Hardwood Floors June/July 2017

JUN/JUL 2017

ARTISTRY IN ACTION WOOD FLOOR OF THE YEAR

OPTIMIZE YOUR RECEIVABLES 11 CONSIDERATIONS FOR ACCLIMATION SUCCESS TECH FOCUS: LOCAL FLAVORS IN FLOOR PERFORMANCE

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3M produces a full line of 3M ™ Floor Sanding Abrasives that takes you on the journey from start to finish. But it doesn’t stop there. With more than 100 years of heritage and innovation, you can trust 3M for all your floor sanding needs, from personal safety and adhesives to masking and abrasives. For performance that will make you and your customers proud, choose 3M.

For professional floor sanding results.

© 3M 2017. All rights reserved. 3M, Edge-Lock, Regalite, ScotchBlue, Scotch-Weld, the BLUE color of the tape, Hand-Masker and the Plaid Design are trademarks of 3M.

Magic Oil 2K Be Inspired • Hardened penetrating oil finish • Fully cured in 24 hours • European matte appearance

• Blendable colors for unlimited designs • Suitable over water or oil-based stains

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HERITAGE IN YOUR HANDS. Since 1898, generations of contractors have counted on DuraSeal ® to deliver the highest quality wood coatings. You know DuraSeal Quick Coat as simply the best stain on the market. And we know there is only one way to best protect your Quick Coat stain - by using premium DuraSeal Water-Based finishes.

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DuraSeal Quick Coat stain and Water-Based finishes are certified to GREENGUARD standards. To learn more, visit greenguard.org.

*Made in America with Global Materials

FEATURES

O N T H E C O V E R

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A Stunning Performance | By Stacy Brown Five “rock stars” of the wood flooring industry were awarded the coveted Wood Floor of the Year award for their artistry during the 2017 NWFA Wood Flooring Expo in Phoenix.

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Regional Differences and How Floors Perform By Brett Miller All regions have unique requirements for successful wood floor performance. Learn more about some key considerations for every region.

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Throwback: WFOY 20 Years Ago By Stacy Brown Join us as we step back in time and revisit the winners from 20 years ago.

PUBLISHING PARTNERS

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CONTENTS

Industry Insights:

Chris Zizza | Chairman Michael Martin | CEO Anita Howard | COO Bree Urech-Boyle | CFO Brett Miller | VP, Education & Certification NWFA LEADERSHIP

16 Government Affairs Compliance issues and the impact on independent, small, and medium businesses. 18 Designer Insights How do you help your customer develop a design style in a world of endless choices? 22 Market Matters Are U.S. manufacturers ready to take share from foreign-sourced products?

By Dana Cole

By Emily Morrow Finkell

PUBLICATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Julie Russell, Chair & Board Liaison | Glitsa, a division of Rudd Company Rose Mary Cummings | Maxwell Hardwood Flooring Len Daubler | Shaw Industries, Inc. Galen Fitzel Avi Hadad | Avi’s Hardwood Floors Inc.

By Stuart Hirschhorn

Business Best Practices:

26 Finance Best practices in receivables and credit management. 30 Sales Savvy The high cost of cheap prices. 34 Technology How online payment options can benefit your business. 37 Customer Corner Using your skills to earn money before inspections are needed. 39 Marketing Marketing simplified: how two companies are getting it done. At the Site: 66 Tech Talk What installation challenges do you

Lenny Hall | Endurance Floor Company, Inc. Kevin Mullany | Benchmark Wood Floors, Inc. Jenny Riddle | Distinctive Hardwood Floors Adam Williams | Palo Duro Hardwoods

By Bree Urech-Boyle

By Paul Reilly

PUBLICATION TEAM

By Jodi O’Toole

Stacy Brown | Publisher/Editor | stacy.brown@nwfa.org Brett Miller | Technical Editor | brett.miller@nwfa.org Laura Boyle | Creative Director | laura.boyle@nwfa.org Megan Lhamon | Industry News Editor | megan.lhamon@nwfa.org Katie Schenk | Media Production | katie.schenk@nwfa.org Jodi O’Toole | Web Development | jodi.otoole@nwfa.org

By Jason Cantin

By Katrina Olson

111 Chesterfield Industrial Blvd. Chesterfield, Missouri 63005 P : 800.422.4556 Local : 636.519.9663 F: 636.519.9664 E: news@hardwoodfloorsmag.com W: www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Roger Barker Bree Urech-Boyle Jason Cantin Dana Cole Lenny Hall Stuart Hirschhorn Karl Lägler

By NWFA face in your region? Regional Instructors

70 Acclimation Acumen Eleven considerations for acclimation success. 72 Subfloor Focus Minimizing moisture over floating subfloors.

