Wood Floor Planet: An EPA Lead-Free Certified Firm

Phones have been ringing off the hook for most wood flooring firms ever since the outbreak of the excessive formaldehyde present in imported Chinese laminate floors. Should people really be concerned regarding this issue? If so, then, what protects people from wood floors that are actually harmful for their health? Which wood flooring firm in New York should people trust when it comes to safe wood flooring products?

Formaldehyde has garnered a lot of negative attentions from people for the past few years. Why is that so? Studies have shown that it is carcinogen, which means that it has been associated to increase risk of cancer in humans. On the other hand, it is also needed in order to produce various products that people use in a daily basis, such as home furnishings, paints, textiles, household cleaning products, landscape and yard products, medicinal and personal care products, pesticides and even in the adhesives in engineered and laminate floors. Therefore, it is recommended to reduce exposure to products that have formaldehyde.

In order to protect people from the harms that formaldehyde can cause to health, everyone is advised to choose products that bear the following helpful labels: ULEF (ultra-low emitting formaldehyde), NAF (no added formaldehyde), and CARB (California Air Resources Board) Phase 1 or 2. In this way, downstream customers are forewarned if a certain product doesn’t bear any of the mentioned labels.

The US Environment Protection Agency will be regulating the formaldehyde emission on composite woods in order to implement the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act, or Title VI of the Toxic Substances Control Act. Based on their website, EPA expects to finalize the rules before the year ends. As of now, there are no nationwide formaldehyde emission standards in composite woods.

When it comes to flooring products, a product compliant to California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) stringent emission standards for formaldehyde emissions is an assurance that it is safe even for prolong usage. From a health standpoint, wood floors that bear compliance even to strictest standard like CARB show how the company cares to the common good and not just after the sales.

For your wood flooring needs, there is already a New York wood flooring firm that is lead-safe certified by US Environment Protection Agency (EPA): Wood Floor Planet Inc. Now that is a relief! Choose among the wide selection of wood flooring products that are CARB compliant and environment-friendly from various renowned brands all over the world.

Introduction to the Best Wood Flooring Brands at Wood Floor Planet

Wood Floor Planet is truly the hardwood flooring enthusiasts’ paradise in New Jersey and New York!  We offer a wide range of excellent hardwood flooring planks, slabs and materials for residential, commercial and industrial applications. We also have the best brands in the industry – truly, an assurance that whatever the requirement in hardwood flooring products, we will address it to your complete satisfaction. 

The following hardwood flooring brands are available in both our New Jersey and New York showroom. Contact us for more information, such as complete address and directions as well as business hours, about our showrooms. We are certain that you will find what you are looking for in hardwood flooring from eco-friendly bamboo to long-lasting oak and exotic species.

Mirage

For over the past decade, Mirage wood floors has been a recipient of numerous awards regarding its excellence in providing top-notched quality wood floors. Claiming their company to be the world’s finest hardwood floors manufacturer, Mirage stands for an epitome for the quest for balance and quality of life. Clients are guaranteed of peace of mind as their space turns into dramatically exquisite interior just as their envisioned design.

IndusParquet

IndusParquet is widely considered a worldwide leader in the production of premium exotic hardwood flooring. It has three manufacturing plants and distribution centers worldwide, thus, allowing it to distribute hardwood flooring products to 25 countries in all five continents.  Its products are of such excellent quality that these are installed in prestigious buildings like The Vatican, Ferrari showrooms, and Louis Vuitton stores. 

DuChateau

DuChateau is a world-renowned lifestyle brand that specializes in the production of hardwood and vinyl flooring products with a luxury finish.  It is also known for its wide range of luxurious building materials including wall coverings, doors and window treatments.  Its innovative approach to combining Old World traditions in craftsmanship and New Modern technology continues to make it a must-have in buildings across North America and beyond. 

Triangulo

Triangulo hardwood floors are the best example of the valued trinity of hardwood flooring products – durable, stable and beautiful.  Its executives and employees pride themselves on their extensive knowledge and skills in hardwood flooring production from the planting of saplings to the finishing of the slabs and planks.  It is also known for its perfect balance between the needs of man and the protection of Mother Nature via its sustainable forest management practices.

