Floor Covering Installer articles from July 2004

Floor Covering Installer archives from July 2004

Live by price, die by price; live by fashion and installation & thrive.(FCI Editorial)
July 1, 2004... I can't figure out why anyone beats the price drum instead of the fashion and quality installation drum. It's fashion and installation satisfaction that attract commercial and residential customers and clients. It's what they buy, not price. So...

Recycle this.(You Make the Call)
July 1, 2004... With all the interest in recycling that has impacted our business, I thought it would be informative to take a closer look at one product that is in a category all its own. Sure, we have recycled pad and now carpet, and we all have seen the...

Installing a bordered runner on a curving staircase.(A Carpet Installer's Notebook)
July 1, 2004... A month or so ago, I was on the FCI Web site to see what was new on the FCI Message Board. A question was asked about runners on a curving staircase; in particular, whether or not there was a way to make a woven-bordered runner follow the...

Tile over plywood: some tips for success.(Tile Talk)
July 1, 2004... This month we address a controversial subject, installing ceramic tile or porcelain tile over wood floors. Opinions abound as to what works and what doesn't work. This article is about the industry perspective on bonding directly to plywood; in...

CFI Patterned Carpet Workshop incorporates extensive training.(Industry News)
July 1, 2004... The CFI Patterned Carpet Workshop held at the Kansas City Expo Center in June incorporated extensive skills training, with large modules built to install commercial patterns. Training included pattern identification and type of distortion,...

Columbia Flooring to return to Surfaces in 2005.(Industry News)
July 1, 2004... Columbia Flooring has announced that it will be exhibiting at Surfaces 2005, after opting out of the 2004 trade show in favor of a large distributor event held in Cancun. Though the Cancun event was an "outstanding success," Columbia...

Q.E.P. Co., Inc. celebrates 25th anniversary.(Industry News)
July 1, 2004... Q.E.P. Co., Inc. celebrates the company's 25th anniversary in August. Founded in 1979, Q.E.P. Co., Inc. is a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of a broad line of flooring tools and accessories. Twenty-five years ago, Lewis Gould...

Hamby joins Bonsal American team.(Industry News)
July 1, 2004... Jon Hamby has joined the Bonsal American Co. as area sales manager. His sales territory will include Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hamby will work closely with Master Tile in Texas and Oklahoma to...

CFI's 11th convention to be held July 28-31 in Chattanooga.(Industry News)
July 1, 2004... CFI's 11th convention will be held July 28-31 at the Chattanoogan Hotel in Chattanooga. The location was selected because of its proximity to Dalton, Ga., CFI says. On July 28, members will tour the Mohawk--Durkan printed carpet facility and...

Relative humidity testing--new technology for concrete testing.
July 1, 2004... In my first FCI column last October, we explored the reasons why floors fail because of concrete moisture problems, and looked at prevention and testing. This month, I want to tell you about a "new" method of moisture testing that many feel is...

Repair of site-finished wood flooring.(NOFMA Tip Sheet)
July 1, 2004... To repair: to restore to a good condition. To patch: to restore in haste in a makeshift way. Educated and responsible wood flooring contractors repair floors with damaged or defective pieces; they don't patch a floor. A corollary to...

Put a cork in it!(Namba's World)
July 1, 2004... Cork has been used for centuries, most notably for its sealing properties. I remember rebuilding the engine on my 1965 Chevrolet super sport and using cork for some of the gaskets; ah, a stroll down memory lane. Cork is one of the only products...

Demystifying leather tile.
July 1, 2004... This really is like going back to square one; a leather hide was undoubtedly the first floor covering in prehistory, and used in all of the better caves. As the saying goes, "What goes around comes around," and here we are putting leather on...

Tile Partners for Humanity introduces Habitat homeowner to tile, potential new career.(Industry News)
July 1, 2004... Tile Partners for Humanity recently completed its largest project to date--tiling 34 Habitat homes in Houston, Texas--thanks to the generous donations of individual members of the tile industry. TPFH is a partnership between the tile...