By Brett Miller

Katrina Olson Jodi O’Toole Liz Peuster Paul Reilly Aaron Schaalma Chris Zizza

By Roger Barker

74 Sponsored Content How to minimize sanding efforts while maximizing profits. 77 Health & Safety Focus Coping with the physical rigors of doing hardwood floors. 82 Unique Techniques The light is out; the wait is over. Product Focus: 90 Tools & Sanding Equipment

Megan Lhamon Michael Martin Brett Miller Kjell Nymark

Jason Elquest Ethan Erickson Emily Morrow Finkell

By Karl Lägler

By Ethan Erickson

ADVERTISING SALES

By Aaron Schaalma

Libby White Johnston Media & Advertising Sales libby.johnston@nwfa.org | 337.794.9232

Hardwood Floors Magazine (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 without charge to its member companies and their employees, as well as qualified individuals throughout the wood flooring industry. Publication office: 111 Chesterfield Industrial Blvd, Chesterfield, MO 63005. Phone: 800.422.4556. Printing office: Walsworth, 306 N. Kansas Ave., Marceline, MO 64658. Printed in the U.S.A. Standard postage paid at St. Louis, MO, and additional offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Hardwood Floors Magazine, P.O. Box 9147 Lowell, MA 01853. 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. Copyright © 2017 by National Wood Flooring Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

Also in this Issue:

6 Chairman’s Cut

By Chris Zizza

8 Wood Stock 62 NWFA Expo Highlights 84 NWFA Resources 97 New Products 99 Ad Index

100 Final Coat: CEO’s Message

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By Michael Martin

LET’S GET VERTICAL. Enter your design nowfor an opportunity towin A TRIP FOR TWO TOPARIS, FRANCE!

THE ART OF HARDWOOD FLOORING DESIGN CONTEST This is an exclusive opportunity to design a one-of-a kind, hardwoodfloorforthe lobbyofanewrestaurant within MGM Resorts’ newest hotel in Las Vegas, Park MGM! By pushing the limits of hardwood flooring designand installation, the lobbywillbethefocalpoint of a hot, newsteakhouse. Itwill leave a lasting impact on the space and the individualswho experience it.

The competition welcomes designs from flooring installation contractors, interior designers and architects with expertise in commercial spaces. Enter your design now and you could win a trip for two to Paris! Bostik.com/ArtOfWood

Nopurchasenecessary. Openonlyto legal resident ofthe50UnitedStates orDistrict ofColumbiawhoare 18years ofageorolder.All entries forContestmust be receivedby11:00p.m. CTonJune23, 2017. Subject to completeOfficial Rules. Voidwhere prohibited.

T3045_05.10.17

CHAIRMAN’S CUT The magazine you hold in your hands right now is one of the most-anticipated issues of Hardwood Floors Magazine each year. It’s the annual NWFAWood Floor of the Year issue, which showcases Building Your Brand

By Chris Zizza Chairman, NWFA

NWFA with To become an NWFA Certified Master Craftsman, the candidate must be a Certified Craftsman, complete all seven of the Specialty Skillset Badges, attend the NWFA Inspector school, and submit a final examination medallion, which will meet a detailed set of specifications as designated by the judges.

innovative craftsmanship and design in wood flooring installations. This issue represents a tremendous opportunity for NWFAmembers to not only promote their company, but also learn how to take their technical skills to the next level. I have always enjoyed thumbing through this one, and I hope you do too.

SPECIALTY SKILLSET BADGES INCLUDE: • Circular/Curved Application (5 submissions)

• Colors and Finishes (10 submissions) • Marquetry/Inlays (3 submissions) • Medallions (3 submissions) • Parquetry (3 submissions) • Textured Wood (5 submissions) • Wood Bending (5 submissions)

The contest is judged by designers, flooring industry experts, and wood flooring professionals, reinforcing that the awards truly recognize quality work and craftsmanship. Some do the same type of work as you every day, and others are industry peers that bring a different perspective to the contest, assuring that the floors rank among the best – in the world of wood flooring. So yes, not everyone gets a participation trophy here at the NWFA; it’s a real contest. The winning entries profiled in this magazine show you, and your customers, all the possibilities wood floors offer. Use this magazine to help your customers think outside the box. The resulting floors could land you on the pages of this magazine as one of next year’s Wood Floor of the Year winners. NEW CERTIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES Another opportunity to increase your brand potential will launch July 1, 2017. The NWFA Certified Professional programwill add two additional designations: Certified Craftsman and Certified Master Craftsman. These designations were developed to give certified wood flooring professionals a means to further validate their craft by showcasing specific skill sets. With the addition of the new certifications, NWFA will now have a complete career path in place that allows an individual to move from having little to no experience, to becoming a master of our trade. To become an NWFA Certified Craftsman, the candidate must be an NWFAmember in good standing, have been an NWFA Certified Professional Installer and Certified Sand/Finisher for a minimum of one year, and successfully fulfill all of the requirements for a total of four of the Specialty Skillset Badges.

Each of these skill sets is clearly defined within the simple online application process. Through this process, those who qualify can earn individual Specialty Badges, work toward becoming a Certified Craftsman, and ultimately work toward becoming a Certified Master Craftsman. Each Specialty Badge has a unique set of qualifications that must be met for the badge to be awarded. And, as an added bonus, fulfillment of these badges also meets the requirements for the redefined Wood Floor of the Year entry categories. Always keep your eye on the ball (or the trophy in this particular case). These recognitions aren’t intended to say, “look how cool I am; I got a trophy,” but instead emphasize how your company performs at a level that makes your customers want to hire you. Even participation in the WFOY contest shows you perform at a different level, so watch for projects that could be entered and study the categories so when you are out there selling you will see the fit for your next entry. So what are you waiting for? Take the next step in your career and advance your business. Contact the NWFA at 800.422.4556 or visit nwfa.org for more details on the Wood Floor of the Year contest and the Certified Craftsman and Certified Master Craftsman programs.

