Abstract: A decorative wall system is provided that includes a number of panels that can be secured to an underlying wall and to one another in an overlapping configuration to provide a multi-layer, three-dimensional appearance to the wall. In one embodiment of the wall system, the system includes individual panels that include a decorative front surface and a rear surface. The rear surface includes undercuts along each side of the rear surface that can be positioned over the side edges of the front surface of an adjacent wall panel. The panels may each include an adhesive layer including compressible strings therein that assist the adhesive in holding the panel on a surface by forming a vacuum between the panel and the surface to which the panel is attached.

Abstract: A decorative wall system is provided that includes a number of panels that can be secured to an underlying wall and to one another in an overlapping configuration to provide a multi-layer, three-dimensional appearance to the wall. In one embodiment of the wall system, the system includes individual panels that include a decorative front surface and a rear surface. The rear surface includes undercuts along each side of the rear surface that can be positioned over the side edges of the front surface of an adjacent wall panel. The panels may each include an adhesive layer including compressible strings therein that assist the adhesive in holding the panel on a surface by forming a vacuum between the panel and the surface to which the panel is attached.

Abstract: A decorative wall system is provided that includes a number of panels that can be secured to an underlying wall and to one another in an overlapping configuration to provide a multi-layer, three-dimensional appearance to the wall. In one embodiment of the wall system, the system includes individual panels that include a decorative front surface and a rear surface. The rear surface includes undercuts along each side of the rear surface that can be positioned over the side edges of the front surface of an adjacent wall panel. The panels may each include an adhesive layer including compressible strings therein that assist the adhesive in holding the panel on a surface by forming a vacuum between the panel and the surface to which the panel is attached.

Abstract: A repair coating for hardwood flooring is provided that effectively repairs scratches in the flooring, but while removing the distinctive white appearance of repairs in flooring having aluminum oxide in the flooring. The coating is formed with an acrylate and a solvent, and can be applied directly to the scratch and cured using UV light, such as sunlight, to fill and repair the scratch in the flooring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flooring panel having opposed pairs of substantially parallel side edges, a tongue connector member, and a groove connector member. In one aspect, the tongue connector member extends along one side edge and the groove connector member extends along the opposed side edge. The tongue connector member and the groove connector member are configured to cooperatively couple with each other such that portions of the coupled flooring panels are positioned in abutting relationship.

Abstract: The present invention is a wood-based product utilized in forming various structures and other items. The product includes a piece of wood disposed on the exposed surface of the product that has been embossed with a desired pattern to give the product a desired appearance, such as a distressed or weathered appearance. The wood piece used in the product is embossed at a sufficient temperature and pressure to create the desired appearance in the wood piece. Additionally the product can be formed completely or only partially from the wood piece.

Abstract: The present invention is filler composition and a method for applying the filler composition to an engineered hardwood flooring board in order to fill the defects in the veneer layer of the board to provide the desired appearance to the exterior of the board. The filler composition is applied continuously to a veneer layer forming the exterior surface of an engineered hardwood flooring board in a manner such that all defects and cracks in the veneer layer are filled with the filler composition. After application, the excess filler composition is removed from the board such that only the filler composition filling the defects in the veneer layer remains on the board.

Abstract: The present invention is a hardwood flooring board including a middle layer formed from a non-hardwood flooring material and a hardwood material upper layer which is secured to an upper surface of the middle layer that is thick enough to include decorative designs. The middle layer forms between 45% and 75% of the overall material of the board and enables the board to be manufactured to be more dimensionally stable, i.e., wider and longer, than conventional hardwood flooring boards such that the boards can be more uniformly constructed. Also the use of the non-hardwood material in the middle layer greatly increases the dimensional stability and long term performance of the flooring boards, while providing a genuine hardwood appearance to the floor. The board also includes a lower layer that can be formed from either a hardwood material or a non-hardwood material to function as a base for the board.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flooring panel having opposed pairs of substantially parallel side edges, a tongue connector member, and a groove connector member. In one aspect, the tongue connector member extends along one side edge and the groove connector member extends along the opposed side edge. The tongue connector member and the groove connector member are configured to cooperatively couple with each other such that portions of the coupled flooring panels are positioned in abutting relationship.