BonaKemi reformulates Traffic.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... BonaKemi's new Traffic waterborne floor finish is safer to use than the original formula, with a lower VOC of 240 g/l (a 30 percent decrease), improved flow and leveling and one hardener for all sheens. Circle 356 on the Reader Inquiry Card....

Laticrete Crack Suppression Kit now with Microban.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... The Laticrete Crack Supression Kit is designed to prevent the transmission of stresses and cracks in ceramic tile and stone by pretreating existing shrinkage cracks in concrete. The kit, consisting of liquid rubber and reinforcing fabric...

Lenox Gold blade uses titanium nitride coating.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... Spend less time changing blades when installing linoleum, tile or carpeting with the new Lenox Gold shatter-resistant, bi-metal titanium-coated utility blades, Lenox says. The unique titanium nitride coating combined with the strength of...

National unleashes the #5280 Panther stripper.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... National Carpet Equipment's #5280 Panther Self-Propelled Stripper has many of the same features as its brother, the #6280 Industrial Panther, but in a more compact and lightweight form for greater maneuverability. The Self-Propelled...

Oneida Vac Systems introduces Floor Dust Containment System.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... Oneida Vac Systems' compact and portable 110V, 99.9 percent filtered Floor Dust Containment System easily attaches to your machine, the company says. The system uses up to 100 feet of hose, and operates as a sander and edger simultaneously. All...

Delmhorst debuts new equipment package.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... Delmhorst Instrument Co. introduces the BD-2100 Flooring Package, designed to meet the needs of the flooring professional. The package includes the BD-2100 moisture meter, 26-ES slide hammer and a rugged carrying case. The BD-2100 moisture...

Seam Master's Koolglide System by Nexicor.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... Seam Master Industries, in partnership with Nexicor, introduces the new Koolglide System for carpet seaming. A seam is made by running the iron on top of the carpet. The tape is heated and the seam is made utilizing Nexicor's patented induction...

C&A's Ethos recycled content backing by Tandus.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... C&A Floorcoverings has unveiled Ethos, a high recycled content cushion backing for 6-foot broadloom carpet and a soon-to-be-released version for modular tiles. Ethos was developed by Tandus Technologies. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ethos is...

EcoProtek from APAC offers antimicrobial protection.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... EcoProtek from APAC incorporates a unique blend of antimicrobial preservatives. It protects APAC adhesives by inhibiting the growth of fungi, mold and mildew. EcoProtek also provides in-pail protection against bacterium that cause spoilage...

Innovatech unveils its Terminator 2000-ei.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... The new Terminator 2000-ei from Innovatech Products features on-the-job service life of up to eight hours between battery recharges, and an interchangeable batter pack to provide up to eight hours additional run time. Circle 328 on the Reader...

1800 Vinyl Sheetgoods Embossing Leveler new from Roberts.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... Roberts Consolidated Industries debuts its 1800 Vinyl Sheetgoods Embossing Leveler, a unique, one-part, ready-to-use product designed to fill and level the embossed surface of existing resilient flooring prior to the installation of new floor...

Dependable presents new line of hot-melt carpet seam tapes.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... Dependable Chemical Co. presents a new line of hot-melt carpet seam tapes produced in 3- and 4-inch widths. These new tapes feature smoke-free and nearly odorless hot-melt technology, according to the company. High-performance knitted...

Faus announces its Fastrim Multi-Transition System.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... Faus Group Inc. introduces the Fastrim Multi-Transition System, one SKU with five transitions. The pieces can be combined to form t-molding, a hard surface reducer, carpet reducer, end molding or stair nose. Fastrim features easy assembly Faus...

Custom Building Products introduces ultra-lightweight backerboard.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... Custom Building Products recently debuted EasyBoard Ultra Light Backerboard which, as its name implies, is an ultra-lightweight backerboard. Each 1/2-inch sheet consists of a thin, lightweight synthetic core, mesh reinforcement and a...

Turbo offers full line of heat welding tools.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... Turbo Heat Welding Tools offers a full line of products, including the Turbo Caddy, an automatic welding machine. The caddy works with both Leister and Zinzer guns, and welds 13 to 16 feet per minute. When the operator is finished welding...

