And the (Green) Winner Is...

At Fantastic Floor, we take environmental practices very seriously. After all, we only have one Earth, right? That's why we're happy to congratulate this year's National Wood Flooring Association's Environmental Craftsmanship Award winner, the Woodwright Hardwood Floor Company of Dallas, TX.

A fast-growing species like bamboo is a great environmentally friendly hardwood flooring option.

Every year, NWFA bestows the Environmental Craftsmanship Award on one professionally installed hardwood floor that "most exhibits creative and responsible environmental stewardship in its method of installation, raw material sources and/or contribution to human well being in the indoor build environment."

All wood floor installations are eligible for the award, but NWFA looks specifically for ones that meet and exceed criteria based on the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED format and help raise awareness about the flooring industry's roll in protecting the environment.

This year's winner, Woodwright Wood, is a great example of the sustainable hardwood flooring industry. Woodwright uses resourced, recycled, and regional hardwood species, as well as fast-growing species like bamboo.

For more information on the NWFA Environmental Craftsmanship Award, or to enter next year's contest, visit the NWFA contest page.

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.

Celebrate Earth Day With Fantastic Floor!

Earth Day is almost here – April 22, to be precise – and we here at Fantastic Floor invite you to take a look at the many ways we are committed to the environment. The following is a summary of our environmental practices, examples of articles from our blogs that touch on eco-friendly topics, and links to important industry resources regarding the environment. Enjoy!

Fantastic Floor Standard Environmental Practices
We pride ourselves in selecting only legally harvested wood products. We require our suppliers to be Forest Stewardship Council certified or to be certified under the source country's laws.
We offer more certified flooring than any other retailer on the web. Both our Paraguay Collection and our Engineered Collections are certified.
Our Brazil Collection is certified by government rules through the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and National Parks (IBAMA). The Brazilian government has made enormous strides in the fight against illegal logging. And now with recent passage of The Lacey Act by the US government, all imported products must have proof that they came from legal sources.


The following are articles from our sister blog, EngineeredFlooring.org:

Green Certified Hardwoods
You love the look of cherry or oak flooring, but how can you be sure that the material you’ve chosen isn’t harming the environment? Luckily, there are certain certifications that wood flooring materials can receive to prove that they have been grown, harvested and distributed in eco-friendly ways.
The Forest Stewardship Council, along with third-party conservation organizations and local governments, help ensure the sustainability of many types of wood species. The following are the top five “green-certified” wood flooring materials. Go Earth!

How Buying Local Can Help Save the Economy and the Environment
There is a lot of talk about sustainable forestry and responsible timber harvesting techniques, but how can you determine just how green wood flooring material is? Buying locally-sources varieties such as oak flooring can help lessen the environmental impact your new floors will have on the world. How? Glad you asked. Here are the top three ways locally-sourced products help you go green.



Aiming for That NWFA Seal of Approval
Think all hardwood flooring distributors are the same? Think again! According to a recent press release, the National Wood Flooring Association has started offering what’s called the Accepted Product Seal Program. This completely voluntary program will help manufacturers and distributors earn recognition for meeting certain industry performance standards. It will also help consumers identify companies that meet these standards and, most likely, offer high quality hardwood products.

Have questions about the impact hardwood flooring has on the environment? Call Fantastic Floor at 888-448-9663 today!

Hardwood Flooring Maintenance – 5 Quick Tips You Can’t Afford to Miss

Most home owners install hardwood flooring because they know it will add aesthetic as well as financial value to their home. With this in mind, many people go crazy trying to keep their newly installed floors looking brand new. Unfortunately, this can lead to a stressed mind and a distressed floor. The solution? Keep it simple! The following are five quick tips you can’t afford to miss if you want to keep your hardwood flooring in tip-top shape.'

1. Clean spills immediately.
Uh-oh. Aunt Lucy just finished her third glass of red wine and is refilling her glass when – CRASH! She spills, she cries, and red wine runs all over your new oak flooring. But Auntie’s tears won’t clean up that spill. You should, however, and as quickly as possible. The best way to avoid a nasty stain on your new flooring is to clean it up as quickly as you can. Use a soft, slightly dampened cloth and pat, don’t wipe.

2. Vacuum often.
Vacuuming is the best way to get rid of dirt, gravel, sand, and stones that can build up over time and cause major damage to your finished hardwood flooring. Use a vacuum with a soft-bristle brush and vacuum as often as you need to keep your floors free of debris.

3. Use the right cleaner.
Many people think that when it comes to washing or mopping hardwood flooring, any ol’ cleaning solution will do. This is not true. Many common floor soaps are oil-based and can dull or damage your floor’s finish. If you have to mop (and you should do so as infrequently as possible), use a water-based surface cleaner or whatever type the manufacturer recommends.



4. Wax on, wax off…your finish?
Polyurethane finishes don’t mix well with paste waxes. In fact, waxing a polyurethane-finished floor can create a sticky film that will attract dirt and debris. If you’re unsure what your floor’s finish is made of, contact the flooring manufacturer or installation company.

5. More cushion, less pushin’.
Big, heavy furnishings or appliances can wreak havoc on hardwood flooring. The best way to avoid this is to place small felt glides under heavy furnishings. This includes tables, chairs, sofas, pianos, cabinets, refrigerators, and much more. Putting glides under your furnishings may seem like a hassle, but it is much less of a hassle than getting your entire floor refinished.