Hardwood Floors April/May 2024

A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA ABOUT L agniappe NEW ORLEANS

By Libby White Johnston

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans? Spend any amount of time there, and you might understand those famous lyrics from Louis Armstrong. The live music, the Creole and Cajun cuisine, and history are simply unlike anything else. Filled with homes that date back hundreds of years, a coastal climate, and being below sea level, there are unique considerations for working with wood flooring in the Big Easy.

As you and your krewe prepare to attend the 2024 NWFA Expo, we are introducing you to NWFA members who live in the area. Read on to learn about their experiences with moisture control and restoration projects and tips on how to enjoy New Orleans like a local.

History

Founded in the 1700s, New Orleans has a rich history and stunning architecture. Home to 26 National Register Historic Districts, a stroll through the French Quarter or Garden District can feel like touring a museum. Wood floors are found in many of these homes, and NWFA members have played a role in some of the most well-known buildings around town. Ronald Steele and Louis Delacroix opened Ron-Del Floor Service in 1959. In the late 1970s, Steele’s sons, Ronald Steele, Jr. and Mark Steele, joined him in the business. Steele, Jr. retired in 2022, but the second and third generations continue the tradition today, with his daughter, Elizabeth Caldarera, and her husband, Michael Caldarera, as partners in the business with Mark. Mark Steele shares an impressive list of places where Ron-Del has completed projects including Preservation Hall, the National World War II Museum, St. Elizabeth’s Orphanage (built in the 1860s), the Cornstalk Fence House (built in 1859), and the Rosegate House (built in 1857), to name a few.

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