Hardwood Floors April/May 2026

APRIL/MAY 2026

ORLANDO 2026 PREVIEW EDITION

RETHINKING THE SANDING PROCESS UPLOADING GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE PHOTOS

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FEATURES

NWFA Wood Flooring Expo Preview By Libby White Johnston Find out how you can “Ignite Your Passion” at the 2026 NWFA Expo. Make your plans now with the event schedule, exhibitor list, and product showcase. With the show in Orlando this year, NWFA members in Florida are sharing their experiences working with wood flooring in the Sunshine State. ON THE COVER

ORLANDO 2026 PREVIEW EDITION

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Uploading Photos to Your Google Business Profile By Welton Hong You know how important your Google Business Profile is when it comes to driving customers to your website and traffic to your showroom. You also know there is a reason for the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

Rethinking the Sanding Process By Zack Clavin Hardwood flooring is one of the most tradition-driven trades. For decades, most innovation has focused on finishes while sanding has remained the same. Planetary sanding equipment is changing that.

PUBLISHING PARTNERS

CONTENTS

Industry Insights

PUBLICATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Robert McNamara | Chair, Sheoga Hardwood Flooring Jason Elquest | Blackhawk Floors Inc. Steve Brattin | Chair Stephanie Owen | President & CEO Matt Casey | Technical Services Officer Anita Howard | Membership & Meetings Officer Libby White Johnston | Marketing & Communications Officer Katie Norton | Education & Certification Officer Dana Rogers | Chief Financial Officer NWFA LEADERSHIP

24 Government Affairs Attention turns to housing.

By Dana Lee Cole

28 Design Trends Craftsmanship and collaboration.

By Karen Asprea

Business Best Practices

32 Legal Managing risk and liability

By Barbara F. Dunn

in your contracts. 36 Finance Accounts receivable management.

Lenny Hall | Endurance Floor Company Inc. Kevin Mullany | Benchmark Wood Floors Inc. Jim Schumacher | Mirka

By Dana Rogers

44 Sales Savvy Leveraging AI to win more flooring sales. 48 Special Content Being the leader your company deserves.

Libby White Johnston | Publisher | libby.johnston@nwfa.org Burt Bollinger | Editor | burt.bollinger@nwfa.org Rhonda M. May | Asst. Editor/Creative Manager | rhonda.may@nwfa.org Brett Miller | Technical Editor Bridget Norlie | Engagement Manager | bridget.norlie@nwfa.org PUBLICATION TEAM

By Andy Iamaio

By Doug Howard

At the Site 100 Tech Talk

14 Research Park Drive St. Charles, Missouri 63304 P : 800.422.4556 Local : 636.519.9663 F: 636.519.9664 E: news@hardwoodfloorsmag.com W: hardwoodfloorsmag.com

Edging techniques. 102 Maintenance Modern sports floor maintenance.

By Jeff Iverson

108 Hardwood Hints Cord safety.

By Jason Elquest

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Karen Asprea Burt Bollinger Steve Brattin

Barbara F. Dunn Avedis Duvenjian Jason Elquest

Andy Iamaio Jeff Iverson Libby White Johnston

110 Inspector’s Report

By Bryan McCue

Insect infestation. 114 Five Things I Wish I Knew 116 WFOY Winner Spotlight Best Staircase: Henschen Hardwood LLC 118 Technical Publication Tips: Grit Sequence

By Avedis Duvenjian

Welton Hong Doug Howard

Chad Bulen Zack Clavin Dana Lee Cole

Bryan McCue Dana Rogers

By Burt Bollinger

ADVERTISING SALES

Katie Schenk Advertising & Brand Growth Director katie.schenk@nwfa.org | 314.488.4669

Product Focus

120 Sanding Equipment/Abrasives

Hardwood Floors (Print: ISSN 0897-022X and Online: ISSN 2475-5125) is published on a bi-monthly basis, plus the Annual Industry Guide, by the National Wood Flooring Association and distributed as a membership benefit to its member companies and without charge upon request to qualified individuals throughout the wood flooring industry. Single copy price is $8, annual Industry Guide is $50. Subscriptions: $40/year (includes 6 issues and Industry Guide) in the U.S. and Canada. Publication office: 14 Research Park Drive, St. Charles, MO 63304. Phone: 800.422.4556. Printing office: Walsworth, 306 N. Kansas Ave., Marceline, MO 64658. Printed in the U.S. Periodicals postage is paid at Chesterfield, MO and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Hardwood Floors, P.O. Box 9147, Lowell, MA 01853. Copyright © 2026 by the National Wood Flooring Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Hardwood Floors' subscription base is AAM audited. An AAM audit provides advertisers and agencies with assurance that what they choose to invest in does, in fact, reach target audiences for specific ads. The AAM audit also helps media companies by documenting the quality of their audiences.