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MAKE SURE THE PIECES FIT. Count on NWFA/NOFMA certified manufacturers

Anthony Oak Flooring, Inc. Buchanan Hardwoods, Inc./Manufacturer of Elite Brand Flooring Carroll Hardwood Co.

For more than 100 years, NOFMA Certification has provided a mark of distinction for wood flooring. NWFA’s NOFMA Certification provides an assurance that the wood flooring you are buying meets or exceeds the industry standards for grade, configuration, moisture content, and average board length. Look to NWFA/NOFMA certified manufacturers to assure an architect, designer or consumer that a particular product meets industry-accepted standards.

Cumberland Lumber and Mfg. Hassell & Hughes Lumber Co. Heppner Hardwoods Inc. Lewis Lumber & Milling, Inc. Lewis Brothers Lumber Co. Maxwell Hardwood Flooring McMinnville Manufacturing Co. Middle Tennessee Lumber Co. Miller and Company

Magnolia Flooring Mill/Chickasaw Brand

Missouri Hardwood (Since 1911) by Hardwoods of Missouri, L.L.C.

Monticello Flooring & Lumber Co.

Mullican Flooring

Ouachita Hardwood Flooring Quarter-Sawn Flooring, L.L.C. Roberts Wood Products, Inc. Shaw Hardwood Flooring Smith Flooring, Inc. Somerset Wood Products

NWFA WELCOMES THE NEWEST NOFMA CERTIFIED MILL:

Superior Hardwood Flooring/Herwynen Saw Mill Ltd.

www.nwfa.org | 800.422.4556

Wood

CONTRACTOR CORNER

HAPPY HOMEOWNER, HAPPIER CONTRACTOR

• NWFA Certified Professional Kyle Abrams was recently featured on theThis Old House Generation NEXT Letters webpage. This Old House (TOH) has partnered with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation in a nationwide effort to increase the pipeline of skilled workers in America. Part of the awareness campaign involves professionals sharing their stories on the TOHGeneration NEXT Letter page, where Kyle shared his story. Read his entry here: bit.ly/2nMDmil. Administration announced a delay in enforcement of the crystalline silica standard that applies to the construction industry to conduct additional outreach and provide educational materials and guidance for employers. The agency has determined that additional guidance is necessary due to the unique nature of the requirements in the construction standard. Originally scheduled to begin June 23, 2017, enforcement will now begin Sept. 23, 2017. Learn more at osha.com. • Allstate Flooring opened its newest location, a designer showroom and gallery in the heart of New York City. This is Allstate’s fourth location following a boutique showroom in Long Island, a shop in Brooklyn, and a recently announced collaboration with AKO Design Center, a high-end design and furniture showroom in South Brooklyn. • Stanley-Bostitch/Stanley Black &Decker Inc. is hosting an NWFA Intermediate training event at their facility inMaryland, June 12–15. Installation Certification testing will be held on Friday, June 16. This training facility is the headquarters for Bostitch, DEWALT, Porter-Cable, Irwin, and Stanley Black &Decker. • The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health

JeremyWaldorf, the owner of Legacy Floors inHowell, Michigan, has been a part of the flooring trade since he was a little kid, the son of a passionate flooring installer. At age 18, Waldorf ’s dad got him started in the business as a subcontractor, first with cove base, VCT, and sheet vinyl, and then quickly into hardwood and tile. “Working with hardwood and tile was more involved,” says Waldorf, “but it was a lot more rewarding tome.” “Over the years, my dad has taught me more about flooring installation and the business than anyone else,” adds Waldorf. “More than that, he taught me the importance of doing things right and ending a job with a result I could be proud of. This job ended with just that.” A fewmonths ago, one of Waldorf ’s clients gave him a very precise CAD drawing and a few photos he’d found online as inspiration for a floor he wanted to be installed. “I knew right away this was going to be a challenge, but it was something I knew I could do,” says Waldorf. FLOOR FOCUS “After months of planning, including many randommoments where ideas would pop into my head about installation methods to help make this floor a success, the job finally started,” says Waldorf. Two types of flooring were used to complete this intricate installation. The border and field were created using a urethane factory finished 3/4” engineered character grade hickory in mesquite. The only difference in the material used for the border and the field is that the material for the border was 7” wide and the material used in the field was 5” wide.

Each board in the field was cut to 41 3/16” and routered to fit in the factory tongue of the adjacent piece. Wood templates were made from 3/4” plywood that was the size of the tiles, plus 1/8” on the two sides.

