What Is LVT Flooring?

Most homeowners have one thing in mind during a home remodel: New floors! I know I did during all of my remodeling projects! However, picking out the perfect floor for your home may be a little harder than you think. I mean, do you know all the options these days? Unfinished hardwood, engineered hardwood, solid hardwood, prefinished hardwood, porcelain tile, stone tile, ceramic tile, laminate, and WPC, just to name a few.

But, have you ever heard of LVT Flooring?

LVT or in proper terms, Luxury Vinyl Tile, is a type of flooring that has grown in popularity and style over the last 5 years. It’s very, very durable, which has made it a homeowner favorite!

What does LVT actually Mean?

LVT is also known as LVP which stands for Luxury Vinyl Plank, or Luxury Vinyl Flooring. Both LVT and LVP can have a very real tile or wood plank looks to them without having to spend the type of money you would with real tile or real hardwood floors. And it’s not just saving on the material itself, there is a great saving to be had on the installation of the product as well.

What is LVT Flooring Made Of?

You may ask what is LVT or LVP specifically? Well, simply put, each piece of flooring is made of various raw materials, mainly PVC Vinyl, compressed together. This is what gives it it’s intense durability. From there, a photographic vinyl film is added to make the plank or tile have the realistic look that you want in your flooring.

Why LVT Flooring Is So Popular

LVT flooring and LVP flooring are becoming more and more popular in homes today. Basements, bathrooms, and kitchens have been the most popular areas to add LVT flooring, as both styles are typically 100% water-proof, depending on the kind you purchase. This means no more water damage, and it’s perfect for those with pets or children.

As mentioned above, LVT flooring is extremely durable and typically has a 20- year or longer residential warranty from the manufacturer, as they’ll last that long, and many times much longer! LVT flooring is often used in commercial manufacturing facilities because of its durability.

What Styles Of LVT Flooring are Available?

Besides the obvious benefits of LVT flooring, a great feature is the wide range of looks, price points, and styles to choose from. You can find an entry-level LVT flooring for around $1.69/sf, such as our Mohawk LVT, all the way up to $6/sf Special order LVT from top brands like CoreTec Plus!

You can find light, dark, grey-washed, red-toned, and multi-colored planks. You can find skinny planks (or the look of thin planks) and wide planks, or long planks and short planks. Whatever the look is that you’re going for, there is an LVT flooring that will fit your needs.

Ready to replace your flooring and thinking about LVT?

Visit us in-store to see our wide range of in-stock and special order LVT styles or Book a complimentary flooring consultation with our flooring specialists!

August 16, 2019

The Best LVT Colors We’ve Ever Seen

What’s going on, everyone!? Hope you’re having an excellent summer! Today, I’d like to discuss some of our favorite LVT, also called waterproof flooring, colors. We’ll take a look at a couple of finishes from CoreTEC, Mohawk, and Featherweight. Keep in mind, too, that all of these are in-stock options in our store. So, if you’ve been thinking about installing some new floors, there’s no better time than the present! Alright, friends, let’s get started.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP ALL OF OUR LVT FLOORING, STARTING AT $1.69/sf!

CoreTEC LVT Colors

When I was introduced to the technology that is waterproof flooring, CoreTEC was the first brand under my scope. We actually performed a water test experiment, just to eradicate skepticism, ya know? We put a plank in a fish tank filled with water and left it there over the weekend.

Came back on Monday, pulled the plank out, and it was perfect. Mint condition. Even after full submersion in water, the plank kept it’s form. No sign of warping, deterioration, heck, it wasn’t even waterlogged. That’s just a little fun fact about the genetic makeup of LVT, it’s no joke. All right, back to the colors.

Blackstone Oak

So, the color “greige” is an astronomical trend in home renovation & interior design these days, and I can see the appeal. Gray has always been the go-to neutral in a space for a while, so it seems fitting that an extra blend, in this case a light-brown, would be just as alluring. CoreTEC’s Blackstone Oak exhibits this highly sought after look with expertise.

Kingswood Oak

Ah, good ole Kingswood Oak. This color is definitely more on the traditional side, but that doesn’t negate its class. It’s a beautiful option for a, say, traditionally styled kitchen, for example. With a gorgeous grain and hints of a lighter brown, Kingswood makes for an excellent choice of LVT.

Mohawk LVT Colors

You know what else I love about Mohawk’s LVT, besides their color options? The prices. Seriously. You can get waterproof flooring for as low as $1.69/sf. That’s amazing. But as far as my favorite colors, I have to go with this one:

Rockport Gray

I mentioned it earlier: Gray is in, and Mohawk’s Rockport Gray has the perfect, light tone of color. It’s smooth, almost silky, and only $1.89/sf. Just saying. Doesn’t get much better than that.

Walnut Mocha LVT

Gotta love this shade of brown. Whoever gave this piece its name deserves a mocha milkshake cause it’s pretty spot on and pretty on the floor. This will work perfectly in almost any home or with any design style.

Featherweight LVT Colors

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Featherweight’s selection. In my opinion, of the three brands I’ve mentioned, Featherweight’s pieces have the most rustic feel to them. So if you’re going that style, I’d highly suggest looking at this brand first.

Stone Oak

Definitely a grayish hue, but do you see what I mean about it’s old, kinda antiquey approach with the grain? A very positive, yet peculiar guide to this piece, and that’s why it’s one of the best.

Smoked Hickory LVT

I can’t help but to picture this color in a large, open area. A living room, maybe, or a comfy basement, fit with a monstrous rug that’s cornered between plush furniture. Again, with the old-fashioned, classic kind of look, too.

