplies
sanding equipment scrapers Mercer Abrasives, a Divi- Jig Sharp sion of Mercer Tool Corp. Jig Sharp’s scraper and sharpener kit lets con- tractors quickly sharpen a scraper. One handle Mercer now offers narrow, elastic-neck floor accommodates ¾-, 1½- and 2¼-inch blades. sander bags with zippers. Made with 100 percent The company’s studies suggest mill chatter on cotton flannel and napped on the inside, Mercer new wood can be shaved off dust-free at a rate says its sander bags are perfect for heavy-duty of about 1 square foot per minute. floor sanders and edgers. Also, the company still www.jigsharp.com offers its standard bags with reinforced grom- mets and a drawstring closure that prevents dust from escaping. www.mercertools.com Jungle Jim Tools Jungle Jim Tools says its Cobra Scrapers have many applications, from refinishing Revolution projects to fine woodworking. For rough Manufacturing LLC and fine scraping, the company offers sev- eral handle models with 1½- or 2½-inch The FlexDriver is a pad driver designed by Hardwood Floors blades made from top-quality tempered ’ blogger Wayne Lee. It was steel that can be resharpened. The com- developed in order to provide a flatter, smoother pany says woodworkers can restore just cut when finish sanding with a buffer. This is about any wood surface with a Cobra Scraper. achieved by allowing the disc to flex while in operation, thereby enlarging the cutting area (or www.junglejimtools.com “sweet-spot”) of the pad. In addition, the FlexDriver has a dampening module that eliminates vibration from the sanding operation. www.101revolution.com Mercer Abrasives, a Division of Mercer Tool Corp. Mercer’s premium, heavy-duty scrapers allow UFloorUFloor Systems Inc. contractors to scrape without gouging any tough TheThe next gegenerationn Pallmann Cobra II delivers a smooth, ag- surface edge sanders can’t reach, the company gressive sandingsand experience while providing special safety and says. They’re available with either rubber-molded comcomfortfort ffeatures.eatu The sleek chassis and handle design provide or premium hardwood handles, and they feature quiequieter operation, improved sight lines and closer wall double-hardened, high-carbon steel blade edges, ooperating tolerances. Plus, it adjusts to the user’s angled to reach corners, edges and recesses. height and stride, UFloor says. www.mercerabrasives.com www.ufloorsystems.com
Old Western Paint US Sander LLC Co. Inc. US Sander LLC says its Diamond Jet 600 dust containment system works great for the one- This scraper from Old Western Paint Co. Inc. or two-person sanding crew. The twin 220-volt is made in the United States and has a heavy- motors make this a top-of–the-line containment duty solid aluminum head and a 9-inch steel system, US Sander adds. The unit stores in a handle with a foam grip. The scraper’s 1¾- ssmallm van and comes with 100 feet of hose. inch head can accommodate common blades as well as 2½-inch blades. www.ussander.comw www.oldwesternpaint.com
Woodwise/Design Woodwise/Design Hardwood Products Hardwood Products Woodwise Dust Collection Bags are made Woodwise’s V-Groove Scraper cleans out from 12-ounce brushed denim for maximum V-groove flooring during the refinishing durability. All sewn edges are finished for process, while its Nosing Scraper helps added strength and to prevent raveling. maintain the round surface of nosing or The bags open wide for easy emptying, treads. A 14-inch Sharpening File is also and hemmed drawstrings ensure complete available for the Nosing Scraper, and closure. The bags are available in large sander, large edger, and double-bottom replaceable blades are available for both edger sizes. scrapers, as well. www.woodwise.com www.woodwise.com
60 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-toolsPF.indd 60 5/23/12 3:36 PM Product Focus | Tools + Supplies
other 3M AmanaAmana ToToolol 3M says it knows that dust Amana Tool offers premium industrial-quality, carbide control is a challenge for tipped router bbits, shaper cutters, undercut saw floor sanders, and that’s blades and circular saw blades for why the company created wood flooring industry. The company its Hand Masker System says its extensive tool collection to protect rooms and their provides solutions for produc- contents. 3M says the line ing custom tongue and groove is easy to use, faster to work hardwood floors, cutting grooves for with than plastic p poly and customized inlays and medalmedallions, and installing and repairing to each job with much less wasted. wood floors. www.3m.com www.amanatool.com
BonaBona UUS Covermaster Inc. Bona sayssays its PowerScrubber is a compact and powerful The custom-engineered Covermate scrubbingscrubbin machine. When used with the Bona Deep II features patented, retractable CleanCle Solution, it removes the toughest dirt and safety outriggers, collars and floor locks. grimegr from hardwood floors. Covermaster says it represents a break- www.bona.comw through in gymnasium safety, and that the Covermate’s collars reduce the risk of fingers getting pinched. What’s more, it has six casters, reducing its point load by 33 percent. www.covermaster.com
Sign up for the semiweekly HF E-News at: hardwoodfloorsmag.com/ enews
The ULTRA MAX family of products are environmentally friendly, Low odor Low VOC - does not low odor, water clean-up that applies, dries and performs exceed 250 g/L like a traditional oil-based product. This Multiple coats on in a day product dries from the bottom up and the Super fast drying Exotic hardwood approved DRIES HARDER FASTER top down for a harder "through cure." Made in the USA
www.ugl.com also stayy connected with us on For more information and a dealer near you call 1-800-272-3235 or visit us at www.ugl.com.