Lauzon

Say “Lauzon” and the term evokes images of finely-crafted hardwood flooring products characterized by resilient, stable and strong as well as beautiful qualities. Its policy of not cutting corners in the production of its hardwood floors results in products imbued with authentic artistry, environmental dignity, and long-term durability.  Its sustainable forest management practices ensure that customers will get the hardwood they need without the guilt of illegally cutting down trees.

Kahrs

Founded on 1857, Kahrs International, Inc. caters worldwide and takes pride on the patronage of many satisfied clients throughout the years of their innovative endeavors to perfect their hardwood floor products. They have hardwood floors for every need whether for residential or even commercial installation that requires highly durable and resistant characteristics.

Preverco

Preverco provides hardwood flooring products adapted to your lifestyle. Its comprehensive range of products includes hardwood floors for indoor and outdoor spaces, all of which are manufactured with world-class quality in mind.  Its 35-year warranty on certain products goes over and above the industry standard.

Armstrong

Armstrong Hardwood Flooring is a worldwide provider of interior solutions for flooring and ceiling designs of both residential and commercial setup. It has 35 manufacturing plants in eight countries, a proof that it has been growing all these years of being in the forefront of the industry. When it comes to hardwood flooring, Armstrong offers a wide selection of wood species, from traditional to exotic hardwoods. If size matters, then choose among of the five choices they have such as strip, plank, wide plank, 12” Parquet and mixed-width plank.

Bruce

One of the most renowned American brands for both engineered and solid prefinished hardwood floors, Bruce Hardwood Floors is a brand of Armstrong that has been a provider of stunning, long-lasting and premium quality hardwood floors and trendy laminate floors for over a century.

If you’re within New York City or New Jersey, you may head to Wood Floor Planet, where quality wood floors are to be found.

NEW YORK SHOWROOM
425 W 46th Street, New York, NY 10036
Tel: (212) 252-3838
www.woodfloorplanet.com

NEW JERSEY SHOWROOM
1822 Willow Avenue, Weehawken, NJ 07086
Tel: (201) 330-0909
www.woodfloorplanetnj.com

DuChateau Floors vs. Triangulo Flooring

Creating an enduring statement for any interior space has never been easier with the help of wooden floors. Not only do wood floors fill warmth in homes and commercial enterprises, but they also do increase the value of any property due to their impeccable aesthetics and performance that could last a lifetime. If you’re in the lookout for the best wood floors to complete your stunning interior design, then check out these two leading manufacturers of premium quality wooden floors worldwide. We have made a comparison to give you some background of how they could be a worthy addition to your interior project. The decision is for you to make: DuChateau floors vs. Triangulo flooring.

Explore DuChateau and Triangulo Flooring at NYC Wood Floors Showroom: 425 W 46th St. New York.

Duchateau Floors

Overview

DuChateau flooring manufactures and markets antique replicas of hard-wax oil wooden floors either in solid or engineered planks, made to perfection by their European craftsmen. DuChateau flooring focuses on providing European vintage-looking textured hardwood floors using the latest methods in styling, technology and innovation.

Production

In line with their mission to provide top-quality, wide-plank wood floors, DuChateau flooring employs natural processes to successfully achieve vintage aesthetics, such as distressing, hard-wax oil finish, hand scraping and hand sculpting, brushing, smoking, and carbonization.

Environmental Initiatives

DuChateau flooring has the following certifications and membership as part of their environmental preservation campaign: FSC®, CARB certified, Lacey Act compliant, member of U.S. Green Building Council, LEED qualifiers, and a partner of American Forests, a non-profit organization aiming to plant 100 million trees by the year 2020.

Triangulo Flooring

Overview

A Brazilian wood floor manufacturer, Triangulo flooring is one of the forerunners in exotic wood floor manufacturing by employing the highest engineering standards in the industry. They offer exquisite exotic wooden floors in a variety of stains and sizes, either in solid or engineered wood planks. Exotic wood species are renowned for their striking beauty and superior durability unmatched by domestic wood species.

Environmental Initiatives

Triangulo flooring has the following environmental certification as proof of their campaign on caring for the natural resources: Tecpar Certificate, Triangulo FSC, Forest FSC and Carb Phase II. As a matter of fact, Triangulo is even recognized worldwide for its sustainability and favorable environmental contributions. Moreover, the company has been acknowledged as “exemplary case of sustainable forest management” by Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of United Nations.

