Join the western wood paneling revival

OR the first time in 20 vears. homeowners are increasingly turning to solid western wood panelings as a premium wall covering. Lumber retailers can benefit from this growing trend by becoming familiar with new paneling applications, as well as to the different species, grades, finishes, patterns and styles available.

Story at a Glance

How a retailer can benefit from wood paneling trends. . . marketing ideas and opportunities for add-on sales you can use the role of product knowledge.

The resurgence of solid wood paneling may be attributed in part to the continued growth of the repair and remodel market. Homeowners are looking for new, innovative and more sophisticated wall coverings to update their residences. In addition, there appears to be a willingness among developers and builders to use more expensive and higher quality materials.

Solid wood panelings were popular until the mid-1960s. Then consumers turned to processed sheet panels, which offered greater variety and ease of installation. Until that time, solid wood had maintained a strong growth, particularly in knottypine boards. Applications, however, were limited to mostly vertical square-edged board or tongue-andgroove.

Today, the wide variety of solid wood patterns, species and color finishes, and availability provide the consumer with any number of application choices. The retailer's role, and sales incentive, can be suggesting to homeowners possible applications and guiding the d-i-yer to proper installation.

Thoughknotty-pine is still around, other species have made inroads. These include vertical grain Douglas fir and the western cedars with their reddish-brown hues.

Don'tlet your customers limit themselves to traditional vertical applications. Explain how horizontal boards can make a narrow room seem wider. Or show examples of a herringbone pattern which, with