Also in this Issue

6 Chair’s Cut

By Steve Brattin

8 Business Briefs 12 Wood Stock

By Burt Bollinger

109 Sponsored Content Company Profile: Appalachian Lumber Co. 122 Seen at Schools 124 New Products 126 Special Content

NWFA welcomes new Certified Professionals. 127 Meet our Members: Oliver R. Barajas 128 Ad Index

CHAIR’S CUT

Steve Brattin Chair, NWFA

Ignite YOUR PASSION

You’ve probably heard the saying, “If you do what you love, you never will work a day in your life.” I wish that were the case, but as much as wood flooring professionals love what we do, we all know it also can be hard work. At the same time, our profession is filled with passionate individuals who jump at the chance to talk about their latest project and share their experiences with others. Whether you are manufacturing custom wide-plank wood flooring or installing a starburst pattern in a home’s foyer, the excitement and pride that go into it are on display. Our industry is filled with craftspeople who see their work as art. One of the best ways to keep that spark alive is by attending the NWFA Expo. Taking place April 21 to 23 in Orlando, Florida, it is the only trade show in the world dedicated exclusively to wood flooring. Here, you can join with like-minded attendees and exhibitors who share your passion. Throughout the event, there are plenty of opportunities to find inspiration to bring back to the jobsite with you. In 2026, we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Expo. For four decades, the NWFA Expo has set the standard. As we mark this milestone, we raise the standards even higher. There are more than 30 hours of expert-led education sessions that cover a variety of topics related to technique, business, and innovation. Some of the industry’s top minds will share their knowledge on leadership skills, collaborating with architects and designers, social media, historic restoration, and more. In this space, not only can you soak up their expertise, but also ask them questions. You truly cannot gain this type of access to resources anywhere else. During the opening session, the Wood Floor of the Year winners will be announced. These showstopping projects always open new doors to what we think is

possible with wood flooring and help us all come up with new ideas. With live technical demonstrations and more than 250 exhibitors, you are sure to find a new product or proven solution on the tradeshow floor that can make a difference

PHOTO COURTESY OF NWFA

for your business. There are plenty of opportunities to network with your industry peers throughout the week. Whether it is the Opening and Closing Parties, New Member Reception, Distributor and Manufacturer Reception, Women’s

Industry Network Session, the NWFA Emerging Leaders Reception, or the NERF Golf Tournament, there is something for everyone. And you are surrounded by others who also can’t wait to talk shop. Within this issue of the magazine, you will find previews of some of the education that can be experienced at Expo. The full schedule of events and some of the top products exhibitors will feature on the trade show floor can be found

starting on page 54. The theme is “Ignite Your Passion” and we have everything you need to do that. e we u

To register for Expo or learn more about how you can make the most of your time in Orlando, visit NWFAEXPO.ORG ADVANCE YOUR CAREER AND YOUR CREATIVITY.

Expo is where the industry’s

future is shaped.

hardwood floors hardwoodfloorsmag.com

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BUSINESS BRIEFS

MANUFACTURER MEANDERINGS Akzo Nobel and Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. have entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock merger of equals. Artistic Finishes, a manufacturer known for its solid wood moldings, stair treads, vents, and finishing technologies, has been acquired by

Nature Flooring Industries Inc. (NFI) has announced the appointment of John Hammel as vice president of its OEM business segment. PG Flooring has appointed Jeff DeRusha as the new territory manager for the U.S. Southeast region. Välinge Innovation has appointed Marcel Kies as senior business development director of Europe. The company also has expanded its operations in Asia with the opening of a new sales and technical support office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

John Hammel

Versatrim. Artistic Finishes will continue operating as a distinct brand. Ashley Carter has been promoted to chief executive officer (CEO) of Loba-Wakol North America.

Ashley Carter

Jeff DeRusha

1-888-SKUDO-11 INNOVATIVE SURFACE PROTECTION SOLUTIONS XűŢžĮĤž ĸŃűŵž˦ ŵĖƎĮ ŔĖžĮű˥ _őƃĪŢ gĮŚŮŢűĖűƕ _ƃűĸĖĤĮ XűŢžĮĤžŃŢś _ŢŔƃžŃŢśŵ ŵŀŃĮŔĪ ĸŃśŃŵŀĮĪ ŵƃűĸĖĤĮŵ ĪƃűŃśĺ ĤŢśŵžűƃĤžŃŢś˦ űĮśŢƎĖžŃŢś˦ ŚĖŃśžĮśĖśĤĮ˦ ĖśĪ ĮƎĮśžŵ ˼ ŀĮŔŮŃśĺ ƕŢƃ ĖƎŢŃĪ ĤŢŵžŔƕ űĮŮĖŃűŵ ĖśĪ ĪĮŔŃƎĮű ĸŔĖƏŔĮŵŵ űĮŵƃŔžŵ ĮƎĮűƕ žŃŚĮ˥ Protect Your Next Project with Skudo! www.SkudoUSA.com ƕ

Representing Rubio Monocoat Rubio Monocoat USA will represent the company at key trade shows and industry events, develop educational resources for professionals and trade partners, and support the company’s trade partner program through training and partner engagement. Brian Sedgeley announced that Brian Sedgeley