Basically, the main difference between the two manufacturers is that DuChateau flooring provides vintage wooden floors while Triangulo flooring offers exotic wood floors. Both DuChateau and Triangulo manufacturers are industry leaders in their respective niche. Buyers can explore the selections they have for hardwood floors in our new showroom in New York City. One thing that you guaranteed of, these brands are compliant to high industry standards and environmental protection.

15 Hardwood Flooring Maintenance Tips

Having hardwood flooring is never demanding to maintain. Unlike other flooring alternatives hardwood flooring maintenance is pretty straightforward that makes homeowners and businessmen delighted for their smart investment. However, minimal up keeping is still necessary or else risk damaging the beauty of your wooden floors.  No matter how small gravel and dirt are, never ever estimate the effect they could bring to any marvelous wooden floors. Get rid of them before they cause any destruction you would regret to have.

1. Get rid of tracked in rocks and dust on your wooden floors by vacuuming regularly using floor attachment, sweeping with microfiber floor mop.
2. Once the polyurethane or other surface finishes becomes dull, recoat the wooden floor with a surface finish.
3. To restore shine of wax finished wooden floors, re-wax and buff the surface once or twice a year. Avoid damp mopping this type of wooden floors. Just vacuum regularly and sweep off dust.
4. Never use vinyl or tile floor care products on any wood flooring.
5. Avoid using self-polishing acrylic wax that can make the wooden floors slippery and later on dull out the finishing. Moreover, get rid cleaning products with ammonia content.
6. Use the wood floor products recommended by the manufacturer. Also, use them properly as indicated on the instruction.
   
7. Protect your wooden floors by putting felt pads on the legs of furniture. Carry objects when moving them from one place to another. Avoid dragging them along the surface of the wooden floors to prevent any scratch or gouge.
8. Place rugs on the entryways to keep away of tracked in rocks from entering the house.
9. Keep your wooden floors away from excessive exposure to direct sunlight. Protect them by putting on blinds or curtains.
10. Wipe off spills immediately with paper cloth. As we all know, moisture is the bane of wooden floors. Situating rags at the bottom of kitchen sink and working area around kitchen can prevent moisture from getting into the surface.
11. High traffic areas need area rugs for protection. Place throw rugs on these areas to minimize wear on wooden floors.
12. Try to move rags and mats from time to time to even out the color of the surface.
13. Skip using rubber and vinyl mats that can trap water beneath them.
14. Trim the nails of your pets. 
15. Implement a no high-heel shoes inside the house. Better remove shoes prior to entering. The pressure from high heeled shoes can cause damage and scratches to wooden floors.

With just little care and maintenance, wooden floors can last for decades without being sanded and refinished.

Mirage Wood Floors Maintenance Tips

The maintenance of your Mirage hardwood floors is never a daunting task. With the following Mirage wood floors maintenance to guide you, you will find more time to enjoy the beauty of your flooring without feeling dragged to make it spotless every now and then. Let its exquisiteness stand the test of time. 

• Get rid of dust and pebbles that can act as abrasive on the finish by vacuuming regularly or sweeping with microfiber floor mop. Avoid using beater bar attachment when vacuuming. 
• Prevent tracked in rocks from entering the house by placing mats at the entryways.
• Ensure to remove high-heeled shoes and sports footwear that can mark or gouge the surface of Mirage wood floors.
• Trim regularly your pet’s nails.
• Immediately wipe up spills on Mirage wood floors.
  
• Beware of moisture for it’s a bane for all wood floors. Place mats at the bottom of kitchen sink and around the working area of the kitchen to prevent spills and food drop-offs from the surface of the Mirage wood floors.
• Avoid using mats made of rubber and vinyl that can trap moisture underneath.
• Protect your Mirage wood floors from scratches caused by dragging heavy objects along its surface. Attach felt pads on the legs of furniture. Ensure to replace them once broken.
• Use wide rubber or soft polyurethane caster instead of plastic casters.
• It is recommended maintaining humidity levels between 40 to 50% to ensure healthy environment as well as to protect Mirage hardwood floors. Use hygrometer to maintain the recommended humidity range.
• Intense sunlight can impair the color of Mirage wood floors. Protect it by using blinds and sheers. The lighter the shade of the wood, the more likely the color changes will occur.
• From time to time, move your carpets and furniture to expose the surface and even out its color.
• Use Mirage Clean kit for easier Mirage wood floors maintenance.
• Avoid directly pouring wood floor cleaner on the surface.
• Never use self-polishing acrylic wax, abrasives or harsh chemicals such as ammonia, vinegar, dish washing detergent, oil soap, etc on Mirage wood floors. These products leave a greasy feeling on the surface that makes it hard to get rid of and eventually dull out the surface.
• Avoid adjusting the temperature of the radiant heat system by more than 5°F (2.8°C) per day when turning the system on or off.
  