June|July 2012 ■ Hardwood Floors 61
JJ12-toolsPF.indd 61 5/23/12 3:37 PM hardwoodfloorsmag.com Product Focus | Tools + Supplies Info that helps you do your job and connect with other your industry: DriTac Flooring Products LLC DriTac Wipe-Aways is a solvent- and VOC-free urethane adhesive remover that does not harm finish; it was developed to easily clean uncured urethane adhesive off hardwood flooring. DriTac says the wipes, which are biodegradable and low in odor, possess superior cleaning strength. The pre-wetted wipes are packaged in a 60-count container. www.dritac.com
Mercer Abrasives, a Division of Mercer • Chat with peers in the HF Tool Corp. discussion forum Mercer Abrasives says it supplies safety products to guarantee a safe work • Find products and suppliers in environment. The N95 Particulate the online Resource Book Respirator is NIOSH-approved and protects against dust and mist produced by sanding. The soft, closed-cell nose • See new products foam and adjustable nosepiece increases comfort and ensures the compatibility of glasses/goggles. • Read the news www.mercerabrasives.com • Search the article archives • Check out the HF Blogs about ProTeam Inc. daily contractor life, green ProTeam’s 11-pound Super CoachVac issues and inspections backpack vacuum has a 10-quart capacity and easily attaches to floor sanders for dust • Post classifieds for jobs and containment on a job site. The 1188-watt uusedsed equequipmentipment motor produces airflow of 150 CFM, captur- ing 99.9% of fine dust particles 1 micron or larger in the vacuum’s Four Level Filtration Got system. The motor has a 3-year warranty. www.pro-team.com
questions? Roberts Roberts’ Temporary Hard Surface Protection Film is designed to protect wood floors from dirt, paint, moisture and stains during Get help from your construction and remodeling. The product also works on tile, vinyl, marble, lami- peers at the nate, cabinets, appliances and other hard surfaces for up to 30 days. It is available in 100-square-foot rolls. www.robertsconsolidated.com
Woodwise/Design Hardwood Products Woodwise Felt Floor Protector Pads protect wood, vinyl, parquet and ceramic floors from scratches, dents and rust stains. By allowing furniture to glide across a floor, the pads also also stayy connected with us on help prevent furniture leg joints from becoming loose. The peel-and-stick pads come in ¾- and 1-inch sizes , while the tap-in pads are available 7 in ⁄8- and 1¼-inch sizes. www.woodwise.com
62 Hardwood Floors ■ June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-toolsPF.indd 62 5/23/12 3:38 PM SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Imported Wood Flooring
Beauty From Abroad
E GROW GREAT TREES in North America, but there are also excellent wood fl ooring products sourced from Wother regions of the world. In our annual Imported Wood Flooring Product Focus, we bring you offerings from some of the leaders—all advertisers in this issue—of exotic fl ooring.