There ya have it, friends. Some of the best LVT colors that we carry. Don’t forget what I said about prices either. Quality flooring at an extremely decent price! Come visit Builders Surplus today and find all of the best LVT colors for the very best prices around!

Schedule Your FREE FLOORING INSTALLATION CONSULTATION!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Bathroom Remodeling, Bathroom Cabinets, Vanity tops and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

July 3, 2018

A Flooring Type Comparison

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Hello, everyone! Today, I’d like to do a bit a flooring type comparison, and go over the several different options that you, as a homeowner or contractor, have to fulfill your flooring needs. We’ll look at Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT), Hardwood, Laminate, and different types of Tile flooring.

For all intensive purposes, I’ll use the prices that we currently have in store, knowing they’re the lowest, most cost-effective around. Get everything, without spending everything, indeed!

LVT Flooring

Luxury Vinyl Tile is a beautifully engineered piece of flooring that combines both aesthetics with high functionality. And this is huge reason why LVT has become such a huge hit within households everywhere.

Do you remember when you used to be limited to where you could put certain parts of flooring i.e. bathrooms, any place where water is present? Well, this flooring type switched the game in that respect. But more on that later…

Click here! – Shop LVT

Price: This flooring type generally ranges from an all-time low of $1.79 to just short of $6. Our CoreTEC LVT is absolutely amazing, definitely a “more bang for your buck” kind of product. Check the link, peeps, you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Waterproofness: If you did a double take at that word, I don’t blame you. I voiced this word out loud, and my boss was like, “Uhhh…yeah, not a word,” but after a simple Google search, I learned that it IS, in fact, a word. Just a little tidbit. Moving on.

This is where the high-functionality comes from in LVT. This flooring type is 100% WATERPROOF. Not water-resistant, merely repelling droplets..I mean zero-damage. None whatsoever.

I’ve explained it before, and I’ll do so again. You could pour a jug of water on LVT, leave for a vacation, come back, and the piece would be good as new. It’s that good people.

You could technically put it in your bathroom. Some would frown at it, this being an extremely unconventional approach to a bathroom design, but heck, I say go for it. Literally, go against the grain.

Durability: Another functionality characteristic, LVT doesn’t just Kung Fu the crap out of water, but also scratches. And dents. Plus, it’s strong.

So, the next time you decide to juggle a few cans of green beans, and then time kinda stands still as you watch one go amiss, propelling towards your new floors, remember this blog, remember this passage, don’t forget this sentence — it’s okay.

It’s going to take a little more than green beans and water to damage this flooring type. A hammer, sure. But I’m sure you’ll find other ways to blow off steam than taking a hand tool to your new floors. But that’s none of my business. *Sips tea*

Click here! – Shop LVT

Additional: I’d also just like to point out, or reiterate rather, that because LVT is water’s nemesis, this flooring is perfect for dang-near any space. Bathrooms? Check. Kitchens? For sure. Basements? Have at it. Laundry room? An excellent pick. It’s an excellent flooring type for any room in your household.

Side note: If you’re worried about sound, LVT usually has sound muffling cork backing. I’m telling you, LVT virtually has no cons.

Hardwood Flooring

Ah, the veteran of the group. There’s something naturally rich about using solid wood for your floors. It’s genuine, it’s authentic, and I personally think it gives off the impression of good taste, but that’s me. Now, where there are some extreme advantages to using this flooring type, there are also some disadvantages that may or may not sway your opinion.

Especially given the glorious gallantry of its enhanced, “definitely-had-work-done” cousin that we just talked about. Dramatics. In any case, it’s still a fantastic choice for your floors. Selectively speaking.

Click here! – Shop Hardwood

Price: Unfinished hardwood starts out at $1.39, while finished products typically range from $1.39 to $4.99. Again, the dynamics of each definitely contribute to price, but as a homeowner, as a consumer, you understand that with just about anything, you get what you pay for. We carry Solid Hardwood, Engineered Hardwood, and Cork Flooring, an up-and-coming flooring type that’s truly wondrous to behold.

Waterproofness: 100%…NOT WATERPROOF. ‘Nuff said there.

Durability: Here’s the category where some of the drawbacks nastily congregate. Hardwood tends to be very easily scratched. If you’ve ever moved in or out of a place that sports hardwood floors then you no doubt know exactly what I’m talking about. It can also be dented and quite easily I might add. Better practice your juggling skills outside, people.

BUT…because of this solidness, this flooring type can be refinished, therefore making it an extremely lasting product. All it takes is a nice dose of care and less chaos.

Click here! – Shop Hardwood

Additional: This is a favorite for many folks. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that most home buyers often look for this sort of feature. But, you’ve been warned. Because of its surface, this flooring type isn’t extremely pet friendly, should not be anywhere near water prone areas, and it’s immensely difficult to install yourself. Tongue-and-groove can make a day go south really, really quick.

Laminate Flooring

This flooring type sometimes takes a bad rap for being cheap or too ordinary. But I’ve always adhered to the school of thought that there’s literally beauty in everything, so no matter. There are definitely some positive sides to laminate, some unbeknownst to others. First off…the funds.

Click here! – Shop Laminate

Price: In our stores, Laminate generally stays around $0.99 to $2.89/ sf. Now, in comparison to the other flooring types, you can see how people could regard this as cheaply made or why you here negative comments about the price. But to me, it’s the opposite.

