Surface Blog

Welcome to Surface, a blog by Carlisle Wide Plank Floors. Join us in discussion about hardwood flooring wood grains & styles, home decor, green building products, trends and more.

Did you hear the story about the guy with one sock?

Posted by Christine Halvorson

Glen, who works in Carlisle's Stoddard, New Hampshire offices, got a call the other day from Bill Stratton, a builder based in Chatham, New York, who often uses Carlisle floors in his many building projects. Turns out Bill's crew on a construction project over in Canaan, New York (above), was having trouble matching the Carlisle Bradford Umber stain he was applying to the new Carlisle hickory floor he had installed. The stain just wasn't matching the sample he had been sent by us. So, Bill called in and consulted with Glen and Rick Menard on staff here, who suggested Bill make sure his guy was mixing the stain well enough and applying it properly. Well, Bill decided to go on up to the project site himself and see what he could see. When he got to the house, no one from his crew was around (see below), and no one else either. He wanted to try the stain, but he had nothing with which to apply it. So, Bill took off one of his nice wool socks and applied the stain to a test area, wiping it away as he went. Bill was happy to report back to us that the stain was now a perfect match. It had all been a matter of not stirring the stain enough before application.

And builder Bill spent the rest of the day walking around with just one sock.

It's nice to know the builders we work with will go the extra mile to make sure our floors look as good as they can!

Posted on April 8, 2009 at 01:31 PM in Customer Stories • (0) Comments
One of Carlisle’s sales reps in Atlanta offices gets much-deserved recognition

Posted by Christine Halvorson

We got a lovely note from customers Jim and Georgia Connell in Atlanta, who took the time to let us know how much they enjoyed working with a member of our team in the Atlanta Design Center--Sharon Bondie. Jim actually wrote to Don Carlisle, Carlisle's president:
Don,
I'm emailing you to let you know how pleased we are with the Wide Plank floors we just recently purchased from Carlisle. We have been researching these floors for more than three years and they look great in our house. The real purpose of my email is to recognize one of your employees Sharon Bondie.
We started engaging with Sharon more than 6 months ago. She is extremely knowledgable of the product, how the colors differ all the way to best practices on how to install the floors. In addition to that she was EXTREMELY responsive in dealing with me and my wife whenever we needed information. This is a large purchase for me and my wife and we told ourselves that when we started this project we were going to do it right. Making the decision to go with Carlisle floors was absolutely the right decision but having Sharon as our consultant in this project made the experience that much better. She is a valuable asset to your company and I wanted to make sure you knew she is great at what she does and we appreciate all of her help.
Thanks very much,
Jim and Georgia Connell
Well, Sharon seems a little embarassed about this attention, but Don had this to say to Jim about his note:
"Sharon is an incredible asset to the Carlisle family business. I hope you enjoy the floor we craft for you for many years and if you ever are visiting New England stop in and visit us....we love to meet our customers.
So, just to embarass her further, here's a photo of the Atlanta Team. She's the one on the far right in the green dress. Yay, Sharon!

Posted on March 6, 2009 at 07:00 AM in Customer Stories • (0) Comments
Do-it-yourselfers on Whidbey Island do a great job with their Carlisle floor

Posted by Christine Halvorson

Our Sarah Bergren got a nice note from Diane (and Bob) Billingsley from Whidbey Island, Washington. They ordered a Carlisle floor about one year ago--a 3" to 7" Anitque Oak and, as a cost-saver, they installed the floor themselves and did the final finishing with Tung Oil. Good for them! Here's the note from customer Diane:
Hi Sarah:

I am not a photographer but these will give you some idea of how beautiful the floor came out in the kitchen. We still have not put the great room floor down or the stairs and landing. Do you think the wood will be 'acclimatized' sufficiently? We hope to get it all down within the next month or so....

We went to see a house that is being remodeled here on the island yesterday and one of the gals with us remarked on the floor. It was a simple, tight knot (she said) pine, stained and sealed. The owner said she was disappointed with the floor, that it was not a "Carlisle" but she had to live with it. I didn't say anything, didn't want to make her feel any worse, but I was beaming inside and Bob (my husband) and I exchanged a wink. She and her husband are coming over to see our progress next Saturday...
Ciao,

Diane

Posted on March 5, 2009 at 08:03 PM in Customer Stories • DIY • (0) Comments
Don Carlisle offers some floor nailing tips

Posted by Christine Halvorson

Erik Paulson, a client, wrote to our Lauren Power about his pre-finished Eastern White Pine with Indian Summer stain, 8" to 12". The floor was installed in his house that was under construction.
Thanks for all your help. We love the floor, although I haven't yet put the antique nails in, partially because I don't want to ruin anything.-- Erik Paulson
Don Carlisle dropped in with this note to give Erik some confidence in putting in the nails:
Pre-drill the holes with a small pilot drill 1/8" to avoid splitting. Make sure the nail is parallel to the grain. In doing this, you'll get some little areas around some of the nail heads where there is bare wood from the nail going in. Trust me, I tried not to and you just can't help but get some. I took a little tiny sponge brush--you could even use a paintbrush--like the little ones you use for artistry. Just dabble a little stain in around the nail head and let it sit while you do the whole row. Then go back with a little rag and wipe off any excess that gets on the surface of the floor. You would also only want to put nails in every other joist. I'd only use three on the face every other, and two on the ends and every other. --Don Carlisle

Posted on February 20, 2009 at 01:11 PM in Customer Stories • DIY • (0) Comments
Even the dogs were happy when the floor arrived

Posted by Christine Halvorson

We got a nice note from Todd Gourley, owner of Powder River Construction in Breckenridge, Colorado, who had been working with Edie Putnam, director of our customer specialist group. Todd was thanking Edie for the dog treats and a Carlisle hat that Edie had sent to him along with the delivery of his floor. Todd also noticed some higher-ups in our company had called him personally. Todd writes:
You must have been listening when I mentioned I had two doggies and no kiddies.
All is well with your product...17" E.W.P. (Eastern White Pine) is huge and beautiful. It will be easy and fast to install.
Your attention to customers' satisfaction and to quality sets the standard!
Thanks again and thanks to H.Q.--Todd

Posted on February 18, 2009 at 11:34 AM in Customer Stories • (0) Comments