We are a family business
Seeing the Sons in the R.L. Colston name turns the writers’ stomach. As a family business, the idea of Lumber Liquidators pretending to be one (or buy from them) is just wrong. Promoting yourself by disparaging others is rarely a justified. However, to prevent harm and to explain their marketing techniques we tell the truth, RL Colston pine floors are garbage.
From Lumber Liquidators description of RL Colston Select Pine
Unfinished pine is milled with tongue and grooves on the long sides only. This maximizes the use of almost every board. If desired, the boards can be face nailed. Pine knots of up to 2″ thick may be present. Please note the unfinished pine will have open holes in the board.
Clover Lea was the original “brand” , now they bring in a “select” southern pine floor, from RL Colston. All short boards, with holes, yes holes in their select grade. The nonsense about tongue and groove on sides only, is because they are cuts, the ends of boards. Culling pine involves cutting off holes and trimming ends, this is the origin of all RL Colston and his son’s pine flooring.
Compare SYP to Clover LeaCompare "ours to theirs"
Compare to Clover Lea
Comparing Lumber Liquidators Clover Lea pine or R.L. Colston brands to SYP Direct floors is not apples to apples. Clover Lea pine floors are not a grade, they are a brand. The pictures on their website show closeups of vertical grain in varied widths, no knots. Is that what they are selling? Caveat’ Emptor, a very old phrase which indicates buyer beware. Do more research than what that “person” , flooring is an investment for homeowners. Do your due diligence, spend as much time as you would picking a financial advisor or a mutual fund.
R.L. Colston unfinished 3/4 solid southern pine $3.29 per square foot, no grade just an up close shot of vertical grain with no knots. The thought of explaining how grossly misleading and why seems irrelevant, but we press on. $3.29 for what exactly? The information, limited but the obvious, however the reason might surprise you. Lumber Liquidators wants to sell you the floors with warranties which mean commissions, quotas and kickbacks. Confused? Did you ever buy a new car, it is that guy explaining gap insurance or undercoating, everywhere you look. Why buy that unfinished pine when you can buy LVT for $2.99, right?