Allstate Rubber intros Brasilia rubber tile line.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... Stoler Industries, manufacturer of Allstate Rubber flooring products, has introduced its new rubber tile line, Brasilia. Made of 100 percent vulcanized rubber, the environmentally friendly tile is available in more than 100 colors in a...

Sinclair manufactures Pro Circle Cutter.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... Sinclair Equipment Co.'s Pro Circle Cutter is designed to create precise circles and circle segments up to 8 feet, 6 inches for resilient, laminate or textile floor coverings. The Pro Circle Cutter is engineered for exact circle reproduction...

MAPEI Planitop 25 is a flowable structural repair mortar.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... MAPEI has designed Planitop 25 as a flowable, cementitious, structural repair mortar. This shrinkage-compensated mortar is flowable and can be poured on slabs. The self-leveling characteristics make it excellent for treating concrete surface...

Many Schluter Systems products now available in nickel finish.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
July 1, 2004... Schluter Systems has added a nickel finish to its profile lines. The finish is now available in the Schluter-Schiene, Reno-TK, Reno-U, Jolly and Rondec profiles, available in satin, bright, polished or brushed looks. The Schluter-KERDI-Drain's...

Matching patterned carpet--tackstrip is another tool.(CFI Report)
July 1, 2004... Matching patterned carpet is ALWAYS a challenge. The tools that CFI has introduced or reintroduced to installers in the last 11 years have certainly made a difference. This article presents another alternative that enhances the element of...

Installation training clinics & schools.
July 1, 2004... CARPET Dupont and Mohawk are sponsoring CFI Certification seminars nationwide. For details, call (800) 248-8582, ext. 239. Lees Carpet Institute ensures that installers get personal training to receive Lees' highest level of...

Orcon.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... Orcon introduces a truly universal application seaming tape. XU-90 Seams everything from ActionBac[c] to UPS[TM] backings. Tested and endorsed by Mohawk Group Field Services for superior performance whenever a thermoplastic seaming tape is...

Lenox.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... LENOX[R] Gold[TM] Utility Knife The LENOX Gold utility knife, available in retractable and fixed versions, features a titanium-coated stainless steel nose. This patented one-piece fixture eliminates spreading for extreme durability under...

Roberts.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... Roberts announces the redesigned 10-501 GT Knee Kicker. Enhancements include a new trigger system to provide smoother and more reliable operation and a new retaining ring and sleeve at the rear end of the body tube....

Turbo Heat Welding Tools.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... TURBO HEAT WELDING TOOLS INTRODUCES A NEW GROOVER The Master Turbo Groover With new features such as grooving straight lines, grooving in reverse to the walls, grooving in circles or curves. It becomes unique of it's kind, they claim....

Hardwood Industry.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... The EZ PRO INJECTOR[TM] a heavy-duty injection system for Hardwood Flooring. Glue penetrates a 1/16" drilled hole, fills the void/hollow spot and eliminates detection. Forget about spending all your time and effort in tearing up a floor just to...

CARPET SHIMS.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... CARPET SHIMS and UNIVERSAL SIDE SHIMS easily eliminate all your transition problems when installing carpet next to ceramic tile or hardwood. There is no need for double tack strip, building ramps out of VCT, shake shingles, or floating. CARPET...

Lignomat.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... Lignomat offers a Professional Package P-6 including a pinless meter for quick-scan of large areas, a pin meter to pinpoint source of problem, Electrodes E16 to measure concrete and other building materials, Electrode E12 to measure through...

Wagner.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... Wagner Electronics releases MMC/MMI moisture meters Wagner Electronics announces the release of their MMC/MMI Series moisture meters. This new line of handheld meters was designed for use by flooring professionals, wood product...

Modern Carpet Tools Ltd.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... Modern Carpet Tools Ltd. introduces Concord 2000 peakless seam tape. This patended premium quality revolutionary 3" carpet tape is designed to eliminate seam hinging which is the cause of peaking. Our secret is the flat steel bars spaced every...