Transitioning to the next generation In 2025, Hickman Lumber and Allegheny Mountain Hardwood Flooring experienced profound loss with the passing of two central figures in the companies’ history, Larry Hickman, second-generation leader, and Dennis “Denny” Hickman, third-generation president. With deep respect for the past and a clear focus on the future, leadership formally has transitioned to the next

generation. Jake Hickman, with almost 20 years at Hickman Lumber, is now president of Hickman Lumber. Jessica Hickman Fresch, with nearly 15 years at Allegheny Mountain Hardwood Flooring, serves as president of Allegheny Mountain Hardwood Flooring.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Jake Hickman, Jessica Hickman Fresch, Denny Hickman, and Larry Hickman were photographed for a 2017 Hardwood Floors magazine story.

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BUSINESS BRIEFS

RETAILER ROUNDUP

Gary Sinise Foundation home dedication The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) has provided flooring for its 82nd home in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment) program. The R.I.S.E. program builds mortgage-free, custom, specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders. The home dedication for retired U.S. Navy Commander Robert Ballard took place in Chesapeake, Virginia. Flooring for the project was donated by NWFA member Mullican Flooring. To learn more about the program, and how you and/or your company can get involved, contact the NWFA at 800.422.4556, or e-mail them at anita.howard@nwfa.org.

Floor & Decor has welcomed Krystal Zell as executive vice president and chief customer officer, responsible for eCommerce, marketing, customer experience, data analytics, and loyalty functions across respected brands. Floor & Decor has opened new locations in Eagle, Idaho; Dearborn, Michigan; Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; and Vancouver and Woodinville, Washington.

DISTRIBUTOR DOINGS

Gehl Flooring Supply has become the distributor of all of Synteko’s products, including products under the Arboritec brand, in the United States.

Retired U.S. Navy Commander Robert Ballard and family.

To be included in the Business Briefs section of Hardwood Floors magazine, please send your happenings to libby.johnston@nwfa.org. Get in the news!

NWFA WOOD FLOORING INDUSTRY GUIDE 2025 NWFA WOOD FL INDUST GUID

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Wood Stock

Details Discipline By Burt Bollinger in the

The scope of the project developed gradually. Gore and Matt Fohey with Matt Fohey Hardwood Restoration initially were asked to install plainsawn herringbone flooring in the upstairs of the home. That portion of the work entirely was new installation and included brass inlays at several transition points. Once that phase was completed and the results were visible, additional areas of the home were opened up for discussion. “We did regular plainsawn herringbone upstairs, which was all new work,” says Gore. “Once that was finished and they saw what we were capable of, we were asked to take on more detailed features elsewhere.” One of those areas was the kitchen, where a feature strip was introduced into an existing floor. Brass already was a prominent design element throughout the space, particularly in the cabinetry, and the flooring needed to complement that material without overpowering it.

When Brian Gore of Creative Hardwood was brought into a remodel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, he knew early on it would be the kind of project where precision mattered. The home was located in a high-end area and the renovation carried a clear design direction that required careful execution. The work blended restoration with new installation and required close attention to detail to ensure old and new elements aligned seamlessly.

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Because Gore builds furniture in addition to installing floors, he had access to materials that helped shape the design. “I had some walnut slabs, and the homeowners were drawn to one knot in particular,” he says. “It had an almost galaxy like appearance. I cut that section out and used it as the center of the feature strip.” From there, the surrounding layout took shape. “We decided to run herringbone on both sides of the strip,” he explains. That decision was influenced by existing flooring elsewhere in the home. The living room already featured close to 1,000 square feet of riftsawn red oak herringbone that had been installed roughly 40 years earlier. “Our goal was to make everything match,” says Gore. “We wanted the new work to connect visually with what was already there.” Another challenge arose at the fireplace. After old stone was removed, the area was left with an opening that needed to be rebuilt while cleanly tying into the existing herringbone. “They didn’t have a solution for the fireplace,” he recalls. “They asked if we could mill riftsawn flooring to match and then inlay brass into it.” The work required both restoration and fabrication. “There was a hole to fill, and it had to tie into herringbone that was already in place,” he says.