It’s kind of like when someone is called a lightweight when they’re out socially drinking with their friends, and the person in question fails to see negatory punchline. After all, if three beers gets the job done, who is saving more money in the long run — the lightweight or the pompous friends? Just a little drink for deep-thought.

Waterproofness: As far as complete, 100% water-eradicating measures, no. But, this flooring type is definitely moisture-resistant. Would I trust it in my bathroom, around the shower? No. Absolutely not.

Durability: The haters can say what they want about laminate, but as far as it’s strength, it’s pretty resilient. It is primarily scratch & dent resistant AND extremely long-lasting. There’s a reason, among others, why you may walk into a particularly older home, look down, and see laminate, virtually unharmed.

Click here! – Shop Laminate

Additional: It goes without saying that this is an extremely affordable option compared to the other options. Unlike regular hardwood floors, laminate is pretty pet-friendly and installation is quite simple, as well.

Stone Tile Flooring

Stone tile is definitely a fan-favorite, particularly marble. There’s just something about the gentle swirls and patterns that make a room look grand, alluring, elaborately illuminating. I’ve witnessed customers quite literally lose their breath when they walk into an entryway that contains stone tile because the look seriously hits you.

It’s a looker, that’s for sure.

Price: At Builders Surplus, stone tile usually ranges from $1.99 – $2.99. A very fair price when you consider exactly what you’re getting.

Waterproofness: Again, folks, we have a winner. Although, any element of tile is going to be 100% waterproof. It’s still a helluva trait, wouldn’t you agree.

Durability: I’m all for word usage, but it’s tile, y’all. Why waste words? It’s EXTRA durable. And can simply last a lifetime. If you’re like me and absolutely adore the stone look then it’s for you. When it comes to tile, it’s a matter of preference, a choice between color or design, not durability. The next two choices are the same. Phenomenal strength with the capability of lasting a decade.

Additional: This flooring type excels in natural or high-end looks because of it’s appearance. Rarely used in kitchens, but definitely ideal in bathrooms. If you think you’d ever replace your flooring after choosing this, think again. It’s disastrous and definitely more work than it’s worth.

Porcelain Tile Flooring

High. Quality. Honestly, that’s as much as anyone can say about porcelain. I mean, it’s porcelain.

Price: Some may be surprised when they hear that our Porcelain tile starts out a extra-low price of $0.99. Yup. Less than a dollar for some of the finest material ever made. All the way up to $2.99. Not bad for a flooring type that’s solely responsible for the Tower of Nanjing. Never heard of it? Google it. Magnificent architecture.

Waterproofness: YEP.

Durability: Short of a jack hammer, you’re not getting through porcelain. Juggle away.

Additional: Very, very low maintenance. Cleaning will be quick and easy. Perfect for every room in the household, and if you feel unsure about putting this down in a particular room, I’ll give you some consolation. I’ve seen porcelain tile in laundry rooms. Name me a room more mundane than a laundry room. I’ll wait. Have fun with this flooring type.

Ceramic Tile Flooring

Probably your most common type of tile flooring, but that shouldn’t account for nothing. If anything, you should see this is as a tried-and-true flooring type that has greatly revolutionized the above-ground foundation a.k.a. where you put your feet. Beautiful bit of material that continues to stun and amaze homeowners not just across the nation, but worldwide.

Price: Hold your hats, gentlemen and lady folk. Our ceramic tile starts out at ONLY $0.79/sf. Are you as baffled as I am? That’s a crazy low price. I mean, come on now. Blanket your entire basement for nearly a quarter below a dollar per square foot. Whew. Love it, though. That price, and ranging to $1.49. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Waterproofness: Still shaking your head at that word? I know, right? Ludicrous. But yeah, again, water is no match for this tile.

Durability: Scratch-proof, so you can keep your cat.

Additional: As previously mentioned, ceramic isn’t considerably less-expensive than porcelain. Huge plus, for sure. It’s also easy to install, easy to maintain, and perfect for bathrooms.

Carpet Flooring

I’ll be honest with you, I’ve always had mixed feelings where carpet is concerned. I enjoy and appreciate the comfort, depending on setting. For example, in a basement filled with comfy couches, a big screen, maybe a pullout recliner, for some reason carpet sounds much more fitting to me. Soft, feels good on the feet. BUT, there are some monstrous drawbacks to this flooring type.

Price: Typically ranges from $2.19 – just below $5 a square foot, but at Builders Surplus, that also includes install, so there’s another plus.

Waterproofness: Yeah…..no.

Durability: It kind of goes without saying that as far as stains go, this flooring type is a magnet. It’s inevitable, really. Keeping carpet clean is like trying to keep your shoes dry during torrential rainfall. Dang near impossible.

Additional: I’ll state the obvious. Carpet is not to be trusted near any water-sourced areas.

Well, folks, I hope this flooring type comparison has given you a bit of insight, and if you are in the decision-making process, it proves to be a worthy resource. Just remember that popular opinion doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the “right” way to go. Your home, as we so often like to stress at Builders Surplus, is your most important asset. Keyword: YOUR. Turning a house into a home involves a multitude of things, most of them deriving around family and the love shared between its members.

The beauty of the process is living through the moments that cultivate that love within a household. Contagious laughter, heartfelt conversations, congratulatory celebrations, and cherished achievements are ever-lasting memories that contribute to this harmonious transition. Materials play its part in making a house, but it is that glorious, heart-consuming love shared by the people within it that makes it a home. Stay safe, everyone!

In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written By: Chris Chamberlain

Let us help you choose your Flooring style and schedule installation!