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Stock

By Megan Lhamon

The inlaid tiles were an 18”x18” natural polished limestone, installed over double layer 3/4” CDX plywood, using Laticrete’s Strata Mat™ uncoupling membrane. PROCESS DETAILS “This project was significant for me because it demanded most of everything I know about hardwood and tile installation,” says Waldorf. “This included my knowledge of layouts, measuring, planning…the list goes on.” The border was laid out and cut in first. Each miter was routered and joined with spline and Titebond® wood glue. The border and inlay were glued to the plywood with MAPEI® moisture cured urethane adhesive, as recommended by the manufacturer. The factory tongue was inside the border so the field would be routered into it. Next, a center line and two parallel lines were chalked to keep the pattern straight while working around the kitchen island. “Each piece of the border needed to be the same length in the field, and basket weaved, so I contacted the manufacturer in advance to find out what percentage of the box quantity would contain board lengths over 41 inches (two 18” tiles and a 5” board width),” adds Waldorf. Each board in the field was cut to 41 3/16” and routered to fit in the factory tongue of the adjacent piece. Wood templates were made from3/4” plywood that was the size of the tiles, plus 1/8” on the two sides. A drawer pull was attached to the top of each template to keep inlays consistent during the cutting and fitting process. The field was disassembled again, then glued and blind nailed with finish nails. Most of the unused section of factory tongues were marked and cut off just before fastening them. “Every intersecting joint in the floor was connected with tongue and groove, with the exception of about five around the edges that were physically impossible to connect that way,” says Waldorf. After all the wood was fastened and the glue cured, the remainder of the factory tongues were cut off with an oscillating tool, and the uncoupling membrane and tile were installed. The space around the perimeter of each tile varied from 1/16” to 3/16” and was filled with LATASIL™ 100 percent silicone sealant in a color

that coordinated with the limestone tiles. “The silicone sealant provided room for movement and expansion,” adds Waldorf, “which a grout would not do.” Shoe moulding was then installed, and the project was finally complete.

Waldorf used two types of flooring for this project — urethane factory finished hickory in mesquite, and polished limestone tile. Photos courtesy ofJeremy Waldorf.

END RESULT After three weeks of diligently working on this installation, Waldorf ’s work had come to an end. “On the day I finally finished, it was truly one of the most rewarding installations I’d ever done,” exclaims Waldorf. “It was a great sense of accomplishment and in many ways, the culmination of virtually everything I’d learned over the past 20 years. To have successfully married the mediums of hardwood and stone in a layout like this was a very satisfying achievement,” says Waldorf. “My client was happy with the final product, and so was I.”

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Wood Stock

By Stacy Brown The Fighter

her to the pediatrician and were told that she had a summer virus and that they just had to play it out. Two days later more symptoms started to occur. “I noticed Natalie was experiencing bruising, broken blood vessels, as well as trouble sleeping at night, and that’s when I decided to take her back to the pediatrician even though they had said to give it a week,” said Andrea. “Of course I never would have thought cancer in a million years.” Natalie’s treatment was a little more than two years long, the first year being the most aggressive part of it. The family stayed resilient and received much support during this two- year period. The road was a long one for the Gorsegner family, but as of Nov. 26, 2014, Natalie had her very last dose of chemotherapy and was declared cancer-free. She continues to have regular blood work done as well as a checkup from her oncologist, and in another three years, she’ll be declared cured.

Dan Gorsegner’s family-run hardwood flooring business, Gorsegner Brothers Hardwood Floors, regularly donates part of its sales to childhood cancer families in need. They also recently donated a sanding and finishing job to the Ronald McDonald House in Long Branch, New Jersey, and Aug. 16, 2012, is a huge reason why. It’s a day that Dan and his wife, Andrea, will never forget. That’s the day they

Dan Gorsegner and Travis Fascia on the jobsite of the sand and finish job they donated to the Ronald McDonald House in Long Branch, NewJersey.

first heard four words that forever altered the course of their lives: “Your daughter has cancer.”The Gorsegners were told that their then 3-year-old daughter, Natalie Grace, had high-risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). “I remember the day she was diagnosed like it was yesterday. At the time, I was a photography editor for a magazine located in Manhattan, and I remember having a few story deadlines as well as an important meeting to attend that day. So I thought I’ll drive into the city and then leave half the day through to take Natalie to the doctor,” shared Andrea. “It’s crazy to look back on that day because if only I had known, suddenly a meeting and a few deadlines become very unimportant.” Natalie’s first symptoms had started less than a week prior. She had a fever along with a few other symptoms that would be common for any child to have. They took

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“Those first two months were the hardest mentally because, as a parent, you blame yourself,” said Andrea. “We always led a very healthy lifestyle, but I just kept thinking, how did this happen, what did we do, where did we go? We have no history of leukemia in our family, and as the doctor said, there’s just no rhyme or reason. Unfortunately there’s still so much that we don’t know in regards to childhood cancer.” “However once you’re able to understand that this is out of your control and that this is not something that you did or didn’t do, then you’re able to say, okay, what now?” she continued. To help herself process Natalie’s battle, Andrea turned to her photography. She started bringing her professional camera to every clinic appointment, every hospital stay, documenting Natalie’s entire journey. “For me, photography became very therapeutic. Some people have said that Natalie is going to be able to forget about all of this when she’s older, and question why I