OlOld MMaasstterer Proroduducctts UUrbban FFllooo r Old Maasstterr Prorodductts ssaaysys thehe eleegaancn ee, UrUrbaban FlF ooor haas aadded the Dowwnnttown Series beauty andnd duurraba illitity off ittss Gararririsson toto its Urbrbann Liffessttyle Colo lectioon. The Down- CoCollllectiionn immpporteted hardwowoodd fl oororining totowwnn Sererieies is offeredd in ssmalll-leaaf acacia, iiss unmnmata chchedd, addiinng thah t itits Frreenchch whwhicich UrUrbbaan FFloooor sayss is one ofof thee woorrldd’’ss CConnnnecectit on Eurropo ean whw itte ooak hhaas ann hah rdeest aand mmoosts beeaautu ifi ull harrdwoods, add- exxquuisi itte ruuststicic chaarmr andd authheenticc ini g tthhatat smmallll-lleaeaf accacacia wili l leend sophiists icca-a bbeeauautyy thhaat iss whahat ararchchititeects and tion to any roomm witth itits blend of rich cocolol rs ddesiignneerrs arre llooookkiinng fof rr. Thehe fl ooring and unusuual grain pap ttt ernss. The fl ooo riringg is is wire brruusshheed aannd ccomes wwiitht a avaia laable in fouur coolors with a handd-ssccrrapa edd bebeaua titiful oioil fi niish. oro smooto h fi nish. wwwwwwwwww.o.oloolddmadmmam steteerrproduuctctsct .cocoom wwwwwwwww.ur.u.urbanb floor.or comm
OwOwenns FFlooooring by Forest & Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org QQuuananexx Buiuildldinng Prrododuucttss OOwene s FFlooringg by QQuuaannexx Building PProodduucts maanufacctures soolliddly engginneeeered Braazili iiaan chherrryr , ssaapeele, eeuucac lylyptuuss, aannd sas ntoso maha oggany fl ooriinng in thhe UUnniteedd Staatteess. Exoxottiicsc in its Pllana kflkfl ooror linne aarre aavvaailable in sttaanddarard wiwidtdthhss upu to 8 iincchheess. Alsso, itss Prrefi ninisshheded lini e ofoffef rrss a UVV fi nissh foor 33-, 44--, annd 55-inncchh widdthhs inn fouur nenew ssttandadardd collorrss. BBeecac uusse off its crroossss-pplyly lal mmiinnatiioon, OOwwenens ssayys itsts Pllaannkfl ooor iiss peerfectc 3 ffoor areaas nnoot noormmaalllyy reeccommmmeennddedd foror ⁄4-iinncch ssooliid hardr wwooodod fl oorriingg. wwwwwww .o.owowweenensnns-flffllooooriningi .cococom
www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com June|July 2012 ■ Hardwood Floors 63
JJ12-importedPF.indd 63 5/23/12 4:39 PM New Products
1 Mirage has added a 6½-inch width to its Sweet Memories series that includes Handcrafted Oak and Aged Maple. Also, the series is now available in lengths up to 6 feet. The boards come with a Cashmere fi nish. www.miragefl oors.com
2 Shaw Industries has added the hand-scraped Camden Hills style to its Traditional Engineered Collection. Available in hickory, this fl ooring is ½ inch thick and 5 inches wide, and it has a fi ve-layer core. Available colors include Rawhide, Autumn Breeze and Lasso (pictured). www.shawfl oors.com 1 3 Mullican has expanded its Castillian Collection to 2 include fi ve solid products that carry a lifetime moisture warranty when properly installed using the company’s Aqua Shield system. Castillian Collection products are 5 inches wide and ¾ inch thick. www.mullicanfl ooring.com
4 Bostik Inc.’s Simple-Fix hardwood fl ooring two- component repair epoxy is for fi xing hollow spots, replacing boards, and installing thresholds, moldings or medallions. It can be used with engineered, solid and parquet wood fl ooring, as well as bamboo fl ooring. The product tube loads into an off-the-shelf caulking gun. 3 www.bostik-us.com
4 5 Virtu Wood Flooring is custom-crafted, made in America and available in standard widths from 3 to 10 inches, with widths up to 12 inches available by request. The company uses a three-layer, true-balanced construction in its fl ooring, which comes in standard lengths from 3 to 12 feet, with longer lengths available. www.virtufl oors.com
6 DuChateau Floors/Royalton Floors’ Heritage Timber 5 Edition collection replicates the patina of reclaimed, distressed building materials, like old barn wood, using European white oak. The surface of these boards features character marks like scrapes, nail holes, notches and saw kerfs, and colors include browns and weathered grays. www.duchateaufl oors.com
7 Coswick Hardwoods Inc.’s new Signature Oak Flooring features natural color tones ranging from soft grays to deep, earthy browns. Products in the collection 6 are prefi nished with Coswick’s lacquer CosNanoTech+ matte fi nishing technology, which has a very low sheen and carries a 25-year residential warranty. The 5-inch- 7 wide click fl ooring comes in random lengths. www.coswick.com
64 Hardwood Floors June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-Products.indd 64 5/24/12 10:26 AM New Products
8 IndusParquet’s Coteirié collection features exotic species with metallic fi nishes, including Golden Patina Metallic (pictured). Included in the line are mosaic- patterned products that can be used on fl oors or walls. Species in the collection include Brazilian pecan, Brazilian cherry and tigerwood. www.indusparquet-usa.com 8 9 Bella Cera Floors’ Amalfi Coast Series fl ooring is inspired by furniture making techniques, and it features hand-stained variable-width planks of 4, 6 and 8 inches. Each plank receives two coats of Valspar stain to achieve a rich, deep color. The hand-scraped fl ooring is available in maple, hickory, cherry or walnut. www.bellacerafl oors.com
