FCICA Chairman Steps Down

Christopher Capobianco announced yesterday that he is stepping down as Chairman of the Flooring Contractors Association Board of Directors, a position he has held for the past six years.

Capobianco's elected successor, Gerry Swift of Potomac Floor Covering, says he is excited to fill the position that Capobianco has held "unselfishly and honorably" since 2005.

"During the worst economy in decades, [Capobianco] successfully kept our membership base unified and strong, while being FCICA's ambassador to the commercial floor covering industry," Swift said in a press release. "I realize that I have some big shoes to fill and challenges ahead as I prepare to take over as FCICA's chairman on July 1st."

Capobianco will continue to work on the FCICA Board of Directors as immediate Past Chairman.

The FCICA is headquartered in West Bloomingfield, MI, and provides expertise and networking opportunities to members of the commercial flooring industry. For more information about FCICA, call the main office at 877-863-2422.

New Home Sales Rise in April - Come Celebrate with Fantastic Floor!

According to the US Census Bureau and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, sales of new single-family homes increased last month, making April the second straight month of gains and price increases for the otherwise stagnant housing market.

According to a report from Reuters.com, the Commerce Department said sales increased 7.3 percent, the highest rate since December of last year. While all four regions of the country saw an increase in new home sales, the West reported the highest rise - a whopping 15.1 percent.

We're excited about these promising statistics, and we want to celebrate with you!

New home sales often mean new remodeling projects, and to help families get the most out of their new remodeling ventures Fantastic Floor is offering a 5% discount on all remodeling purchases of 500 square feet or more!

Simply enter coupon code "r11" when finalizing your online purchase at www.fantastic-floor.com, or mention the code to your sales representative if ordering by phone.

This offer expires on June 1, 2011, so visit www.fantastic-floor.com today or call one of our qualified representatives at 1-888-448-9663.

Have You Seen the Fantastic Floor Website Lately?

We are proud to announce the complete redesign of our website, www.fantastic-floor.com.

With the help of the talented crew over at RAIN Agency, the new Fantastic Floor website has burst onto the scene with more power than a steaming locomotive.

Featuring a streamlined user-interface, beautiful product photos, and a clever new online identity, the new site is a fun, easy-to-use work of art. Visit us at www.fantastic-floor.com to see how we're still Saving the World From High Prices.

Solid Flooring Installation – Part 1: Pre-Installation Concerns

Installing solid hardwood flooring isn’t for beginners. If you have no previous experience with hardwood flooring installation you should call a professional. Also, hardwood flooring manufacturers include detailed installation instructional materials with their products. All manufacturer instructional materials should be followed exactly and take precedence over this or any installation guide.

That being said, hardwood flooring installation can be an exciting and rewarding project for the experienced DIYer. This series will take a look at the many steps involved in solid flooring installation. This week we will focus on all the preparations you will need to take before you begin your project.



1. Inspect the wood.
Most flooring materials undergo a rigorous inspection process before they ever wind up in your home. So why should you inspect the wood before installation? Good question. Hardwood flooring is a natural product, meaning there are natural color, tone, and grain variations. It also means that products can warp, bend, or change appearance after they leave the factory. Never install defective flooring materials – not only will it be a pain to remove or replace, it may even void certain warranties.

2. Gather the tools.
There are a number of tools you will need to successfully install new hardwood flooring. They include:

• Blue tape
• A broom
• Chalk
• Power nailer
• Pry bar
• Square
• Table saw
• Tape measure
• Towels
• Hardwood cleaner
• Hand saw
• Flooring nails (check manufacturer’s instructions for the correct size)

Remember to check with the manufacturer's instructions for a complete list of tools and supplies you will need.

3. Save the best for last.
Construction projects often come in groups. If you find yourself doing other renovations other than new floors, install your flooring last. This ensures that no damage is done to the wood during other construction work. If your flooring is acclimating in the same area as other construction projects, make sure to cover the materials so they don’t get scratched, scraped, or dirty.

That’s it for this segment of our Solid Flooring Installation series. Come back next week when we will discuss proper acclimation techniques, crawl space vapor barriers, and securing wood sub-floors. If you just can't wait, visit our website for more information on solid hardwood flooring installation.