Tramex Ltd.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... NEW Tramex CRH, the latest and most advanced moisture and relative humidity meter. The CRH combines 4 testing modes: * Moisture content (non-destructive impedance method.) * Internal relative humidity in concrete to ASTM F2170....

Trelawny/Novatek.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... TWO NEW NOVATEK CATALOGS One catalog covers Surface Preparation tools for removing paint, rust and coatings from steel and concrete surfaces. The other features shrouded tools, air cleaners and vacuum systems for Dustless surface...

C.H. Hanson.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... The Original ASquare[R] from C.H. Hanson aSquare provides the accuracy and handiness of a layout, utility or framing square, but folds to a convenient size for easy storage. Mechanism locks tool precisely at 90[degrees] angle. Because all...

Interior surfaces.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... "Interiors follow fashion" For many years the hottest fashion apparel has been--still is, Leather! Now leather tile on floors, walls and moldings is gaining popularity. Having slowly made it's way into fine homes and businesses all over...

POWERNAIL.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... POWERNAIL CO. introduces its new Model 50P Mallet Actuated Pneumatic T&G POWERNAILER[R] for 3/8" to 5/8" T&G Flooring. It has a safety trigger to prevent accidental discharge, rugged pressure sealed cast aluminum body and foot. Comes in two...

Diamond Tech.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... The Diamond Laser 5000 Diamond-Bladed Wet Band Saw is capable of 95% of the cuts typically made with Waterjet technology at a fraction of the cost. Want to know more? Visit us online at www.diamondsaws.com Circle #74 on the Reader Inquiry Card....

APAC.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... APAC INTRODUCES SOLVENT FREE VCT ADHESIVE ECOlogical 539 VCT adhesive with ECOPROTEC[TM] is another innovative product by APAC. 539 dries to a thin, semi-transparent film and allows chalk lines to be visible. The solvent-free formula is...

Sinclair.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... Sinclair Equipment Company Pro Circle Cutter can create precise circles and circle segments up to 8'6" for resilient, laminate or textile floor coverings. Its quality construction allows for exact circle reproduction. Extension set and Grooving...

Porta-nails.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... PNI's Portamatic Hammerhead 2 Porta-Nails, Inc. offers the Portamatic Hammerhead 2, which is designed for nailing 1/2"--33/32" tongue and groove wood flooring. It is mallet activated and holds up to 200 2" Porta-Nails with an air chamber...

NCE.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... Why do the work when the Panther does it for you? The #5280 has many of the same features as its "big brother" the #6280 Industrial Panther[R] Self-Propelled Stripper, but the #5280 is more compact and lighter weight creating greater...

Custom building products.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... RedGard[TM] Waterproofing and Anti-Fracture Membrane (formerly known as LevelQuik[TM] Waterproofing and Anti-Fracture Membrane), is a water-based, easy-to-use, elastomeric membrane that is easily applied with a roller, trowel or sprayer,...

Seam Master.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... Seam Master, Nexicor present Koolglide System Seam Master Industries, in partnership with Nexicor, introduces the new Koolglide System for carpet seaming. A seam is made by running the iron on top of the carpet. The tape is heated and the...

BonaKemi.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... BonaKemi introduces the AdvantEdge edger, with innovative technology for smoother operation, more efficient power and easier maintenance. For use with BonaKemi's DCS system, or bag, AdvantEdge is the newest addition to BonaKemi machines...

Dependable Chemical.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... Dependable presents new line of hot-melt carpet seam tapes Dependable Chemical Co. presents a new line of hot-melt carpet seam tapes produced in 3- and 4-inch widths. These new tapes feature smoke-free and nearly odorless hot-melt...

Delmhorst.(Products and Literature Guide)
July 1, 2004... New From Delmhorst - HT-3000 Thermo-Hygrometer Delmhorst Instrument Co., the leading manufacturer of moisture meters, has recently introduced the Model HT-3000 thermo-hygrometer. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Because wood floors are...

Pre-installation review.(Best Job Practices)
July 1, 2004... On most jobs, the cost of adhesive accounts for a very small portion of the total cost, perhaps three percent or less. Therefore, cheap adhesive doesn't offer much potential for savings. The practice often produces job failures, which result in...