10 Franklin International’s Titebond 991 PROvantage adhesive uses solvent technology to improve installation quality and meet the country’s strictest VOC regulations. With 991, contractors do not have to fl ash the adhesive. The product is available in 3.5-gallon containers. 9 www.titebond.com 10 11 Vermont Natural Coatings’ MVP Sport Floor Finish is made using patented whey technology, resulting in a safe and durable fi nish, the company says. The product, which is approved by the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association, contains no harmful chemicals, has a neutral odor, and lets a fl oor be fi nished in as little as a day. www.vermontnaturalcoatings.com
12 DriTac Flooring Products LLC’s Eco-5500 premium fl ooring adhesive is pressure-sensitive, making it ideal for use with cork fl ooring and cork underlayment, the company says. The product is VOC-free, contains zero 11 solvents and is manufactured in the United States. It is 12 available in 1- and 4-gallon plastic pails. www.dritac.com
13 Viridian Reclaimed Wood’s ¾ -inch solid American Classics line features reclaimed red and white oak. These products are made by recycling industrial shipping crates from the Southeast, and they can garner LEED credits. The line also has a rustic option. www.viridianwood.com
14 Pinnacle Interior Elements’ Old Dominion color 13 fl ooring is available in either its Grand Luxe collection of ½-inch engineered fl ooring or its Grand Forte collection of ¾-inch solid fl ooring. Both these collections include a 25-year residential warranty and a no-wax fi nish. www.pinnacle.org 14
www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com June|July 2012 Hardwood Floors 65
JJ12-Products.indd 65 5/24/12 10:28 AM AdIndex Online Resource Center www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com/resourcecenterw
Use your ssmartphone now to request product information from this month’s featured suppliers! 1) SearchSearch for QR code reader in your smartphone’s app store and download. 2) Scan theth QR code to submit your product info request. OOrr visivisitt www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com/resourcecenter Quickly locate an advertiseradvertis in this issue using the list below: 3M3M Mullican Flooring
www.3M.com ...... 2 www.mullicanflooring.com ...... 68
Amana Tool Norton Abrasives www.amanatool.com ...... 41 www.nortonfloorsanding.com ...... 29
Appalachian Lumber Co. Inc. NWFA www.appalachianlumber.net ...... 36 www.nwfa.org ...... 27, 51 Bostik Inc. www.bostik-us.com ...... 67 Olde Wood Ltd. www.oldewoodltd.com ...... 13 Carolina Nail Systems www.carolinanail.com ...... 34 Oneida Air Systems
www.oneidavac.com ...... 24 Delmhorst Instrument Co. www.delmhorst.com ...... 36 Owens Flooring by Colonial Craft
www.owens-flooring.com ...... 3 DuraSeal www.duraseal.com ...... 4 Powernail Company Inc. Garrison Collection, The www.powernail.com ...... 37 www.thegarrisoncollection.com ...... 10-11 Shamrock Plank Flooring Lenmar Inc. www.shamrockplankflooring.com ...... 9 www.lenmar-coatings.com ...... 49 United Gilsonite Laboratories
Lignomat USA Ltd. www.ugl.com ...... 61 www.lignomat.com ...... 30 Urban Floor MAPEI Corp. www.urbanfloor.com ...... 21 www.mapei.com ...... 15
Wagner Meters Maxwell Hardwood Flooring ...... www.maxwellhardwoodflooring.com ...... 32 www.wagnermeters.com 57
Mercer Abrasives div. of Mercer Tool Corp. Woodwise/Design Hardwood Products www.mercerabrasives.com ...... 7 www.woodwise.com ...... 18
66 Hardwood Floors June|July 2012 www.hardwoodfl oorsmag.com
JJ12-index.indd 66 5/24/12 11:20 AM GUARANTEED EVEN THICKNESS With Our Patent Pending Thickness-Control™ Spacer Technology*
When using Bostik Vapor-Lock™ or Ultra-Set® SingleStep, you are not only getting a superior adhesive, moisture vapor and sound reduction membrane, but you are getting a product that is formulated with Bostik’s patent pending Thickness-Control Spacer Technology to ensure proper membrane thickness between the hardwood or bamboo flooring and the substrate. This technology incorporates recycled rubber particles into the adhe- sive which helps guarantee the proper film thickness, reducing any chance of installer error.
www.bostik-us.com
For more information, call your local distributor or a Bostik customer service representative today at 1-800-726-7845.
*Surface preparation instructions must be followed to ensure proper coverage and guarantee even thickness.
HF06_Bostik612.indd 1 5/24/12 2:31 PM Introducing Mullican Flooring’s QUA HIELD AMoisture ProtectionS System. It’s one thing to block moisture from above. But it’s another thing entirely to block moisture from BELOW.
Mullican’s specially “Kerfed” under-board construction Mullican Moisture Mat provides protection to keep blocks moisture floor flat, stable from below. and problem free.
www.mullicanflooring.com 1-800-844-6356
HF02_Mullican211.indd 1 1/19/11 2:00 PM