August 23, 2017

PRO Flooring Options: Affordable Yet Stylish

As a contractor, you want to make your customers happy. You also want to get them the best deal on products if they have a budget they want to stay within. Offering them affordable yet stylish flooring options that they love can be a great way to please your customer and get a finished product that looks great. The following flooring options are a mix of choices that can be found in a bathroom, kitchen or main space. Lets check them out!

Our Top 5 Affordable Flooring Options

1. LVT or Luxury Vinyl Tile

LVT is by far my favorite, and possibly the hottest, of all the current flooring options. This product is beautiful, durable, easy to install, 100% waterproof and scratch resistant! This product can be used in bathrooms, kitchens, main living spaces, and anywhere in between! Pet owners love it, families with small children love it, DIYers love it as well! I actually haven’t met anyone who purchased this product who was unhappy with it. The price can get up there, depending on the brand, the size of the planks, the added features such as a cork backing which replaces underlayment, but the opening price point is $1.79/ sq. ft. which I think is an awesome deal for what you get. The technology has come so far and LVT looks just like real wood or even tile. Not only will you save your clients money on the product itself, but you’ll also save them money replacing possible damaged flooring in the future!
lvt flooring options

2. Ceramic Basketweave Tile

Basketweave tile is very popular in flooring options right now. It has a vintage yet modern look that homeowners can’t get enough of. It’s easy to install, and the ceramic version is very affordable! While you can also find a marble version for someone wanting a bit of a more upscale look, I think the ceramic is a beautiful choice that you can’t go wrong with.
basketweave tile flooring options

3. Wood Look Tile

Wood look tile is another one of this years affordable flooring options that I just can’t get enough of! It gives the amazing durability of tile, with the coveted look of wood. We have distressed and modern wood looks to compliment any home style. Wood look tile starts at just $1.99 sq/ft and will last for decades. Easy to install, and works in any room of the house.
wood-look-tile-flooring options

4. Mohawk ‘Made in the USA’ Laminate

Mohawk is a made in the USA product, which is a huge selling point to many homeowners, especially after all the Lumber Liquidators issues that came out last year. We are carrying Mohawk laminate flooring starting at $1.29/sq. ft. Mohawk is a very well known and respected brand that homeowners would be happy to have in their home, and would feel safe and comfortable using. Laminate has taken a hit after last year’s Lumber Liquidator’s debacle. Many people were fearful of purchasing laminate. But you can tell them to rest assured with Mohawk. It’s durable, beautiful and safe.

5. Unfinished Hardwood Flooring

Unfinished hardwood flooring is like a blank canvas! It can be stained or finished any way that you or the homeowner chooses. We have unfinished hardwood flooring starting at just $.99/sq ft! At that price, your customers will be thrilled. We have a variety of wood species and thicknesses of planks. Make sure to mention it next time you’re speaking to someone who is on a budget about solid hardwood floors. They’ll definitly thank you for it.
Good luck on your projects this month and let us know if there is anything we can help you with! Our job is to make your job easier.

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are one of the leading providers of hardwood flooring, LVT, wood look tile, ceramic tile and porcelain tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written By: Allie Bloyd

March 7, 2017

Why we chose laminate flooring for our home

I chose laminate flooring for my home, and I’m so happy with my decision. Choosing new flooring or your home is a choice that doesn’t come without serious consideration. After all, it’s a main focal point of your home. It’s going to be something that you look at and feel every single day. It also comes with a decent price tag, so you want to make sure you make the most informed decision, and one that works best for you and your family. As a retailer that sells many different types of flooring, I had a lot of options to weigh. But ultimately, laminate flooring won. Here is why I made the choice that I did, and why I haven’t regretted it for a minute!

Why Laminate Flooring Was The Choice For Me

Scratch Resistance:

I am a proud dog mom, and a lover of heels. I also move furniture around to fit my mood, whenever it may strike. So, I needed a flooring option that wouldn’t be ripped to shreds by some canine claws among other things. While hardwood doesn’t hold us so well against them, laminate solved this problem! While some are scratch resistant in an industrial setting as well as a residential setting, a simple residential scratch resistance was enough for my needs. Luckily, that was easy to find!

Hardwood Scratches

Water Resistance:

As I mentioned above, I love my pups. BUT, the occasionally have an accident. This can be devastating for real hardwood floors, and a real pain for carpet. Hardwood can be water damaged in a matter of hours if left unattended, which can happen if you happen to be away when the accident occurs.

hardwood flooring pet stains, vs laminate flooring

Pet stains on hardwood flooring

Not only that, but spills or leaks can cause the same chaos. Pulling up hardwood to replace it due to water damage is costly, and no fun at all. Our laminate is water resistant, so it was a great choice for us! While it can still be damaged if let sit too long (the face is water resistant but in between the joints is not), it gave us peace of mind knowing that if we weren’t there to clean up the issue right away, we wouldst be out of pocket or out of our minds with anger.
Water damaged hardwood

Dirt and Bacteria:

While carpet technology has come a long way in the last several years, having pets or kids can make carpet a pretty dirty place. We have a dog who gets immense joy from rolling in the dirt, and then coming inside and rolling around on the floor. Image the build up of dirt after a week or two? Not to mention the dog hair. With another long haired dog, it is a constant battle to keep up with it, and vacuums don’t always get everything. I like to be able to SEE exactly what is on my floor, so that I can clean it up. With carpet, its often a guessing game. Did I get it all? Or is it still dirty. Smells can also linger in carpet that just can’t in hardwood floors.