what she went through is a major thread in her life and I want Natalie to be able to utilize some of those memories as a tool of empowerment when she’s being challenged later in life.” Around that same time, Andrea started getting involved in the childhood cancer community. She began learning as much as she could, not only about Natalie’s cancer but childhood cancer in general. “That’s when I saw the documentary The Truth 365 and first started finding out some of the alarming statistics, the most shocking being that childhood cancer is not only the No. 1 disease killer of children in this country, but it’s also horribly underfunded.” Research for childhood cancer only receives four percent of the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) annual research budget. With 16 different major forms of childhood cancer (not including the hundreds of subtypes), four pennies of each dollar is minimal, leaving thousands of promising research grants unfunded. “Our children are being treated with “While I certainly don’t want her entire life to revolve around childhood cancer or her fight, what she went through is a major thread in her life and I want Natalie to be able to utilize some of those memories as a tool of empowerment when she’s being challenged later in life.”

would want her to remember any of it,” said Andrea. “While I certainly don’t want her entire life to revolve around childhood cancer or her fight,

protocols that are decades old and there have been only three new drugs developed in the past 25 years for any type of childhood cancer. It’s pure insanity when you think about it; our children and their futures deserve better than this,” said Andrea. That is when Andrea started to advocate for childhood cancer research, and Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer was born. In April 2013, she took a picture of herself and Natalie holding

a sign that said, “Will You Send Us a Dollar for Pediatric Cancer Research?” and posted it on Facebook. The results were overwhelming. “Since September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Natalie’s birthday, I made that my fundraising end date with a goal of $50,000. Long story short, we ended up raising $110,000 in those five short months. The dollars were coming in from every state; children were emptying piggy banks and holding lemonade stands, adults were forgoing birthday presents, firefighters in Atlanta passed around their helmets, even soldiers in Afghanistan spread the word to their fellow soldiers. The outpouring of love was remarkable.”

Photos courtesy of Andrea Gorsegner

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Wood Stock The Fighter (Continued)

The treehouse had incredible details such as a wrap-around porch, heating, air conditioning, refrigerator, TV, and of course hardwood floors.

That first $110,000 went toward Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) research since it is not only a very deadly form of childhood cancer, but Andrea also wanted a way to honor her friend’s son, Benjamin Venezia, who died from AML in December 2012. The Gorsegners didn’t stop there. Since 2013, they have collectively raised, with the help of thousands of supporters, a little more than a half a million dollars, with every penny having gone straight to research always in the name of a child who is fighting or who has fought cancer. Additionally, each year, Infinite Love focuses these fundraising efforts on a different type of childhood cancer with the hopes of one day having raised thousands of dollars for them all. Another opportunity to give back presented itself when a friend of a little girl fighting neuroblastoma reached out. Her wish was to have an amazing, dream treehouse, so Dan and Andrea called everyone that they could think of and secured all of the resources and materials needed to build the treehouse. Dan not only installed hardwood floors, but was there every weekend and multiple weeknights working on the house alongside friends Billy Sherwood (whose son is a neuroblastoma survivor) and

Bill Hartenstein. The finished product included incredible details such as a wrap- around porch, heating, air conditioning, refrigerator, TV, and furniture. While the Gorsegners feel blessed that Natalie has survived, it’s impossible to go back to the lives that they knew pre- childhood cancer. They have felt not only the pain of having to watch Natalie go through the unthinkable, but they’ve had to, and continue to, witness close friends lose their children to this relentless disease. Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer continues to fundraise to fulfill grants that make it possible for researchers and doctors to discover less toxic treatments for children, ultimately providing new pieces to the cancer cure puzzle. For 2017, the Gorsegners are fundraising in honor of their friends Marian and Jim McCaffrey’s 6-year-old daughter, Mia, who died March 17, 2017, from Parameningeal Rhabdomyosarcoma. While Infinite Love fundraises year-round, their “Will You Send Us a Dollar” campaign will begin on Mia’s birthday June, 19th and end Sept. 30, 2017 (the last day of childhood cancer awareness month) with the goal of raising $200,000 for research in her name.

Mia is the star of the recently released music video “Fighter” (Right Stuff Studio Production). “Fighter,” is an original song written and recorded by singer-songwriter Taylor Tote, Natalie Grace, and her 9-year- old sister (and childhood cancer advocate) Hannah Rose. One hundred percent of the funds raised through the sales of “Fighter” (available for download on iTunes) will provide grants to some of the country’s leading research hospitals and centers that specifically target childhood cancers. “Fighter” is also an Official Selection at the Garden State Film Festival 2017, the Toronto Film Festival 2017, as well as the Asbury Park Film Festival. Watch the video at infiniteloveforkidsfightingcancer. org/watch-the-fighter-music-video.html. To learnmore about Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer, the Gorsegners’ journey, or to contribute toward their $200,000 goal for research, please visit infiniteloveforkidsfightingcancer.org. Stacy Brown is the Editor/Publisher of Hardwood Floors Magazine, the official magazine of the National Wood Flooring Association. She can be reached at stacy. brown@nwfa.org.

