I am writing this column fresh off another successful NWFA Wood Flooring Expo. As is the case each year, one of my favorite parts of the show was the announcement of the Wood Floor of the Year award winners. I had the pleasure of meeting each of these craftspeople and presenting them with their trophies during the opening session of Expo. Seeing their excitement and the pride they take in their work is a reminder that wood flooring is not just a job; we leave behind beautiful works of art that can last for generations.
For more than 30 years, the Wood Floor of the Year awards have encouraged and recognized innovative craftsmanship and design in wood flooring installations. Since the program began in 1990, nearly 350 awards have been presented. These awards celebrate the highest level of craftsmanship, creativity, and technical skill in wood flooring. Each year, NWFA members submit their most impressive projects, and the winners are selected based on both expert evaluation and member voting.
This year’s submissions showcased incredible talent, and we’re excited to recognize the best of the best. Read about how the winning projects came to fruition and see a gallery of all of the projects that were entered here. Looking through them is a great way to gain inspiration and try to figure out how to push the limits of what you thought was possible with wood flooring.
The Wood Floor of the Year contest means a lot to me for many reasons, including that our company, SVB Wood Floors, has won two of these awards. In 2009, we were recognized for a laser-cut design that consisted of 2,300 individual pieces of red oak, maple, and walnut woven into an intricate diamond pattern. Then, in 2016, we were recognized again for an entire house design, which included an intricate Bordeaux pattern in walnut, a wide plank chevron design, and a woven walnut design with a stone inlay.
The team worked so hard on those two projects and they remain a pride point for us today. We promote that SVB Wood Floors has won Wood Floor of the Year awards on our website and other materials. The Wood Floor of the Year program is a marketing opportunity for your business and shows customers your commitment to quality and innovation.
So, how can you start planning to create a stellar floor to enter in next year’s contest? Find inspiration and learn new skills. Both can be achieved by attending NWFA hands-on training classes. These events are offered all year long throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico and are led by an NWFA Regional Instructor. These instructors are highly skilled and trained individuals who are eager to share their knowledge with others. It’s a chance to learn from some of the industry’s finest, alongside your peers who share your passion for wood flooring. From Basic Installation to Precision Patterns: Medallions and Parquetry, there is a class for you no matter where you are in your career.
For more information about how you can attend a hands-on training event or enter next year’s Wood Floor of the Year awards, contact the NWFA at 800.422.4556 or info@nwfa.org.