Stain Resistance:

While I don’t have kids just yet, I am expecting my first. On top of that, my husband and I have our fair share of clumsy moments. Stains are a reality. Wine and spaghetti sauce on carpet are never idea (and don’t forget about the pet stains I mentioned before). Not only is the clean up time consuming, it never seems to be 100%. Having to stare at the remnants of a failed cleaning every day would be enough to drive me mad! I preferred the easy clean up of laminate to that of carpet. To make areas more cozy, I’ll just get a rug! I can switch them out if they ever get too damaged or I want a change.
Carpet stains vs laminate flooring

Price:

Ok, lets be honest. We live in a world where price is an issue to be considered, at least for the majority of us. We always want to know that we are getting the best possible product for the best possible price. I am a young person in my first home. I am on a pretty strict budget. A high end hardwood wasn’t an option, even though I wasn’t sure that was the best choice for me in the end anyway. LVT is another great option, with all of the benefits of laminate flooring, but the colors that I liked were more than I was able to spend, so I made a compromise. So laminate flooring made sense to me from the beginning, because I was able to get everything I needed, at a price I could actually afford.
So there you have it. My top 5 reasons that I chose laminate flooring over hardwood floors and carpet. Do you love your laminate or wish you had chosen something else? Are you still trying to figure out which flooring is best for you? Let us know in the comments!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written By: Allie Bloyd

December 1, 2016

Featherweight LVT – Heavy on Style

featherweight

Let’s be honest, folks. There an abundance of floor styles and designs to choose from. So much, that I’d find it pretty impressive for someone not to get overwhelmed by it. After all, floors are a pretty essential element to your household’s overall design. Do you go with the soft, lush feel of carpet? Or maybe the smooth, elegant appearance of tile? Perhaps you like the wood look, and would much rather install hardwood floors? If you’re in the market for something a little bit different, then search no more. Today, I’ll discuss our Featherweight LVT flooring, give you a glimpse of its benefits, and then at the end, I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether or not it’s the right choice for you and your family. Sound like a good plan? Alright, cool, let’s dig in.

What Exactly is Featherweight LVT?

First off, LVT stands for Luxury Vinyl Tile, and it’s a beautiful product with a number of benefits. Specifically, though, FeatherWeight is an LVT product from Feather Lodge flooring. Available in variety of colors, this product sports a seamless design. It’s epic, really. Alright, now that you know the gist of it, let’s move on to some benefits.

The Benefits of Featherweight LVT

Durability: This is 100% a built-to-last product. LVT is manufactured to withstand extremely high-trafficked areas. I’m talking your hallways, your kitchens, your bathrooms. Not only that, but it’s scratch-resistant and comes with a fiberglass reinforced core for added strength and stability. I’m not going to sit here and say that it’s impenetrable, but I may or may not have dropped a full jar of jelly once or twice, and it didn’t even budge. Hardcore, man. For real.

Water-resistant: Yes, you read that right. Gone are the days where your selection is limited because you couldn’t put certain styles in certain areas due to risk. Nope, take all of that and shove it out the window. We’ve just made your process of selection just a tad more difficult, but hey, it’s better to have more choices than a few sloppy ones, right? So, LVT is able to withstand water, no problem. Pretty cool, right?
featherweight

Maintenance: So, so simple. A Swiffer broom will do the trick, and when it’s extra clean, it’s definitely a sight to see. Unlike most carpet or some hardwood floors, this style was designed to as simple as possible. Maintenance included.

Comfort: Super comfy. It’s warmer than laminate and tile. No one likes cold toes. Which is why I’m staving off winter as long as possible. Featherweight LVT will keep each foot cozy. Rest assured.

Installation: The “click” system is an relatively simple one, and it’s actually quite satisfying once you get the hang of it. Not too time consuming, and you’ll be happy to know at the very end, you’ll have a seamless floor. That’s a little something we can all appreciate.

Why is Featherweight LVT a Good Choice?

Let’s pretend I didn’t just list a good chunk of the pretty cool benefits of this style, okay? It’s an excellent choice because you get your dollars worth. You’re not paying for high, outrageous prices. Not at all. And guess what? We have them here at Builders Surplus. I heavily advise you to come in and take a look at this awesome product AND at the price. You’ll find it’s considerably less than your standard hardwood flooring, and you get the same look. Don’t believe me? Come in to our store! We’d love to sit down and talk to you, maybe work out a FREE DESIGN. You can contact us any day of the week, too. We’re always happy to help!

Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Chris Chamberlain

November 21, 2016

What is LVT Flooring (Luxury Vinyl Tile) & Why Should I Care?

Luxury Vinyl Tile, commonly called LVT flooring, is one of the newer flooring products on the scene. Now, don’t let the word VINYL fool you. Most of the time, when people hear about vinyl flooring, they think of cheap linoleum sheets or unattractive vinyl tiles that were used in decades past. They weren’t the most durable and they defiantly weren’t the nicest to look at. LVT flooring is NOT this type of vinyl. Technological advances in flooring manufacturing have come such a long way in the last few years. The new class of vinyl, or LVT flooring, is some of the nicest looking flooring around. It is easy to install, durable, and most products are 100% waterproof. This makes it a favorite for commercial applications, residential installations and for contractors and handymen themselves. What hasn’t yet caught on quite as much is the consumers knowledge of this amazing product.