Projects like this ultimately come down to discipline and humility. Precision work leaves little room for shortcuts, and knowing when to pause, rethink an approach, or ask for input can save both time and mistakes. Reaching out to someone with more experience is not a weakness, but often the smartest move on a complex job. Before moving forward, Gore sought advice. “I called Lenny Hall to talk through different ideas,” he says. “Even if you think you know how to do something, there often is a better way. If I hadn’t reached out, it would have cost me several more days.” To recreate the fireplace perimeter and prepare it for brass inlay, Gore built router forms to capture the exact shape of the existing floor. “I made a form that followed the outside of the hearth and attached it directly to the floor,” he said. “That let me rout the shape accurately and then create the negative for the brass.” Subfloor conditions added another layer of complexity. “We had to grind off old glue and hand chisel into the existing herringbone so that we didn’t disturb it,” describes Gore. “In a lot of areas, there were humps in the subfloor that we couldn’t remove.” Instead of forcing the substrate flat, adjustments were made to the new flooring. “We contoured the bottoms of the new boards by tapering them so the tops would sit correctly,” he says. “That way the surface was right and we could still route the brass accurately. A lot of it was grinding new wood to match old wood.” For Gore, projects like this ultimately come down to discipline and humility. Precision work leaves little room for shortcuts, and knowing when to pause, rethink an approach, or ask for input can save both time and mistakes. Reaching out to someone with more experience is not a weakness, but often the smartest move on a complex job. Even with the right plan and tools, execution still demands patience. “Measure everything before you start, measure it again, and then measure it again,” advises Gore. “Slow down. You only get one chance with this kind of work.”

“I had some walnut slabs, and the homeowners were drawn to one knot in particular. It had an almost galaxy-like appearance. I cut that section out and used it as the center of the feature strip.” — Brian Gore, Creative Hardwood

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CREATIVE HARDWOOD

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UNDER PRESSURE Restoration By Burt Bollinger

Water damage is one of the few things that can put even the most durable hardwood floor at immediate risk, especially when that floor already has stood for more than a century. At Carnall Hall at the University of Arkansas, a broken pipe threatened to do exactly that, saturating thousands of square feet of a 120-year-old heart pine floor and raising the question of whether it could be saved at all. W t d i f th

Tom Stephenson and Jessica Hall of Heritage Hardwood Floors were contacted by a commercial client they had worked with previously about the restoration effort. They recently had completed work on another campus building when they were asked to evaluate the damage at Carnall Hall, one of the university’s original structures that had been converted into a hotel. A pipe had broken on the third floor, allowing water to move through the building and affect roughly 5,000 square feet of flooring across multiple levels.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF HERITAGE HARDWOOD FLOORS

When Stephenson and Hall arrived on site, mitigation work already was underway. Drywall was being removed and dryers were running, but the condition of the floors was apparent immediately. “All of the flooring had damage,” recalls Stephenson. “It was saturated totally. You could see major cupping on both the second and third floors right away.” The existing floor was 3¼” heart pine that had been in place for more than 120 years. Years of previous sanding meant the boards were thin in places, which made the situation more delicate. “They really wanted to salvage it if at all possible,” says Stephenson. “They were terrified it might have to be replaced. We were concerned too because of how thin some of the boards were, but we felt confident we could pull it off if we could get the moisture content down.” Replacement was limited to the areas that could not be saved. In approximately 500 square feet, Heritage Hardwood was able to source matching material from within the building itself. “We pulled wood from under carpet in upstairs bedrooms that were being replaced already,” says Stephenson. “Some of that was raw wood that had never had a finish on it.” The next phase required patience. Sanding too soon would have caused irreversible damage. “If we had sanded it while it was still cupped, the edges were so high we would have sanded right through the tongue and groove,” says Stephenson. “We had to let it dry and normalize first.” That process took several weeks. During that time, the team monitored conditions closely and waited to see whether the cupping would relax on its own. In the end, the floor did exactly that. “Once it finally dried out, the flooring laid back down,” says Stephenson. “That’s a testament to old heart pine. It’s resilient, and it’s aged and cured enough that it was able to recover.” Once the moisture levels stabilized, the actual damage turned out to be far less severe than feared initially. A number of split boards and thin areas required attention, but the majority of the floor remained intact. However, time quickly became the next challenge. Carnall Hall operates as a hotel and houses alumni and visitors throughout the year. “We were told we had 14 days to sand around 3,000 square feet,” shares Stephenson. “We started sanding, and then we were told it had to be done in seven.” The compressed schedule was complicated further by additional work being done in the building. “They also wanted all of the wood replaced in a restaurant area,” says Stephenson.

“All of the flooring had damage. It was totally

saturated. If we had sanded it while it was still cupped, the edges were so high we would have sanded right through the tongue and groove. We had to let it dry and normalize first. Once it finally dried out, the flooring laid back down. That’s a testament to old heart pine. It’s resilient, and it’s aged and cured enough that it was able to recover.” — Tom Stephenson, Heritage Hardwood Floors

Continued on page 16

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Once sanding began in earnest, efficiency and restraint mattered. The team used a Bona Power Drive to strip the old finish, followed by a drum sander stepped through three passes. “We always start as least aggressive as we can,” says Stephenson. “But the old finish had soaked in deep, so we had to make sure we removed it completely.” Given the tight timeline, finish selection was just as important as sanding strategy. “They had used an oil product before, but we went with a water based system,” Stephenson said. “It saved time and kept the VOCs low. We needed it move-in ready within five or six days.” Once the old finish was removed, the character of the wood came back into view. “You could really see the tight grain and the beauty in 120-year-old wood,” shares Stephenson. “It’s a lot different from what you see today.” The floor was sealed with Bona IntenseSeal, followed by two coats of Bona Traffic HD in semi-gloss. The result balanced durability with the building’s historic character. Restoration projects like this always carry uncertainty, but Stephenson believes the outcome makes the risk worthwhile. “I’m always hesitant going into jobs like this,” he says. “But it is always worth it. The floor looks better, and there’s something incredibly satisfying about saving that history. It’s not beginner work, but when you know you preserved it, that makes it all worthwhile.”