Abstract: The present invention is a hardwood flooring board including a middle layer formed from a non-hardwood flooring material and a hardwood material upper layer which is secured to an upper surface of the middle layer. The middle layer forms between 45% and 75% of the overall material of the board and enables the board to be manufactured to be more dimensionally stable, i.e., wider and longer, than conventional hardwood flooring boards. Also the use of the non-hardwood material in the middle layer greatly increases the dimensional stability and long term performance of the flooring boards, while providing a genuine hardwood appearance to the floor. The board also includes a lower layer that can be formed from either a hardwood material or a non-hardwood material to function as a base for the board.

Abstract: The present invention is a simulated decorative surface formed of a number of components, such as a board, which include a printed pattern and corresponding texture to enable the board to appear similar to boards or other decorative surfaces formed of varying materials. The surface component is formed with a substrate on which is applied a number of printing ink layers to give the surface components a desired pattern or appearance. A number of top coat layers are applied over the printing ink layers in a manner which corresponds to the pattern provided by the printing ink layers such that the top coat layers form a textural pattern on the surface component over the printing layers corresponding to the type of material represented by the printing layers on the surface component. The substrate may also be scraped prior to applying any printing or top coat layers to the decorative surface component in order to provide a textured substrate over which the printing and top coat layers can be applied.

Abstract: The present invention is a hardwood flooring board including a middle layer formed from a non-hardwood flooring material and a hardwood material upper layer which is secured to an upper surface of the middle layer that is thick enough to include decorative designs. The middle layer forms between 45% and 75% of the overall material of the board and enables the board to be manufactured to be more dimensionally stable, i.e., wider and longer, than conventional hardwood flooring boards such that the boards can be more uniformly constructed. Also the use of the non-hardwood material in the middle layer greatly increases the dimensional stability and long term performance of the flooring boards, while providing a genuine hardwood appearance to the floor. The board also includes a lower layer that can be formed from either a hardwood material or a non-hardwood material to function as a base for the board.

Abstract: The present invention is a hardwood flooring board including a middle layer formed from a non-hardwood flooring material and a hardwood material upper layer which is secured to an upper surface of the middle layer. The middle layer forms between 45% and 75% of the overall material of the board and enables the board to be manufactured to be more dimensionally stable, i.e., wider and longer, than conventional hardwood flooring boards. Also the use of the non-hardwood material in the middle layer greatly increases the dimensional stability and long term performance of the flooring boards, while providing a genuine hardwood appearance to the floor. The board also includes a lower layer that can be formed from either a hardwood material or a non-hardwood material to function as a base for the board.

Abstract: A ceramic-based hardwood floor finishing method resistant to panelization, exhibiting improved durability, and suitable for on-site use. The method is comprised of laying down successive layers of water-based primer, armor coat and top coat. The water-based primer utilizes a low resin content and a low co-solvent concentration to substantially reduce panelization of hardwood boards. The water-based armor coat is comprised of large particulate size ceramic additives which, in combination with a low resin content, allow the formation of a microscopic bead structure on the surface of the finish which provides enhanced durability.

Abstract: A multi-layered protective finish for use on hardwood surfaces includes ceramic additives in selected layers. The finish is comprised of multiple sealant layers (preferably epoxy) and top coat layers (preferably polyurethane), some of which contain ceramic components, namely, aluminum oxide and zirconium oxide. The multi-layered, ceramic-based finish exhibits enhanced abrasion and stain resistance. The required concentrations of zirconium oxide provide enhanced hardness without sufficiently compromising flexibility which is important to maintain integrity of the finish.

Abstract: An engineered hardwood flooring system includes tongue and groove core planks, each having a hardwood top plate glued to the top surface of the core plank. The hardwood top plate is made by gluing thin strips of hardwood to form a planar top plate which is attached to the core plank. The hardwood top plate is coated with a polyurethane finish or the like to protect the luster and beauty of the hardwood. The core plank includes a plurality of holes extending completely through the core plank from a top surface of the core plank to a bottom surface of the core plank. The holes are spaced apart and arranged in a pattern consisting of alternating staggered rows of holes. The purpose of the holes in the core plank is to attenuate acoustic energy propagating within the core plank, and thereby reduce the level of noise caused when people walk on the floor.