LVT Flooring Durability

LVT flooring is constructed using polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. This non-toxic property gives the material a firm yet elastic makeup. The material is said to be resilient because of its ability to compress and expand with contact instead of cracking. Obviously, this is something that you’d want in a flooring choice.
Luxury vinyl flooring is also protected by durable “wear layer” of urethane for maximum protection and orthopedic comfort. The thicker the wear layer is, the more durable the flooring to high foot traffic.
There are four layers fused together to create what we know as LVT flooring:

The resilient vinyl backing (or cork backing)
The vinyl color layer
The photographic film layer which gives it’s appearance
The urethane or aluminum oxide top layer. The protective top layer, which can also be referred to as the wear layer or mil layer is a very important component in the durability of LVT. Quality LVT products will have as high as a 40 mil layer. Commercial applications can successfully utilize 20 mil or above. Lower mil layers are available, but should be specified only for light traffic applications.

No matter which LVT product you choose, odds are, it’s very durable. They were created with durability in mind and you won’t need to shy away from it if you have pets, kids, furniture with sharp edges, or wear stiletto heels on a regular basis.
CoreTec LVT Flooring at Builders Surplus in Louisville, KY

LVT Flooring: A Vision Of Perfection

LVT Flooring can mimic so many other flooring options, such as tile or real hardwood. Most people cannot tell the difference. CoreTEC, one of our favorite LVT providers, has just come out with their HD line, which is actually etched and embossed, giving it and even more realistic look that the already realistic LVT on the market today. Because Luxury Vinyl flooring can be made to look like hardwoods, stone, ceramic tile, metal flooring, bamboo, marble, and more, the odds are there is a vinyl tile, plank, or sheet out there to match just about any flooring material you desire. Many high end designers are opting to have LVT in their offices and buildings. They could choose any flooring choice, they know all the pros and cons, yet they still choose LVT. That should tell you something.
lve-tflooring-2

Drowning in Durability

One of the most sought after qualities, as well as the biggest improvement over your traditional vinyl flooring, is the face that LVT flooring is completely water and moisture resistant. You can literally let the planks or tiles sit in a bucket of water and it won’t warp, discolor, and the edges won’t lose their integrity. This is THE perfect flooring for basements, water prone areas like bathrooms, laundry rooms or mudrooms.
Homes in areas with risk of floods would be highly encouraged to look into this. Pet owners are also loving this fact, as no more ruined flooring because of an accident!
lvt-flooring-1

A Quiet Confidence

Another great quality about SOME types of LVT flooring is the sound dampening cork back. You can find this in the CoreTEC plus line. This cork backing acts as a built in underlayment. This means that while it is a slight bump up from the cost of a CoreTEC One, you don’t have to buy an underlayment or take the time to put it down, so you’ve saved time and money already. In 2 story homes this sound dampening quality is crucial.

Lay it Down Easy

In addition to all the other wonderful qualities of LVT flooring, this is probably the easiest flooring to install. Making it a great DIY project for those of you who like to get their hands dirty! The simple click and lock installation can be done in a breeze with no prior experience. We would always recommend watching a good youtube video first, though! It’s also able to be installed above or below grade. Yeah, we pretty much think it’s the perfect floor, too.

Features & Benefits Galore!

The features and benefits of LVT flooring are endless. Here is a list that the World Floor Covering Association put together to show all the features and benefits of LVT flooring:

LVT Features

Incredibly realistic photo replication of natural materials (photogravure process) –
Brands that offer 100% vinyl material
Inherent safety features
Ease of maintenance
Excellent selection of sizes, shapes
Naturally water resistant
Scratch, stain, dent and scuff resistant
Cost effective
Exceptional durability
Exceptional durability
More resilient than other hard surface floors
Amazing aesthetics

LVT Benefits

The look and feel of nature’s best materials at a lower cost are a reality of Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring manufacturing
Vinyl flooring satisfies Green building standards and earns LEED points in commercial applications.
Meets requirements of commercial flammability codes, slip resistant requirements…and a menu of other safety codes
Simple damp mopping is the recommended cleaning procedure for LVT floors
The size options vary by manufacturer, but many styles are available in 12 x 12”, 18 x 18”, 12 x 24” sizes, and planks in standard (3 x 36” 4.5 x 36) and extra-large widths (7 or 9’ widths).
LVT floors are inherently water resistant (and fairly impervious to wet spills from above). It’s important to install over flat, dry, approved substrates so that no water seepage occurs beneath the floor.
Specialized wear layers (most common are 20 mil; some offer up to a 40 mil layer). Then the floors are coated with urethane to enhance durability
Economics factor favorably into the specification of Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring for both commercial and residential applications, giving the look and feel of rich, natural materials at a lower cost
Since most luxury vinyl tile flooring is also constructed to withstand commercial wear and tear, it’s ideal for residential high-traffic areas as well as other areas of the home. Warranties vary by manufacturer, but it’s not unusual to see 20-25 year warranties on brand name luxury vinyl tile flooring.
Because there are multi-layers of vinyl in luxury vinyl tile flooring as well as a resilient backing as the foundation, LVT tiles and planks have more resilience underfoot. It’s easier to stand on for long periods of time AND as an added benefit, it tends to be warmer underfoot than ceramic.
There has been a stunning transformation in the design aesthetics of Luxury vinyl tile flooring in the last five years. If you are linking it to “industrial” looking floors, this is where you need to throw away your misconceptions and do some research. This may be the one biggest factor that has caused interior designers to stand up and take note of the new brand of LVT. The realism of the total look, INCLUDING distressed wood finishes, stone and slate tactile surface textures, and even woven textiles imbedded in the wear layers, are grabbing attention.