Restoration Under Pressure (Continued from page 15) “We had to be honest and say we could do one or the other. We ended up getting two extra days for the restaurant.” Setting expectations was critical. “You really have to assess how important the customer is,” he says. “This wasn’t a situation where we could say it wasn’t going to happen. There were people who had reservations already, and a lot of money on the line. But you still have to be realistic about what actually can be done.”

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Wood Stock

A New Take on

When Alex Hamilton of Grain Design Flooring met with a homeowner about a new construction project in Newport, Kentucky, the discussion quickly centered on balance. The client was open to custom work, but she was clear about the limitations. The home was modern in both layout and feel, and while she appreciated classic parquet patterns, she felt those designs leaned too heavily toward the past. Instead what she wanted was something that could bridge traditional craftsmanship with a more contemporary sensibility. The custom flooring would span more than 600 square feet across several areas of the home, including a foyer, the great room on the main level, and even the floor inside the elevator. Each space needed to feel connected, but the design also had to respect the clean lines and modern architecture of the house. “She had pulled up several classic parquet patterns,” says Hamilton. “She liked them, but she felt they were too dated for a modern house. The goal became figuring out how to bridge that gap between traditional and modern, which is not an easy thing to do.” Hamilton began sketching shapes that could give him more flexibility than traditional parquet forms. He landed on a trapezoid as the base shape, seeing it as more versatile than a square or a 45-degree triangle. By Burt Bollinger Tradition

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GRAIN DESIGN FLOORING

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“The milling took much longer than I thought it would. There was no shortcut. I spent about 50 hours cutting, another 50 hours routing, around 25 hours sanding, and roughly 16 hours oiling. Every single piece was handled individually. Each one truly was handcrafted.”

— Alex Hamilton, Grain Design Flooring

Continued on page 20

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“I had my sled and my process dialed in, and then she told me she was switching to a different product,” says Hamilton. “We were going from a 4” plank to a 91/2” plank. Realizing the 91/2” was too large, I had to find a number that was divisible. I ended up going with 43/4” to keep everything in scale. I didn’t understand the math at first, and I had to figure it out.” That shift introduced another challenge alongside an already intensive milling process. In total, Hamilton milled 3,740 individual pieces. Each piece was routed on all four sides, given a microbevel, lightly sanded to maintain a warm, rustic appearance that would complement the prefinished European oak used elsewhere in the home, and then oiled by hand. “The milling took much longer than I thought it would,” Hamilton said. “There was no shortcut. I spent about 50 hours cutting, another 50 hours routing, around 25 hours sanding, and roughly 16 hours oiling. Every single piece was handled individually. Each one truly

“A trapezoid lets you do more,” he says. “You can work with different orientations and still keep things structured. There are a lot of ways to lean into the 30- or 60-degree split, and I started experimenting to see how far I could push it without losing clarity.” As the design evolved, Hamilton flipped the trapezoids so the long sides faced inward instead of outward. That shift led to a breakthrough. By rotating the perimeter one quarter turn, the pattern began to take on a sharper, sawblade-like effect. When three pieces met, a perfect triangle formed, and that triangle repeated throughout the layout. “When I realized that three pieces together created a new shape, that’s when I knew I was close,” explains Hamilton. “You start seeing that triangle show up over and over again. It kind of tricks your eye. The more you look at it, the more simple it becomes.” To test the idea, Hamilton built a 4’ by 4’ mockup panel using 4”-wide character grade oak, stained a warm medium brown, finished to match the existing prefinished floor. He had grown attached to the design, but was unsure how the homeowner would respond. In the end, she approved it. Not long after, the project shifted again. The homeowner decided to change the flooring product used elsewhere in the house, altering the dimensions Hamilton had designed around. A New Take On Tradition (Continued from page 19) 20 hardwood floors hardwoodfloorsmag.com

was handcrafted. The entire project was prefinished with Odie's Oil.” Installation was done onsite rather than as prefabricated panels, using a full glue application over an Advantech subfloor. Layout introduced another key decision. The fireplace in the great room was off-center, forcing Hamilton to choose whether to align the pattern with the room or the fireplace. “We ended up splitting the difference and adding one more row,” he says. “That helped everything feel balanced once it was down.” Hamilton compared the installation process to tightening lug nuts on a car, working around the layout evenly to prevent the pattern from pulling in one direction. “It was very simple, but it could have gone wrong quickly,” he recalls. “Even being off by 1/16” would have caused a big problem.” For Hamilton, presenting new ideas is always worth the risk. “I always tell myself that offering something new is an option,” he says. “They might say no, or they might say yes. When they say yes, and you feel that pressure knowing you have to perform, that’s something I actually love. That feeling of having to execute an idea you believe in is what keeps me going.”

