The-Floor-Man.Blogspot

In 2022, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) may be king, but nothing exudes opulence and royalty like an early 17th century hardwood floor. The earliest and finest examples date back to the late 16th century. During this time, hardwood floors were afforded only by royalty. For example, just outside Paris at the Palace of Versailles, is perhaps one of the world’s most recognized and historic hardwood floors. The Parquet de Versailles pattern in Hall of Mirrors was designed for King Louis XIV. In the late 1670’s the King’s Grand Apartment was badly in need of renovation. The joists were rotting and the marble needed to be replaced. Creating this floor was a painstaking and arduous process, that took many years to complete. Made from hand-hewn timber, the master-craftsman spent time hand-forging nails and hand-scraping the floors. Large piles of sand were brought in, and the craftsman literally sanded the floors by hand. The floors were then finished and buffed with wax. Over two decades later in 1...

ASTM F2170 (In-Situ) “Rh”  Concrete Moisture Testing  Is an industry standard in the floor covering world, yet so many choose to ignore it. We here it all the time, no, we do not do any moisture testing for Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP). We just use plastic underneath. “That’s what they are telling us to do”…. This poses an ever greater problem. Great, lets just trap all the moisture in the slab and have a mushroom field underneath. That sounds great! Mold in the walls and baseboards, who cares, right? I hear it more often than you think.  After reading competitors installation instructions well into the night hours, I’ve come to this same conclusion over and over again. ASTM F2170 is required across all segments of the floor covering world, with the exception of residential carpet. Now, this is nothing new, and I’ve been saying all of this for years… It’s all about doing things right from the very beginning. So many problems could be avoided, if people would just “do the righ...

Back in 2009, when I first started this flooring blog, my intention was to help educate consumers in such a way, so they could make well-informed decisions when it came to purchasing floor covering. It was really that simple, and it was the “right’ information I was mostly concerned about; therefore, home-owners, contractors, retailers, and designers would all benefit from the information I was providing. As time passed by I was gaining more followers, and I felt more inclined to answer all of  their questions. I quickly became known as “The-Floor-Man. I spent a lot of time writing back in the day, and thought I was going places... However, early on, I realized how much of a commitment it is to write everyday, and to “blog” consistently. There is a lot that goes into all that blogging stuff, e.g., research, editing, SEO, and more....Moreover, to be effective, one must engage their audience in such a way, as to build a sense of curiosity, wonder, and excitement. Man, its a lot o...

Villa Bocelli; by Bella Cera Hardwoods Villa Bocelli, by Bella Cera Hardwoods. "Spring 2018" These floors are absolutely beautiful! Wow, Bella Cera does it again! Check out this new product coming soon. Bella Cera hardwood floors are known for quality, durability, and function. On the leading edge of design, Bella Cera is able to re-create the historic floors of old by using the same tactics artisans would have used over a hundred years ago. The reclaimed appeal and multi-width visual, give the floor an added dimension; making a design statement. The rich character and sort tones are pleasing to the eye; crating an atmosphere that touches the soul.  Featuring distinctive "circle' and "straight" saw mark techniques, Villa Bocelli creates an environment that appeases the senses; bringing back the memories of old. With a premium urethane finish, Villa Bocelli is sure to perform and to meet your wildest expectations. Known for its quality, Bella Cera, d...

What value do you bring to your customer? How are you and your company different? Is it your expertise, and commitment to superior service? These are questions we should all ask and have an answer for. Many companies in our respective fields have no clear mission, or sense of direction and purpose; other than to exist as an entity and to make a profit. Moreover, many business face declining revenues and decreased market share; mainly because of the lack of leadership and vision. In this competitive world, it is important to differentiate yourself from the competition by any and all means necessary. To thrive, a company must have well-defined goals and a long-term vision. Additionally, it is important to define and set the expectation level in such a way, so there is no misunderstanding or confusion.  Here are 10 ways that can help you set yourself apart from the competition, bring value to your customer, and increase operational efficiencies.   Become the expert : T...

In this article, I am going to cover the importance of branding and product differentiation in the marketplace. In this fast-paced world, conditions change quickly and demand shifts at the blink of an eye. The key to survival often relies on ones ability to identify existential threats and the capacity to react to unexpected and adverse conditions in the marketplace.  Throughout my daily travels over the years, I've come to realize that many businesses do the same things over and over in hopes of gaining market share. However, the end result is often the same. Business owners are left wondering; nothing seems to work, and they just can't seem to put a finger on why nothing has changed. In the floor covering world, it’s like a big game of follow the leader, but who’s leading? Really, it’s more like a race to the bottom, and no one ever seems to win. This is especially true in the hardwood flooring industry; where competition is fierce, and the suppliers are endless. Yet,...

  Crafted by true artisans; The Chambord Collection is truly a work of art. This character rich French Oak hardwood features a multi-step smoking process; creating more depth while enhancing the visual appeal.  Finished off with an elegant wire-brushed finish and hand-rolled edges, the Chambord Collection sets the trend is artistry and design. The Chambord Collection is an exquisite floor that a true craftsman is sure to appreciate. Available in a 6 1/2” wide. This 1/2’ engineered floor features lengths up to 74” (Approx 75% long boards) A premium urethane finish and a 50 year warranty. When it comes to quality, Bella Cera sets the standard. Exquisite, functional, and affordable, Bella Cera floors are held to the highest quality standards. With no two planks the same, each floor displays its own unique character. The  Chambord Collection is a quality product that you can literally stand behind and on!  The Chambord Collection by Bella Cera Floors Comin...