NWFA Partners with NAHB to Address Moisture-Related Flooring Issues

The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) has found moisture-related flooring problems to be a long-standing issue for home builders. That’s why Brett Miller, NWFA vice president of education and certification, met with the NAHB Construction Liability, Risk Management, and Building Materials Committee at the 2017 International Builders’ Show to discuss:

  • Elevated moisture in the home from the construction process
  • Tighter building envelopes that greatly reduce the ability of this moisture to escape
  • Inoperable HVAC systems during the construction process, again slowing the reduction of moisture
  • How all of this affects the performance of wood floors

When problems like these result in expensive insurance claims and dissatisfied home owners, the impact is felt by all parties in the supply chain.

NWFA spends a significant amount of time each year educating flooring contractors on the proper installation of wood flooring.  In 2015, after noticing a disproportionately high number of claims for improper installation of wood flooring, NWFA reached out to NAHB to extend its education to builders, and Miller first spoke to the committee to discuss the organization’s top concerns.

As part of that cooperative relationship, NWFA makes its Wood Flooring Installation Guidelines available to NAHB members at no cost.

For example, one solution is making sure the HVAC system is in place to help get the wood to optimum performance condition. In fact, the guide recommends that where building codes allow, permanent heating and/or air conditioning systems should operate at least five days prior to flooring installation to promote proper acclimation.

Article Source: NAHB

One thought

  1. This is a discussion desperately needed in the industry. As a manufacturer we continually see projects go south as the construction schedules get tighter and tighter allowing no time for floor installation to be properly completed. Thanks NWFA.

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