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Outside of the Hardwood Federation’s top advocacy priorities in the trade, tariff, and Farm Bill spaces, the team has been active trying to find legislative avenues to create additional domestic markets of U.S. grown and manufactured hardwood products. One area that is receiving considerable attention both on Capitol Hill and in the Trump Administration is housing, specifically, proposals that seek to grow housing “new starts” and make the prospect of owning a home a reality for first-time homebuyers. Late last year, bipartisan legislation almost HOUSING ATTENTION TURNS TO

became law that would have moved the needle significantly on a number of housing policy

areas, including housing supply expansion, homeownership, manufactured housing, disaster recovery, rental assistance, veterans’ housing, and rural housing.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ADOBESTOCK ©

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By Dana Lee Cole

That bill, S.2651 known as the ROAD to Housing Act (Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act of 2025) was in play as part of last year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), but did not survive the final negotiation before the NDAA bill cleared Congress and was signed by the president. Led by the unlikely duo of Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, respectively, the legislation would have authorized several new initiatives, among them: Creation of an Innovation Fund which is a competitive pot of highly flexible funding for communities that are building more housing supply, to be used to improve community infrastructure, housing construction, and supplement water and sewer grants.

Establishment of a HUD-administered grant program to help communities establish preapproved housing designs, or pattern books, to help streamline and expedite local construction processes and build more homes. A directive for the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to study multifamily loan limits and adjust those limits to better match housing market costs and enhance affordability. The bill also included several regulatory reform measures to expedite local construction processes. While this measure did not become law, we expect focus will remain on this legislation and that it will be a priority for any moving legislative vehicles this year. In addition to the ROAD to Housing Act, bipartisan legislation is pending in both the House and Senate that looks to increase housing starts and make home ownership more accessible. The legislation (S.1686

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In many areas of the country, the cost to build or rehab a home exceeds the price at which the home could be sold once completed. The NHIA establishes a new tax credit that would help fill that “value gap” for developers, thus reducing their risk of loss and encouraging investments in new and rehabbed housing.

Government Affairs (Continued) and H.R. 2854) is the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act (NHIA) and is led by Senator Todd Young (R-IN) and Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA). In many areas of the country, the cost to build or rehab a home exceeds the price at which the home could be sold once completed. The NHIA establishes a new tax credit that would help fill that “value gap” for developers, thus reducing their risk of loss and encouraging investments in new and rehabbed housing. The goal for this tax credit is to make homeownership more feasible and support broader revitalization and economic development strategies in disinvested urban and rural communities. The Neighborhood Coalition – one of the supporters of the bill – estimates that, if enacted, NHIA could result in 500,000 new starter homes nationwide. Because NHIA exclusively focuses on single to four-family unit structures, the impact on dimensional lumber and other wood products manufacturers could be considerable. Depending on the type

of home built, Forest Economic Advisors estimates that this bill alone could result in additional 7 billion to 10 billion board feet of demand. The Hardwood Federation team has been meeting with the bill’s sponsors to explore options for including hardwood-specific language in the measure. Evidently, a modified version of the bill is being developed and will be made available sometime early this year. President Trump signed an executive order (EO) the week of January 19 that would discourage large institutional investors from purchasing single family homes that would otherwise be bought by individuals or families. We understand that a follow-up EO is in the works that would attempt to address housing supply and affordability. We will provide an update once that order has been issued. Both parties are and will continue to be battling to win the narrative around “affordability” and the volume level only will increase the closer we get to the midterm elections in November. Making housing and home renovation accessible to middle-and low-income earners is a key component in this debate and will be a focus in Washington in the coming months. The Hardwood Federation team is looking opportunistically at the proposals discussed above and those yet to be introduced to secure hardwood forest product-specific provisions in these measures so that new homes and renovation projects resulting from these initiatives deliver real value both to the consumer and the domestic manufacturers that make these renewable and sustainable products every day. Dana Lee Cole is the executive director at the Hardwood Federation, a Washington, D.C.-based hardwood industry trade association that represents thousands of hardwood businesses in every state in the United States and acts as the industry advocacy voice on Capitol Hill. She can be reached at dana.cole@hardwoodfederation.com.

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FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1992

MADE IN AMERICA AND TRUSTED FOR GENERATIONS.

*Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR | MHF 3/4” x 2 1/4” Clear Red Oak

When you choose one of our solid floors, you’re choosing products grown in American soil and manufactured with American pride. That’s more than just a slogan, it’s a shift. It’s a place where machines wake up before the sun does, where our products carry the fingerprints of our people who craft them, and they know how to make things that last through the generations. So as our country heads toward its 250th anniversary, we not only honor our history and those who built this country, but we also celebrate the hardworking people like ours, who are building our future, and everyone at our company wants you to know, this isn’t just flooring... it’s our story and a piece of the country you call home.