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All Gain No Pain

• As part of an effort to broaden their domestic manufacturing footprint, Mullican Flooring located in Johnson City, Tennessee, has announced plans to bring full production of all sawn engineered products to the U.S. beginning early summer 2017. • The flooring company Kährs Group is reorganizing its hardwood flooring production, closing its production unit in Tuupovaara, Finland. Kährs Group is continuously evaluating its supply footprint to optimize capacity and streamline operations. The demand for products produced at the Tuupovaara unit have declined in recent years; 21 employees were affected. • DuraSeal hosted a grand opening celebration for its first Contractor Training Center in Torrance, California on May 2. The center will be used for intermediate NWFA certified sand and finish schools, personalized training classes, one-on-one product demonstrations and distributor training events. Over 50 contractors and distributor partners took advantage of the opportunity to tour the facility and sign up for classes. • Bostik, Inc. announced the launch of The Art of Hardwood Flooring Design Contest. Together with partners, the NWFA, MGMResorts International, Oshkosh Designs and Eagle Bay Hardwood Flooring, Bostik invites architects, designers and other wood flooring trade members/enthusiasts to participate. The design of the grand prize winner will be considered by MGMResorts for installation in the lobby of a new steakhouse located in Las Vegas’ new Park MGM resort. Additionally, the winner will receive a trip for two to Paris, France, courtesy of Bostik. Registration deadline is June 23. Visit bostik.com/ us/ArtOfWood for full details. • Stauf Adhesives announced it purchased Advanced Adhesives Technologies, Inc. a Dalton, Georgia-based flooring adhesive manufacturer, strengthening both companies by combining technologies and offerings in the marketplace. The two companies will continue to operate as separate entities and there will be no changes in current distribution, employees, or management. MANUFACTURER MEANDERINGS

2 in 1 flooring tool 550 COMBO

COMBO Magazine capacity

120 L nails or 124 Staples

3/4’’ (19mm) factory set Adjustable for 3/8’’ to 3/4’’ (10 to 19mm)

• A versatile Nailer / Stapler tool for 3/8’’ to 3/4’’ (10 to 19mm) tongue & groove flooring • For Solid, Engineered and Exotic hardwood • For Engineered hardwood • Stand-up working posture • Low-imprint fasteners reduce the displacement of wood fibers to control surface deformation • Available with or without PrimSurfer roller base

USA / CAN 1(800) 363-1962 sales@primatech.ca

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DISTRIBUTOR DOINGS

FAMOUS FLOORS By Megan Lhamon

• City Floor Supply (CFS) recently teamed with the NWFA to offer Intermediate Installation Training to flooring contractors. The flooring distributor held the training workshop at their North American headquarters in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. • Suncrest Supply has acquired a “hand- crafted” wood manufacturing facility based in Kershaw, South Carolina for customwood walls, flooring, ceiling, and furniture. The company plans to focus on the evolving “hand-crafted” trend for exclusive designs featuring textures, accents and charred, mixed species, to create unique offerings for OEM and private label programs for distributors, retailers, and wood floor specialists, with an emphasis on Made in U.S.A. • In May, Denver Hardwood celebrated its 36th Anniversary with the grand opening of their new 100,000 square- foot, state-of-the-art distribution center. This new location solidifies Denver Hardwood’s position as the largest hardwood flooring distributor in the Rocky Mountain region.

be installed ready to go. “The homeowner had a connection with a guy who had the hardwood that was used to make the stage for the showHee Haw,” says Riddick. “They got to talking one day, and the guy offered my client the stage material, and he eagerly accepted.” FLOOR FOCUS The material used in this installation was reclaimed heart pine. “The flooring was pulled up and re-milled to help it all fit a little better,” adds Riddick. The installation was a standard glue-assist nail-down. “I did a quick sand and finished the floor with Loba Wakol USA Impact Oil, to help preserve the original

Jason Riddick, the owner of Custom Wood Floors in Powells Point, North Carolina, and a member of NWFA, has been doing installations for 12 years. When he started a recent job for a homeowner, he thought it was just another standard installation, similar to ones he has done for years, but the wood had a story of its own. Growing up as the grandson of a huge country music fan, Riddick was no stranger to the popular TV show, Hee Haw. “My grandad still watches the show,” says Riddick. When he arrived on a recent job site, the homeowner had the wood he wanted to

RETAILER ROUNDUP

• Michael Blanton, the owner of Dalton Carpet One in Athens, Georgia, died on March 25. Blanton founded the store in 1978 and had been a member of Carpet One since 1988. Through hard work and dedication to his customers and his staff, he grew the business to three locations with a special focus on his commercial business working with clients across the country. Blanton’s full obituary can be read here: bit.ly/2oz51Av.

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look of the floors and allow them to gain more character over time,” says Riddick. “With older floors, you never know how many times they’ll be able to be re-sanded so using the penetrating oil seals the floor and prevents it from having to be sanded again, with the right maintenance,” adds Riddick.

Pinnacle floors have texture you can feel with your eyes.

Photos courtesy of Jason Riddick

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Earthy. Warm. Ar tist ic. The ar t of f looring. Pinnacle is hardwood flooring at its best in style, color and texture, handcrafted to perfection. Sourced responsibly the world over, and

produced to our stringent standards, Pinnacle brings the feel of hardwoods and all of your expectations together as never before.

