WFB EditorsNewsWFB Briefs: Drop in Kitchen Hardwood Flooring; Hardwood Federation’s 2021 Issue SurveyHardwood flooring’s use in kitchen renovations in 2020 dropped 6% from 2019 to 23%, falling just below ceramic or porcelain tile usage (24%), according to a 2020 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study. Vinyl flooring’s popularity grew 6% from 2019, with 19% of kitchen renovations incorporating vinyl or resilient flooring.January 13, 2021NewsSmall Business Optimism Sees ‘Historic’ Drop in DecemberSmall business optimism fell 5.5 points in December to a level of 95.9 on the National Federation of Independent Business’ Small Business Optimism Index. The level is below the average Index value of 98 recorded in 1973.January 13, 2021NewsTop 10 WFB News Articles of 20202020 was a year that will live in infamy. Amid all the craziness and uncertainty, these were the top 10 news stories posted on the Wood Floor Business website:January 13, 2021New ProductsFerma Flooring Adds Scarlet, Ebony to Brazilian Oak LineFerma Flooring’s Brazilian Oak line now includes Scarlet (pictured) and Ebony color options. The solid flooring is 4¾-inches wide with random lengths and a ¾-inch thickness. The planks feature four-sided micro-beveled edges and are tongue-and-grooved. fermaflooring.comJanuary 11, 2021NewsConstruction Industry Adds 51,000 Jobs in DecemberConstruction industry increased by 51,000 jobs in December, the Associated General Contractors of America reports. Residential building and specialty trade contractors have now recouped all the employment losses incurred from the coronavirus outbreak.January 11, 2021NewsAHF Purchases Certain Assets of Resilient Flooring ManufacturerAHF Products (Mountville, Pa.) is bolstering its resilient flooring offerings with a purchase of certain assets of Parterre Flooring Systems, a manufacturer of LVT flooring products.January 11, 2021NewsNAFCD Names Board Members, Officers for 2021The North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors announced its board of directors and officers for 2021:January 11, 2021NewsEurope Flooded with Illegal Wood From Billion-Dollar Russian Logging OperationMore than 110,000 tons of lumber linked to a billion-dollar illegal logging racket in Russia has found its way into the European market, according to Earthsight, a UK-based non-profit that investigates environmental crimes.January 11, 2021NewsGraf Brothers Receives Safety AwardGraf Brothers (South Shore, Ky.) received the Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance Destiny Award, which recognizes policy holders for having effective safety protocols.January 11, 2021New ProductsImpressions Flooring Unveils Cape Neddick CollectionImpressions Flooring Collection’s Cape Neddick series features European white oak flooring with an aluminum oxide coating designed to offer the visual appeal of an oil finish without the maintenance, the company says. The 7½-inch-wide engineered flooring is available in five color options (Dusty Ink pictured).impressionsflooring.comJanuary 6, 2021Previous PagePage 106 of 982Next PageTop StoriesRetailThriving Through Innovation: See the Winners of the 2025 WFB Outstanding Retailer AwardsFrom reimagined showrooms and mobile studios to thoughtful mentorship, employee empowerment and social media marketing, these WFB Outstanding Retailers are proving that personalized service is key to long-term success.TechniquesUseful Advice When Dealing With Pine FlooringContractingHow I Do These Jobs: Refinishing DecksNewsRecognizing Wood Floor Contractors: Enter the 2025 Ultimate Wood Floor Guy/Gal ContestSponsor ContentFrom Jobsite to Factory Floor: LED Roller Coaters Are Revolutionizing Wood Finishing