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DESIGN TRENDS INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Craftsmanship and Collaboration

As a designer, I’m always thinking about how materials shape a space, not just how they look, but how they feel to live in. While I pay close attention

to trends and innovation, my approach to material

selection is grounded in quality, craftsmanship, and longevity.

I’m drawn to materials that evolve gracefully over time, rather than ones that feel tied to a moment. Trends and tastes move quickly, but clients often outgrow them even faster, which is why my goal is to create spaces they will love for years and that can adapt to different stages of life.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ASPREA STUDIO ©

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By Karen Asprea

Flooring plays a particularly important role in this process. It is the surface people connect with most physically – walked on daily, felt underfoot, lived on – so naturally it demands a longer view. Because of this, the trends we see in flooring tend to align with longevity rather than novelty. The right floor influences how light travels through a space, how furniture sits, and how people move and gather. It sets the emotional tone of a room in a way few other materials can. There is a clear shift away from overly uniform or generic finishes toward wood floors that feel layered, warm, and tactile. Subtle variation in grain, tone, and texture is valued increasingly, as are finishes that highlight a material’s natural character rather than mask it. This is where classic choices such as rift and quartersawn white oak lead consistently. Their refined grain structure, stability, and timeless appearance make them well-suited to spaces designed to endure, both aesthetically and functionally. Plank width and installation patterns also are

“DESIGN INTENT AND JOBSITE REALITIES: SHARING PERSPECTIVES FOR BETTER OUTCOMES” WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 9:15-10:15 A.M. MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW TO JOIN US AT EXPO Moderator: Lawrence Skutelsky of PID Floors Panelists: Karen Asprea of Asprea Studio and Robyn Branch of Robyn Branch Design

IGNITE YOUR PASSION

becoming more expressive, with mixed widths and thoughtful layouts creating personality and flow across residential and commercial interiors. When executed with intention, these choices feel enduring rather than trendy. Most recently, I renovated a home in Miami, Florida, using flooring that employs natural pigments to draw out the depth and color of the wood. It is the kind of material that improves with time, aging beautifully while anchoring the rest of the design quietly. At the end of the day, the best flooring trends are the ones that enhance a space without calling attention to themselves, creating environments that feel grounded, timeless, and truly lived in. At the NWFA Expo, I’ll be participating in a panel conversation focused on collaboration between architects, interior designers, and the wood flooring industry. It is an opportunity to have a practical, honest discussion about how these relationships actually function in the field, not just in theory, but on real jobsites.

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Design Trends (Continued)

Ultimately, the goal is alignment – between vision and execution,

Moderated by Lawrence Skutelsky of PID Floors, the conversation will explore how design intent translates into execution, how wood flooring is specified and installed, and where stronger communication between designers and flooring professionals can improve outcomes meaningfully. We will talk openly about the realities of the jobsite, sustainability considerations, and why early collaboration often is the difference between a project that merely looks good and one that truly performs over time.

design and craft. When designers and flooring professionals work together from the outset, the result is not only a more efficient process, but spaces that age better, function better, and feel more considered for the people who live and work in them. Karen Asprea is the founder of Asprea Studio, an internationally recognized LQWHULRU GHVLJQ ÀUP EDVHG LQ 1HZ

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BUSINESS BEST PRACTICES

LEGAL

A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR BUSINESSES MANAGING RISK AND LIABILITY IN YOUR CONTRACTS:

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ADOBESTOCK ©

Contracts are not only the foundation of business relationships, they also are a key tool for managing risk. Whether you are an owner, manager, or representative of a company, understanding how to use contracts to allocate and control risk is essential. This article explains important contract clauses that help manage risk and offers practical tips for reviewing and negotiating contracts.

YOUR CONTRACT VS. THEIR CONTRACT: WHOSE TERMS APPLY? When starting a business relationship, you may be presented with the other party’s contract, or you may have your own standard contract. It is important to remember that each party’s contract usually is written to favor their own interests. Before signing, review the business terms carefully to ensure they are accurate and include all negotiated items. Under contract law, anything you and the other party agree on during negotiations, whether in person, by phone, or in writing, must be included in the written contract. If it is not in the contract, usually it will not be binding legally or enforceable later. Also, look for clauses that assign risk. These are provisions where one party agrees to take responsibility for certain risks, losses, or obligations. Such clauses clarify which party will bear the financial or legal consequences if specific events occur, such as damage to products or failure to provide a service.

KEY CONTRACT CLAUSES FOR MANAGING RISK INDEMNIFICATION What is it? Indemnification

provisions mean that one party agrees to cover certain losses, damages, or costs that the other party might face because of specific events or actions. In simple terms, it is a promise to protect the other party from certain risks or liabilities. Indemnification clauses often are called “hold harmless” clauses, ensuring that a party is not harmed by the acts of the other party financially.