F L O O R I N G E N R I C H E D B Y A R T I S T R Y A P R O D U C T O F S W I F F - T R A I N Contact: info@pinnacleflooring.com

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

By Dana Cole

Updates On Regulatory Reform and the Impact on Your Business

The National Association of Manufacturers recently issued a study that estimated that there are almost 300,000 rules and regulations imposed on U.S. manufacturing businesses. While many assume that only the biggest companies face daunting compliance issues, it is also a tremendous issue for independent, small, and medium businesses that struggle daily to run their operations efficiently while fighting through the mass of federal, state, and local regulations. With statistics such as these, it is no surprise that reforming the way in which regulations affecting the business community are developed and implemented has emerged as a leading priority both in Congress and in the Trump Administration. The 115th Congress was not even a month old when the House passed two sweeping measures on the subject. The first out of the gate was H.R. 5, a bill that, among many other provisions, requires regulatory agencies to pursue the least-costly alternative when developing regulations to implement existing law. The House passed that bill handily in mid-January. Following shortly after that, the House approved another measure that would require Congress to approve any rule that imposes more than $100 million in costs on the U.S. economy. That bill, H.R. 26, passed the lower chamber Jan. 5 by a 237-187 vote. While both these bills face a tougher climb in the Senate where they will require bipartisan support for passage, the table has nevertheless been set for higher priority dialogue and potential action later this year. The Trump Administration is doing its part to communicate the need to reduce the expensive, confusing, and sometimes duplicative federally mandated pressures put on business owners. Following up on pledges made during the campaign to make government less burdensome, President Trump has

taken steps to limit and reduce regulatory overload. As we know, the president’s first month in office featured a number of Executive Orders across a spectrum of issues. Among those that received considerable attention was his “two for one” directive, which orders agencies to eliminate two rules for every new one to offset costs. What’s more, the directive establishes a regulatory budget through which the president can cap howmuch is spent on rulemaking each year. In more recent days, the president signed the Enforcing the Regulatory ReformAgenda Executive Order, which creates a task force and regulatory reform officer at each federal agency. The task forces will be responsible for identifying existing regulations that are outdated or in need of modification within 90 days. In addition to these broad-ranging regulatory reform efforts, there is legislation pending to address specific regulations that have caused significant heartburn for large swaths of the regulated community. This includes efforts to delay the effective date for more stringent air quality limits on ground-level ozone. This does not mean that efforts to improve air quality will end; it just means that the effective

The 115th Congress was not even a month old when the House passed two sweeping measures focused on revising business rules and regulations.

date will be pushed out far enough for viable technology to be developed and available to the business community. Incoming Cabinet

officials are also beating the regulatory reform drum.

BigStockPhoto ©

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DID YOU KNOW? Biomass is an essential power source for many hardwood sawmills due to its carbon neutral properties.

an essential power source for many hardwood sawmills. Mr. Pruitt faced a very tough confirmation process and is being watched carefully by those who fear he will be too aggressive in curbing necessary environmental safeguards. Balancing supporters and detractors will be important to a successful tenure at the EPA. Not all reform efforts will be successful. Some ideas may go too far; others may not ever get off the ground. But the Hardwood Federation is hopeful that

Playing a pivotal role in the new Administration’s execution of regulatory reform efforts is Mike Mulvaney, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This office serves as the gatekeeper on which regulations proceed to implementation, and which do not. Mulvaney is very familiar with the forest products sector, having served in the House as South Carolina’s congressman from the 5th District. This area of the state is populated by pulp and paper facilities, forestry operations, and wood products mills. Director

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the attention focused on the issue will bring about real change in ways that are most impactful to the larger business community, including wood products. We will focus our attention on those efforts that impact hardwood companies and our supply chain. Dana Cole is 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 U.S. and acts as the industry’s advocacy voice on Capitol Hill. She can be reached at dana.cole@hardwoodfederation.com.

Mulvaney understands well the particular challenges our industry faces and the good-paying jobs in rural America that we support. We look forward to working with him in his new role. Joining Director Mulvaney is U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt who has stated his desire to focus the regulatory rulemaking process on meeting current laws that have passed Congress and been signed by the president. We are hopeful that Administrator Pruitt will also acknowledge the carbon neutrality of biomass, which is

WOOD MOISTURE METER LINE

CONCRETE MOISTURE TEST

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DESIGNER INSIGHTS INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

