Howard Brickman

Howard Brickman

Howard Brickman is president at Norwell, Mass.-based Brickman Consulting and director of training and inspections for the International Wood Flooring Association.

Let Me Repeat This for Those in the Back: Acclimation Is Not a Time Thing

Recently there were comments on a WFB Facebook post with one of my favorite sayings, and those comments inspired me to write once again on a favorite topic: acclimation.

November 20, 2025

Acclimation Is Not A Time Thing

‘Match Existing Wood Flooring’: Is It a Fool's Errand?

When using an architect’s or designer’s plans for interior remodeling work, you will sometimes see the term “match existing” when repairing or replacing a portion of the existing wood floor. Here is my advice.

April 10, 2025

In Memoriam: Bermuda Wood Flooring Pro Lionel Taylor

My friend and professional colleague Lionel Taylor passed away the first week of October at the age of 76. Lionel operated a wood floor refinishing business, Taylor’d Flooring Ltd., in Southampton, Bermuda, for over 50 years.

October 22, 2024

Pictured in this 2022 photo are, left to right, Howard Brickman, Lionel Taylor, Damon Taylor (son), Damon Taylor (grandson).

Engineered Flooring and Low RH: What Can Happen and Why

Wood flooring expert Howard Brickman explains that forces at play with low relative humidity and engineered wood flooring—forces that can lead to dry-cupping, splits and more.

January 17, 2023

The raised edge of this wear layer (lamella) was created by shrinkage due to seasonal low relative humidity.

An Essential Wood Flooring Installation Practice: ‘Trust But Verify’

Before you start installing that wood flooring, it's imperative to do a few simple checks that can avoid big trouble later.

March 18, 2021

Measuring board width can be done using various tools; the caliper is the most accurate.

Troubleshooting

Why Would an Existing Wood Floor Cup After Refinishing?

Wood flooring expert Howard Brickman explains what factors could cause an existing wood floor to cup after it's been refinished.

January 19, 2021

How I Did This Floor: a Custom Compass Rose and More

Longtime wood flooring expert Howard Brickman shares the details on how he designed and installed this complex compass rose inlay.

September 27, 2018

How I Did This Floor Compass Rose

Unreasonable, Dishonest or Just Plain Crazy: How to Avoid Those Customers

Wood flooring pro Howard Brickman offers advice on how to avoid those customers you are better off without.

August 20, 2018

Have you had wood flooring customers who made you feel like this? (Photo credit: Shutterstock)

Tackling the Refinishing of Revolutionary War-Era Historic Maple Floors

Wood flooring pro Howard Brickman describes the refinishing process for the wood flooring in historic Faneiul Hall in Boston.

June 12, 2018

How to Succeed in this Business by Learning to Work Smarter … & Key West

It is important to fine-tune your daily habits to prepare for potential problems by making decisions and judgments more simple and learning what to focus on and what to ignore. This is part of the 8 Ps: "Proper Prior Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss-Poor Performance." And by developing some new good habits, you can be prepared for trouble if and when there are problems. The other great news about these new good habits is that they will substantially lower the probability that you will ever have any problems.

March 26, 2014

Key West Museum Of Art & History

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Introducing the Winners of the 2026 WFB Truck & Van Contest

Road-ready, strong and steady, this year’s WFB Truck & Van Contest winners brought their A game. Find out whose work vehicles won Best Exterior Graphics, Most Organized Interior, Most Unusual, Biggest Disaster and the new Exterior/Organized Combo award!

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What Is Your Favorite White Oak Floor You’ve Ever Done?

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Building Bozeman: 4 Must-Haves We Put in Our Showroom

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My Rule Of Three: How I Match Customers With Stain Colors Right Away

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Enter WFB's 2026 Ultimate Wood Floor Guy/Gal Contest by Oct. 1