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By Barbara F. Dunn

Why is it important? Indemnification shifts risk from one party to another, often covering third-party claims, breaches of contract, or negligence. Example: Suppose John hires Matt to cut down a tree in his front yard. Matt agrees to indemnify John if Matt acts negligently. While working, Matt fails to notice a fence next to the tree. The tree falls, damaging the fence. The fence’s owner sues John for the repair costs. John notifies Matt and relies on the indemnification clause. Matt then pays all costs John incurs in defending the lawsuit, as well as any damages John must pay to the fence’s owner. Key questions to ask: • Who is responsible for indemnifying whom? • Who is protected by the indemnification (just your company, or also affiliates, employees, etc.)? • What is the “triggering event” (negligence, breach of contract, violation of law)? • What types of losses are covered (damages, legal fees, settlements, fines, property damage, personal injury)? • Are there exceptions (such as if the claim was caused by the party seeking indemnification)? • Is the indemnification mutual or only one-sided?

INSURANCE What is it? Insurance is a way to protect against financial loss. It is a contract in which one party (the insurer) agrees to pay for certain losses, damages, or liabilities that another party (the insured) might incur, usually in exchange for regular payments called premiums. In contracts, insurance provisions require one or both parties to maintain certain types and amounts of insurance coverage. Why is it important? Insurance provides coverage for financial losses if something goes wrong. Example: If Matt has insurance for his tree removal business, and the fence is damaged, Matt’s insurance can help cover the costs of defending the lawsuit and paying for the damage. This means John is less likely to face out-of-pocket expenses, since Matt’s insurance provides financial protection for accidents like this. Key considerations: • Who (one or both parties) must carry insurance? • What types of insurance are required (general liability, professional liability, etc.)? • What amount of coverage is required? Is it reasonable for the risks involved? • Does the contract require one party to be named as an additional insured? If so, your company gets some of the same protection as the policyholder for claims related to the work. • Will you receive proof of insurance coverage? Always require a certificate of insurance.

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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Legal (Continued)

Under contract law, anything you and the other party agree on during negotiations, whether in person, by phone, or in writing, must be included in the written contract. If it’s not in the contract, it usually will not be binding legally or enforceable later.

WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES What are they? Representations are statements of fact about the present or future state of goods or services. Warranties are promises that certain facts about the goods or services are true or will be true. Why are they important? If a representation or warranty turns out to be untrue, the other party may have the right to seek damages or terminate the contract. These clauses help set expectations and allocate risk. Example: If the contract says Matt is not making any warranties about the condition of the yard after the tree is removed, and some minor damage occurs that is not due to negligence, John would have a harder time claiming that Matt is responsible for fixing it. Key considerations: • What promises are being made? Make sure all important promises about goods or services are included. • What is the scope and duration of the promise? Is it limited to a certain time period? • What are your rights if the promise is untrue? Can you recover damages or terminate the contract? • Are there limitations or disclaimers? For example, a seller might state they do not guarantee future performance or make promises beyond what is written in the contract. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY What is it? A limitation of liability clause sets a maximum amount or specific types of damages that one party can be held responsible for if something goes wrong. It limits how much one party has to pay the other in case of a breach, mistake, or loss. Why is it important? These clauses help manage risk by preventing large or unexpected financial losses. If your company is selling goods or services, this clause can help limit your financial exposure. If your company is the buyer, however, it restricts the amount of damages you can recover.

NOTE: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information contained herein may not be applicable to your specific situation and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal counsel. Readers are encouraged strongly to consult an attorney regarding any legal questions or concerns related to contracts or risk management to ensure that their individual circumstances are addressed properly. Barbara Dunn is the attorney and owner of Barbara Dunn Law PLLC and VHUYHV DV OHJDO FRXQVHO WR WKH 1DWLRQDO :RRG )ORRULQJ $VVRFLDWLRQ 1:)$ She can be reached at barbara@barbaradunn.com or 312.825.3880. Example: If the contract states that Matt’s liability is limited to the amount John paid for the tree-cutting service, then even if the damage to the neighbor’s fence is much greater than that amount, Matt would only be responsible for paying up to that limit. This helps Matt avoid large, unexpected financial losses. However, for John, this type of clause means that John could end up paying his own money for damages that exceed the stated amount. Key considerations: • Are certain types of damages excluded from the limitation (such as consequential or punitive damages)? • Is there a dollar limit on liability (often tied to the contract value)? • Are there exceptions (such as for indemnified claims, breaches of confidentiality, or intentional misconduct)? PRACTICAL TIPS FOR MANAGING CONTRACTUAL RISK • Develop or update your company’s contract templates to reflect your business needs and risk tolerance. • Pay special attention to key clauses when reviewing another party’s contract. • Negotiate until you are comfortable with the level of risk your company is accepting. • Be prepared to walk away if the risks are too great and the other party is unwilling to compromise. Effectively managing risk and liability in contracts is essential for protecting your company and ensuring long-term success. By understanding and negotiating key contract clauses, you can better control your company’s exposure and enter into agreements with confidence. If you have questions about specific contract terms or need help drafting or reviewing agreements, consider consulting with a qualified attorney to ensure your interests are protected fully.

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