We hope this has been enlightening! If you have any questions that weren’t covered about LVT flooring, feel free to let us know in the comments, or contact us! We also have a wide selection of LVT in stock daily or available for custom order. Come see us for all of your LVT needs!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Allie Bloyd

October 27, 2016

DIY Flooring Installation – Laminate or LVT

Some people think about doing their own DIY Flooring Installation and cringe. They have this image in their head that it will be incredibly difficult, incredibly time consuming and something that only a professional can swing. But that’s just not the case. At Builders Surplus, we know a lot about flooring, having laminate flooring, LVT flooring and hardwood flooring in stock daily! While it does take some time if you have a big space, you can easily knock it out with one or two people in one day or a few if you’re not working on it non stop. I will break this down as simply as possible and will use my own personal experience with installing click together laminate flooring. Just like everything else, there are slightly different ways to do things when it comes to home improvement projects, so if you’ve had different experiences, share them in the comments below!

Tools You’ll Need:

Tapping Block
Rubber Mallets
Knee Pads (Trust me, you want these)
Hammer (Baseboards)
Pliers (Taking out staples)
Chisel (Baseboards)
Shop Vac
Duct Tape
Table or chop saw
Eye Wear (When using electric saw)
Tape Measure
Utility Knife
Triangle
Crow Bar

DIY Flooring Installation Steps

Step 1: Remove baseboards and old flooring

Use a hammer and chisel tool to remove your baseboards one by one. If you plan on reusing, be very careful. Also, try to damage your drywall as little as possible. Some damage might be done, but it will be covered by new baseboards, so it’s not the end of the world. Rip up any old linoleum, carpet, or laminate flooring and dispose of it.

Step 2: Clean up and level out

Having a clean space to work with when doing a DIY flooring installation is critical. You need to make sure that all traces of the former floor are gone and that your subfloor is clear of ANY nails or staples. This is one of the most time consuming parts of the process in my opinion. I work in sections, making sure that I have run over every square inch and that all is clear. Then, take a shopvac or something similar and clean up any dirt or debris that your demo has left.

Step 3: Lay underlayment

Underlayment is a very important part of laminate or LVT flooring installation. This is a moisture barrier that is necessary in keeping your floors, subfloors and flooring joists in great shape. Some LVT, like COREtec Plus, comes with a built in cork backing, another type of underlayment, already attached to the back. If you have chosen a flooring like that, you don’t need to do this step. To shop COREtec, Click here! For everyone else, you’ll need to lay your underlayment over the entire surface and duct tape it together and to the edge of the floor. Leave about an inch around the edges.

Step 4: Lay your first row

Laying your first row of laminate is extremely important. You want everything to flow smoothly, especially in a large space. You don’t want to have to change directions at any time. Because of this, find a place in the furthermost left corner and work your way to the right and forward. For me, My front door, dining room and part of my kitchen are recessed back a little bit from the wall. You need your first row to flow completely from left of the space to the right to make sure that all of your flooring lines up properly. Because of this, we started as shown below. We added several rows going down, and then worked our way back towards the wall.
DIY Flooring Installation Step 4

You want to start your first piece up against the wall. You can put a spacer, or a cut piece of flooring standing vertically right between your first piece and the wall to get started. You’re going to just click and lock the flooring on the long end all the way down. You’ll have to make a cut at the very end, which we’ll show you how to do in the next step. With your second row, you’ll want to cut your first piece about half the size of your regular piece of flooring to get the stacked pattern. You may want someone to stand on your first row of flooring while you work on the next few rows (If you have to start like I did and you don’t have a wall that it’s already butted against) so that it doesn’t shift because you’ll be using your tapping block and mallet to knock the pieces flat on the long ends. Click and lock the flooring in place as best as possible, but then if it’s not 100% flat and locked in, take your tapping block and put it on the edge of the flooring. Tap it down downwards and towards the crack that you’re trying to get flat. Be careful so that you don’t chip off any part of the locking mechanism. This is important in the flooring working properly in the next row.
DIY Flooring installation step 4-2

Step 5: Making Cuts

Making cuts is a lot easier than it looks, but make sure you do it right to get the best, cleanest cut and don’t cause a lot of waste. First, you’ll need to flip the flooring board upside down. This is because when you make your cut, the flat cut end needs to be up against the wall, You don’t want to cut off your click and lock mechanism at the end. If you do, it will have no way to lock into place. Mark it with a sharpie or pen. Next, take your triangle and get a perfectly straight cut. Next, take it to your saw and CAREFULLY cut it. If you are not comfortable using a saw, they do have non electric laminate choppers that you can buy at Lowes or Home Depot. Make sure you have a little bit of space because you will most likely need to tap your last piece into place. I didn’t take a photo of this but there is an illustration below showing the motion. You can do this on pieces other than the end piece if needed, but majority of the time I don’t find it necessary.
installation-last-plank-flooring
flooring-cuts

Step 6: Notching Out around doorways, cabinets, and other obstacles

Every home is different, and every space has different obstacles to overcome. There is not always a 1 size fits all answer. In the video below, you’ll see how to do an easy notch out. Some notching will be more difficult, and it may be trial and error, but the main thing to understand is that you want to measure twice, cut once, as the saying goes.

This piece below was in our hallway, and was by far our most complicated cut. It took us a few tried, but we still got it. We will be adding new baseboards and quarter round, so you won’t see the cracks.
Notching Out

Step 7: Keep going, keep flowing

Keep the flow going, if you have a hallway like I do, you keep the lines going all the way down. I went into two bedrooms to the right, but I just kept the pattern going.

