Things started to fall apart for Lumber Liquidators when the popular television news show, 60 Minutes, exposed the company's Chinese-made flooring and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that it had found elevated levels of formaldehyde in certain flooring products.

Expansion. The company has grown to be one of the largest retailers of hardwood flooring in the United States. It expanded to more than 375 Lumber Liquidators stores with over 1,000 employees in 47 states and Canada. It also launched online e-commerce, catalogs, and its Virginia call center.

People exposed to certain types of laminate flooring made by Lumber Liquidators are three times more likely to get cancer than previous estimates had suggested, U.S. health officials say.

Lumber Liquidators sells seven major types of flooring, plus flooring accessories. Lumber Liquidators added the name LL Flooring in April 2020 to help reflect the company's wide range of products. The company still uses the two names concurrently, though favors LL Flooring.

Although levels of formaldehyde emissions from products like laminate flooring decrease over time, significant off-gassing may continue for months and even years. Significant off-gassing from laminate flooring can continue for months and even years.

Tilson first publicly disclosed his short position against Lumber Liquidators at a hedge fund conference in November 2013, but at the time he was not focused on the formaldehyde issue. Tilson received a tip about Lumber Liquidators using tainted laminate from China after he publicly announced his short campaign.

The global flooring market size was evaluated at USD 308.28 billion in 2022 and is expected to hit around USD 565.23 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2032. U.S. flooring market was valued at USD 20.7 billion in 2022.

Laminate flooring is sold by the carton. Each carton generally contains 20 square feet, but this can vary by style. Check with your Project: Partner for exact quantities.

After hours of research and meticulous consideration, we think LL Flooring is a solid contender. Compared to its competitors, the company offers nearly unbeatable prices, even for wood flooring. Its professional installation option lets you save money with a DIY installation or go with a pro.

Formaldehyde exposure may potentially cause a variety of symptoms and adverse health effects, such as eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation, coughing, wheezing, and allergic reactions. Long-term exposure to high levels of formaldehyde has been associated with cancer in humans and laboratory animals.

LL Flooring competitors include The Home Depot, HHGregg, Floor and Decor and Tractor Supply Company.

Not all laminate flooring releases high levels of formaldehyde. Also, studies have shown that after several years, formaldehyde released by products installed in the home may decrease to levels typically found in most homes.