W'hat lies ahead in wood flooring

EIOR dealers. builders and contracI-' tors. it may seem as though the process of sorting through flooring options is never-ending. Tile, laminate, engineered flooring and others are flooding the market with easy-toinstall, no-hassle guarantees and quicker processes for finishing out the home. Despite these trends, solid wood continues to be the most popular choice.

Proponents say that solid wood floors add value and character to any home or commercial building. Homes with wood floors sell faster, and often for more money, because of the flooring's inherent properties: durability, ease of maintenance, lhe environmen- tal properties, and compatibility with any d6cor. They often outlive the home when manufactured and installed properly, outlasting the rest of the market's options, making wood floors a very sound investment.

Factory-finished and engineered flooring are gaining in popularity, but site-finished is still the only way to get that classic, smooth, tight-fitting wood floor. "Each product type has its place," said Mickey Moore, technical director for NOFMA: The Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association. "Engineered is excellent for sub-grade applications such as basements. Factory-finished products offer less hassle, but they aren't appropriate for all applications. The beveled edges collect dirt, so high traffic areas, like kitchens, should have site-finished floors to avoid a messy accumulation of debris."

Site-finished also allows for feature strips and customization. a growing trend among homeowners.

When it comes to species, exotics are gaining popularity, with South American species being the highest in demand because of their unorthodox characteristics and appearance. Despite imported species' fad-like popularity, solid oak is still king.

According to NOFMA, oak shipments have risen each consecutive year since 2004, with 2006 on track to beat 2005. In 2005, manufacturers shipped nine million more sq. ft. of wood flooring than in 2004. Shipments this year have followed the trend of housing starts, fading during the past three months, but still on pace for a third-consecutive record level.

Nevertheless. it is always important to know exactly what you are selling. With imported exotic hardwoods, that might not be easy. "Imported exotic species are raising concerns amongst the industry' and consumers because of the lack of cntorcernent on han'csting procedures in loreign cor-rntries." said Tirnrn Louke. N( )FM.\ c\ce rrti\ c \ iec presidcnt. "When it colnes to irnported prefinishccl flooring. nrartr proclltcts mily nol bc ri'hat thcl' are sttlcl as. attcl son'rc likcly cotnc lirttt \ifgin tropicltl firrcsts."

I-ockc inclicatcd that thcle- is ltlstr conccnr that thc glucs ancl fiIiishcs rusccl in inrprlrtccl I'looring trtal cotttititr harrrful chcnricals. such as r.rrtsafc lcv cls of rncrcur'r' alrcl fi)nttalclchvclc. '.lt's a fact that nianl' of thc coltrttt'ics u hcrc these impolts are ntade- havc lottse envimnrncrttal regulatittns." Locke said. "So it stancls to rcason their ploducts miiy be less saf'e."

In addition to a ri'idcr ntix ttf species. NOFMA also sees plef'erence fbr a much ri idcr arral of gt'ades or appear.rnce chnracteristics. "We' I'c seen continucd ancl -gronitt-e popnlari ty of morc rustic looks in somc parts of the country." l-clckc siiicl.

Widel bollrl. lrlc Suirtirtr irt ptrptt larity. as arc clarker finishcs ancl clarkcr rvoocls. Sitc-f inishccl ri'ootl floolinrr c<lntirtucs to givc consutlcrs tl'tc tlpportunitl,' to cr.rstortrizc sltccics ri ith stains artcl rcfinish t hctr trcccssary. Othcr clorncstic spccics. inclLrcl ing nraple-. chcrrY ancl hickolr. ltre bccottrirrg morc ancl rt.tot'c popular as ricll.

"As consurt-tcr tastcs tt.tovc tttrvatcl rvidcr boarcls. the bchariontl charac teristics of *'oocl play a bigger rolc itt the floor's pcrltrrnrancc." said Moorc. "lvhich is all the rnore feason ttt tnake surc the procluct u'as Inade right in the first place to ar,oid problems latcr ou."

NOFMA also ct.tcourages use of products it certifies. to ensure the rvood floor performs as it should.

NOFMA uct'tilie rttirrlt rcqllilc\ Ini.lllu factulers to lneet high grading iind nriIIirrg stuttdlrrd:. Tltc \)t giltli/i.tli()ll regularly' inspects rlills to ensurc that consurncrs receivc qualitl' proclucts that rvill provide lasting performance.

"NOFMA-celtif ied rnearts vou'll set a rvcll-macle. propelll functioning floor: the tongLlc ancl -grooVe tit to-sether. the rnoisture content ls correct. and it rreets a strict line t)f -craclin-g stanclards. Basically. it is rvhat it sa1's it is. and we are rvilling to back that up." Locke said.