Every day I have customers call me trying to locate discontinued products.
They have damaged flooring to be replaced. They had a flood, or someone dragged some furniture across the floor. However, they just want to continue the existing floor to another room. But, because the manufacturer discontinued the product, they can’t find what they need.
Manufacturers discontinue products that don’t sell well. After a product has been discontinued for 2 years, it is unlikely to be found. Manufacturers discontinue items all the time, so I always suggest my customers buy an extra 1-2 boxes of flooring. It has always been my experience that damage will occur and the product will have to be replaced.
When you no longer find the product you have several options. For laminate, tile, or stone, you can call the manufacturer and request a crossover. Many times manufacturers will make a small change to an existing product. They will change the blocking system, the wear layer or the finish. Otherwise the product looks the same. However, manufacturers must change the product SKU number if they make any changes to the product. You can also ask the manufacturer if the product was created in a cabin grade or second grade. It won’t be a perfect match to the original, but very close.
If there is no crossing, then you can try to replace the damaged areas of cabinets, under appliances, etc. If this is not an option, you can choose the closest matching product to fix the repair or refloor the room with new flooring.
When it comes to hardwood products, you have more options. If you can’t find a close match or another product in your home that you can use, you can get the custom product. There are two ways to do this. One, you can send a sample to a specialized manufacturer; they can do it for you. Or, you can buy an unfinished hardwood and take an old piece of the product to a local hardware store and have them match the stain color. Then you can dye and finish it yourself. Or, you can hire a local handyman or flooring contractor to do the work for you.
So you can find the closest match, find a cross through the manufacturer, get a custom hardwood, or get unfinished hardwood that you stain yourself.
We offer all these services in our store. Designer Touch Flooring in Vero Beach, FL. If you are in our local installation area, we can do the work for you. Otherwise, you can buy the custom-made product or the unfinished wood.
