Many of us are on a mission to buy products made in America. We want to save money and avoid the “t” word. Buying American supports the US economy, fuels job growth, offers environmental benefits, quality assurance and safety, and shorter lead times.
However, it’s not always that easy, right? Some categories are nearly impossible to purchase domestically made products, for example new cars, smart phones, and many electronic devices and tools.
That’s true in flooring too. You probably know that most carpet is not only made in the USA, much is made right here in Georgia. The majority of laminate floors are made in America. There is a great selection of hardwood floors made domestically. However, it’s not as easy with luxury vinyl and wool carpet. Most LVP is imported. And while the carpet may be manufactured here, the wool itself is probably from New Zealand or the United Kingdom.
This month we are featuring floors that are made in America. If you are ready for new floors, come in and take a look at these best buys:
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TruOAK by Somerset Solid Oak Hardwood -- this 3 1/4" oak floor is wide enough to look proportional in large areas, but not so wide it becomes pricey. The matte finish is easy to care for. Choices include traditional colors like Gunstock and Natural Red Oak, and Mystic, a nice brown tone.
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One of our favorite carpets is Karastan Maison Chic. This very plush carpet is made from SmartStrand fiber, which means it is durable and super easy to keep clean. There are 20 colors to choose from in Maison Chic.
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We previously said there was not a lot of LVP made in America, but there are a few. One that we really like is Mohawk PureTech Plus. This floor has zero PVCs (so important to avoid!) and has a 70% recycled content. Choose from lighter colors like Sand Chestnut and medium to darker tones such as Mountain Ridge Oak.
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Mohawk RevWood is not only made in America and tariff free, it’s also high quality and readily available. These laminate wood looks feature water resistant protection for long-lasting beauty you can count on. One of our best sellers is Palm City, and it’s on sale this month!
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Carpet styles with subtle flecks of different colors are great for those wanting a carpet with a little pizzazz, not boring beige. The flecks hide dirt, spills, and wear and also tie in wall and fabric colors without being “matchy match.” This Mohawk carpet Noble Space is one of our favorites.
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Fit for when life happens -- FirmFit luxury vinyl flooring was developed with the idea that home is a place you can spend time and live without having to worry about small messes. If you want an easy care floor, take a look at the FirmFit collection, which is proudly made in the USA.
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Laminate floors were introduced in the USA in the 1990s. These floors are comprised of several thin layers of different materials. The visual is actually a computer-generated picture. Most laminates have a plastic backing, a wood-based core, and a heavy finish consisting of multiple layers of melamine (a hard plastic coating) with aluminum oxide added for better wear and scratch resistance.
And most laminate floors are made in America! Pergo is probably the best known brand of laminate floors, and (you guessed it) some of their best selling floors are on sale this month.
Declare your independence from old ugly floors with a beautiful new floor that is made in America.
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Did You Know
The first modern laminate flooring was introduced in Europe in 1984. Originally, laminate flooring was designed for apartments (flats) because it could be easily disassembled. This was important in Europe, where people took their floor with them when they moved!
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How Much Does It Cost
Most of the unfinished wood that is installed locally is made in the USA. The red oak and white oak that we purchase is usually Appalachian in origin.
We recently installed new site finished hardwoods in the living room, dining room, family room, foyer and hall (800 sq ft) of an Alpharetta home. We also refinished the kitchen and breakfast area (340 sq ft) so that it all matched. The total price was $12,000.
You may be wondering what unfinished wood is. It is the type of wood that is used in site finished flooring. Site finished hardwoods are installed raw (unfinished) and then sanded, stained, and coated with polyurethane in your home. You are able to select the stain color and the gloss level of the floor.
Prefinished hardwood floors are fully manufactured and finished in the factory. A prefinished floor offers a quicker and more convenient installation, but you have fewer choices in stain color, etc. Both types of wood flooring (site-finished and prefinished) are available in solid and engineered wood.
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Design Tip
Tradition says fine china and crystal are for “special occasions,” which usually means “never.” So, they sit in cupboards, gathering dust, too nice and fragile to use, too much work to clean. But what’s the point of preserving beauty no one enjoys?
Many of us feel obligated to protect these things for future generations. But no one is using them—not without anxiety or tears over chipped plates and broken glasses. And to be honest, the younger generation may not even want your fine china. The “good” dinnerware stays boxed up, waiting for occasions that never come.
Consider this real life story: one friend served crock-pot meatballs on her vintage china during a casual weeknight get together. This inspired others to do the same—pulling out inherited plates and crystal barware for everyday use. They all began using the family china regularly, sometimes even putting it in the dishwasher—where, surprisingly, it held up just fine.
We should care for heirlooms, but not to the point of hiding them. Use the good stuff. Every meal can be a special occasion!
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I Was Floored By Enhance
From Mary in Marietta:
“We just finished a project with Enhance Floors. They really have the process down and make something that can be very daunting as easy as possible. They communicate with you every step of the way and are quick to answer questions that pop up along the way. On top of all that their work is great and the people that actually install and paint post installation were very professional. I highly recommend Enhance. Thank you Fran, Debra, Don and all the team!”
Thank you for the nice review, Mary. And we appreciate the referral. We are working with your friend on her new floors.
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