By Emily Morrow Finkell

something that has a cohesive and fluid effect on the eyes is what makes design a challenge. You may ask, “How do I begin?” The first step is one of the oldest tricks in the book, but it still works. Historically, I would ask clients to flip through the pages of magazines and catalogs and tear out or mark certain pages, noting the specifics of what they liked. The modern day approach to doing this same thing is utilized by millions of people, creating boards and collections online using apps such as Pinterest and HOUZZ. These sites in particular provide your customer with the opportunity to see projects and homes from all around the world and share images with you as they look for flooring recommendations that match their style. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then an idea board is worth a gazillion words, especially when trying to articulate a look or style that’s hard to define. Today’s design styles are a hybrid mixture of various genres mixed and updated to the point of an all-new look. Take the midcentury modern look as an example. It has morphed into an updated livable version, having mass appeal to many demographic groups. If you don’t have an eye for design yourself, once your client has curated the looks into idea boards, share them with someone you trust who has a great design eye to give you some feedback, including manufacturers and distributors you work with closely. It is beneficial to bring in someone with a fresh perspective at various points in the design process who can help you see more than just the floor, but also the whole picture of an interior. It might be that a certain color emerges in the mix, or a design motif, like palm leaves for example. Then you can begin to tie together the floor with your clients’ overall scheme. Flooring is often the last decision people make when working on a renovation project, but my recommendation is that it be the first consideration. If you begin a project with a firm foundation, in this instance, a well-chosen floor, then all the other decisions become easier. Hardwood floors are still considered the “premium” flooring material even in a world of waterproof and wood lookalikes. Like a beautiful diamond among cubic zirconia, there’s nothing quite like the real thing – the look, the feel, and even the sound is unique as you walk across real hardwood floors.

In a world where consumers can find literally every option ever considered, where does a flooring professional start when trying to identify a style for your customer’s floor if they haven’t already done so? As an interior designer who is now entering my fifth decade, I’ve fine-tuned some techniques that have helped clients discern what they like over the years, as well as create their very own “look.” This is essential for most people unless they’re one of those individuals who strives for a cookie- cutter interior. But more often than not, homeowners want to have a home that reflects who they are, as well as their passions and interests. Pulling together the “likes” into Style in a World of Endless Choices

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DESIGNER INSIGHTS INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Consider this: There are endless options of hardwood floors out there to choose from and what a customer brings into their home matters not only for the years of enjoyment and the value added to the home, but also in terms of keeping the materials “healthy” to live on. Sticking with responsibly sourced and responsibly made hardwood floors is the safest way to ensure you’re utilizing materials that not only meet, but exceed, any and all governmentally required standards. HERE ARE OTHER SUGGESTIONS THAT CAN BE SHARED WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS WHO LOOK TO YOU FOR ADVICE ON BRINGING THEIR OVERALL DESIGN PLAN TO LIFE: Style in a World of Endless Choices (Continued)

Photos courtesy of Emily Morrow Finkell

that are good for bringing in a little drama and definition to a space. I also have a favorite scarf with varying shades of blue that looks similar to some blue and white porcelain vases that I once had in storage. Suffice it to say, out of storage they came, and the blue and white porcelain pieces became the common thread from which my design scheme grew. FIND A BALANCE If the customer has some art or a collection of special items they would like to showcase, recommend keeping the walls as “quiet” as possible so they don’t overpower the space. Light gray, creamy off-white, or light taupe walls are perfect backdrops for bringing in furniture, art, or accessories that are bold either in color or pattern. DON’T FORGET ADJACENT SPACES If there’s a specific upholstery or drapery fabric they plan on using, advise choosing two or three colors from that fabric, which can become the key colors for the adjacent spaces. The adjacent spaces matter a great deal in maintaining a sense of harmony between the rooms. How a customer feels as they transition from the foyer to the family room to the kitchen is important. Most homes feature an open

floor plan and offer a particular challenge as to where and when the homeowner should transition to a different paint color. There are coordinating paint schemes offered by many of the nationally known paint companies that allow you to select colors that are specifically chosen to work beautifully together. If colors don’t work well together, even a design rookie can sense something is off, but when it’s right, you almost don’t dominant area, perhaps architecturally, by placement of bold color or a large piece of furniture. It’s important to keep that in mind all along; don’t try to fight it, but use it as an advantage. We have minimalist as well as maximalist styles, battling for our attention. If you’re one who believes less is more, but bring something home from every special vacation as a memento, then you’re going to have a challenge in balancing your two conflicting worlds. There are endless ways to bring the two into harmony. In closing, if the customer loves something enough, it’s possible to find a way to make it work. It’s all in the mixing, not in the matching, that makes a house a home. notice anything; it just feels right. KNOW YOUR FOCAL POINT Identify the room’s focal point, the

USE LAYERS Layering with a mixture of old and new objects is essential. None of these pieces have to be expensive, but should be chosen carefully and thoughtfully. Finding a “happiness meter” for the level of color and pattern used is a lot like preparing a delicious menu for dinner. You never want too many salty, spicy, or sweet things all at once, but rather a balanced variety of tastes that complement one another, not compete for the tastebuds’ pleasure. The human eye reads an interior in much the same way as we enjoy a good meal. DON’T BE AFRAID OF COLOR Color is an effective and also an inexpensive way to guide the eye throughout an interior from the moment you walk in the door as well as the progression through to the innermost spaces. The color you wear the most is typically the color you feel the best in. Does the customer own an article of clothing that they absolutely love for its color or pattern? That can be a clue as to what color they should introduce as a starting point. Personally, I love black, but that certainly doesn’t mean that I have an all-black home. I do however use black lamp shades and accessories

Emily Morrow Finkell is an interior designer and CEO of EF Floors & Design, LLC in Dalton, a provider of hardwood floors and home furnishings, and NWFA design contributor. She can be reached at kikermorrow@gmail.com.

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