Step7

For the most part, you aren’t going to have much waste. Even if you cut the wrong end of a board, or you cut the board too short, just use it in a place that the space is smaller, or at the beginning of the next row. When I cut the wrong end, I would place those boards next to the wall that the board would fit, so I always reused those boards. What you see below is all the waste that I had from almost 1700 square feet.

Waste in DIY Flooring Installation

Step 8: Baseboards

Finally, you’ll put on your baseboards and/or quarter round. Remove the spacers around the border and install baseboards and quarter round covering the plastic moisture barrier on the wall and the gap between the wall and the flooring. Set nail heads slightly below the surface of the molding and fill with wood putty. Use touch up paint to cover the wood putty.
That’s about it, folks! It’s really not as hard as it seems to do a DIY flooring installation.

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written By: Allie Bloyd

August 16, 2016

Aqua Vision: WPC vs LVT Flooring

Aqua Vision Flooring
Finding the right kind of flooring for your home and your project can be a daunting task because if you’re anything like my Dad, then you want hardwood flooring throughout the home – including the kitchen and the bath, but you also want as little maintenance as possible on it. We all know that’s just not a possibility with hardwoods. However, now-a-days because the look of hardwood floors is so in demand vendors have developed floors that look like wood, can be installed anywhere in the home, and require very little upkeep. But what is this magical and mysterious unicorn of the flooring world? You might know it as Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) but this flooring is a subcategory of LVT, and it’s called WPC.

What is WPC flooring?

WPC stands for Wood Plastic/Polymer Composite. The fact of it is: many WPC flooring types don’t actually contain any actual wood, but a wood flour (a finely ground wood powder) made from hardwoods. However, this doesn’t hinder the strength or durability, especially since it’s combined with tough plastics!
WPC flooring is technically a LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile/Plank) because it has a vinyl surface. It can also be marketed as being an engineered or enhanced vinyl floor. People have known about LVT and similar products for a while, but WPC is just catching on in terms of popularity. The reason it’s gaining so much popularity and flying off our shelves is because of the promises that it makes as being dimensionally stable, waterproof, and recyclable! Our main WPC product, Aqua Vision, also starts at a lower price point than the other LVT’s we carry.

So it’s an LVT?

No, but yes. Just so we’re clear WPC is not actually vinyl – it’s just marketed as a Luxury or Engineered Vinyl because vinyl is more widely well known; and because people know what it is that makes it easier to market! So, basically at this point, until WPC becomes a household term for flooring WPC and LVT are somewhat interchangeable. Remember when you were in grade school and you learned that a square was a rectangle, but a rectangle is not a square? It’s the same concept. WPC floors are LVT but LVT floors are not WPC floors.
Aqua Vision

Aqua Vision vs. Other LVTs?

What’s the difference?

Well, we, like many other businesses that sell flooring have also been marketing our WPC floors along with our LVT products. However, the most distinct difference between Aqua Vision and other LVTs is that is it 100% waterproof. They use this stuff by pools! That’s how serious they are about this stuff being waterproof!

Any Advantages?

Many LVTs will advertise themselves as being waterproof to some degree – and some are – but Aqua Vision is 100% waterproof. This means that it can be installed below-grade, for example: in your basement, in moisture-rich environments, like your bathroom, or anywhere that other floors like hardwood, laminate, or carpet would never go!
Other advantages to Aqua Vision and other WPC floors is that it has a rigid core design! This means that it’s dimensionally stable and that, in turn, means that it can be installed just about anywhere and over just about any hard surface floor without showing any dips or imperfections! This also means that it won’t expand, so it doesn’t need time to acclimate before being installed in your home or business and that it doesn’t need any spaces during installation to account for any shifting or expanding!

Aqua Vision and other WPC is really the future of Vinyl and Laminate flooring! The way that the popularity of this product is rising, we’re sure that it’s going to stick around for a long time because of it’s many advantages of being waterproof, easy to install and maintain! Nothing is stopping this product from flying off the shelves and into homes around the country!

June 20, 2016

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What does LVT actually Mean?

What is LVT Flooring Made Of?

Why LVT Flooring Is So Popular

What Styles Of LVT Flooring are Available?

CoreTEC LVT Colors

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Let us help you choose your Flooring style and schedule installation!

Our Top 5 Affordable Flooring Options

1. LVT or Luxury Vinyl Tile

2. Ceramic Basketweave Tile

4. Mohawk ‘Made in the USA’ Laminate

5. Unfinished Hardwood Flooring

Why Laminate Flooring Was The Choice For Me

Scratch Resistance:

Water Resistance:

Dirt and Bacteria:

Stain Resistance:

Price:

What Exactly is Featherweight LVT?

The Benefits of Featherweight LVT

Why is Featherweight LVT a Good Choice?

LVT Flooring Durability

LVT Flooring: A Vision Of Perfection

Drowning in Durability

A Quiet Confidence

Lay it Down Easy

Features & Benefits Galore!

LVT Features

LVT Benefits

Tools You’ll Need:

DIY Flooring Installation Steps

Step 1: Remove baseboards and old flooring

Step 2: Clean up and level out

Step 3: Lay underlayment

Step 4: Lay your first row

Step 5: Making Cuts

Step 6: Notching Out around doorways, cabinets, and other obstacles

Step 7: Keep going, keep flowing

Step 8: Baseboards

What is WPC flooring?

So it’s an LVT?

Aqua Vision vs. Other LVTs?

What’s the difference?

Any Advantages?

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