  Once properly maintained and well cared of, your Mirage wood floors can add great aesthetic value to your property, resulting in a major investment you won’t ever regret.

Why Use Quarter Sawn Flooring for High Traffic Areas?

Best flooring for high traffic areas

Many homeowners are in a dilemma when it comes to choosing flooring for their homes that would encounter heavy traffic on a day to day basis. Some of the areas that would experience heavy traffic day in and day out are living rooms, kitchen etc. The best flooring that will suit high traffic areas are quarter sawn wooden  flooring and the manufacturers of wooden  floorings can cut the floor in a less conventional manner in order to make the floor highly durable and one that will be able to withstand very heavy traffic.

Features of quarter sawn flooring

Quarter-sawn boards are more improbable to draw in at the boundaries, because of the consistent durability of its grain. Quartered sawn wooden flooring is very stable and it is built to last and endure consistent traffic. When it comes to its aesthetic value, quarter sawn floorings are very impeccable. They do not have the curls and twirls of plain-sawn flooring, so the appearance of the quarter sawn flooring is all of the time consistent and spectacular.

Recommendations on Installing Mercier Engineered Wood Flooring

Floors Mercier Inc. manufactures premium quality prefinished wood floors that are truly remarkable and incomparable in the industry. By adhering to the installation instruction set forth by the manufacturer, your product warranty remains valid, guaranteeing that you would be enjoying the beauty and comfort of your wood floors even for the years to come. The Mercier Generations certified Greenguard finish on each Mercier engineered wood flooring guarantees from the date of purchase 35 years warranty under the usual residential condition and five years for simple commercial use. If you choose to install Mercier engineered wood flooring whether in your house or any commercial space, take time to follow the installation instructions as well as take note of the recommendations for your guidance.

You may choose to install engineered wood flooring in three ways, such as by gluing down, nailing down, floating on a subfloor. Here are precautions and recommendations for installing engineered wood floors on each installation method.

Photo courtesy of Mercier Wood Flooring

Glue-down Installation

Mercier engineered wood flooring ½” (13mm) can be installed on either of the following subfloors such as concrete or wooden, ceramic tile, linoleum on the ground floor, or upstairs and even in basements.

In applying the adhesive, use the manufacturer’s recommended trowel. During the installation, wipe off any adhesive from the surface of the engineered wood flooring using AD-remover or Bostik’s ultimate adhesive cleaner.

Nail-down Installation

Mercier engineered wood floors should only be nailed down on plywood subfloors or OSB panels. As recommended, use ¾” (19mm) plywood or OSB for spaced joists over 19.2” (48.3mm), center to center.

Frequently clean the shoe under the flooring nailer to prevent the varnish from being damaged. For pneumatic nailer, adjust the air pressure of the compressor. Ensure to check it often afterwards.

Floating Installation

Apply at least 1/16” (1.6mm) but not more than 1/8” (3mm) wide of glue on the base of the groove. Avoid applying glue on the tongue and groove at the end of the plank. Apply only adequate glue or risk having the joint separated or cause more complications in the installation. Wipe off excess glue with a dry cloth. At times, it is necessary to use 3M blue tape to keep the boards in place while the glue dries.

Installation on Hardwood over Radiant Heating Systems

Prepare the area by warming it 5-6 days before the delivery of the boards to achieve ideal moisture stability on the subfloor. Ensure that the temperature and the humidity are the same when populated. The engineered wood flooring heated with radiant heat should not have more than 85°F (29.44°C) throughout the installation and when being used.

For queries regarding Mercier engineered wood flooring installation process, contact your authorized Mercier retailer in New York City Wood Floor Planet or Mercier’s technical department.